It was clear by the tremendous turnout for the Gesher Yehudah 7th Annual High Heat Tournament in Deal, NJ, that the community is happy to raise money for Gesher Yehuda, an important and vital school in our community.
The Third Annual Ladies Tennis and Canasta Tournament began perfectly. It was one of the most magnificent days this summer, and a dazzling venue only added to a spectacular event. Gracious hosts Samantha and Bobby Harary opened their home in support of the Yeshivah of Flatbush mission, welcoming a record turnout of community members to a day filled with exciting tennis prowess, fitness activities, relaxation and pure fun.
The summertime gives us all a chance to take a step back and enjoy the warm weather. The Magen David Yeshivah PTA Tennis and Mah-Jongg Tournament provided an uplifting and pleasurable afternoon that embodied the serenity of summer.
August 16th, 2011 will remain in my heart forever, as if I had won the mega millions lottery. Celebrating my 40th anniversary of giving true hesed to our elders was amazing. This has been “my thing” since I started out in the terrace room (basement) of Shaare Zion in 1971. Mr. Bechor Shwekey A”H, president at the time, had asked me to perform for the seniors and play nobeh. I was young, hopeful, and completely ignorant of the path that was beginning to unfold—a path of hesed which would guide me, protect me, and open many hearts, minds and souls. Giving pure pleasure and comfort with my music was a cure all for any ailment the seniors were going though.
These are the people of our community. They came here in the 1900’s. On July 21st Betty and Joe Sitt, G-d bless them, brought their film to these community members because many were unable to travel to New York to see it at Lincoln Center in October.
The appreciation and happiness that the seniors felt was visible and incredible. While they watched, there was a palpable electricity and excitement in the air. They sat in rapt attention and remained transfixed as they watched the poignant stories of their relatives and other Syrian Jews discussing their childhood experiences and those of their parents, grandparents, siblings, uncles and aunts.
The nine days and actual fast of Tisha B’av leave a large amount of time in which to commemorate and lament upon the loss of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. How each individual may spend that time varies; though among all there is a definite sense of defeat. There is the difficult fact to deal with that a huge chunk of our culture was destroyed due to sinat hienam (a hatred of our fellows), our inability to treat other Jews with equality and respect. Most years, some may resolve to do so, though somehow Tisha B’av comes around again and we find ourselves in the same place. This year, however, an anonymous Jewish Syrian community member followed through on those resolutions, and managed to bring the rest of the community along with her.
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, brought Arlene González-Sánchez, Commissioner of the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services to see firsthand how SAFE achieves its impressive record of successes.
The Obuda Synagogue in Hungary was built in 1820 to replace a previous synagogue that had been destroyed. The new synagogue was designed in French Empire style by architect Andreas Landesherr. The pediment (triangular section found above the horizontal structure) and six Corinthian columns of the facade gave it the look of a classic temple. The pediment was embellished with carved ornament, and surmounted by the tablets of the Ten Commandments. On the side walls two tiers of round-arched windows alternated with classical pilasters.
“They went through hard times during the Depression. People were poor, but they always had that optimism that they were going to make it. They didn’t give up. They had humility. They never forgot the humility. The people of our generation never grew up poor.”
– David “Hurdle” Tawil, excerpt from Episode 3: Life in Bensonhurst
September 13th is primary day, and for a portion of our community this includes the special election to fill a vacant seat in the US House of Representatives. Voting is critical and has already been benefiting our community in some direct ways.
According to SCF President Sam Sutton, “Against the backdrop of massive cuts at every level—federal, state, and city—we are also making it clear that budgets must not be balanced at the expense of our community, because we participate in the democratic process.”
School Choice is a program that allows students to attend any private, public or charter school based on a system of vouchers. School vouchers redirect the flow of education funding, channeling it directly to families rather than to school districts. This allows families to select the public or private school of their choice and have all or part of the tuition paid for with their tax dollars.
In the year 1825 Sir William Curtis, a longstanding Member of Parliament of the City of London, made a toast at the local Board of Education dinner. He listed the educational achievements to date and highlighted the challenges. Within his remarks he coined a phrase that would be repeated thousands of times in educational institutions all over the world. He said: “We must build our educational system around the three essential R’s of education: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic”.
As I open my refrigerator each morning (or evening) I should say…
Take 1: “Blessed are you, Dear Refrigerator…”
No. That’s not right.
Take 2: “May your shelves be full each and every day with food and drink. And especially with leftovers…”
I don’t think so.
It’s mid July and as I walked into Walmart today the first things that caught my eye were the rows and rows of back to school supplies. Packs and packs of fresh Crayola crayons, #2 sharpened pencils, cool folders and those marble composition notebooks. Suddenly I was eight years old again. There it was in the pit of my stomach just remembering going back to school. Old anxieties surfaced once again. Class cards didn’t come yet, who will be in my class? Will I have friends? Will the kids like me? Who’s my teacher?
Here I am a mother, grandmother, educator and therapist and these feelings are as real now as they were then. We as parents need to stay in touch with our inner child and by doing this we will better understand our children, their fears and dreams. As parents we need to be ready for the change and start planning for the transition.
