Israel Did Not Kill Charlie Kirk

Linda Argalgi Sadacka

The tragic murder of Charlie Kirk has generated sorrow across America. What has followed is a disgrace: a torrent of slanderous accusations tying Israel to his death. In only a few days, more than ten thousand social media posts have claimed without evidence that Israel orchestrated the killing. These accusations are not only false, they are dangerous, and they must be exposed for what they are: modern blood libels.

The first question any rational observer should ask is simple. Where is the evidence? There is none. Not one law enforcement agency, not one credible journalist, not one piece of verifiable information has implicated Israel. The accusers began with their conclusion that Israel was guilty and then tried to construct a conspiracy around it. That is the inversion of truth. In a court of law, such claims would be thrown out before arguments even began.
The second question is, what possible motive would Israel have? Charlie Kirk was not an enemy of the Jewish state. He was a friend. He praised Chabad. He honored Shabbat (Sabbath). He recognized the role of Jewish tradition in sustaining Western civilization. For Israel to kill Kirk would mean striking at an ally. No rational democracy murders its allies. The very suggestion defies logic.
The third question is why Israel is being singled out. The answer lies in history. For centuries, antisemites have blamed Jews for every calamity. When the plague swept Europe, they said the Jews had caused it. When economies collapsed, they said the Jews were behind it. After the September 11 attacks the same lie spread, that Israel orchestrated it. Now Kirk’s murder has become the newest excuse for the oldest hatred. These accusations are not based on fact. They are rooted in prejudice and scapegoating.
A fourth point is practical. Every moment wasted on this nonsense is a moment stolen from the pursuit of justice. Conspiracy theories do not honor Kirk’s life. They dishonor it. They distract from the real perpetrators. They delay accountability. They embolden the very forces of hate Kirk opposed. Instead of mourning a man of conviction and seeking truth, they weaponize his death against the one democracy in the Middle East.
Finally, there is the moral dimension. To blame Israel for Charlie Kirk’s death is not merely wrong. It is obscene. It is the twenty-first century’s version of the blood libel, the most pernicious of antisemitic lies. These conspiracies are not aimed at solving a crime but at scapegoating a people. That is why they must be rejected with clarity, with reason, and with moral courage.
Charlie Kirk deserves the truth. His family deserves justice. Israel deserves not to be defamed with baseless slanders. Let us be clear: Israel did not kill Charlie Kirk. To claim otherwise is a lie, a blood libel for our time, and history will judge those who spread it accordingly.

Sarina Roffé

I had been to Istanbul about 10 years ago when my husband and I did a tour of Turkey. During that time, I met with Rabbi IZAK Peres and we became friends. I loved touring Turkey and visiting the seat of modern Turkey, since it became a sovereign nation after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. I met with Rabbi IZAK Peres again during this visit, but it was under different circumstances. He visited me in the hospital and made sure I had food for Shabbat.

Istanbul has become a popular destination for high-quality plastic surgery and I was no exception. The price and the first-class treatment made it an amazing experience. If you ever want to go for plastic surgery, this is the place to go and I can definitely find you a connection. In fact, my connection was someone from the community who hooked me up with her sister, Miryam Sulam. She was my go-between, coordinating with the doctor and the hospital and making sure that I was taken care of when I came.
Rabbi Peres was also there. He got his semicha (Rabbinic ordination) from Shehebar Sephardic Center and Rabbi Sam Kassin. In Istanbul, Rabbi Peres is not only a congregation rabbi, he is also a dayan (rabbinical judge), a teacher in the Jewish day school, and a shochet (kosher ritual slaughterer). He told me he was going the next day to Bulgaria to slaughter meat to send to Greece, since they are not allowed to slaughter in Greece. He is a busy guy.
During my visit, Miryam also took the time to take me around a little bit. The first day after my pre-op exam was finished, we went to Neve Shalom Synagogue in Galata, which is a neighborhood on the European side of Istanbul. Istanbul has a European side and an Asian side.
As a little background, Jews came to what was then the Ottoman Empire in 1492 when Sultan Bayezid II invited them after the expulsion from Spain by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. The sultan sent ships to bring Jews to the Ottoman Empire. Jewish communities all over the Ottoman Empire took root from Istanbul to Antakya for over 530 years.
A century after the creation of the nation of Turkey, there are still several Jewish communities, primarily in Izmir and Istanbul. The communities are 96 percent Sephardic and a few Ashkenazim. The presence of Jews in Eastern Turkey—in places like Iskenderun, Gazi Anteb, Kilis, Antakya, and cities that border Syria—has decreased to minuscule numbers.
The Neve Shalom Synagogue is located near the Galata Tower, a famous site. People were lined up for hours to go to the top of the tower. Neve Shalom is not only Istanbul’s central Sephardic synagogue and the seat of the Istanbul Chief Rabbinate, it is also the largest house of worship of the Jewish community in Turkey. Weddings, funerals, and bar mitzvahs, as well as the inauguration of the Chief Rabbi, are regularly held there. It is the only synagogue on the Golden Horn that has an intact mikveh.
There are important traditions I learned about the Jews of Turkey. Their lahamagene is the size of a personal pan pizza. Each year, they have a day dedicated to Limmud. Limmud was originally a conference in the United Kingdom for Jewish educators. It evolved over the years into a community gathering of Jewish learning and has grown into a large international organization based in over 40 countries and almost 100 communities worldwide. In Turkey, there are over 1,000 participants each year.
During the second week of May each year, a concert is held in the Great Edirne Synagogue to celebrate the Week of Foundations. The synagogue in Edirne was rebuilt and reopened in 2015.
While many Americans hold baby showers for a pregnant mother, it is seen as bad luck in American Jewish families. Not so in Istanbul. Fashadura is a time-honored ceremony held in the fifth or seventh month of pregnancy, always on a Monday or Thursday, the day the Torah is read. Family and friends gather and a garment of cotton or linen is sewn for the unborn child to be worn when born, and it is believed to give the child long life. The first cutting is by someone who has no children.

Before leaving New York, many people asked how I felt going to Turkey when, due to the Gaza War, the nation had broken off relations with Israel. I am a staunch Zionist and supporter of Israel. However, I did not see any reason not to go to Turkey for this purpose, especially since I knew Jewish people and a prominent rabbi. Turkey is not a place to advertise you are Jewish. Miryam is encouraging her two children to find jobs outside Turkey. The community is decreasing in numbers. Thousands have gone to Israel or gotten Portuguese or Spanish citizenships.
Neve Shalom means “Oasis of Peace,” but the peace came to a sudden end in 1986 and 2003 when the house of prayer became a target of vicious terrorist attacks, both on Shabbat.
The Jewish Museum of Turkey is also in Neve Shalom. The inside of the synagogue is truly magnificent, and you can see how the community once thrived here. The museum shows the rich 700-year history of Jews in Turkey. Part of the museum shows the history of the Jews in Anatolia dating back to the 4th century BCE and continues with the arrival of Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain in 1492 and later from Portugal.
I spent two days in the hospital for the procedure and then was moved to the Sheraton to recuperate. I noticed the hotel had tight security, with every vehicle being scanned. Packages, bags, and purses had to go through a scanner and people through a metal detector.
A few days after my procedure, I returned to the hospital for a post-op check-up and clearance to fly home. After I was cleared by the doctor, I felt like I needed to get some fresh air and the weather was perfect for a little walk.

So before I came back to New York, I suggested to Miryam that I wanted to visit the Yanbol Synagogue in Balat. I had read that it had been renovated and it was one of the four surviving ancient synagogues in Balat, a district once densely populated by Jews. Miryam called the synagogue and arranged for us to visit. We would see the synagogue and get lunch.
The two-year renovation of Yanbol was financed by the German Consulate. The sanctuary was just breathtaking as you will see from the photos in this article. It is a fully functioning synagogue with regular services. There is a small museum there as well, featuring rimonim (Torah finials), Torah crowns, and other religious articles discovered in a hidden storeroom. All of the artifacts were restored and turned into an exhibition in cooperation with the Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews. It contains elements dating from Byzantine times in its courtyard, and its ceiling is decorated with oil paintings of nature.
The sanctuary hall features a mixed stone and wood structure. Special care was taken to conserve and restore the synagogue’s original artwork, decorative elements, and wall paintings.
Just a few feet from the Yanbol Synagogue was Ahrida Synagogue. The caretaker walked us down the street and opened its doors, taking my breath away. It was built by Romaniotes (Greek Jews), dating back to the 1430s, from the city of Ohrid in what was then the Ottoman Empire and is now North Macedonia. Ahrida Synagogue is known for its boat-shaped tebah (reader’s platform). Ahrida Synagogue is also the only synagogue in Istanbul at which Sabbatai Zevi, founder of the Jewish Sabbatean movement, prayed.
Despite the decreasing numbers, Istanbul and its suburbs still have a community large enough to support at least 19 synagogues, youth and family clubs, social support, and a 500-student Jewish day school. The curriculum is taught in Turkish, Hebrew, and English.
There is also a Talmud Torah, clubs, and ways for families and youth to be together and make friends on both the Asian and European side of Istanbul. Young adults have many opportunities to socialize, meet, and marry within the community. There are also summer synagogues that open as people leave the city for the beach communities.
The community has a full agenda of social services: pocket money, scholarships for higher education, ambulance services, caregivers, counseling, a weekly and monthly Ladino newspaper, senior citizen housing, and programs.
Would I come back to Istanbul in the future? Probably, but I would need to consider the current state of affairs. Turkey is one of the few nations with a primarily Muslim population I felt safe in.

Together We Can Solve Tuition

The average cost of tuition in our community is $30,000 per child, per year. For a family with five children, that’s a bill of $150,000. How can families live like this? The burden is enormous, affecting nearly every household. But our community has proven that when we face a challenge, we come together. We’ve always supported each other, whether it’s families, businesses, or health needs. Tuition should be no different. This is our moment to work side by side and solve this challenge through unity, creativity, and commitment.

UCEF has spent the last 8 years working with community companies and individuals to generate funds for tuition relief. To date, UCEF distributed nearly $6 million directly to families in all 14 Brooklyn community schools.
The system is in place. Parents, schools, and businesses are connected. The structure works. Now we need more people to use and maximize these programs so we can generate millions more for our community families.

How You Can Help, At No Cost
UCEF connects your company to vetted vendors. You talk to them like any new partner, review pricing, services, and quality. If it works for your business, the vendor pays UCEF a royalty that goes directly to tuition relief.
One example: “A company initially told us not to bother, they thought they already had the best rates. After a review, UCEF was able to save them $150,000, and now their business generates royalties for UCEF, connecting their business to Beracha.” If it doesn’t make sense, nothing changes. No risk, only potential benefit.
UCEF partners with top professionals across all types of insurance, Business, Home, Life, Group Health, Estate Planning, and more. Connect with one of the UCEF partners to see if they can get you better rates or better coverage. If they can, make the change, otherwise stick with what you have.

Eli Cohen Insurance Agency Partnership
The Eli Cohen Insurance Agency has been a flagship partnership for UCEF. They have been successful in helping save our community business owners hundreds of thousands of dollars and have been able to contribute to the UCEF fund. The Eli Cohen Insurance Agency specializes in:

• Property Insurance for Real Estate including Residential, Commercial, Warehouse/Industrial
• Product Liability & Ocean Marine for wholesale companies
• Business Insurance and Workers Comp for retail stores, restaurants, and more
• Homeowners/Landlord insurance for homes in NY and NJ

UCEF Debit Card Program
Everyday purchases can generate tuition dollars. Shopping locally, for example buying groceries at Jerusalem Glatt, clothing at 2020, a treat from Urban Pops, or dinner at Subnational, generates rewards to your own tuition bill. Rewards can be 2–5x higher than most credit cards. Keep your cards, but when rewards are better, use the UCEF Tab card.
The card is also perfect for kids. Instead of cash allowance, load the UCEF card. You control the funds, guide their shopping, and every purchase racks up tuition credits that come directly off your bill.

How UCEF Distributes the Money
UCEF’s program is inclusive and fair. Each year, UCEF has sent schools a list of approved families and the per-child amount, then issues a lump-sum check. Schools apply the funds directly to each parent’s tuition bills. Families see immediate savings.

New Programs on the Horizon
UCEF is positioned to lead with the upcoming tax credit bill. Starting January 1, 2027, every taxpayer can send a $1700 donation to UCEF which will generate a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. It doesn’t cost you anything, and since UCEF has running programs every donation dollar goes directly to tuition relief.
UCEF also has 3–4 major initiatives in development that can generate millions more. The systems are ready. What they need now is people to get involved and help put them into action.

Your Role Matters
This isn’t about a few leaders doing all the work. Every person has a role. Work with a vendor, review your insurance, shop with the debit card, or share your skills and connections. Let’s stop saying, “There’s nothing we can do,” and start saying, “I’m ready to do something.” Together we can turn this challenge into our greatest accomplishment. The more people that participate, the more successful we can be.
If you’re ready to take the next step, reach out to a UCEF board member or contact our Executive Director, Sammy Esses, at 917-647-9276 or email him at sammy@ucef.com. You can call, text, or email him anytime.

Sophia Waingort

This summer at SBH was packed with moments that brought our community together in the best ways. We kicked things off with our favorite Saturday night of the year, Midnight Festival, where over 3,000 young adults gathered to play games and scream on rides with their friends. Soon after came Jaclyn’s Lemonade Stand, our sweetest event of the summer in memory of Jaclyn Ashear A”H. Ten families hosted stands that included snacks and activities like a bouncy house, face painting, pony rides, even a train ride, and of course, lemonade. That same day, our youth and young adults joined forces at Hoops4Hesed, competing in volleyball, basketball, and soccer tournaments.
Parents had some opportunities to check in too, from SEARCH’s free screenings for children ages 0 to 4, to Recipe for Success, where families learned practical strategies for the upcoming school year. Shortly after, hundreds of women attended our Medical Day of Health at DSN Beach Club, which focused on bone health.
Over 400 parents and grandparents showed up for our Courage to Heal event, where our expert panelists discussed body safety, boundaries, and prevention for children. Our Fertility Division hosted one of our most successful events of the summer with Together We Grow, an evening of speakers, connection, and a beautiful auction. Our speakers shared their own fertility journeys, bringing awareness and attention to such an important topic.
We can’t forget about our Young Professionals, who impressed this summer with their Stoop Talks in collaboration with The Center, where over 400 young adults gathered on a Friday to hear from community leaders in real estate, including Jeff Sutton, and in hospitality.
Our seniors also had a jam where they danced at the annual Senior Nobeh and sang as loud as they could with Stevie Chera at Young at Heart. Some even ran in our Diane Azrak A”H Team SBH 5K. Our Candy Land–themed marathon was a complete sugar rush, with community members running, strolling, skipping, and of course, crawling. We slowed things down with a day of golf at our 12th Annual Golf Outing, where we honored Michael G. Hudgens and Jason M. Goldberg with the Partners in Kindness Award.
Back again with our youth, they planned an incredible program during the Nine Days. They packed their nights with hallah baking, hesed fairs, meal packing, hanging out with the Special Children’s Center, and an auction. A few weeks later, we held our Charles J. Anteby Youth Awards, where we honored our past presidents and welcomed our new youth presidents and vice presidents of Brooklyn and Jersey. We also celebrated our captains at Captain Appreciation Night, where we recognized volunteers who give so much to SBH.

From June to August, summer at SBH was filled with energy, excitement, inspiration, and education, just because it’s summer doesn’t mean we can’t learn new things! It reminded us once again that when our community comes together, we create something truly special.

Anchoring the Sephardic Soul of Downtown NYC, entering a new era with Rabbi Joey Faur and Rabbi Sion Setton

In 2001, a small Friday-night minyan on West 16th Street drew Syrians, Israelis, and French Jews to pray in one crowded room. That spark has become Congregation Magen David of Manhattan (CMDM), now anchored on Sullivan Street.

Today CMDM offers daily services, Torah study, holiday meals, and soon a Downtown Sephardic Student Center. More than a synagogue, it is a movement, a home for families and young professionals building their lives downtown.

Welcoming Rabbi Joey Faur:
A Rabbi for This Generation
This year marks a turning point with Rabbi Joey Faur’s appointment as CMDM’s new spiritual guide. At just 27, Rabbi Faur brings a rare blend of Torah mastery, youthful vigor, and genuine warmth. His journey, which includes immersive Torah study, academic and business pursuits, and defending Am Yisrael in the IDF uniform, resonates deeply with young adults seeking identity, purpose, and faith. At the same time, his erudition, maturity, and experience allow him to connect with community members, young and old alike.
Rabbi Faur’s impact was immediate. His lessons, ro­o­­ted in Sephardic halacha and tradition, address contemporary challenges with both approachability and rigor. Reflecting on CMDM’s atmosphere, Rabbi Faur explains: “Our community is, above all, a home for students, young professionals, couples, families, and visitors from near and far. The moment you step into Magen David’s Sullivan Street building, you are greeted with warmth and invited into tefillot, shared meals, and engaging Torah classes. That all of this exists outside the traditional community hub is nothing short of remarkable.”

Rabbi Sion Setton and the Downtown Sephardic Student Center:
A New Era of Leadership and Learning
Alongside Rabbi Joey Faur, Rabbi Sion Setton, a long-time friend, teacher, and beloved rabbinic presence at CMDM, is serving full-time as Principal of Yeshivah Prep High School. Over the next few years, he will lead an exciting initiative: the creation of the Downtown Sephardic Student Center, which will serve the spiritual and communal needs of hundreds of Sephardic college students and young professionals who live, dorm, or study in downtown New York.
Located in Greenwich Village/SoHo, and serving students from NYU, Baruch, Pace, Cooper Union, Cardozo, and beyond, the Center is both a sanctuary and a home. The Downtown Sephardic Student Center, housed in CMDM’s newly renovated Sullivan Street facility, offers:

• Weekly Shabbat services and warm communal dinners.
• Daily minyanim and hot breakfast for students.
• Ongoing Torah classes and havrutot (study partnerships).
• Holiday programming and social events.
• Personal mentorship and halachic (Jewish law) guidance for young adults.
• Internship and job placement opportunities.
• Summer BBQs and get-togethers in Deal to strengthen community bonds.
  

“Jewish students today are facing a world of intense pressure socially, academically, and spiritually,” says Rabbi Setton. “Our job is to make sure they know they are not alone. That there is a community that sees them, supports them, and helps them stay connected to who they are.”
Each weekday morning, as the city awakens, Hazzan Michael Gammal leads Shaharit melodically and efficiently, setting a grounded tone for the day. Soon after, Yossi Abraham hosts engaging Torah classes over coffee, fresh breakfast, and warm conversation, exploring everything from halachic insights to classical commentaries. These gatherings provide students and professionals with a meaningful spiritual anchor before they head off to work or school.
On Shabbat and Jewish holidays, the local community gathers for spirited prayers led by Hazzan Leor Alkadda. After services, everyone enjoys Kiddush and festive meals lovingly catered by Events Director Erica Rolo. Throughout Shabbat, meaningful Torah classes taught by Rabbi Faur, Rabbi Setton, and guest speakers, along with engaging social programs, offer both spiritual nourishment and deep communal connection.

Magen David in Motion: A Community for Every Life Stage
CMDM is more than a synagogue. It is a spiritual home, a vibrant social hub, and a center for Jewish life that serves all ages and stages. Our regular programming includes:

• Lavish monthly Friday-night dinners for young professionals.
• Purim celebrations that have be­come downtown’s most anticipated parties.
• Rooftop gatherings, guest speakers, exclusive film screenings, panel discussions, and more.
  Events Director and chef extraordinaire Erica Rolo ensures that every gathering is thoughtfully prepared and beautifully executed. The result is a warm, joyful, and welcoming environment that fosters lasting relationships. In fact, over forty couples have met and married through connections made at CMDM, a testament to the depth and vitality of this community.
  Our newly renovated event space and modern kitchen on Sullivan Street, just steps from SoHo and Washington Square, now also hosts life cycle events, including:
• Brit milot
• Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
• Sheba berachot
• Engagement parties and memorials

Why Now: A Home for the Next Generation
In an era when many young Jews are disconnecting from faith and tradition following high school, Magen David of Manhattan offers something powerful: a model for staying rooted without standing still. It is a place where young people do not have to choose between downtown life and Sephardic values. It is a synagogue where you can attend a morning minyan, learn Torah with your rabbi over coffee, celebrate your engagement, and find your community, all under one roof.
It is where kids from Brooklyn or Deal who dorm in the city feel safe and grounded. It is where young professionals meet their future spouses. It is where downtown families bring their children for their first aliyah to the Torah. It is not just a synagogue. It is home.
As Rabbi Elie Abadie once said in a dedication: “May this synagogue be a sanctuary, where prayers of all people will be heard and answered. Not only a place of worship but a place to touch eternity.” Magen David of Manhattan is that place. And the time to invest in it is now.
Congregation Magen David of Manhattan is located at 177 Sullivan St. NYC. To host your simcha, learn more about our growing programs, or get the minyan schedule, visit www.MagenDavidNY.org. For direct inquiries, contact Erica Rolo at 212-673-0333 or email info@magendavidny.org.

An Interview with Shimmy Braun, Senior Director Community Relations and Physician Alignment

Mount Sinai Brooklyn, formerly known as Kings Highway Hospital, has for years been part of the Mount Sinai Health System while continuing to serve as a true community hospital. The facility has expanded its services, upgraded its standards of care, and deepened its ties to the neighborhoods it serves. To learn more about these developments, we sat down with Shimmy Braun, Senior Director of Community Relations and Physician Alignment, who shared how Mount Sinai Brooklyn is working to combine world-class resources with the warmth of a local hospital.

Q It has been four years since you joined Mount Sinai Brooklyn, and there have been many changes during that time. Can you share some of them with us?
A Sure. When I joined the Mount Sinai Health System and Mount Sinai Brooklyn, I was given two areas of responsibility. I am responsible for recruiting physicians and surgeons to help expand the range of services offered to both in-patients and out-patients. My second area of responsibility is to serve as Senior Director of Community Relations. This responsibility includes representing Mount Sinai Brooklyn at assorted community events, and setting up Medical Education Presentations for the communities we serve. I also act as the liaison for the hospital to organizations such as Hatzalah, Sephardic Bikur Holim, Morris Franco Cancer Center (Medstar), Chaim Aruchim, Vaad Harefuah and RCCS, to name a few. I am in contact with many of the medical referral agencies, assisting with recommendations for specialists, and helping to expedite appointments for patients. Additionally, I work on some of the unique requests I receive on behalf of the religious community.
Q That sounds like a lot of coordination on your part. Does a major hospital such as Mount Sinai concern itself with community requests?
A Absolutely. The senior leadership has been extremely supportive of many of the requests that have been posed by community Rabbis and other community leaders.
Q Can you give me some examples?
A Of course. When I joined Mount Sinai Brooklyn, I discovered that although there was a Kosher certification on the food, it was dependent on leniencies (Kulot) that would apply for only sick patients (Holim) and not completely acceptable for employees and visitors. With the full support of the senior administration here at Mount Sinai Brooklyn, even with an increase in cost for the “upgraded” Kashrut certification, we are proud to tell everyone that as of December 1, 2022, the Kitchen and Cafeteria at Mount Sinai Brooklyn are under the hashgacha of Tarnopol Kashrus with the presence of Mashgiach Temidi (full-time kosher supervisor), and filters have been installed on the water supply. This certification can be relied upon by everyone and is not utilizing any of the leniencies used in the past.
Q What other accommodations have been made for our community?
A We gave our Bikur Cholim room a facelift and arranged with Yad Ephraim to keep it stocked with microwavable meals, salads, soups, drinks, and snacks. They also installed a warmer for individually wrapped Shabbos meals for those who require them.
In response to a request by one of the community Rabbis, we customized a private restroom to be designated as a “Sabbath Restroom,” with all manual fixtures. It is situated across from the Bikur Cholim room. We also have a Sabbath elevator for those who require it.
Q You mentioned that you recruit physicians and work on expanding the services offered at Mount Sinai Brooklyn. Please share with the community your accomplishments in that area.
A As part of the Mount Sinai Health System, we provide our patients access to subspecialty services, groundbreaking research, and clinical trials available across all our hospitals. During my interview for the position, I was informed of the goal we were working towards: “No matter which hospital in the Mount Sinai Health System a patient comes to, there should be no difference, clinically and aesthetically, from one to the next.”
With that in mind, Dr. Scott Lorin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mount Sinai Brooklyn, laid out a plan of action. There was to be a concentration on raising the quality of care from that which previously existed for both in-patient and out-patient services and procedures. One of the first things accomplished was that all physicians are now Board Certified in their specialty, meeting the Mount Sinai Health System’s level of quality. Equipment at the Mount Sinai Brooklyn hospital was upgraded to the same level of quality as the rest of the system.
One of my first recruits was Betzalel “Bitz” Bree to serve as an Emergency Room Patient Navigator. As an active Hatzalah member, the ER was not a change of pace for Bitz. His responsibilities include assisting patients and their families while in the ER, as well as follow-through should the patient be admitted. In the three-and-a-half years that he’s been here, the patients and staff have nothing but praise for him for helping to manage the needs of the patients, their families, and the ambulance personnel who brought them in.
My next recruit was Dr. Danny Sherwinter, an accomplished and respected surgeon in General Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, and Bariatric Surgery. We now added Chief of Surgery, Mount Sinai Brooklyn, to his title. He has taken over the Department of Surgery, and in the three years since he started, Mount Sinai Brooklyn is recognized as an excellent facility to consider for surgery. The hospital has two DaVinci Robotic Surgical Systems, which offer a minimally invasive surgical solution that accomplishes surgeries with less pain and shorter hospital stays.

The surgeries performed at Mount Sinai Brooklyn include:

• Bariatric Surgery
• Breast Surgery
• Colorectal Surgery
• ENT Surgery
• Advanced Gastroenterology Endoscopies and Surgeries
• Gynecology Surgeries
• Orthopedic Surgery and Joint Replacements
• Pain Management treatment and procedures
• Thoracic Surgery
• Urological and Kidney Surgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Two Interventional Radiology Suites

Q You mentioned earlier expanding services for out-patients as well. Can you elaborate on that?
A We have done extensive renovations to our professional building located at 3131 Kings Highway, and have added several medical specialties to offer to the community. Many of our physicians and surgeons treat patients both at The Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan and at Mount Sinai Brooklyn. Patients can see a “Manhattan Doctor” in Manhattan, or right here in Brooklyn. In essence, we’ve successfully brought Manhattan to Brooklyn.
We also have another site a few minutes away dedicated to our out-patient cardiology team. This state-of-the-art facility is located at 1977 Flatbush Avenue (right off Flatlands Avenue). It offers nuclear and non-nuclear cardiac testing on site. There are diagnostic cardiologists on staff full time, as well as assorted subspecialty cardiologists from The Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan seeing patients on select days of the week. This facility has free parking in the rear of the building for our patients’ convenience.
Q The Mount Sinai Brooklyn Cancer Center at 3131 Kings Highway is an impressive addition to the hospital. Can you elaborate on that facility?
A Sure. This facility occupies the first floor at 3131 Kings Highway. It is an extension of the Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center, including The Tisch Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, our Cancer Centers of Excellence, and our Cancer Network. Our cancer specialists participate in active clinical trials and treat a variety of cancers. If a patient has been seen by a physician in a Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, they can have their infusions performed locally at the Mount Sinai Brooklyn Cancer Center.
Adjacent to the Infusion Center at 3131 Kings Highway is our state-of-the-art Mammography Center, led by Dr. Frimmet Forman. The level of quality and sensitivity is excellent.
Q With all the expansion of services that you mentioned, are there any plans for adding a maternity department?
A That is an important question. While the size limitations of Mount Sinai Brooklyn won’t allow for a labor and delivery department to operate safely and effectively, we’ve done the next best thing. The Mount Sinai OB-GYN group, which performs baby deliveries at The Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan and is headed by Dr. Alan Adler, now has office hours two days a week to see patients at 3131 Kings Highway. This allows all the pre- and post-delivery visits to take place locally, while the actual deliveries happen in The Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. The entire group rotates through here, so the patients get to meet all the doctors in the group. They are also seeing standard gynecology patients as well.
Q What else can you tell us about Mount Sinai Brooklyn?
A Mount Sinai Brooklyn is an accredited Stroke Center that is led by Dr. Steven Rudolph. Accreditation entails having multidisciplinary teams to provide the appropriate therapy within the clinical guidelines for the acute treatment of stroke. The Mount Sinai Brooklyn Stroke Center has been recognized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, which granted Mount Sinai Brooklyn the “Get With the Guidelines” Stroke GOLD PLUS with Honor Roll Elite award in 2021. In 2022, we achieved the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission, which awarded Mount Sinai Brooklyn advanced certification as a Primary Stroke Center.
In addition to all the specialists that are here, we are proud to offer the community a choice of two excellent primary care physicians in our PCP suite at 3131 Kings Highway. Drs. Diane Kantor and Milton Grunzweig bring years of experience in the field of primary care.
We are also very pleased that our Pain Management Practice, led by Dr. Gary Esses, has gained tremendous popularity by helping patients who struggle with chronic headaches, neck pain, back pain, and joint pain.
Q The public is always concerned regarding the nursing care in a hospital. What can you share with our readers about the nurses at Mount Sinai Brooklyn?
A I’m very proud to say that my response is based on what patients have told me and have written to me. I am so inspired by the praise given to our nurses by the patients and their families. We strive to keep our nurse-to-patient ratio within our guidelines, offering safe and expert care delivered with a smile. Mount Sinai Brooklyn proudly boasts an impressive rating within the Mount Sinai Health System, proportionately having the lowest hospital-acquired infection rate.
Q How would you summarize Mount Sinai Brooklyn?
A Mount Sinai Brooklyn offers the best of both worlds. We retain the warm feeling that the staff has both with patients and fellow staff members, usually experienced in a community-style hospital, with the resources of the Mount Sinai Health System fully available to our patients. If we feel that a patient will benefit in any way at one of Mount Sinai’s hospitals, we’ll internally transfer the patient to the facility that will offer the best expected outcome. As we are all part of the same system, all patient records are available across the entire network, residing in the Electronic Medical Records system that we all operate on. This allows for a seamless continuity of care.
Q Is there anything else you’d like to share?
A I truly hope that our services remain not needed, but should they be, we are here to help. Patients can contact us using the phone numbers below.
Primary Care Practice and Orthopedic Practice
718-758-7022
OB-GYN Group 212-731-3232
Surgery Department 718-677-0109
Flatbush Ave Cardiology Practice 718-758-7070
Mammography Department 718-951-2717
Infusion Center or Hematology/Oncology Physicians 718-758-7050
Urology Practice 212-844-8900
Stroke Department 718-677-2089
Chaplain, Rabbi Yaakov Hoenig 718-951-9323
Patient Representatives 718-951-3005

Victoria Safdieh

Parenting a child with special needs can feel like running a marathon you didn’t sign up for. The days are long, the hurdles keep coming, and there’s barely a chance to catch your breath. We give so much of ourselves that it’s easy to forget one simple truth: you can’t keep going without rest.

Modern life doesn’t make it easier. Work deadlines, household demands, and social pressures pile on top of the unique challenges you already carry. Over time, stress becomes the background music of daily life, so constant you almost stop hearing it. But our bodies and hearts always notice. They send quiet signals: irritability where there used to be patience, tension in places that once felt relaxed, a heavy sigh before walking through the front door. Those “yellow lights” aren’t signs you’re failing. They’re your body’s way of saying, “Hey, I need a break.” Sometimes we’re so busy powering through that we miss the signals. That’s why it helps to leave yourself gentle reminders, like a sticky note on the fridge or even a reminder on your phone. Think of them as nudges to check in with yourself before burnout hits.

Rest is not selfish!
Many parents hesitate to step back. We tell ourselves: No one else can do it like I can. I should be able to handle this. My child needs me all the time. But caring for yourself isn’t about stepping away from your child, it’s about ensuring you have the energy to keep showing up. Yes, you are the absolute ideal person to take care of your child, but taking a break from caregiving, or craving adult time instead of watching the same kid video for the 100th time, has nothing at all to do with your capability.
Although many people feel they do not have the time or money to vacation or go out for dinner with their spouse, the truth is, you can’t afford not to. Taking a break or vacation is as important as charging your phone. Taking short breaks is like charging your phone for a half hour. Going out for dinner once a week, or even just for ice cream for an hour, is very helpful and important. No matter what, at some point, you will have to plug in your phone long enough for a full charge if you want it to work effectively for a long period of time. Similarly, you have to recharge yourself for a solid few days or a week so you can be the best spouse and parent. A vacation doesn’t need to be costly or long to have benefits. An affordable weekend getaway is far better than none at all. The key is to fully unplug from work and your regular routine.
The Benefits of Recharging:

• Health and energy. Rest lowers stress, protects your body, and restores emotional balance.
• Clarity. Distance gives perspective. Stepping back can reveal solutions that were hidden in the fog of exhaustion.
• Stronger relationships. Time alone with your spouse builds connection, joy, and trust. It reminds both of you that you are partners in life, not just co-managers of responsibilities.

We already know that breaks are good for us. The challenge is giving ourselves permission to take them. So, consider this your gentle reminder: rest is part of the job. It keeps your love sustainable. It gives your children the best version of you.
The question isn’t whether you need to recharge. The question is: how will you choose to do it today, this week, or this month?

Lifelong Learning at Every Level

At Magen David Yeshivah High School, education doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Our faculty members are lifelong learners, continuing their studies, publishing, and presenting, proving that learning is a lifelong commitment, not confined to a school building or a grade level.

Rabbi Eli Mansour, our renowned rabbinical leader, speaker, and author, teaches a daily Gemara class to our freshmen and inspires the entire school each Friday with his Shabbat siha. Dr. Daniel Vitow, Head of School, is teaching an engaging elective titled Foundations of Education, modeling the very principles he teaches.
From pursuing advanced degrees and publishing research to presenting at conferences and authoring books, our educators exemplify what it means to be lifelong learners, setting an inspiring example for our students every day.

Associate Principal Mrs. Audrey Abade is pursuing her doctorate through the Fanya Gottesfeld Heller Doctoral Program at Yeshiva University. This prestigious program offers an Executive EdD in Jewish Educational Leadership & Innovation, designed for professionals ready to lead in Jewish education. Coursework covers leadership across curriculum, administration, governance, student support, social-emotional learning, and community building. Students culminate their experience with a scholarly dissertation.

This year, Director of the Scholars Program Dr. Stephen Hequembourg will present at two major academic conferences: the British Milton Symposium in October and the Renaissance Society of America’s annual conference in San Francisco this February. In addition, Dr. Hequembourg has been invited to speak at Harvard University on November 10th, sharing his groundbreaking research on Galileo, Dante, and John Milton. Several of Dr. Hequembourg’s scholarly articles are also slated for publication in academic journals next year, further contributing to the field.

Over the summer, Mrs. Stephanie Shamah, Mrs. Helene Dwek, Mrs. Katie Btesh, and Mrs. Kimberly Djouejati proudly completed their M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership: School Building and School District Leader at Brooklyn College. Over the course of this rigorous two-year program, they developed essential skills to strengthen their impact as leaders. In addition to six semesters of coursework, ranging from School-Community Relations and Education Law and Ethics to Management of Resources, they engaged in meaningful fieldwork, designing curriculum, leading professional development, and spearheading leadership initiatives across a variety of areas. Their colleague Ms. Susan Cohen is currently enrolled in the same program.

Mr. Mauricio Tawil is pursuing his B.A. in Psychology, Health Science Track, at Sara Schenirer in an accelerated, online undergraduate program offered through the University of Mount Saint Vincent.

Mrs. Maryana Sigalova is advancing her expertise by pursuing a Doctor of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Education. Her studies focus on Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a concentration in Learning Design and Leadership, equipping her with the skills to bring innovative approaches to teaching and leadership into our school community.

Ms. Stacey Wagoner is pursuing an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with an Advanced Certificate in STEM Education and Emerging Technologies, focusing on artificial intelligence in education. This summer, Ms. Wagoner completed two intensive AI courses through ISTE & ASCD, AI Exploration and Next-Level Skills, gaining cutting-edge knowledge of AI tools and teaching methods. With technology evolving rapidly, Ms. Wagoner is committed to preparing students to navigate AI responsibly and effectively, equipping them with the skills they’ll need to succeed in a workforce where AI literacy is essential. By exploring both the practical applications and ethical considerations of AI, Ms. Wagoner is helping students learn not just to use AI, but to think critically about when and how to use it wisely.

Our faculty are also published authors! Mr. Matthew Di Paoli, is the author of two acclaimed novels: Killstanbul and Holliday, both published by Sunbury Press, and Rabbi Moshe Baredes’s book, Unveiling the Dynamics Behind the Holocaust in Hungary: A New Perspective on Unfolding Events and Enduring Debates, was released on August 4 by De Gruyter. It has also been selected as one of ten Open Access history titles for 2025.

At Magen David Yeshivah High School, our faculty’s commitment to continued learning is more than personal achievement, it is a living lesson for our students. By modeling curiosity, discipline, and growth at every stage of their own careers, our educators show that learning is truly a lifelong journey. Their accomplishments not only enrich our school community today, but also inspire the next generation to pursue knowledge with passion, purpose, and perseverance.

This summer, DSN proudly returned for the second time to the Maccabi Games, the Olympic-style sporting and cultural event for Jewish teens held annually across North America. What began just two years ago as an opportunity to expand DSN’s basketball program has already blossomed into something extraordinary for our community’s youth.

DSN brought 24 community athletes to Tucson, Arizona, in July, competing in two sports: basketball and tennis. DSN’s basketball team of 17-year-olds made history, becoming the first NY/NJ team to ever win a GOLD championship. In addition, its basketball team of 15-year-olds secured a BRONZE medal. In tennis, Jack Massry represented DSN in the 15-year-old division. He delivered a remarkable performance and brought home the GOLD medal. He also received a middot award for helping other players.
DSN’s 17-year-olds faced crushing adversity early on. Starter Jack Dweck tore a ligament and broke his thumb, leaving the team short-handed. After dropping three straight games, many teams might have folded, but DSN’s coach David Simhon reminded the boys of their true strength, saying, “Teams may be more skilled than us, but the one thing they don’t have that we do, we are family.” Inspired, the team rallied. Jack kept playing through his injury and the squad went on to upset the number 3 and number 2 seeds, defeating every team they had previously lost to. In a dramatic finale, with the score tied, Bruce Epstein drained a clutch three-pointer to seal the GOLD medal victory. The celebration was electric. What started as heartbreak became a monumental triumph, showing the grit, brotherhood, and heart that defines DSN athletics.
Reflecting on the experience, DSN Sports Director Jon Entel shared, “The Maccabi Games are a marathon and a rollercoaster of emotions. Being there with these boys who have been in the DSN program for eight years now and seeing how far they’ve each come in their journey is super special. Seeing them push through adversity in an unfamiliar city and rally around one another, becoming a family that motivated each other toward greatness. This is why I love what I do.”
It was a whirlwind five days of competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories. From Tucson to triumph, DSN athletes showed what it means to compete with heart and pride. Next year, the journey continues as DSN heads to Kansas City, ready for new challenges and undeniably new victories.

Ari Baum, CFP®

When it comes to money, most conversations begin with one question: How much do you make? Salary, bonuses, business revenue, investment gains — all are used as yardsticks for success. But if we measure financial health by income alone, we’re missing the bigger picture. The fact is, wealth isn’t defined by what you earn. It’s defined by what you keep.

I’ve seen business owners with millions in revenue who constantly feel broke, and I’ve seen teachers and mid-level professionals quietly retire comfortably because they made smart decisions along the way. What separates them isn’t hustle, luck, or market timing. It’s discipline around preserving wealth.

The Illusion of High Income
High income can be deceptive. A $500,000 salary might sound impressive, but when you factor in federal, state, and local taxes, mortgage payments, private school tuition, and lifestyle upgrades, the take-home wealth may look very different.
Many professionals fall into the trap of “lifestyle inflation.” The bigger the paycheck, the bigger the house, the nicer the car, the more expensive the vacations. Suddenly, despite earning more, they’re living paycheck to paycheck — only with better scenery.
On the flip side, I’ve met clients with modest salaries who quietly built seven-figure portfolios by keeping their expenses in check and prioritizing long-term goals. It’s not about how much money flows in, but how much stays and compounds.
Taxes: Your Largest Expense
One of the biggest obstacles to keeping wealth is taxes. For many high earners, taxes dwarf every other line item in the budget. The IRS doesn’t care how hard you worked for that bonus or whether your investments had a good year. If you don’t plan strategically, taxes will quietly erode your ability to build wealth.
Smart planning makes a huge difference. Strategies like maximizing retirement plan contributions, Roth conversions, charitable giving, and capital-gains harvesting can help you keep more. For business owners, entity structure and timing of income recognition can save hundreds of thousands of dollars over a career.
It’s not about avoiding taxes — it’s about being efficient, so you’re not giving away more than you need to.

The Power of Smart Spending
Keeping wealth doesn’t mean being cheap. It means aligning spending with your values and your goals. Ask yourself: Does this expense support the life I truly want?
For example, a family may choose to invest more in education or experiences, while trimming down on material purchases that don’t add lasting value. Another might prioritize owning a vacation home because it’s central to family traditions, while choosing to drive their cars longer instead of upgrading every three years.
The point isn’t to cut spending for the sake of it — it’s to ensure money is flowing into what matters most, instead of leaking into areas that don’t.

Investing with Discipline
Building wealth also depends on how you invest what you keep. Markets rise and fall, and it’s easy to get caught up in headlines. But wealth grows when you stick to a disciplined strategy — one that matches your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance.
Too often, people chase the “next big thing” or pull back in fear during downturns. Both erode long-term wealth. By contrast, consistent investing, rebalancing, and staying the course through volatility are what create compounding — the quiet force that turns today’s savings into tomorrow’s legacy.

Protection and Preservation
Finally, keeping wealth means protecting it. Unexpected events — an illness, a lawsuit, a sudden loss — can wipe away years of progress. Insurance, estate planning, and proper legal structures are not exciting dinner-table topics, but they are crucial tools for ensuring your wealth isn’t vulnerable to one bad twist of fate.
Estate planning is particularly powerful. Without it, taxes and legal complications can significantly reduce what your family inherits. With the right structures in place — trusts, beneficiary designations, gifting strategies — you can make sure your wealth is preserved and passed on according to your wishes.
A Marathon, Not a Sprint
Think of building wealth like training for a marathon or an Ironman. It’s not one heroic workout that makes the difference — it’s the thousands of disciplined, consistent efforts over time.
Similarly, wealth is built not through one bonus or investment win, but through the daily, weekly, and yearly decisions to keep more of what you make. You don’t need to sprint to the finish line. You need to pace yourself, avoid costly mistakes, and let time do its work.

The Bottom Line
At Endurance Wealth Partners, we remind our clients that income opens doors — but it’s stewardship that builds legacies. You can’t control every twist and turn of the economy, but you can control how much you keep, how intentionally you spend, and how strategically you plan.
It’s not what you make that defines your financial success. It’s what you keep. And what you keep — if cared for — can create freedom, security, and opportunities that last for generations. q
The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult with a financial professional regarding your specific situation.

5 Inspiring Lessons

Slovie Jungreis Wolff

The holiday of Sukkot brings us to a place of joy, celebrating our newfound connection to the spiritual energy we’ve plugged into during the High Holidays. Here are 5 life lessons to reflect upon as we sit within the wall of our sukkah.

1. Look Up
   When sitting in the sukkah one must be able to see the sky through the covering of the roof made out of leaves. It’s as if a mystical voice is calling out to us and whispering, “Look up.” Know that you will go through moments in life that will be terrifying. Your forefathers left Egypt and came into the desert wilderness not knowing how they would survive. No food. No water. The sun was scorching hot. There were snakes and scorpions. But G-d enveloped His children with Clouds of Glory that served as protection that continues to serve as a lesson until today.
   The sukkah is our reminder that faith and trust in G-d is the greatest weapon to combat fear. These past few years we’ve realized how much is out of our control. The world is spinning. It may feel difficult to hold on. Lift your eyes and see the Source of life. Don’t crumble. The sukkah is here for every single one of us to experience. Bask within the shelter of faith.
2. We Don’t Need All the Stuff
   The sukkah is a temporary dwelling. We leave our homes and for 7 days we live in the sukkah. All the comforts of home are inside. Somehow we are content, even tasting joy, as we join those we love in celebration. What happened to all the stuff we thought we needed to be happy?
   The 7 days represent the seven decades of a person’s life. What really counts in the end? Life is temporary. No one wishes that they had amassed more ‘stuff’. Rather we wish we would’ve spent more time with those we cherish. We regret moments lost, words not said, and opportunities for love that never return.
   Sukkot liberates us. We are given time to take a spiritual time out and think about what really matters.
3. We Come from Greatness
   Each night we are given a beautiful prayer to say as we invite a holy guest into our sukkah. All together there are 7 ushpizin (guests), who grace our sukkah with their spiritual presence: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Josef, Moses, Aaron and David.
   These 7 transformed a morally desolate world into a place of kindness, compassion and awareness of G-d. Each of us are given an ability to draw upon the blessings of those who came before us. Their every struggle and challenge become a stepping stone for our personal life journey.
   When we realize the greatness we come from, we are given the strength to pick ourselves up and keep walking. We, too, can bring light into a world of darkness. We must only invite greatness into our lives.
4. Discover the Gift of Humility
   A sukkah taller than 20 amot (around three stories) cannot be used. The lesson is deep. If there is one character trait that pushes G-dliness out of our lives, it is arrogance. When you are so full of yourself, there is no space for anyone else, even G-d.
   If you want your life to be filled with love and meaning, discover the gift of humility. Know how to put others first. Don’t live a ‘selfie life’, where the lens is only turned on yourself. Feel the pain of another. Each day ask yourself: how is this world better because I exist? Make space for others. Be a giver.
   When my child was once crying, my 6-foot 2 father bent down to hear him. He picked my little boy up, cuddled him on his shoulders and said, “No one should ever be too high to hear the cries of a child.” We are all that child. And none of us can ever feel too high to hear the cries of another.
5. Feel G-d’s Hug
   A sukkah requires at least two complete walls plus a third wall that can even be one handbreadth.
   The image is that of a hug. The sukkah is G-d’s embrace of us. Each and every one of us is precious. When you give someone a hug, you wrap your hands around their back and pull them close. Their face is not seen. So too, we are being embraced. It does not matter what we think we look like, spiritually, or mistakes we made that we believe may create obstacles as we try to plug into our souls.
   Enter the sukkah and know that you are loved. Every person who wants to come close is hugged. Unconditionally. The sukkah is speaking to us. We just need to open our hearts to hear its whisper.

Eddie M. Esses and Sari J. Setton

In a decisive victory for community advocacy, the proposal to bring a casino to Coney Island has effectively been defeated, thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF).

After five years of dedicated opposition, including an especially intense campaign over the last 10 months, SCF’s leadership and grassroots mobilization helped secure commitments from four key local officials whose decision determined the project’s fate. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Councilman Justin Brannan, and Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasny have each formally announced they will vote NO on the casino plan. These four “NO” votes effectively end the Coney Island casino proposal, with the decision set to be made official on September 29.
This outcome is a testament to the perseverance of SCF and its leaders, most notably Sam Sutton and Ronnie Tawil, who guided the effort with vision and determination. Through sustained advocacy, coalition-building, and community outreach, SCF ensured that the concerns of our community, which almost unanimously opposed the project, were not only heard but prioritized.
The campaign drew strength from years of hard work: countless meetings with elected officials, mobilization of community members, and consistent messaging about the potential risks a casino would bring to our neighborhoods and families. By focusing on protecting community values and preserving the character of our neighborhoods, SCF successfully framed the debate and persuaded key decision-makers.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who worked tirelessly, through advocacy, outreach, and collaboration, to make this outcome possible,” SCF said in a statement. “Your voices were heard, and together we made a difference.”
The defeat of the Coney Island casino is more than just a policy win. It is a powerful example of what sustained, organized community activism can achieve. For SCF and its partners, this victory reaffirms the importance of persistence, unity, and a commitment to safeguarding the future of our community.

Sari Setton

As the sun beat down relentlessly this past summer, a dedicated group of individuals emerged as shining examples of commitment and community spirit. Throughout the season and in the sweltering heat, these champions of civic engagement tirelessly worked to mobilize voter registration in the Sephardic Community. Their readiness to lend their talent and time, engage with community members, and encourage voter registration was a testament to their unwavering belief in the power of democracy.

With the most significant local race in recent history looming this November, the Sephardic Community Federation developed a multi-pronged plan to ensure that we not only protect our way of life and values, but that we are heard loud and clear in government. One integral facet was to get every eligible voter in the community registered. The SCF reached out to a well-known community leader, a true powerhouse in all she endeavors, Linda Ebani. Linda graciously accepted the role to lead, alongside Rebecca (Salame) Harary. They curated a think tank of critical thinkers, and brainstormed not only an idea, but a trending movement, decrying “If you want a SAY SO in your future, you must VOTE”. Thus, the SAYSO campaign emerged.
Linda Ebani has led voter initiatives in the Sephardic Community for over 7 years, co-founded the KHBA, and served on the SCC Board for 22 years. She is a true community leader and organizer with an innate talent for motivating and unifying the community. She remarked, “This summer we registered over 1,500 people. This will have far-reaching impact on local elections for decades to come. Our community will be a real force in local politics. I believe, along with our dedicated volunteers, we spearheaded the movement to get the community registered.”
Rebecca Harary is a founding board member of Imagine Academy, Yeshiva Prep HS, The Propel Network, and Safra Community Center, and has lent her expertise and guidance to countless community organizations and is an active community leader. Says Rebecca, “This summer our beloved community woke up to the news that the upcoming mayoral election could potentially lead to very difficult and dangerous times for all of us. By registering to vote, each and every person will now have a ‘SaySo.’ The more people we register, the louder our voice will become. Let’s keep it going!”
With the dynamic leadership of these women, volunteers felt empowered and driven. Many shared personal stories, emphasizing how their own experiences shaped their commitment to ensure that every member of the Sephardic Community has the opportunity to register and vote. They relayed that this is not just about filling out forms; it is about empowering individuals and fostering a sense of belonging. It is about fulfilling an obligation that we have as Jews and community members to practice due diligence. Each conversation they had, every question they answered, and every person they encountered was a step toward building a more engaged and informed electorate.
The impact of their work extends beyond the immediate goal of increasing voter registration. By participating in community events and fostering connections, these volunteers helped create a culture of civic responsibility within the community. Their passion and dedication are an inspiration to others to join the cause, turning a collective effort into a movement that resonates with the values of our heritage.
To those who braved the elements, who dedicated their weekends and evenings, and who poured their hearts into this vital mission, we offer our deepest thanks. Your commitment is not just appreciated; it is celebrated. You have shown that when we come together as a community, we can achieve remarkable things.
Linda Ebani, Rebecca Harary, Madelyn Abady, Alice Adjmi, Aileen Ades, Lisa Bailey, Bridget Ben-Dayan, Mijal Bitton, Trina Cayre, Arlene Chera, Suzie Chera, Rina Dweck, Sarise Dweck, Eddie Esses, Cindy Gindi, Robert Harary, Joelle Hedaya, Sharon Kattan, Sarah Maleh, Sadie Meyers, Esther Paskie, Joey Saban, Allison Safdieh, Gail Setton, Sari Setton, Adrianne Shamie, Victoria Sutton, Jennifer Tawil, Michele Tawil, and Stefanie Zeitounie, and to any we have inadvertently missed, thank YOU.
As we look ahead to future elections, let us carry forward the momentum you have created. Let us continue to engage, educate, and empower one another. Your hard work has laid the foundation for a brighter future, and for that, we are eternally grateful.
Thank you for your time, your energy, and your unwavering belief in the power of every single vote. Together, we can ensure that our voices are heard, our stories are told, and our community thrives. You are the heart of our democracy, and we are proud to stand alongside you as we move forward together.
“Let’s keep it going”, indeed.

Eddie M Esses and Sari J Setton

The Sephardic Community Federation (SCF) has launched one of the most ambitious voter registration drives in the history of our community. Led by Haim Dabah and Marshall Aronow, in partnership with SCF’s executive team—Ronnie Tawil, Sari Setton, Eddie Esses, Joey Saban, Joe Mansour, and Charles Chakkalo. This unprecedented initiative is already reshaping civic engagement across our community, having registered thousands of new voters with the goal of adding many thousands more before the November mayoral election.

The campaign was launched this past August at a meeting hosted by Haim Dabah at his home in Deal, NJ. Leaders from schools, synagogues, and community institutions gathered for a powerful morning of strategy and planning. Presentations by Haim Dabah, Marshall Aronow, and Ronnie Tawil set the tone for the weeks ahead, followed by a lively discussion among the assembled leadership. In addition to uniting our institutions around this mission, the meeting also raised enough money to fund the campaign’s rollout.
From that moment, the SCF team, guided daily by Haim and Marshall, set in motion a wide-ranging and highly coordinated effort:

• Rabbinical Proclamation: A landmark statement, signed by the majority of our community Rabbis, declared that registering to vote is both an obligation and a mitzvah, energizing the effort with moral clarity.
• School-Based Registration: Magen David Yeshivah, under the leadership of Gladys Haddad, mandated voter registration among its parent body in order to receive class cards. The result was extraordinary: a 99% registration rate in just three days. Yeshivot nationwide have since reached out, seeking to replicate this model.
• Synagogue Engagement: Congregation Shaare Zion instituted a policy requiring voter registration to reserve High Holiday seats, demonstrating the alignment of our institutions behind this effort.
• Community Registration Tables: Under the leadership of Linda Ebani, along with Rebecca Harary, volunteers have been running registration drives at summer events, synagogues, and local stores across Brooklyn, engaging our community at every level.
• Door-to-Door Canvassing: Joey Saban led a professional door-to-door campaign that has registered significant numbers of voters directly at their doorsteps.
• Direct Texting Campaign: Most recently, the group launched a major texting initiative targeting unregistered voters. In just a few days, the effort has registered hundreds, and it is rapidly expanding to registering thousands.

Together, these initiatives have already registered thousands of voters in just weeks. The goal is to register many thousands more before November, ensuring that our community’s voice is heard loud and clear in this critical mayoral election and all future elections.
This campaign is a testament to what can be achieved when vision, leadership, and unity come together. The extraordinary dedication of Haim Dabah and Marshall Aronow, combined with the tireless efforts of the SCF team, has inspired a wave of civic engagement unlike anything our community has seen before.
With the upcoming mayoral election, we are living through uncertain times that call for decisive efforts, and community leadership is stepping up to the plate. With the continued energy and unity behind this campaign, the Sephardic Community is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of our city and state.