Sunday, December 21th – Wednesday, December 29th

Redemption Against All Odds
In the time of King Antiochus, over 2,200 years ago, the fate of the Jewish people seemed grim. The vastly outnumbered Maccabees were up against the world’s most sophisticated military machine. They faced opposition from within, as well. Many of their brethren were meek, complacent, and all too willing to forsake their heritage and assimilate into the Hellenistic culture. It was the proverbial “darkest hour before dawn.” Yet, with the dawn, with G-d’s hlep came the miraculous, unprecedented victory. Against all odds, the Maccabees were able to reclaim the Holy Land and rededicate the Holy Temple.

Throughout the ages, Hanukah has signified the miraculous triumph of the weak over the strong, the pure over the impure and the righteous over the wicked. Whenever the integrity of the Jewish people is under siege, no matter how dark the night, the Hanukah lights proclaim with confidence that the dawn of deliverance is near.

From: Isaac@BeteshRealty.com
11/18/2008 6:24:42 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Health and happiness
“ La Chaim – to Life”
As my daughter Terry recently said “Dad, thanks for working (really more like slaving) for 35 years behind the counter, for me and my brother and sister”. Even then parenting wasn’t easy. I was more fortunate than many, after the basics such as food, clothing, shelter and a Jewish education for the kids I still had some left over for the occasional vacations and pleasant sundries to keep life interesting. All this was done out of a miracle retail store on Madison Avenue. The miracle seeing Hashem’s handy work bringing us customers from off the street, every day and buying our latest novelties cameras and electronic gadgetries. My rule of thumb was to always make sure to pay our staff of eight on time. With high rent and so many expenses that was not such an easy task. With many years of hard work we were able to accumulate a little money to start dabbling in the real estate market. Once again Hashem was steering us to good fortune. Without much effort our miracle retail store became secondary to our real estate business, sort of a place to only hang our hats.
Life was good I was able to make weddings, Sebbets and Bris with all the SY trimmings. My three little ones are now big and have their own thoughts and children to raise.
I’m an admirable exerciser- cycling, tennis and golf (I never do anything before my golf game) but one beautiful sunny day before my golf game I made a routine doctor’s check up. I continued my daily routine of golf in the afternoon which concluded with two weddings that evening. “What a perfect day”, I said to my wife. The next day, without so much of a negative though, I had a meeting at doctor’s office. Then as if a bomb went off I was stung and stunned by what the doctor said, “You have bladder cancer” it wouldn’t register in my mind. Depending when you find it it’s curable / semi-curable or not curable. I could not believe this was happening to me. Not I, it’s always happening to someone else, I thought, not me. How can it be “I’m a good healthy guy” I said, but I also know that “Hashem is my Manager and Boss” His path is not always shown to us. That day and night I spent sobbing in my tears. All plans were canceled. At first I was compelled to keep it a secret, but then I thought I will make it public to tell people to be aware of this deadly disease, to promote people to go for regular checkups (I didn’t) and lastly to accumulate needed prayers, the more prayers the more beneficial. I guess bad news can travel as fast as good news. I could not believe the outpour of compassion, calls from everywhere, not just family and close friends. Emails and more calls from acquaintances from a list of fifty years of friendships and associations. There was nothing my fellow community member wouldn’t do for me. (Thanks for taking me to chemo, Eddie, Charlie and Marvin). One of my greatest joys was on Yom Kippur night when I was given the honor to opening the Hachal for good Health and Parnassa as a gesture of Rafuah Shelma from my shul, Ohel Simcha, (real name – Park Ave Shul). They say the pain dissipates by to one sixtieth with prayer, so far I was blessed with little pain (Although my first round of chemo was no picnic) and that’s after eight rounds to date.

Today is day six after the operation, I have not eaten in six days and have gained 10 lbs, (Some diet huh?), but I am happy. With over 500 phones calls, emails and an abundance of Tehelim readings, I am confident, your prayers, my prayers, will be answered and I am on my way to a full recovery. Although I thank Hashem every day for His hands’ of glory, I cannot forget the others who help me get over my pain and anguish. My friends and acquaintances, too numerous to mentions by name have given me a reality I never knew existed. My dear friend Rabbi Goldwasser, who not only helped me find the right doctors but also sat in on my 8 hour surgery to watch them perform the Robotics Surgery procedure. His organization, Refuah V’Chesed is number one in locating the right doctor for any aliments recovery. At the same time the Bikur Holim team headed by Nancy Sutton was a tremendous helped is getting me started on my road to recovery. Thanks to all their combine efforts. I would be amiss if I did not mention my doctor of Oncology and his team of surgeons, Dr. Douglas Scherr of NY Cornell Presbyterian Hospital for the delicate care and kind words he gave me during my ordeal. Lastly without my dear wife, Rhonda, and her support I don’t know what I would have done not just now, but through out my life. G-d has really blessed me.
What I learned from my ordeal is that we have the most spectacular community in the world. We should honor it by always remembering our Jewish heritage and traditional values of kindness and unity. Lastly very important everyone must get regular checks ups. No “Ifs, ands or buts” to be sure they are healthy. Do not take for granted your health or your family or friends and when you trust in Hashem and have emu nah in Him your troubles will disappear and your life will be a source of great blessing. Don’t get side tracked by small headaches Remember every day really is a gift and should be enjoyed as such.
La Chaim – To Life

Thank you,

Isaac Betesh /908-902-2942

Ze’ev Jabotinsky A”H

Recently, the Edmund J. Safra Synagogue on Manhattan’s East Side was the site of the 68th annual Yahrzeit memorial for Ze’ev Vladimir Jabotinsky, the legendary Zionist leader.

Over 400 people gathered to pay tribute to one of the most outstanding pioneers and visionaries of the early Zionist movement. Many of those in attendance were former members of Betar, the jewel in the crown of Jabotinsky’s remarkable array of achievements. Also known as “Brit Trumpeldor,” Betar is the Zionist youth movement that Jabotinsky founded in honor of his friend and fellow Jewish soldier, Yosef Trumpeldor in Riga, Latvia, Russia in 1923. To this very day, Betarim around the world still refer to Jabotinsky as “Rosh Betar” (Head of Betar).

In today’s Arab lands, Jewish communities—some of which are more than 2,000 years old—are quickly disappearing. On Sunday, November 16, from 2 to 5 pm, the annual Rosenblatt Forum will explore this often tumultuous history in the symposium, “Jews Living in Arab Lands.” Panelists Dr. Robert Satloff of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, CBS Middle East Analyst and bestselling author Reza Aslan, author and scholar André Aciman, and journalist and author Lucette Lagnado will examine the Jewish exodus from Arab lands, Jews under Islamic rule, and whether or not two disparate groups who share homelands can overcome a turbulent past to achieve peaceful coexistence.

In 1945, there were approximately 800,000 Jews living in communities throughout the Arab world. Today, there are fewer than 7,000. These dwindling numbers are only one part of a complex and far-reaching story that goes back centuries. From the Babylonian Exodus, to the rise of Islam, to the foundation of the State of Israel, the everchanging political atmosphere of the Middle East has influenced the relationship between Jews and their Arab neighbors.

Memories flow back to the time when Ceil, Sally’s mother and my dear sister, would visit for the summers. Ceil was older than I; as a matter of fact, Sally—my neice—and I were closer in age than Ceil and I were. Sally and I would delight in each other. I was 10 and she was only one, but we played hide and seek together in my mother’s Bradley Beach home. She was a beautiful child, lively and happy.

After my mother (her grandmother) passed away, I spent many summers with my sister Ceil, my brother- in-law Joe Dushey and their children, including Sally, in the house they rented on 4th Avenue, in Bradley. Ceil had a housekeeper, Jean. My sister would give her the car and instruct her to take Sally and me out for the day. Sally and I were joyous as we were taken on those rides, often for ice cream. We had so much fun.

Rabbi Dweck was emcee at graduation

Rabbi Joseph Dweck, a member of the Barkai Yeshivah staff since 2003, recently became Principal of Judaic Studies. I had the pleasure of sitting down with him to discuss his introduction to, and history with, the yeshivah, his current thoughts on the yeshivah, and his goals and hopes for the future.

Most recently, Rabbi Dweck served as the Rav Yeshivah and administrator of the Barkai middle division. A shining star of the Barkai faculty, he was trained at the Hazon Ovadia Yeshivah (under the direct tutelage of Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, author of the Yalkut Yosef series and son of Rishon LeSiyon Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef). He is a graduate of the community’s own Sephardic Rabbinical College and is currently a student in Columbia Business School’s Institute for Day School Management.

Kindergarten presentation

Recently, Hillel Yeshiva celebrated a truly monumental day in the history of our yeshiva. Our new (Early Learning Center) ELC outdoor playground was finally here!

As I think back to last year, I am reminded of three things that led to this dream. First, Sally Tawil was invited to a Board of Directors meeting to discuss a proposed alumni event. She shared her thoughts about earmarking the funds toward the building of a new playground. Little did I know that Sally would end up playing a major role in the planning and building of this magnificent new ELC playground.

Steven has been banging on tables with forks and spoons ever since anyone can remember. But it took his astute parents to realize that, despite this annoying habit, he seemed to have pretty good rhythm. So they bought him a bongo which he practiced on regularly and eventually a set of drums and regular lessons. Now Steven is a teen with a talent that he is proud of. He has a sense of self-esteem because of the passion that he has developed.

Sarah loved puttering around in the kitchen while her mother was baking. She enjoyed carefully measuring the ingredients and waiting for the finished cakes to emerge from the oven. As she got older, Sarah’s mother let her experiment with recipes and create her own cookies and frostings. Today she is an accomplished baker who makes beautiful pastries which she shares with family and friends.

Aron Waide and Revital Snaider show off their healthy treats

Whether it is fresh peaches, juicy watermelon slices, or skewers packed with veggies, students in the Yeshivah of Flatbush Elementary School are delighted with the nutritious snacks being provided for them by the new YOF Nutrition Program. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of YOF mother Julie Betesh, gracious sponsors, and the enthusiastic support of Lower Division General Studies Principal Leonard Zeplin, a truck from Edible Arrangements pulls up to the school daily providing students with cold, fresh and nourishing snacks. Judging from the way the two assigned students from each class eagerly run down to the main foyer to collect their tins, it is evident that this program is greatly appreciated.

The summer may have come to an end, but Hillel Yeshiva still knows how to take advantage of the great outdoors! Recently, our nursery children were treated to a beautiful morning at Wemrock Orchards. Their plan was to pick apples for the upcoming Jewish New Year. By the end of the morning, their experience was so much more than that.