Tucked away in one of the picturesque alleyways of the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, just a two minute walk from the Kotel, the first and only seminary dedicated to young Sephardic women continues to flourish. Now in its second year, Midreshet Eshel is quickly establishing itself as an essential community institution. The school has doubled its student body to two dozen students from New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Montreal, Los Angeles and South Africa, and its future looks promising.

A spectacular gala to celebrate the Sephardic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s 60th Diamond Anniversary was recently held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City, with over 550 veteran and recent supporters in attendance. This was a celebration for the ages. The Sephardic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is the “Crown Jewel” of the Sephardic community.

Ahi Ezer Yeshiva takes education and fun to the next level. This past month at the school was jammed with fantastic learning programs and loads of exciting fun.

Recently, Congregation Shaare Shalom held its annual Purim party. It was a smashing success, due to the hard work of many members of the congregation. The shul was decorated for Purim with a masquerade theme. The main attraction was the Youth Chinese Auction, which had many different tables of prizes for the children to bet on. Ranging from $5 to $35, the auction boasted exciting  packages that everyone could afford. Prizes included  an iPod, bicycles, an iPad, a plasma TV, a Hebrew book package, a digital camera, and much more. By having so many packages to choose from, there were many winners. Shaare Shalom also auctioned off a silver Megillah, and sold split the pot raffles.

For over 18 years, the premiere event of every summer has been Sephardic Bikur Holim’s Top Gun Tournament. With tournaments in basketball, soccer, dodge ball, volleyball, softball, backgammon and Monopoly Deal, there’s something for everyone with a competitive edge—and the best part is that all of the proceeds go to benefit the clients of SBH.

Hillel’s first-ever dance team recently traveled to MAYHS to participate in an inaugural dance contest for yeshivah high school girls. The contestants had practiced diligently for only a month, and were anticipating no more than having a great time doing what they love: dancing.

This year, Jews celebrate the first two nights of Passover on the 18th and 19th of April with a joyous family event—the Seder. We relive the experience of our ancestors as they were exiled and enslaved in Egypt, then liberated by G-d over 3,300 years ago. We recount the miracles of the Exodus, and pray that the future redemption comes very soon.

More than 800 volunteers recently made calls for UJA-Federation of New York’s Super Sunday phone-a-thon to raise money for people in need.

Super Sunday is an annual event that raises money to help support UJA-Federation’s more than 100 beneficiary agencies. Volunteers help raise money for the needy, the sick, and the most vulnerable in New York, in Israel, and around the world.

The Kings County Republican Party announced that it is relaunching the Brooklyn Young Republicans Club.

Young Republican Clubs are chartered throughout New York State with the goal of promoting the Republican Party and providing an outlet for young people who believe in Republican principles to meet, network and grow.

Sephardic rabbis from across Europe, North America and Latin America, as well as Eastern Europe and Russia gathered for an inspirational Rabbinical Conference, sponsored by the Shehebar Sephardic Center. Held annually for the past 20 years, the conference attracted key Jewish leaders, current and past alumni.

When Moscow-born Irina Nuzova first landed in the US she barely spoke English, but she did speak the language of music.

As a teenager, Nuzova’s father, a part-time journalist in Moscow, was perceived by some as having asked one too many questions about anti-Semitism. Threatening letters arrived, and the family, whose relatives were killed during the Holocaust, wasted no time packing.

Nine years ago, Rabbi Naftali Besser, Dean of Students at the Yeshivah of Flatbush, had a dream—a dream to give thanks and show support to the people in Israel. To pursue his dream, he decided to create the Hesed Mission.

What happens when two incredible organizations join forces and work together? What happens when the Mitzvah Man and Hands On for Children unite to make a difference? The result is a tremendous Kiddush Hashem and a tribute to true hesed.