Bertha and her mom

In 1975, during a night of unusually heavy gunfire (in Lebanon) just inches from your living room window, in a blink of an eye, with your husband by your side, you packed up three little kids, dressed in pajamas, ready for bed and left your home. You never knew then, that when we’d return, our home and everything in it would be nothing more than a pile of ashes.

Having no other choice, you took us and left the past behind. We boarded a plane taking us, “anywhere but here,” was how you remember it—and when it landed you were willing and ready to start our lives all over again.

Just three short months ago, a group of very dedicated volunteers polled the parents of the Deal community and decided it was time for our children to have something wonderful to do on Sundays. Shortly thereafter, Sunday Mania was born! Tons of research and hundreds of phone calls were made to find outstanding workshops in order to develop a quality seven-week program for Pre-K through 6th graders.

The volunteers anticipated that they might attract 100 children but never could have imagined that over 170 kids would sign up during their Superbowl Sunday bash alone! A couple of weeks later, over 280 children were signed up and ready to have the time of their lives!

If you’re looking to better your business skills, take note of the next event in The Angel Fund’s Executive Seminar Series.

Recently, over 100 attendees made their way past the regal façade to the gilded interior of midtown’s Haeir Building. Ian Macdonald, business consultant and founder of the firm Corporate Lifecycles, entertained and educated the guests and helped them to determine what it takes to get their business to its optimal level and prevent it from going downhill once it gets there.

Michael Mishaan, newly elected President of Congregation Magen David, with Charles Saka

Purim night, always a happy and joyous occasion, was especially festive this year at Congregation Magen David of West Deal. Community members from all over the Deal area joined together to participate in the synagogue’s annual Purim Dinner and Celebration.

Parents of the community have spent a lot time worrying and searching for special education programs for their 5-year-olds who have aged out of preschool programs, yet are not quite ready for the kindergarten or pre-1A classes in their local yeshivahs.
“I am having such a difficult time finding a place for my son next year. What school has a class set up that will adequately meet his needs as a 5-year-old?”

Israel’s 60th Anniversary Celebration arrives at Radio City Music Hall on May 7, 2008! There will be a mix of all star talent commemorating Yom Ha’Atzmaut, including Israeli stars David Broza, Idan Raichel, Rami Kleinstein and Habanot Nechama, top American performer and Hasidic reggae phenomenon Matisyahu, as well as other top entertainers and prominent Israelis.

The gala events will also include a moving tribute to Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror as part of Israel’s Memorial Day.

Rabbi Itzchak (Zaki) Sardar, Eli Levy and Aslan Bawabeh

Mattan Basseter and its three principal members, Aslan Bawabeh, Elias (Eli) Levy and Itzchak (Zaki) Sardar were recently honored with the Keter Shem Tov Award by The Yeshiva of Manhattan Beach.

Mattan Basseter, which literally translates as “gift giving in secrecy,” is a fitting description for this charitable organization, which works tirelessly and without fanfare to help needy Sephardic families. Donors and recipients are concealed from one another, said by our Sages to be the highest level of charitable giving.

If your mother is anything like mine, she probably told you weeks ago not to get her anything for Mother’s Day. “Since when did Mother’s Day become a Jewish holiday? Don’t bother yourself over me.”

Of course we know to ignore such self-defacing comments. But she may have a point. Isn’t every day supposed to be Mother’s Day? The Torah tells us to honor and revere our mothers at all times. So why go out of your way to show her your gratitude on Mother’s Day?

A little over 10 years ago we were orphaned by the loss of our esteemed and honorable Chief Rabbi Hacham Yaakov Shaul Kassin. In his infinite foresight, Hacham Yaakov saw the frenzy we would be in. He left our new father, patriarch, educator, and his right-hand man, Hacham Shaul Yaakov Kassin, as his replacement. Many years have gone by with many accomplishments both known and unknown to the community by this great leader. I just thought a tribute of words were necessary as a small token of my appreciation and admiration for our Chief Rabbi Hacham Shaul Kassin, Shlita.

Recently, the Brooklyn Sephardic community was honored to have as its special guest Rabbi David Messas, Chief Rabbi of Paris, France. The rabbi, who had spent that weekend visiting various Sephardic synagogues, had come to New York by special invitation for a meeting of the Orthodox Union regarding kosher products and kosher supervision worldwide. Rabbi Messas is the son of former Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Jerusalem Rabbi Shalom Messas, A”H, who passed away earlier this year. Rabbi David Messas is not merely the highest rabbinical authority in Paris; he is known as the rabbi to whom important French politicians often turn for advice.

Born in Morocco in 1948, Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Shlita immigrated to Israel in 1962. As a close associate of former Chief Sephardic Rabbi Hacham Ovadia Yosef,  Rabbi Amar served as head of the Petah Tikva Rabbinical Court. In March 2002, he was elected as the first sole Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv. In 2003, Rabbi Amar was appointed Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel.