The 33rd day of the counting of the Omer is Lag Ba’Omer. The origins of the Omer count are found in the Torah itself, in Leviticus, which states that it is a commandment to count seven complete weeks from the day after Passover night ending with the festival of Shavuot on the 50th day. The 49 days of the Omer correspond to the time between physical emancipation from Egypt and the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai on Shavuot. There are a number of explanations for why the 33rd day is treated as a special holiday.

The Talmud states that during the time of Rabbi Akiva, 24,000 of his students died from a divine-sent plague during the counting of the Omer, because they did not show proper respect to one another. We celebrate Lag Ba’Omer, the 33rd day of the count, as the day that this plague ended.

Come show your support, as 250 Jewish motorcyclists from around the country visit Savannah, Georgia to join the Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance’s (JMA) Fifth Annual Ride to Remember from May 14th through May 16th.

The Ride to Remember is a fundraising project with proceeds always going to Holocaust remembrance causes and other Jewish organizations. This year the proceeds will be donated to projects in Savannah and Charleston. The ride is expected to raise thousands of dollars for the planned Holocaust Educator’s Lending Library. Past Rides to Remember have benefited the Paper Clips project in Whitwell, Tennessee, Magen David Adom and the National Holocaust Endowment Fund.

Sandy Srour, Elly Gross and Mrs. Tokayer

Magen David Yeshivah was kind enough to bring the students a Yom Hashoah program that was so meaningful that I know it will stay with me forever.

It’s not enough to just hear a story, you want to feel it, see it and have it within your reach. It’s very difficult for today’s youth to understand something they know nothing about. Of course they are told the stories, but it’s different to hear it from someone who has actually been there and lived through the traumatic experience we call the Holocaust.

YOF High School students in a dramatic presentation, telling the story of one student’s grandfather and his survival

Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, commemorates one of the most heartbreaking and tragic events to happen to the Jewish people. The Yeshivah of Flatbush memorialized the six million who perished with three separate programs, each reinforcing the message, “Never Forget.”

The Joel Braverman High School commemorated the event with both a community and school program. The seriousness of the day was enhanced when instead of being called down to the auditorium, classes were escorted by students holding candles, and walked down in silence.

Asthma and allergies strike nearly one in four Americans, almost 60 million people, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Both conditions cause adults to miss work, children to miss school, and are a leading cause of emergency room visits and hospital stays.

Allergies and asthma don’t only affect those suffering from the illnesses, but family members and loved ones as well. So whether you have asthma and allergies, live with someone who does, or have frequent asthmatic or allergic visitors, how do you make your home a safe environment?

Recently, Rabbi Beyda and Rabbi Bodlander accompanied the tzadikim of 5th grade on a very special intergenerational trip. Rabbi Beyda and the students prepared and led a model seder for the senior citizens at the JCC. Each part of the seder was explained by a different member of the class. Then Rabbi Bodlander led the group in some popular Pesach songs, including “Dayeinu,” and “Ma Nishtana.”

Parenting Powerhouse Chairperson Lisa Melamed, Ladies Auxiliary President-Elect Terry Shalam, Office Manager Peggy Chernikoff, President Stephanie Sharaby, President-Elect for 2009-2010 Rosie Dayan and Honorary President Michele Levy

The Yeshivah of Flatbush Ladies Auxiliary recently held its third annual Parenting Powerhouse. Our gracious hosts, David and Lena Waingort opened their home for a day of inspirational parenting classes along with a delicious complimentary lunch.

Our diverse lineup of speakers addressed a variety of parenting concerns beginning with YOF’s own Harvey Bachman and Ruth Waide, who discussed bullying. Harvey is the YOF Director of Pupil Personal Services and Ruth is a psychological evaluator. After an eye-opening video illustrating the potentially deadly effect bullying can have on teenagers, they explained the different types of bullying (physical vs. verbal). They raised the important point that there are always three players involved in bullying—the bully, the victim and the bystander.

Lillian Adjmi, Raquel Massry, Sarah Yedid, Shula Mann, Bobbie Beyda and Regine Franco

Magen David Yeshivah recently hosted the second annual Girls’ Night Out Talent Show to raise money for the Koby Mandell Foundation. Many talented girls delighted the audience with their exceptional and gifted performances, while raising money for an important organization.

The evening opened with touching words from Jessica Pearlman, a spokesman for the foundation. Koby Mandell A”H, along with his friend Yosef Ishran A”H, were killed several years ago in a horrible terror attack in Israel.

The room was beautifully decorated

The Hillel Yeshiva PTA recently hosted a Food Feud. The aim was to keep the night simple and keep the focus on the women’s dishes. Thank you to Sheila Bibi, who graciously donated floral centerpieces, and to Charlotte Cohen, who donated bar stools, tables and cloths that set the mood for the evening.

All of the participants submitted their recipes prior to the night, in order to be published in the first Food Feud cookbook, designed by Camille Saka, whose dedication to Hillel PTA is always steadfast. The recipes were placed in one of four categories: “Getting Started,” “The Main Squeeze,” “On the Side” and “Something Sweet.” The women were told to bring their dishes prepared on a platter to be judged on presentation and, of course, flavor.

Lights, camera and fashion were the main attractions on the runway, as Magen David Celia Esses High School held an exhilarating and meaningful fashion show to raise money for the Sharsheret organization.

A large crowd gathered in the auditorium to raise awareness of breast cancer while watching an inspiring and uplifting fashion show. This event was part of the Magen David Celia Esses High School’s 9th grade hesed program. The program’s sole purpose is to give the students the opportunity to use the lessons they learn in the classroom to help others. When a group of 9th grade girls were looking for a hesed project, they embraced the Sharsheret organization.

Jack Dushey, Morris Bibi, Danny Massry and Morris Gindi

Back for its third year, the “David Mizrahi Golf Classic was a tremendous success. The event drew some of the community’s top players, such as Jack Hakim, Eli Gindi, David Braka and Morris Gindi, and was able to raise close to $70,000 on behalf of the David Mizrahi Scholarship fund. Players from our community had an opportunity to compete and enjoy the day at the Diplomat Country Club in Florida.

Eshel, the Sephardic Educational center in Jerusalem, announces the opening of the first learning program in Israel designed specifically for young women of the Sephardic community.

Miriam Tawil is the founder and director of Eshel. She received her Master’s of Jewish philosophy from Yeshiva University.

Eshel’s mission is to provide the students with the opportunity to build the foundation of their adult lives by dedicating time toward their personal, spiritual, intellectual and religious growth as they experience life in Israel. Courses include all areas of Tanakh, Jewish thought, Sephardic halacha and customs, Sephardi history with tiyulim (tours), psychology and modern Israeli history.