Talia Tawil, Lauren Elmann and Rita Wahba packed food for the hungry at Yad Eliezer

This winter vacation, 50 high school students from the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School traveled to Israel on a hesed mission like no other. Dean of Students Rabbi Naftali Besser and YOF parent and community activist Susan Franco began the YOF Hesed Mission seven years ago and it has grown each year in scope and impact. With the war in Gaza still in progress, very few high school groups were in Israel this vacation. Yet the students had been preparing for this mission for months, and their parents agreed that it was important to go.

On February 3, the anniversary of the passing of great Kabbalist Rashash, our community came together to listen to the wisdom of rabbis from Brooklyn and Israel. The event, held at Netivot Yisroel, was organized by Shaare Torah V’Hesed. It was a night of motivation and inspiration.

Jamie Bailey and Carla Zeitouny, Decorating and Display Chairpeople, with Coordinators Becky Cohen and Amy Aini

Take impressive artwork, melodic musical performances, delicious food and incredible prizes and what do you get? The Yeshivah of Flatbush Expressions Chinese Auction 2009!

It was a wonderful night, despite the frigid temperatures and snowy weather. YOF family members: parents, lay leaders, alumni, friends, faculty and staff always pull together to work for YOF’s children, but this year, faced with the ongoing world economic crisis, their dedication to the success of the event was particularly supportive. The generosity of so many of YOF’s friends was very much appreciated.

We collect money. If your business is like most, those outstanding accounts receivable loom large in this troubled economy. When business is good, owners are often too busy to pay attention to delinquent accounts. But in today’s market, every dollar collected adds to the all important bottom line.

Maybe it was the beautiful atmosphere, or perhaps it was the amazing array of gifts. Or was it the women’s laughter? The delicious food? Either way, it was one of the most extraordinary days the PTA has ever experienced.

We gathered at the beautiful home of Grace and Sandy Shalom.  Everyone in attendance came with a beautifully wrapped gift. Bows and ribbons, boxes and bags; the dining room table was a magnificent sight to be seen. Hanukah had arrived at the Shaloms! After enjoying a gourmet lunch catered by Back to Nature, we were ready for the “main event.”

Homework is an evening ritual which can easily turn into a nightmare. It is the source of endless anxiety and conflict in many households. It’s the bane of youngsters who’d so much rather go outside and play ball. Homework has always been a subject of controversy and heated debate among educators and parents alike.

Is it really necessary? Are we overburdening our children? How much homework is too much?  Should homework be done alone or with the help of adults? Should it be assigned at all if there is a holiday, a test or a science project looming in the near future? Do our children really benefit from doing their homework? And, finally, what exactly is homework supposed to accomplish anyway?

YOF High School Choices Commission members who conducted small group discussions about cyber-bullying with Middle Division students

Cyber-bullying is defined as someone using online or technological resources to repeatedly make fun of, pick on, harass, humiliate or isolate another person. Cyber-bullying is an issue that anyone with a Facebook, Myspace or other type of online social networking account has seen firsthand; although most are still unaware of its dangers and implications. Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School’s Choices Commission teamed up with the Middle Division’s SAFE program to teach students and spread awareness about the dangers of cyber-bullying.

Elliot Dweck

Hillel Yeshiva’s Early Learning Center Offers an Innovative, Creative Program

On the first day of Mommy & Me, I had no idea what to expect, but within minutes I knew I had found a second home for my children. We walked through the hallways of Hillel Yeshiva’s Early Learning Center and saw so many cheerful classrooms filled with happy kids, smiling teachers and countless activities.

Rachel Samolovitz, Alyn Saadia, Cikki Sakal, Sally Dwek, Carly Parker, Elayne Gindi, Rochelle Goldman, Rebecca Zagha, Arielle Tanzman, Mrs. Chani Dreyfuss, Geri Cohen and Haley Shalam

Spreading joy, spreading light, spreading smiles and spreading happiness is just what the 6th grade girls of Hillel Yeshiva did in Jersey Shore Hospital and Monmouth Medical Center during Hanukah, brining smiles to the faces of hospitalized children.

The idea began when the 5th, 6th and 7th grade girls of Hillel Yeshiva participated in a special program commemorating Rachel Imeinu. As part of their Bat Mitzvah year hesed curriculum, the 6th grade girls created beautiful gifts which included delightfully decorated pillowcases, adorable felt puppets, and fun books.

While most of the world celebrated New Year’s Day, on January 1, the Early Childhood department at Barkai yeshivah hosted a special Father’s Day festive breakfast celebration. Dads joined their children in their classrooms and got to experience the daily morning routine of the class, including welcome songs, attendance, and tefillah. Fathers, grandfathers, uncles, older siblings and even some moms worked together on creative craft projects followed by a group breakfast and sing-a-long.

Hanukah is always a festive and joyful time of the year, a time spent enjoying each night with family and friends. With that in mind, the youth of Congregation Kol Israel held its annual Hanukah celebration with an enjoyable Bingo Night and Chinese Auction followed by ice-skating the next morning.

Hanukah at Gesher Yehuda is more than just a celebration of the Festival of Lights. It is an experience that leaves an indelible impression on all of those who participate in the week-long events that surround the holiday.

What better way to impress upon the students the importance of giving to those less fortunate, than participating in the annual Chai Lifeline toy drive? Every year, on the days leading up to Hanukah, the students are encouraged to bring in gifts for children who are undergoing the hardship of illness and hospitalization. This year was no different, except that the stakes were higher.  The classes competed with each other to see who would bring in the most gifts. The 8th graders won! All the gifts were displayed in the lobby for everyone to see. It was a true Kiddush Hashem to see how special and caring Gesher Yehuda’s students are.

On Monday December 29th, Magen David Yeshivah held its annual Hanukah carnival. While enjoying Hanukah, the students were treated to a well deserved day off and what better way to spend the day, than to enjoy a fun-filled carnival!