Imagine Academy’s mentorship program began with a visit from Barkai Yeshivah’s eighth grade boys. One of the cornerstones of Imagine Academy’s mission is to help each child reach his/her fullest potential socially. Through a mentorship program, specifically geared for children with autism, Imagine’s students are offered the opportunity to develop their social skills by interacting with children that are similar in age. The goal is to enhance our children’s communication and interpersonal skills.

Together, the children participated in Hanukah songs with Imagine’s music therapist, and created art projects as they celebrated the festival of lights. Esther Hecht, a well trained specialist and Imagine’s principal Elisa Chrem organized and supervised the program that ultimately raised the consciousness of our community’s youth on developmental needs.

The Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), the largest Orthodox rabbinic group in the world, has issued the following statement: In light of the prominent role of Jews, both as perpetrator and as victim, in the financial scandal involving Bernard Madoff: We are distressed by the acts of deception and misuse of funds to which Mr. Madoff has reportedly confessed, and we are anguished by the suffering inflicted on individuals and organizations victimized by this scheme. He has caused untold harm across the full spectrum of the Jewish community and the Jewish people, and in the world at large.

Captains of various YOF Middle Division sports teams, thanking the Laniados

Yeshivah of Flatbush Elementary School recenlty had a very exciting day. Over 200 fathers arrived in school, donned chef’s hats, and served pizza with gusto to all of the children. Dads Do Lunch is an annual Ladies Auxiliary event, a favorite of children and parents alike, and this one was the best ever.

The day also marked the dedication of the elementary school’s fully renovated gym, generously donated by Ronit and Hagai Laniado.

Sephardic High School, now that’s a blast from the past. The class of 1983 could hardly believe that 25 years had past. Actually, it is 26 years, but who’s counting? It all started when a few of us began to talk about the need for a reunion. But how do you gather up a group of students and faculty from an institution that no longer exists? It seemed like a hopeless endeavor. Then one day, during winter vacation last year, there was Divine intervention. While vacationing in Turnberry, Florida, one of our former classmates, Raymond Dayan, ran into Dr. Daniel Vitow, our former principal.

When the idea of doing a 25th Anniversary Sephardic High School Reunion came up, it didn’t seem necessary or worth all of the effort that it would require. Thoughts like, “Don’t we see each other at every party?” and “I see whomever I want to see” came to mind, but Sammy Cohen and Raymond Dayan wouldn’t take no for an answer. After a few months they recruited Steve Levy to spearhead the effort.

Hundreds of unaffiliated Brooklyn Jews attended the event

Jewish people of all walks of life attended a Hanukah party hosted by Chabad of Kings highway. The event added the much needed holiday spirit to hundreds of Jewish people in great need of it. The crowd enjoyed illusionist David Blatt, sufganiyot, arts and crafts for the children, live music, and more. Free menorah kits and Hanukah how-to guides were distributed as well.

The crowd at Axelrod Stadium

Some say we eat to live, while others say we live to eat. I would be lying if I protested the latter. In reality, there is truth to both statements. From a biological standpoint, food is a necessity—it’s the fuel that keeps us running. From a religious standpoint, food is an integral part of our culture—holidays, weddings and other simchot revolve around food and the fulfilling of the Jewish dietary laws of kashrut and blessings over the meals.

From a psychological standpoint, the kosher kitchen, the Shabbat meal and the term “balabusta” define the identity of the Jewish woman. As such, it was most appropriate that Torah Links’ evening of entertainment and inspiration for women centered around the quick and kosher recipes of Jamie Geller, a woman who found her spiritual identity in kosher cooking. Torah Links is an organization whose mission is to share the gift of Torah with men, women and children who are ignorant of their Jewish background.

Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz and State Senator Carl Kruger teamed up to give toys and books to the children in Maimonides Infants and Children’s Hospital of Brooklyn. The two elected officials went to each bed, visiting the young patients and their families, and presented each child with a gift.

If you think school is all about books, tests and homework, think again. On the surface, it certainly seems like it, especially considering the amount of homework the kids come home with. But if you take a good look at what really goes on in school, you’ll discover that it has just as much to do with social interaction and learning interpersonal skills as it does with mastering the art of reading or writing.

I have been deeply involved in the field of education for over 25 years and I’ve watched children struggle. I think that the child with a social “disability” is at a greater disadvantage than one who has trouble reading or taking tests. Because after all is said and done, everyone needs to have friends.

Third grade students showing off their crazy hats

To encourage students to read more, particularly to read for pleasure, Yeshivah of Flatbush has dedicated the entire year as Reading for Enjoyment Year, which teachers and students alike have really embraced.

The year-long program started out with a bang with the kickoff “Rocking Reading Party Concert,” organized by the Reading Committee, made up of eight teachers. It featured storytellers Beth and Scott, who sang stories that got everyone dancing, incorporating the themes of reading, nutrition and exercise.

Samantha Kolb, Edith Mussry and Rosie Zagha

It all started when Samantha Kolb, an eighth grade student at Hillel Yeshiva, wanted to give her principal, Dr. Ruth Katz, a special homemade mezuzah. One night, she spent hours taking tiny pieces of glass that she found at a store, and gluing them to a plastic mezuzah case.

Dr Katz was so impressed with the mezuzah that she recommended the production of the mezuzah be considered a fundraiser for the 8th grade senior yearbook. Then, in the process of making the mezuzot, something magical happened. The camaraderie of the eight grade girls, as they worked together in making the mezuzot, drew them close to each other, truly exemplifying veahavta lerayacha kamoacha (you should love your neighbor as your love yourself).

Eitan Raebani, Yosef Dweck, Shlomo Teherani, Ram Mizrahi and Yehiel Nahari

Hillel Yeshiva was fortunate to be treated to a wonderful assembly, recently, when five world-renowned hazzanim, including West Deal Synagogue’s Shlomo Teherani, visited the school. The hazzanim joined the middle school minyan for Selihot and then joined the high school at the end of their Tefillah. Yehiel Nahari, who gives concerts around the world, “wowed” our high school students with his tremendous vocal range.  Charles Saka, a freshman, was awed by the hazzanim. “Their voices were unbelievably great and they inspired me to have more concentration in my prayers,” he commented.

Barkai Yeshivah strives for excellence by fostering a love of learning in their children. Thus they have implemented an annual Literacy Day to instill that love of reading in their children. It is delightful to watch the children eagerly listening to stories, their bright eyes demonstrating that reading is fun.

There is an old saying: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” When it comes to tzedaka—real tzedaka—never before has this been as valid as it is today. And this is the raison d’etre of the Sephardic Food Fund and its current emergency efforts.

Trillions of dollars in assets and equity have evaporated during the past few months. Part of the fallout from this monetary meltdown is a significant increase in the number of proud, respected families in our community—in Brooklyn and Deal— that suddenly find themselves literally unable to put food on their tables.

Sephardic High School may have closed its doors many years ago, but it is alive and kicking in the hearts and minds of the graduating class of 1988. The class held its 20 year reunion, recently, at Café Venezia on Coney Island Avenue.

The class of 1988

While reminiscing at a party this summer, Michele (Yedid) Bernstein and Ruthy (Abed) Mann could not believe it had been 20 years since graduation! They realized the huge milestone had to be celebrated and decided that they would take on the task of putting this reunion together. They soon became inseparable, texting and calling each other at all hours. What began as a simple sentence—“Let’s plan a reunion”—soon became a huge undertaking as lists were made, email addresses were gathered and cell phone numbers collected. But these girls didn’t just “talk the talk”—they “walked the walk.” They were organized and methodical and before long, all the graduates were informed of this reunion.