With Jewish communities emerging throughout the US and across the globe, the need for qualified rabbis and educators has grown. Often, searching for a suitable rabbi can be a daunting task.
Serving as the community arm of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), Yeshiva University’s (YU) Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) assists congregations, schools, organizations and communities in their search for rabbis. For over a century, RIETS, the Western Hemisphere’s leading center for Torah learning, has trained over 2,700 of the world’s most distinguished Orthodox rabbis, scholars and teachers.
When the event was planned, no one on the organizing committee knew what to expect. It was a first for the Shaare Zion Torah Center.
Rebecca Harary met with a small group of Torah Center supporters to decide what would be an appropriate fund raising event for the foremost Torah Learning Center in our community.
Chief Rabbi Shaul J. Kassin fills in a letter to complete the Sefer Torah
Classes are held seven days a week—morning, afternoon and night at Shaare Zion. Participants are mainstream men, women and children from all areas of Brooklyn. They come together and fill every available classroom, learning at all levels from beginner to advanced.
Some of our community’s best chefs went all out to claim the honor of “Top Bun” at an innovative and refreshing cook off. On Tuesday November 11th, Barkai Yeshivah held its 2nd annual “Top Bun” contest. Judging by its successful turnout, this evening offered an unparalleled and delectable time for all involved.
First introduced last year by Barkai Yeshivah’s board member Albert Dweck, the concept quickly grew throughout the close-knit Barkai family, with the result producing a sensational and entirely different concept. Last year’s event was extremely successful and this year’s contest reached an even higher level of excitement. Each group of cooks presented a mazza dish, a dish to be served over rice, a main course and a dessert. Expert judges from within the community went around taste testing. Prizes were awarded per category and were awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall winners.
Being a part of the team that participated in the first Yeshivah of Flatbush Hesed Travel Day was a very fulfilling and inspiring experience. Over 30 Joel Braverman High School students spent a recent Sunday giving back to their community. This hesed day, organized by Dean of Students Rabbi Naftali Besser, included visits to Coney Island and Maimonides Hospitals, the Haym Salomon Rehabilitation Center, a Bait Ezra/Ohel residence and Masbia glatt kosher restaurant/soup kitchen.
On a crisp fall Sunday, under a clear blue sky, the Big Brothers and Sisters of Deal kicked off this year with an action-packed BBQ. Our own Mr. Z was there to help organize games, sports and other events. The children got to know each other, and the big brothers and sisters became acquainted with their younger brothers and sisters. The abundance of BBQ burgers and hot dogs was outdone by cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones from our very own machines! There was face painting, crafts and lots of smiles! The wonderful chemistry amongst everyone was clearly visible, assuring that it would be a great year for all.
Gesher Yehuda is the only school of its kind. For the past 16 years, it has been serving the needs of students with learning challenges and helping them gain self-esteem and confidence. With a staff trained in special education, the school has been used by colleges as a site for students and teachers who want to learn more about children who need that extra helping hand. Gesher Yehuda’s students go on to high school and college.
“The education that children receive at Gesher is so valuable. Each child is taught on his/her own level and is given the skills to succeed in school and in life. Gesher Yehuda is a place where miracles happen every day and thank G-d there is such a place in the community where our kids can feel a part of something so special,” said Frieda Tawil.
Every Monday night throughout the year in Brooklyn, there is fun in the air at Shell Lanes, where the SBL (Sal and Bags’ League) takes place.
A few years ago, two members of the now defunct EBL (Egyptian Bowling League) missed the competitive action they had enjoyed, so they started up their own league. Solly Elmann and Joey Baghdadi began with just a handful of friends, and through word of mouth, the league has grown from just six teams to 16 teams.
Each team consists of three members whose averages vary anywhere from 90 to 200. In order to aide all skill levels, an 85% team handicap is added in to make the playing field equal for all.
On a gorgeous, warm Sunday morning, a Torah dedication and reception were held at the home of Beatrice and Robert Dweck. The Sefer Torah was dedicated in memory of Doris Dweck A”H and Edward M. Dweck A”H. It was also dedicated in honor of Rabbi Raymond Harari, the Rabbi of Kol Israel Synagogue and Dr. Joel Wolowelsky, a family friend and teacher at Yeshivah of Flatbush.
The reception was attended by many members of the synagogue, friends and family. Everyone then walked the Torah to Kol Israel Synagogue on Bedford and Avenue K, singing and embracing the Torah the entire time. It might have been only five blocks from the Dweck’s home to the synagogue, but everyone present took their time, lingering, holding on to every moment that accompanied the special event.
Redemption Against All Odds
In the time of King Antiochus, over 2,200 years ago, the fate of the Jewish people seemed grim. The vastly outnumbered Maccabees were up against the world’s most sophisticated military machine. They faced opposition from within, as well. Many of their brethren were meek, complacent, and all too willing to forsake their heritage and assimilate into the Hellenistic culture. It was the proverbial “darkest hour before dawn.” Yet, with the dawn, with G-d’s hlep came the miraculous, unprecedented victory. Against all odds, the Maccabees were able to reclaim the Holy Land and rededicate the Holy Temple.
Throughout the ages, Hanukah has signified the miraculous triumph of the weak over the strong, the pure over the impure and the righteous over the wicked. Whenever the integrity of the Jewish people is under siege, no matter how dark the night, the Hanukah lights proclaim with confidence that the dawn of deliverance is near.
From: Isaac@BeteshRealty.com
11/18/2008 6:24:42 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Health and happiness
“ La Chaim – to Life”
As my daughter Terry recently said “Dad, thanks for working (really more like slaving) for 35 years behind the counter, for me and my brother and sister”. Even then parenting wasn’t easy. I was more fortunate than many, after the basics such as food, clothing, shelter and a Jewish education for the kids I still had some left over for the occasional vacations and pleasant sundries to keep life interesting. All this was done out of a miracle retail store on Madison Avenue. The miracle seeing Hashem’s handy work bringing us customers from off the street, every day and buying our latest novelties cameras and electronic gadgetries. My rule of thumb was to always make sure to pay our staff of eight on time. With high rent and so many expenses that was not such an easy task. With many years of hard work we were able to accumulate a little money to start dabbling in the real estate market. Once again Hashem was steering us to good fortune. Without much effort our miracle retail store became secondary to our real estate business, sort of a place to only hang our hats.
Life was good I was able to make weddings, Sebbets and Bris with all the SY trimmings. My three little ones are now big and have their own thoughts and children to raise.
I’m an admirable exerciser- cycling, tennis and golf (I never do anything before my golf game) but one beautiful sunny day before my golf game I made a routine doctor’s check up. I continued my daily routine of golf in the afternoon which concluded with two weddings that evening. “What a perfect day”, I said to my wife. The next day, without so much of a negative though, I had a meeting at doctor’s office. Then as if a bomb went off I was stung and stunned by what the doctor said, “You have bladder cancer” it wouldn’t register in my mind. Depending when you find it it’s curable / semi-curable or not curable. I could not believe this was happening to me. Not I, it’s always happening to someone else, I thought, not me. How can it be “I’m a good healthy guy” I said, but I also know that “Hashem is my Manager and Boss” His path is not always shown to us. That day and night I spent sobbing in my tears. All plans were canceled. At first I was compelled to keep it a secret, but then I thought I will make it public to tell people to be aware of this deadly disease, to promote people to go for regular checkups (I didn’t) and lastly to accumulate needed prayers, the more prayers the more beneficial. I guess bad news can travel as fast as good news. I could not believe the outpour of compassion, calls from everywhere, not just family and close friends. Emails and more calls from acquaintances from a list of fifty years of friendships and associations. There was nothing my fellow community member wouldn’t do for me. (Thanks for taking me to chemo, Eddie, Charlie and Marvin). One of my greatest joys was on Yom Kippur night when I was given the honor to opening the Hachal for good Health and Parnassa as a gesture of Rafuah Shelma from my shul, Ohel Simcha, (real name – Park Ave Shul). They say the pain dissipates by to one sixtieth with prayer, so far I was blessed with little pain (Although my first round of chemo was no picnic) and that’s after eight rounds to date.
Today is day six after the operation, I have not eaten in six days and have gained 10 lbs, (Some diet huh?), but I am happy. With over 500 phones calls, emails and an abundance of Tehelim readings, I am confident, your prayers, my prayers, will be answered and I am on my way to a full recovery. Although I thank Hashem every day for His hands’ of glory, I cannot forget the others who help me get over my pain and anguish. My friends and acquaintances, too numerous to mentions by name have given me a reality I never knew existed. My dear friend Rabbi Goldwasser, who not only helped me find the right doctors but also sat in on my 8 hour surgery to watch them perform the Robotics Surgery procedure. His organization, Refuah V’Chesed is number one in locating the right doctor for any aliments recovery. At the same time the Bikur Holim team headed by Nancy Sutton was a tremendous helped is getting me started on my road to recovery. Thanks to all their combine efforts. I would be amiss if I did not mention my doctor of Oncology and his team of surgeons, Dr. Douglas Scherr of NY Cornell Presbyterian Hospital for the delicate care and kind words he gave me during my ordeal. Lastly without my dear wife, Rhonda, and her support I don’t know what I would have done not just now, but through out my life. G-d has really blessed me.
What I learned from my ordeal is that we have the most spectacular community in the world. We should honor it by always remembering our Jewish heritage and traditional values of kindness and unity. Lastly very important everyone must get regular checks ups. No “Ifs, ands or buts” to be sure they are healthy. Do not take for granted your health or your family or friends and when you trust in Hashem and have emu nah in Him your troubles will disappear and your life will be a source of great blessing. Don’t get side tracked by small headaches Remember every day really is a gift and should be enjoyed as such.
La Chaim – To Life
Recently, the Edmund J. Safra Synagogue on Manhattan’s East Side was the site of the 68th annual Yahrzeit memorial for Ze’ev Vladimir Jabotinsky, the legendary Zionist leader.
Over 400 people gathered to pay tribute to one of the most outstanding pioneers and visionaries of the early Zionist movement. Many of those in attendance were former members of Betar, the jewel in the crown of Jabotinsky’s remarkable array of achievements. Also known as “Brit Trumpeldor,” Betar is the Zionist youth movement that Jabotinsky founded in honor of his friend and fellow Jewish soldier, Yosef Trumpeldor in Riga, Latvia, Russia in 1923. To this very day, Betarim around the world still refer to Jabotinsky as “Rosh Betar” (Head of Betar).
In today’s Arab lands, Jewish communities—some of which are more than 2,000 years old—are quickly disappearing. On Sunday, November 16, from 2 to 5 pm, the annual Rosenblatt Forum will explore this often tumultuous history in the symposium, “Jews Living in Arab Lands.” Panelists Dr. Robert Satloff of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, CBS Middle East Analyst and bestselling author Reza Aslan, author and scholar André Aciman, and journalist and author Lucette Lagnado will examine the Jewish exodus from Arab lands, Jews under Islamic rule, and whether or not two disparate groups who share homelands can overcome a turbulent past to achieve peaceful coexistence.
In 1945, there were approximately 800,000 Jews living in communities throughout the Arab world. Today, there are fewer than 7,000. These dwindling numbers are only one part of a complex and far-reaching story that goes back centuries. From the Babylonian Exodus, to the rise of Islam, to the foundation of the State of Israel, the everchanging political atmosphere of the Middle East has influenced the relationship between Jews and their Arab neighbors.
Images of history and conquest flashed through my mind on the long overnight train ride from Paris to Rome. Indeed, which empire was as strong and prominent as Rome? The Romans were the masters of infrastructure; they invented and built aqueducts, roads and bridges. Rome epitomized culture in the classical world, as their language, Latin, branched off into the modern languages that over one billion of the world’s population speak today (including English).
Politically and militarily, the Romans extended their control over all of Italy and eventually created an empire that stretched from England to North Africa and from the Atlantic Ocean to Arabia. I was about to get a glimpse of the most powerful nation in the ancient classical world.
Memories flow back to the time when Ceil, Sally’s mother and my dear sister, would visit for the summers. Ceil was older than I; as a matter of fact, Sally—my neice—and I were closer in age than Ceil and I were. Sally and I would delight in each other. I was 10 and she was only one, but we played hide and seek together in my mother’s Bradley Beach home. She was a beautiful child, lively and happy.
After my mother (her grandmother) passed away, I spent many summers with my sister Ceil, my brother- in-law Joe Dushey and their children, including Sally, in the house they rented on 4th Avenue, in Bradley. Ceil had a housekeeper, Jean. My sister would give her the car and instruct her to take Sally and me out for the day. Sally and I were joyous as we were taken on those rides, often for ice cream. We had so much fun.
When the event was planned, no one on the organizing committee knew what to expect. It was a first for the Shaare Zion Torah Center. 
Redemption Against All Odds
In today’s Arab lands, Jewish communities—some of which are more than 2,000 years old—are quickly disappearing. On Sunday, November 16, from 2 to 5 pm, the annual Rosenblatt Forum will explore this often tumultuous history in the symposium, “Jews Living in Arab Lands.” Panelists Dr. Robert Satloff of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, CBS Middle East Analyst and bestselling author Reza Aslan, author and scholar André Aciman, and journalist and author Lucette Lagnado will examine the Jewish exodus from Arab lands, Jews under Islamic rule, and whether or not two disparate groups who share homelands can overcome a turbulent past to achieve peaceful coexistence.
Memories flow back to the time when Ceil, Sally’s mother and my dear sister, would visit for the summers. Ceil was older than I; as a matter of fact, Sally—my neice—and I were closer in age than Ceil and I were. Sally and I would delight in each other. I was 10 and she was only one, but we played hide and seek together in my mother’s Bradley Beach home. She was a beautiful child, lively and happy.