For My Mom, Zehava Zeitouny
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.
If you’re looking to better your business skills, take note of the next event in The Angel Fund’s Executive Seminar Series. 
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.
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.”
Once in a while, we come across what is known as the ‘explosive’ child. If that sounds scary, you’re right—it is. If it sounds like someone who’s out of control, this is also true. If you and your family have no clue what I’m talking about, consider yourselves blessed. But if you are among those who are dealing with this situation and are suffering silently, it might be wise to consider the recently published advice of an expert in this field.
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.