5 Inspiring Lessons

Slovie Jungreis-Wolff

Plug into the joy and spiritual depth of this incredible Jewish holiday.

The holiday of Sukkot brings us to a place of joy, celebrating our newfound connection to the spiritual energy we’ve plugged into during the High Holidays.
Here are five life lessons to reflect upon as we sit within the walls of our sukkah.

1. Look Up
   When sitting in the sukkah one must be able to see the sky through the covering of the roof made out of leaves. It’s as if a mystical voice is calling out to us and whispering, “Look up.” Know that you will go through moments in life that will be terrifying. Your forefathers left Egypt and came into the desert wilderness not knowing how they would survive. No food. No water. The sun was scorching hot. There were snakes and scorpions. But G-D enveloped His children with Clouds of Glory that served as protection that continues to serve as a lesson until today.
   The sukkah is our reminder that faith and trust in G-D are the greatest weapon to combat fear. With recent events we’ve realized how much is out of our control. The world is spinning. It may feel difficult to hold on. Lift your eyes and see the Source of life. Don’t crumble. The sukkah is here for every single one of us to experience. Bask within the shelter of faith.
2. We Don’t Need All the Stuff
   The sukkah is a temporary dwelling. We leave our homes and for seven days we live in the sukkah. All the comforts of home are inside. Somehow we are content, even tasting joy, as we join those we love in celebration. What happened to all the stuff we thought we needed to be happy?
   The seven days represent the seven decades of a person’s life. What really counts in the end? Life is temporary. No one wishes that they had amassed more ‘stuff’. Rather, we wish we would’ve spent more time with those we cherish. We regret moments lost, words not said, and opportunities for love that never return.
   Sukkot liberates us. We are given time to take a spiritual time out and think about what really matters.
3. We Come from Greatness
   Each night we are given a beautiful prayer to say as we invite a holy guest into our sukkah. Altogether there are seven ushpizin (guests) who grace our sukkah with their spiritual presence, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Josef, Moses, Aaron and David.
   These seven transformed a morally desolate world into a place of kindness, compassion and awareness of G-D. Each of us is given an ability to draw upon the blessings of those who came before us. Their every struggle and challenge becomes a stepping stone for our personal life journey.
   When we realize the greatness we come from, we are given the strength to pick ourselves up and keep walking. We, too, can bring light into a world of darkness. We must only invite greatness into our lives.
4. Discover the Gift of Humility
   A sukkah taller than 20 amos (cubits), around three stories, cannot be used. The lesson is deep. If there is one character trait that pushes godliness out of our lives, it is arrogance. When you are so full of yourself, there is no space for anyone else, even G-D.
   If you want your life to be filled with love and meaning, discover the gift of humility. Know how to put others first. Don’t live a ‘selfie life’, where the lens is only turned on yourself. Feel the pain of another. Each day ask yourself, how is this world better because I exist? Make space for others. Be a giver.
   When my child was once crying, my six-foot-two father bent down to hear him. He picked my little boy up, cuddled him on his shoulders and said, “No one should ever be too high to hear the cries of a child.”
   We are all that child. And none of us can ever feel too high to hear the cries of another.
5. Feel G-D’s Hug
   A sukkah requires at least two complete walls plus a third wall that can even be one handbreadth.
   The image is that of a hug. The sukkah is G-D’s embrace of us. Each and every one of us is precious. When you give someone a hug, you wrap your hands around their back and pull them close. Their face is not seen. So too, we are being embraced. It does not matter what we think we look like, spiritually, or mistakes we made that we believe may create obstacles as we try to plug into our souls.
   Enter the sukkah and know that you are loved. Every person who wants to come close is hugged. Unconditionally. The sukkah is speaking to us. We just need to open our hearts to hear its whisper. q

What the Month of Elul Teaches Us
About Growth

Jeff Sitt

Before we ask Hashem for a better year, Elul asks us to take
an honest look at the year we’ve just lived.

Every successful business conducts some form of review. What worked? What didn’t? Where did we grow? Where did we waste time, money, or energy? What problems keep repeating themselves? What needs to change before we move forward? We understand this in business. We review numbers, people, systems, inventory, and performance because we know something important, you can’t improve what you’re unwilling to look at honestly.
But how often do we conduct that same audit on ourselves? That’s one of the great opportunities of the month of Elul.
By the time you’re reading this, we’re already in Elul, the Hebrew month leading into Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Judaism doesn’t simply give us a new year and tell us to make some resolutions. It gives us an entire month beforehand to reflect, take stock, and prepare. Think about that. Before asking, “What do I want from the year ahead?” we’re encouraged to ask, “What did I do with the year I was just given?” That’s a very different question.
Most of us are good at looking forward. We have goals, plans, business targets, things we want to buy, places we want to go, and problems we want solved. But growth doesn’t only come from setting a better destination. Sometimes it comes from becoming honest about who’s doing the driving. That’s the internal audit.
Where am I today? Where have I grown? Where am I still repeating the same patterns? What conversations am I avoiding? How am I showing up for my spouse, my children, my employees, my partners, and the people who depend on me? Am I leading my business, or is my business leading me? And perhaps the hardest question of all, Who am I becoming?
Elul isn’t meant to be an exercise in beating ourselves up. An honest audit isn’t about shame. It’s about awareness. If a business discovers a weakness in its systems, the answer isn’t to sit around feeling terrible about it. The answer is to understand it, address it, and build something better. Why should personal growth be any different?
We all have areas that need work. Maybe you’ve become more reactive. Maybe you’ve stopped listening. Maybe success has made you less present at home. Maybe you’ve been so busy taking care of everything that you’ve stopped taking care of yourself. Maybe there’s a conversation you know you need to have. Or maybe, when you really look at the past year, you realize something else. You’ve actually grown more than you’ve given yourself credit for. That’s part of the audit too.
Elul asks us to look honestly, not negatively. There’s a big difference because awareness creates choice. Once I can see a pattern, I can decide whether I want to continue it. Once I recognize how I’m showing up, I can choose how I want to show up differently. Once I know where I am, I can begin deciding where I want to go.
So here’s a simple exercise for this month. Take ten quiet minutes. No phone, no email, no distractions. Ask yourself five questions. Where have I genuinely grown over the past year? What am I doing today that I know I need to stop? What am I avoiding that I know I need to address? What is one improvement I can make to strengthen my spiritual connection with Hashem? Who do I want to become before this time next year?
Don’t try to solve everything. Just pay attention. In Hebrew, there’s a beautiful phrase, Sim Lev, to place your heart, to pay attention. Maybe that’s what Elul is really asking of us. Pay attention to your choices, your relationships, your patterns, your blessings, and the person you’re becoming.
Rosh Hashanah will soon arrive, and we’ll ask Hashem for health, blessing, success, peace, and a good year. But perhaps one of the greatest preparations for a new year isn’t deciding what we want to accomplish next. It’s taking an honest look at who we’ve become this past year, and deciding who we want to become in the year ahead. That’s the internal audit. And there’s still time to make an adjustment.

Project Legacy Recognizes Two Leaders
Whose Vision, Faith, and Service Helped Shape the Deal Community

Beneath the soaring marble columns and magnificent architecture of the Library of Congress, family members, Members of Congress, diplomats, business leaders, rabbis, and community representatives gathered for Project Legacy’s Celebrate America 250 Gala, an evening recognizing individuals whose lives have strengthened their communities and embodied the values of faith, service, leadership, and the American spirit.

Hosted by Project Legacy under the leadership of Ezra Friedlander, the gala featured remarks by Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, and welcomed numerous Members of Congress, foreign dignitaries, and civic leaders from across the United States and abroad. During the evening, Project Legacy also announced its national initiative supporting legislation for a United States commemorative coin honoring the 100th anniversary of Anne Frank’s birth, furthering its mission of preserving history and educating future generations.
Among the evening’s most meaningful moments was the recognition of Joseph M. Betesh a”h, a pioneer whose vision and leadership helped lay the foundation for the modern year-round Deal community, and Charlie Saka a”h, one of the leaders and principal drivers who helped the entire Deal community mature and flourish.

A Meaningful Voice for
the Occasion
One of the evening’s highlights was the address delivered by Chief Rabbi Saul Kassin, the spiritual leader of the Syrian Sephardic Jewish community. Introducing Chief Rabbi Kassin, Project Legacy founder Ezra Friedlander explained that it was especially appropriate for him to address the gathering during America’s 250th anniversary celebration because Sephardic Jews established the first Jewish synagogue in America. Chief Rabbi Kassin’s participation underscored the enduring contributions of Sephardic Jewry to the nation’s history and reflected the values of faith, community, and religious freedom that have shaped American life since its earliest days. His remarks provided historical perspective that beautifully complemented the recognition of the lives of both Joseph M. Betesh a”h and Charlie Saka a”h.

Joseph M. Betesh a”h
A Life of Service
Joseph M. Betesh a”h’s story began in Brooklyn, New York, where he was born in 1924 to immigrant parents who believed deeply in faith, family, and the promise of America. That promise was tested in 1943 when he was drafted into the United States Army. Serving as a medical technician with the 534th Amphibian Engineer Medical Detachment during World War II, Joseph M. Betesh a”h participated in the New Guinea and Luzon campaigns, repeatedly risking his own life while caring for wounded soldiers under combat conditions. His courage earned him the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. Later in life, Joseph M. Betesh a”h often reflected that G-D had protected him through the war for a greater purpose.

A Vision That Changed a Community
After returning from the war, Joseph M. Betesh a”h and his brothers established a successful business in Philadelphia before relocating to Deal, New Jersey. In the 1970s, West Deal was still a small community with only a handful of year-round Sephardic Jewish families.
Where others saw an undeveloped neighborhood, Joseph M. Betesh a”h saw the opportunity to build a permanent community centered on Torah, family, and communal responsibility. Together with his wife, Sonia Betesh, and with the help of Charlie and Morris Cohen a”h, Joseph M. Betesh a”h founded Magen David of West Deal in 1977, purchasing the synagogue’s original property and helping establish what would become one of the cornerstone institutions of the Deal community. He later spearheaded the creation of the Deal Sephardic Youth Center, among many other community organizations. What began with a handful of dedicated families has since grown into the largest and most vibrant year-round Orthodox Sephardic community in New Jersey. Thousands of families today benefit from institutions whose foundations were laid by Joseph M. Betesh a”h, who believed in a vision long before it became a reality.

Leadership That Inspired Others
Accepting the tribute to Joseph M. Betesh a”h was his son, Daniel Betesh, who reflected on his father’s extraordinary life and enduring influence. He spoke about his father’s belief that G-D had spared him during World War II for a greater purpose. That purpose, he said, became the building of a community where families could live year-round, educate their children, strengthen their faith, and create opportunities for future generations.
“My father’s greatest success,” Daniel remarked, “wasn’t simply the institutions he helped build. It was the people he inspired to build alongside him.”
Those words captured a philosophy that guided Joseph M. Betesh a”h throughout his life. Leadership, in his view, was measured not by recognition but by the ability to encourage others to step forward and continue the work. Today, thousands of families benefit from institutions that grew from the vision shared by Joseph M. Betesh a”h and the community’s earliest builders.
Daniel Betesh also acknowledged the honor of accepting the award in the presence of Mr. Eric Trump, representing the Office of the President of the United States. Betesh expanded on that by calling President Donald Trump “the greatest president our country has ever had since its Founding Fathers!”
Among those Daniel recognized was Charlie Saka a”h, whose leadership would later help strengthen and expand many of the institutions established by the community’s founding generation. “Charlie was one of the leaders my father helped inspire and was proud to work hand in hand with.”

Charlie Saka a”h
A Lifetime of Community Leadership
While Joseph M. Betesh a”h represented the pioneering generation that helped establish the community’s institutional foundation, Charlie Saka a”h became Joseph M. Betesh a”h’s partner, who would go on to expand and continuously build upon that foundation. Over the course of his life, Charlie Saka a”h, along with his wife Brenda, earned the admiration of countless families through his generosity, humility, and unwavering commitment to communal service.
His life reflected a combination of business success and communal leadership. After founding Sakar International in 1977 and growing it to a globally recognized electronics company, he devoted countless hours to strengthening the Deal community. As a driving force behind institutions such as the Magen David Complex, Deal Sephardic Network, and other community organizations, Charlie left a lasting impact for future generations.
His leadership extended across many of the community’s religious, educational, and charitable organizations. Whether supporting schools, synagogues, youth programs, or families in need, Charlie Saka a”h believed that strong institutions required continuous investment, not only financially, but through personal involvement and leadership.
Those who worked with Charlie Saka a”h often described his ability to bring people together around a common purpose. He understood that every successful community depends on volunteers willing to dedicate their time, energy, and resources for the benefit of others.
His son Mr. Sammy Saka, the chairman of Hillel Yeshiva, received the award on his family’s behalf and spoke about his father’s contributions that helped strengthen all the Deal organizations that serve thousands of families throughout the Deal community and beyond. It is important to note that each of Charlie and Brenda’s children has continued his legacy by continuing to help build the Deal community through various charities they spearhead. His recognition at the Library of Congress celebrated not only a lifetime of philanthropy and communal leadership, but also the countless lives touched through decades of service.

A Community Built Across Generations
Although Joseph M. Betesh a”h and Charlie Saka a”h came from different generations, their lives reflected a shared commitment to building a stronger community. Their contributions reflected different stages of the same story. One generation laid the foundation. The next ensured that foundation continued to grow.
The recognition at the Library of Congress was more than a tribute to two remarkable men. It was a celebration of a legacy that continues to live in the institutions they helped create, and in the community they both helped build. q

Linda Argalgi Sadacka

A few days ago, New York State Senator Sam Sutton presented me with a Senate proclamation recognizing my community advocacy through journalism and social media. I was grateful for the recognition. But the word that stayed with me was not honor. It was impactful. We use that word far too casually.

A post reaches 100,000 people and we call it impactful. An article goes viral and we call it impactful. A speech receives a standing ovation and we call it impactful. Yet none of those things, by themselves, tell us whether anything actually changed. That is the question I believe journalists, activists, political organizers and Jewish communal leaders need to ask much more aggressively. What happened because people heard us?
Did someone vote who would otherwise have stayed home? Did a legislator receive enough calls to understand that an issue could no longer be ignored? Did a parent recognize what was happening on a college campus? Did a donor step forward? Did an institution finally act? Did someone who had been sitting quietly decide that silence was no longer acceptable? If the answer is no, then perhaps what we generated was attention, not influence. And in the Jewish world, particularly after October 7, we can no longer afford to confuse the two.
I have spent years writing about Israel, antisemitism and political issues, including for World Israel News. One of the stories that has stayed with me most involved Ava Rosenberg, the daughter of New York radio host Sid Rosenberg, and the vicious antisemitic harassment she faced while studying at Cardiff University in Wales.
When I reported her story for World Israel News, this was not an abstract piece about the troubling climate on university campuses. Ava was a young Jewish woman living through it. She had been accused of supporting genocide and killing Palestinians. She was subjected to a campaign of harassment serious enough to transform ordinary university life into something frightening and deeply personal. The reporting was supported by texts and photographs and brought a specific case into the wider public conversation.
That distinction matters because statistics about antisemitism can numb us. A human story can mobilize us. When readers encounter another report showing that antisemitic incidents increased by some percentage, they may shake their heads and continue scrolling. When they see what happens to one Jewish student, when they understand the names, the accusations, the institutional response and the price that young person is paying simply for being openly Jewish and pro-Israel, the issue becomes harder to dismiss.
That is what journalism can do at its best. It can expose what institutions would prefer remain obscure. It can give a human face to a political problem. It can force people who have been comfortable with abstraction to confront consequences. But even that is not enough.
The purpose of advocacy journalism cannot simply be to make the reader angry. Anger is plentiful. We have entire industries devoted to producing it. The more difficult task is converting outrage into action.
That lesson became equally clear to me in politics. When Sam Sutton ran for the New York State Senate, I did not view political communication as an exercise in posting an endorsement and hoping people noticed. I worked to help mobilize Conservative and Republican voters and bring people to the polls. That is less glamorous than social-media politics. It is also considerably more important.
Elections are not won by the number of people who tell you privately that they agree with you. They are won by the people who actually vote. That sounds self-evident, yet our politics suggests that many people have forgotten it.
Citizens will spend hours consuming political content, forwarding articles, arguing in WhatsApp groups and expressing outrage about candidates they cannot stand, and then ignore a primary election in which a relatively small number of votes may determine who eventually governs them. We have created millions of politically opinionated spectators. What we need are participants. An audience watches. A constituency acts.
That is a distinction the Jewish community in particular needs to understand. We have become exceptionally good at communicating with ourselves. We attend conferences with people who share our concerns. We circulate articles among people who already support Israel. We applaud speakers who tell us what we already know.
We post videos that travel rapidly through Jewish social-media networks and interpret the resulting engagement as evidence that we are winning an argument. But preaching to the choir is not persuasion. And applause is not political power.
If we want to defend Israel, fight antisemitism and protect Jewish life in America and abroad, then our communications strategy must begin with a harder question. Who is not already with us, and how do we reach them? That means writing differently.
It means explaining rather than merely declaring. It means documenting rather than exaggerating. It means understanding that a person who knows very little about Israel may need facts and context before he needs rhetoric. It means refusing to surrender every uninformed voter, student or neighbor to a propaganda machine simply because they did not begin the conversation on our side.
It also means giving people something to do. Every serious piece of advocacy should contain, explicitly or implicitly, an answer to a simple question. What should the reader do next? Register. Vote. Vote in the primary, not merely the general election. Call your representative. Write the university president.
Attend the hearing. Support the organization doing effective work. Send accurate information to someone outside your ideological circle. Bring five people with you. Ask the candidate the uncomfortable question. Then remember the answer when Election Day arrives. This is not activism as theater. It is civic organization.
There is another uncomfortable lesson here for those of us who work in media and advocacy. Social media has given us extraordinarily sophisticated ways to measure almost everything except what matters most. We know how many people viewed a reel. We know how long they watched it. We know how many shared it. We know our reach, impressions, engagement and follower growth.
But none of those numbers answers the most consequential question. Did anyone behave differently because of what we said? Ten thousand likes cannot cast one ballot. A million impressions cannot make one telephone call to Congress. Virality cannot substitute for organization.
The same principle applies to Jewish institutions. Success cannot be measured only by gala attendance, press mentions, panels, photographs with officials or the size of an email list. Those things may have value, but they are tools, not accomplishments.
The proper measurement is harder. How many people were educated? How many people were activated? How many relationships were built outside the usual circle? How many voters were moved? How many policymakers understood that ignoring the Jewish community would carry a political consequence? How many people who previously believed they were powerless discovered that citizenship gives them considerably more power than they imagined?
That is where journalism and activism meet. Reporting provides information. Argument provides interpretation. Organization provides direction. Voting provides consequence. Remove the final step and much of what precedes it becomes noise.
The New York State Senate proclamation I received is meaningful to me because it recognizes work across journalism, social media and community advocacy. But the recognition is useful only if it reinforces the principle behind that work. The objective was never simply to have a voice. There are plenty of voices. The objective is to use words to move people from passive agreement to deliberate action.
We are living through a moment in which Israel is being challenged not only militarily but narratively, in which antisemitism has migrated from fringe corners into universities, cultural institutions, political movements and public streets, and in which elections decided by people who bother to participate can have consequences for Jewish communities thousands of miles away.
In such a moment, spectatorship is a luxury. Read, certainly. Share. Argue. Educate. But eventually, do something. Because the real test of advocacy is not whether people applaud what you wrote. It is whether they do something they would not otherwise have done.

Growing Up in Beirut

Sarina Roffé

After the 1967 war with Israel, Beirut was no longer a safe place for Jews to live. While many Jews were still escaping from Syria to find safe haven in Beirut, the community was having its own internal difficulties.

Batia Shems née Sasson grew up in Beirut, the daughter of Edouard Sasson and Corine Pinto. Edouard Sasson came from a family with a long Sephardic heritage. He was an executive for Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), an American company in the Middle East, and was responsible for the distribution of films to theaters.
Her mother was Corine Pinto, an only child who moved to Lebanon at the age of five from Istanbul, part of the Ottoman Empire. The Pintos hail back to 15th-century Spain. “I think her father had a premonition about what was going to happen to the Jews in that region and moved them to Beirut,” said Batia about her mother. “They ended up opening up a boutique called A L’Extra Luxe Michel.”
“My father’s sisters and brother happened to travel to Palestine. At the time, it was accessible, an easy bus ride from Lebanon to Israel before Israel was created in 1948,” said Batia. “After the war broke out, they remained in Israel while my father and his mother were left in Beirut. They never saw each other for years. The only way to communicate was through letters back and forth that went through other family members in other countries. You couldn’t write anything about Israel in those letters because the mail was censored. One time, one of the relatives made a mistake and referenced Israel in the letter and it was caught by Lebanese officials. “They came up to my father’s office and warned him, ‘Edouard, we know that you have family there, but be careful.’” Given his status in society, the officials left him alone.
“My father was well known in the Lebanese government, because we used to host a lot of actors and MGM executives. Jews in Lebanon felt that Beirut was a peaceful place to live. Compared to other Arab countries, we were much better off. We learned how to live in our surroundings and not draw attention to ourselves. But we did not have free speech like here in America and there were many competing political and religious factions.”
The Alliance Israelite Universelle school was bombed in March 1950. News reports said a time bomb was planted by Arab saboteurs under cover of a rainy night. The school principal and the custodian lost their lives in the blast. Years later, Batia attended the Alliance school along with most of the children of the community.
“When the Suez Canal was nationalized in 1956, you could feel life changing for the Jewish community,” said Batia. “There were more uprisings in Beirut. Between 1956 and 1958, there was an influx of immigrants from Syria into Beirut. It was during the civil war between the Maronites and the Muslims in Beirut. “Shula Cohen and the community helped them to get to Israel, but it was very dangerous. The atmosphere changed significantly. We had a lot of riots especially on Fridays. Muslims would come out of the mosque and run down the main road, with entrances to the Jewish community. They would burn tires and roll them into the streets, into our neighborhoods, into the Wadi (Jewish community) and chant ‘The Jews are our dogs and Palestine is our home.’ It rhymes when chanted in Arabic.
“At the time, Shula’s work wasn’t talked about, at least not to us kids. It was known that a lot of people came from Syria and they were hidden in the Wadi and then smuggled out. I wouldn’t be surprised if my father was involved in helping the Syrians flee to Israel.”
The films shown by MGM were often the subject of controversy as many Muslims objected to the content, often confronting Edouard and urging him not to show certain films. The PLO was trying to show their own propaganda documentary, Koulouna Fedaiyn, in support of the Palestinian resistance. Even though Edouard insisted he had no control over the company’s decisions, he was blamed. He went to his bosses at MGM to express his concern. However, the company insisted on showing the films. They did not truly understand the Arab mind or the idea that Edouard and his family were in danger. This raised security concerns to the extent that Edouard was concerned about his own safety and that of his family.

On February 28, 1970, Edouard was ambushed in his office and shot at point-blank range with a 9mm firearm reportedly from Syria. He was 54. “My mother was absolutely distraught,” said Batia. She was advised to leave her apartment and move out to a friend’s house for her safety.
“My brother Albert had two years left of medical school. He was married with a baby on the way. As soon as his wife delivered, my mother, grandmother, my brother and his family moved to Israel. It was a difficult move for my mother. Besides the language she had to adjust to a new life. In Beirut, my dad took care of everything, groceries and day-to-day life. “When the family moved to Israel, my brother was able to finish his medical school and complete his thesis in Lyon, France since it’s the sister school of the French Faculty in Beirut. Albert a’h became a very well-known and respected orthopedic surgeon in Israel.
“We were often subjected to threats and kidnapping, so my father had us escorted to many places. I was a ballet dancer and many times, especially after a show in one of the movie theaters that were owned by Muslims, I was driven back by a Muslim guard to ensure my safety.”
For high school, Batia attended the American School for Girls and was driven to and from school by a bodyguard. “When I went to the American school, I was the only Jewish girl there. I was long exposed to the Americans, and I wanted to perfect my English. At one point, the headmistress had some puppies and I took a puppy and a Muslim classmate of mine took one. For about six months or so, she would come over to my house, and we played with the puppies. I would never go to her. She didn’t know I was Jewish. “When it was Passover, I didn’t go to school. When I came back, they asked me how come I wasn’t there. I said it was Passover. They looked at me. ‘You’re Jewish?’ They were shocked because my classmates were princesses from neighboring Arab countries. They would run out and meet guys and I would cover for them, until they learned I was Jewish. Then I was off their radar.”
Batia met her husband when Moise came to Beirut from New Jersey, during Passover 1966 to see his family. He was in the second year of a medical residency in urology in the United States when they met. They got married in August at the synagogue in Bhamdoon.
“In December 1969, my grandmother had not seen her kids for many years, so my father took her to Cyprus to see them and his sisters insisted that their mother go back to Israel with them. That was the last time my grandmother saw my father alive. The news of his assassination was broadcast on the radio in Israel and that’s how the family heard the news. My grandmother passed away just a month later from a broken heart.
“There is one letter from my father that was sent to his sisters the day before he was murdered saying that he’s looking into things and wondering when he can leave. He knew something was going on. There were insinuations in the letter. He even asked his sisters in a different way of phrasing, like ‘if a person came to your country and would it be easy for him to learn a new language?’ There were really a lot of insinuations in these letters.”
An estimated 6,000 Lebanese Jews emigrated in the wake of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, shrinking the community down to 450 by 1975. Albert Elia, the secretary of the community, was kidnapped in 1971 by the Syrian Mukhabarat. He was never heard from again, nor was his body returned to the family. “As young kids, we thought everything was beautiful. But there were cases of murders and kidnaping of community leaders that happened in the early 1970s. A candy store owner was murdered in his office in his shop. The Syrian government basically controlled Lebanon by the 1970s. A doctor was abducted to treat wounded Palestinians, then killed and tied to a tree.”
Jews were targeted in the later years of the Lebanese civil war. Isaac Sasson, a relative of Batia and leader of the Lebanese Jewish community, was kidnapped at gunpoint on March 31, 1985, on his way from the Beirut International Airport after a trip to Abu Dhabi, never to be heard of. From 1985 to 1987, there was a wave of abductions and murders of Jewish leaders in Lebanon. Complete chaos marked Lebanon, and the Lebanese government became powerless. By 1985, there were fewer than 100 Jews left in Beirut.
The Jews of Lebanon are now living in the four corners of the world. Despite being uprooted from their homeland, they succeeded in making a new life for themselves and their families.

Inside MDY ECC’s Living Rooftop Classroom

Above the busy traffic and daily hustle of McDonald Avenue, a quiet transformation is taking place. Perched on the rooftop of the Magen David Early Childhood Center, amidst the ongoing construction and expansion of our growing school, lies a brand-new green oasis. This isn’t just a garden. It is a living classroom designed specifically for our youngest children to experiment, discover, and connect with the world around them.

As spring arrived and our students headed outdoors, their classroom curricula came to life. From our littlest toddlers to our oldest kindergarteners, every child at MDY ECC stepped into the role of caretaker, getting their hands dirty to plant, nurture, and watch something very real grow.
In our Reggio-inspired spaces, where the environment serves as the third teacher, we had to be highly intentional from the very start. Designing this from a truly child-centered perspective required working backward from a tight deadline. We knew our families would begin traveling for the summer in mid-June. We wanted these concrete learners to experience the patience of planting, but we also knew they needed immediate feedback to stay engaged. To bridge that gap, we made two deliberate choices. We bypassed seeds in favor of seedlings to foster an immediate sense of responsibility, and we opted for plants that would mature quickly. This allowed the children to see rapid growth and harvest edible plants before the school year concluded.
The rooftop quickly became a shared community effort. Each grade, class, and child had the opportunity to plant something that anyone in the MDY ECC building could enjoy. The bright flowers now beautifying the front of our center are a point of immense pride for our students. They eagerly share their achievement with their parents and caregivers, take turns with the watering cans, and beam when passersby notice their work.
The edible garden has been equally collaborative. When making pizza in honor of Shabuot, classes headed to the roof to harvest fresh rosemary, thyme, and basil to flavor their dairy treats. On warm afternoons after playing outside, they picked fresh mint to turn their classroom water into an extra refreshing treat.
But a living classroom isn’t just about successful harvests. It is about real-world science and life lessons. When our classes completed their lifecycle experiments, watching caterpillars turn to butterflies and larvae to ladybugs, they learned how these insects benefit an ecosystem and released them directly onto the roof to help our garden thrive. In another classroom, after a nutrition lesson on avocados, students saved and sprouted the pits. Once they noticed roots forming, they knew the pits were ready for soil and proudly moved them to the rooftop.
More importantly, the garden taught our children patience and how to manage disappointment. The truth is, not every plant thrived. Some grew for a short period and stopped. Some flowered before we could enjoy them, and others didn’t grow at all. And sometimes, that is just how life goes. Navigating these moments allowed the children to experience a whole spectrum of emotions, turning mistakes and natural mishaps into profound teaching moments.
As educators, we devote ourselves to the development of the whole child, and the garden offers a perfect landscape for social-emotional growth. The children explored the world through all five senses, smelling herbs, tasting greens, and feeling the rich texture of the soil. While some children immersed themselves immediately, others needed time and space to gain comfort before choosing to participate. Watching the children navigate their own boundaries and comfort levels was a beautiful testament to their growth over the year, and it has already inspired a spark of new sensory activities for our future curriculum.
Big shifts always begin with a single vision. What started as an adult passion project shared among a few dedicated people ultimately became a canvas of infinite potential for our children.
As our hallways grew quiet and our families enjoyed the summer, this rooftop oasis stands as a vibrant symbol of what our community can achieve together. The physical garden will continue to change over the next few months, but the true growth has already happened within our children. They will return from break not just as students, but as scientists, caretakers, and collaborative members of a community, ready to reunite with a living classroom that will continue to teach, inspire, and bloom.

A New Lens on Ability at 19,341 Feet

Stefanie Diamond

As a photographer, I am often called to photograph life’s most precious moments, and those moments and those people often change me in some way. In August, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to capture an extraordinary journey to Tanzania. I can say with certainty that I am impacted and changed in more ways than I can fully process yet.

I had been to Tanzania once before on a trip that opened my eyes and heart to the people of East Africa, and when I boarded the plane to come home, I did so with tears in my eyes, afraid I’d never get the opportunity to return. But six years later, when I had such an opportunity, I excitedly accepted but wasn’t sure I’d see or experience anything that would impact me like my first trip. How very wrong I was. This time I came to Tanzania to photograph two teams climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. My job was to capture them bonding as a team on the ground, to walk alongside them and take photos of them as they started their climb, and then to capture one group’s return a week later. And somewhere between those two moments, the story changed.
Across two consecutive #AccessibleTogether expeditions organized by Accessibility Accelerator in partnership with Paratrek, 66 climbers of different abilities, backgrounds and life experiences approached Africa’s highest mountain. Among them were adults with spinal cord injuries, a teenager with a genetic disease which has affected his ability to walk, injured soldiers, students, educators, physicians, first responders, families, advocates and community leaders. Some used adaptive equipment or required physical assistance. Others carried challenges invisible to my lens.

They did not arrive with the same abilities, and they would not reach the same altitude. That was never the point. What they shared was the right to discover what was possible. From the ground I learned a lot about the mountain, namely that Kilimanjaro offered no concessions. At 19,341 feet, the mountain remained demanding and indifferent. The air did not get easier to breathe for a climber with a disability. The terrain did not soften for someone carrying an injury. Inclusion did not make the mountain easier. Careful preparation, adaptive equipment, medical planning, staffing and logistics simply made the opportunity to attempt it broader.
That distinction is powerful because our world so often does the opposite. We see a wheelchair, an injury, or a different way of moving and begin calculating limitations. Sometimes we decide what another person cannot do before that person has been given the chance to try. This has been the greatest lesson to me after spending time with those who needed the assistance of Paratrek’s trekkers.
Jamie Lassner, executive director of Accessibility Accelerator, explained, “The achievement was never that everyone reached the same place. It was that everyone was given the dignity to discover their own possibilities. Inclusion begins when we stop deciding another person’s limits and start creating the conditions in which possibility has a chance.”
As a photographer, those words stayed with me. Photography is about what we see, but this expedition repeatedly reminded me of everything my camera cannot capture. A lens can record a wheelchair, adaptive equipment or a hand extended toward another person. It cannot photograph determination. It cannot show years of struggle inside a single frame. It cannot capture trust, fear, faith or the courage required to accept help. By spending time talking to the participants, I got to see some of this struggle, trust, fear, and courage.
During that first kilometer I hiked alongside them, I watched climbers, guides and porters begin moving together. Equipment was adjusted, people waited for one another, encouragement came easily. Then I turned back, and they continued upward. I got to know these incredible individuals for a few days before we laced up those hiking boots. They shared their stories. I saw their souls. And while I only walked up the first kilometer of the mountain with them, a part of me followed them. I was surprised to be so invested in their stories and in their journey, but what happened higher on Kilimanjaro was theirs to experience.
When the teams returned, however, their stories revealed something striking. Achievement on the mountain was rarely singular. A guide steadied a climber. A porter carried weight. A physician watched over a team. Someone struggling physically became another person’s emotional strength. The roles of helping and being helped shifted constantly.
“No one climbs Kilimanjaro alone,” said Omer Zur, founder of Paratrek. “Every guide, porter, and climber becomes part of one team. Every person contributes something that helps another person move forward.”
We live in a culture that prizes independence, sometimes to the point of confusing needing help with weakness. Kilimanjaro suggested something more honest. We can only accomplish extraordinary things through interdependence. There is strength in extending a hand, but there is also courage in taking one.

The mountain also challenged the definition of success. Asking a climber ‘how high did you climb?’ and ‘did you summit?’ only tells where a person stood, not what it took to get there. Some participants reached Kilimanjaro’s outer summit rim while others continued toward its highest points. For one person, success might have been another step. For another, it was knowing when to stop. For someone else, it was slowing down so a teammate could continue. For me there was incredible pride in just watching them begin. Perhaps success was never a place on the mountain. Perhaps it was having the opportunity to stand at the bottom and begin, and then to find your own place upon it.
Tanzania was inseparable from that story. The guides and porters were not supporting characters in someone else’s adventure. Their knowledge, endurance and humanity were fundamental to it. Drivers, hotel staff and local partners surrounded the teams with warmth. Some of the most memorable moments were the quietest. A hand offered without hesitation, laughter between people who shared little language, someone patiently waiting for another person to catch up.
Photography teaches you that what is visible is never the whole story. Disability should teach us the same thing. A wheelchair may be visible. Ambition is not. An injury can be seen. Determination cannot. Adaptive equipment can be photographed. Courage, intelligence, humor and generosity refuse to fit neatly inside a frame.
Eventually, everyone leaves the mountain. That is when Kilimanjaro’s lesson becomes more demanding. Most barriers in life are not 19,341 feet high. They are a staircase without another entrance, a classroom designed without considering one student, an emergency plan assuming everyone can run, or a workplace treating accessibility as an inconvenience. Sometimes the greatest barrier is invisible. An invitation never offered because someone else decided the answer would probably be no.
These climbers did not prove that everyone can climb every mountain. They demonstrated something more important. No one should have their mountain chosen for them. I went to Tanzania to photograph an expedition. I returned thinking about how we see one another.
Kilimanjaro did not become lower. The trail did not become shorter. The mountain changed nothing. What changed was who had the opportunity to approach it. And perhaps that is what inclusion looks like at its best, not lowering the mountain, but refusing to stand at its base and tell someone else they do not belong there.

On Thursday, July 30, 2026, the Deal community gathered at the Deal Casino Beach Club for Colel Chabad’s annual Together We Rise concert. The evening featured performances by Mordechai Shapiro and Nechemia Katz, inspiring words from Rabbi Eli Mansour, and Ami Kozak as host. Families and friends came together for an evening of music, unity, and support for Eretz Yisrael.

Every ticket, sponsorship, and donation helps Colel Chabad provide food, care, and dignity to families, seniors, widows, orphans, children, and Holocaust survivors across Israel. Since 1788, Colel Chabad has supported Jews facing poverty, illness, loneliness, loss, and crisis through food assistance, hot meals, holiday support, and personal care.
As the Chagim approach, this assistance is especially vital. While many families look forward to preparing for Yom Tov, others worry about putting food on the table. This year, Colel Chabad is distributing $18 million in holiday food cards and assistance, helping families across Israel celebrate with dignity and peace of mind.
Special thanks to Rabbi Eli Mansour, David Edelstein, Raymond Zaytoune, Albert Savdie, Joey Esses, David Simhon, and Jack Cohen, to the Syrian community and the families of Deal, and to everyone who made the evening a success.
This Chag, you can bring the joy of Yom Tov into a home in Eretz Yisrael. Give today and help a family celebrate with a full table, dignity, and peace of mind. Donate to Colel Chabad’s High Holiday campaign. Colelchabad.org/img See highlights of the concert here. Colelchabad.events.

The LEV Organization’s Summer Event

This summer, more than 500 people gathered for an unforgettable evening of inspiration, community, and purpose at the LEV Organization’s summer event, hosted graciously at the beautiful home of Barbara Fallas Klaus and Shirley and Jordan Granger.

The evening was filled with powerful speakers, meaningful stories, and a shared commitment to strengthening Jewish families, supporting children, and helping individuals navigate some of life’s most difficult challenges.
The event also demonstrated something that has become part of The LEV Organization’s identity: the ability to push forward no matter the circumstances. When unexpected challenges arose surrounding the evening’s planned program, The LEV team quickly scrambled, adapted, and came together to create an incredible night that exceeded expectations. It was a true reflection of the organization itself. When challenges arise, LEV does not stop. It finds a way forward.

The Mission of LEV
The LEV Organization was founded with a simple but powerful goal: to strengthen Jewish families and help individuals and children navigate difficult moments in their lives. LEV began by helping Agunot and Agunim facing the painful and complex reality of being unable to move forward from a marriage. Over the past five years, LEV has helped resolve 61 cases, with countless additional individuals and families receiving support along the way.
As the organization’s work grew, so did its mission. LEV recognized that when one person in a family is struggling, the entire family can be affected. Today, LEV serves the broader needs of Jewish individuals and families through three divisions: Shalom Bayit, LEV Youth, and Client Services. Together, these divisions provide support, guidance, resources, and hope to people who need help moving forward.

Strengthening Marriages
Before They Become Crises
At the heart of LEV’s expanded mission is its Shalom Bayit Division, led by Rabbi Ali Cohen. Rabbi Cohen has dedicated more than ten years to chinuch and the past five years to professional counseling. He is also the author of the bestselling book Where You End and I Begin. Through his work with LEV, Rabbi Cohen privately counsels couples, helps spouses navigate difficult situations, and provides couple mediation for those experiencing marital conflict.
His work extends beyond helping couples who are already in crisis. LEV believes that every couple can benefit from learning how to communicate better, manage disagreements, and strengthen their relationship before problems escalate. Through weekly Shalom Bayit classes, private counseling, mediation, educational programs, and community events, LEV is working to create stronger marriages and healthier homes.
This work is also supported by the community’s rabbinic leadership. With the backing and guidance of rabbis who believe in the importance of strengthening Jewish homes, LEV is building a culture where couples can seek help, guidance, and support without waiting until their marriage reaches a breaking point. The message is simple: marriage does not have to be in crisis for a couple to invest in making it stronger.

Supporting the Next Generation
LEV’s Youth Division focuses on children and teenagers, particularly those whose families are experiencing difficult circumstances. Every child deserves to feel valued, supported, and remembered. LEV works to create positive experiences and meaningful memories through birthday and holiday gifts, special activities, programs, and opportunities that help young people feel connected to their community.
One example was LEV’s support of a 12th-grade student whose graduation trip to Israel was made possible through the organization. The experience represented more than a trip. It allowed a young person to share an important milestone with peers and create memories that will last a lifetime.
These moments are a reminder that supporting children means more than helping them through difficult times. It means giving them reasons to smile, experiences to look forward to, and a community that reminds them they matter.

Being There When Families Need Help
LEV’s Client Services Division continues the organization’s original work of helping individuals and families facing complex and difficult situations. The division provides support and resources based on each family’s unique needs, including assistance navigating challenging family circumstances, support programs, holiday assistance, and other services that help individuals move forward with greater dignity and hope. LEV’s goal is to meet people where they are and help them take their next step forward.
The organization also works to ensure that those it serves have access to qualified professionals and appropriate resources, including counseling, social work, mediation, and other forms of support when needed. These services help families receive guidance suited to their individual circumstances.

A Night of Powerful Voices
The evening brought together speakers who each offered a different perspective on family, resilience, and hope. President of The LEV Organization, Sean Dweck, opened the evening with a brief but powerful speech highlighting the organization’s recent successes and outlining the work that lies ahead. The message was clear: The momentum is real, and there is no slowing down now.
Rabbi Joey Haber spoke about what it truly means to be a hero. He reminded the audience that heroes are not always found in headlines. Sometimes, a hero is the single mother who works tirelessly to care for her children or the father who continues to support and be there for his children even when a marriage unfortunately does not work out. True heroism, he explained, can be found in the everyday acts of sacrifice, responsibility, and love that parents demonstrate for their families. He also shared that, in his eyes, The LEV Organization itself is a hero for being there for individuals when they are in some of the darkest and most difficult places in their lives, standing beside them when they need support the most.
Rabbi Ali Cohen spoke about the importance of creating peaceful, healthy homes and the work being done through LEV’s Shalom Bayit Division to help couples strengthen their marriages and relationships. Adina Kamkhatchi, founder of Adina Eden Jewels, delivered an especially inspiring and personal message. Having experienced some of these challenges herself, she spoke from a place of firsthand understanding and reminded the audience of the strength and resilience that can emerge from difficult experiences.
Politician Joey Saban offered a particularly meaningful perspective as someone who personally experienced the challenges of growing up while his parents faced marital issues. His story demonstrated that the struggles a child experiences at home do not have to define their future. Despite the challenges he faced as a child, Joey did not allow his family’s circumstances to stop him from becoming the person he is today. His story served as a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting children and families through difficult times, while also recognizing the strength and potential that exists within every child.

The LEV HASHRA’AH
Heart of Inspiration Award
One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the LEV HASHRA’AH Heart of Inspiration Award to Zevi Samet, the all-time leading scorer in Yeshiva University history. The award was created to recognize individuals who serve as positive role models and sources of inspiration, particularly for the next generation. Zevi was recognized for the example he sets through dedication, perseverance, hard work, and the pursuit of excellence.

Looking Ahead
The summer event was more than a single evening. It was a reflection of how far LEV has come and how much work remains ahead. In just five years, 61 cases have been resolved, changing the lives of individuals and families. But the work of LEV cannot be measured only in numbers.
It is measured in the couple who finds a way to communicate again. It is measured in the family that receives support during a difficult time. It is measured in the child who feels remembered and valued. And it is measured in the individuals who find hope when they thought there was nowhere else to turn.
With three divisions working together, Shalom Bayit, LEV Youth, and Client Services, LEV continues to expand its reach and strengthen its ability to support the community. The evening showed what can happen when a community comes together with a shared purpose. Even when circumstances change and challenges arise, LEV continues to push forward. Because the mission remains the same: to strengthen Jewish families, support our youth, help individuals in need, and bring hope to those who need it most.
LEV is always looking for people who want to make a difference. Whether you are interested in volunteering, supporting our work, or simply want to learn more about how you can get involved, we invite you to reach out. And if you or someone you know is facing a difficult family or relationship situation, or you have questions about how LEV can help, please do not hesitate to contact us. Reach out to us at info@thelev.org or call +1 (732) 320-2617.

Lydia Ezon

The Morris I Franco Cancer Center’s 16th annual Table Set Go was recently held this past July at the home of Douglas and Joyce Jemal, and boy, was it better than ever!

Table Set Go is the Cancer Center’s biggest fundraiser of the year and it is so much more than just your typical chinese auction. What makes it so extraordinary is the themed table settings curated by several talented community women who display their artistic, creative visions, and the most inspiring panel led by Morris Kassab who interviews some of the Cancer Center’s clients.
This year’s table theme was hobbies. Each tablesetter had the opportunity to take either something they love or something meaningful to someone they love and bring it to life with a memorable tablescape. The mother and daughter duo Elyse Tebele and Michelle Shuster created an absolutely beautiful crochet table in memory of their grandma, Evelyn Massry a’h. The table was designed as a tribute to “the love she stitched into everything she made.”
The table was full of the colors Evelyn loved most, but what made it so special were all of the personal touches woven throughout it. One of Evelyn’s actual crocheted blankets was used as the tablecloth, and her tea set was incorporated into the setting, making her family feel as though she was right there with them. Even the smallest details, from the napkin rings and yarn bouquets to the adorable cakes, were crocheted!
Another table that completely brought this year’s theme to life was a tennis-inspired table created by Claudette Savdie, honoring her grandma, Cleo a’h and the game she loves. But like the crochet table, the tennis theme represented so much more than just a hobby. The table celebrated Cleo herself and the values she represents, which include friendship, authenticity, community, and bringing people together.
Every detail told a piece of her story. Vintage-style rackets were incorporated into the décor to represent “the connections and memories made along the way,” while tennis balls were tucked into a gorgeous centerpiece overflowing with florals and greenery. Even the place settings carried meaning. A seat at the table was described as “an invitation to connect,” reflecting the way Cleo has always welcomed others with authenticity and kindness.
Claire Cheika, vice president, credits the dedicated team of women who begin working months in advance and put countless hours into making the day possible. “They inspire me every day!”
Another powerful part of the day was, as always, the panel. There is something so different about hearing directly from the Cancer Center’s clients. You hear about the services the Center provides and see the work being done all year long, and listening to someone sit in front of the community and openly share what it feels like to actually go through cancer, and what it means to have this family beside you through it, is something so special.
For client Albert J. Savdie, speaking on the panel was about giving back some of the strength that had been given to him. “I wanted to share my experience with the community because I went through a difficult time, and I know I could not have gotten through it without Hashem, my family, and the incredible support of the community and the MIFCC,” Albert shared. “It was truly incredible to see how the Center mobilized on behalf of me and my family and supported us throughout my journey.”
What made sharing his story even more meaningful was what happened after the panel was over. In the days that followed, Albert was stopped by people who had been in the audience and told him that his words had inspired them. “If my story can give even one person hope, strength, or the motivation to never give up, then sharing it is worth it,” he said.
Alice Tawil also felt a responsibility to share her story as a way of giving back to an organization that had given so much to her. She spoke about something that can sometimes get lost when we talk about cancer, the challenge of continuing to live while simultaneously navigating your health.
Last summer was especially difficult for Alice. She described struggling between wanting to enjoy her summer and dealing with everything that came along with her health journey. The Cancer Center gave her somewhere to go and, more importantly, people to go through it with. Pool aerobics, toning, yoga, book club, cooking classes and other activities kept her busy, connected and happy during a time when she needed it most.
“I can say with confidence that Hashem and the Cancer Center helped me to the other side of this health challenge,” she shared. “The people I have met through the Cancer Center, the amazing volunteers, and the warriors who have faced their challenges head-on with strength and grace, have become my friends.”
That feeling of friendship and family is something we hear from Cancer Center clients year after year. Cancer can be scary and isolating, but the Cancer Center makes sure no one in our community has to navigate it alone.
President Nancy Sutton explains, “This day is so much more than a fundraiser. It’s a chance to make a difference and show the community who we are and that our doors are open to anyone in need.” This articulates exactly what it means when the Cancer Center welcomes a new client into their family.
“At the Center, we do everything we can to turn anxiety into hope and pain into comfort, all with care and compassion.” We’d like to give a round of applause to our community for making days like this possible.

On Friday, July 17th, supporters gathered at the home of Sarah and Elliot Tamir for Randi’s Care’s second annual fundraiser, a celebration of an organization quietly transforming the lives of community seniors.

Randi’s Care offers free one-on-one in-home and nursing home visits, filling the days of seniors, especially those who are alone or without family, with hope, laughter, and companionship. From Mother’s Day to Rosh Hashanah, the team shows up for every holiday with art, baking, music, and movement, meeting each senior where they are and working with every ability to keep hands, legs, and memories active. Again and again, families watch their loved ones grow sharper and more alive.
No one captured this better than Joyce Silverman, whose father, Victor Dabah, receives regular visits. “Randi keeps our seniors alive,” she said. When Randi arrives, Victor talks business again, dances with his wife, laughs, and plays. Joyce spoke movingly of kibud av va’em (honoring one’s father and mother) and the duty of children and grandchildren to give back to those who gave them everything. Randi’s volunteer Chaim also helps Victor and other men lay tefillin each morning.
Randi’s son, Jacob Levy, reflected on watching his mother devote her life to others. Randi lost her own mother when she was young and cared for her ailing father, still taking him to the beach and to Bloomingdale’s even when he believed he no longer could. “Everything I am, the way I treat people, I learned from watching you,” Jacob said. “I’m so proud to be your son.”
The morning also honored Volunteer of the Year Lena Waingort and Susan Salame, who lovingly styles seniors’ hair. Harry Adjmi praised Randi for doing what no one else does, and Rabbi Joey Haber reminded everyone that those who spread happiness b’simcha earn a great portion in the world to come.
With tears in everyone’s eyes and a standing ovation, the morning affirmed a simple truth. Nothing is impossible.

What Parents and Grandparents Should Know About Trump Accounts

Ari Baum, CFP®

EVERY PARENT WANTS TO GIVE THEIR CHILD A HEAD START. EVERY GRANDPARENT WANTS TO LEAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL BEHIND. WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING WEALTH, THE GREATEST ADVANTAGE ISN’T HOW MUCH A CHILD STARTS WITH. IT’S HOW EARLY THEY START.

That’s what makes the new Trump Account a meaningful planning opportunity for many families. Since officially launching on July 4, 2026, Trump Accounts have generated plenty of attention, and a fair amount of confusion. Depending on the headline, they may sound like a college savings account, a retirement account, or something entirely new.
Eligible children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, who are U.S. citizens with a valid Social Security number may qualify for a one-time $1,000 contribution from the federal government. However, the account must be opened and the required enrollment must be completed. Nothing happens automatically.
Standing alone, $1,000 may not seem life changing. The Council of Economic Advisers projects that the seed money alone could grow to roughly $5,800 by age 18 if nothing else is ever added. Helpful, but not transformative. Now imagine parents and/or grandparents adding $50 or $100 a month alongside it. That’s where the math changes, and it changes not because of the amount, but because of the runway.

More Than Just Another Savings Account
Trump Accounts are not 529 plans, Roth IRAs, or a brand-new category of tax-free account. Section 530A accounts, better known as Trump Accounts, are a type of traditional IRA created specifically for children. Contributions are invested in eligible low-cost U.S. stock index funds, which keeps costs low and decisions simple.
That distinction matters because the account doesn’t later “convert” into an IRA. A Trump Account is a traditional IRA from the day it’s opened. What changes at adulthood is that nearly all of the special rules fall away, and the account simply continues as an ordinary traditional IRA for the child’s benefit.

Understanding the Tax Rules
The most common misconception is that Trump Accounts are tax-free. They aren’t. Like a traditional IRA, they are tax-deferred. Investments have the opportunity to grow without annual taxation, and withdrawals are generally taxed as ordinary income.
One important nuance is that family contributions are made with after-tax dollars and are not deductible. Because of that, they create basis in the account, meaning your own contributed principal isn’t taxed a second time on the way out. Only the government’s seed money and investment growth are fully taxable. That distinction matters, and it’s the part clients most often get wrong.

The Money Is Locked Up Until 18, By Design
This is the question I get first, and the media often skips it. Before the child turns 18, both the investment choices and access to the money are restricted. Beginning January 1 of the year the child turns 18, the account is treated like any other traditional IRA. Distributions become possible, but withdrawals before age 59½ may be subject to a 10% additional tax unless an exception applies.
Two of those exceptions are worth knowing because they change how a family thinks about the account. They are qualified higher education expenses and a first-time home purchase. So this is not emergency savings, and it shouldn’t be positioned as a college fund. It’s a retirement account that happens to start at birth, with a few doors available earlier if life requires them.

Don’t Leave the $1,000 on the Table
To receive the government contribution, an authorized individual must open the account and make the enrollment using IRS Form 4547. The deadline is generous. The cost of waiting isn’t. An enrollment can generally be made until December 31 of the year when the child turns 17. You are unlikely to miss the $1,000 outright. What you lose by waiting is compounding, and that’s the part you can never buy back.

Building on the Foundation
Parents, grandparents, other family members, and even certain employers may contribute, subject to a combined annual limit of $5,000 per child under current law. Claiming the government’s $1,000 contribution and deciding whether to contribute additional money are two separate planning decisions. The federal contribution may be worth claiming if your family qualifies. Whether further contributions make sense depends on how the account fits alongside your 529 plan, retirement savings, emergency reserves, and other financial priorities.
Families ask me, “How much should we contribute?” I think the better question is, “How early can we begin?”

The Bigger Lesson
This is the first opportunity to begin investing for a child from birth with the benefit of a government contribution. Whether the account holds only the initial $1,000 or grows with contributions from parents and grandparents over two decades, the greatest advantage isn’t the amount invested. It’s the years those dollars have to grow.
One of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation isn’t simply money. It’s time. And while none of us can create more time, we can choose to start sooner. Families can learn more, review eligibility, and access the official Trump Accounts app at TrumpAccounts.gov. q

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Trump Account rules are new and subject to further IRS guidance and possible legislative correction. Individuals should consult their financial, tax, and legal professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making investment decisions. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.

If there WAS one word to describe summer at the DSN Beach Club, it would be unforgettable. With more than 60 events and programs throughout the season, the DSN Beach Club was bustling all summer long, a place where community members could escape, connect, celebrate and be entertained.

The programming was intentionally diverse, with something for every age, interest and stage of life. From concerts and family nights to women’s programming, singles events, shopping experiences, nonprofit gatherings and everything in between, the Beach Club truly became the place to be this summer.
The spirit of the season was simple. We were here to enjoy summer. And what made this year’s programming so special was its incredible variety.
Mother-and-child programming created memorable opportunities to connect and spend meaningful time together, with embroidery events, the much-anticipated Taylor Swift concert experience, Marielody and more. Families enjoyed exciting entertainment from magician and mentalist David Rosenfeld, while the Beach Camp Overnight gave kids an unforgettable summer adventure of their own. And, of course, there was Bingo, because summer at the Beach Club should always include a little friendly competition and a lot of laughs.
For the women of DSN, the programming was equally dynamic. Art experiences featuring Sara Harary, Jill Levy, Jaclyn Bailey and Sylia Aboudi offered creative escapes, while Esther Tawachi led a parenting class designed to provide insight and inspiration. La Femme Phoenix’s Nicole Betesh, Summer Essentials with Gal Abadie, and Rita Inspired for Tu B’Av created even more opportunities for women to gather, learn, shop and celebrate together.
Of course, no summer at the Beach Club would be complete without music, and DSN delivered. Music took center stage with a concert calendar featuring something for every generation and musical taste. Nobeh, Rock the Shore, Doo Wop, Back to the Roots, and David Clark’s Billy Joel and Elton John Tribute transformed the Beach Club into a summer concert venue. Members gathered under the stars for evenings filled with music and that unmistakable feeling of being on vacation without ever having to leave the community.
The response to the summer’s programming was extraordinary. The Deal Shark event, presented in partnership with Victor Braca and Momentum, drew more than 400 people. Braca captured the excitement of the evening, saying, “This event is going to change how the community does business.”
The Beach Club also became a destination for shopping and discovering something new. Multiple boutique shows brought a curated selection of vendors and products to the club, while Selena Gindi’s curated experience with Revolve/FWRD introduced members to an elevated shopping experience. Moda Operandi and LoveShackFancy added another stylish dimension to the summer calendar. It was all part of creating a Beach Club experience that went far beyond simply spending a day at the beach.
Some of the summer’s most meaningful moments came through DSN’s nonprofit and community partnerships. The Beach Club welcomed organizations and events including the Kameo Foundation Carnival, IDFWO Bar Mitzvah, Ball 4 Israel, Lev Avi and more. “These amazing gatherings brought people together around causes that matter while adding even more energy and purpose to the summer calendar,” said Jen Sasson, DSN’s Nonprofit Coordinator.
Programming also expanded opportunities for singles to connect. The summer included a Shabbat lunch, Mazza on Friday for singles over 30, and other special gatherings, including an exciting event with Two Cuzzos benefiting Toys for Hospitalized Children, combining a memorable singles experience with support for an important cause.
And if anyone thought the summer was winding down, DSN had other plans. The Beach Club kept the energy going with even more entertainment, including Ladies Mahjong Night, The Clash cover band, The Bee Gees, and an end-of-summer singles get-together.
As Beach Club Program Director Caleigh Silvera noted, “At DSN Beach Club, summer doesn’t only mean slowing down and vacationing. It means one more concert. One more night with friends. One more family memory. One more reason to get dressed, head to the Beach Club and enjoy all it has to offer.”
Victoria Sutton, DSN Executive Board member and Chairperson of Beach Club Programming and Events, reflected on what made the season so meaningful. “There was something so special about walking into DSN Beach Club on a summer day and seeing it come alive, the building full, the lobby bustling with Jeli’s and Outpost, Teva filled for lunch and dinner, our singles gathering at Teva on Saturday nights, the beach and basketball courts full, Group Exercise classes busy in the mornings, special events and programs happening, and nonprofits bringing our community together. It was truly a blessing to see it all come together.
“We are incredibly grateful to our members and our entire community and, above all, we thank Hashem for the blessing of this special place where we can come together, connect, celebrate and create memories. We look forward to a beautiful fall season and, BH, many more great things to come. We wish everyone a happy, healthy and joyous New Year filled with blessings and special moments together.”

A Day That Brought Our Community Together

The air was filled with good energy and love on August 16, as over 4,000 community members joined to show their support for CARE! This year was our biggest turnout yet at Deal School from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This incredible turnout demonstrates that people understand how necessary CARE is for our community!

From grandparents to toddlers, everyone in the family had lots of fun. Sports fans enjoyed softball tournaments all day long. Players were treated to a beautiful VIP lounge, with comfortable couches, separate food and two massage therapists on hand to help them relax between games. We are incredibly grateful to every player and every team that raised money in order to participate. They turned their love of the game into playing for a good cause!

The kids raced from one attraction to the next, enjoying boardwalk-style carnival games, water slides, rock climbing, bungee jumping, swings, axe throwing, and so much more. They used the tickets they won at the games to enter raffles for amazing prizes.

The food was a hit with the perfect BBQ for a summer Sunday sponsored by TL Management. Snacks kept everyone going, with tables of churros, popcorn, cotton candy, hot pretzels and cookies from Shore Sugar Co. and ice cream from Pints n Pies. CARE Day merch and swag were available throughout the event, including custom softball gloves personalized with your name to make a great gift. Happiness was in the air as the DJ got everyone dancing, and there were so many smiles everywhere you looked.

The event was led by Abe Saka, Morris Kassin, and Ray Esses, who worked for months to bring this incredible day to life, together with event planner Jessica Esses, who did not leave out a single detail of this magnificent event. We are deeply grateful to more than 70 generous corporate sponsors and countless volunteers who gave their time, resources, and energy to make CARE Day possible!

New for this year, attendees could Spin The Wheel for the chance to win $18,000 cash. The excitement came from not knowing where the wheel would land, with amounts ranging from $1 to $360. Whatever amount a participant landed on was the amount they paid, giving everyone a fun and affordable way to take part while supporting CARE.

Beyond all the games and activities, there was something even more special in the air: a feeling of togetherness. CARE Day was a reminder of what happens when an entire community comes together for a cause that matters. “I see why this is called the best day ever.” Hearing those words from one of the attendees was the perfect way to end the day!

Behind every game, every team, every sponsor, and every smile is a child with special needs who knows they are not alone. Hundreds of families rely on CARE to walk beside them, support them, and help them navigate every step of the journey.

To everyone who came, played, volunteered, sponsored, and enjoyed: thank you for believing in CARE’s mission to support every child with special needs. You created a feeling of togetherness and made CARE Day an amazing event. To view the CARE Day gallery or learn more about CARE, visit careforspecial.org.