IN THE SPAN OF 24 HOURS, TWO FLATBUSH FALCONS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAMS CLAIMED THE YESHIVA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP MAKING THIS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MIDDLE SCHOOL SEASON IN RECENT MEMORY.

For the second straight year, the Yeshivah of Flatbush Boys 7th Grade Basketball team captured the Metropolitan Jewish Day School Basketball Championship, defeating HALB, 42 to 34 at HAFTR (Hebrew Academy of Five Towns and Rockaway).

The Falcons jumped out to an early lead and never trailed, using a balanced attack and relentless defense to take the victory. Fourth year Coach Abie Rosow (ES ‘13, HS ‘17), talked about the game plan, “Our game plan was to do what we have been doing all year, focusing on being the best we could be defensively. I’m proud of our guys for how hard they go in practice and I think that fueled us to get off to a good start tonight.”

Joe B. led the team with 16 points, Jacob B. added 14, Jacob L. 5, Joe F. 4 and Ray B. 3.
“We relied on our defense and our poise to hold the lead,” continued Rosow. “We didn’t get rattled when things didn’t go our way. Staying composed and ‘next play’ mentality has been stressed all year.”

When asked about the team’s focus on winning the championship from day one, Rosow concluded, “there have been points here and there but we rarely spoke about that. What we talk about is the journey and the process and doing things the right way day in and day out — the result will take care of itself.”

The following day, the Boys 6th Grade Basketball team needed some extra minutes, but still defeated Yeshiva Har Torah (YHT), 65 to 60, in overtime, before a packed crowd at North Shore High School.

Morris A. powered the Falcons with a game high of 26 points but did not do it alone. Elliot A.’s three-point basket at the start of overtime gave Flatbush the lead and they did not relinquish it. “It was definitely our toughest and most challenging game of the season,” said winning coach Gus Kennedy. “All of our guys played with so much heart and resiliency. They refused to lose, especially to a well-coached and talented team like YHT.”

Flatbush lost only one game all season and the Falcons’ fans and supporters surrounded the team in celebration when the buzzer sounded.

“I’m so proud of our team, and the commitment they and their parents made, to earn a championship. For many of them, it’s the first team they’ve ever played on, so now they understand what it takes to be successful,” shared Athletics Director Barry Neuberger.

KARL LAGERFELD & VINCENT VAN GOGH

NATALIE SENIOR GREENBERG

GO AHEAD AND MARK YOUR CALENDARS — THERE ARE TWO SHOWS AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART THAT ARE NOT TO BE MISSED! THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S MET GALA WHICH IS TAKING PLACE ON MAY 2ND, IS KARL LAGERFELD: A LINE OF BEAUTY, HONORING THE LATE FASHION DESIGNER. THE AMAZING CORRESPONDING EXHIBIT IS NOW BEING SHOWN AT THE MET’S COSTUME INSTITUTE UNTIL JULY 16TH, 2023.

And while you’re at the Met, you’ll definitely want to check out a spectacular show featuring paintings by everyone’s favorite artist, Vincent Van Gogh. This is not an immersive event, but the real thing!

KARL LAGERFELD: A LINE OF BEAUTY
Back in 2005, when the Metropolitan Museum of Art presented a Chanel show, Karl Lagerfeld who had been the designer at Chanel since 1983 (and would remain so until his death in 2019), refused to attend. He announced, “I dislike retrospectives. I don’t want to see all those old dresses.” The rest of us adore seeing past works by great designers, and this show does not disappoint. It traces the conceptual themes that came up in Lagerfeld’s collections from the 1950s when he began his career with Balmain, through the Fendi and Chanel years.

The show features more than 150 pieces, spanning the designer’s six-decade career (1950 to 2019), and most importantly, the pieces are accompanied with a corresponding sketch. The showcasing of Lagerfeld’s drawings gives us a deeper understanding of his complex creative process. The curator of the show, Andrew Bolton noted that “With Karl, everything he ever designed in his life, he drew first.” Lagerfeld said, “I draw just as I breathe.” The drawings themselves are like a secret language between Lagerfeld and his “premiéres d’atelier”(seamstresses) who brought his creations to completion. This show is an attempt to understand just what he was trying to communicate to the talented people who were constructing the garments.

In addition to tracing the evolution of Lagerfeld’s fashions from sketches to the actual fashion, the show highlights ornamental, structural, floral, geometric and abstract themes within his work.

This show is a must-see for anyone who loves fashion, and for everyone who is interested in the creative process of fashion designers.

VAN GOGH’S CYPRESSES
In 1889, while Vincent Van Gogh was staying at an asylum on the outskirts of Saint-Remy-de-Provence, he wrote to his brother Theo about a very personal vision. “The cypresses still preoccupy me. I’d like to do something with them like the canvases of the sunflowers, because it astonishes me that no one has yet done them as I see them.”

We learn much about Van Gogh’s mindset and the paintings he was creating at the time through the letters and sketches that he sent to his brother. This area of southern France was well-known for majestic swirling trees and this exhibit focuses on paintings where Van Gogh featured the cypress tree.

The exhibit will bring together two important paintings by Van Gogh. Wheat Field with Cypresses, 1889 is one of the jewels of the Van Gogh collection at the Met. It will be shown along side The Starry Night, 1889 one of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings, which is on rare loan to the Met from the Museum of Modern Art. This is the first time these two paintings have been shown together since 1901.

Wheat Field with Cypresses is a daytime scene, and The Starry Night is a nighttime scene but there are many similarities between the two paintings, and most prominently are the cypress trees. Both paintings capture the dynamism of the twisted forms of the trees, creating a powerful link between the earth and the heavens and both paintings show the movement of nature and evoke feelings of awesomeness.

There are over 40 works that show Van Gogh’s fascination with these “tall and dark” trees, which sparked his imagination over the course of two years in the South of France. The paintings will be shown alongside drawings and illustrated letters, some of which have rarely been seen by the public before.

Both the Lagerfeld and Van Gogh exhibits give us an extraordinary opportunity to appreciate fashion and art that have been known to us for awhile, but together with the sketches and letters give us new insights in to the artists’ minds and creative processes.

Natalie Greenberg is a former Brooklyn College Art History professor. She currently volunteers to teach Art History at the SBH Senior Division.

MAGEN DAVID YESHIVAH HIGH SCHOOL IS ACCREDITED BY THE MIDDLE STATES ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS. MAINTAINING OUR ACCREDITATION REQUIRES US TO COMPLETELY REVIEW AND ASSESS EACH ELEMENT OF OUR PROGRAM, EVERY SEVEN YEARS.

MDYHS is currently undertaking their third self-study. The key to growth and development is reflection, analysis of data and planning for the future. Middle States provides them with the opportunity to reflect on their practice, to celebrate their tremendous successes and to develop plans for improvement that reflect the goals of all their stakeholders.

Some of the highlights of their current self-study include: Renewed commitment to their mission to graduate students who are committed to their rich Sephardic Heritage and who can confidently interact and succeed in the competitive global marketplace. They pay tribute to their ancestors as they pray selichot in the historic Magen David Congregation of Bensonhurst. They strengthen their commitment to their traditions during their weekly siha with Rabbi Mansour. And, they prepare their students for college and career with their NEXT internship program and robust college guidance program.

They continue to expand their elective program allowing students to explore various fields. More importantly, electives allow for student voice and choice which enhances motivation in all areas of their academic programs. Classes are designed to match student interests and to support their future career paths. AP statistics, AP Art, Real Estate, AP Music Theory, Physics, AP Biology, Engineering, Architecture, Fashion Design are among the current options, but the options are ever changing to meet the needs of the students.

MDYHS is now offering clubs and after-school programs led by prominent community professionals. Student engagement in extracurricular activities is at its height. Students are visiting hospitals with top medical professionals, they are learning about the real estate market from licensed agents and they are virtually investing in the stock market to learn about market volatility, risk management and profits. Above all, their self-study insists that they plan for an even greater future. Magen David will continue to soar!

Before the holiday, MDYHS was visited by members of the reaccreditation team of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The visiting team met with students, parents, board members, faculty, and more, assessing the many different categories of accreditation. When their assessment was complete, they presented their findings, and enthusiastically granted the school seven more years of accreditation! They were most impressed with the fact that the entire organization is truly a community in every sense and that was highlighted throughout this entire process! They are so proud!!

Associate Principal, Mrs. Audrey Abade, has spearheaded this project from the first day and has led them through without missing a single detail. They are truly blessed to have her at their helm and pray that Magen David continues to flourish under the incredible leadership that they are blessed with.

CLEMENT SOFFER

THIS IS THE THIRD INSTALLMENT OF MY FAMILY’S EXODUS FROM EGYPT, CLEMENT SOFFER’S LIFE STORY. THE FIRST ARTICLE BEGAN WITH CLEM, A TEENAGE BOY, HAPPY, LIVING IN EGYPT WITH LOTS OF FRIENDS. IT ENDED WITH BOMBS FALLING AND CLEM ARRIVING HOME TO FIND OUT HIS FAMILY WAS SAFE. LAST MONTH, WE READ THAT 60,000 JEWS WANTED TO LEAVE EGYPT. THIS MONTH YOU’LL LEARN HOW CLEM HELPED MANY FAMILIES FLEE AND WAS ALMOST HUNG FOR IT.

The Rabbinate was run by the Chief Rabbi of Egypt, Rabbi Haim Nahum Effendi. When he became blind, Rabbi Abraham Choueka, a highly educated rabbi from the Sorbonne, became his substitute when it came to all official matters. It fell on his shoulders to help the Jewish community leave Egypt and to protect and safeguard the poorer members of the Jewish community who did not have the means to escape. I knew Rabbi Choueka, as he had been my Hebrew school teacher.

At the time, all the Jews wanted to leave Egypt and although Rabbi Choueka had a few helpers, his office, which was in the Rabbinate, was very poorly staffed. They were not able to handle the thousands of requests for certificates. Each certificate needed extensive research.

Rabbi Choueka asked my father for my help (I was 15 at the time). He told him I would need to search the archives of the Rabbinate and fill out the required forms, then bring them to him for his signature. Once that was done, the members of our community would be able to take these forms to the Mogamaa, the governmental building, in order to get exit visas to leave the country.

I accepted, and so I would spend each day searching the archives then bringing them to Rabbi Choueka. Several other young men were doing the same task.

I did this research job from the middle of November in 1956 until the end of December, when one day the Rabbi called us into his office. He explained that the poorer Jews in the Jewish ghettos (about 5,000) could not afford to leave and were being tortured, raped and killed. He asked us to volunteer to ask the Jews who lived in the European quarters of Cairo, where Jews were relatively safe, to allow a family from the ghetto to stay with them.

So, I went from being a researcher to making phone calls to wealthy Jews. I explained that they would be saving the lives of the poor people and explained that they would return to their own homes as soon as the country stopped persecuting them. The community responded well, taking the poorer Jews in. Unfortunately, this did not last long. Shortly thereafter the Rabbinate started receiving complaints from the homeowners that they were having too many conflicts with the people they had taken in and demanded that they be returned to their ghettos, or at least get them out of their homes.

Returning them to the ghettos meant their probable demise at the hands of their neighbors. But, in order for them to leave the country, they would need proper transit papers and visas from the country where they would go, plus travel expenses which they did not have. In order to obtain these documents, each person needed to provide to the government accurate records certifying their birth, marriage, or the death of family members who were their caretakers. In addition, they needed to show proof of legal residence in Egypt, and paperwork explaining an acceptable reason for leaving Egypt. Egypt would not approve their papers until they had a visa from an accepting country.

Thus, I had to submit documentation to convince immigration officials in another country that the persons were in imminent danger, and that they had a valid need to immigrate according to the requirements of the accepting country. Once the visa was obtained, it had to be shown to the Egyptian officials with the paperwork describing the reason they were leaving before their travel would be approved. The paperwork had to list a person’s name and contact information from the accepting country who could be contacted by Egyptian authorities to verify they would not be returned to Egypt. This was important because once a person was approved to leave, their passport would be destroyed, and they would no longer be allowed back. Egypt did not want to deal with any returnees if things fell through. So the authorities scrutinized all documentation carefully, not out of concern for the people, but because they did not want any problems to be “taken upstairs,” a situation that could get the agent fired or worse.

My job was to take on the full responsibility for these families, to prepare them with all documentation for exiting Egypt as soon as possible. (Of course, there were other volunteers doing this as well.) At a meeting with Rabbi Choueka, we were told to visit embassies in Cairo, and explain that there were 5,000 Jews living in ghettos who were in great danger. We were advised to remind embassy staff of the Holocaust, the slaughter of the Jews by Hitler and his cohorts. I had to negotiate with the staff for visas for different families, once visas were issued, I was to help them process their exits.

Once all the proper documentation was completed, reviewed, and checked for accuracy, I would take them to the Mogamaa Exit Department Ministry building and present them to an officer in charge of reviewing and approving all the documents. Some of the Jews were illiterate and signed the forms with a big X. I, or another volunteer, would We always accompany these families to the Mogamaa to them fill in government applications, to serve as witness, and to make sure the families were being approved to exit the country. I was there for so many families that I lost count. I was driven by the desire to help other Jewish human beings.

Whenever an Egyptian officer would give us a hard time before issuing an exit visa, we were told to explain that these where extremely poor people who would be a great burden on Egypt in terms of financial support, hospitalization, education, clothing, and a long list of other needs. Of course, Egypt had never provided such support to anyone of the Jewish faith, but it was a convincing scenario. We said if the wealthy Jews left Egypt they wouldn’t support the poor Jews any longer so the government would have to. Many people were issued visas.

Sometimes an officer would give me a hard time arguing with my explanations. Then I would have to offer a bribe, sometimes as much as 5 to 10 pounds to receive a visa. It was always amazing to me how quickly a few pounds would convince an agent to overlook their staunch objections with the paperwork. It was my first lesson in how money greases the gears on which the world turns.

My responsibility to the families didn’t end until they were in taxis on their way to Alexandria, where they would board ships to their new country. Once one family was on their way, I was reassigned to another family.

Several months passed with this continuous exit of Jews from the ghettos, while more well-to-do Jews were being evicted from their homes, and their businesses sequestrated. It was a chaotic time, Jewish families were being broken apart, separated by travel, and run out of the country in fear of being arrested. If there was no reason to arrest them, they’d be accused of spying for Israel. This kept the Egyptians calm and preoccupied. They thought the Jews were the cause of the unrest in the country, while the reality was the officers all the way to the president were robbing the country of its resources, finances, businesses and creating shortages of food due to their lack of knowledge and inefficiency to replace the Jewish and foreign businessman.

One day, after 3,000 Jews had exited Egypt, the Rabbinate received a visit from the Neyabah or government security police. They met with Rabbi Choueka, informing him that sending those 3,000 Jews out of the country was against the best interest of Egypt and he must cease and desist. He added that all volunteers must stop helping the poor Jews depart or face arrest for being traitors. The Rabbi worried about the additional 2,000 Jews that were still in the ghetto and would be left to fend for themselves. He told us not to worry about the Egyptian government, so we went back to helping out at the Rabbinate to research the archives and issue certificates.

Two weeks after that visit, the Rabbi called us into his office again and asked for volunteers to continue this life saving work, but under different circumstances. He informed us that he had contacted the Swiss Red Cross and we would be working out of their office as volunteers for human rights causes. Once there, we would be under their shield and protection as humanitarian workers. He informed us that we should cut all relations with the Rabbinate and we would be issued identification papers as Red Cross volunteers. There, we could continue trying to get the remaining 2,000 Jews out of the ghettos.

The Rabbi thought that Egypt would not dare challenge the Swiss Red Cross, but he left the choice to us. One volunteer dropped out, but the rest of us stayed. Our mornings started at the Red Cross office in Cairo. We continued to do our work but whenever we went into the Mogamaa with another family ready to depart, the investigation was much more serious, our bribes were refused by the officers, but they had no choice but to let the families leave.

This continued until we almost had everyone out of Egypt. There were just 25 families left. Many years later I learned that those 25 Jewish families made it out of Egypt, thanks to the help of Swiss Red Cross employees.

What happened the day it stopped? I was followed into the metro on the way home and was arrested and accused of being a spy for Israel. They claimed that because I had Egyptian nationality, and I was responsible to the Egyptian government, I was acting against the interests of Egypt, despite my explanation that I was a Red Cross employee and a human rights activist.

The interrogation was a horror, too painful to describe. I was at the whim of young officers trying to make a name for themselves. If they found a spy, a promotion was guaranteed and I would be hanging in a public square and my entire family would disappear. They told me that if I signed a document that they put before me, I could go home to my parents. I refused to sign it for fear that my family would be arrested, or worse, and that I would hang in the public square. I spent eight hellish hours being tortured and beaten, but I refused to sign.

At the 8th hour a Red Cross representative arrived with an officer from the Interior Ministry and ordered my release, since my arrest was causing an international calamity.

I was relieved that the beatings had stopped. Instead of being hung, I was given a travel pass which the police stamped: “Dangerous for the public security,” and I was sent to Greece. I had five dollars in my pocket and no skills — my future looked bleak.

MICHELLE OLVEIRA

THE YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH JOEL BRAVERMAN HIGH SCHOOL (JBHS) WELCOMED 70 SOPHOMORE STUDENTS FROM THE ESCOLA BEIT YAACOV OF SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL THE WEEK OF MARCH 13TH. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF PLANNING THAT STARTED BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, THE STUDENTS FINALLY ARRIVED TO A WARM WELCOME FROM JBHS STUDENTS AND STAFF.

The Beit Yaacov School had been researching yeshivot in America that were similar to its own and reached out to JBHS Head of School Rabbi Joseph Beyda, who graciously invited the school to come and tour the campus and spend time with Flatbush students. The Brazilian students were accompanied by Escola Beit Yaacov’s Head of School Gracia Klein, Rabbi Binyamin Karaguilla, Rabbi Toive Weitman, Jewish Studies Director Chani Begun and several faculty members.

“What brings us together is the fact that we are Jews — something so beautiful that we will experience together over the next few days,” said JBHS Assistant Principal Rabbi David Galpert.

On the first day of the students’ three-day visit, the Brazilian students and select JBHS students were invited into the Khezrie Auditorium to watch a slide show from each school. JBHS freshman Emily Tarrab shared a speech describing “a day in the life” of a Flatbush student, and Gabriel from the Escola Beit Yaacov described his school. The Brazilian school is a 1,000-student institution, where students speak Portuguese, Hebrew and English. Most of the students possessed a firm mastery of English and were able to speak and mingle with JBHS students and teachers effortlessly.

Following the assembly, students were dispersed into different classes where they participated in icebreaker activities including rounds of speed-dating-like questions, where the students changed seats every few minutes. Afterwards, both Brazilian and Flatbush students helped prepare food for the Sephardic Bikur Holim food pantry during a JBHS Cooking for a Cause event, dedicated in honor of Marlene and Steven R. Shamah. Next, students took part in an inspirational program led by JBHS Dean of Students Rabbi Naftali Besser, and had fun singing and dancing before enjoying a beautiful dinner.

The next morning, a group of JBHS students and staff accompanied their Brazilian guests for a day of hesed in New Jersey, as they spent the afternoon at the Special Children’s Center. They got a surprise concert from singer Yaakov Shwekey. The day ended with a New Jersey Devils hockey game where the Brazilian students cheered for the home team alongside JBHS students.

“Our students expanded their borders by making new friends from a country they previously knew little about. We are already looking forward to growing the program for next year,” expressed Rabbi Beyda. Many of the students exchanged contact information so they could stay connected.

On the third day of their visit, the Brazilian students were offered a taste of what learning at JBHS is like. Small groups of the visiting students were placed in classrooms across the school as they were invited to participate in discussions and share their own ideas about many of the lessons. A few JBHS students who speak fluent Portuguese were happy to translate some concepts to their guests. In one of the math classes, both sets of students were pleased to find they all could practice the quadratic formula together. In a Judaic Studies class, students discussed the difference between borrowing without permission and stealing and the nuances involved in deciphering the two.

On their final afternoon, the Brazilian students heard a meaningful shiur from JBHS Rosh Bet Midrash Rabbi Avi Harari about the weekly parashah, and were presented with their own Kol Yaakov siddur. They were happy to learn that there is an everlasting welcome to return to Flatbush on any future New York City trip they might take.

“What we gained most from this trip was the value of hachnasat orchim (hospitality for guests). We were treated well far beyond our expectations — and we had high expectations!” shared Ms. Begun.

Thank you to Rabbi Beyda, Rabbi Galpert and Student Experience Coordinator Esther Spigel for arranging the program and to YOF Board member Jack Mann for helping to make the initial connection.

Michelle Olveira is a Communications Specialist at Yeshivah of Flatbush.

Rita grazi

THE HOLIDAYS CAN BE A DIFFICULT TIME FOR MANY SENIORS IN OUR COMMUNITY. WITH FAMILIES OFTEN TRAVELING OR LIVING FAR AWAY, WHAT SHOULD BE A JOYOUS TIME CAN FEEL LONELY AND ISOLATING.

This year, the SBH CONNECT program, located in the heart of our community at 1963 McDonald Avenue, provided a safe and welcoming place for seniors on Passover. The organization provided hot kosher for Passover lunches and daily programming filled with activities. This not only provided the seniors with a delicious meal, but also an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations and socialize with others. SBH CONNECT truly understands the importance of providing a space where seniors can feel loved and cared for.

SBH CONNECT is not just there for the community during the holidays; we provide daily wonderful programming from Monday through Friday, that include art, dance, and physical fitness, all of which create intellectual stimulation. We are fully committed to meeting the mental and emotional needs of seniors in our community.

One of the most important aspects of SBH CONNECT is the sense of community that it provides. For seniors who may otherwise be isolated, we offer a place to make friends, learn a new skill or lean in to a beloved hobby, all while feeling a sense of belonging. The staff and volunteers are warm and welcoming, and they make sure that everyone who comes through the doors feels valued and appreciated!

If you or someone you know is a senior (60+ years old), a caregiver, or may benefit from SBH CONNECT’s programs, intellectual stimulation, socialization, and who just enjoy a good time, then come and see what it is all about! The organization is committed to supporting seniors in our community and providing a space where they can thrive.

Rita Grazi is the Program Manager for the SBH Senior Division.

ENROLLMENT HAS EXCEEDED OVER 200 STUDENTS FOR THE FIRST-TIME EVER. BEGINNING IN OCTOBER AND RUNNING THROUGH MARCH, IT CULMINATED IN A MUCH-ANTICIPATED RECITAL IN FRONT OF 800 PEOPLE.

The DSN Dance Academy has become a beloved community institution, known for healthy activity, inclusivity and most importantly, fun. The program is open to girls at any level, providing a healthy space for skill-building and confidence-boosting. Led by Dance Director Danielle Hanan, the program has grown significantly, with over 200 students enrolled. Danielle explained why she loves her work. “This program does so much for the girls of our community. It provides instruction and confidence-building. The recital provides a stage for the girls to showcase and spotlight all of the hard work they put in during the year. I cannot be more pleased and proud of this year’s major success!”

Assistant Dance Director Sari Abraham worked with Danielle to oversee the program’s development. Sari is passionate about the program. “DSN Dance Academy is the most fulfilling and special program that I’ve ever been a part of. I am so lucky I get to ‘work’ every day doing something I love so much, surrounded by people who have become like family. Dancing takes you to another world. It elevates expression, creativity, and joy. This year’s recital was magic. It will be hard to top it, but challenge accepted!”

The program offers a range of dance styles, including hip hop, tap, ballet, contemporary, and jazz funk, providing the opportunity for children to develop their skills in a variety of areas.

The program showcased a competitive dance team as well. It consisted of nine girls who won numerous awards at two competitions this season. They were also invited to nationals and received scholarships to compete. Paulette Ashkenazi and Danielle Hanan worked tirelessly to ensure the team’s success, and it was evident in their performances.

DSN’s Youth Director Frieda Shamah supported Danielle and Sari every step of the way, especially the day of the recital. “The dance recital is my favorite day of the year! I love the energy and I love seeing our girls grow. I am so proud of each one of them,” she said with a smile.

The recital itself was a professional affair held at Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, with beautiful costumes, elaborate backdrops on the stage, and perfectly curated music. This year’s theme was “Broadway and Beyond,” with twenty-five dance numbers inspired by the music of Broadway with a twist, adding in some of today’s favorite songs. The show featured a charming slideshow of the dancers enjoying the program throughout the year. DSN held dress rehearsals to ensure that everything was perfect for the big night. Additionally, there were countless counselors available to support the children and ensure that everything ran smoothly.

Dance mom Grace Chehebar said, “This was our first season attending the DSN dance recital — what a show! This year’s theme was so perfect since we felt as though we arrived at Times Square from the minute we walked in! Count Basie was so beautiful and the costumes and performances took everything to the next level. Kudos to everyone at DSN for pulling it off! Can’t wait for next season!”

SARINA ROFFÉ

OFTEN, THE PASSION WE HAVE IN OUR LIVES IS AN OUTGROWTH OF A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE, ONE THAT SETS US APART FROM OTHERS. SUCH WAS THE CASE FOR VICTORIA AND MEYER SAFDIEH, FOUNDERS IN 2013 OF C.A.R.E. FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN.

When a family is faced with caring for and ensuring that the special needs child gets the services they need, it can be overwhelming. The parents go through stages of grief, expectations for their child that will not come to fruition, as they are faced with making a multitude of decisions, finding services, doctors and the right school placement. Beyond that, there are day-to-day challenges at home, such as the relationship with siblings, and managing expectations. The stress takes a toll on the entire family.

“What makes C.A.R.E. so unique is that it was created as a result of living with a need,” said Meyer. “When you have a child with special needs, you understand the struggle others are going through and the challenges they face.”

Few people understand what they are facing on a daily basis. Parents feel alone, because they have no one in their immediate family and friend circle who might understand what they are going through. The same is true of siblings who feel alone because they don’t know someone else who has a sibling with learning challenges.

“We had to figure it out ourselves because there was no one to help us,” said Victoria. “We felt very alone; it was daunting, but we were convinced that there must be many other community families that shared similar struggles.”

“Understanding the struggle and challenge of having children with special needs and the effect it had on our family prompted us to start something,” said Meyer. “The inspiration, and the beautiful part of the story, is that instead of letting our challenges break our spirits — we used them to fuel something good and to help others.”

C.A.R.E. was founded in 2013. It stands for Community, Advocacy, Resources and Encouragement — four of the many things the organization has come to stand for. There are also extras that no one thinks about that can be too much to handle, like paperwork, government demands for documentation, accessing benefits, figuring out which doctors to use, which school, choosing a therapist — each item has to be dealt with and managed.

He continued, “I believe that unlike what most people think, it’s precisely in the areas that challenge you most in your life that you will find your opportunity to do something special and make a difference.”

“We didn’t want people to have to reinvent the wheel and have to figure out everything themselves. When a family comes to C.A.R.E., we have an intake meeting to understand the entire situation so we can help them with whatever they need,” said Victoria. “And with the help of Hashem, C.A.R.E. has grown to be a support network for over 500 families!”

C.A.R.E. has in house social workers for children and parents, identifies appropriate school placement, helps apply for eligible benefits, makes appointments and completes paperwork. C.A.R.E. runs a host of programs for children with special needs as well as programs for siblings and parents, and features an extensive staff at its building on Coney Island Avenue, each with a unique set of skills needed to guide families. C.A.R.E. families have a unique but similar struggle and everyone feels better when they are connected with others who have gone through similar experiences. CARE has become the community’s center and base for special needs families.

“We hold their hand and encourage them throughout the process,” Meyer said. “We encourage parents by reminding them how unique they are and how special they have become as a result of their struggle, and how Hashem chose them for the important mission of raising a special child. While the challenge is real, these children always come along with a ‘silver lining’ and with time, the blessings will be apparent.”

Both Victoria and Meyer were raised with the critical family value to do hesed for others. Meyer’s father, Ronnie Safdieh, helped found Yeshiva Keter Torah in New Jersey. Victoria’s father Jimmy and grandfather, Ralph Hanan, were instrumental in starting community synagogues. Ralph was president of Congregation Har Lebanon and later Shaare Ezra Shul in Long Branch. Their mothers hosted meetings at their home, providing hospitality and warmth to help the organizations grow.

A genealogist and historian, Sarina Roffé is the author of Branching Out from Sepharad (Sephardic Heritage Project, 2017), Sarina holds a BA in Journalism, and MA in Jewish Studies and an MBA.

FROM EMPLOYEE TO ENTREPRENEUR

ELLEN ADES

ANNIE SIDAOUI WALKED INTO A SCHOOL RECENTLY AND ASKED, “WHAT IF WE TAKE THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN OF RUNNING THE LUNCH PROGRAM OFF YOUR SHOULDERS, REDUCE YOUR COSTS, AND DELIVER THE ADDITIONAL PERK OF ACHIEVING A PRODUCTIVE BUT PAINLESS FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN WHILE SUPPORTING YOUR CURRENT VENDORS?”

The most impressive thing about Annie is that, after she poses the question, if the school takes her up on the offer, she delivers.

ANNIE AND THREE PARTNERS CO-OWN FOODDAYS.
FoodDays is an innovation in the school lunch ordering system. It essentially takes the burden out of the administrative office by handling all aspects of the process from creating menus, sourcing local vendors, and delivering high quality meals to the school. Additionally, it can be used as a fundraising tool. It’s a premium service that costs the school nothing while providing much needed solutions.

Although Annie always wanted to be an entrepreneur, she took her time realizing her dream. After earning a degree from New York University’s Stern School of Business, she married her husband Isaac, and raised a family. It was not until sixteen years ago, when her children were already in high school, that Annie began working as a bookkeeper at a community yeshivah. She eventually graduated to office manager, then inherited the running of what was at the time a small lunch program. Her creativity kicked in and she ended up bringing in new options, a new platform, and a better distribution system. She developed a fundraising perk for the school too.

Annie stated, “When I spoke with PROPEL eighteen months ago, it gave me the chance to hash out my ideas. I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur but I wasn’t ready.” That changed during the summer of 2022. She continued, “Although I always wanted to become a business owner, I didn’t know how to get started. PROPEL helped me take the leap from employee to entrepreneur by giving me confidence. When the opportunity presented itself, I was ready to take the plunge because I made a plan with my coach. I had more confidence because I knew I could always return to PROPEL, and they would continue to help me on my journey.”

It’s not where you start but where you finish. Annie said she prepared for the future by refining her idea over the years. Therefore, she was ready for the opportunity when it arrived.

There are so many talented women in our community. Even if you are not sure about what, when or how you will start a business, my advice is to prepare yourself. Become a lifelong learner. Continually challenge yourself. Hone your skills, and remember, a humble first job can lead to a very rewarding professional opportunity.

Annie’s mandate as the director of food management at FoodDays.com is to manage relationships between the school and vendors as well as manage customer service with the parents. Her education and experience working with schools prepared her to be a business owner today.

As an entrepreneur, Annie understands that she carries a bigger load on her shoulders in exchange for potentially greater rewards. She explained, “I feel an enormous responsibility to deliver top quality meals, for the children to enjoy, for parents to be pleased, and for the vendors to be prompt — and the list goes on.”

Annie inspired her grown daughters, Aimee and Natalie, who noted, “Our mother always had this fire within her and this drive to accomplish something great. She instilled in us a strong work ethic with the belief that we have to put one hundred percent into everything we do.”

Her husband, Isaac shared, “My advice for other spouses who want to support their wives is that ‘support’ means so many different things. Support is listening, gently guiding, understanding the day-to-day struggles, and always asking, ‘How was your day?’ PROPEL helped my wife gather courage to begin her journey, and I am very grateful to them for that. The support and encouragement is something that cannot be measured.”

One thing is certain — Anni Sidaoui is a force for good in this world and her business, FoodDays.com, is her delivery system.

If you want to discuss your business, please contact PROPEL:
Call: 646-494-0822
Email: info@thepropelnetwork.org or
DM on Instagram: @PropelNetwork

Ellen Ades is a career coach at PROPEL.

ARI BAUM, CFP®

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SPRING CLEANED YOUR HOUSE? MANY OF US DO SOME FORM OF SPRING CLEANING IN OUR HOMES REGULARLY. BUT WHAT ABOUT OUR FINANCIAL “HOMES?”

It can be easy to forget about the clutter and red tape that builds up in our finances. When we do, we can end up with some serious clutter, and that can have very real consequences. In fact, it won’t just take up space, clutter can also waste our energy, time, and even money. So, how can we deal with the financial clutter, so it doesn’t get in our way?

SIX SIMPLE & PAINLESS FINANCIAL SPRING-CLEANING TIPS. TO ORGANIZE YOUR FINANCIAL HOUSE

#1 Purge The Paper

Go paperless for recurring bills and monthly financial statements. Also, go through the financial documents you have on hand and shred the old paperwork you don’t need any more. If there are papers you need to keep, make a digital version by scanning them. If you’re not sure what you need to keep, consult with your financial professional to make the decision.

Pro Tip: If you have a lot of paper, let technology help you out! Apps can help you digitize and organize your paper records. Also, visit optoutprescreen.com to stop getting irritating mail solicitations, like credit card applications and loan pre-approvals.

#2 Audit Your Subscriptions

Review all of your subscriptions and cancel any you no longer use or need, including subscriptions for streaming services, software, magazines, newspapers, gaming, and even product deliveries.

Pro Tip: Use your credit card and bank statements to figure out all of your subscriptions, so you don’t overlook any. Also, consider signing up for subscriptions using the same card, so it’s easier to audit them in the future.

#3 Consolidate Accounts

How many bank accounts, retirement accounts, and brokerage accounts do you have? Are they at different financial institutions? This type of account sprawl can get complicated fast. It can also mean paying lots of maintenance fees. Take a careful look at your accounts and try to consolidate them. Look at both reducing the number of accounts you have and consolidating your accounts at fewer institutions.

Pro Tip: Check out account fees and requirements as you decide which ones to keep and which to shut down. And don’t forget to look at transfer fees too, especially if you’re moving money around to streamline your accounts.

#4 Automate Savings

Set up regular transfers to a designated savings account. Choose a comfortable amount you can stick with. If you don’t know how much to set aside, start with a number you know you can commit to. And if you’re already doing this, check your automatic transfers and consider whether now’s a good time to adjust or increase them.

Pro Tip: If your savings account is already pretty healthy, reroute your automatic deposits into a retirement account, college fund, or investment account. Also, consider earmarking chunks of cash you get, like annual tax refunds, for savings too.

#5 Back It Up

Create backups of all of your important financial documents and account information. That means backing up digital files on another hard drive and backing up your backups by storing them in the cloud.

Pro Tip: Create a “master” file as a “key” to explain how your backups are organized and where to find that information. You can also organize financial access passwords with a secure password manager. This reorganization can help you out with your next financial spring cleaning. This can also give you a head start on estate planning, allowing an estate executor to access all of your digital assets and information.

#6 Check In With Your Bigger Financial Goals

How are you doing with your financial goals, big and small? What progress have you made and where are you falling short? Reviewing where you’re at, how far you’ve come, and where you want to be can help you figure out when and how to adjust course, so you stay on track.

Pro Tip: Turn this step into a conversation so you can get feedback and a fresh perspective. Talking about your bigger financial goals can motivate you to stick with them.

FINANCIAL LESSON
A little financial spring cleaning can bring major rewards.

The truth is, no matter how old you are or how much money you have, financial clutter can pile up pretty fast. Bills, account statements, tax records, policy documents, business agreements, and more — our financial lives come with quite a paper trail. That can overwhelm anyone.

In fact, it can stress us out and frustrate us almost constantly, especially if we’re wasting time trying to sort out the basics. If we ignore all that financial clutter, instead of managing it, we can easily slide into procrastination mode, which can make it harder to look past the clutter and focus on what’s really important.

So, how can you keep it all in check? Make “spring cleaning” a habit and keep yourself accountable.

Risk Disclosure: The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision.

Ari Baum, CFP® is the founder and CEO of Endurance Wealth Partners, with over 25 years of experience in the Financial Services industry. He brings his in-depth experience to Conceive. Believe. Achieve. for his clients.
Securities and Advisory services offered through Prospera Financial Services Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC.Brokerage and Advisory accounts carried by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC.

IMAGINE ACADEMY HAS REVOLUTIONIZED THE SPECIAL EDUCATION LANDSCAPE IN BROOKLYN. IT’S A COMMUNITY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, FOUNDED BY A GROUP OF COMMUNITY FAMILIES, ALL OF WHOM HAD CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THE IDEA BEGAN WITH A CONVERSATION AFTER A SERIES OF INFORMAL SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS. EVERY COUPLE HAD THE SAME CONCERNS. THEY ALL WANTED TO PROVIDE THEIR CHILDREN WITH EXCELLENT EDUCATIONS, BUT THEIR CHILDREN WERE ATTENDING NON-COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, SOME IN OTHER STATES. THESE SCHOOLS DID NOT MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHILDREN, DIDN’T CREATE ANY PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO THE FAMILIES, AND HAD NO AFFILIATION TO THE SEPHARDIC JEWISH COMMUNITY.

Imagine Academy opened its doors in 2005, in a private rented home. The bedrooms were converted to classrooms, the living room became the lunchroom, and the basement was the gym. With humble roots, big dreams and 12 students, the program was launched. The tremendous outreach to find the best staff, trained in the most current therapy techniques, paid off. Imagine was up and running and their students were flourishing. Their families felt safe and supported and the children made progress all within the close-knit community school.

The program was and still is one of only two schools in the entire nation that offers both ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) and DIR (Developmental Individualized Relationship) therapy. Research has proven repeatedly that these specific therapies are the most effective for improving academic performance and social skills. Additionally, Imagine is known for its superior therapy departments including, occupational, physical, speech/language and creative arts therapies. These services, in addition to the core academic components, make up the foundation that all learning is built upon.

Over time Imagine grew and desperately needed a bigger building in order to keep up with the demand for placement. Our community came together and helped make this a reality. In 2008, they moved to their current location and since then, registration has continued to grow exponentially. Once again, they have found themselves in need of a new building. Their goal is to expand the school program and also hopefully create a post-21 program. The need for a community day hab program (a day program of scheduled activities, formalized training, and staff support to promote skill development) cannot be emphasized enough. Currently, there are no Sephardic day hab programs. When their students graduate, they leave to attend programs that might not reinforce all of the skills they learned during their time at Imagine Academy. More importantly, they leave the nest of our community and the families must rely on their relationships with Imagine’s staff for continued support. When the students are 20, 25, 30 and beyond, the school continues to champion them as they reach new milestones. They coach the families, including siblings and grandparents, providing a fully encompassing program and complete partnership.

Imagine is currently in the process of purchasing a new location that will house a state-of-the-art facility to educate the children. The new building will include larger classrooms, an amazing sensory gym, a formal lunchroom, complete with a teaching kitchen where students can socialize and connect, a rooftop outdoor playground and therapy suites to accommodate both day and after school therapy services. In order to continue their work providing reading, math, science, social skills groups, sensory/motor work and intensive therapy sessions, they must secure and build a new home for Imagine Academy. It is challenging to provide quality services in a hallway, make-shift classrooms or space that is overcrowded. They do their best to continue to renovate and shift rooms around to make the space work, but it is completely inadequate at this time.

The Imagine family caters to each child’s individual needs. Every student and every family is an integral part of the whole. If a student is not well and cannot attend school, they come to your home. Families, both current and past, remain dedicated to the mission of the program. To be an Imagine family means you are cared for, catered to, and supported at every step, all the time. When you become an Imagine family, you enter into a lifelong relationship and partnership with the loving, dedicated community staff that consider Imagine a part of their life, not just a job. These are components that families can only receive in Imagine’s special environment.

The school’s goals are to continue their mission of educating students and supporting families, to be the community gold standard for special education, to continue to work with community partner organizations to help students integrate seamlessly into the community. Their hope is to create a new building that can function to provide the learning their students deserve. With Hashem’s help and the support of our wonderful community, Imagine Academy hopes to achieve this goal. Community students are counting on them to succeed and make the new building a reality.

RETHINKING HOW WE EDUCATE OUR YOUTH FOR THE BUSINESS WORLD TODAY

SOPHIA FRANCO

CONGRATULATIONS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE, YOU DID IT! THIS MIGHT BE THE MOST EXCITING TIME IN A TEENAGER’S LIFE, BUT THE WORK IS REALLY JUST BEGINNING. THIS IS ALSO A TIME WHERE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN ARE FORCED TO JUMP HEAD FIRST INTO THE REAL WORLD.

All will agree that higher education is paramount, but this leaves many high school seniors perplexed and wondering, is college even worth the effort, or should I just go ahead and get a job so I can start my real life? If I start this journey, am I even going to finish? I’ve spent the last twelve years in yeshivah, do I really want to spend the next four years in a place where I am not even sure how to address my fellow classmates? What should I do?

For almost two decades, our children’s lives are planned to perfection. Now, for the first time, the decision is theirs: what will they do with the rest of their lives?

Today, the new Focus Program in collaboration with Touro University has given us compelling answers to these burning questions. Abraham Sultan, board member, explained, “Focus is presenting incoming students with an accelerated route to their Associate’s Degree in a protected and secure environment. Designed by the community for the community, the program minimizes the burden of superfluous core courses that are not directly beneficial to the chosen careers of our students, and brings these young adults to the end goal faster, and safely.” Community member Joe Mansour added, “The only area that our community never really attacked, until now, is the area of post high school secular education.”

Located in a brand new 30,000 square foot building on Ocean Avenue and Avenue J, Focus can accommodate up to 500 students, and is both convenient and safe. The class schedules are flexible, catering to any student’s schedule. This program is custom tailored to each individual student’s needs, allowing for a more time-efficient route. While, of course, it goes without saying that all courses and any form of education is useful, in today’s society, as the saying goes, “time is money.” This is an incredible opportunity for those looking to further their education and career prospects, with a concentrated strategy.

On April 24th, Focus hosted an open house info session on the campus at 2002 Avenue J. A testament to the great interest and high demand for this program, the place was literally buzzing. Many eager parents and students showed up to learn more, and ask questions, and forge a path that makes sense.

Board Members Michael Tawil and Abraham Sultan introduced the program, providing important details and introducing Dean Henry Abramson and Dean Esther Braun to the crowd. Together they fielded many thoughtful questions from attendees during a live Q&A session. They covered a lot of ground, and if this is any indication, it looks like there will be a full student body this September.

Q: What types of courses will Focus Education be offering, and how were these courses selected?
A: The current concentrations that Focus offers are numerous, covering ground in marketing, finance, accounting, management, digital multimedia, JAVA programming, cybersecurity and networking, sonography, real estate, para legal, and education; selected based on community needs and feedback.

Q: Can you explain the fast-track program and how students can complete an AS degree in 12 to 24 months?
A: In this program there are fewer liberal arts and required courses. The focus is on the field each student wants to major in. The standard completion is two years, but an industrious student can complete it sooner if they enter with previous credits, either from high school, summer school, or other college courses. Credits are easily transferable to and from this program.

Q: How does Focus Education differ from traditional universities in terms of its values and learning environment?
A: In general, Touro college is much more in line with our community’s values and beliefs. It is a more contained environment, and that will carry through to Focus.

Q: Will other concentration programs be added to Focus for students who are interested in pursuing careers out of those ten that you currently offer?
A: Yes, of course. Our goal is to serve the community’s needs. If we see that other tracks are in demand, we will surely add more courses. We are open to suggestion.

Q: What is the difference between Focus and a CUNY school?
A: Unlike in a CUNY, students will have the ability to choose much more focused courses toward their major, and take fewer “core” required ones. This not only saves time and money, but is a great asset to an ambitious student who wants to excel in his field.

Q: Will students be able to continue on at Focus to get their Bachelor’s degree?
A: Yes, and that will also go quickly. Most students will be able to complete their Bachelor’s in approximately three years.

Q: Will there be internships available and possible outplacing services to help students find jobs after graduating?
A: Yes, there will be. Touro University has plenty of intern and job placement resources already available, and entrepreneurial students of Focus will be able to take advantage of all of them.

Q: Will the teachers of Focus be community teachers?
A: No, they will be Touro accredited teachers, but there will also be opportunities to hear experienced and recognizable guest speakers from the community throughout the programs.

Q: How does the partnership with Touro University benefit students at Focus Education?
A: Touro University is a worldwide accredited program that has been established for over 50 years. Students of Focus will have the benefit of hundreds of personnel and tens of thousands of alumni, and all the resources, connections and networking that those relationships offer — while they are in school, and thereafter.

Q: Will there be any financial aid or scholarship options available for students at Focus Education?
A: Yes, where applicable.

Q: How will the community aspect of Focus Education help students with their career goals?
A: This is a community backed program, and it offers that camaraderie and business networking opportunity to all of our students. We want our students to succeed and will use Focus’ vast network of community members and Touro alumni to help place all students who work hard and dedicate themselves to their field of choice. We created it especially, to serve that goal. There are academic advisors available throughout the experience, and community members on the board that are willing to lend an ear or a hand whenever necessary.

Q: How does Focus Education ensure that its curriculum is up-to-date and relevant to the current job market?
A: We lean on Touro for that; Touro is an international school system on top of all academic standards and keeping up to date with everything.

Q: Will there be any opportunities for internships or hands-on experience in the industry as part of the program?
A: Absolutely, yes. We have job placement services available, and we offer a flexible schedule — with courses available mornings, afternoons and evenings — so, we’ll help you get a job, and we’ll give you the flexibility to do it. This also allows for other commitments, or employment, while still in school. Our goal is to do everything in our power to help a conscientious student reach their goal. We are here to help.

Ranked #1 in the nation in Money Magazine’s, 50 Colleges that add most value, a Touro education is one that is focused on its student’s career success. Focus is making it that much easier to succeed in the program. From the looks of this meeting, our community is walking into Focus with guns blazing, and an optimistic attitude. Michael Tawil said, “In twenty years we’ll look at this program and wonder how we ever lived without it.”

To apply, please visit www.FocusEducation.us or call 718-426-5040.

Sophia Franco is a mom and grandma, and a lover of the written word in all forms. She has been an author, lyricist and poet for our community for more years than she can count. Additional reporting for this article was done by Linda Berkovits.