THE VISIONARY

SARINA ROFFÉ

THE LEGACY OF DAVID E. COHEN A”H IS THE COMPLETION OF THE BUILDING OF CONGREGATION SHAARE ZION IN 1960. BUT DAVE CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH MORE TO THE COMMUNITY THAT I FEAR THE WORDS I WRITE WILL NOT DO HIM JUSTICE.

He was a giant among men, a visionary, a teacher and strategist committed to keeping the community united. He passed away in 2021 just before his 95th birthday.

David Eliahu Cohen was born in 1926 and grew up in Bensonhurst during the Great Depression. Like most children of the time period, he began working at age 11. By the time he got to high school he was earning $15 a week doing odd jobs before and after school. His high school guidance counselor told the students that if they graduated, they could earn $25 a week. He laughed and quit school at 16 knowing he could earn way more working full time.

He married Regina Shamula in 1947. They had four children—Eileen, Elliot, Aaron, and Shari—and were married for 74 years. They left a legacy of multiple grandchildren, great, and great-great grandchildren.

“My father was a visionary. From a very young age he noticed the uniqueness and importance of our community. As time went on, he became aware of the great value of our exceptional traditions which go back a thousand years,” said his son Elliot Cohen. “As he first got involved in the building of Shaare Zion and then went on to become its president, his love of our community only became greater. The goal of all his work was always to strengthen our community, keep us unified and preserve our ancient traditions of faith and tolerance. That was always what it was all about for him.”

With a sharp mind, inborn leadership, great people and political skills, Dave accomplished ambitious goals. Shaare Zion became a template for the community’s multiple synagogues. In 1983, it was Dave who crafted the synagogue’s constitution, revolutionized its election procedures and started the first Torah learning center in Shaare Zion.

He also had a behind the scenes hand in many other community organizations. According to his son Aaron, “He had a hidden hand in the Sephardic Community Center, Congregation Har Lebanon, Ahi Ezer housing, the Avenue S Mikveh, and Magen David Yeshivah High School.”

He was often called upon by builders of other community congregations for his advice on how to optimize space in their new buildings.

“Today the phenomenon of what the Jewish Syrian community has become is clear to all of us and is now recognized throughout the Jewish world. What my dad recognized in his early years is now obvious to all,” said Elliot.

Even though he dropped out of high school, Dave never stopped learning. He had high intelligence and read thousands of books that were often discussed at the dinner table. He quoted from Ralph Waldo Emerson, wise old Arabic sayings, Machiavelli, and Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations.

He was also blessed with tremendous verbal skills. He interacted with several chief rabbis, Israeli prime ministers, as well as governors, senators, congressmen, and mayors. Yet, he could just as easily speak with a young grandchild on their level.

He worked with Abe M. Cohen A”H to bring the long-stalled project at 2030 Ocean Parkway to fruition. Together, they built the community’s mother synagogue, a place where thousands of couples married and had many joyous events in the community’s first social hall. Determined to get the building completed, Dave and Abe became an inspiration to generations of community leaders that followed. Videos on YouTube tell his story.

His sons say he was their best teacher and that anyone who talked to or interacted with Dave was a student of the DCU (Dave Cohen University). Elliot was just seven years old when he often joined his father as they built Shaare Zion and then their home on East 5th Street, learning about construction. After Dave finished his term as Deputy Borough President of Brooklyn in the mid-1970s, he began a men’s apparel business on West 42nd Street in Manhattan with his sons. The business put his sons on a path to success. When they needed a bookkeeper, he brought in his daughter Shari, who knew nothing about bookkeeping. She soon became a graduate of ‘DCU.’

In the mid-1950s, Jews were emigrating from Egypt to New York. He not only hired many of them but gave them shares in his business which freed him up to put his energy into the Shaare Zion project.

Also in the mid-1950s, Dave did something revolutionary for the time. He enrolled his daughter Eileen in Yeshivah of Flatbush. He met with the great educator, Joel Braverman who was pleasantly surprised because Syrian girls were not yeshivah educated then. Though she was first entering in third grade, he made sure she caught up and she excelled there. Today, many of her children and grandchildren are talmidei hachamim.

“I remember him taking lessons to play the oud. We had Syrian music jam sessions in our backyard in Bradley Beach. He was teaching me that I can learn to play an instrument and jam,” said Elliot.

Dave loved the pizmonim of his childhood. Concerned that this important part of our heritage would be lost, he started the Pizmonim Project. In the 70s, he gathered most of the popular hazanim and musicians at that time. He had them arrange and rehearse 12 popular pizmonim. He called them the ‘greatest hits.’ Working with Joe Catton A”H, they took the group to a recording studio in Manhattan.

“They produced the recording and included a booklet so the listener could easily learn to sing along. Needless to say, it was a big hit!” said Elliot. “First the songs were released as 8-track tapes, then cassettes, CDs and now they are on YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify where they have thousands and thousands of hits! Walk into a sebet and listen to all the singing. We never lost our pizmonim.”

He was generous to a fault. Once he had his own business, he employed his wife Regina’s three younger brothers who had grown up fatherless. He also helped his immigrant uncles get on their feet financially. Dave had first cousins he had never met living in Israel. He went there, sought them out and found one of them living in an apartment with virtually no furniture. He wept upon seeing this. He arranged to furnish their home. Many years later that same cousin was a victim of a suicide bomber where several family members were killed. Dave was right there raising funds for them.

“Dad’s mother was a DePicciotto,” said his son Aaron. “A family with a history of being ambassadors and diplomats going back to the 1700s. He was so proud to be part of that. He would reach out across the globe to connect with anyone named Picciotto. He found a distant cousin in Milan, Italy with whom he helped craft a family tree.”

In his memory, Shehebar Sephardic Center in Israel is forming the David E. Cohen Leadership Initiative. According to Rabbi Sam Kassin, Dean, “From the building of Congregation Shaare Zion and establishing its constitution to being its president for many years, it was David E. Cohen who handled it all with foresight and commitment. He brought rabbis and teachers to guide the community. Often people didn’t agree with him and caused a flurry, but he worked and found solutions we live with today. His love for Judaism and his people was nothing more than an extension of his family.”

David E. Cohen will be teaching for generations to come through videos captured on YouTube and Sephardic Heritage films.

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.

LAURA SHAMMAH MS, RDN

WHEN IT COMES TO BEING HEALTHY, IT TRULY IS WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE THAT COUNTS. A PERSON WHO YOU MIGHT THINK IS HEALTHY BECAUSE THEY ARE THIN, MIGHT NOT BE. SOMETIMES EVEN THE SLIMMEST, HEALTHIEST LOOKING PEOPLE WE KNOW CAN HAVE AS MANY HEALTH ISSUES AS SOMEONE WHO IS OVERWEIGHT.

As crazy as this may seem, there is a health risk for people at a seemingly normal, healthy weight called “normal weight obesity.” This term is used when a person is at a healthy weight but can acquire the same health risks as someone who is overweight or obese. This happens if a person’s body fat is high enough—even if from the outside they look slim. In other words, how skinny fat you are boils down to your body composition. That is, how much of your weight is either fat or muscle.

Some of the risks of being normal weight obese or “skinny fat” include:
• High blood pressure
• Irregular cholesterol levels
• Diabetes
• Metabolic issues

High cholesterol does not discriminate against body type, and body weight does not determine if a person suffers from high cholesterol or high triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).

The American Heart Association Trusted Source recommends that you start getting cholesterol tests every four to six years, starting when you’re 20 (even if you’re thin!). If high cholesterol runs in your family, you should start even earlier and get tested more often.

Up to 10% of the population may be normal weight obese. People believe that if their BMI (body mass index) is in the normal range, they are healthy.

However, your BMI does not include your body fat, only your weight. It is important to remember that obesity is determined by body fat, not necessarily how much you weigh.

If you are concerned that you are “skinny fat,” just start to focus on you inner body health and not just the outside. To decrease these risks, begin:
• Weight lifting
• Cardio
• High-intensity interval training
• Eating clean

Doing all this will turn your skinny fat into lean and strong muscle. You should never judge a book by its cover, because sometimes that cover does not reflect what is going on inside.

Laura Shammah MS, RDN has a masters degree in health and nutrition and is a registered dietitian. She has been operating her own private practice in both New York and NJ for over 20 years. She is happily married and has four children.

ARI BAUM CFP®

THE NEW INFLATION REDUCTION ACT IS A BIG ENCHILADA OF GREEN ENERGY SPENDING, CORPORATE TAXES, AND SOME PRETTY MAJOR CHANGES TO MEDICARE. IS THIS DEAL A BIG DEAL? COULD BE. READ ON TO FIND OUT.

MEDICARE CHANGES YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

MEDICARE WILL BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE DRUG PRICES (STARTING IN 2026).
For the first time, the Medicare program will have the power to negotiate the cost of (some) drugs. Before price negotiations kick off, new rules will also force manufacturers to pay “rebates” to the government if they increase covered drug prices higher than general inflation (starting in 2023) and limit Medicare Part D premium increases each year (starting in 2024).

Why does this matter? Drug price inflation is crazy high, outpacing general inflation for thousands of medications. The power to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers could end up lowering costs. For example, a budget study found that Medicare was paying 32% more for the same drugs as Medicaid (which already has the power to negotiate prices).

Lower prices could lead to overall program savings (and possibly lower Medicare premiums), plus save money for retirees who depend on those specific drugs.

OUT-OF-POCKET DRUG COSTS ON PART D WILL BE CAPPED AT $2,000/YEAR (STARTING IN 2025)
Under current laws, there’s no cap on how much people have to spend out-of-pocket for their medications, which can really add up under cost-sharing requirements.

Starting in 2024, folks who spend enough out-of-pocket on medications to surpass the “catastrophic threshold” will no longer have to pay coinsurance for their expensive drugs. And, starting in 2025, the maximum out-of-pocket medicine cost for folks on Part D will be a flat $2,000.

Why does this matter? Many drugs (especially new ones) can be devastatingly expensive. Capping annual drug costs will hopefully not only save folks money, but also lead to more predictability in their yearly health care costs.

OUT-OF-POCKET INSULIN COSTS WILL BE CAPPED AT $35/MONTH FOR MEDICARE PARTICIPANTS (STARTING IN 2023)
Starting in 2023, enrollees won’t have to spend more than $35 per month on their insulin copays. Folks on private health insurance won’t see a change.

Why does this matter? As anyone who needs insulin will tell you, it can get pricey, costing over $500 per year on average and much more if you need one of the more expensive versions.

Capping costs could help the millions who need this life-saving medication.

ALL VACCINES WILL BE FREE UNDER PART D (STARTING IN 2023)
While flu and COVID-19 shots might be covered for many, most vaccines are not. Starting in 2023, cost-sharing under Part D will end, making all covered adult vaccines free.

Why does this matter? Many adult vaccines can cost quite a few bucks. For example, the shingles vaccine can cost upwards of $150 a pop and other recommended vaccines can also be very pricey.

Making vaccines free could not only lower the financial impact of immunizations, but also increase their availability to lower-income folks.

WILL THESE NEW LAWS HELP RETIREES?
This is where the future gets hazy. Legal challenges or post-election changes could end up altering much of what’s in the Inflation Reduction Act. And much depends on the actual execution of the new rules.

The new rules could also mean premium changes as insurance companies figure out their models. Since health care is one of the biggest unknown costs in retirement, lowering drug costs and making spending more predictable for Medicare recipients could absolutely have a positive impact on millions of people.

WILL THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT HELP THE ECONOMY?
Whether the overall bill will live up to its name, lower inflation, and have a net positive impact on the economy also remains to be seen.

Some economists project that the bill will end up modestly reducing inflation and trimming the federal budget over the next decade. Others are concerned about the impact of the new corporate tax rules written into the legislation. As is usually the case, time will tell.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision. Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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.

JEFF SCHINDLER

THIS SUMMER STARTED OUT LIKE ANY OTHER. AFTER A LONG TIME IN BROOKLYN, IT WAS TIME TO PACK MY CAR AND BAGS AND PREPARE FOR A RELAXING SUMMER IN DEAL. AFTER THE PAST TWO YEARS OF HOME-SCHOOLING AND WORKING FROM HOME, I WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. I ESPECIALLY LOOKED FORWARD TO MY MORNING BIKE RIDES.

My biking partner Mindy and I would ride along Ocean Avenue, exploring Sandy Hook and pretty much the whole area. It has always been a relaxing way to exercise. On July 17th, I picked up my bike partner at 6 A.M. to start our Sunday morning 35-mile ride. We were both training for an upcoming charity bike ride from Jerusalem to Eilat.

We started in Ocean Grove and after about two miles, she noticed I was not wearing a helmet. In 30 years of riding, I had never before left my house to ride without a helmet, in fact, I had my helmet in my hand before I left, but must have put it down. I am an EMT and have seen the results of riding without one. A head injury is very serious. I should have known better, but I got lazy.

I thought, we had been riding this route for years and nothing would happen. I was wrong. I rode into Long Branch, where the boardwalk begins. There is a barrier that stops cars from getting onto the pathway. It is sometimes open and sometimes closed. I didn’t see it and I slammed into the barrier breaking my nose. It stopped me instantly. I fell backwards on my head. Here is where the miracles began, I lived to tell about it. G-d has reasons for everything.

Mindy was holding my head, which was bleeding heavily. She made sure I stayed conscious, while at the same time alerting 911 and contacting my wife Sophia, who came running and followed me to Jersey Shore Hospital. While I was in pre-op, I felt very lightheaded like I was going to faint. This was the 2nd miracle, my wife, who wasn’t even allowed to be with me was the only one who noticed me losing consciousness. She rushed to grab a doctor and I was rushed to surgery, where I was given blood and 40 stitches in my head. Three and a half hours later I was in ICU. My wife was by my side every second, making sure I was ok and seeing to every need.

Recovery was hard, but thanks to friends like Mandi and Morris Bildirici, and of course, my wife Sophia and bike partner Mindy I am back on a bike almost a month later.

No matter how experienced a rider you are or how confident you are, put that bike helmet on so you can return home to your wife, friends and family. This goes for motor scooters and motorcycles as well.

That was my miracle at the Jersey shore.

Jeff Schindler is a Brooklyn born member of our community. He has 2 children and 2 grandchildren and has been married for 38 years to Sophia Shalom Schindler (Morah Sophia).

SOPHIA FRANCO

FIGHTING A MEDICAL BATTLE IS FRIGHTENING, NO MATTER WHO OR WHERE YOU ARE, AND NO MATTER HOW MANY LOVED ONES SURROUND YOU. IMAGINE, AT A TIME LIKE THIS, HAVING TO LEAVE YOUR HOME TO TRAVEL TO A FOREIGN CITY FOR TREATMENT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

Imagine your life is being turned upside down by medical chaos, and having to worry about something as simple as a roof over your head. Imagine the physical, mental and financial strain that you might feel at this time. Now imagine that instead of being alone, in a cold hotel, or in a stranger’s basement, there was a beautiful place to stay, for free, for you, and your family. Imagine that it was a place with every amenity, where you could feel the comfort and stability of home.

Eva Shammah, Elliot Shelby, Natalie Ammar Shalom, Regine Shrem, and Lillian Srour have all been realtors in Brooklyn, New York for a while now. Often, they would receive calls asking if they knew of any short-term leases for people coming from foreign countries for medical treatments in NY. Each of them would stop what they were doing when these calls came in, and try their best, but this task was nothing short of impossible. Apartments like this did not exist in our area, and most people coming in could not afford to pay rent. There were hardly any landlords willing to do short term, and even if they would, the apartments were empty. Without furniture, linens, towels and sheets, how could anyone stay there?

About a year ago, the opportunity arose for this group of realtors to do something good. An older couple had put their home on the market. It was decrepit, and mold infested, and the owners were actually ill from the conditions they were living in. Elliot remembers, “We walked out crying. They couldn’t afford to move but we decided then and there to rent them an apartment immediately. We couldn’t leave them there to get sicker, and we knew the house would sell, eventually.” The realtors paid the rent for the couple and decided that when the house sold, they would use the commission to do something amazing. The day came, and together they rented their first “hesed” apartment. They thought long and hard, and called their new project, Habayit, Home away from Home.

Natalie explained, “The apartment was old, but we set it up and made it stunning. We got some community boys to paint, we changed the kitchen, and cleaned it up until it was sparkling.” Eva continued, “Our community is beyond! We called maybe a dozen people, and within hours we had everything donated; furniture, towels, sheets, washer/dryers, dishes, pots, silverware, games, toys, books, and even sefarim! We stocked the apartment with food and literally everything we could think of that people might need, down to a list of kosher restaurants that we taped to the fridge.”

The first call the team got was for the family of a baby born with a cleft palate. Excited, they filmed the apartment and sent the video to all the people who helped make it happen. Eva recalled, “One of the girls who had helped called me and said, ‘I can’t believe this—when I was a baby I had cleft palate. We lived in Syria at the time, and we came to NY to do the surgeries. We bounced from house to house every time I needed medical treatment, and I remember this as one of the most difficult times in our lives. Look how Hashem got me involved in this! I had no idea. G-d bless you all.”

As the calls kept coming in, the team realized that while one apartment was amazing, it would not be enough. They called on more realtors, and got more people involved. By May 2022 they had four apartments completed, and two more rented, but the calls kept coming in. They created an Instagram account and started a fundraiser online. Their goal was $360,000. With endorsements from Rabbi Joey Haber, Rabbi David Ozeri and community giant Harry Adjmi, they raised the funds in 48 hours.

Rabbi Ozeri explained, “These people are suffering already, with cancer, infertility, blood disorders, and so many unbearable situations, we should never know, and finding a place to stay is just another level of anxiety. To know they have a home to come to with every imaginable amenity is solving half their problems. These apartments are going to be used for life saving situations. We have so many organizations but something like this is long overdue.”

Eva recalled, “After the fundraiser my phone was ringing off the hook! ‘I have an apartment, I have furniture…’ People were stopping me everywhere, donating like wildfire, volunteering, dropping food off, sneakers—anything you can think of! Everyone was so enthusiastic, wanting to help and be a part of it. We have a chat with over 200 participants now; It’s just so beautiful to see how the community got together on this.” Habayit now has nine furnished apartments, and four more being renovated. They are all local, so that shuls are close by, and people can help out with cooking, driving, and anything else that might be needed.

Natalie continued, “These people are coming from all over. Some as far as Israel, Mexico, Panama, and Argentina, and others from Boston, Florida, and Colorado. All of them are our brothers and sisters, far from home, and scared. When they come through our doors we can actually see it— the sigh of relief. They are thinking, ‘I don’t have to worry, I have a roof over my head and a community that’s here to help me.’ For them, this is a five-star hotel. This work we are doing, this money that’s being donated, it isn’t just paying someone’s rent. It’s changing their lives.

The coincidences keep coming. One landlord, when asked if he would be interested, replied, “When I was young, my father had cancer for nine months and we stayed in a hesed apartment in Boston. I always said NY needs a place like this, and now you got me involved.”

Messages like this flood Eva’s inbox, “There are those that do hesed, and there are those that love hesed. You are definitely one of those who loves hesed. Every detail, every show of affection and that indescribable brotherhood, make the stay of those of us who arrived, something much more beautiful and easier to carry. Infinite thanks for everything!”

With fourteen Habayit apartments you would think some would stay empty, but that’s not the case; there is actually a waiting list at times. Imagine that this organization did not exist! Elliot said, “Our guests need to concentrate on one thing—getting better. We try to take the burden off, help, however we can. I equate the work we are doing with a type of a mishkan. It gives the patient and his family a home base, a refuge, and something to be thankful for. For most, that is all they need. May everyone who stays in these apartments have a speedy recovery, and refuah shelama!”

Thank you to the Habayit Home Away from Home team: Eva Shammah, Natalie Ammar, Elliot Shelby, Regine Shrem, Lillian Srour, Ruthie Srour, Paulie Shamah, Aaron Cohen, Renee Kassin, Batya Esses, Muriel Mizrahi, Evie Daniel. And to our donors, who took the mitzvah and ran with it: Mattresses for less, Appliance Palace, Addy and Company, Light Lab, Delta Children, Community Locksmith, The Modern Mezuza, Sam Salem and Son, Ikey Locksmith and Security, Blends Décor, Betsons Furniture, Khasky, Telco, American Linen, Inspired Home, Meridian, Faux Florals, Maven Interiors, Sweet Home Collection, Art and Cook and so many more! You know who you are!

Follow on Instagram: @Habayit_ny
Donate on our website: www.habayit.org
And to volunteer, contact Regine Shrem at:
(917) 405-2316
Tizku l’mitzvot! (May you merit to do more mitzvot)

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.

F. MORGANO

ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY OF MAGEN DAVID YESHIVAH WERE PRIVILEGED TO RECEIVE A VISIT FROM THE ESTEEMED HACHAM, RABBI YAAKOV HILLEL, THE ROSH YESHIVAH OF AHAVAT SHALOM IN ISRAEL.

The rabbi was welcomed to our yeshivah by our kindergartners, first and second graders. The third and fourth graders lined the lobby as Rabbi Mustacchi’s MDY Boy’s Choir sang a warm and beautiful rendition of Yahid El Dagul. The hacham was then led by a procession of rabbis, faculty members, and Principal Rabbi Ezra Cohen-Saban to the stage in our auditorium to address the fifth through eighth graders. The rabbi’s message to the over 400 students and faculty was to remember, honor, and respect our heritage and not to forget where we came from and to let Torah into all aspects of our lives.

“The children of the community are the future of the community. Knowing where you came from will help lead you to where you are going,” were the words at the heart of Rabbi Hillel’s message. The visit was an inspiration to our students. “The Rabbi’s visit put everything into perspective for me,” commented Nate Ben-Zken, an 8th grade student. Aaron Cohen added, “From the moment the Rabbi walked into the room, our eyes lit up like diamonds!” His visit was truly impactful on our students; they will remember this day for years to come.

At the end of his address to the elementary school students, Rabbi Hillel was joined on stage by the entire rabbanim of our school to capture this memorable and historic moment. He left the building with a throng of students and teachers surrounding him, eagerly awaiting his greetings and blessings.

This special and memorable morning at MDY came on the heels of the hacham’s visit to Magen David Yeshivah High School the day before. Rabbinical Leader Rabbi Eli J. Mansour ushered Rabbi Hillel into the midrash where the young men of the yeshivah greeted him with song before hearing his inspirational words of having patience with Torah and letting it affect all aspects of who you are, not just intellectually, but spiritually as well.

Before leaving, Rabbi Hillel spent a little time with the young ladies of the yeshivah and gave them a ‘Blessing for Queens,’ expressing how important women are for the continuation of our beautiful community and heritage.

There are great things happening at Magen David!

Frank Morgano is a veteran English Language Arts teacher of middle school students in grades 6-8 at Magen David Yeshivah Elementary School. He has over 25 years experience teaching students of all ages and levels. He also contributes articles to local publications about the happenings in and around Magen David.

FREDDY ZALTA

THE ANTICIPATION WAS BUILDING. THE THIRD ANNUAL RUTH JEROME GARDEN & POOL TOUR WAS SCHEDULED FOR 11 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING AND BY 10:30 THERE WERE ALREADY 40 PEOPLE MINGLING AT THE MEETING SPOT, THE SIDE YARD OF KIM AND JON KUSHNER’S HOME. FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, COMMUNITY MEMBER ABE JEROME HAS PUT THIS EVENT TOGETHER SO OTHERS CAN SHARE HIS MOTHER’S LOVE OF GARDENS.

As I walked around speaking to the participants of the tour, most had experienced it in the past and had brought along friends to show them how beautiful the gardens are. Prissy Sutton was very curious to visit the homes in the area since she had spent most of her life in New Orleans. Raquel Dabbah wanted to learn more about gardening. “I try but the deer always end up eating up everything.”

Everyone was admiring the beautiful, landscaped backyard, the flowers, the pool, tennis court and the playground area for the younger kids.

“I have known Abe since 1995, he was one of our first clients.” Pam Hall from Capital Gardening Products said. “He is a wonderful, generous person and an incredibly talented artist.”

Mayor Sam Cohen of Deal said, “Abe wanted me to make the introduction, but he truly does not need one. I have known him for over 20 years and what you see is what you get. He is incredibly talented, generous with his time and never ceases to amaze with his creativity.”

Everyone paid attention when Abe began to speak. “Welcome to the Third Annual Ruth Jerome Garden and Pool Tour. I just want to give you some background on the tour you are about to experience. I used to travel with my parents and every trip involved visiting local beautiful gardens. My mother loved gardens and all kinds of outdoor spaces. So instead of a plaque or a bunch of books with her name, I wanted people to have an experience that was reminiscent of my mom and her love for the outdoors.”

As we traveled from one home to another, Abe would describe the beautiful landscapes to us. He would point out the garden design and the history of each site. He found a way to describe the details and to make it interesting and even invigorating.

He explained that “this tour has become a must, and has grown in popularity with each yearly event. The first year there were 80 participants wearing masks on a 98˚ day. This year we thought we would have 75 people, 100, at most, but we actually had 170 people show up and we had to turn people away.

Abe’s clients spoke about his talent and dedication.The mind of an artist is a mind that never rests. Gayle Krost remembers when he worked on the landscaping of her home. “When he works on a project, he lives and breathes it. One day he called me and said, ‘I was sleeping last night and I thought, you know where we’re putting that tile? I want to add some mirror in there, so that you see the reflection of the arborvitae.’”

The owners of the homes we visited were generous to allow a group of almost 200 people to walk around and learn about their homes. Thank you to Kim and Jon Kushner, Annie and Elliot Azrak, Lisa and Lee Cohen, Renee and Albert Laboz, Rachel and Jeff Sutton, Marilyn and Joey Harary, Shella and Toby Cohen.

At the conclusion of the tour each participant was given a denim bag provided by Tile Bar which was filled with a throw from the Turkish Towel Collection, and a natural spray from Mario Badescu. What people really wanted was to sign up for the next event for the summer!

Freddy Zalta is a biographer for hire.

NO ONE BRINGS THE ENERGY, THE CROWD, THE UNITY OR THE LOVE LIKE OUR OWN YAAKOV SHWEKEY

SOPHIA FRANCO

AS MANY OF US WERE PACKING UP, PREPARING FOR THE LAST WEEK OF SUMMER 2022, YAAKOV SHWEKEY AND THE SPECIAL CHILDREN’S CENTER WERE PREPARING AS WELL—TO MAKE IT A SUMMER WE’D NEVER FORGET.

Years ago, as I sat in a doctor’s office striking up conversation with a frum assistant at the front desk, Yaakov’s name came up. Bragging, just a little, I said “I write lyrics for Yaakov Shwekey. You know, ‘We are a Miracle,’ and ‘I Can Be;’ I wrote those…” The woman proceeded to get up off her chair and wrap her arms around me in a hug I neither anticipated nor expected. She said, “When my mom was in the hospital, Yaakov’s music saved her. It really did. It gave her strength and happiness—it gave her the chizuk (emotional or spiritual support), and the push she needed to fight. G-d bless her, to this day, it brings a smile to her face like nothing else. Can you tell him I said thank you?”

To think about what goes into a night like this—the hundreds of staff members, the commitment of the Deal Police and Homeland Security, the helicopters flying above—this was not an easy feat to pull off! But as promised, on Wednesday, August 31st, Yaakov Shwekey delivered an evening of entertainment to a sold-out venue, second to none. The weather was perfection. The crowds arrived early, anticipation in the air and enthusiasm at their feet. The special children were ready and waiting, bright yellow t-shirts and smiles in tow. The counselors, each incredible one of them, were as fired up as the kids. With the lights and sounds in place, the guests arrived by car, bike and on foot to get up close and personal with a man, who is for many, their hero. Six thousand four hundred people came from near and far to reverberate that woman’s, “Thank You” to Yaakov Shwekey. And when he arrived on stage, the love for him and his music was palpable.

Every age, from tiny babies sporting giant headphones, to teenagers sporting glitter, to grandparents sporting energy they didn’t know they had, and everyone in between, filled the incredible space. This is what is beautiful about Yaakov’s music. He sings to you, and he sings to me. He sings to the mother of a special child, and he sings to a cancer patient struggling to push through one more day of misery to get to the other side. The music is the cure and the calm, and to hear it live—in person—is just an experience like no other.

When I arrived, I went straight to the kids. Olivia, Joyce, Emily, and Ruthie—all my old friends were jumping and swaying to the beats. And then, I met some new friends too! Tammy, Shana, Yehuda, Abby—so many new faces. Each of them beautiful, each of them special, and each of them alive with the electricity of the night. This is how I first met Yaakov, through these incredible kids. Jenine Shwekey and Chaya Bender welcomed me with open arms. “You’re here!” they said. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Once the concert started, we were in it—totally inside the music. Smoke poured out from the stage; lights flashed, and when Yaakov shouted out my name as the notes and “na na na’s” from “I Can Be” filled the air, the people around me exploded into cheers. The song is not new, but it sounded fresh and alive as the very first time at that moment. As I walked through the crowd, you could feel it- the camaraderie beaming—the energy and the vibration pumping. Everyone knows the words to every song—each person singing to the person next to them, “Fighter,” “It Could be You,” “Et Rikod,” and so many other hits. The sincerity of “A Mother’s Promise,” hit home, as Yaakov sat on a stool and quietly belted out the deep hearted ballad. Even the policemen and women perched throughout the arena were loving the night. “This is magnificent,” one officer told me. “They don’t even get these kinds of crowds when Bruce plays at the Stone Pony!” This chain of love, this music—it connected the crowd—huge as it was—creating a commonality—a harmony, to use a word perfectly suited to this night.

G-d bless Yaakov for sharing his gift of music with us. G-d bless him more for sharing it with the special children. As they mouth the lyrics, shake their hips and clap their hands I watch, with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. This is what it’s all about. Young and old, weak and strong, we are all one. And the music reminds us of that, always.

We could not have done this massive event without our amazing dream team: Harry Adjmi, Richie Dweck, Elliot Tawil, Elliot Aizer, David Hillel, Bella Levitan, and Yitzy Shoner!

Scan this QR code to see a video of the concert and feel like you were there.

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.

Photos by eitan berlin

ONCE AGAIN, THE DEAL COMMUNITY CAME OUT IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE CHILDREN OF CHAI LIFELINE AS “CAMP SIMCHA WITHOUT BORDERS – SIMCHA AT THE SHORE” CAME TO TOWN. LAUNCHED IN THE MIDST OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, CAMP SIMCHA WITHOUT BORDERS WAS DEVELOPED TO BRING THE MAGIC OF SIMCHA TO CHILDREN AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THROUGH DAY CAMPS, SPECIAL PROGRAMS, AND EVENTS IN CITIES ACROSS THE GLOBE.

Jack Tabbush, director of Camp Simcha Without Borders, describes a particularly close bond between Chai Lifeline and the Deal community. “We are delighted to partner with the community here in Deal to bring simcha and joy to children who need it most,” he said. “Sephardic community members have been longtime supporters of Chai Lifeline and Camp Simcha, and we look forward to strengthening that bond and doing more to help all children and families in need.”

The boys camp, hosted at the home of Shmuel and Victoria Kairy, was held on July 21 while the girls day took place later in the summer at the home of Ricky and Jamie Cohen.

Simcha at the Shore opened with a series of activity stations and carnival games ranging from caricature artists to cotton candy and cookie booths, exotic car rides, an art booth, laser tag and much more.

“Aside from giving these kids a great time at the Jersey Shore, Camp Simcha Without Borders helps showcase the impactful and critical programs of Chai Lifeline,” said Lee Cohen, a Chai Lifeline liaison to the Syrian community. “It’s important for our community to not only support this wonderful organization but to be aware of all they have to offer should any family require their professional services.”

After a fully catered lunch and concert featuring Uri Davidi and Nechemia Katz, the water activities came out, followed by a ventriloquist show and barbecue. Tables filled with gifts, toys and games donated by the community made sure that children didn’t leave empty-handed.

“Programs like Camp Simcha Without Borders and Deal Day exemplify Chai Lifeline’s community-based approach to care and services,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, CEO of Chai Lifeline. “We are able to accomplish all that we do for children and families impacted by illness and crisis because of the support of our community, and there has been no better friend to Chai Lifeline over the years than the Syrian community.”

Chai Lifeline is an international children’s health support network, providing social, emotional, and practical support to children, families and communities impacted by illness, crisis, and loss. To learn more about Chai Lifeline, visit www.chailifeline.org.

AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH

Dr. John A. Viole

CHRONIC EAR INFECTIONS (OTITIS MEDIA) AND EXCESSIVE FLUID IN THE MIDDLE EAR ARE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT SO MANY CHILDREN TODAY. IN THE UNITED STATES, MYRINGOTOMY AND TUBE PLACEMENT SURGERY HAVE BECOME A MAINSTAY OF TREATMENT FOR RECURRENT OTITIS MEDIA IN CHILDREN. AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE MARCH 1998 CONSUMER REPORTS STATED THAT “THE NUMBER OF MYRINGOTOMIES HAS RISEN NEARLY 250% IN RECENT YEARS, MAKING THE OPERATION THE SIXTH MOST COMMON OPERATION IN THE UNITED STATES.”

According to the New York University School of Medicine, myringotomy and tube placement is the most common surgical procedure performed in children as of 2003, largely because otitis media is the most common reason for children to be taken to a doctor’s office. Tube surgery can be effective in relieving the pressure in the middle ear caused by excessive fluid.

When a child suffers with chronic ear infections and fluid within the middle ear, the child can often suffer with pain and some level of hearing loss. The first course of action is to give the child antibiotics and other medications to clear up the infection and fluid. If the child responds favorably and the condition does not return then no further treatment is necessary. But all too often children will respond only temporarily to medication. In these cases, within weeks after the medication has been stopped the infection and/or fluid returns. What frequently happens with a child in this situation is that numerous rounds of different medications are tried for months and sometimes years before the MD decides that the child needs to have tubes surgically inserted to relieve the fluid build-up and hopefully prevent further ear infections and hearing loss.

Unfortunately, though this procedure often relieves the symptoms, it does not address the cause of the excessive fluid. I have often heard from parents, whose children have had tube surgery, that the tubes eventually fall out and the problem returns. Though tube surgery is at times necessary, it should always be a last resort. It requires a child to be put under general anesthesia to do the surgery.

CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OFFERS AN ALTERNATIVE AND OFTEN HELPS IN THE PREVENTION OF RECURRING EAR INFECTIONS
Chiropractic treatment is often very effective in treating children with this chronic and recurring condition. In the October 1998 issue of the Ladies Home Journal appeared an article entitled, “Chiropractic Adjustments for Chronic Ear Infections.” This article reviewed several studies showing the effectiveness of chiropractic care for preventing reoccurring ear infections.

According to the article, reoccurring ear infections account for over 35% of all pediatrician visits in the United States. Sometimes these infections are due to bacteria and sometimes they are due to a virus. While the article mentions that an antibiotic may be effective in an acute bacterial infection, they do nothing to stop repeat infections. Research and statistics are now showing that repeated use of antibiotics is contributing to future infections by creating drug-resistant bacteria. As per the article, the surgical approach often does not confer long term results as the “tubes” placed in children’s ears often fall out.

“Chiropractic Care of 401 Children with Otitis Media: A Pilot Study,” found in the March 1998 edition of Alternative Therapies and authored by Fallon and Edelman, concluded, “There is a strong correlation between chiropractic adjustment and the resolution of otitis media for the children in this study.”

Many studies have been done since 1998 on this subject and have shown essentially the same encouraging results regarding chiropractic treatment and otitis media.

As some you may be aware, I am the chiropractor who had worked with the late pediatrician, Dr. Steven Fries, for over 16 years treating many hundreds of children who had suffered with chronic and recurrent ear infections and/or fluid in the middle ear. These children did not respond favorably to numerous trials of different medications. Our records, over those years, indicated that a significant majority of the children we treated, approximately 73%, experienced excellent results. Most of these children were candidates for myringotomies, but due to our work a significant number were able to avoid the surgery and no longer suffered with recurrent ear infections. Since Dr. Fries himself was Orthodox, many of his patients were from the Jewish community. Consequently, a prevalent number of the children I treated with this problem were also from the Jewish community.

The chiropractic treatments are gentle and non-invasive. There are no side effects. The only negative outcome that Dr. Fries and I experienced in over 16 years of working together was that some children would not respond to the treatment. This occurred approximately 27% of the time and therefore surgery would become necessary. (As stated, we were successful approximately 73% of the time.)

Most chiropractors do not specifically treat children with this condition, so a chiropractor with extensive experience specifically treating children with this problem will greatly enhance the chances of having a successful result.

I will be happy to talk with any parent who may be considering this option so that they may fully understand this alternative treatment. Please fell free to call me at (718) 934-0007.

I am a chiropractor for over 30 years working in the Marine Park section of Brooklyn. I treat numerous conditions such as headaches, neck and shoulder pain, back pain, sciatic pain, and various other conditions. Over the years treating children with chronic and recurrent ear infections has been a specialty of my practice. Serving the Jewish community, both children and adults, has been a significant part of my practice.

KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE BALLPARK

THE EDWARD M. DWECK DSN SUMMER BASEBALL LEAGUE BEGAN 8 YEARS AGO WITH ONLY 6 TEAMS AND 60 PLAYERS. FAST FORWARD TO THIS PAST SUMMER TO WITNESS 48 TEAMS AND 470 PLAYERS—A HOMERUN BY ALL ACCOUNTS!

DSN’s summer baseball league screams success. How does one measure success? Take your pick—from the number of teams and players, to the qualitatively more important smiling faces of the children, to the involvement of parents who coach the children, to the filled seats of spectators cheering along. Success? You bet!

The league began on June 26th and continued throughout the summer, culminating on August 28th with World Series games. Each Sunday morning, players from kindergarten through 9th grade donned their personalized jerseys along with their team baseball caps, pants and socks.

Jeffrey Ashear, who has been a head coach since the league’s inception said, “I love DSN baseball! It is well-executed and critical for our kids’ development. That’s why I coach. I enjoy it, and more importantly the kids learn a lot and they have a blast too!”

Some age groups are so large that they are split into two separate divisions with a World Series winner for each division. That means two championship teams for the same age group. This year’s winning teams included:

Kindergarten: Mets with Coach Ikey Douek
1st Grade: Reds with Coach Ezra Sultan
1st Grade: Mets with Coach Nathan Zalta
2nd Grade: Reds with Coach Allan Sasson
2nd Grade: White Sox with Coach Ralph Terzi
3rd-4th Grades: Pirates with Coach Isaac Gammal
3rd-4th Grades: A’s with Coach David Gindi
5th-6th Grades: Dodgers with Coach Richie Mizrachi
7-9th Grades: Yankees with Coach Sammy Esses

Sol Chehebar, coach for the Reds was elated. “Both of my sons played this year. We had a great team and a great time. I’ve been coaching for years and each year is better than the last. I don’t even know how the league can improve for next year!”

Sol Chehebar, coach for the Reds was elated. “Both of my sons played this year. We had a great team and a great time. I’ve been coaching for years and each year is better than the last. I don’t even know how the league can improve for next year!”

The end-of-season Trophy Ceremony is a summer staple and highlight, with 600 people attending this year. It consisted of a fully catered dinner for players and their families with speeches, a summer recap video, trophies, a photo booth, and a baseball yearbook. A great time was had by all. Coach awards were distributed, voted upon by their peers. Ezra Sultan, coach for the Reds 1st graders, has been coaching for many years. He said, “I can see the confidence the kids receive in the DSN league. On the field, they love making a great hit or catch. The trophy ceremony is amazing. At the ceremony, they love to see pictures and videos of themselves. They enjoyed dinner and receiving remarkable trophies that they cherish and display.”

Alfred Harary, a 9th grade player, explained why he keeps playing, “I’ve learned the skills—running, throwing and so forth. Over the years I’ve seen what else I’ve learned that I can apply to the rest of my life, like how to hustle, how to focus, how to be a team player, and how to deal with a loss. Baseball has been a great teacher. I am thankful DSN has given me and so many other boys this opportunity.”

DSN Sports Director Sports Director Jon Entel runs all of DSN’s leagues. He explained, “Understanding all the hard work that goes into securing the fields, making the teams, getting the coaches and setting up every Sunday, it is rewarding to see the kids and parents thrilled and coming back every year for more.”

DSN’s Executive Director Sammy Sitt summarized, “Sunday Sports is at the heart of what DSN has been doing since its inception. Bringing children, parents, grandparents and friends together to cheer, laugh and spend quality time with each other is exactly what DSN does best. These moments are what makes us a community. I am very proud of DSN’s Jon Entel, David Belhassen and Eddie Anzerouth for working hard every Sunday morning to make it all happen. We have the best team, executing the best programs for the best community!”

Sophia Safdieh Waingort

The SBH Albert J. Sutton and Sam N. Sutton Career Division supports all employment needs in our community. Their goal is to assist both employers fill positions and job seekers find the perfect role. The exemplary SBH Career team helps people develop everything from their interview skills to their resumes, offers free computer training, job coaching, internship programs (and much more) and ultimately places seekers into positions that are right for them. The Career Division is determined to help individuals navigate today’s job market.

We asked a few members of the SBH Career Division team to share their tips for helping anyone looking to make a career move.

WHAT ARE 3 THINGS YOU CAN DO IN A NEW JOB TO HELP YOURSELF GROW AND PROGRESS?

Sophia Shamah
Young Professional Program Coordinator

1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
2. Listen always
3. Get to know your team and learn from them

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO BOOST YOUR HIREABILITY TO POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS?

Rita Shabot
Director of SBH Career Division

Almost every job today—from teaching to sales—requires really strong computer skills. We hear it over and over again from our employers, “The candidate must know Excel,” or “QuickBooks knowledge is very helpful.” It’s because of this that SBH Career has developed a robust catalogue of free computer courses offered on Zoom. The classes are tailored to meet the needs of today’s competitive work environment.

WHAT ARE 5 QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS ASK IN AN INTERVIEW?

Sophia Shamah
Young Professional Program Coordinator

An interview isn’t just a way for the hiring team to learn about you, but for you to learn more about the new role you may take on. Following are a few great questions that can help you learn more.

1. What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the job?
2. Can you describe the working culture of the
   company?
3. What are some challenges I might face in this
   position?
4. How does the company measure success in this role?
5. Do you have any concerns or questions about
   my qualifications?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ‘FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT’ METHOD WHEN STARTING A NEW JOB?

Sheri Solomon
Employment Coordinator:

To some degree, that can be true, however the best practice is to ask questions and take notes on the job. Questions allow employees to learn about their new role, and become more educated and savvy—which will help them perform well!

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE ABOUT STARTING A NEW JOB?

Sigalit Mizrahy Job Developer

When starting a new job you have to switch gears from what you are used to doing in your old company and learn the ropes in the new company. This can be challenging at times as you need to learn office culture including the work environment policies, leadership, goals, values, and mission. In addition, you also have to be trained and absorb all new information, programs and needs of the company.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IT’S TIME FOR A CAREER CHANGE?

Nathan Rudy NJ Job Developer

Well, sometimes the handwriting is on the wall so that’s when it’s easy, but when it’s not it can be a difficult decision. Markets fluctuate often, businesses are cyclical, so being able to ride those dips is important. Often starting something new “resets the clock” and that can make maintaining a certain lifestyle even more difficult, so the decision to make a career change is a tough one. My father Abe Rudy A”H used to say, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Be happy doing what you do. For those lucky enough to be in a field that they’re passionate about, when that passion is gone, when work “feels like a chore,” maybe then is a good time to consider a career change.

Is it ever too late to make a career change?

I would say, no. You are never too old to learn something new, find passion in something that you’ve never done before, or to finally chase down that role that you always wanted. We should strive to learn something new every day, so exploring a new career can easily be a part of that.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IT’S TIME TO MOVE ON FROM A JOB?

Celia Shasho-Blecher Job Developer

Generally, I think there are a few ways to tell that you may be in need of some change. Firstly, feeling stagnant in your position, and that there isn’t much room for growth. Next, feeling ready to take on something new in your current area or explore a totally different area than the one you are currently in. Of course, needing more income is a huge factor for many; moving positions can often offer an opportunity to negotiate a higher salary with a potential employer. And finally, working in an environment that you do not enjoy, including feeling like you have a toxic relationship with your co-workers.

The SBH Career Division offers daily computer classes that teach computer skills that help the individual gain more experience to find a job or excel in their current role. They are determined to help members of our community find jobs, whether through resume building, referrals, and even by directly contacting a business. Reach out to the Career Division at www.sbhcareer.org to get help today!

Sophia Safdieh Waingort is the development marketing manager at SBH. She has recently graduated from Sarah Lawrence with a Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction.

3 CRITICAL ANSWERS FOR ENTREPRENEURS READY TO SCALE OVER $1M

ARI BAUM CFP®

AS YOU GROW YOUR BUSINESS TO $1 MILLION AND BEYOND, THE TEAMS AND SYSTEMS THAT GOT YOU TO YOUR MILLION-DOLLAR GOAL AREN’T GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO GET YOU TO YOUR NEXT GOAL.

You’ve probably read a number of books on taxes and how to reduce them. You’re already aware of many tax-saving strategies, such as maxing out retirement and HSA accounts, taking all the deductions you’re entitled to, and hiring your children.

Instead of stressing over taxes and trying to figure out ways to save on them, you get the most “bang for your buck” from working on your business and generating strategies for success. In order to scale, you might need some advice to help you achieve your next big revenue goal.

SCALING QUESTION #1
Are your taxes too high relative to revenue?
The past few years have revealed how little tax billionaires pay, which has made quite a few people angry! Yet, you provide jobs for people in your community and contribute to the economy, so there’s no reason for you to pay too much in taxes either.

Every time you pay your quarterly estimates you might be wondering if you’re paying too much. Is it worth the money to hire an employee who could potentially save you more on taxes or to spend your own valuable time on something that isn’t a key strength of yours? Being able to look at the big picture will help you determine whether or not you’re spending too much money given your revenue.

SCALING QUESTION #2
Realistically, what is your capacity for growth?
When you look at your numbers, do they tell you that you’re ready to scale? You might need to build out some infrastructure in terms of systems. As an example, if your financial operations still involve spreadsheets, you’ve got some work to do if you want to scale!

Be objective about what kind of growth you can sustain with your current team and operations. What needs to change as you ascend to the next peak in your business?

SCALING QUESTION #3
Will your current team help you achieve the growth you want?
Do your current employees have some slack in their day, which enables them to take on new responsibilities, or are they already at max capacity? If the latter, you could be headed for burnout.

If you are spending too much time on administrative work, trying to squeeze out a few more drops from tax and expense savings, you’re most likely wasting money. But you’re also wasting valuable time that would be better served by you creating new strategies for growth, and all the things that only you as the business owner can do.

SCALE YOUR NEXT PEAK WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS AND TEAMS
As an entrepreneur, you’ve already reached a significant revenue peak, but you don’t want to stop there. You’ve got goals for growing your business, and you know you’ll need the right tools and teamwork to get there. You also know you’ve got to ensure your financials are ready for your business to grow.

As you’re planning your growth to reach the next revenue peak, you might wonder if you have the full team you need to take you higher.

You’ve taken the first smart step toward scaling your business past the $1 million mark. Now it’s time to take the next one by enlisting a financial professional who is on your side and capable of advising your growth-oriented business.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information and is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. Discuss your specific tax situation with a qualified tax professional. Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. 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.

“YOU ARE NOT ALONE,” THESE ARE THE COMPASSIONATE WORDS PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS HEAR WHEN THEY MEET WITH CARE. NO LONGER ALONE. NO LONGER ISOLATED AND CONFUSED. THIS IS THE MISSION OF CARE AND IT EXECUTES THIS MISSION IN A PLETHORA OF WAYS.

CARE’s initiatives focus on the child with special needs and their families, “connecting-the-dots” and guiding them with the resources they need to function and thrive as a family. Upon meeting with the CARE team, families receive a clearly explained comprehensive list of government services, an array of therapeutic modalities, and a list of different special education programs, all tailor made to their child. There are options for extra support in the classroom, mental health services, as well as physical aid with daily activities. In addition, CARE offers a connection to a community of families with struggles like theirs and a year-round calendar of social events that help everyone recharge and reconnect. CARE is dedicated to improving the quality of life of a child with special needs as well as their parents and siblings.

CARE has created a strong global partnership working closely with hundreds of institutions to connect, support, and advocate on behalf of over 450 families with special needs children, with a wide range of partners, institutions, agencies and special education schools to ensure that every child living with special needs receives the opportunity to flourish.

CARE EVENTS
“At CARE, we believe that the child with special needs and every family member deserves a boost to help them get through their daily struggles. That’s why our events are aimed at being wholesome and fun—never anything less,” says Sara Horowitz, director at CARE. Our events are designed to be both informative and enjoyable and the perfect opportunity for the child with special needs, siblings and parents to bond with friends and make new ones, all who share similar struggles.

Over the last few months, CARE planned and organized several major events with the help of dedicated volunteers and gracious donors. Whether it was a parent event, community event, siblings or special needs event, the energy was palpable as many strong bonds were formed and foundational life lessons absorbed.

Over 3,000 community members attended the Annual CARE DAY event on July 4th led by Abie Saka. It was a time when the community joined together to support the special needs community. It was a free event open to all and included baseball tournaments, rides, carnival games, barbecue, autograph signing and photo op with Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, a Chinese auction, exotic foods and endless fun for all!

The sisters of children with special needs got treated like royalty as they were pampered with shimmery makeup and glittery stars at our Girls Make Over Party graciously hosted by Daniel and Grace Serouya in July. The girls enjoyed a CARE Salon where each princess got her hair, makeup and nails professionally done, followed by a photo shoot and jewelry making.

The sisters of children with special needs got treated like royalty as they were pampered with shimmery makeup and glittery stars at our Girls Make Over Party graciously hosted by Daniel and Grace Serouya in July. The girls enjoyed a CARE Salon where each princess got her hair, makeup and nails professionally done, followed by a photo shoot and jewelry making.

Community members and donors were engaged at the beautiful Friday morning Fundraiser Event at the home of Harry and Alice Adjmi. This featured inspirational words from Harry and Alice, as well as Rabbi Eli Mansour, Rabbi David Ozeri and Barbara Sutton—a mother who spoke about her challenges in dealing with a child with special needs.

The most adorable 7th grade girls from Yeshivah of Flatbush were passionate about raising money for a great cause like CARE. They arranged a Puppy Event where children with special needs got to swim, interact and play with cute little puppies alongside a pizza bar, ice cream bar, and tasty buffet. Each 7th grader was paired with a special needs child to understand the needs of children with disabilities. They then presented CARE with a check for $2,000 that they raised throughout the summer.

We provided a “wow” experience by transforming the backyard of Soli and Sheryl Mizrahi for our Parents Epic Night Out. Parents enjoyed connecting and inspiring each other while “the modern mentalist,” Kevin Nicholas, entertained them with impressive mind reading tricks. Meyer Safdieh, founder of CARE, delivered words of hizzuk (encouragement) for parents and provided them with the necessary confidence they need to deal with the unique challenges they face.

The excitement in the air was tangible as siblings of children with special needs enjoyed an End-of-the-Summer Siblings Event loaded with high energy fun. From a magic show to bubble show, splatter paint and lavish lunch, it was a perfect day where siblings got to dance it out, laugh and feel special too. So much time and energy are spent on the child with special needs that the siblings may feel “left out.” CARE’s siblings’ events ensure that they get that extra bit of attention that they need.

CARE events create the perfect environment for families of children with special needs and promote friendship and positivity—all while having an unforgettable time!

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT
The need for CARE is expanding as the phones don’t stop ringing; parents call reaching out for help as new challenges arise within their families. CARE is hiring additional loving and sensitive CARE advisors to hold the hands of parents and transform lives in our community.

Looking ahead as the winter nears, CARE has arranged a full schedule of after school programs for children with special needs and their siblings at their newly renovated and brightly designed CARE center at 1977 Coney Island Avenue.

If you need CARE’s assistance, or you would like to partner with CARE in making a life changing difference to hundreds of families living with special needs, call 718.975.7171 or email info@careforspecial.org.