KELLY JEMAL MASSRY

SINCE 1996, GESHER YEHUDA, A COMMUNITY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH LANGUAGE-BASED LEARNING DIFFERENCES, HAS BEEN ENABLING STUDENTS TO FEEL SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR STUDIES. “THE ATTITUDE IS NOT ‘I CAN’T,’ BUT ‘I CAN,’” SAID GESHER YEHUDA PRINCIPAL, MRS. DEBORAH KATZ. “NOT ONLY IS IT: ‘I CAN, BUT ALSO HOW CAN I?’”

Established by Jack and Claude Setton, the school was founded upon the belief that with the right educational approach and the right therapies, even atypical learners can succeed. At Gesher, the stigma often associated with therapy has been banished completely. Services that are offered are seen as enriching and beneficial to students. The hope is that, with this extensive support in place, many of Gesher Yehuda’s current students can eventually be mainstreamed when it is in the best interest of the child. Most important is that when a child becomes fully integrated into a mainstream school his self-esteem has risen, he has learned new skills, and has developed a positive image about himself. “Building self-confidence inside a structured academic program is critical to our work,” said Executive Director, Dr. Eugene Miller. “Self confidence is essential to success in education as it is in life.”

Gesher Yehuda’s student population ranges from kindergarten through eighth grade. There is both a special ed teacher and an assistant teacher present in every classroom and a rotator for core components like reading, math and some Hebrew subjects. Instruction is group-based, with evaluators assessing every few weeks to determine whether students should go up or down in level. Smaller class sizes ensure that the focus remains on the whole child and that each individual’s needs are catered to. The curriculum is on par with the mainstream public schools but simplified so that students are grounded in foundational skills. While an abundance of therapies are available as needed, these services are never given while core subjects are being taught. Therapy is designed to enhance and support the academic program.

“We have the most wonderful team, with the most current curriculum, and the best services in the community,” said Gesher reading specialist Sheri Harari. At Gesher, reading specialists provide intervention in both Hebrew and English, using a variety of research-based, multisensory programs. There are also four speech therapists on premises, two occupational therapists, one physical therapist, one psychologist and one social worker. Speech therapy emphasizes language and expression. The occupational therapists conduct a program called Neuronet, where the students are directed in movement-based activities while being asked to follow instructions. In this way, the children’s comprehension is cemented kinesthetically. The psychologist deals with school-wide behavioral challenges, while the social worker sees each student individually. “Each child comes with different issues that need to be addressed,” said Sheri. “We really are a team here. All of the therapists work together really well. We are constantly bouncing ideas off of the educational administrators and collaborating together.”

This is all done for the benefit of the children—students who may struggle in other environments at Gesher find that their behavioral challenges dissipate because they have finally found a place where they belong. “The kids are so polite and respectful because they know what is expected of them,” said current principal Deborah Katz. Gesher’s standards can be summed up in the three C’s—Compliance, Completing Work and Courteous Speech. Comporting themselves well, they are told, is the first step to becoming an admirable student—a stature they are expected to exhibit both on school grounds and out in the world. To cement this lesson inside and outside of the classroom, students are routinely taken on field trips— excursions that invigorate their senses, like rock climbing and trampoline jumping—as a form of reward. “Two or three weeks of learning can take place in one day when you’re out of the classroom,” said Mrs. Katz, reinforcing just how valuable these trips are as a method of holistic learning. “The goal is to educate the kids and give them skills that they can take with them wherever they go.”

“Every staff member believes positively in the students’ futures,” said the school’s Administrative Director Shirley Mansour. “Gesher Yehuda is such a warm, beautiful, happy place to be. Anybody that walks in feels that we are a family here.” The vibe at Gesher and the feeling of connectedness that students experience is evident in the way they come back, often years later, to say thank you. “Former alumni have such fond memories and always stop by to say hello. They love us. Some of our alumni are now parents of kids in the school. They have become thriving adults, loving parents, and successful businessmen. To us, that is the true measure of success—how they turn out,” said Mrs. Mansour.

Prospective parents and supporters of the school are encouraged to come down and see Gesher for themselves. Those who visit will soon see that the model Gesher student is one with self-confidence. A Gesher Yehuda education is a way of giving children everything they need—academic rigor, love, support, guidance and most importantly belief in themselves.

Kelly Jemal Massry holds a B.A. from Barnard College, an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College and an Ms.Ed from Bank Street College. She is a writer, reading specialist and bookstore owner.

PLAY BALL

BARKAI YESHIVAH HELD ITS 2ND ANNUAL NAOMI HOULLOU A”H YOUTH BASEBALL TOURNAMENT IN EARLY MAY. IT WAS ORGANIZED BY BARKAI PARENT & BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBER STEVEN J. GINDI, AND 2ND THROUGH 5TH GRADE BOYS, THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, WERE INVITED TO ENJOY A SPRING AFTERNOON PLAYING BASEBALL.

The day was planned for the children and parents to come together, spend time outdoors and have fun on the field. Participants were given jerseys and the goals of the day were simple—get the children excited and moving, bring the community together in a safe organized environment and raise money for an amazing yeshivah. With gratitude to our wonderful generous sponsors, the entire program was offered free of charge to participants who were able to contribute an optional donation.

The children filed into Gravesend Park with smiles on their faces eager to get onto the field. They greeted familiar faces, made new friends and listened to a few words from Mr. Gindi about the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork before getting started. Split into four teams, the boys sported their custom jerseys representing popular breakfast cereals—Cocoa Puffs, Fruit Loops, Cap’n Crunch and Frosted Flakes. Paired with strong parent coaches— Abie Azar, Jack Esses, Raymond Esses, Saulie Cohen and Michael Soloman—the teams worked together to encourage one another, help each other and have a good time. Spirits were high and smiles were all around during each game as sportsmanship was a key component to the success of the day.

The sounds of the batters making contact with the ball, catches being made by fielders and players encouraging one another were incredible. “The pitches and refs were good. It was fun to play and I hit a home run!” expressed one player.

To the action we go: Frosted Flakes coming in as the heavy favorite, were shell shocked by the stifling Loops defense in the semifinals. In the other matchup, the heavy underdog Cap’n’ Crunch bunch, nearly pulled the upset of the day. In the bottom of the last inning the Puffs walked it off sending squad coocoo heading into the finals.

Led by captain Marc Azar, the Loops defeated team Cocoa Puffs (who looked all puffed out), in a lopsided finale. Team Fruit Loops took home the glass championship trophies! Congratulations to the winners and Coach Azar for taking home the win!

As the event came to a close, awards were distributed and a raffle drawn. Congratulations to Jamie Harary on winning an authentic Jacob Degrom Mets jersey! Awards were given to those who portrayed the very best in their field. The Gold Glove Award went to Sammy Shamah, the Most Valuable Player trophy was given to Elliot Shammah and the Slugger Award went to Daniel Waingort. Congratulations to Nathan Salem on taking home the Sportsmanship Award.

Thank you to our sponsors without whom this day would not have been possible. Thank you also to the many volunteers who assisted with all the details which made the day so wonderful for the attendees.

HILLEL YESHIVA MIDDLE SCHOOL HOSTED A HISTORICALLY GREAT YOM HA’ATZMAUT CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF ISRAEL’S SEVENTY-FOURTH BIRTHDAY ON MAY 5TH. THE MUSEUM EXPO PROGRAM LED BY THE SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADERS INCLUDED MANY HIGHLIGHTS, LIKE A RECREATION OF THE MAHANE YEHUDA SHUK, AN IDF BASIC TRAINING WORKSHOP, A SHEMITAH FARM AND MUCH, MUCH MORE.

Even more impressive than the experience created by the students, was the backstory and process from which this idea emanated. The story behind the Yom Ha’atzmaut Expo began this past summer when four Hillel Yeshiva Middle School administrators and teachers were fortunate enough to attend a week-long professional development seminar on the topic of integrating a student based inquiry learning approach to project based learning.

This seminar, Ti-Tech@MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), funded by a national foundation which supports Jewish day school education, trained the Hillel cohort in the student-centered methodology. And Hillel had to choose a school enhancement project to implement the methodology. Hillel chose Israeli education.

“We knew we wanted to do a better job teaching about Israel. We wanted to go above and beyond the facts about Israel. We wanted to challenge our students to really think about what Israel means to them. And thus was born, “What’s Your Israel? A Middle School Exhibit,” said Middle School Assistant Principal, Rabbi Ike Hanon.

The process began with focussing on the methodology, with the students engaging in activities to stimulate their inquiries. Using low-tech tools like post-its, construction paper and a “picture walk,” where students were introduced to a series of pictures which related indirectly to Israel and they needed to make their own conclusions based on these pictures. Students worked in groups to create a visual of what their Israel might look like. They then picked an area of interest about Israel that they would like to explore. Topic choices ranged from technology, agriculture, holy sites, food and culture, history and politics, religion and more.

Perhaps the most pivotal step in the process of growing the idea into a transformative expo experience was partnering with lay leadership. Mrs. Rivky Eidleman, Hillel Middle School Assistant Principal, reached out to Hillel parent and acclaimed event planner, Mrs. Doris Dwek, for insight and leadership in helping the students create the event. The rest is history.

“Doris was amazing,” said Mrs. Eidelman. “She generously gave of her time and resources to help the children achieve their goals. One of my favorite parts of the process was watching the children present their ideas to Doris. She gave each student committee the respect and time they needed to articulate their vision. She asked them targeted questions to challenge them to refine their ideas. “This is design thinking at its best,” said Mrs. Eidelman.

For Mrs. Dyan Levy, a Middle School math and science teacher, the collaborative process in which students engaged was most impressive. “I loved watching students from different grades and different circles working together to create this experience,” she said. “We literally were in the building until 11 p.m. finalizing details for the program. Teachers enjoyed working with students, from all different backgrounds and levels, all united by their desire to bring Israel a little closer to the community,” she continued.

Mrs. Danielle Sitt, a recent graduate of Stern College’s education program is trained in current progressive practices like project based learning. She was happy to recreate the feeling of being in Israel for the Hillel Yeshiva community. “Walking into the shuk, smelling the spices, hearing the sounds and tasting the foods actually gave me the sensation of being in Israel,” she said.

This amazing and emotional program, in which the faculty and students invested over five months, concluded on Friday morning, after Yom Ha’atzmaut. Teachers, families and students gathered under their shuk, to share words and gifts of appreciation, then joined together to sign Acheinu, in the hope that this project would truly continue to achieve its goal of bringing the community together, united by their love of Israel. L’Shana HaBa’ah B’Yerushalayim (next year in Jerusalem).

PHOTOS: YEHUDA JOFFE / C. SCHVARCZ PHOTOGRAPHY

YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH (YOF) AND THE GREATER COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 4TH. THOUSANDS GATHERED AT THE FORD AMPHITHEATER ALONG THE CONEY ISLAND BOARDWALK TO PARTICIPATE IN YOF’S YOM HAZIKARON PROGRAM AND YOM HA’ATZMAUT CONCERT FEATURING THE FAMOUS SINGER YAAKOV SHWEKEY.

The warmth of the Flatbush family was palpable as students, parents, faculty, and the community at large—a total of more than 4,000 attendees—filled the theater.

Flatbush’s deep-rooted connection to Medinat Yisrael was exhibited as alumna Cynthia Benun addressed the crowd. Benun recently served in the sniper and counterterrorism units of the IDF. After her speech, 14 current YOF staff members and one alumnus who all also served in the IDF, marched down the aisles, while proudly carrying each of their unit’s flags. Guests took part in a moving candle lighting ceremony and observed a moment of silence for the fallen soldiers.

“While our community consists of so many beautifully diverse families, one idea truly unites us all—the Land of Israel. The greatest and most significant miracle our people have witnessed in the last 2,000 years is only 74 years young. While we sit physically far away from our home, our hearts and minds reside in the East. We must never forget the revealed presence of Hashem that we witnessed then and continue to witness. We must continue to show our eternal hakarat hatov, our deep appreciation, with hallel and hoda’ah and continue to pray that we will soon celebrate in Yerushalayim HaBenuya together,” expressed Elementary School Head of School Rabbi Yahel Tsaidi.

Joel Braverman High School Head of School Rabbi Joseph Beyda led a special Tefillah Arvit Chagigit, the prayers instituted by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

After the somber commemoration ceremony, the cheerful Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration began with Yaakov Shwekey singing his popular hits, as students hugged each other and wrapped themselves up in Israeli flags. The room was dotted with blue and white and enveloped in bright lights as guests danced along to the music. Guests were treated to both the Elementary School choir, led by Ricky Sasson, and the High School choir, led by Mordy Weinstein, and were happy to sing along to the popular tunes.

Yaakov Shwekey performed an illuminating and inspiring show, joined by the thousands of voices who all knew the words to his songs. YOF 5th grader Jack Hidary was the second star of the show, as he belted out “Kol HaNeshama” to an appreciative audience, in honor of his father, YOF President and alumnus Abie J. Hidary. Shwekey joined him on stage at the end of the song.

The overall experience of the evening was designed to create the same look and feel of the celebrations that happen in Israel. To set the mood, candy, Israeli drinks, falafel and other Israeli snacks were sold at an authentically-decorated, Israeli-style shuk at the event. The event was the joint vision of Rabbi Tsaidi, Rabbi Joseph Beyda, and YOF Executive Director Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Rothman.

“This program was a landmark event for the Yeshivah community. Under one tent, the entire Flatbush family congregated to celebrate one of our core values, Medinat Yisrael,” shared Rabbi Beyda.

The evening was intended to be one of the most powerful celebrations of Yom Ha’Atzmaut outside of Israel. YOF Events Coordinator Hana Hasson tirelessly planned the evening along with YOF faculty members Rachel Winkler, Sally Shatzkes, Iris Bukobza, Esther Chehova, Iris Sabtaniy, and YOF volunteers Sophia Shamash and Sarah Tawil. The Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration was dedicated by the Mamiye family.

The Last Chief Rabbi of Aleppo, Hacham Yom Tob Yedid, Who Led His People With Courage & Strength

Who was Hacham Yom Tob Yedid? Most people respond to this question with awe, tinged with warmth or fear or both. They talk about his single-minded devotion to Torah, his unbelievable hatmadah, his kedushah, his roar.

His roar? “Like a lion. If a person acted disrespectfully in shul or to a talmid hacham, Hacham Yom Tob called him out. He was not afraid of anyone. Back in Halab, he even put people in herem,” recalled his talmidim fondly.

Fondly?

Yes, fondly.

For it was that uncompromising loyalty to Hashem that kept them strong. While living under a totalitarian government, bereft of mentors and peers of his caliber, with a skeletal collection of sefarim, Hacham Yom Tob became a talmid hacham, trained the next generation of hachamim, and kept his people loyal to Hashem so that, when they finally arrived in the free world—decades after most other Jews—they helped rejuvenate the communities that they entered.

“He was like a hacham of the previous generations,” was another refrain.

He was a dayan, hazzan, sho’het, mo’hel, sofer, and trained others as well. He taught every man and boy in the community, and knew each one by name. He spent every moment either serving his kehillah, or learning Torah, to the point where he did not attend the weddings of his own grandchildren for more than 10 minutes.

And, above all else, he “roared” for the sake of Heaven. In his lifetime, Hacham Yom Tob did not have to “roar” often. He achieved a level where people were afraid of him before he roared.

And now he looks down, from his exalted place, and sees the children and grandchildren of his talmidim learning in yeshivot. He sees all the Torah being learned in Shaare Zion, all the talmideh hachamim coming out of his community, and The Last Lion “roars” with victory and happiness.

In a saga that spans more than a century, For the Sake of Heaven, a brand new biography published by ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications, takes us on an epic journey from Halab of old, to tree-lined Brooklyn streets. With its fascinating twists and turns, this biography about Hacham Yom Tob Yedid, written by Devora Gliksman, author of the bestselling Nouri, reads almost like a novel, leaving us awed as we see so clearly the impact of one who devotes his life to teaching and studying Torah.

Read this book to be inspired by this incredible story of heroism, courage and the power granted to one who is totally devoted to Torah. The book is available at your local Hebrew bookstore, at artscroll.com, or by calling 1.800.Mesorah.

RABBIS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND OVER 700 PEOPLE ENJOYED A BEAUTIFUL AND INSPIRING EVENING IN HONOR OF COMMUNITY IDF VETERANS AND THE STATE OF ISRAEL. ON MAY 4TH, DSN HOSTED ITS LARGEST INDOOR COMMUNITY EVENT TO A SOLD-OUT CAPACITY—MAKING IT A RECORD BREAKING EVENING.

Guests arriving to DSN were greeted by large Israeli banners hung in the entranceway. Walking on an Israel-blue carpet, each child was handed an Israeli flag to wave. Once in the DSN gymnasium, it was thrilling to behold hundreds of seats covering the expanse, plus a huge stage with a professional lighting setup for a true concert performance. Excitement was in the air as the room filled up. Then at 8 P.M. sharp, a spectacular light show signaled the beginning of the show.

Norman Jemal was the Master of Ceremony, the perfect fit with humor, anecdotes, and brevity. He began by thanking DSN’s numerous sponsors for the evening and introduced Rabbi David Tawil of the Larchwood Synagogue. The Rabbi told the crowd that it was “a night of celebration, a night of joy, a night of happiness.” He thanked DSN “for putting such a wonderful night together, something our community needs to do and has been waiting to do for so long. Chazak U’baruch!” He encouraged everyone to be proud of their Jewish identity. “As we celebrate, as we sing, as we enjoy in happiness this great miracle, this most awesome of miracles that Hashem has provided, make sure that you recognize you are a Jew wherever you are.”

Then the Larchwood Boys Choir was introduced. The group was organized and led by Mr. Abie Betesh and consisted of Eli Braha, Isaac Braha, Robert Dweck, Bruce Epstein, Joseph Jemal, Isaac Khodari, Joseph Simhon, Maurice Zalta and Joseph Zekaria. This impressive choir gave a special performance, singing Israeli songs, beautifully and melodically.

Next, 10 community members who had served in the Israeli Defense Forces, including the Six-Day War of 1967, were called up to the stage. They were thanked and honored, while pictures of them in the IDF were shown on the gymnasium screen. After a long applause for the veterans, a somber moment of silence was taken for the fallen soldiers and those killed in terrorist attacks.

Community member Tally Grazi, whose parents were among the IDF honorees, shared the sentiment she felt. “It was the most wonderful evening. Honoring the present and former soldiers of the IDF brought us to tears. My parents had never been publicly acknowledged or thanked for their service. Now, at their ripe and blessed ages of 80, that is no longer the case. My dad turned 81 on this very Yom Ha’atzmaut and DSN just gave him the best gift of all.”

Finally, the main attraction came to the stage, Gad Elbaz and his band. Gad’s performance was an epic, magical and emotional way to celebrate Israel. The lighting and sound effects were sensational. Audience members were waving their flags, singing along, and smiling from ear to ear. When he sang his most famous songs, such as “Hashem Melech,” the noise from the gymnasium was unprecedented.

Stephanie Kaplan brought her family to the event. She was elated. “We enjoyed celebrating Israel’s independence and were so impressed DSN secured the talent of Gad Elbaz for entertainment. This yearly celebration now has a home at DSN.”

DSN’s Youth Director Frieda Shamah exclaimed, “It was an unbelievable night for the community as DSN brought amazing energy to Deal! We seized the night and made it extraordinary!” The excitement in the room was palpable. These are the moments when one looks around and realizes happiness is this moment in time, this night at DSN.

All of DSN’s greatest events tend to start with a small idea. This one was no different. One month earlier, on April 5, DSN held its annual extended board meeting, encompassing staff, board members and community members looking to become more involved. Inspired by the meeting, community members Honey Dayan and Jacqueline Musry expressed their vision of offering a Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration for the entire community. Over the next few weeks, they collaborated with DSN’s staff on every detail. Their vision was fulfilled to perfection.

Honey was overwhelmed with emotion. “It was an event for the entire community to celebrate the miracle that is the State of Israel. DSN’s amazing team brought this event to life in just 4 weeks. I am completely blown away by DSN.” Jacqueline was blunt about working with DSN. “I’m not sure this would have happened if it wasn’t for the incredible DSN team. Thank you so much for working with us and making this night so special!”

As next year marks the 75th anniversary of Israel, Honey is already thinking ahead. She’s excited. “I can’t wait to see what we can do together with a whole year of planning. See you then!”

CHANI KAHAN

“AS I WALKED THE HALLS OF BHI, THE SOUND OF CHILDREN LEARNING, SMILING AND CONNECTING WAS EXHILERATING,” MS. ADINA FENDEL SAID. “CREATING A SAFE, HAPPY ENVIRONMENT FOR KIDS TO LEARN IN IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO ME, AND I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE THIS PERMEATING THE HALLS OF BHI. I AM TRULY LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING A PART OF THIS AMAZING TEAM.”

Ms. Fendel is the renowned “Morah Fendel” who spent 18 years teaching in YCQ. Simultaneously, she is the women’s director of Emet Outreach—both of these positions have made her intimately familiar and connected with the Queens community.

Next year she will be joining Be’er Hagolah as the Judaic Studies Educational Coordinator for Elementary School.

Rabbi Mordechai German, Dean of BHI, said, “We are thrilled to bring on Morah Fendel as the Elementary School Judaic Studies Educational Coordinator. She joins BHI at an exciting time as we continue to realize our vision of building a BHI that helps ensure a bright future for all our students.”

ACADEMIC SUCCESS COMES FROM WARMTH
“We live in a confusing world,” said Ms. Fendel. “Our children are searching for structure and love.” Her goal as a teacher has always been to build children with success.

“Children should feel cool for succeeding, not acting out,” she added. “They need a structured classroom filled with love and positive reinforcement. They should feel happy to go to school, that is a safe place for them.” And this is exactly what Be’er Hagolah parents want.

“My kids have gone from having to go to school to wanting to go to school. They’re waiting for it,” said BHI parent Victoria Kol. If any of her kids have a problem, their rabbi is on call to solve it.

“In the beginning, I was very concerned because I thought that in public school, the academic level is higher. But I was wrong – they really care about the academic status. Be’er Hagolah students are ready to graduate and go to college,” Victoria says.

She continued, “I think when kids learn how to respect parents and respect the rabbis, it affects their whole life. They just think twice before they do something. It’s a very loving and caring environment. It’s just a second family.”

A SOLID EDUCATION IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT
“What makes Be’er Hagolah attractive to parents is that they know their children are getting a solid education in a safe environment,” said Rabbi Mordechai German, Dean of Be’er Hagolah.

“They learn and are safe,” said Zina Khaimov, a BHI parent.

“They’re around their own people, and they feel love from the rebbeim and teachers. My son in high school has his favorite rabbis that he could just go over and talk to—you don’t get that in public school,” she concluded.

READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD
Most BHI parents want their children to be educated, attend college, and embark on professional careers. Their children get that in BHI – but they also get much more.

“It’s not just that they’re ready for college. It’s that they’re ready to take on the world, whether it’s college, whether it’s going into business—whatever they want to do, they’re ready for it,” stated Michael Nisanov, a BHI father.

That’s exactly what Rabbi German is aiming for. “A graduate of Be’er Hagolah will not only be college-ready, but also life-ready,” said Rabbi German.

He believes that a strong education must include a focus on the social and emotional growth of the child. And every day, his staff builds an incredible support system to give over personal and life skills to each student.

“In the morning, sometimes I bring my son here, and I see Rabbi German standing in front of the school greeting the children,” said Erit Semah, another BHI parent, adding, “They really care about giving them values—family values—and teaching them middot tovot.”

INSPIRING STUDENTS TO GO FURTHER
“Be’er Hagolah actually offers the great combination of religious and secular education. Coming from a communist country, I could never imagine that my kids could be obtaining an education which is much superior to any secular education. They’re really inspiring students to further advance education in different areas,” said BHI parent Daniel Lerner.

Just about every BHI student goes on to college, and many become professionals in the career of their choice.

Graduates are going to nurse school, PA school, occupational therapy, speech therapy, becoming dentists and lawyers. This is the pride of BHI.

Chani Kahan is a copywriter who helps nonprofits to reach the heart of their target market with memorable copy. Before starting her freelance business, Chani worked as the Associate Editor of The Circle children’s magazine. After a successful career planning creative content and working with writers, Chani now researches and writes campaign-focused copy for nonprofits.

A SELF-MOTIVATED WOMAN WITH A SUPPORTIVE HUSBAND

SARINA FOFFÉ

FRANCINE DWECK’S VOLUNTEER JOURNEY BEGAN IN 1972 AS A BROWNIE LEADER WHEN HER DAUGHTER VALERIE JOINED THE BROWNIES, AT SEVEN YEARS OLD. AFTER THAT, THEY BOTH MOVED ON TO THE GIRL SCOUTS. “I LOVED DOING PROJECTS WITH THE GIRLS THAT HELPED THEM TO GET THEIR BADGES,” SAID FRANCINE, WHO ROSE IN THE SCOUT RANKS TO BECOME COOKIE CHAIR FOR BROOKLYN’S SOUTHERN DISTRICT.

“I remember, I was very young, maybe 7 years old, and our garage was full of boxes of cookies,” said Francine’s son Morris A. Dweck. “I sold Girl Scout cookies door to door.”

Francine joined the PTA at PS 236, and then at Roy H, Mann Junior High, following her daughter through grade school. In 1979, Valerie was a freshman at Sephardic High School when Francine became president of the first PTA. By the time Valerie finished high school, Francine joined the Sephardic Community Center family as part of the Adult Education Committee.

In a very few years at the Center, with Francine’s leadership qualities and ideas, she formed the Special Events Program; and with a great bunch of women, ran many beautiful events. In 1985, with an audience of hundreds of women, she chaired the Generations Fashion Show; and then the Beautiful Table. In 1986, she chaired the Boutique Showcase with over 50 venders, an event she managed for a decade. The list of events she planned for at the Center grew and included Book Fairs, Gourmet Expos, Back to Bradley Beach, and The Generations and Celebrations shows. Each had between 300 and 400 participants, and audiences of several thousands of our community’s members.

“I am a people person,” Francine said. “I love talking to people and I was able to recruit volunteers to help with events. Many of my volunteers grew to be chairwomen of different departments at the Center. It was very gratifying to be part of their learning experience.”

Francine became part of the Center’s Board of Directors in 1986, while continuing to run many special events, overseeing all details to make each event successful, she became concerned about the needs of special children. She organized “Just for Me” in 1998, a program for children with learning disabilities, hiring special education teachers for the program.

Francine was also interested in travel and wrote about the trips she took with her family and husband Albert, who was president of Congregation Kol Israel. The first trip she wrote about was a Passover trip the family took together in 2000. IMAGE readers have enjoyed Francine’s articles about their travels.

Other charities Francine worked on included SAFE, managing fundraisers to help them get started, at Stanley and Cookie Chera’s house. She won several awards at the Center and mentored young girls after taking classes in leadership. In 2001, she chaired the social events of the Maccabee Games at the JCC of Deal, New Jersey.

Francine says her motivation started with the Brownies and was encouraged by her husband Albert. She says the most important thing she learned throughout the years was to accept people for who they are. Everyone has a different personality and we need to accept people for what they represent.

“When you are part of a volunteer core never say ‘I’, everything is ‘we’; it shows you are working as a team and respect each other’s contributions. If someone asks a question, tell them you’ll find out the answer and get back to them.

“I loved working with the professionals. Their outlooks on life were different; and I learned to respect people who came from different backgrounds. Their lessons were invaluable and a great part of who I am today.”

Francine Dweck had modest beginnings, living in an apartment house on Ocean Parkway with her siblings and parents, Harold and Violet Sutton. She went to PS 215, Boody JHS and Lincoln High School. Her parents gave her respectable character traits such as honest work habits, a taste for learning and how to be responsible and give to her community.

All three Dweck children learned from their parents. Today, Morris works closely with Rabbi Eli Mansour, helping build a new synagogue; he created Torah.org, and is a founder of YDE and Community Security Alliance. Valerie is an Assistant Teacher at Reach for the Stars, and Harold works closely with Sephardic Bikur Holim. And of course, Francine’s husband Albert continues to work for this community in many capacities.

The experience of working with people, organizing and planning inspired Francine to do more and be of service to the community she loves dearly. She is truly an inspiration to others.

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

ARI BAUM, CFP®

WHAT’S THE HARDEST LESSON YOU’VE EVER HAD TO LEARN ABOUT MONEY? WHAT’S THE MOST POWERFUL ONE? FOR MANY FOLKS, THESE LESSONS COME FROM HARD-EARNED EXPERIENCE. THEY AREN’T TAUGHT IN A CLASSROOM. INSTEAD, MANY FOLKS GO TO THE SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS. IT’S THE LEARN-AS-YOU-GO WAY TO UNDERSTANDING PERSONAL FINANCE. AND THOSE LESSONS WE PICK UP CAN SHAPE HOW WE THINK ABOUT AND HANDLE MONEY. THEY CAN STICK WITH US FOR LIFE.

So, what are the money lessons that you are never too young to know? Are there any that you still have to learn or better at? Let’s find out. These essential finance lessons aren’t typically taught in school, but they’re still incredibly valuable to know as early as possible. And they can take some people a lifetime to learn.

LIFE’S BIG MONEY LESSONS
What Do You Know & What Do You Need To Learn?

1. Accountability Is Key
   Financial accountability means responsibility, honesty, and recognizing how your choices affect your financial outcomes. It requires planning, routine check-ins, knowing the consequences, and a commitment to try again when things don’t go your way.

2. Pay Yourself First
   Invest in your savings, retirement, and insurance before spending on anything else. Make them mandatory expenses. If you do, you can re-order your other spending around these financial priorities.
   Ask Yourself: What do my financial safety nets look like? Am I on track to retire when I want to—or keep enjoying my retirement the way I want to?
   Example: “I’m going to automate monthly deposits into my savings, retirement, and health savings accounts. And I’m going to check in on those deposits quarterly to see if I should make any adjustments.”

3. Money Isn’t The Only Thing
   Wealth gives us options, but money alone won’t fulfill us. Time, relationships, and our well-being can matter far more than money when it comes to our long-term happiness.
   Ask Yourself: When and why do I prioritize money over my relationships or health? How can I change that?
   Example: “To get a better work-life balance, I will not check work emails after a certain time every day, and I’ll commit to getting a certain number of hours of sleep every night.”

4. Understanding Your Money Mindset Is Critical
   A money mindset is the beliefs and attitudes about money that unconsciously shape financial behaviors. Knowing your money mindset can be the first step to improving it and making better financial choices.
   Ask Yourself: When I think about my financial future, do I feel more anxious or optimistic? When I run into a financial issue, do I procrastinate or focus on solutions?
   Example: “When I start feeling stressed about a financial decision or issue, I’ll take a step back and wait until I’m more relaxed to address it.”

5. Don’t Be Intimidated By Your Money
   You do not need to be a personal finance pro to make smart choices for your future. A solid strategy, commitment, and a willingness to learn can go a long way towards financial success.
   Ask Yourself: What aspects of personal finance confuse or overwhelm me? What could I learn more about—taxes, retirement, interest rates, or inflation?
   Example: “I’d like to get a better handle on tax planning or retirement planning, so I’m going to take a class or talk with a professional.”

We have to practice life’s important financial lessons to make them work for us.

FINANCIAL LESSON:
How Money Lessons Help Us Make Sense of Life
Were any of these lessons new for you? Have you heard them all before? Familiar or foreign, learning these lessons about money isn’t like memorizing a simple fact. It’s not a one-and-done deal. It’s more like honing a life skill.

We have to practice life’s important financial lessons to make them actually work for us. And the lessons we need the most can change at any point in life.

In fact, even those of us who are pretty savvy with money still need to reconnect with the key lessons of finance from time to time, because new situations and challenges that test us can pop up at any time.

After all, in life and finance, things can change quickly. That can mean we end up facing new complex financial choices that we never expected. If or when that happens, you don’t have to learn your next important financial lesson the hard way. And you don’t have to jump into any decision blindly or stand at the crossroads alone.

Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This material is for information purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information; no warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability, or usefulness of any information. Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision. This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Ari Baum, CFP® is the founder and CEO of Endurance Wealth Partners, with over a quarter of a century of experience in the Financial Services industry. He brings his in-depth experience to Conceive. Believe. Achieve. for his clients.

Brokerage and Advisory accounts carried by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. Securities and Advisory services offered through Prospera Financial Services Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC.

THIS INSPIRING, LIVE-STREAMED PROGRAM, A CAREER JOURNEY: ANYTHING BUT STRAIGHT AND NARROW, FEATURED MOTHER-DAUGHTER DUO, CYNTHIA (CINDY) ADES AND PAULINE ADES HAYES. IT WAS WONDERFUL TO SEE CINDY’S AND PAULINE’S HUSBANDS IN THE AUDIENCE, EXUDING PRIDE OVER THEIR WIVES’ ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THERE WERE MANY FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS IN THE AUDIENCE AS WELL, CHEERING ON THE PANELISTS!

Alissa Shams, Co-Executive Director of PROPEL, began the program by lighting a candle to recognize Yom Hazikaron, commemorating and honoring all those who gave their lives for the State of Israel.

The program was moderated by PROPEL’s career coach and true superstar, Caroll Dweck Sutton. Caroll began by asking each of the panelists to describe her career journey.

Pauline grew up in Deal and attended Hillel Yeshiva. She said that when she graduated high school, she “somehow convinced her parents to let her go to Binghamton for college.” Pauline majored in accounting and she obtained an internship at Deloitte & Touche. Upon graduation, she secured a full-time position at Deloitte, but, after two years of working there, she realized accounting was not the profession for her. After some self-reflection, Pauline deduced that she really enjoyed mentoring and recruiting. She decided to change her career course! It was not easy, but through networking, Pauline obtained a job as a headhunter, initially focusing on recruiting for accounting and finance positions.

Pauline explained that she took a leap of faith—along with a pay cut—as she pivoted and started down a different career path. After over three years as a headhunter, Pauline ecstatically described that she was fortunate to obtain a position as an in-house recruiter at Capital One. After several years at Capital One, Pauline moved to Google. She is currently a recruiter at Google, where she supports recruiting for senior software engineers. She lives in Englewood with her husband and two children.

Cindy initially worked in the retail industry, but she stopped working when she was married and had children. She was a stay-at-home mother until her youngest child, Pauline, started kindergarten. At that time, Cindy felt it was financially prudent to have a part-time job to help pay for the extras her children needed (such as dance and baseball lessons). As her children grew, Cindy’s part-time position developed into a full-time position in a corporate retail organization, Ritmo Latino, where she held various purchasing responsibilities.

After 14 years of working as a purchasing agent/director, Cindy pivoted into a new role that was offered to her at the time within the same organization. She was offered an opportunity to become a human resources director where she was able to expand her knowledge and experience working on employee benefits, recruiting and hiring, employee relations and payroll. Cindy took a chance with her motto being, “I have nothing to lose!” After three years in that position, she decided she needed a change and focused on obtaining a position doing what she really enjoyed—recruiting and hiring. She feels grateful that others took a chance on her at a large construction engineering company and gave her an opportunity ten years ago by hiring her.

Today, Cindy has extensive experience in human resources, which includes talent acquisition for large global construction and engineering firms. She is truly passionate about the industry and is always looking to learn more, so she can better assist and understand the needs of the business. Her accomplishments include: running recruitment for the entire construction management organization within AECOM, and leading national recruitment for Skanska, including the ramp up of their largest project in history for LaGuardia Airport.

The audience applauded and cheered when Cindy shared that she is in the process of completing her bachelor’s degree! She explained that she was in college when she got engaged to her husband and had put her education on hold.

Caroll asked the panelists about being able to maintain a work-life balance as a woman and mother in the workforce. The panelists stressed that being organized and proactive in terms of meal planning and activities is extremely important. Additionally, Caroll questioned Pauline about how she felt about having a working mother when it was not so traditional for mothers to work in the community. Pauline responded honestly that it took some getting used to, as most of her friends’ moms were home when they got off the school bus. However, Pauline said that her mother was probably more attentive and available than those other moms. Cindy was determined to spend quality time with her family!

In terms of fear of changing a position, Pauline noted that you need to evaluate your general happiness in a position. Cindy shared that you always want to be able to learn and grow at your job.

Imparting very valuable information, Cindy and Pauline shared their five top interviewing tips. (See above.) They also shared key resume tips and general advice. The panelists stressed that it is important to be energetic when interviewing for a position—showing that you are motivated is key. It is also essential to prepare before an interview, researching both the company and position you are applying for.

Additionally, the panelists stressed that you should never stop learning and obtaining new skills. Cindy emphatically mentioned that she was fueled by people who doubted that she could achieve something in the workplace—she made it her goal to prove those people wrong by learning and being diligent!

If you missed this inspirational program, you can still watch it on PROPEL’s Instagram @PropelNetwork!

PROPEL 646-494-0822 | info@thepropelnetwork.org Instagram @PropelNetwork

REACH OUT TO PROPEL
If you are interested in a career or career advice. We can help you take the steps to fulfill your professional goals and dreams.

If you are interested in joining PROPEL’s cohort of mentors in PROPEL’s “Weaving a Network: Women Helping Women” program or being paired with a mentor.

SEFA, SEPHARDIC EDUCATION FOR ALL, IS A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT UNIFYING COMMUNITY RABBIS, INSTITUTIONS, TOP LAWYERS, TAX PROFESSIONALS, AND LAY-LEADERS, ALL JOINING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE OUR COMMON GOAL—A COMMUNITY-WIDE MEMBERSHIP THAT WILL ELIMINATE TUITION.

The program is designed to spread the cost of Torah education across the community to relieve the enormous burden on parents. Contribute $3,000 per year, per person in the family, regardless of age. (Exact amount based on community participation.) If you have four unmarried children—you and your spouse equal six people. The total would be $18,000 for everyone, which is less than the full tuition for one child. We need 60,000 members signed up to launch.

This is a fundamental change in the way our schools are funded. It will be beneficial for the parents, yeshivot, and students. Not just for today; but for future generations as well.

We need the support of everyone in the community to make this happen. It is in our own best interest to lift this burden.

So why should you sign up for SEFA even if you do not have kids in school?

If you are a young adult or a newlywed couple, paying for the membership will seem daunting but still in your best interest. When you are ready to start a family, you will be confronted with serious question:

How can I pay the $25,000 per child for their education?
How are we going to do this?
How does everyone else afford to pay for this?

This moment has happened to every parent in the community at some point, and it will continue to happen—unless we do something about it!

With SEFA, you could be the first generation that won’t experience the tuition nightmare. Now, if you’re already a parent with children in school, this is definitely for you!

We all want to give our children a yeshiva education at the highest level. We don’t want anyone to consider public school because of the high cost of tuition. We don’t have to let tuition make decisions for us anymore. By joining SEFA, we can increase each other’s quality of life by leaving the tuition crisis behind.

But how about those who are already finished paying tuition for their children?

This problem is increasing yearly. Every year tuition is up by 4%. You have already suffered the pains of paying tuition in the past.

What about your children and grandchildren? This is a problem that will not solve itself. And we have the power to solve this now for all future generations.

Even if no hero stepped forward and bailed you out when it was your turn, now you have the chance to be the hero and help save others. We can feel secure knowing that our children and grandchildren will get the yeshiva education they deserve.

So what should you do next?

Now that you have all this information, the next thing to do is go to getsefa.org, sign up, and spread the word by sharing this with your friends and family members.

No payment is necessary to sign up. Don’t wait to sign up. The sooner you sign up, the sooner this will be a reality.

Let’s keep the legacy alive by keeping and supporting the community together. We can be the generation that fixes the tuition crisis forever.

Join us as we eliminate tuition! Visit Getsefa.org.

ALLISON MCGILL

WHETHER YOU ROOT FOR THE METS, YANKEES, GIANTS OR JETS, NEW YORKERS ARE RENOWNED FOR OUR FIERCE ENTHUSIASM FOR SPORTS. WHILE IT IS UNDENIABLE THAT SPORTING EVENTS CAN BE A CELEBRATION OF SORTS, BRINGING LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS TOGETHER FOR A SHARED EXPERIENCE FULL OF EXCITEMENT AND ENJOYMENT, THERE IS ANOTHER COMPONENT ENTANGLED IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS: SPORTS BETTING.

Sports betting has been a popular pastime for generations, and with New York State’s legalization of online sports betting this past January, the state has already seen billions of dollars in tax revenue and, more notably has seen a large increase in individuals seeking help for problem gambling behaviors.

Since January 2021, OASAS (Office of Addiction Services and Supports) has reported a 46% increase in calls to its gambling helpline. Michelle Hadden, assistant executive director of programs with the New York Council on Problem Gambling, stated in a recent New York Times article that, “Many of the bettors who signed up in recent weeks were new to gambling, including young people who are not educated, not prepared and easily swayed by the advertising.”

So, what is gambling vs. problem gambling? Gambling is defined by OASAS as, “the act of risking something of value on a game of chance for the desired result.” Problem Gambling is defined by the National Council on Problem gambling as, “gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt, or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits.” Known as the hidden addiction, problem gambling is often undetectable to others until extensive consequences begin to surface, consequences that can amount to more than monetary losses.

Although online sports betting may be the newest facet in the sphere of gambling, gambling is not limited to that. Gambling includes casino table games and slot machines, lottery, scratch-off tickets, sports betting, bingo, raffles, office pools, card games, and online gaming.

How can you tell when gambling is becoming a problem for you or your loved one? Here are warning signs to watch for as outlined by New York Council on Problem Gambling:
• Using gambling to cope with certain stressors or boredom
• Disrupted sleep, work, or other forms of daily life caused by gambling
• Arguments, frustrations, or self-destructive thoughts causing one to gamble
• Borrowing, stealing, or collecting insurmountable debt to maintain gambling habit
• Unfulfilled promises that one will stop gambling
• Time lost with family/friends due to time spent gambling

With online sports betting becoming increasingly prevalent within the adolescent population, certain signs, and behaviors to watch for in that age group as outlined by New York Council on Problem Gambling are:
• Absences from school/classes—can be tied to a decline in grades or ability to complete assignments
• Changes in their personality/behavior
• Bragging about winning at gambling
• Unusual interest in newspapers, magazines, periodicals, sports scores
• Unaccountable explanation for new items of value in possession
• Borrowing or stealing money
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Exaggerated use of word “bet” in vocabulary and/or use of gambling language in conversations

Problem gambling is an emotional issue that contributes to severe financial strife and has the power to adversely affect the lives of gamblers and their loved ones. If you believe you or a loved one is dealing with a gambling addiction, it is critical to bear in mind that there are many resources that can provide guidance and support for you and your loved ones while navigating these challenging moments.

The SAFE Foundation offers an extensive problem gambling program for gamblers and their loved ones with weekly individual and group therapy as well as Sunday night Gamblers Anonymous meetings on our premises.

If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-718-GET-SAFE, 24/7 for assistance.

Allison McGill is originally from Rochester, New York and has lived in Brooklyn for the past 12 years. She has recently received her CASAC-T from Lehman College and is passionate about the work surrounding recovery and family work.