LEAVING MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND THE COMFORTS OF MY HOME FOR A YEAR IN ISRAEL WAS DEFINITELY NOT AN EASY THING TO DO, ESPECIALLY DURING THE WORLD PANDEMIC THAT WOULD RESTRAIN US FROM HAVING A NORMAL GAP YEAR EXPERIENCE. IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO PACK UP AND LEAVE EVERYTHING BEHIND.

However, going to Israel for the year has been a dream of mine since I was young and I’m so content with my decision to do so. I was debating for the longest time whether seminary was the right fit for me. Choosing Midreshet Eshel to be my home for a year or so was the best choice I ever made.

Leaving my family and friends for the holidays was very hard for me and for the first time in my life, this year I spent all the High Holidays without being surrounded by my immediate and extended families. It was definitely unfamiliar and difficult considering the fact that we spent Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot all under lockdown in the Old City of Jerusalem. However, to be quite honest, these holidays were so touching and meaningful and I will remember them for the rest of my life.

Learning and studying about the Kotel and the Old City and its history came to life when I moved into Eshel in September. My Rosh Hashanah experience was indescribable, we had the entire Kotel to ourselves as no one else was allowed in the area due to the Covid-19 lockdown in Israel. All the students spent the entire holiday getting to know one another and developing deep, personal friendships. With no phones in sight and sharing incredible experiences with one another, we quickly became a family. During Rosh Hashanah, we completed reading a full book of tehillim by Kever David and we danced and sang in the streets feeling Hashem’s presence dwelling within us. We prayed and sang with so much passion and meaning at the Kotel. Nili, one of our beloved teachers was instrumental in making this holiday season an incredible experience.

Hearing Selichot live at the Kotel and being one of the very few fortunate people who were allowed to even go to the kotel was a huge miracle for me and enhanced my relationship with Hashem so much. Yom Kippur was spent like no other in my entire lifetime. Usually, it’s routine to go to shul, pray without really understanding what I’m saying, and sleep off my hunger. However, here in Eshel, I learned what Yom Kippur was all about and how we are really supposed to be spending this holiday. Instead of just reciting words that no one really understands, all day, our teacher led Minyan and taught us all about the meaning behind everything we were saying. It was the most meaningful, and connecting prayer. I will never forget the stories, teachings, singing, and thoughts that were shared.

After the holidays were over, we jumped straight into creating a steady daily routine of learning. The classes given at Eshel are ones you would never think are being taught at a seminary. I thought I would be sitting all day learning about Jewish history which would not pertain to my life. However, after being here and attending countless classes at Eshel, I realized how wrong I was. The teachers and rabbis bring the Torah to life by relating everything we’re taught to our own personal lives and struggles. We learn the proper tools to help us become our best selves, improve our midot, and deal with struggles or conflicts which are part of life. The classes have helped me build my character tremendously and I feel my new positive outlook on life radiating onto others as well.

I feel great appreciation and gratitude for all I have, especially during the world pandemic where there is so much illness and uncertainty. Miriam Tawil, our exemplary school director always makes sure her students get the full experience of Eshel despite the limitations coronavirus puts on trips, and Shabbatons. The remarkable rabbis here build personal relationships with each student and have become mentors in all of our lives. Even though I miss my parents, siblings, and friends, here at Eshel I am happily a part of a wonderful family

The SCF helps Yeshivot access new government regulations resulting in $2 to 3 million benefits to NYC Yeshivot & Families this year.

WHEN COVID-19 HIT LAST MARCH, IT CAUSED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE TO LOSE THEIR JOBS, CLOSE THEIR BUSINESSES, OR STRUGGLE WITH STAGGERING REDUCTIONS IN SALES REVENUE. NO PART OF THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN SPARED AND THAT INCLUDES THE NEW YORK AREA SEPHARDIC COMMUNITY.

For the first time ever, many Community families found themselves struggling with food insecurity. The Federal Government acted to make sure its food programs, including the National School Free Breakfast and Lunch programs, would be available—even though schools were shut down.
During the initial and most challenging months of March, April and May, Shaare Torah Yeshiva and other schools that had been operating a meals program, kept their kitchens open. They further expanded their distribution so that no family would be turned away.

With the onset of the 2020-21 new school year, the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF) helped the yeshivot that had not previously participated in the food distribution program, secure millions in government dollars, so that every yeshiva child would be able to get free breakfast and lunch.
When schools reopened this September, a just-issued USDA-Food and Nutrition Services program waiver went into effect, allowing any school, public or private, to serve free breakfast, lunch, and snack, to all enrolled children regardless of income. This meant that Community schools could now offer free meals to all students. All families could get help without having to be singled out as “the new poor.” The waiver is in effect through June 30, 2021.

While Shaare Torah and other schools that had been giving out food to the public last year knew about this program waiver, other schools, however, could not have realistically known about it (unless they staffed a dedicated person to track and carefully study the fast changing, weekly flow of COVID-19 government regulations and waivers). The Sephardic Community Federation retains a consultant, Mr. David Rubel, to do just that. For the past 12 years, Mr. Rubel has worked closely with Mr. Sam Sutton, President of the SCF, on connecting Community schools to a myriad of government programs, translating to tens of millions of dollars in benefits over the years.

The team of Rubel and Sutton first alerted Magen David Yeshivah Elementary School to the fact that all their students are now eligible for the new free school breakfast, lunch, and snack program. MDYES immediately jumped on the opportunity to receive approval from the New York State Education Department-Child Nutrition Office (NYSED-CN). In practical terms, this means that for this year, the cost of all meals is covered by the government.

In addition, all MDYES students also received the COVID-19 Pandemic-Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) cards worth $420 per child for school year 2019-2020 totaling $520,000 given directly to parents. There will also be a second P-EBT card coming later this school year, albeit smaller, due to new government rules. All told, including the second round of P-EBT, MDY and its parents will have received close to $1,500,000 in newly granted government funding.
Next, SCF rushed to alert other Community yeshivot that had never operated a Federal-State funded meals program. In addition, all students enrolled in these schools will also be eligible for the waiver to receive the free breakfast and lunch, regardless of income. Schools that are new to the government breakfast/lunch program, needed to apply to NYSED-CN for approval.

After SCF discussions with Barkai Yeshiva, Yeshivah of Flatbush Elementary School, and Yeshiva Darchei Eres (YDE), all three schools completed and submitted applications with help from the SCF. Once these schools are approved, all their students will be eligible for the 2020-21 school year as well as the Pandemic-EBT program. This should lead to significant savings for all three schools. The total benefit to schools and their parents for this school year could reach an astounding total of $3,000,000!

The SCF is always working hard for the Community. Our decades-long established role as the Community’s liaison to our elected officials and government programs has positioned us to advocate for and deliver benefits for the overall well-being of our Community.
Sam Sutton is the President of the Sephardic Community Federation. Ron Tawil is Co-Chairman.

MANY PEOPLE FACED HUGE MEDICAL ISSUES THIS YEAR DUE TO COVID19. B”H A VACCINE WILL SOON BECOME AVAILABLE TO HELP US MOVE PAST THIS VIRUS THAT HAS TAKEN OVER OUR LIVES. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS AN AFFLICITION THAT CAN’T BE SOLVED WITH A PILL?

One of the most devastating medical challenges a person can ever face is the loss of a limb. Amputation affects every aspect of life, including functionality, family, and social status. There is only one organization in all of Israel that supports adults and children suffering from limb loss—Israel Medical Fund’s—The Next Step. It is funded by individuals like you as the Israeli Government falls short in providing the prosthetic limbs and mental health services necessary for amputees to thrive vs. simply survive.

The Next Ride is a 7-day, 200-kilometer adventure that raises money for The Next Step. Each year The Next Ride has always taken place in Israel, but because of COVID-19, Israel closed its borders. In fact, just weeks before the ride was supposed to happen, it had no home. Until Dubai not only opened its arms to this event, but because of the historic peace agreement, opened its borders to anyone from Israel—for the very first time.

This trip would not have been possible if not for the teamwork of Sam Waldman and Shoshana Jacobs who give their hearts and souls to the organization. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and her community liaison Eli Slavin who procured passports for cyclists (for some literally days before their flights). Team SYclist leaders Morris Beyda, Joseph Mansour, Steven Shamosh and Steven Matsas have been promoting, recruiting, and leading the fundraising efforts in our community for years. Their collective efforts helped raise $1.7 million for those in need.
So, I did something I never imagined doing—especially in 2020. With my wife, my bike and Team SYclist we set off for Dubai.

In 90-degree desert heat and strong winds, 200 cyclists mounted up alongside 20 amputees and members of the Dubai Police Road Cycling Team. We talked about their love for America, Israel, and the Jewish people.
It was beautiful and grueling. Many cyclists said they likely would have given up if it were not for the inspiration and joyous attitudes of the amputees cycling with us. In fact, some cyclists could not finish the race—but every single one of the amputees crossed the finish line.

In addition to two days of cycling, we were the first Jewish group to have a minyan on an Emirates flight, the largest known group to have a Shabbat gathering, had dinner with sheiks, and while enjoying the nightlife, we got to see one of the Israeli paraathletes in our group drop to one knee to propose to his girlfriend. I am still buzzing from the week-long adventure and will be for months to come.

In a year that has been so much about being home, this rare taste of travel was refreshing. I can tell you, I have achieved many PR’s (personal records) and stood atop podiums at Ironman competitions and running events, but this event was more meaningful to me than any race I have done before. It reminded me, no matter the challenge, we can cross the finish line.

ARI BAUM

Sonia Didia entices you with her strong Lousiana accent, her Soutehrn charm and her ability to connect. Her soothing voice makes you feel relaxed, like you are sitting with a warm cup of hot chocolate all comfy and snuggled up. She loves talking to people, meeting them and more importantly helping them. Rena Shaab, Sonia’s mom, taught her the importance from hesed from a young age. “One time my mother was traveling from Baton Rouge to New York with my brother Irwin,” said Sonia. “Irwin was acting out and this nun on the train helped my mom. The nun ran an orphanage, and my mother sent her clothing every year for the children.”

As her children grew older, Sonia began volunteering with Sephardic Bikur Holim and then with Medstar, helping people in the community find doctors for their specific needs.
In providing those critical medical referrals, Sonia sometimes worked with cancer patients whose cases were more complicated. For example, a young woman undergoing treatment for breast cancer might feel weak and tired. With several young children the patient might need help with a housekeeper, someone to help with cooking and going to treatments.
As it happens, Sonia is good friends with Nancy Sutton, who founded Medstar. The two of them often teamed to help patients.

From the time she was a child, Nancy joined school programs and knew she wanted to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. As a young woman, Nancy visited the sick. After she married, she took on projects, later even becoming a foster parent to 14 different children over several years. Her parents were a huge influence on her. Ceasar and Esther Salama had helped establish the Ahi Ezer Senior Citizen housing and programs. They loved to bring joy to seniors and never stop giving to others. Her aunt Gitta Sultan was a mentor with Beth Teens. So the idea of being a volunteer was deeply embedded in her family values.

As more and more calls came in for cancer patients, it became obvious that many cancer clients were not getting the proper assistance. They needed more than help with finding oncologists, surgery, biopsies and so forth. A holistic approach was needed for the patient and the entire family to think about.
And so the idea for forming the Morris I. Franco Cancer Center became more critical. Nancy was the doer, the go getter, the one that got things done.

Nancy Sutton described an incident that had a huge impact on her life. While at Medstar, she was called to help when a 5-year-old boy and his pregnant mother got hit by a bus. The father was beside himself and the boy was in a coma and needed significant medical help. Within minutes of arriving at the hospital and assessing the situation, Nancy realized her small but effective actions could make a difference.
She spoke to doctors, called hospitals, until she was able to get the boy transferred to a better hospital. The boy came out of the coma and both mother and child survived, although rehab was necessary. Years later, the young boy received a youth award for volunteerism. Nancy’s commitment to helping others came full circle. To Nancy, her volunteer time is rewarded as others volunteer to become involved in hesed (acts of loving kindness).

“As I saw the need to help patients with cancer, we looked for best practices in the field,” said Nancy. “We visited hospitals, the Mayo Clinic and even saw Gilda Radner had opened support groups. We saw libraries so we set up a library. The diagnosis of cancer is just the beginning.”
And so Nancy—the doer—was able to form the Morris I. Franco Cancer Center as a separate nonprofit organization operating from offices rented from Sephardic Bikur Holim.
A turning point for the organization came in the beginning, when a Breast Cancer Awareness Day attracted 750 women from the community.

And from there the Morris I. Franco Cancer Center took off with dozens of volunteers, social workers, support groups and other services. They serve patients from young children to the elderly. They help patients get through their medical issues, but they also assist with day to day problems. For example, if someone needs to go to a wedding, they help them feel pretty, so the patient looks presentable in public during the event. Arts and crafts become a support group so the patients can talk among themselves and share experiences.
“Losing your hair and getting fitted for a wig can be traumatic,” said Sonia, “so we help with wigs. I like helping people. It’s uplifting. You feel like you are doing something to enhance their lives. With cancer, it’s helping the whole family through a broad spectrum of issues.”

Social occasions are planned such as trips to museums. A few families are selected each year to go to Disney World, akin to the Make a Wish grant. Highly trained volunteers understand the rules of privacy and deliver Shabbat packages.
“Sometimes patients are shy about coming in for help. Nancy is patient and she convinces them to use our services and they are so appreciative,” said Sonia. “We treat them as people, not as victims of an illness and that’s a good way to reach them.”
Patients can take advantage of massage therapy, Reiki, yoga, group counseling and private therapy. A group chat on WhatsApp allows people to reach out for help for example, if a patient is feeling unwell and needs someone to drop off a meal for the family.

So how is the Morris I. Franco Cancer Center managing during the Covid pandemic? “Our patients are even more vulnerable and at risk, so we have to be very careful,” said Nancy.
The Cancer Center has switched to remote (Zoom) yoga, group and private counseling services. “We help people on the phone as much as we can,” said Sonia. “One thing I have learned is that to help patients, you need to be proactive, especially with the medical profession.”

Nancy said, “We created the Cancer Center to create better outcomes and to help the mind, body and soul of each client. We help the entire family. It has become a place to smile, a place to be okay with what’s happening in their lives. Emotional happiness helps the clients and their families cope.”

SARINA ROFFE

WHETHER IT’S PENT-UP DEMAND OR THE DRAMATIC INCREASE IN FAMILIES LIVING IN THE JERSEY SHORE, DSN’S AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS LAUNCHED IN NOVEMBER WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CHILDREN SIGNED UP, EVER!

DSN is motivated by two main goals in this season’s after-school programs: safety and fun. Parents seem to agree with DSN Board Member Sandra Sutton who explained, “Now more than ever, our children need an outlet and DSN is here for them. Through specialized classes such as art, gymnastics, tennis, sports, karate, basketball and STEM classes, each child is able to participate in a social, fun and nurturing activity while adhering to all the guidelines set forth to keep them safe”.

DSN services over 400 children that are enrolled in these programs. The children are brought to DSN after their school day is complete. All programs are executed safely with COVID precautions. Children receive temperature checks before entering DSN. Masks are worn for every activity, and participants are spaced out to maintain distance from others.
DSN’s Chairperson of Youth Programming, Linda Hakim, remarked, “DSN once again has risen to the challenge by providing the community’s children with a wide variety of after-school programs to engage, stimulate and promote their social and emotional wellbeing in these unprecedented times.”

The largest program once again is DSN’s Dance Academy. Over 120 girls are signed up. Under the leadership of Dance Director Danielle Hanan, the Academy has various types of dance instruction, including hip-hop, jazz-funk, ballet and tap.

DSN parent Caleigh Silvera explained her daughter’s excitement, ”My daughter is unfazed by the new rules. She took it upon herself to wear her mask in the car ride to DSN for her first dance class so that she would be ready right away. She came home begging me to send her back the following day. I could not be happier!”

Frieda Shamah, DSN’s Youth Programming Director, was ecstatic to see the children back in the building. “These kids bring life to DSN. We are so happy to have them back in the building, having fun as always in the safest way possible!”
This season’s programming at DSN includes the popular Grace Esses Gymnastics, Little Silver Tennis Club (yes, the tennis instructors and tennis nets all come to DSN) and Jill Levy Art. The programming is for grades Pre-k through 8th grade. Programs last from 12 to 20 weeks.

DSN, true to form, has gone above and beyond. They have given out light wands along with Sylvia’s candy bags to all participants, a special treat for special circumstances. The Dance Academy participants received specialized bags with logos on their masks and water bottles and pink light wands. A backdrop banner was stationed in the DSN hallway for the girls to take pictures in front of, with a sign that said “I had the best time at Dance Academy!” One doesn’t have to see behind a mask to know the sweetness is not just in the candy, but in the smiles on their faces.

DSN’s Executive Director, Sammy Sitt, summarized, “Our staff has tirelessly put their hearts and souls into our youth programming for the past 6 months. We completed a very successful summer, running 3 separate camps with 260 campers, organized fall sports leagues with a record 700 players and have launched after-school programs with over 400 children. We are humbled by the community’s trust in our ability to keep our children safe, while still having fun. With our passionate staff and supportive board, it’s a recipe for continued success for years to come!”

As you begin to explore Hanukkah gifts, please pause and reflect for a moment. What is the greatest gift you received from your parents or grandparents? Maybe it was big or small, costly, or not? As you remember and reflect on this gift, and the story around it, what meaning does this gift have for you? What do you notice?

Where did the custom of giving Hanukkah gifts originate? What’s the point of them?

Research for this article uncovered interesting findings about Hanukkah gifts. There are sources mentioning giving Hanukkah “gelt” (money), and references to giviving charity, especially to Torah scholars. These traditions directly relate to undoing the harsh decrees during the Temple era forbidding teaching Torah and assaulting our Jewish lifestyle and mitzvot. In the holy seforim (books) of Kabbalah, it is written that one can affect atonement for severe sins by doing teshuva (repentance) and giving charity during the days of Hanukkah. Other references to gifts, such as giving on Purim, are a means for creating goodwill and enhancing relationships. There are no Jewish sources for 8 nights of gifts.
Hanukkah’s miracle is a message of Torah light and hope in the longest, darkest nights of winter. This year, with so much turmoil, fear, anxiety, political persecution, and lives lost, it’s as important as ever to celebrate and communicate with our children the ”ness” (miracle) and present-day relevance of Hanukkah. How necessary it is for us to infuse the magic of Hanukkah into our current realities! The big question remains, how can we manage to do so?

How can we get the best results?

Let’s begin with avoiding the mistake of giving a potentially harmful gift. The two biggest mistakes we can make is giving a gift that will damage someone or end up costing them more money and headaches. I remember the story in the early 1980s of a rabbi who received a cellphone as a gift from the congregation. At the time, cell phones cost $3-5 per minute and needed an entire briefcase for the brains and battery. The rabbi said with a smile, “They gave me a present. It costs me $1,000 a month for the service, and I can’t drive 5 minutes in peace and quiet. Some gift.” Also, let’s remain vigilant not to create “Fortnight Zombies” and overexposing our kids to environments or situations they may not be properly prepared or capable of handling.

Three ways to achieve success with our gifts.Give the gift of connection and relationship. What if we commit to sit together as a family near the candles as they burn brightly and share the songs, tefilot, and stories of Hanukkah? Each night, choose a different grandparent or community member to remember and learn from. Revel in stories of heroism, sacrifice, values, ideals, commitments, struggles, and successes. Create questions and dialog around these personalities, their lives, lessons, and how we can apply them to ourselves today. Imagine the positive impact and value of enhancing our children and grandchildren’s lives with role model ancestors they can emulate.

Give the gift of heritage. Most of us look forward to sufganiyot (jelly donuts), ejjeh (latkes), or other specially prepared food customs. Who is going to remember the authentic way to prepare these delicacies? Who is going to replicate the love and care that grandma infused in them? What a delicious treat it will be to bridge the legacy and learn from grandparents how this was done back home for many generations!

Think outside of the box. What projects, ideas, introductions, and interviews can we create to transmit the rich heritage and minhag (customs) that goes back in our families for thousands of years? Perhaps something forgotten or something so obvious that we never talk about it? What are your ideas and inspirations for connecting the past, present, and future to enhance our generation and future generations in celebrating G-d’s miracles, our survival, and the ability to learn and live Torah? How much rich culture and history can we recover by engaging with our children and connecting them to our mesorah (heritage)?

I believe the greatest gift we can give and receive is the message that G-d loves you, your family loves you, and you love them too. We must continuously be communicating “I love you,” and ensuring that our children hear it and accept it. This message is the gift that will last for all generations to come.

Hanukkah represents the Jewish people’s tenacious refusal to give up on their values. It represents working hard to change the situation. It stresses education and an eye toward the future. Confronted by the evil assimilationist decrees of the Syrian Greeks, the tiny band of Hasmoneans said, “This has to change.” Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds, they persisted, and achieved the only period of true independence during the Second Temple. And women played a key role in the story.

At its core, PROPEL represents many of the same values. Its dedicated board members, supporters and professional staff do not give up, helping each client dream and then plan to actualize that dream. Obstacles are encountered and jointly overcome. Working to marshal resources within the community and beyond, providing encouragement and a cheering squad every step of the way, PROPEL has helped over 200 women this year alone. Tailoring plans to specific client needs, PROPEL’s career coaches facilitated change in these women’s—and their families’—lives and incomes. COVID-19 brought a new set of challenges. And PROPEL was there, researching and implementing the best ways to serve, without compromising on any aspect of their service delivery.

Can’t meet coaches face-to-face? Zoom and cell phones have made technology our best friends. Want to start college? Classes are available online and by Zoom. Thanks to the Internet (and the good old-fashioned phone), clients still receive that signature PROPEL personal touch. PROPEL continues to provide mentoring, coaching and information to women entering the workforce.

PROPEL enables the women of our community to earn and help support their families while maintaining our values. PROPEL provides career advice to women of all ages, including women in high school, college and graduate programs. The organization encourages the women of our community to tap into their potential by utilizing education to transform a passion into a profession. Working with area colleges, the PROPEL team finds the best fit for each client, based on goals, background and personal circumstances. Training and professional certification programs are also available to PROPEL clients. Financial support is available to help women reach their goals. PROPEL also promotes networking opportunities, so that clients can receive targeted advice and mentorship for specific careers and work to advance their earning potential. PROPEL encourages women to be the heroes.

Want to create your own Hanukkah miracle? Reach out to PROPEL.

NAVIGATING THROUGH LIFE ISN’T EASY THESE DAYS; ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE IS FROM AN EARLIER GENERATION. I HAVE A CONFESSION TO MAKE—THE SMART PHONE HAS MADE ME STUPID. I USED TO REMEMBER MY KIDS’ TELEPHONE NUMBERS, NOW ALL I HAVE TO DO IS PRESS “RECENT” OR “CONTACTS” AND THERE THEY ARE! IF I LOSE MY PHONE, I’M LOST!

Waze gets me to where I’m supposed to go and I get a little annoyed when it gives me my time of arrival. I’m always trying to prove Waze wrong, to no avail. It knows exactly to the minute when I will arrive.
I don’t even want to talk about the television. There are a million channels with nothing to watch! That doesn’t bother me as much as the fact that it takes me an hour to figure out which remote will turn the thing on! And to make matters worse, my kids want me to put an app on my phone so I can control the house—lights, ovens, heat etc. Really! What’s left for me to do? I still know how to open and shut the lights!

Recently, my daughter put an app on my phone for the muni-meter. Granted, I like having it, so I don’t have to search for a quarter, but it seems everything I do is controlled by an app and my phone.
Since the coronavirus arrived on our shores, I’ve learned how to Zoom. I have Zoomed to weddings, brits and bar mitzvahs in my pajamas. I haven’t worn lipstick since last March, because of the masks we’re required to wear. Now the government has placed a ban on plastic bags. My shopping list used to consist of lettuce, tomatoes, kirbys, milk, juice, etc. Now my list is: phone, keys, mask, reusable bags, plastic gloves and hand sanitizer. Too bad there isn’t an app for that!

I’m not complaining, there’s no use in that, I’m just explaining how life has become a little more complicated with all this new technology. It gets a little embarrassing when you have to ask your grandchildren to help you figure out how to forward an email, with attachments, or how to get on Netflix.

My grandson, Alan, had to explain to me not to answer every request I get from Facebook. “It’s not only sent to you, Grandma. Please do not respond!” I responded, I explained to him, because I didn’t want to seem rude. This made him throw up his hands and declare: “rude to who, Grandma? It’s computer generated!” How would I know that?
I can remember the days of the Million Dollar Movie. It was on channel 9, and they showed the same movie for a week. And we watched it over and over again. I think I watched King Kong a hundred times. We were fine with that. My generation grew up with shows like Father Knows Best, Bewitched, The Munsters, The Beverly Hillbillies, I Dream of Jeannie, Leave it to Beaver, Hogan’s Heros, Mr. Ed, Lassie, I Love Lucy and My Three Sons. It was fun and entertaining. Now, everything is either political or nerve wracking.

I suppose we’ll all need to get used to this new world they have created for us. I’m just waiting for an app to help us get grape leaves out of the jar! That would be helpful!

Joyce Chabbott

RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS SUCCUMBED TO CANCER ON NOVEMBER 7TH AT JUST 72 YEARS OLD. AND THE WORLD LOST A WAS WISE, INSIGHTFUL AND COMPASSIONATE MAN. RABBI SACKS ONCE SAID, “MORTALITY IS WRITTEN INTO THE HUMAN CONDITION, BUT SO TOO IS THE POSSIBILITY OF IMMORTALITY, IN THE GOOD WE DO THAT CONTINUES, LONG AFTER WE ARE HERE, TO BEGET FURTHER GOOD. THERE ARE LIVES THAT DEFEAT DEATH AND REDEEM EXISTENCE FROM TRAGEDY.” THERE’S NO DOUBT THE RABBI’S GOOD WILL CONTINUE FOR GENERATIONS. UPON HIS PASSING, PRIME MINISTERS, PRESIDENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN SINGING HIS PRAISES.

GILA SACKS

Rabbi Sack’s youngest daughter spoke at his funeral on behalf of her siblings Joshua and Dina

“He loved us so much and never, ever missed an opportunity in recent years to tell us that—to tell us how proud he was of everything each of us did, but mainly, of who we were. He would tell us how proud he was of each grandchild, and every new bit of joy they brought into his world. I felt his love overwhelmingly, because that is what he gave us above all. No child could have wished for more. I don’t know how I can begin to know how to say thank you to him. That will take time. We used to joke that if you bumped into my dad in the kitchen, he’d probably want you to work out how to solve global anti-Semitism while the kettle boiled. Everything he taught, he wrote, were mainly the things he chatted to us about while the kettle boiled. I had a moment of clarity about what my dad had given me: that single belief that nothing is inevitable, that no problems are too big for people to try and solve. That things could always be changed and people could always change them: that belief shaped everything else.”

THE ORTHODOX UNION

“The Orthodox Union joins the Jewish community and the world in mourning the loss of Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, zt”l. Rabbi Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom for 22 years, served as a profoundly eloquent teacher of Torah and spokesman for Torah values within the Jewish community and beyond. He was an intellectual giant whose unique blend of Torah scholarship, academic achievement, human sensitivity, and social awareness allowed him to speak to the issues of our times, to the broadest of audiences, and he did so with courage, clarity and optimism. Rabbi Sacks was a beacon of Kiddush Hashem, whose thoughtful teachings improved the world and invariably brought honor to the Torah and the Jewish people. Rabbi Sacks’ unique voice, novel and insightful ideas, exciting and elegant prose, unfailingly relevant messages, and outstanding leadership will all be sorely missed.”

THE RABBINICAL ALLIANCE OF AMERICA

“The Rabbinical Alliance of America—representing over 950 American Orthodox Rabbis—joins Klal Yisrael in mourning the passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt’l, Emeritus Chief Rabbi of United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks was a master orator whose sermons and lectures enchanted audiences, challenging them to rise to greater heights in religious commitment. He was a fierce advocate for Orthodox Judaism in a time when it was under siege by secularizing and liberalizing forces. Through his efforts, thousands of people learn Torah and observe Shabbat in the British Commonwealth, Israel, and around the world. As the prolific author of an award-winning series of prayer books, numerous learned books and Torah commentaries, his scholarship and insights continue to educate and inspire students of Torah. His widely read weekly Torah commentaries, creative inspirational videos, highly lauded BBC radio series and many public talks and conversations have brought Torah lessons of faith and responsibility to millions of people around the world. May Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks serve as a heavenly advocate, a Meilitz Yosher, for his family, the Jewish community and the entire world. May his memory be a blessing.”

SEC DIRECTOR DANIEL BOUSKILA

“The Jewish people have lost a great leader, and the world has lost a prophet. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory, left our world when we read Parashat Vayera, which features Judaism’s first leader and the world’s first prophet—Abraham. Regarding Abraham, Rabbi Sacks wrote: ‘Abraham was the role model of leadership as Judaism understands it. He acted, he did not wait for others to act. To Abraham, G-d says ‘Walk before me,’ meaning: be a leader. Walk ahead. Take personal responsibility. Take moral responsibility. Take collective responsibility.’”
“Rabbi Sacks was writing about Abraham, but upon contemplating the life of this generation’s undisputed global spokesman for Judaism, Rabbi Sacks’ words were as applicable to him as they were to Abraham. Like Abraham, he spoke to his own people, and he also spoke to the world. Rest In Peace, dear Rabbi, you left us too soon, and you leave behind a gigantic legacy of leadership and wisdom.

ERIC S. GOLDSTEIN UJA-FEDERATION OF NEW YORK CEO

“We are broken-hearted to learn of the passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. The world has lost one of the great Jewish leaders of our time—and a truly kind and gentle soul. At the core of his vast contributions to public life and discourse was his remarkable ability to create and communicate a compelling narrative, rooted in Torah and Jewish law, of tolerance, compassion and understanding.

WJC PRESIDENT RONALD S. LAUDER

“The World Jewish Congress and the entire Jewish world are profoundly saddened by the passing of former British Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. A theologian of extraordinary intellectual depth and moral conviction, Rabbi Sacks was a riveting orator and brilliant author who brought the timeless teachings of Jewish scripture to both Jews and non-Jews alike, fusing Jewish tradition with modern thought. His writings, including—and perhaps especially—his commentaries on the weekly Torah portion will be cherished by future generations. We extend our deepest condolences to Lord Sacks’ wife Elaine and their family. May they—and the whole house of Israel—be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and may his memory be an everlasting blessing and source of inspiration.”

RABBI JOSEPH DWECK

“He drew from the wisdom of our hakhamim and showed us how they spoke directly to us and our circumstances and how there was no area of our lives to which our Torah did not have meaningful and penetrating lessons for us.
The void that his absence leaves us is staggering. We will only come to know its depth and breadth as the days pass. We will seek his wisdom and insight, we will want his guidance, we will wish that he could speak for us, we will miss his encouragement, the light of his mind, and the security of his knowledge. We will feel vulnerable and as though we have lost our language, our way to express our feelings and thoughts to ourselves and the world. We will know that the Rav is missing from us and we will all feel it.
We are, nonetheless, blessed that he gifted us with his thoughts and teachings in abundance during his life. We will go to his writings and recorded lessons, we will ask his students, family and friends, we will learn and speak his Torah in his name, and we will ask HKBH that his merit stand for us all.”

ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU

“His insights on the heritage of the Jewish people and on anti-Semitism will live on, for our generation and future generations. May his memory be a blessing.”

ISRAELI PRESIDENT REUVEN RIVLIN

“I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks—a man of thought and a man of words, an original teacher and a man of creativity, a man of truth, whose generosity and compassion built bridges between people. Rabbi Sacks bravely faced difficult questions and always found the right words to illuminate the Torah and explain its paths. We will always remember his warnings against violence in the name of G-d, and his belief that we have the power to heal a fractured world.”

PRINCE CHARLES

“It was with the most profound personal sorrow that I heard of the death of Rabbi Lord Sacks. With his passing, the Jewish community, our nation, and the entire world have lost a leader whose wisdom, scholarship and humanity were without equal. His immense learning spanned the sacred and the secular, and his prophetic voice spoke to our greatest challenges with unfailing insight and boundless compassion. His wise counsel was sought and appreciated by those of all faiths, and he will be missed more than words can say. Although Rabbi Lord Sacks’ death is a cause of the greatest possible sadness, we give thanks for the immeasurable contribution which—in the tradition of the most revered teachers of the Jewish people—he made to all our lives.”

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. His leadership had a profound impact on our whole country and across the world. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and the Jewish community. May his memory be a blessing.”

FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR

“I am deeply distressed and sad at the news. Jonathan was a wonderful friend, a beloved mentor, a philosopher of extraordinary insight and of course a religious leader, respected well beyond the Jewish community and well beyond the shores of Britain. His influence was vast and his reach immense. A brilliant speaker and thinker he had the rarest of gifts—expressing complex ideas in the simplest of terms. He was a man of huge intellectual stature but with the warmest human spirit. My heart goes out to Elaine (his wife), his children and wider family and the Jewish community. He will be deeply mourned.”

IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN AVENUE P LATELY, YOU MAY BE SURPRISED BY ALL IT HAS TO OFFER. THE PRISTINE STREETS ARE HOME TO AN ECLECTIC GROUP OF STORES, WHICH INCLUDE A SUPERMARKET, A COFFEE SHOP, A BANK, A GIFT SHOP, FLORIST AND SO MUCH MORE. HERE WE’RE HIGHLIGHTING TWO OF AVENUE P’S FINEST STORES: KITCHEN CABOODLES AND DEAR DRUGS.

KITCHEN CABOODLES

This is a home goods store with everything you need for cooking, baking and hosting a party. Located at 492 Avenue P, since 2004, you can read all about the store on Instagram at @kitchencaboodles, featuring Martha Stewart! Over the years, the store has doubled in size and the owners have opened another store in Allenhurst. They’ve also opened a mikveh on premises.

Like most other stores, Kitchen Caboodles went through a rough time when COVID hit, and have recently been shut down for a second time, due to the virus (for at least two weeks).
“We have faith that we will get through this difficult time once again,” they said, adding, “If you’re a new bride who needs a bridal registry, we’ll help! If you’re the bride’s friends, we can handle the wishing well basket. If you’re moving into a new house, we will not only help you get what you need, we will tovel (dip) it for you and deliver it to your home. If you’re planning a party, dinner or get together, we’ve got you covered with the largest selection of gorgeous and unique disposable tableware available. We’re also super helpful when it comes to organizing kitchens, closets, basements, and even laundry rooms.”

“Don’t forget to visit our 20k plus Instagram account. There’s a link to our work in progress website! So check it out, double tap and enjoy. We hope to see all of our amazing, friendly-faced customers back in person sooner than later. Until then, stay safe, stay healthy and keep cooking!”

DEAR DRUGS

Dear Drugs pharmacy has been servicing the community for close to forty years. Throughout those years we have gotten to know multiple generations in a single family. We are proud to be considered a trusted resource and even part of our patient’s families, sharing in their simchot and times of mourning.

Abe Dear started Dear Drugs in 1985 across the street from our current location. Jeff Burbank came on soon afterward giving the pharmacy two full-time pharmacists to better serve the growing community. Continuing to the next generation, Dr. Mati Dear joined them in 2001.

With Covid still around, we are here to serve you and help you any way we can. We are fully stocked with medicine, vitamins, health needs and have a full line of PPE. To help keep you safe we offer delivery and curbside service.

HOW COULD ANYONE POSSIBLY DECIDE THAT THEY WANT TO PURSUE A CAREER IN JEWISH EDUCATION NOW? THIS IS THE QUESTION I ASKED MYSELF AS WE HAVE BEEN NAVIGATING THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES. THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AS A WHOLE HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH MANY SHIFTS, CHANGES, AND UNKNOWNS, AND I WAS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME IMAGINING A SCENARIO WHERE ANYONE WOULD LOOK AT THE STATE OF THE WORLD AND SAY THAT THEY SAW THEMSELVES INVESTING THEIR TIME TO LEARN HOW TO BECOME A TEACHER OF TORAH.

I needed some encouragement, some drive, some spark. I needed to know that there were people out there who were still up for one of the most important jobs a person could ever do. And so I turned to those who I thought would be able to give me just that, through a campaign called #WhyITeach.

Melamedet’s #WhyITeach campaign is a series where we interview community Judaic Studies educators who are still in the field, working hard through some of the toughest challenges any teacher has ever faced. We interview them to understand why they still do what they do. We also hope to inspire and motivate our current Melamedet students, as well as others who may want to join the program to become Judaic Studies teachers themselves.

We asked community teachers about their paths to Jewish Education, what drives them, what inspires them, what they wish the world knew about their careers, and what message they had for the next generation of community educators in Jewish education. What they had to say left me with a newfound passion for Torah, an inspiring and insightful look into the hard work that our teachers do on a daily basis, and a tremendous sense of hope for the future of Jewish Education. You can watch the series on our Instagram page @melamedet_ or on our website Melamedet.org.

One of the foundational reasons for why we began Melamedet, an online learning platform with the goal of developing young community women into high level Judaic Studies educators and bringing them into our community schools, is the idea that community and relatability matter when it comes to creating lasting impact. We wanted specifically to help train community women to become Judaic Studies teachers, so that when their students walked out of their classrooms, they would see Torah not just as another subject in school, but as a way of life. The #WhyITeach campaign allowed us to gain insight and inspiration from fellow community teachers, helping to make the field of Jewish education relatable and attainable.

The courses at Melamedet range from In Depth Analysis and Pedagogy in Halakha and Tanakh, to Positive Psychology and Incorporating Technology in the Classroom, ensuring that we create teachers equipped not only with content and pedagogy, but social emotional skills as well.

Our staff includes top community rabbis and educators, who are there to guide and mentor each step of the way.
Our students are young community women with strong leadership skills, who are looking to become role models and mentors, teaching, guiding, and setting a positive example for the next generation.

Our semesters are designed to be flexible and cater to everyone, from full time college students to working mothers, with the ability to take all courses online and receive full scholarship awards.

Currently, we have been blessed with an incredible cohort of students, and are now accepting applications for students who would like to join us beginning in January 2021 for the spring semester.
You can apply today at Melamedet.org

Here Is What Some Of Our Students Have To Say About Melamedet:

“Joining the Melamedet program has opened the door for me to learn how to teach Judaic studies with the same, if not greater seriousness and depth, as a masters program. It has been a privilege to study closely with community rabbis and teachers, who encouraged and supported me even while working as a new mother. I look forward to, G-d willing, having the great privilege and opportunity to become a teacher of Torah”
Sally Choueka

“I recently joined Melamedet and have been truly loving it! I enjoy learning how to teach Judiac Studies in ways that I wouldn’t get from a conventional college education. I can remain a full time college student while taking Melamedet courses online in a flexible way, with amazing teachers and mentors. I can’t wait to become a teacher of Jewish education and share my passion for Jewish values, as well as my admiration for all the incredible sources we have to learn from. I am grateful I joined this program!”
Mary Jajati

“The individualized attention for each student guarantees her success. I look forward to continuing and passing forward the knowledge that Melamedet has taught and will continue to teach me.”
Judy Sitt

Esther Betesh