Faith leaders from across the city recently gathered on the steps of City Hall to call for security funding for houses of worship across the city. Hosted by Councilman Chaim Deutsch, the rally was attended by dozens of community leaders and activists representing a variety of ethnicities and religious backgrounds.

“In the wake of tragedies in Poway, Pittsburgh, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, it is clear that our houses of worship are vulnerable to threats,” said Councilman Deutsch. “New Yorkers of faith deserve to be safe as they worship—it’s as simple as that. Houses of worship need a layer of protection to keep congregants safe, such as an armed guard. We must be pro-active and fund security,” said the Councilman.

Councilman Kalman Yeger, who recently introduced a bill calling for armed security guards at houses of worship, also participated in the rally. He said that “government has certain very basic obligations. The most predominant of all is to keep its citizens safe. We have to know that we will be protected in our own house of worship. Our bill will allow any house of worship to hire private security, submit for reimbursement, and have the city pay the bill. “This is our city and our money, and safety in our houses of worship is our most fundamental right.”

Also in attendance was David Heskiel, NYPD clergy liaison, and Sephardic community liaison to councilman Deutsch.

Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo, Councilman Ruben Diaz, Councilman Mathew Eugene, Councilman Mark Treyger, community and faith leaders from across the city, including Rabbi David Zweibel from Agudath Israel of America, Eric Goldstein CEO of UJA Federation of America, Josh Melhman FJCC president, Rabbi Michael Miller CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, Devorah Halberstam Director of External Affairs at the Jewish Children’s Museum, NYPD Community Affairs Detective Mohamed Amen, NYPD Captain Rana and representatives from numerous synagogues, churches and mosques throughout the city, were there to lend support, as well.

When parents have a child with special needs, they grapple with all sorts of emotions. At the same time, they have to learn to decode all the foreign language that comes along with it. If you are one of those parents, you might also worry that your child isn’t getting everything he/she needs. Know that your experience can be influenced by how you present yourself and your child’s needs, because information is power!

Parents need to start with the facts about their child’s special needs, while trying to keep their emotions out of it. Be current with fact-based knowledge from doctors, specialists, special education experts, attorneys, and teachers. C.A.R.E. for Special Children can help with deciphering, obtaining and understanding this information.

Ask a lot of questions like “who, what, where, when, and why.” Listen carefully to the answers you receive. Document the responses instead of relying on your memory. Learn how to best ask questions so they don’t come across antagonistic or defensive. It’s the best way to get open and honest replies.

I know that approaching school teachers, administrators, doctors, lawyers, etc. can be nerve-wracking and downright intimidating, but you know your child best, you spend more time with him than anyone, you are the expert, which is why you are your child’s best advocate. A parent’s perspective is invaluable and something only you can bring to the table. No one knows what is best for your child like you, so trust your instincts when something feels off and don’t be intimidated. Fake your confidence if you must, find a source of strength to be that confident parent when talking to a professional. If you think your child needs more therapy, then ask for it. Call an I.E.P. (individual education plan) meeting and express your concern.

Under the law, and practically speaking, parents have the most power to influence their child’s school program, medical protocol, etc. Knowing your rights is one way to find the confidence you need. Be seen, it’s very important that you are seen in all the circles where your child is being serviced or cared for. Let the doctors see and hear you, let the teachers and school administrators see you at meetings and school events and hear from you via email. Make friends with the doctors and their office staff, with the professionals, and teachers.

Smile when you see them and take the time to get to know them. Develop a connection, because remaining a presence tells them that you care about their efforts to help your child. Set emotions aside, (it’s not easy of course) and approach your meetings with schools or doctors, like a business negotiation. Keep a professional tone. Adopt an approach of cooperative problem solving. Working with your child’s teachers, therapists, or doctors, typically equals better results.

Propose solutions or help create a plan that works best for everyone involved. Be open-minded and hear proposed solutions from the other side as well. While in the hospital, if you think you need to get all your doctors on the same page, ask for a team meeting. The worst outcome— you won’t get what you want. Even if that occurs, you’ve demonstrated that you’re an engaged and thoughtful parent, committed to your child’s best interest.

Bring backup, ask family members, friends, or your local community advocate to accompany you to these appointments, meetings, or events. The importance of their input may surprise you. It always helps to have a second pair of ears, and another perspective. It also shows that you have support and a community advocate behind you.

Also, know your limitations. Advocating for your child with special needs can be very demanding, so it is important to know your strengths and weaknesses. It is especially important to pay attention to those weaker areas and find others who can assist you where you need it.

Time and time again, we see that when children are in the right environment in school, or getting the right care in the hospital, with the right doctors they thrive—and that is our goal. So, be a force for your child—a kind, thoughtful, and polite force—but a force, nonetheless, to be reckoned with.θ

A thriving business stays successful by remaining relevant. It is always evolving to ever-changing times and advancing technology. Matchmaking is not your conventional business, yet it benefits from the same notable attention and advancements. The challenge is to bridge technology with the warmth and sensitivity necessary to assist our singles in discovering their match. Congregation Shaare Zion has taken on the responsibility to embark on this blessed and important mission to change the face (and results) of matchmaking as we know it.

Shaare Zion has created SZ CONNECT, a unique service uniting community matchmakers. SZ Connect combines all community matchmaking resources in one Match Center along with a highly confidential master database. Rabbi David Maslaton and Mr. Jimmy Tawil are leading this incredible team thanks to the enthusiastic support of SZ President Dr. Victor Sasson.

“This is so crucial,” begins the Rabbi. “There are so many singles out there who deserve our utmost attention. Our Sages teach that from the day Hashem completed the creation, he occupied himself with matchmaking!”

At SZ CONNECT the mission is to emulate Hashem’s work by matching every day! As a result, The Match Center is open daily and allows the Matchmakers to convene, either for a formal meeting, or a quick visit between their day-to-day errands. Mrs. Chaya Maslaton, a beloved veteran matchmaker says, “Women in general are very busy, and when you are a matchmaker you do this while waiting on lines, raising kids, making dinner, and cleaning for Pesach too. With the new Match Center, women can now put aside a couple of hours where they can come to SZ to brainstorm, think and focus on matches. It is our pleasure to set aside a few designated hours a week to do this important work alongside everything else in our lives.”

“Few projects encompass the whole community,” says Mr. Jimmy Tawil, “and that’s one of the greatest and most unique things about SZ Connect; it’s a total community collaboration—its for everybody!”

Not only is this an incredible resource for singles of every age group, it is also for every religious level. The matchmakers involved are just as diverse as the singles they are bringing together.

Whether they are called matchmakers, shadchans or agents, the incredible mix of this team and each of their collective inventories, has resulted in some very novel and interesting matches. Mrs. Vicky Elbaz, an integral part of the team, explains: “Just the other day I went into the Match Center office in Shaare Zion for a meeting, where two matchmakers I never worked with before were busy adding new singles to the database. In moments we came up with four viable suggestions for older singles. We made some calls on the spot, and we got to work getting these people together for dates!”

The beauty of this venture is that all who are involved care greatly about the people they work with. They are honored to be able to work with like-minded individuals in this important capacity. There is a reassurance that they can rely on each other to ask questions and seek advice, especially from those who have many years of experience.

Mrs. Molly Haber, esteemed community matchmaker and Rebbetzin, is an important part of the team and is always willing to advise any matchmaker who can benefit from her knowledge.

Matchmaking today is quite different than it was in years past. Melanie Kishk, another enthusiastic team member, recalls “Not so long ago, there was a time when we knew everybody, but now the community is growing at a very quick pace and it is hard to know everyone and get to know them like we used to. SZ Connect is here to help link us to all the people we may otherwise not have any access to. It’s like a dream come true!” She adds, “I see that everyone is associated to somebody else. I love the idea of being able to correspond with new singles through second or third party connections. It makes our potential possibilities endless.”

A most efficient and beneficial aspect of the SZ Connect concept is that the singles are added to the database that is only able to be accessed confidentially by approved matchmakers.

Mrs. Frieda Betesh, an agent who has tirelessly helped to coordinate the database exclaims, “Now it’s all at our fingertips and we don’t have to chase people for information. Here you have everything—it’s efficient, faster and more productive!”

Mrs. Vicky Elbaz adds, ”What this organization is doing is truly amazing. Hours are spent organizing files in a user-friendly program that is so helpful to the matchmakers. It creates the opportunity to network with so many shadchanim in a timely manner. Dates are happening! I believe that this united effort will help take many of our singles out of our database, as they hopefully meet and build a bayit ne’eman (a faithful home) B”H.”

While SZ CONNECT officially began operation after Pesach, there were many matches and engagements already made in the preliminary process alone! Anyone who has ever worked with any of the outstanding matchmakers in the SZ network is already in the database or in the process of being added.

You can rest assured that the entire process is discreet. Anyone new who wishes to join, or for inquiries or guidance, please reach out via email to ShaareZionConnect@gmail.com or text (929) 400-7691. Singles are encouraged to meet with one of the matchmakers in person to insure maximizing the probability of success with this service. Tizku L’Mitzvot and may we share many semachot!

Throughout my life, I have had the privilege of visiting Israel more times than I can remember. I can honestly say I have been almost everywhere and seen almost everything. I have seen Israel through the eyes of a local, a tourist, a student, a journalist, and even as a guest of the government. I love Israel—its history, the land, the people, the food—and understanding its past and present struggles makes me love it even more. Each time I visit Israel I see new things, learn new things, and experience new things. Every trip touches a different place in my heart and leaves me yearning for more.

So, when Rebecca Harary, Senior Vice President of Bnai Zion Foundation (BnaiZion.org), invited me to join a week-long mission to Israel, how could I say anything but yes! But what could Bnai Zion Foundation teach me that I had not learned or experienced before? It’s simple and can be stated in just one sentence: “Bnai Zion is Israel, and Israel is Bnai Zion.”

Over the past 111 years, Bnai Zion has raised millions of dollars, and completed over one hundred capital and humanitarian projects that have contributed to the physical, mental, and social well-being of the people of Israel. Bnai Zion’s work has made Israel a more transformative, innovative, welcoming place, and strengthened the significant and enduring ties between America and Israel.

It seems as if Bnai Zion Foundation is a household name in Israel. As we traveled throughout the Jewish homeland, Rebecca pointed out buildings with plaques that all bore the same message: “Funded by Bnai Zion Foundation.” Many projects date back before the State of Israel was established. For example, in 1928, Bnai Zion’s financial contributions allowed for the reopening of Israel’s foremost higher education institution for the arts, The Bezalel Art School. In 1941, leaders of Bnai Zion helped found Magen David Adom, Israel’s equivalent to the American Red Cross. Millions of medical supplies and 125 ambulances were donated. Since its founding in 1908, Bnai Zion has funded hospitals, rehabilitation centers, youth and senior centers, educational programs and institutions, programs and cultural centers for Holocaust survivors, assisted living villages for people with disabilities, music and cultural programming, a youth village for abandoned or abused children; and more.

We traveled Israel from north to south, stopping along the way to see many of these places. While each project serves it purpose, a few stops stirred this writer’s emotions and truly stuck with me.

Bnai Zion Foundation & Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa

Going to the hospital is always a difficult experience. Going to the hospital in Israel could be deadly. How so? Bnai Zion Medical Center, a world renowned hospital, is located in Haifa. Across the bay—no more than a few miles away—lie Syria and Lebanon. On a clear day you can easily see both. Missile attacks, unfortunately, have become common and terrorists love to target hospitals. When the missile siren goes off, the hospital has only seconds to secure the safety of their patients. Some of the older wings of Bnai Zion Medical Center have little protection. In 2006, during the second Lebanon War, a Hezbollah rocket landed mere feet from the Medical Center, damaging the facility with shrapnel. The staff had to contend with treating those injured in the attack on Haifa, while also keeping their patients safe from the danger on their own doorstep. The physical damage was repaired, but the tension lingered.

“The question is not if we’ll suffer another missile attack, but when. We must be prepared,” said Dr. Amnon Rofe, CEO of Bnai Zion Medical Center. In order to ensure that the hospital can continue to deliver the highest level of care to its patients, Bnai Zion Foundation is raising the funds needed to construct a bombproof emergency room that will be fortified against nuclear, biological, and chemical attacks to ensure that all who need emergency medical care can receive treatment in a secure facility.

I had the opportunity to tour the construction site. This new, underground ER will offer state-of-the-art technology, will have a capacity of over 150 beds, and will be completed within two years. Thankfully, with the immense help of Bnai Zion Foundation, more than $16 million has already been raised toward the construction of this $18 million project.

As part of the tour of the hospital, we also visited the bombproof Neonatal Unit. I can only wonder how new parents might have to deal with issues of a premature newborn while also worrying about the hospital being bombed! The nurses demonstrated how—on a moment’s notice—they must seal the bombproof doors in order to protect all of the tiny preemie babies, some only weighing a couple of pounds. Dressed in scrubs, I had the honor of meeting a very brave baby boy that weighed a mere 1.8 pounds. Now I pray for him every day.

Bnai Zion Foundation & Israel Elwyn

How a society deals with its special needs community says a lot about its character. Throughout history, people with disabilities have been hidden away in institutions— powerless and voiceless. Deep inside, these beautiful people have always known they could do more with their lives. Their desire to come out of the shadows and be a part of society is always present. Bnai Zion Foundation has embraced this population since the early days of the organization, and over 50 years ago built a residential center for people with intellectual and physical disabilities in Jerusalem.

In 1988, Israel Elwyn took over management of Bnai Zion’s Zvi Quittman Center from the Israeli government, and Bnai Zion Foundation has been a major supporter ever since. Today, Israel Elwyn serves more than 4,500 children and adults with severe disabilities throughout Israel. Israel Elwyn believes in the principle of inclusion, and that everyone has the right to be a full part of the community. The residential center’s ultimate goal is to provide individuals with the right tools to enable them to make sound decisions about their own lives and to gain more independence for living and working in the community. With the support services received there, hundreds of adults now work in jobs in the community. Hundreds of children and adults lead more dignified and productive lives, thereby enhancing their overall quality of life by accommodating their disabilities in order to take advantage of their abilities. As a cutting-edge leader in Israel in rehabilitation, early intervention, supported living, youth transition programs, vocational training, employment services, and self-advocacy for persons with disabilities, one of Bnai Zion Foundation’s many goals is to help provide these individuals with the means to achieve independence, inclusion in the community, and dignity.

As I walked around the Israel Elwyn Jerusalem campus, I saw how proud a person with severe disabilities can be when they make their own life decisions and are in control of their own lives. They work, they earn money, have their own bank accounts, spend their money as they choose, and even get married. Now with the help of Bnai Zion and Israel Elwyn they can even choose where to live. Currently, Bnai Zion is working with Israel Elwyn on an initiative to secure more long term rentals on apartments in the greater community for Israel Elwyn residents, in order to align more completely with their principles of inclusion and integration.

Bnai Zion Foundation & Ahava Village for Children & Youth

Unfortunately, like the rest of the modern world, Israel must also account for the thousands of children who are affected by their parents’ drug and alcohol addictions, poverty, violence, and physical and emotional abuse. The adults might be the addicts or the abusers, but their children are the victims. These kids are removed from their parents’ homes for their safety. What happens to these forgotten children? The State of Israel simply cannot handle the amount of traumatized children that enter the system every year. Many become orphaned, and literally have nowhere to turn. They need a home where they will be shown love!

Enter Ahava Village for Children and Youth, a safe, residential space for those 6 to 18 years old, who have been removed from their homes by the state due to violence, abuse, neglect, and other forms of familial trauma.

There are over 250 children at Ahava, and they often suffer from emotional and behavioral issues that make it too difficult for them to fit into Israel’s foster system. Thanks to funding by Bnai Zion Foundation, they receive vital therapies and a loving environment to heal from their traumas and to begin building a foundation for healthy lives. The majority of Ahava’s residents are placed in residential units, where a married couple commits to raising them (often alongside their own children) until they turn 18. This provides the children with stability, a loving environment, and a model for healthy, normative family dynamics.

Bnai Zion also funded the creation of an Emergency Center at Ahava, for children coming from crisis situations. This Emergency Center gives children in imminent danger (usually from a parent) a safe space to acclimate during this very fragile time. Each child is carefully assessed to determine which therapies will be needed, and then matched with a suitable family and residential unit.

Most recently, Bnai Zion Foundation raised funds toward Ahava’s construction of a new Therapy Center, which was completed in February. The Center will provide the children with the life-changing, and often life-saving, therapies they need in one central location, allowing the therapists easier access to therapeutic tools and equipment and enabling more frequent cross-disciplinary collaboration on the children’s therapeutic plans.

Yoav Apelboim, the Executive Director of Ahava Village (but more like a grandfather to all of the children) proudly told me that many of “his” children have moved on to live normal, productive lives. This was a touching moment, as Yoav was quite emotional while talking about some of “his” children and their successes—and even their failures. The love and pride he feels for each of them is palpable—so much so that many keep in contact with him long after they leave.

Bnai Zion Foundation & The David Yellin Teacher’s College

Peace between the Arabs and the Jews in Israel always seems just out of reach. We can debate how the problem started and who is at fault, but Bnai Zion Foundation is actually doing its part to find a solution. They believe in education and working together. I visited two places in Israel that demonstrated that a peaceful coexistence is possible. David Yellin Teacher’s College is a school where both Arabs and Jews study to become teachers. Classes are given both in Arabic and Hebrew. The classes are integrated so the students learn about each other’s lives and cultures. Most inspiring is that many long lasting partnerships have been created from attendance at the college. The College’s commitment to promoting tolerance and combating violence is demonstrated by a number of programs and workshops aimed at promoting dialogue between Jewish and Arab students, and educating students about people of diverse backgrounds. I was genuinely shocked when I walked into a class of Jews and Arabs studying together and analyzing both Torah and the Quran. One Arab student stated, “We found we have more things in common than we do differences.” That one sentence gave me so much hope for the future of Israel, and the Middle East.

Over the years, Bnai Zion Foundation has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to this institution that is doing so much work to educate Israel’s future teachers to embrace peace as a goal.

The territory of Judea and Samaria is just one flash point in the Arab-Israeli conflict since the land was liberated during the 1967 War. Whether it’s two states or one state for two peoples, if you talk to either side you will probably hear the same thing: “Peace will never be achieved.” Maybe people are not looking hard enough. We visited Barkan Industrial Park in Section C of Samaria, and it sure is working there. While the industrial park itself is not one of Bnai Zion Foundation’s projects, it demonstrates the principle of inclusion at the heart of the organization’s mission.

There, Jews and Palestinians work together, side-by-side in Jewish owned factories. They get equal wages and enjoy equal benefits. In several cases, the Palestinian employees are not just the workers, they are also the management. Interestingly, their relationships do not stop at the office door. These Jewish and Palestinian coworkers celebrate birthdays, graduations, weddings, and births of babies together. What is striking is that the BDS movement targets these factories and asks people not to purchase their goods, which is oxymoronic, since boycotting these factories ends up directly hurting the very people they claim they are advocating for—the Palestinians. Copying this model of employing both Jews and Arabs throughout Judea, Samaria, and Gaza could bring peace, coexistence, and prosperity to both the Jews and Palestinians.

Bnai Zion Foundation’s Partnership with the Israeli City of Ma’ale Adumim

We’ve all heard the stories and seen what the news portrays on television—the West Bank and settlements are part of some kind of war zone with soldiers, walls, fires, and barbed wire. But when we crossed over the “green line” and entered the town of Ma’ale Adumim, I saw no such thing.

Ma’ale Adumim is a magnificent city of approximately 42,000 Jews, located near Jerusalem. It serves as an anchor for other communities further east, whose residents rely on Ma’ale Adumim’s commercial center, library, and other cultural venues, many of which have been continually funded by Bnai Zion Foundation for more than 15 years. This growing Jewish population includes over 4,000 seniors, over 700 of whom are Holocaust survivors.

The care and dignity of the elderly population in Ma’ale Adumim has always been a high priority, which is why Bnai Zion Foundation is working with the government of the city to expand their only senior center, the Yuvalim Center. Bnai Zion has also raised funds for the Library of Peace, which is the city’s municipal library, which provides services and educational programming to both Ma’ale Adumim and the surrounding areas.

Bnai Zion has contributed to various initiatives to improve the city, including funding upgrades to playgrounds and kindergartens, a new scenic overlook for the city, improved security measures, holiday meals for residents living below the poverty line, and computer labs in area schools.

Three buildings are named for Bnai Zion Foundation’s Chairman, George Schaeffer, in recognition of his contributions to their construction. The George Schaeffer Music Conservatory is home to the popular Ma’ale Adumim Youth Symphony, which has played internationally, is headed by renowned cellist Benjamin Shapira. This past December, they played a sold out concert at Carnegie Hall.

The George Schaeffer Cultural Center provides a venue for cultural events, with a 600 seat auditorium, and is further beautified by the nearby Irina Schaeffer Serenity Gardens. The George and Irina Schaeffer Bnai Zion Foundation Regional Communities Support Center provides programming for children with special needs, and houses the community’s synagogue.
When I spoke with Ma’ale Adumim’s Mayor Benny Kashriel, he had nothing but words of praise and gratitude for Bnai Zion Foundation and its Chairman George Schaeffer, who joined us for the tour.

Bnai Zion Foundation & The Israeli Government

Bnai Zion supports projects that have a long term, positive social impact on the people of Israel, independent of a political or religious agenda. As such, it is the only organization pursuing capital projects for social impact causes that unite supporters of Israel across the political and religious spectrum.

Rebecca Harary told us that over the past 111 years, Bnai Zion has raised tens of millions of dollars, and completed over one hundred humanitarian and capital projects in Israel. But don’t misunderstand, just because they choose not to have a political agenda does not mean Israeli and American politicians are not very respectful of Bnai Zion Foundation.

In fact, it’s the opposite. Our mission to Israel included a visit to the Knesset, as well as the new American Embassy in Jerusalem. At the Knesset, we met with Speaker Yuli Edelstein. To demonstrate just how much he understood the importance of the long and productive relationship between Bnai Zion Foundation and Israel, he left the campaign trail during the week leading up to the Israeli election just to meet with us!

Once again, we heard nothing but gratitude and praise for all Bnai Zion Foundation has done, and continues to do, for the State of Israel. We were also impressed when we visited the newly opened American Embassy in Jerusalem. Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone, Chief of Staff and Senior Adviser to US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, spoke at length about the long relationship that exists between America, Israel, and Bnai Zion Foundation, detailing the positive impact Bnai Zion has had on the land and for the people of Israel.

My experience with Bnai Zion Foundation in Israel is something I will never forget. I was honored to witness a side of Israel that all Israelis have come to know—the benevolent, nonpolitical, and compassionate projects built and supported by Bnai Zion Foundation, and enjoyed by all. Instead of making political statements that might divide us, Bnai Zion concentrates on what unites us. I recommend joining one of their upcoming missions to Israel, so you too can see firsthand all the good they do.θ

Shehebar Sephardic Center (SSC) places rabbis in new or small communities around the globe. These rabbis are linked together through Rabbi Sam Kassin at the SSC yeshiva in the Old City of Jerusalem. Many of them perform multiple duties. They are shokhets, sofers, congregational rabbis, hazanim, mohelim, and mashgiachs, often all rolled into one person. They perform weddings, teach Jewish children, prepare boys for bar mitzvahs, advise community members, give classes, oversee kashrut and many other duties.

The following story is a first-person account from Rabbi Jonathan Francis Goldschmidt, an SSC rabbi recently placed in Cochin, India.

I had been studying at Midrash Sephardi in the Old City since returning from South Africa. It was just a few months before that my son Asher David was born, and I spoke with Rabbi Sam Kassin, about my job options.

I had studied at a variety of yeshivot, including the Leshem Yeshiva in Jerusalem focusing on philosophy, mysticism, and Jewish law. However, in order to pursue semicha, I was referred to Midrash Sephardi, the rabbinical program of Shehebar Sephardic Center, to study under Rabbi Yaakov Peretz, whose books on halakha inspired me and had very clear explanations

When our latest child, Asher David was born at home, our lives began to focus on our new baby and I found myself less at kollel than usual. Until one day, Rabbi Kassin asked me if I would fly to Cochin, in Kerala, India for a job interview with Star-K Kosher. The job was a mixture of kosher food production auditing and running the Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town (a quarter of Old Cochin) one of the oldest synagogues in the commonwealth.

My wife and I had previously been involved with the Muizenberg Synagogue in Cape Town, South Africa. We had experience running small communities both in South Africa and in Jerusalem. We saw this as an amazing once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to India and to provide support for the Jewish travelers visiting Cochin

Upon entering the synagogue, my first impression was of awe and real inspiration. I saw the original Torah scrolls in their silver covered wooden boxes. I walked over the original ceramic tiles, a gift from the emperor of China to the Maharaja of Cochin in the 1500s.

The Synagogue had been lovingly cared for by Joy, a local Indian, whose grandfather, father, and now his son have spent their lives dedicated to the care and maintenance of the synagogue. In the center before the Ark burnt a singular Ner Tamid (eternal light), lit with coconut oil as a symbol of his family’s ongoing dedication to the Jews of Cochin, who had once numbered in the thousands and dwindled now to only a handful

Whilst I took in the enormity of the beauty and majesty of the synagogue, my contact from Star-K, Rabbi Joel Weinberger, took me carefully through the inspection process that is vital for the many food products regularly imported from India. After a few more trips to India to train in local kashrut and to train to take on the services of the synagogue, we decided on a trip with my entire family for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.

It was essential that my wife, Elisheva, who had never been to India, be comfortable with the conditions and with the long-term reality of living there with two small children. We spoke to many rabbis including Chabad couples who had been posted in India for long periods of time, got the necessary vaccinations and planned our trip.

Before we left, we collected a Kosher Sefer Torah from Midrash Sephardi in the Old City to take to India with us

For me, this posting in India has been a return to self. I grew up in a family where my mother and father had extensively travelled in India. I grew up with stories of the streets of Delhi and the smell of my parents’ suitcases when they would return from their trips. My mother would cook excellent Indian food, and I had travelled to the north with my father by train and been deeply moved by this

As a family, it has been a wonderful experience. We were honored to bring a new Sefer Torah to the rebuilt Kadavumbagam Synagogue in Ernakulum and with the 450th anniversary celebration of the Paradesi Synagogue in Fort Kochi

Constructed in 1567, it is one of seven synagogues of the Cochin Jewish community in the Kingdom of Cochin. Paradesi is a word used in several Indian languages, and the literal meaning is foreigners. It was applied to the synagogue because it was built by Sephardic or Spanish-speaking Jews, some of them from families exiled in Aleppo, Safed and other West Asian localities. It is also referred to as the Cochin Jewish Synagogue or the Mattancherry Synagogue. It is located in the quarter of Old Cochin known as Jew Town, and is the only one of the seven synagogues still in use.

No one has been more supportive and dedicated than my amazing wife Elisheva, as she now runs the community, the mikveh and has set up a kosher kitchen that feeds many Jewish travelers.

We know that this placement is an amazing opportunity to do something really unique. We have met incredible people and already forged deep, meaningful relationships. Although we are only in the beginning of this Indian experience, we feel very privileged to have been considered for it and are genuinely excited to see how it will develop.q

Teach NYS, a project of the Orthodox Union, was formed in 2013 with a singular purpose: securing government funding for nonpublic schools. Through grassroots advocacy, Teach NYS says its secured $450 million in state funding for New York nonpublic schools. This year’s budget includes $15 mil-lion for nonpublic schools to hire Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) teachers—a $10 million increase over last year, when the program began. It also includes $15 million to strengthen security in nonpublic schools.What exactly is grassroots advocacy?

According to Teach NYS Grassroots Engagement Director Annie Watman, it means getting Jewish community members to register, vote, and speak to their legislators in large numbers. Teach NYS has initiatives to engage the community in each of these ways, and Watman says they are always look-ing for more community members to get involved.In 2016 and 2018, Teach NYS ramped up its voter registration and “Get Out the Vote” activities.

They educated day school parents through partnerships with over 50 yeshivah day schools, and made tens of thousands of phone calls reminding Jewish parents through-out the state to register and vote. Last year, they launched an online platform using Turbovote, which allows community members to register and get reminders to vote on their phones, tablets, or computers.In addition to voting activities, every year Watman and the Teach NYS grassroots team organize a Mission to Albany. Teach NYS brings hundreds of community members, teachers, rabbis, and students to meet with their state legislators and request funding for day schools.

“Legislators are bombarded all day by lobbyists and political operatives,” Watman said. “So legislators pay close attention when their constituents come in-person to explain why our schools need state funding.”This annual event complements Teach NYS’ Ambassador Network program, which pairs community members with legislators to build lasting, impactful relationships.

“Teach NYS Ambassadors give a human face and voice to New York State’s 1.7 million Jews, which is crucial for showing legislators that we’re more than just another interest group,” Teach NYS Director of Lay Network Development Avi Spitzer said. Consider Abe Sultan.

He’s no lobbyist or political operative—he works in real estate—but in February 2018, Abe was sitting in the office of Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman explaining why she should support security and STEM funding for New York day schools. Four months later in June, Abe brought the assembly-woman to the Yeshivah of Flatbush to see how the state’s STEM will be spent—in the school’s computer lab, robotics program, and math enrichment initiatives.

“She had never been inside a yeshivah before, but when I took her through, she was very impressed and reaffirmed her commitment to help in any way she could,” Abe said.Joey Braha is another one of Teach NYS’ roughly 50 Ambassadors; he is paired with State Senator James Skoufis, whose district in Orange County encompasses the heavily Satmar Hasidic village of Kiryas Joel. Braha said school visits by legislators go a long way towards dispelling myths about yeshivah day schools, such as Jewish schools are monolithic, ignore secular education, or are for wealthy families only.

“Elected officials may have a certain image of how a yeshivah operates—from the students to the administration to the curriculum,” Braha said. He continued, “That’s why it’s imperative we take the initiative and show legislators how a modern yeshivah functions. Once they witness firsthand that our children are well-versed not only in Judaic studies but also in STEM, English language, and the arts, then they generally understand what we would like to accomplish with their help. It’s crucial to have strong relationships with elected officials,” he added, “because that’s how we communicate the centrality of Jewish schools to our communities.

Fostering those relationships is what the Teach NYS Ambassador program is all about.”Joey Oved, another Teach NYS Ambassador, said building relation-ships with legislators is eminentlydoable. “It’s meeting with your assigned legislator once or twice per year, making a phone call or email every few months, and hosting them at your home or school once per year.”

All told, Oved said, it’s an investment of about 5 to 10 hours per year. Each hour Ambassadors invest has an outsized impact thanks to the hard work and expertise of the Teach NYS staff. “You don’t need to be a political genius or formulate the strategies because Executive Director Maury Litwack, Annie Watman, and Avi Spitzer have already figured that out,” Abe Sultan said, referring to the Teach NYS team. According to Abe, the staff pairs Ambassadors with legislators, coaches them on the policies, suggests when and where to schedule school visits, and gives regular reminders to contact their elected officials. Teach NYS Director of Lay Network Development Avi Spitzer said he works one-on-one with the Ambassadors to ensure they are fully equipped and comfortable with their roles.

Joey Oved said Ambassadors’ relationships with elected officials, like all meaningful relationships, should be long-term. For years, Oved has had a relationship with Tish James, former NYC Public Advocate. James’ help was instrumental in a successful push last year to create a $1 million kosher free lunch pilot program for pub-lic and nonpublic school students.

Last month, James took office as the New York Attorney General, and Oved said he looks forward to continue working with her for many years to come.According to Avi Spitzer, the high impact of the Teach NYS Ambassador Network program means they are always looking for more Ambassadors. “If you’re not sure about becoming an Ambassador, join our Mission to Albany on March 12, 2019 and try it out.

”The Missions to Albany make a huge difference, Joey Braha said. He related how two years ago the Teach NYS group was addressed by Governor Cuomo, who took the opportunity to announce $25 million in security funding for non-public schools. “It’s important to understand that the legislators in Albany, along with their staff, are keenly aware of the Governor’s where-abouts at all times. When Cuomo speaks to our group as he did then, that puts us on the map. I’m not aware of any other school group doing this.” And the fact that many participants choose to become Ambassadors is a nice bonus, Spitzer concluded. For more information please visit www.teachnys.org