The New York State Democratic Party, which has always had a moderate stance, is at risk of veering towards the radical left. Recent New York City mid-term elections were crucial to our community. Progressive Democrats, feeling empowered by a handful of high profile victories, have now thrown their weight behind any progressive trying to unseat moderate democratic incumbents.

Virtually all of the competitive elections in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and recently, Queens, are, and have been, decided by Democratic Party primary elections held in June of each year. The Governor, State Senate Majority, State Assembly Majority, Attorney General, Comptroller, Mayor, City Comptroller, every borough District Attorney, NYC Public Advocate, as well as 4 out of 5 Borough Presidents, and 48 of 51 New York City Council members, are all Democrats.

As the city and state continue a leftward tilt, it is clear that the community needs the ability to vote in the Democratic primaries. This will have influence on which Democrats run in the November elections. Strengthening our voting numbers in these primaries greatly encourages candidates to support issues vital to our community. The stark choice these days is between a moderate Democrat and a progressive one.

Since many community members are registered as Republican or Independent, they are excluded from voting in the Democratic primaries.

The SCF has always promoted an agenda of voter registration. Now, we are urging community members, who have not yet registered, to register as Democrats, and for those who are registered Independent or Republican, to change their voter registration to that of Democrat.

An individual must change his/her registered party one year in advance of being able to vote in the primary. Making the switch now would render one eligible to help elect candidates who support our community interests. Of course, in the general election, regardless of one’s party affiliation, he or she may vote for the candidate of his or her choice.

Chaskel Bennett, co-founder of the Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition (FJCC) wrote a powerful Op-Ed article about the diminished influence of Orthodox Jews in which he stated, “Like it or not, Orthodox Jews are doing this to themselves by registering as Republicans in New York City and disqualifying themselves from voting in the Democratic Primaries. Today, the big political battle in New York is no longer between Democrats and Republicans, instead it is the fight between moderate and progressive wings of the Democratic Party.” The SCF wholeheartedly agrees.

The too close for comfort primary for Queens District Attorney held in June, was only settled in August. Tiffany Caban was heavily backed by progressive Democrats. She conveyed reluctance to prosecute anyone other than those committing the most serious crimes. After recounts and protests, she conceded defeat to Melinda Katz, with a margin of only 55 votes. A victory for Caban would have given the progressive left a stronghold in that borough. This proves that every single vote counts, as 90,000 votes were cast in that race.

Registering as a Democrat or switching party registration is not a moral designation, it just gives one the ability to elect a candidate who can win and help our community. We want to make it very clear that this is not an argument to support Democrats over Republicans. We simply need to ensure that the moderate Democrats have our community’s full support and are not driven out by radicals. Political party registration, along with voting, is a critically important practical and tactical tool that permits us to have a voice in every aspect of the political process.

If you are not a registered Democrat and want to change your party registration or to register to vote for the first time, please visit: voterreg.dmv.ny.gov/MotorVoter.

Hurricane Dorian has battered the Bahamas with the strongest recorded Atlantic hurricane in history. 185 mph winds sent thousands scrambling to shelters. The people are in a state of shock. The Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama, where the eye made landfall, are completely devastated.

Chabad of the Bahamas, through its year-round center on Nassau Island,
is on the ground providing essential relief to all those in need. A designated disaster relief fund has been established to assist those most vulnerable and in need. The most urgent needs are supplies such as clean water, food, clothing, medical supplies, first aid kits and generators.

Those who have been the most severely impacted will be helped to recover and rebuild. Supplies and funds are needed to ensure we can help as many people as we can, as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Please contribute or donate in any way you can. All donations to this fund will be used exclusively to fund relief and recovery efforts in areas impacted by the storm. You can donate at: relief.jewishbahamas.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/4481120/jewish/Donate.htm

Lastly, if you know of any persons in need of emergency assistance, please contact us immediately.

In mid-July, I visited Israel as part of a group that included former Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas and Nick Langworthy, the newly elected Chairman of the New York State Republican Party. The trip was hosted by the National Council of Young Israel and was intended to raise awareness of Israel and the challenges it faces as the Middle East’s only true Democracy.

Being my first visit to Israel, it truly was an eye-opener; it gave me a new perspective on the news stories that we read and see every day regarding Israel and the tensions in the Middle East. It allowed me to have a first-hand look at the faith of the Jewish people, the closeness and ruthlessness of their enemies and the problems faced by Israel’s government and military as they tirelessly work to protect its citizens.

During my three day stay, I visited numerous locations, including: the new US Embassy in Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem and the West Bank, the Gaza border, the Western Wall and the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial.
Without a doubt, my visit to Yad Vashem and my opportunity to pray at the Western Wall were the most moving parts of my trip.

Yad Vashem gave me a new understanding of the unbelievable suffering of the Jewish people at the hands of the Nazi’s and underscores the faith and determination of those who escaped the “final solution” and went on to build the democracy we all know as Israel. It brought new meaning to the word’s “never again” and left a permanent mark on my conscience that we, as Americans, must be at the forefront of the fight against anti-Semitism and any other form of religious discrimination or hate. I also heard the concerns of average Israelis who worry that the US relationship with Israel is fracturing after hearing the anti-Jewish and anti-Israel rhetoric of a handful of Democrats in the US Congress.

Praying at the Western Wall made me contemplate the historic context of the Jewish religion, what Jerusalem means to all people of faith, the huge responsibility Israel has and the example it sets by preserving the rights of Jews, Christians and Muslims to peacefully practice their faiths within yards of one another.

Just as Israel protects the rights of others to freely practice their religion, the United States must continue supporting Israel’s G-d given right to exist and flourish while surrounded by forces that continually plot its downfall. The US must have the courage and fortitude to stand with the people and the government of Israel as they face-down the threats of Iran and its terrorist surrogates. We as a nation must never relinquish the responsibility of speaking out against anti-Semitism in all its forms; whether it’s on the streets of a European capital or in the halls of the US Capitol.

We’ve all heard how, in the first 5½ months of this year, anti-Semitic hate crimes rose by a shocking 82% in New York City. We’ve witnessed how the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) is aimed at destabilizing Israel, or we’ve heard the words of anti-Israeli elected officials on the floor of Congress. One thing is clear; anti-Semitism is on the rise and as freedom loving Americans we must stand tall, shoulder-to-shoulder with our Jewish friends and neighbors here in the US and with the State of Israel on the international stage.

No sooner had the wheels of my plane touched down on the tarmac at JFK than I was once again reading news stories about a resolution in Congress, sponsored by Rep. Ilhan Omar that defends the BDS movement and likens it to boycotts of Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union. The cynical words of the resolution make it all too clear where Rep. Omar and her radical-left comrades in Congress stand on the future of Israel and the Jewish people.

When Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez naively and maliciously called centers for illegal immigrants detained by the US Government, “concentration camps” we all gasped. It became obvious that she has no understanding of history, the Holocaust or the truly evil actions of the Nazis. Most importantly, she doesn’t recognize one simple truth, Americans don’t build concentration camps; we liberate them.

The leadership of Yad Vashem has invited AOC to visit. I hope she takes them up on the offer, because after spending a few hours there, she might decide to choose her words more carefully.

As shocking as their words are, the silence from other elected officials, especially the Democrat leadership in Congress, is far more worrisome; don’t they have the courage and decency to condemn their colleagues’ hateful words and actions?

During my five terms in the New York State Assembly, I have always fought hard for the Jewish community and its needs. My first trip to Israel (and I hope there are many more) has hardened my resolve and reaffirmed my belief that the US must never waiver in its support of Israel and its people. If, G-d willing, I am elected to Congress, you have my assurances that I won’t back-down in my support of Israel and the fight to stop anti-Semitism wherever it might emerge.

Councilman Chaim Deutsch recently gathered with NYPD brass, community leaders, and members of the Shomrim Society, the organization of Jewish police officers in the NYPD, to co-name West 12th Street and Surf Avenue in Coney Island Leon Fox Way, in memory and to honor the legacy of NYPD Police Officer Leon Fox. Officer Fox was the first Jewish officer to be killed in the line of duty serving New York City.

Officer Fox, while assigned to the NYPD’s 60th Precinct, was shot and killed while pursuing three robbery suspects—78 years ago. When Officer Albert Mammon told Councilman Deutsch Leon’s tragic story, Deutsch’s response was “We must recognize, honor and remember Officer Fox, he was a hero, it is our duty to do so.”

Before the ceremony could take place, Councilman Deutsch wanted to track down Leon’s living relatives. Using NYPD pension records, he successfully tracked down Leon’s only son, Gerald Fox, a movie producer living in Hollywood.

The Councilman told Gerald and his wife Linda that he would love to honor his father’s memory with a street renaming. Gerald was extremely grateful and immediately planned for the momentous event, traveling 2,700 miles across the country to attend the ceremony in his father’s memory.

The event was packed with community members, elected officials, and NYPD brass, including NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tucker, Commissioner Bob Ganley, Lieutenant Ira Jablonsky from community affairs and police officers from across Brooklyn. David Heskiel, NYPD Clergy Liaison and special community liaison to Councilman Deutsch was also in attendance, as was Officer Albert Mammon who recited Kaddish in memory of Officer Fox.

A special guest got up to speak, 92 year old Leo Katz. He spoke fondly about Leon, reminiscing about the times Leon would watch over him and his friends in school, when he was a kid. Leon would make sure they left home safely and arrived where they were going safely. Katz told everyone that Leon was the friendliest cop that he has ever met in his lifetime, and that he left an everlasting impression on him.

Thank you to Councilman Deutsch and the NYPD for once again keeping their promise to never forget their fallen officers and their family members.

What do you want most for your children? If you are like most parents, your answer will probably mimic what community parents said when SAFE asked them that very question. They did not mention academic intellect or worldly or material accomplishments. Instead, SAFE found that most parents hoped for their child to be a good and happy person. They used words such as honesty, self-efficacy, purpose, kindness, confidence, empathy and self-love to describe what they want for their children’s future. In summation, we don’t want our children to be depressed or anxious, we want more than that—we want them to flourish.

Lucky for us, research in the field of positive psychology has shown that these kinds of traits and behaviors can be taught; moreover, they should be taught. While 50% of our happiness is genetic, 10% is due to external circumstances and a huge 40% of our happiness is determined by our intentional thoughts, behavior and actions. We can control our well-being, and at SAFE, we want to share that power with our youth.
Meet Cynthia Kassin, SAFE’s new Director of Community Education. Cynthia is overseeing the strategic innovation of The Project Safe School Program and bringing in cutting-edge practices focused on positive youth development. Both SAFE and Cynthia recognize that, as a community, our greatest responsibility is to the next generation. We need to prepare those who come after us with the best social and emotional skills to take on the many challenges of an ever-changing world.

With a BA in child development and happiness from NYU Gallatin, and an MA in Psychology from Pace University, Cynthia is the ideal choice for this new role at SAFE. She completed two years as a teaching assistant at NYU in their immensely popular Science of happiness class and taught an elective at Flatbush HS on the same subject. She was a SAFE teacher, as well. As Cynthia joins the Project SAFE team, she plans to bring more to the students in terms of fostering a lifelong foundation for their overall happiness and well being.

Since 2003, SAFE has been working diligently to educate our youth on the threat of addiction and the necessary life skills that will guard them against life’s challenges. Each week, in a supportive peer forum lead by a SAFE trained teacher, SAFE class gives students a time in their school day to voice their thoughts and questions about everything from personal and social dilemmas to the challenges and anxieties that may arise growing up in our community.

Cynthia plans to further SAFE’s commitment to educate and care for our community’s future generation through updating and revising the content and approach of Project SAFE’s school curriculum, training an incredible group of Project SAFE teachers in the philosophies of positive psychology, and inviting parents and students to collaborate in the classroom.
So, what exactly is positive psychology and how can it help our students not only survive, but also thrive? Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life worth living. Using specific practices, interventions and tools, this branch of psychology gives us insight into the practical contributors to our happiness. Studies show that simple techniques, such as keeping a gratitude journal or counting one’s blessings, can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Flow, or the ability to lose oneself in a positive passion, is another promotion technique that SAFE seeks to encourage, by planning a teen version of the annual summer FARM event, where young adults come together to share music, art and creative expression.

Additionally, Project Safe believes that educating students about adolescent brain growth, sleep, hygiene, mindfulness, and emotional awareness and understanding provides a beautiful opportunity to build our future generation’s resilience, confidence, and self-efficacy so that they will better respond to inevitable challenges.

As Project SAFE moves forward with its exciting improvements, Cynthia acknowledges that while research has finally provided practical tools for living a happy life, our Torah has always been a permanent and pervasive base of these positive psychology teachings. We have a commandment in our Torah to be happy, as is written Vesamachta bechagecha, and our Torah is filled with examples of practices for well-being, such as expressing gratitude every day in prayer. Everything we are learning from research can be found somewhere in Judaism, and Cynthia’s constant aspiration for Project SAFE is to blend the two.

It is our job, as a community of parents, teachers, rabbis, coaches, and other leaders, to help our students not just survive, but also thrive. Cynthia’s willingness to learn from others, as well as her knowledge and interest in the brain development of adolescents, informs her passion for community education and youth advocacy. Blending her passion for guiding our youth and the study of happiness, she hopes to introduce and implement new techniques to our school systems so that our youth have the best resources in order to grow into confident, capable, self-actualized adults. SAFE welcomes her to the team and looks forward to an exciting school year with much in store for our students.

For more information on Project Safe or to volunteer with the School Program, please email Cynthia at cynthia@thesafefoundation.org. For general questions or information about SAFE please email us at ask@thesafeoundation.org or follow us on Instagram @thesafefoundation. If you or a loved one needs help, please call our confidential hotline: (718) GET-SAFE.

Congregation Shaare Tefilah (Eatontown Shul) of Whalepond Road recently marked a special milestone, when the newly-formed Ladies Auxiliary, led by Odette Tebele, hosted their very first event. The hugely successful Bingo Night brought over 200 women together for an evening of fun and festivities, complete with Bingo prizes, as well as numerous door prizes. The participants consisted of year-round residents and summer visitors, members of the Eatontown Shul and every other shul at the Jersey Shore, ranging in age from teenagers to great-grandmothers, proving that Bingo is for everyone! Some women took the opportunity to participate with their extended families, while others got a group of friends together for a girl’s night out.

Less than a month after the formation of the Ladies Auxiliary, three dynamic and energetic volunteers took it upon themselves to spearhead the kickoff event. Danielle Brown, Joy Assoulin, and Margo Braha set the bar for Eatontown Shul’s events very high indeed. They took care of every detail, including securing donations for prizes, supplying refreshments including wine, and running the games.

Shul President Albert Antebi said, “Over the years, the Eatontown Shul has had amazing growth and we felt that the Ladies Auxiliary would inspire the women in our community to organize events for the families of our community. We are excited and confident that this is the start of more amazing events to come!”

The committee hopes to enhance the shul’s activities and create an increased sense of community. Upcoming programs will include pre-holiday Shabbat dinners, couples events, and card tournaments. The youth minyan, classes for men and women, and special holiday events will also reap benefits through the committee’s activities.

Congregation Rabbi Moshe Douek had this to say: “When our shul was first established, it had a small congregation. Everyone lived on the same few blocks. Everyone knew each other. It was like a large family. Over the years, the shul has grown exponentially, with the neighborhood gradually spreading out to include a much larger geographic area. Young families are moving in from out of town, and families from the greater Deal area are joining our Shul. It’s a beautiful thing, with a drawback. The members of our shul often don’t know one another. The men come to shul on Shabbat and have an opportunity to meet there. The women often don’t have that opportunity. We wanted to do something to bring them together. Last year we hosted a lovely Shabbat dinner for our new members. It was a great event that introduced neighbors to one another, and was the springboard for many new friendships. The Ladies Auxiliary is another way to unite the members of our shul, and help them feel like one big family again—a really big family.”

The Bingo event surpassed expectations, requiring additional tables to be added numerous times. The enthusiasm from the community was so encouraging to the committee, they cannot wait to bring you their next event. Keep an eye out for what is sure to be a host of amazing events from this motivated group of women. If you would like to join the committee, please contact Jennifer at the shul office at (732) 272-1143.

Laurie Goldman & Olana Cohen

RBG—The Story of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

PROPEL had the pleasure of co-sponsoring an event at the JCC in Deal, along with the NJ Shore Film Festival. We featured the documentary RBG—The Story of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This inspiring documentary about 86-year-old Ruth Bader Ginsburg, by Betsy West and Julie Cohen and co-produced by Storyville Films and CNN Films, describes the life of a woman raising a family with her devoted husband while fighting for women’s equal rights and then rising to be supreme court justice.

Over fifty men and women gathered at the JCC for wine and cheese and to watch this documentary about a strong, Jewish woman leader. We are grateful to Gem Suslovich, who monitored an interesting talk-back at the end of the movie. Gem reminded the audience that all women can relate to the story of RBG. It is the story of working hard to achieve goals, making a difference in the world, and remaining loyal to your family.

Ruth Bader was born in Brooklyn. Her father was a Jewish immigrant from Ukraine and her mother was born in New York to Austrian Jewish parents. While attending Cornell University, she met her husband Martin Ginsberg at the age of 17. In 1956, she enrolled in Harvard Law School—one of nine women in a class with 500 men. Justice Ginsburg is a prominent legal figure, but she is also a wife, a mother and a grandmother. Her granddaughter, who recently graduated from Harvard Law School, affectionately refers to her as her “Bubbie.”

The movie describes a beautiful and supportive marriage between Martin and Ruth. Their relationship allowed for both professional and personal successes. RBG can be credited with being a champion of women’s rights in the work place. Many of her cases were ground breaking, and resulted in changing the paradigm for working women in this country. The movie also depicted the friendship between Justice Ruth Ginsburg and Justice Anton Scalia. Although they shared very different views, they had great respect and admiration for one another.

A special thank you to Marcy Feldman and Steven and Esther Doueck for helping to coordinate this event.

Vision Mapping with Alice Chera

PROPEL also hosted Alice Chera, in Bradley Beach, for an inspiring vision mapping session with a group of women. It was truly a motivating afternoon, as women of all ages created their own vision boards—each telling a story that represented her individuality, her accomplishments and her aspirations.

Bradley Beach is always a sentimental setting for our community. This historical beach town represents a simpler, less complicated time, and it always evokes a happy feeling in its visitors.

We are extremely thankful to Alice Chera, a certified career coach, who is always encouraging women to be the best that they can be. Alice is a true role model for women and it is always a pleasure hearing her words of wisdom. Many women who have attend a vision mapping program have followed up with PROPEL to pursue their professional goals.

Coming Soon

We look forward to hosting additional PROPEL events this summer, including a panel discussion in New Jersey with women with various careers, including photographers, a nurse, a teacher, a yoga instructor, a pastry chef and a custom designer.

Follow PROPEL on Instagram @PropelNetwork to find out information about upcoming PROPEL programs and events.

If you are interested in a career, please reach out to PROPEL. We can help you fulfill your professional goal. Call 646-494-0822 or email info@thepropelnetwork.org.q

I recently had the honor of taking part in a life-changing trip to Africa, facilitated by the dedicated staff at the Sephardic Community Center. I was part of a group of young adults who raised funds to provide clean water for the village of Bumayi, Uganda. In conjunction with the Israeli charity, Innovation Africa, we worked to install a solar powered pump to extract water from aquifers beneath the ground, so the people who live there could enjoy clean water.

We were greeted by hundreds of men, women and children with bare feet and big smiles, singing Mwene dala asangala khubakeni basangale, which translates to “let the happiness our guests came with stay with them when they exit.” This reminded me of Debarim 28:6, “You shall be blessed when you come, and you shall be blessed when you depart.”

On our mission, we visited three towns. The first, Tororo, had an abysmal water supply, and nearly no aid. The second, Bumayi, was where we were bringing the technology—it also had a horrific water source—that they would never have to use again, and the third, Bukalikha, has had a clean water supply for some time. Each of these towns greeted us with cheers and songs.

While walking in the first town, I was exposed to the bareness of sub-Saharan Africa. The ground was covered with stems and branches, and the heat of the sun must have made it scorching hot. My Reeboks protected my feet, but next to me people walked barefoot. This made me thankful for shoes.

After seeing the contamination and dangerous water source of the first town, we saw the same at the second. The difference being, we brought a solution to Bumayi. Thanks to miraculous Israeli technology, we brought life-saving, thirst-quenching, sanitary water. The villagers could not have been more thankful.

Our first stop in Bumayi was their former water source; it was oozing algae. Three women were elected to tell us about it. One woman described how scorpions and snakes lurking in the water would scare her off, and she would often go home without water. Another woman told us that her husband was always angry that she would take so long to get the water, however it was the third woman who moved me. On her back was her child. After affirming everything the other two women said, she turned her child around and showed us his back. Sadly, it was covered in boils, pimples, and rashes, which came from being washed with the contaminated water. She then fell to her knees. A sign of maximum thanks, according to our translator, and praised us for bringing clean water.

In front of us was this woman, on her knees, grateful to us. Sure, bringing a village in need of clean water the technology they so badly needed, was nice, but to the point of kneeling before us? I didn’t know what to think. Was she overestimating the gravity of what we brought? Was I underestimating the same? The truth was that I underestimated how our water project would help the villagers. This woman would be able to wash her children with clean water, which would make them healthier. Our help would better her children’s lives, which is priceless.

Later, we celebrated and turned on the water pump. There was more singing and dancing. I showed a little boy that he could drink directly from the new water source, an idea that was clearly foreign to him. For the first time he drank running water.

The following day we visited Lwaboba Day School. The walls of the classrooms were deteriorating, much like the books and paper they had. So, they were thrilled to learn that we brought them desks, and we helped install solar panels to provide the school with power. We brought them light, which illuminated more than the classrooms—every face in the room was lit up with joy.

Leading up to my trip, and even following it, people asked me, why Uganda? Joey Tawil, the Center’s CEO, explained: “Charity begins at home, but it doesn’t end there.” I had a more personal reason. In my graduation address at the Yeshivah of Flatbush, I wished for my fellow graduates to go out and change their world. When a unique opportunity to change the world came along, I seized it. I did my best to improve the impoverished lives of the villagers in Uganda.

Our words are never chosen lightly. Children who need extra attention, help and love are known worldwide as “special,” but this does not only refer to their requirements and needs. We call them special because they are. Each smile, belly laugh, hug and achievement, no matter how large or small, touches our hearts, and is, yes—truly special.

The morning of July 7th was beautiful for the Special Children’s Center event at Rina and Ely Cohen’s home in Deal, NJ. The stage was set for these incredible children to dance—strong and proud—for a fashion show showcasing not clothing, but the joy inside each child’s heart. The kids were excited! They chose any outfit from any store they wanted. They had hair and makeup done, picked their favorite songs, and received gifts at the end of the runway, like a cherry on a sundae.

I moderated, as the crowd cheered them on, one after another, but when beautiful Joyce spontaneously broke away from her dance to hug me with more love and gratitude than I’ve ever felt, I knew why I agreed to this. Everything the Special Children’s Center does is worthwhile and necessary, in more ways than we understand.

The amazing Yaakov Shwekey powerfully kicked off the event singing our new song, “I am Alive,” recorded in Times Square and dedicated to DJ Cohen A”H, a true hero, gone way too soon. It was a day to be grateful, and to thank Hashem. Being alive is a gift; it’s all in the way we look at things. Music from The Greatest Showman filled the yard with magnificent energy, and the show began.

The beautiful Emily did back bends and splits for the crowd, little Jack danced to “Baby Shark,” and Chezky blew out candles on a giant three tier birthday cake made especially for him by DJ Cohen’s wife, Alexis. Lovely Joyce got crowned a real princess and Olivia—once a camper but now a staff member (hooray!)—received a plaque for all her efforts.

Ana looked sweet and stunning, melting our hearts with every turn, and for the finale, Miri, red-headed and gorgeous, announced her wish to go to Disney World. As the Center is often in the business of making dreams come true, Mickey and Minnie appeared on-stage with a giant check, sparking magical excitement and bringing the entire audience to their feet.

Rabbi Eli Mansour then introduced Harry Adjmi to begin the fundraising, and reminded us that the real heroes are the super moms and dads that are dealing with this challenge. He said, “Behind every special child there are very special parents.”

I met Jenine, Chaya and Richie Dweck years ago, when the Special Children’s Center was just a seedling. Today, the Center hosts over 400 children across three locations, including Lakewood’s state-of-the-art campus, covering six square miles, generously donated by the town to these kids. The Center is an essential respite for these families, bringing fun into the kids’ lives and sending them home bathed and fed.

Chaya Bender explained, “Today, kids who shared early beginnings with the Center are getting older. Elliot Tawil has led the charge to prepare them for the future, and Hashem sent Stanley Chera to make these new dreams possible. Stanley envisioned a brand new campus with room for it all, and G-d bless our donors, and Alex Adjmi for his building expertise, we’ll soon have 30,000 square feet of new space, being designed by the amazing Margalit Lankry Designs.

Our newest venture is the Lillian and Sol Goldman Training Center Café, where our special needs adults will have opportunities to test their skills at bookkeeping, inventory, stocking and serving. There will also be 13 new classrooms and therapy rooms, in addition to our running programs:

After school Program:

• 24/7 Center House
• Sunday Program
• Legal Holiday Program
• Summer Camp Program
• Integrated Daycare 0-5 years
• The Center Preschool
• Adult Daycare
• Residential/Group Home Services
• Advocacy and Case Management
• Max Harari Disney World Trip

Jenine Shwekey added, “We are constantly amazed at what these kids are capable of. So many are musically inclined. With this in mind, we introduce the Adele Hanover Music Center. The main goal at all times is to make sure every Center child feels loved and accepted. They have so much goodness inside them. Days on-stage, like these, help them remember that they are beautiful, inside and out.”

As a community we’re unique. We’re there for each other unapologetically, the hesed we perform knows no bounds, and the volunteers that line up for every cause are endless. We’d like to thank our hosts, Rina and Ely Cohen and their amazing daughter Nancy Haddad. Of course, the incredible Norma Cohen, Norma Safdieh, Audrey Dweck, and Ricky Esses Music, among so many others. Yvette Cohen, for spearheading the fashion show, Alice Hedaya and Reisa Betesh; Coquette Kids, Lil’ Swimmas, Vanilla Sky and My Getup for clothing; Ronit Maleh and Carolyn Dayon: makeup, Aimee Barnathan and Evelyn Anteby: hair, and of course, our donors, volunteers and everyone who cheered us on for a fashion show featuring laughter and smiles, and everything that makes the Center special.

To donate or volunteer please call Chaya Bender (732)
367-0099.

Sam’s Story

Sam saved his brother’s life. It was a typical Friday night. As Sam’s family sat around their Shabbat table, none of them could have expected what was to come.

The meal was enjoyable, with good laughs, great conversation and even better food. After a long week of work and school, it was great to be able to relax together and catch up.

As the night progressed, the younger boys went to the basement to play while Sam and his parents moved over to the den for dessert. Suddenly, as the cake plates were being passed around, one of the boys burst into the den. With a look of panic in his eyes, and a tremor in his voice, he managed to get out two words: “Louie’s choking.”

For a split second, everyone froze, both shocked and confused. They raced downstairs, and there was Louie, their 7 year old son, hunched over, beet red, and totally unable to breathe. Panic filled the room. Louie’s parents were hysterical.

That’s when Sam stepped in. Upon entering the room, and comprehending within the chaos what was going, he immediately stepped behind his younger brother and began to perform the Heimlich Maneuver. Continually thrusting on Louie’s stomach with all of his strength, Sam prayed for a miracle.

A few seconds later, though it seemed like light years for everyone present, a bright white sucking candy shot out of Louie’s mouth, across the room. He quickly regained his breathing, and soon after, the color returned to his face.

The room was silent. Everyone just stared at Sam and Louie, in utter disbelief. His parents were in shock. No one was able to get a word out, except for Sam, who simply stated, “I knew what to do thanks to Blink.”

A few days later, in front of an auditorium full of seniors in Flatbush High School, preparing to take Blink’s two hour CPR course, Sam shared this story with them. He said, “No one warned us that this was going to happen on Friday night. No one told us that Louie was going to choke. It just happened. And thank G-d I knew what to do because of this program that you’re about to take. I was sitting in your chair two years ago, contemplating whether to take this course seriously or not, along with the rest of my classmates. Thank G-d I made the right decision, because it saved my brother’s life.”

Sam’s story is Blink’s 43rd save story since its inception in 2014. Parents have saved their infants, children have saved their aging parents, and countless years have been added to the lives of the people who were saved—all thanks to some simple life-saving knowledge, and basic training.

In just 5 years, Blink has trained over 8,000 community members to save lives, using CPR, and the results have been incredible.

This summer, Blink will hold its 5th Annual Blink Week, a string of standalone CPR classes open to the community for free, in Brooklyn and Deal. These classes are extremely intimate, they’re broken down into small groups with dedicated instructors to ensure that everyone leaves with full confidence. All of the night classes are open to men and women, fully separate with gender-appropriate instructors. The day classes are open to women only.

All you need to do is come to one 90 minute class. If you’ve taken the class before, come again—it never hurts to take a refresher course to practice your skills. If you’ve yet to take a class, what are you waiting for?

We pray that we’ll never need to use these skills, but it’s much better to know how to perform CPR and never need to use it, than to be there when someone needs CPR and not know how to do it.

Hatzalah can generally get where they need to be within 2 minutes, however, those first 120 seconds before they arrive are often the difference between life and death.

Whether it’s a heart attack, someone choking, or lifted from the bottom of a pool, resuscitation must begin immediately.

If it’s your brother or sister, an aunt or uncle, a father or mother, or your very own child, those few seconds feel like a lifetime—especially when you’re waiting helplessly for assistance to arrive.

Thanks to Blink there are so many stories that are similar to Sam’s. Here’s Vivian’s story.

Vivian’s Story

Vivian saved her baby nephew. Her nine month old nephew was sitting in his highchair in her kitchen. His baby-sitter was feeding him rice and beans. Everything seemed fine. A few minutes passed, then Vivian heard her nephew let out a slight cough. She had a feeling that something wasn’t right, so she unstrapped the baby from the highchair. Suddenly, his face started turning purple—he was choking on his lunch.

Vivian laid him across her arm and started giving him back blows. With every blow, she became increasingly fearful that her nephew had tried to swallow way too much. His face was getting more purple by the second. As tears rolled down her face, Vivian continued to give it her all, fearing the worst but praying for the best. Finally, a full clump of rice and beans came shooting out of his mouth and he began to breathe again.

Vivian had taken one of Blink’s summer classes two years earlier, and that afternoon she used the training to save her nephew’s life.

Dave’s Story

David was watching his campers in the pool as they splashed around. A few of them were racing from end to end, while others were trying to see how long they could hold their breath underwater. Benny (his name has been changed for anonymity) was excellent at that game, and David knew it, so he watched to see if he could top his own record. David waited for Benny to pop up and take a breath, but he didn’t. He was underwater for a long time. He wasn’t that good!

David realized something was wrong, and as he was ready to jump in, he noticed Benny’s body begin to float to the top of the water, his face pale, lips purple, still as can be.

David immediately jumped in, dragged Benny out, and began CPR. He pounded his fists into Benny’s chest and tried his hardest to breathe life into his lifeless camper. Within two minutes, David felt Benny’s body begin to move again and he started to spit up water. Hatzalah soon arrived and took over from there.

That night at the hospital, the paramedics asked David what had transpired in those few minutes before they arrived. After describing the traumatic events, the paramedic said, “You saved the boy’s life. Had you not done what you did, he most likely would not have made it.” Thank G-d, Benny made a full recovery, and was back in camp just a few days later.

David called Blink the next day to say, “Thank you. I saved a boy yesterday with the training you gave me—just one week ago.”

Saving someone’s life is one of the greatest things you can do. Should someone stop breathing in front of you, be like Sam, Vivian and David. Have a happy story to tell afterwards. Had they not taken the time to learn CPR, those stories could have ended very differently.