Afew weeks ago, I had the privilege and opportunity to accompany the Young Sephardic Leadership Club of Magen David Yeshivah High School to Washington DC. We have visited the capital on several lobbying missions; this time we were there to get a first-hand, behind-the-scenes look at how our country is run!
Our first stop of the day was the White House, where we were met by our friend, Journalist Jake Turx, who gave us a comprehensive, guided tour of the East Wing. He works in the West Wing, as a White House correspondent, so he knows the layout of the building well. The boys were very excited to learn about the fascinating history of the White House, and to see the magnificent ornate rooms.
After the tour, we went right next door to the Treasury Building, where we had a meeting with Mitchell Silk, the Deputy Treasury Secretary, who is a religious Jew! Heâs fluent in Chinese and leads the administrationâs trade talks with China. He took us around the building, and showed us the old vault where they used to keep much of the US treasury money. It was fascinating, you could feel the history. Having a religious Jew work at such a high position in the prestigious Treasury department made a big impression on all of us.
Our group proceeded to the Senate, via an underground train which few people ever get to ride in. When we arrived, we had a delicious kosher lunch catered by Freundâs Catering from NY. The senators were honoring Mr. Harley Lippman, who is involved in many Jewish causes, including Holocaust restoration, combating anti-Semitism, as well as many pro-Israel causes. The senators spoke about their connection to the Jewish community. Also in attendance, was the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the US, who spoke about establishing pro-Israel ties and the new shul that opened there.
Senator Robert Menandez of New Jersey spoke out against Iranâs terror activities. We listened to his important words before heading to a meeting in the Eisenhower Building, with Mr. Alan Barell, who is the Deputy National Security Adviser to my friend, NSA Director Mr. John Bolton. Mr. Barell is a religious Jew, as well. He invited us into his office, where he discussed the threat which Iran, as well as North Korea, pose to the United States. He also discussed what itâs like for a religious Jew to work in such a high level position in Washington, and how he balances religion and work. He works until 11 pm every night, except Shabbat, which is the highlight of his week! Mr. Berell is from Brooklyn, but lives in Potomac, Maryland, and sends his kids to the Berman Hebrew Academy.
In the evening, we went to dinner at Char Bar, the only glatt kosher restaurant in Washington, where we ran into Mr. Barell! He was happy to sit with us and join us while we prayed mincha at the restaurant. We discussed more informal issues over dinner, and he was very impressed with the boys. He invited us to visit him again.
The Young Sephardic Leadership Club had a wonderful, action packed, full day of adventure, and wonderful life experience. All the boys said that it was one of the best trips of their lives.
Last month, PROPEL had the pleasure of cosponsoring a contemporary Latin American Art showcase with RBK Art Advisory, founded in 2019 by Rachel Khafif. After graduating in 2018 from Sothebyâs Institute of Art with a Masterâs in Contemporary Art, Rachel founded RBK with the encouragement of her mother, Robin Braka, who is the senior art consultant for RBK and also serves as a PROPEL board member and sponsor of PROPELâs Robin Braka School of Art. Together, mother and daughter hosted this event with PROPEL as part of RBKâs forthcoming series entitled Living With Art. The series aims to build community around art education, and to expose both art lovers and emerging collectors to the work of female artists within unique art venues.
This Living With Art kickoff event featured a Q&A with Uragyuan artist Vicky Barranguet, inside Artemisa Gallery, a contemporary Latin American art space which is not only an exhibition gallery but also the home of its gallerist, Mariana Broda. In the intimate setting of Brodaâs Chelsea townhouse, approximately 30 women gathered around the living room sofaâwith exotic iced teas and edible flowers crafted by Mariel Tawil Eventsâto hear Barranguet narrate her artistic journey. She described the challenges of balancing her career as an artist and raising two children, alongside her musician husband, Gustavo Casenave. She recalled how her creative process thrived when her husband played jazz or classical music, and Rachel Khafif, while interviewing Barranguet, described the artistâs abstract compositions as âsymphonic canvases.â
These are anything but typical canvases. Barraguet paints lengthy scrolls, bursting with color and crescendo, and allows her patrons to select and cut portions of the scroll that most speak to them. She also described how her scrolls can be exhibited in their entirety, and spoke of a recent art commission for a 150 meter (almost 5 feet ) long painting that is going to be wrapped around the inner hallways of The Galleria Vik Milano, a hotel in Italy.
One of the most interesting moments of the afternoon was when Barranguet described a lack of female artistic mentorship, as abstract expressionism is commonly stereotyped as a male-dominated medium. This underscored the importance of RBK Art Advisoryâs focus on female artists and building community for women through the arts, as well as PROPELâs commitment to supporting and helping women find their professional passions.
Frieda Braha, a young contemporary artist, connected with Barranguetâs career trajectory. She noted, âMeeting Vicky was a huge inspiration for me. Being able to see her techniques and hearing how she grew her business, widened my perspective as an artist.â Echoing these sentiments, interior designer Elizabeth Braha expressed, âThe event gave attendees an uncensored look into the world of art sales with access to artists, advisors, and collectors. âWhat I appreciated most is that PROPEL is always open to giving people interested in the field genuine, unfiltered guidance.â
Indeed, this unique partnership between RBK and PROPEL spoke to PROPEL Cofounder Rebecca Harary. She explained, âRobin and Rachel brought together what the mission of PROPEL is all aboutâ that working women can be it all and do it all for their families, and their careers were spotlighted today.â
A special thank you to Robin Braka & Rachel Khafif (@rbkartadvisory), Mariana Broda (@artemisagallery), Mariel Tawil (@mtevents.co), and Vicky Barranguet (@vickybarranguet) for helping to coordinate such an inspiring event.
If you are interested in a career, please reach out to PROPEL. We can help you fulfill your professional goal.
Contact PROPEL at 646-494-0822 or email info@thepropelnetwork.org. Follow PROPEL on Instagram @PropelNetwork to find out about upcoming programs and events.
ABA is short for applied behavioral analysis, a type of therapy that focuses on improving specific behaviors such as social skills, communication, reading, academics, as well as adaptive learning skills, which include fine motor, hygiene, grooming, domestic capabilities, punctuality, job competence, and decreasing targeted behaviors.
ABA is effective for children and adults with autism, or psychological disorders. It has also been proven that consistent ABA can significantly improve behaviors and skills, and decrease the need for special services. It can also help control transitional challenges that can arise, minimizing or controlling the negative behaviors all together. Itâs most successful when intensely applied for 20 hours a week or more.
ABA is based on theories which state that desired behavior can be taught through a system of rewards and consequences. It can be thought of as applying behavioral principals with behavioral goals and carefully measuring the results.
While the idea of using reward and consequences to teach behavior is probably as old as human civilization, the idea of carefully applying rewards and consequences to achieve specific measurable goals is a relatively new concept. The idea is that autism is a set of behavioral symptoms, which can be modified or extinguished. Most of the time ABA is intended to extinguish undesirable behaviors and teach desired behaviors and skills, for example; it may be used to reduce outburst and tantrums, or to teach a child to sit quietly use words to make requests, or wait their turn when playing a game. ABA can also teach simple and complex skills, for example: it can be used to reward a child for sharing a toy with a friend, or putting their plate in the sink after dinner. The goal of any ABA program is to help each person become more independent and successful.
Its not one-size-fits-all, each program is written to meet the needs of each unique person. Treatment goals are written based on the age and ability level of the person and can be provided in many different locationsâhome, school, clinic, and out in the community. ABA teaches skills that are useful in everyday life. It can be done one-on-one or in a group setting.
A Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) oversees the program. Each analyst customizes the program to each individualâs skills, needs, interests, preferences, and family situation. The BCBA will evaluate the individual and come up with treatment goals and family goals and how to implement them. Then the trained therapist, referred to as either a behavioral therapist, para, or behavior tech, supervised by the BCBA, works directly with the individual to practice skills and work toward the goals written by the BCBA. Goals can include many different skill areas such as communication, social skills, self-care (showering, dressing) play, motor skills, learning, and academic skills. The plan breaks down each of these skills into small steps. The therapist teaches each step one-by-one. The BCBA and therapist measure the progress by collecting data. The BCBA meets regularly with the family and therapists to review information about the progress, and then plans and adjusts goals as needed. Parents, family members, and care givers receive training so they can carry over what is being taught throughout the day, so there is consistency.
How It Works
Positive reinforcement is one of the main strategies used in ABA. When a behavior is followed by something that is valued (a reward), a person is more likely to repeat that behavior, and over time this encourages positive behavior change. For example, the therapist will say, âDavid, please put your plate in the sink.â If David complies, he is given a reinforcer or reward, if he doesnât, he doesnât receive the reward, and the exercise is repeated.
Reinforcement (items, timing, and activities) are likely to vary widely, and should be something that is motivating to that individual. With very young children, it will appear as play therapy, and as they master the behaviors the therapist will take them into real world settings where they can incorporate them into ordinary social experiences.
Parental involvement is key. It doesnât have to be time consuming or difficult, but follow through is very important for success and progress. If the behaviors that the therapist teaches the individual are not generalized or reinforced and maintained by the family, then one of two things will happen. He will lose the skill, or he will only display the skill for the therapist, which is not real success at all.
Many types of private health insurance cover ABA services, with a prescription from your doctor and an autistic diagnosis. Unfortunately, Medicaid does not yet cover ABA therapy, but it is being worked on, so hopefully it will be covered in the future.
It is important to find an ABA provider and therapist who are a good fit for your family. Not every individual responds well to behavioral therapy. As with many approaches to autism or negative behaviors, ABA is certainly worth a try. The first step is for the therapist to establish a good relationship with the individual. If he/she trusts the therapist and enjoys spending time with him/her, therapy will be more successful and fun!
Is he excited when he âgets toâ work with the therapist? Is he responding to the therapist with smiles? Is he learning skills that are helping him in his daily life? If the answer is yes, to most of the questions, you are moving in the right direction. If not, itâs time to move on and change either the therapist, the BCBA, or agency. For guidance or help finding an ABA agency call the C.A.R.E. for special childrenâs office.
Bridge Linx is a community organization that caters to school aged childrenâtwo and upâwho attend mainstream community schools and need extra help in specific areas of development.
Bridge Linx Therapy Center offers speech and occupational therapy in a state-of-the-art facility.
Our mission is to service children with specific challenges including OT, PT, speech, social and behavior therapy in all schools in our community. We assist mainstream children so that they will receive the support they need to succeed and thrive in their every day lives and activities.
Bridge Linx is unique in its non- profit therapy model offering scholarships for those in need.
Our experienced professional team offers a high quality individualized therapy program, both during the school year and throughout the summer.
A Parentâs Point of View
Before getting connected to Bridge Linx, I wanted to avoid my sonâs parent/teacher conferences. It didnât matter that there were new teachers every year, the message was always the same. They told me, âSammy is a bright boy, but he struggles in class. He appears to listen, but when asked to respond to a question, his answers are incorrect and his notes are disorganized or in disarray.â
Sammy was leaving out important information and therefore, not performing well on tests. I remember turning to my husband with a flow of tears streaming down my face, and asking, âWhat are we doing wrong? No amount of studying seems to help our son.â
I saw the disappointment in Sammyâs eyes every time he came home with a bad grade. When he would cry in frustration, I sometimes cried with him. Bridge Linx was able to give him the proper support that he so desperately needed.
After the first phone call with Bridge Linx, I was put at ease. They immediately set up a meeting to have Sammy evaluated. The Bridge team of therapists sent me to an audiologist to get further information. Finally, we had a diagnosis. My son had difficulty with auditory processing. Within a few short weeks, he was able to implement the strategies taught to him by his speech therapist to actively listen. He showed a major improvement in his notes. In therapy, they worked on following directions, responding to questions, listening and retelling stories. I canât begin to tell you what a difference it has made. I will never forget the day Sammy came home with the highest grade on his test! Tears, once again filled my eyes. This time they were tears of happiness and joy. My son was on his way to academic success!
Partnering with Bridge Linx The Teacherâs Point of View
As a teacher of mainstream classes, students present many different challenges in the classroom. As an instructor, taking into account the number of students I teach, and my limited resources, I do my best to help each child do his or her best. That has its own challenges. Partnering with Bridge Linx Therapy Center has made a tremendous difference in my ability to help. Bridge Linx evaluates the students to assess the source of their issues. They then make recommendations that I can immediately implement in the classroom. I have seen amazing results from the therapy they have recommended. Most of all, I feel empowered, having a resource of professionals to turn to for help and advice.
A Therapistâs Point of View
Working as an occupational therapist for Bridge Linx in our community school and at the center, it is so gratifying and inspiring to see the progress and growth coming from our students. It is clear that there is a team approach, which includes input from the teachers, speech therapists, OTs and PTs. Creating and implementing goals makes a real impact on the students. The quality of the therapists and the treatment delivery model truly help create a well-rounded student.
Bridge Linx Weâre Here For Your Community
We provide speech, occupational and physical therapy, as well as social behavior therapy. Listed below are examples of some specific goals that each therapy targets. Speech ⢠Auditory processing ⢠Expressive language ⢠Articulation ⢠Following directions ⢠Listening comprehension skills ⢠Language skills Occupational Therapy ⢠Sensory integration ⢠Fine motor strengthening ⢠Motor coordination ⢠Hand-eye coordination ⢠Core strengthening ⢠Body awareness Physical Therapy ⢠Gross motor coordination ⢠Body muscle strengthening ⢠Balance and coordination ⢠Motor Planning Social Work ⢠Positive self image ⢠Communication skills, emotional regulation, executive function skills At Bridge Linx, we believe in the potential of every child. Please help us help them realize their dreams.
Please call our office to see how Bridge Linx can help you, at. (732) 493-3670
It was the late 1990âs and I was running myself ragged on a hamster wheel. Almost broke, barely making it, every day Iâd wake up, put on a suit, and head to a job with no joy, no potential for growth, and no future. Do you relate?
It was soul sucking, but I kept at it because I was running my life under the same misconception many people haveâthat in order to be who I wanted to be, I had to have money and things. And that in order to have said money, I had to do more.
In fact, I was so focused and driven to work harder and do more, I lost sight of who I truly wanted to be.
Then, one day I woke up to a paradigm shift. I realized that, if I wanted to build a future for myself, first and foremost I had to be real, authentic, and focus on who I could be. Only then would I have what I truly wanted out of life. With this clarity, I gave my current boss notice.
It was terrifying. I didnât have a plan, or another position lined up. I had nothing but the knowledge and clarity that I not only wanted more, but that in order to get my life where I wanted it to go, I needed to be more. What happened next was nothing short of miraculous, and it taught me some important life lessons.
Be Present & Get Real
Every one of us faces challenges on a daily basis. Some of them are minor nuisances, while others are full scale crises. In the moment, when weâre facing a challenge, what really matters is how we deal with it. Do we curl up in a ball and hide? Do we freeze up or can we somehow find the courage to be real, to be present, and face the challenge head on? After all, courage is not the absence of fear. Rather, itâs taking action despite the fear.
Perception Is Key
Iâm currently working with a young entrepreneur. Heâs on his third business, and struggling. Heâs so hard on himself, bemoaning âIâm a loser, a failure,â and yet heâs just 26 years old, and heâs overcome the odds so many times, worked, sweated and built businesses from scratch!
Heâs learned what works, and what doesnât. Heâs learned how to manage a team, how to speak to clients, how to negotiate and operate. His first businesses may not have been sustainable or profitable, yet as a person and entrepreneur heâs grown tremendously. Heâs well on his way to success.
I like to think of Thomas Edison, who tried and failed to invent the light bulb many times. Each time he failed, he said, âI found another way a light bulb wonât work.â In coaching, we talk about structure of interpretation (SOI), the language we use to describe a situation and/or the lens through which we view it. Changing your language or your lens changes everything.
Reframe: Leverage StrugglesTo Your Benefit
Often, the solution to our struggles is staring us straight in the face. Sometimes we only get to the solution through the struggle itself.
Another one of my clients works in real estate. When he was first starting out, he struggled for a bit until he closed a few good deals. He then upped his game and took on greater risks. All it took was a little more debt and bang, he was in trouble. He was overleveraged and really struggling. His initial investors and funding sources were tapped out. This challenge forced him to find new methods and resources, which ultimately opened doors to even greater funding, bigger deals and profits.
Back to my personal miracle. Six months prior to leaving my job, I had worked a sales lead. I put my heart and soul into this deal, meeting and negotiating with their entire executive team. When this deal fell apart, I remember feeling crushed and saying out loud I may not understand, but itâs what G-d wants. Little did I know how impressed they were with me. As soon as they heard I left my job, they reached out immediately to recruit me with a generous offer.
Part of my decision to give notice that day was because I calculated my income requirement and realized it would not happen where I was. Incredibly, BH, their offer matched this number precisely.
When we strategically think about who we want to be, truly, and where we want to go, weâll be able to take the right steps in order to do, and ultimately have the life we always dreamed of.
Letâs stop the focus on âdoingâ and start becoming! Give it a try. And if you need a little extra support, give me a call at 718.377.3900, or email yes@themaxmethod.net.
These women are our modern day heroines. PROPEL graduates marched into the auditorium to share and celebrate individual and collective accomplishments. Each graduate completed a certificate course of her choice after being coached by PROPEL.
Today, each graduate can be counted as an income producer in her family. Moreover, each graduate is a role model for her own children, as well as for other women aspiring to step into the workforce. Hosting the event on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom Hashoah, allowed us to memorialize six heroines of the Holocaust. PROPEL graduates Frieda Schweky, Elana Ades, Aimee Barnathan, Atara Schweky, Michelle Saad and Rena Shaab lit candles to honor Anne Frank, Vitka Kempner, Hannah Senesh, Hadassah Bimko, Zivia Lubetkin and Nancy Wake, respectively. A seventh candle was lit by Bonnie Shams in memory of Lori Gilbert-Kayeâa 60 year old woman who was tragically shot and killed while attending Passover services at Chabad of Poway in Californiaâto remind us of recent acts of anti-Semitism and to memorialize its latest victim.
We heard inspiring speeches from two recent graduates. Orit Haddad, a graduate of the Allegra Franco School of Educational Leadership is beginning her new role as a Judaic Studies teacher this coming September. Lily Ades completed her certificate course in photography and successfully launched her own business.
Each woman described a positive experience at PROPEL and the value of being mentored by career coach Ellen Ades. They beautifully highlighted the balance achieved between aspiring to obtain a career and devoting attention to family.
A video montage recapped our year at PROPEL and celebrated each graduate to a resounding, âWe are the Championsâ soundtrack.
Our Keynote speaker, community occupational therapist Bonnie Shams, delivered a heartfelt address describing her family background. She took inspiration early in life from her working grandmother and mother, and began her career journey on the wings of these role models. Bonnie was honored at the graduation with the âSupport Inspires Successâ award, as she supports countless children in the community, encouraging them to be the best they can be. Similarly, PROPEL invests in coaching and guiding women to be the best they can be, by finding suitable careers that generate income, and also make sense, and honor the traditional values of our community. Women are heroines, and are balancing professional and family life successfully.
A special message from the Israeli army appeared on the video screens from Phyllis, Bonnieâs daughter, congratulating her mom. Emotions ran high in the room that night!
The finale was a presentation of diplomas to our graduates by members of the PROPEL Board of Directors, including Co-president Jacqueline Harary, Co-founder Rebecca Harary, Vice President Gayle Krost, Marketing Director Marlene Mamiye, Elliot Tamir, and sponsors of our School of Wellness, Nellie and David Haddad. A special thank you to board member Ezra Ashkenazi for providing electronic gifts to each graduate.
Many women who attended the graduation were inspired to contact PROPEL. Count yourself in that group, and call PROPEL today!
If you are excited to enter the workforce, PROPEL is here to support you and help you fulfill your professional goal. Call (646) 494-0822, or email info@thepropelnetwork.org. Follow us on Instagram @PropelNetwork for info about upcoming programs and events.
This has been a groundbreaking year for SAFE. Through a series of remarkable events and initiatives the agency has embarked on a campaign to change the way we think about addiction and substance abuse. We are shining a light on this important issue thatâs touching all corners of our community by raising public awareness with a new look, important volunteer initiatives, innovative events, and expanding our critical therapy services and educational programming.
The goal for this next generation of SAFEâs work is to destigmatize addiction, so those who need help receive the support and acceptance necessary to achieve a life full of health, family, and success. We need to change the message because receiving help for substance abuse can no longer be a story of shame; rather, itâs a story of strength, resilience, and of family caring for each other. Whether youâor a loved oneâare experiencing addiction, or you simply want to educate yourself on this pressing topic, SAFE has the information you need. By being the leaders in challenging this stigma, we are securing the present and future wellbeing of our community. Addiction is a problem that can affect anyone regardless of who they are. So, letâs talk about it!
Under the leadership of Board President Charlie Tebele, and Founder and CEO Ike Dweck, SAFE is strengthening our community engagement work and growing its operations from the ground up. Even though we are already a leader in the field of substance abuse and addiction and have some of the highest success rates in New York, we donât stop there. We are committed to constant innovation of our successful treatment model through strategic hiring and expansion, and staying ahead of trends in the field. This means that our treatment team is staffed with experts who are proactive in responding to new issues in addiction, and our services are at the cutting edge of treatment. Along with a new look and logo, SAFEâs internal operations are expanding to comprehensively meet our communityâs growing needs. In addition to our highly qualified team of doctors, therapists, and staff, we have hired new directors and created positions to update the Project SAFE school program and drive our community engagement work with tremendous success. As a result of the boardâs dedication and vision, we now also have volunteers bringing awareness of the SAFE approach to all parts of the community. Thanks to these efforts more community members are getting the help they need than ever before! Together the SAFE board and staff, along with volunteers of all ages (singles, marrieds, and parents alike), are taking part in the process of shaping a safe future for those they love and the generations to come. Bringing Light & Hope To A Sensitive Subject.
Recently, two key events were hosted by SAFE where several brave individuals broke the isolation and shame inherent in addiction and took the stage to share their stories and their journeys to recovery. By breaking their silence, they were able to connect the dots for us on how addiction can slip into oneâs life without oneâs knowledge. Their stories were a powerful example of both heartache and hope, yet in the telling of them they created a legacy of change
At the annual summer fundraiser, graciously held last year at the home of Ricci and James Haddad (board member), and honoring former Board President Isaac Chera, we heard the powerful story of a young woman who battled with a drug and alcohol dependency, despite having a supportive family and good friends. The audience was riveted as this young woman spoke about the insecurities that lead her to use, bringing forth the humanity that lives behind the hard wall of addiction.
The next event was our first ever SAFE TALK. The event, Iâm Fine: Why We Say We Are When We Arenât, was spearheaded by our next generation volunteer committee and hosted by Ruthie and Jeffrey Terzi in memory of Ronnie Terzi AâH. In what turned out to be a groundbreaking night, over 200 young adults single and newly married, came to mingle, enjoy a delicious dinner, and hear inspirational stories from their peers. The crowd heard from two young men and one young woman, who had found recovery from drugs and, for one, from gambling. Their talks were followed by an informative lecture with a psychologist who specializes in working with addicts and their families. The evening closed with a Q & A session, so audience members could ask Charlie Tebele, Ike Dweck, and the speakers a host of questions. This event was made successful in no small part due to the help and promotion of the members of our next generation volunteer committee: Jaclyn and Richard Adjmi, Margo Adjmi, Isaac Ashkenazi, Frances Cohen, Morris Franco, Ginette Gammal, Arlette Kassin, SAFE Board Member Joseph J. Sutton, Joseph A. Sutton, and of course, the hosts Ruthie and Jeffrey Terzi.
This event was so successful that by early Fall two more SAFE TALKS were under way. Inspired by the poignant sharing, the influx of people wanting to volunteer and get involved with promoting our mission skyrocketed. Planning committees came together, and more people were contacting SAFE to ask questions about helping a friend or loved one. Missing The Signs: When A Loved One Is Struggling was held at the home of Ginette and Isaac Gammal, where daughters, sons and siblings shared their stories. Some had lost their loved ones while others told stories of living with family members who were lost and disconnected. This was followed by a compelling clinical recap by Laura Mizrahi, primary therapist at SAFE, who tied together these experiences with an understanding of our holistic treatment approach.
The Ripple Effect: The True Impact of Addiction, another powerful evening, held in the home of Lorayne and Gabriel Shehebar, drew a standing room only crowd. Put together by the parents volunteer committee chaired by SAFE Board Member Joseph Cabasso, with the volunteer efforts of Serene Azar, Marilyn Cabasso, Nicole Dweck, Simone Dweck, Sheila Gindi, Lorayne Shehebar, Zudy Shehebar, Beatrice Sutton, and Elana Wahba, the event was geared towards people in their 30s and 40s. Here, a wife told her story of how her spouseâs addiction took her down a long, dark road of loneliness and confusion. A young man, now married and in recovery, shared his gratitude for the gift of reclaiming his self-esteem and his life. The night dedicated to David Dushey AâH, was a poignant reminder of the hurts and loss that can come along with watching the deadly progression through addiction of someone you love.
Defining The Future
Today, the accessibility of drugs and alcohol, and addictive behaviors, are reaching epidemic proportions. Thanks to the Internet, the legalization of marijuana and the trend of juuling, our youth are experimenting at a much younger age. Today the whole family system must be educated and fortunately we specialize in working with the family as a whole. Cynthia Kassin has been hired as the new Director of Community Education to collaborate with community schools and to further develop the Project SAFE school curriculum. This already popular curriculum is building skills in our children so they will know how to take care of themselves when faced with everyday challenges. Every week, students are not only learning about the dangers of addiction and addictive behaviors, but they are also being taught life skills such as confidence building, how not to succumb to peer pressure, and what to do about bullying. They now have a forum within their schools to openly discuss these and other important topics. They are asking valuable questions and participating in healthy dialogues about the struggles they face together as teens.
In terms of family education, we are not stopping there. SAFE volunteer Corie Adjmi is leading her own committee working to bring parenting workshops and specialists in the field of child psychology to teach the most up-to-date information on raising healthy, well-adjusted children. Just this past April, this committee presented a Conscious Parenting Workshop, hosted by Joyce Ashkenazi and facilitated by Dr. Tamar Perlman, where mothers learned new ways to communicate with their children to empower them from within. Another informative night happened last November when Michelle and Jack Haddad hosted Born to Be Wild, where parents heard author, professor and child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Jess Shatkin speak about why teenagers take risks.
Whatâs Next?
Looking ahead, SAFE has plenty more in store for the community. All of our beautiful events to date have been planned through the generosity of Norma Cohen of Norma Cohen Productionsâan amazing and inspiring friend and partner to us, whose gorgeous designs have made these events truly unique and safe spaces to share these journeys. Keep an eye out for more of these groundbreaking events, programs and peer advocacy trainings, or reach out to host a program in your home!
This summer SAFE will be sponsoring its annual FARM event, led by Isaac Ashkenazi, which is a night of art, creativity, and good quality fun. Community members up to 30 will be showing their art, shopping at community vendors, and performing poetry, comedy, music and more. SAFE trained mentors, led by Lorayne Shehebar and Marilyn Cabasso, will be visiting community schools to listen to, coach, and support the girls in small classroom settings. Serene and David Azar will be hosting an evening of Empowered Parenting at their home on June 4th.
While we have a new logo, which was created with the guidance of our board member, Marlene Mamiye, itâs not our only new look! Our lobby will also be undergoing renovations, thanks to Joyce Silverman of Joyce D. Silverman Interiors. In collaboration with board member, Michelle Haddad, and volunteer, Mikki Terzi, Joyce has volunteered her time and efforts to redesign our lobby to be an even warmer, welcoming place for those who come through our doors. There are peer advocacy training groups in the works, as well, and we are always looking for volunteers to host these important small group workshops where we send one of our staff to answer your questions.
Stay tuned for more parenting workshops and classes geared towards improving relationships, understanding parenting techniques, and individual wellness. Everything from prevention to intervention to education is being planned.
Most importantly, we want to hear from you! We are inviting all community members to get involved by either joining a committee, sending requests for event topics, reaching out to ask questions or offering suggestions, hosting a training event, or workshop in your home, and more. Lastly, but most importantly, SAFE is here to protect the confidentiality and anonymity of everyone who reaches out for help. Our main mission is to save lives and restore families, because weâre not just about treatment, weâre about hope. All calls and visits are confidential and SAFE is here to help 24/7. If you, or someone you love, needs help or has questions about treatment please call us at (718) GET-SAFE. For more information on volunteering or events email us at ask@thesafefoundation.org or follow us on Instagram @thesafefoundation.
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.
âIn the wake of tragedies in Poway, Pittsburgh, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, it is clear that our houses of worship are vulnerable to threats,â said Councilman Deutsch. âNew Yorkers of faith deserve to be safe as they worshipâitâs 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,â 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 âgovernment 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. âThis is our city and our money, and safety in our houses of worship is our most fundamental right.â
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 Childrenâs 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 isnât getting everything he/she needs. Know that your experience can be influenced by how you present yourself and your childâs needs, because information is power!
Parents need to start with the facts about their childâs 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 âwho, what, where, when, and why.â Listen carefully to the answers you receive. Document the responses instead of relying on your memory. Learn how to best ask questions so they donât come across antagonistic or defensive. Itâs 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 childâs best advocate. A parentâs 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 donât 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 childâs school program, medical protocol, etc. Knowing your rights is one way to find the confidence you need. Be seen, itâs 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, (itâs 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 childâs 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 outcomeâ you wonât get what you want. Even if that occurs, youâve demonstrated that youâre an engaged and thoughtful parent, committed to your childâs 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 thriveâand that is our goal. So, be a force for your childâa kind, thoughtful, and polite forceâbut 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.
âThis is so crucial,â begins the Rabbi. âThere 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!â
At SZ CONNECT the mission is to emulate Hashemâs 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, âWomen 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.â
âFew projects encompass the whole community,â says Mr. Jimmy Tawil, âand thatâs one of the greatest and most unique things about SZ Connect; itâs a total community collaborationâits for everybody!â
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: âJust 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!â
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 âNot 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. Itâs like a dream come true!â She adds, âI 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.â
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, âNow itâs all at our fingertips and we donât have to chase people for information. Here you have everythingâitâs efficient, faster and more productive!â
Mrs. Vicky Elbaz adds, âWhat 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 neâeman (a faithful home) BâH.â
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 LâMitzvot 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 Israelâits history, the land, the people, the foodâand 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? Itâs simple and can be stated in just one sentence: âBnai Zion is Israel, and Israel is Bnai Zion.â
The neonatal unit at Bnai Zion Medical Center
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 Zionâs work has made Israel a more transformative, innovative, welcoming place, and strengthened the significant and enduring ties between America and Israel.
Bnai Zion SVP Rebecca Harary with BZMC CEO Dr. Amnon Rofe and Chairman George Schaeffer at the cornerstone dedication of the underground, bombproof ER
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: âFunded by Bnai Zion Foundation.â Many projects date back before the State of Israel was established. For example, in 1928, Bnai Zionâs financial contributions allowed for the reopening of Israelâs foremost higher education institution for the arts, The Bezalel Art School. In 1941, leaders of Bnai Zion helped found Magen David Adom, Israelâs 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.
A tiny baby in the neonatal unit
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 writerâs 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 bayâno more than a few miles awayâlie 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.
Youth Symphony Orchestra in MaâAle Adumim during a rehearsal
âThe question is not if weâll suffer another missile attack, but when. We must be prepared,â 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.
Children dancing in the town square in MaâAle Adumim
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 howâon a momentâs noticeâthey 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.
Steven Matsas with Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein.
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 institutionsâ 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.
Steven Matsas with Mayor Benny Kashriel of MaâAle Adumim
In 1988, Israel Elwyn took over management of Bnai Zionâs 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 centerâs 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 Foundationâs 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 parentsâ 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 parentsâ 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!
Steven at the Knesset
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 Israelâs 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 Ahavaâs 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.
Residents of Israel Elwyn learning vocational skills
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 Ahavaâs 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 childrenâs therapeutic plans.
Rebecca Harary with Factory Owner Israel Twito and2 Palestinian workers in Barkan Factory
Yoav Apelboim, the Executive Director of Ahava Village (but more like a grandfather to all of the children) proudly told me that many of âhisâ children have moved on to live normal, productive lives. This was a touching moment, as Yoav was quite emotional while talking about some of âhisâ children and their successesâand even their failures. The love and pride he feels for each of them is palpableâso much so that many keep in contact with him long after they leave.
Bnai Zion Foundation & The David Yellin Teacherâs 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 Teacherâs 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 otherâs lives and cultures. Most inspiring is that many long lasting partnerships have been created from attendance at the college. The Collegeâs 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, âWe found we have more things in common than we do differences.â 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 Israelâs 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 itâs two states or one state for two peoples, if you talk to either side you will probably hear the same thing: âPeace will never be achieved.â 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 Foundationâs projects, it demonstrates the principle of inclusion at the heart of the organizationâs 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 forâthe 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.
Kids singing with their music instructor at Ahava
Bnai Zion Foundationâs Partnership with the Israeli City of Maâale Adumim
Weâve all heard the stories and seen what the news portrays on televisionâthe 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 âgreen lineâ and entered the town of Maâale Adumim, I saw no such thing.
Maâale 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 Maâale Adumimâs 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 Maâale 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 cityâs municipal library, which provides services and educational programming to both Maâale 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 Foundationâs Chairman, George Schaeffer, in recognition of his contributions to their construction. The George Schaeffer Music Conservatory is home to the popular Maâale 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.
A child at Ahava does homework with her surrogate mother
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 communityâs synagogue. When I spoke with Maâale Adumimâs 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 donât 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, itâs 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 knowâthe 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
Ten years ago, Dr. Gayle Krost, then Chairman of the Board of Education of Hillel Yeshiva, had a lingering concern: Hillelâs students needed inspiring career-oriented role models. While the school had graduated students who went on to become dynamic and successful professionals, their younger counterparts were unaware of the vast amount of careers and leadership opportunities available to them.
Dr. Krost envisioned a day when the alumni would return to showcase to the high school students the paths they took towards realizing career successâand thus Follow Your Dreams was born.
Each winter, Dr. Krost and a team of Hillel staff and volunteers put together a program to inspire and motivate students to reach their full potential professionally, and as leaders of the community. This year, in honor of the 10th anniversary of the program, Dr. Krost invited Ezra S. Ashkenazi, a community leader as well as a member of the schoolâs Board of Trustees, to speak to the students. The result was a program that inspired students, faculty and parents alike, and certainly one that will be remembered as an important moment in the schoolâs history.
Standing in Hillelâs Founderâs Hall, surrounded by students, Mr. Ashkenazi dedicated his presentation to his father, Saul E. Ashkenazi AâH, a founder of Hillel Yeshiva.
Ezra had prepared his presentation with tremendous help from Joey Nissan Cohen. First he explained how students should frame their goals at different points in their lives. Above all, he said, they should strive towards leadership roles and successful careers through preparation and mindfulness of the types of people they want to become.
Throughout the morning, he described his own path to success and leadership and gave tips to everyone in the audience. He credited his father, as well as the bedrocks of Torah and his family, with giving him the framework to excel in business and volunteerism, having founded community organizations including the Sephardic Rabbinical College, the Allegra Franco Womenâs Teachers College, and Propel.
He encouraged the students to read, journal, participate and ask questions, and even provided a reading list. Throughout the presentation, he described his fundamentals for success, lessons to live by, and invited students to add to the lists.
Hillel surprised Mr. Ashkenazi with a video of his children. Everyone watched as they shared the impact that their father and grandfather had on their lives. Both men stressed the importance of giving back to the community, which the children said nourished them.
Consistently engaged, audience members peppered him with questions long after the program was scheduled to end. In a fitting conclusion to the Follow Your Dreams program, Mr. Ashkenazi left his inspired audience with a parting giftâan iHome Power Bank, from his successful company, SDI Technologies Inc., and a note which read, âNever miss a message. Never miss a moment. Always be ready to tackle whatever challenge comes your way. Opportunities will present themselves. Are you ready to present yourself back? Now you are!â
Each year, the Follow Your Dreams program aims to inspire an audience of future leaders. This year, thanks to Mr. Ashkenazi, its success was evident. No doubt, at some future anniversary of the program, a speaker will credit this day as a noteworthy moment in his or her leadership path.θ
