ONE YEAR AFTER HIS PASSING

HADASSAH BAY

IT IS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT A YEAR HAS GONE BY SINCE THE PASSING OF DR. ELI SCHUSSHEIM. FOR THOSE WHO WERE CLOSE TO HIM, THE FACT THAT THIS DYNAMIC, DRIVEN ISH ESHKOLOT (RENAISSANCE MAN) IS NO LONGER WITH US CONTINUES TO BE A SOURCE OF GRIEF AND BEWILDERMENT. HE WAS SO FULL OF LIFE—AND IN FACT, “LIFE” WAS HIS ENTIRE MISSION.

This is the man whom Maran Harav Ovadia Yosef zt’l affectionately called Borei Nefashot Rabot for his all-consuming work to save Jewish babies—a task that he excelled in tremendously. Incredibly, close to 81,000 Jews are alive today thanks to his intervention, and as EFRAT Executive Director Nir Salomon pointed out, “Those are the ones we know about. Not a day goes by without a phone call to our offices from a woman who tells us that she refrained from terminating her pregnancy due to a lecture or video of Dr. Schussheim that she saw in the past. Without a doubt, Dr. Schussheim’s influence extended far beyond the parameters that we’re aware of.”

Dr. Schussheim maximized every minute during his time in This World. He was a doctor with a private practice; he served as physician at the Jewish Institute for the Blind and was a board member; he supervised mohelim for the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs, he established the Neve Simcha home for seniors in Jerusalem, he authored medical reports for the State Comptroller, and he served as a medical consultant for numerous organizations. His crowning achievement, however, was his work as the founder and director of EFRAT.

The initial version of the organization was the brainchild of Hershel Feigenbaum, a Holocaust survivor who lost almost his entire family in the death camps. After settling in Israel, he established The Right to Live organization to encourage childbirth and fill the void left by the 1.5 million Jewish children murdered in the Holocaust. In the late 70s, Dr. Schussheim took over the organization, drawing on his medical experience and tremendous energy to move it forward and save more and more lives.

Over the years, as the social climate became increasingly permissive, Dr. Schussheim never focused on an anti-abortion platform, but on one of saving lives, and by extrapolation, rehabilitating families.

Statistics show that financial distress is the cause of the majority of cases in which women feel compelled to have an abortion. This is the source of Dr. Schussheim’s rallying cry: “You don’t end a life for lack of funds!”

Dr. Schussheim lectured all over the world. “My mission is to show women that they have a choice,” was a constant refrain. From his experience dealing with pregnant women in distress, he learned that the vast majority truly believed that they were trapped in a tragic situation where no choice existed. Moreover, most were pitifully unaware of the ramifications of abortion—medical, physical, and emotional.

The rationale at EFRAT is that pregnant women have the right to receive information relating to all aspects of their physical and emotional health.

Whenever women who were considering abortion came to his office, Dr. Schussheim put all the facts on the table. “Most of the physical complications are treatable,” he said. “However, the emotional fallout, in the form of regret, can be life-long and devastating.”

Ruthy Tidhar, Efrat’s head social worker, shared the organization’s fundamental policy. “We will never try to sway women one way or another with arguments based on ideological, moral, or religious grounds. Rather, our goal is to empower them through information and assistance, so that they can make the best decision for themselves. Women who come to us feel trapped. We show them that other options exist.”

Dr. Schussheim was a well-loved figure in Jerusalem, and enjoyed a close relationship with over 40 Gedolei Yisrael, past and present, for whom he served as their personal physician, including the Belzer Rebbe, shlita, and lbc”l, Maran Harav Ovadia Yosef, Rav Yitzchak Kadouri, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, successive Rebbes of Gur, the Slonimer Rebbe, the Lelover Rebbe, Rav Eliezer Waldenberg, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, Rav Moshe Halberstam, Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, and the Gaavad of the Eidah Hachareidit, Zecher tzaddikim livrachah., and more.

Since Dr. Shussheim’s passing, EFRAT has been continuing his legacy, stepping up activities and reaching out to supporters across the globe. Before Pesach, EFRAT representatives visited the Syrian community in Brooklyn and spoke in many of the local shuls to raise awareness and seek their ongoing support. One of the keynote speakers was head of EFRAT in Mexico, Ariel Cohen, a close friend of Dr. Schussheim, and also, a long-standing donor and volunteer at EFRAT in his own right. Cohen was accompanied by Hatzalah Chairman Moshe Teitelbaum, a board member of EFRAT, as well as by Nir Salomon. Joey and Lucy Aini, Joe Nakash, and Joey Levy were instrumental in recruiting the community, which responded enthusiastically.

Community rabbanim who had been in close contact with Dr. Schussheim for many years, spoke highly of the activities of EFRAT and of Dr. Schussheim’s mission, committing to continue providing encouragement and tangible support. Rabbi Mansour said about the Dr. “He was a man with a mission. The only thing greater than his accomplishments was his humility. To save a soul is to save a world. He has saved tens of thousands of worlds.”

Hadassah Bay is a freelance writer. Her articles have been published in many Jewish media outlets.

A CLEAR GUIDE TO YOUR OPTIONS, INCLUDING HOW TO AVOID A SURPRISE TAX BILL OR IRS PENALTIES

ARI BAUM, CFP®

WHEN YOU LEAVE AN EMPLOYER (WHETHER YOU’RE CHANGING JOBS OR RETIRING), YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN DOESN’T AUTOMATICALLY MOVE WITH YOU. YOU HAVE TO MAKE A CRITICAL DECISION (OR RISK HAVING THAT DECISION MADE FOR YOU IN A WAY THAT’S BETTER FOR THE COMPANY OR COSTS YOU MONEY).

Your employer plan is one of your most valuable retirement assets and deciding where it should go next is a decision with plenty of nuances, pitfalls, and opportunities. Handle it the right way, and you’ve protected your money’s tax-deferred growth and are in an optimal position for your current and future goals. Handle it the wrong way, and you’ve given yourself a surprise tax bill, exposed yourself to potential IRS penalties, or robbed yourself of potential future wealth.

If you fall into any of these categories:
• I left my old company and I need to figure out what to do with my old plan.
• I’ve got “zombie” plans sitting around and I’ve got questions about what I should do with them.
• I’m at or nearing retirement and I need to figure out how to turn my retirement plan into income.

You’re in the right place. After you’ve read this guide, you’ll have all the information you need to decide which strategy makes the most sense for your old retirement plan and know how to take the next steps that are right for you.

If you’re at or approaching retirement age, you’ve got more to consider than just where to move your old plan. You’ll need to decide where your income is coming from, choose when to claim Social Security and Medicare, determine the right order to draw down your accounts, and much more.

OPTION 1: DON’T TOUCH A THING
If your employer’s plan allows it, you may be able to leave your account where it is, though you won’t be able to continue making contributions to it. However, you’ll be stuck dealing with whatever limited service is offered to ex-employees.

PROS
• If you retire after age 55, you may not owe a 10% tax penalty on withdrawals.
• If you own considerable company stock, you might qualify for a favorable tax break (called Net Unrealized Appreciation).
• You may have access to plan loans. You may qualify for federal creditor protection.

CONS
• You may end up with a trail of old accounts gathering dust.
• Not all employers will allow you to leave your plan. (It may depend on the size of the balance.)
• Plan fees may increase without your knowledge.
• You may have limited withdrawal options.
• Investment options are limited to the standard options currently offered to employees.
• Your investments may not be optimized for taxes or your overall financial goals.
How to Execute: Contact your previous plan administrator and ask to leave the plan in place.

OPTION 2: MOVE IT TO YOUR NEW EMPLOYER
If you’re still working, a new employer might allow you to simply transfer your old account balance to the plan they offer their employees. Not all employers allow you to do it, but it’s worth asking about.

PROS
• You’ll have your employer plans in one place.
• You won’t pay taxes on the distribution if you transfer directly.
• You’ll have the protections and benefits of the current plan.

CONS
• Your new employer may not allow you to transfer your old account.
• You’ll be limited to the investment options offered by the new plan.
• Many employers will require you to wait to become eligible to enroll in the new plan.
How to Execute: Contact the HR department at your new employer and ask them to put you in touch with the plan administrator. If the transfer is possible, they’ll give you instructions on how to complete the move.

OPTION 3: RAID THE PIGGY BANK (CASH IT OUT)
You have the right to cash out your old employer plan and take a check. This is probably your worst move because the financial repercussions are serious (and permanent).

PROS
• You’ll get immediate cash.

CONS
• You’ll owe income taxes on the account value.
• Your employer may automatically withhold 20% for taxes.
• You’ll owe penalties if you’re under age 59½ (unless you qualify for an exemption).
• You’ll do permanent damage to your long-term goals.
How to Execute: Contact your previous plan administrator and ask him to liquidate the account and send you a check.

OPTION 4: THE NOT-SO-SIMPLE INDIRECT IRA ROLLOVER
Indirect IRA Rollover
You have the option to take a check from your old plan and roll it over into an IRA within 60 days. Some people like the idea of having a free 60 day loan, but indirect rollovers are fraught with potential (and expensive) mistakes.

PROS
• You’ll get immediate access to the cash for 60 days.
• When the rollover is completed, you’ll get the benefits of an IRA, including access to many investment options, tax optimization strategies (including Roth conversions, backdoor Roth IRAs, etc.), and investment optimization for your overall financial picture.

CONS
• You have to manually take the check and remember to deposit it into your IRA.
• Indirect rollovers get reported to the IRS.
• If you fail to roll the funds over within 60 days, you may owe taxes and potential penalties.
• You risk making your retirement funds fully taxable forever.
•You risk losing out on any market gains that happen within your rollover window.
• Your employer may automatically withhold 20% for taxes (and you’ll have to make up the amount from other funds).
•Your new IRA might have higher fees than the old plan.
• While you may be allowed to take penalty-free withdrawals from an employer plan after age 55, you typically can’t withdraw penalty-free from an IRA until age 59½.
• Typically, assets in an employer retirement plan have greater protection from creditors than assets held in an IRA.
• Once you reach age 72, you’ll need to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from both employer plans and IRAs. However, if you continue to work past age 72, you generally aren’t required to take RMDs from your current employer’s plan.
How to Execute: Contact your previous plan administrator and ask him to liquidate the account and send you a check. You’ll have to send the check to your new IRA custodian (and have it deposited) within 60 days, unless you qualify for a limited exemption to the 60 day rule.

OPTION 5: DIRECT ROLLOVER TO AN IRA
Directly rolling over your account assets to an IRA is a seamless process that avoids all the limits placed on rollovers by the IRS. It gives you all the benefits of your own, personalized IRA without the pitfalls of an indirect rollover.

PROS
You’ll get the benefits of an IRA, including:
• Access to many investment options
• Tax optimization strategies (including Roth conversions, backdoor Roth IRAs, etc.)
• Investment optimization for your overall financial picture.
• You’ll avoid all potential IRS penalties by never taking “custody” of the money.
• You won’t owe taxes on the transfer.
• Your employer won’t withhold any amount from the balance for taxes.

CONS
• You’ll have to do some paperwork.
• Your new IRA might have higher fees than the old plan.
• While you may be allowed to take penalty-free withdrawals from an employer plan after age 55, you typically can’t withdraw penalty-free from an IRA until age 59½.
• Typically, assets in an employer retirement plan have greater protection from creditors than assets held in an IRA.
• Once you reach age 72, you’ll need to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from both employer plans and IRAs. However, if you continue to work past age 72, you generally aren’t required to take RMDs from your current employer’s plan.
How to Execute: Contact your previous plan administrator and ask him for a “direct rollover” to your IRA. He’ll give you the next steps you need to take.

How to Execute: Contact your previous plan administrator and ask him for a “direct rollover” to your IRA. He’ll give you the next steps you need to take.

The #1 mistake I see people make with their most important retirement asset—doing nothing at all.

Mistakes with old employer plans are common and can be very costly. They are also easily avoidable if you know exactly what to do. If you’re not 100% confident in your next steps, you don’t need to go it alone, contact a financial professional.

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

Ari Baum, CFP® is the founder and CEO of Endurance Wealth Partners, with over 25 years experience in the Financial Services industry. He brings his in-depth experience to Conceive. Believe. Achieve. for his clients.
Brokerage and Advisory accounts carried by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. Securities and Advisory services offered through Prospera Financial Services Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC.

LAST MONTH, PROPEL HOSTED ITS THIRD GRADUATION AT THE CENTER. THE GRADUATION CELEBRATION SHOWCASED PROPEL’S ACCOMPLISH- MENTS THROUGH THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF CLIENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR CERTIFICATED OR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ARE NOW WORKFORCE-READY.

The event began with the traditional graduation march down the aisle to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance. The graduates, adorned in their graduation sashes, along with their coaches, Ellen Ades and Gitta Neufeld, entered the room filled with family and friends. Among the guests were PROPEL’s proud Board Members, President Dr. Gayle Krost, Michael Haddad, Jacqueline Harary, Elaine Parker, and Gitta Kaplan. In addition, many of the mentors from PROPEL’s “Weaving a Network: Women Helping Women,” our signature UJA-supported program, were in the audience applauding the accomplishments of the PROPEL graduates.

PROPEL’s Co-Executive Directors Randi Eisenstein and Alissa Shams, and Director of Operations Viviane Darwish, welcomed the guests, and praised the graduates for all of their successes. They also thanked all those community members who support PROPEL and its mission to inspire, train and educate women to enter the workforce. It was most appropriate that the graduation took place at the onset of Lag La Omer, a time when we resume public celebrations.

Dr. Gayle Krost expressed her heartfelt congratulations to the graduates and shared some exciting updates about the organization. Over the last six years, PROPEL has coached over 800 women, graduated over 200, and currently assists over 50 women in graduate school.

Ellen Ades, PROPEL’s Career Coach, proudly introduced Michelle Saad, who inspired the audience with her personal story and accomplishments in the workforce. Michelle, a wife and mother of four, reached out to PROPEL several years ago to hone her professional skills. With Ellen’s guidance, Michelle began taking computer courses, and worked diligently gaining skills essential in today’s workplace. Michelle succeeded in building a career and is proud to be a role model to her children. The beautiful testimonial that Michelle included from her husband presented her as a heroine who tapped into her inner strengths as she re-entered the workforce, and PROPEL as the organization that helped her entire family move forward.

Gitta Neufeld, PROPEL’s Educational Consultant, shared her wonderful insight about Lag La Omer and proudly introduced Sally Baraka, a PROPEL Ed Touro graduate who is receiving a dual master’s degree in Jewish Education and Special Education. Sally is currently applying the skills she has acquired as a teacher at Yeshiva Prep. During the pandemic, Sally reached out to PROPEL, looking for guidance and crystallization of her strengths and experiences. Gitta helped Sally throughout her educational journey at Touro, and she continues to mentor Sally as she advances in her career.

The keynote speaker and awardee of the evening was none other than Shifra Hanon, a well-known educator at Yeshivah of Flatbush, and namesake of The Shifra Hanon Pathfinders program. In addition to her many heartfelt hesed endeavors, Shifra is very involved in PROPEL’s mentorship program in conjunction with UJA—Weaving a Network.

Evet Ballas, a PROPEL ambassador and entrepreneur extraordinaire (Light Lab Design), spoke effusively about the many fine character traits that Shifra possesses. The audience was touched when Evet relayed the kindness that she experienced firsthand in high school from Ms. Hanon, as a 14-year-old immigrant newly arrived in this country with limited English speaking skills.

Shifra, a woman of great humility, emotionally accepted the beautiful personalized Eshet Hayil plaque, whose words so befit her characteristics. Shifra was Evet’s mentor throughout her career, and they continue to maintain a beautiful and supportive relationship. In describing her beliefs about teaching and mentorship, Shifra quoted the poet Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Shifra has used her energies and talents to support those around her, and make them feel like they can accomplish anything. She exemplifies mentorship and there is no better PROPEL role model to honor for this accomplishment. Shifra spoke volumes about her love of PROPEL and her continued role as both mentor and advisor to community members.

Most fitting was the establishment of the Shifra Hanon Scholarship Fund, and who better to announce that fund than Caroll Dweck Sutton, Shifra’s protégée and beloved colleague at Yeshivah of Flatbush. The funds collected will benefit PROPEL clients looking to pursue their professional dreams, and the fact that Shifra’s name is attached can only add an extra dimension of support.

The graduation concluded with the presentation of certificates by PROPEL’s Board members, and proved to be an incredibly proud moment for both PROPEL graduates and supporters alike. The song We Are The Champions rang loudly as the audience cheered during the closing montage, showcasing the accomplishments of the multi-faceted organization that is PROPEL.

Please reach out to PROPEL:
If you are interested in a career or career advice; PROPEL can help you take the steps to fulfill your professional goals and dreams.

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

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

As the Jersey Shore community continues to grow, the need for support for all the children grows with it. The local schools are expanding, opening more classes and stretching to meet the needs of their students. Bridge Linx is there as a partner to help the schools make sure every child’s needs are being met by offering therapy services. Our team evaluates the student, determines goals for each child, and sets up an individual therapy plan to implement for success. We focus on improving delays and deficits in specific areas, helping to empower the students for continued growth and success.

Bridge Linx offers OT, PT, Speech and Language as well as Social Behavior therapy to school aged children. Therapies are offered in our facility as well as in the community schools. Bridge Linx works closely with parents and the school to ensure all goals are met. Many mainstream and bright students are challenged with specific deficits that need to be addressed in order to succeed and thrive. Following are examples of areas that therapy may cover.

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE
Much of the learning environment is dependent on good language skills. These would include being able to follow directions and to follow and comprehend an oral lesson. In addition, proper note taking, including understanding the main idea and supporting details as well as sequencing events, are important skills. Proper social interactions involve processing the environment and expectations as well as communicating appropriately and effectively. Speech and language therapy can help children struggling in these areas.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (OT)
The way a child functions and completes his daily chores involves many OT skills, including dressing, manipulating toys and objects, copying from a board, handwriting, tracking with the eyes and coordination. Some other areas would be core strength and sensory processing. OT services can help a child function better in the classroom by improving these skills.

PHYSICAL THERAPY (PT)
Physical therapy targets gross motor movements. These would include balance and strength, coordination, safety awareness, and specific muscle strengthening and movement.

SOCOIAL BEHAVIOR
Sometimes children have trouble functioning in school settings for various reasons. Some of the goals and areas worked on to help them in this area include emotional regulation, organizational skills, following directions and routines, social expectations, and problem solving. Social Behavior therapy is provided in the school setting. It is coordinated with the classroom teacher and parents to ensure that the goals are followed up and met. This Social Behavior program has enabled many students to succeed in the mainstream yeshivah environment and not have to attend self-contained or public school programs in order to meet their needs.

Bridge Linx continues to grow and meet the needs of the children in the community. It is a nonprofit therapy center and works with most insurances. Private scholarships are offered as needed so that all children receive the help they need, regardless of financial ability.

If Bridge Linx can be of assistance to you in any way, please reach out to us at 732-493-3670 so we can help you.

KELLY JEMAL MASSRY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PLAY BALL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PHOTOS: YEHUDA JOFFE / C. SCHVARCZ PHOTOGRAPHY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fondly?

Yes, fondly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHANI KAHAN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A SELF-MOTIVATED WOMAN WITH A SUPPORTIVE HUSBAND

SARINA FOFFÉ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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