Yesterday was a very special day at the Deal Police Department.
Dedicated Volunteers from Sephardic Bikur Holim came to our headquarters with approximately 50 of their members to show support for our department and thank us for our service to the community.
Especially touching was the several dozen letters we received from children in the community thanking us.
Sephardic Bikur Holim is a non profit mental health and social service agency. They have been dedicated to caring for those in need with compassion, discretion, and respect. Guided and inspired by the timeless principles of kindness and charity, SBH works hand in hand with a network of devoted volunteers and professionals to address the community’s needs.
We would like to thank the volunteers of SBH for this very uplifting gesture.
Deal Police Department
A bad nuclear deal not only lifts sanctions and gives Iran access to billions of dollars, but also hands them nuclear weapons to use and give over to terrorists. Call now and tell your Senator to oppose a bad deal with Iran!
On July 25, be part of an exciting event co-sponsored by the Museum and Lab/Shul, called NINE: A Night to Remember. More than 500 people are expected for a night of innovative performances, discussions, gallery tours, and candlelit contemplation to mark Tisha B’Av, the commemoration of destruction, exile, and loss. To reserve your spot at this FREE event click here.
Only with the help of many volunteers can we ensure that this ambitious event will be a success. Volunteer opportunities for NINE: A Night to Remember begin at 6:30 P.M. To volunteer, please email Susanna Fried at sfried@mjhnyc.org, by Monday, July 20.
Close to 100 community, civil and government officials enjoyed a wonderful Lunch with great tasting ethnic foods at the Annual Jewish American Heritage Celebration held on June 19, at US CBP John F. Kennedy International Airport. The event was named “An American Journey”.
A very distinguished presentation took place at the event beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance by Marlen Calderon, CBP Officer followed by Welcoming remarks by Susan T. Mitchell, Port Director of JFK International Airport. A Proclamation from the US President Barrack H. Obama was read by Deputy Chief Officer Fred Skolnick.
Rabbi Shlomo Braun, representing NY State Senator Martin J. Golden stated that the day earlier, on June 18, he attended the 30th Anniversary Celebration in Washington DC for the establishment of the Commission for the Preservation of American Heritage Abroad. At that event, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schulz took credit for sponsoring a bill in congress to allocate funds for Jewish Heritage Celebration Services in Government agencies to educate the non-Jewish population about the accomplishments and contributions of the Jewish people to society.
Guest Speaker for this event was New York’s most popular TV weatherman, Mr. Irv Gikofsky, TV Meteorologist PIX 11 News, also known as Mr. G, who has been delivering forecasts on New York television for almost 40 years. Mr. G, began his career as a school teacher at Albert Einstein Intermediate School in The Bronx. While a teacher, he created New York City school system’s first computerized weather program for use by children and their teachers. After teaching in public school for a decade, Mr. G was recruited right out of the classroom to become a TV weatherman at New York’s WCBS-TV, Channel 2 in 1977.
In 1930 a team of motorbike riders set out from Tel Aviv to Berlin to find athletes to participate in the inaugural 1932 Maccabiah games, also known as the Jewish Olympics. Back then, due to rampant anti-Semitism, the Maccabi sports movement was often the only outlet for many Jewish athletes. Some 80 years later, anti-Semitism is once again resurgent in Europe. This month, Berlin, home of the infamous 1936 Nazi Olympics, will welcome hundreds of athletes of Jewish descend participating in the European Maccabiah Games. In Back to Berlin, new documentary by Catherine Lurie-Alt, a new generation of Israeli bikers, descendants of Holocaust survivors, inspired by the 1930 ride, will travel from Tel Aviv to Berlin to carry the torch to the Games. Our bikers, whose journey we will be following on Facebook, will also have to answer one very important question as they seek to uncover their families’ pasts
Betty and Morris Esses graciously opened their home for a Bake Sale and Chinese Auction to benefit Midreshet Eshel’s Leadership Program. Their daughter, Nina, a Yeshivah of Flatbush graduate, recently completed the first year of this exclusive two-year program.
There were many activities throughout the opening evening and the following day. Ricky Cohen kicked off the event with an inspiring class for couples on “Building a Marriage of Love, Passion and Understanding,” and Adele Chabot spoke about her book, “Israel: The Best Secret Revealed.”
The next morning, Shirley Barnathan gave an informative demonstration on flower arranging. Mrs. Alouf gave a thought provoking class on “Ruth: The Paradigm of Hesed” followed by Esther Hidary’s class on “Women and Judaism.” Later in the day Rosette Setton taught participants how to make a Syrian treat—mouthwatering and delicious knafe.
Auction prizes included a stunning Shabbat table package imported from Emanuel in Israel, monogrammed dishes by Addy’s, electronics, jewelry and more. The grand prize was two round-trip airline tickets to Israel!
All of the funds raised went to help sustain the important work Midreshet Eshel does on behalf of the young women of the community. It was heartwarming to see Midreshet Eshel alumni from the past six years at the event—some with babies in tow!
Founded by community member Miriam Tawil and Rabbi Yosef Benarroch, Midreshet Eshel is a Jewish women’s post high school seminary in Israel that provides students with the opportunity to explore their rich Sephardic heritage and tradition in an exciting and innovative way.
Top candidates from community high schools are selected for the Women’s Leadership Program which began in the fall of 2014.
“Students must demonstrate that they have the potential to be leaders,” said Director Miriam Tawil. They must be highly motivated, self-starters, and goal oriented.”
Students develop intellectually, spiritually, socially and personally. The school and dormitories are located in Jerusalem’s Old City, in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. During the year, the students receive personalized leadership training, engage in intensive coursework, do extensive volunteering, and learn about Sephardic Heritage.
Two of the current four candidates, Camille Greenberg of Hillel Yeshiva and Raquel Sabbagh of Magen David Yeshivah, each spoke about the enriching experience of learning in the Old City two minutes away from the Kotel, the leaders they have learned from, the leadership skills they have acquired as well as the strength of overcoming the day to day challenges of life in a new country.
“This year has been the most adventure-packed, exciting and inspiring year of my life. I have learned and grown so much,” said Nina.
This coming year, she will be completing Stage 2 of the Leadership Program. Nina and her classmates will be giving back to the community by mentoring high school students, being mentored themselves by community educators and lay leaders, organizing monthly classes for high school and college age students as well as innovate new programs to strengthen the community’s youth.
Special thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers. We couldn’t have done it without you!
When women get together, someone always brings up the latest anti-aging products—creams, serums, botox, or the latest filler. Some of us don’t like to admit that we visit our dermatologist many times a year to try the newest treatments. Some of us have a treatment on our lunch hour. More and more women are turning to a mini-procedure instead of a full face lift which, besides being very expensive, is more painful and the down time is much longer. If you tell your doctor you would like him to fill in your lips, crows feet or forehead—be sure to specify that you want the end result to look natural.
Getting older is inevitable—aging is optional. Whether or not you choose to have a nip or tuck occasionally, there are many other ways to avoid aging rapidly.
Taking good care of your skin is one of them. If your skin stays young looking you may never need a nip or a tuck.
Many women don’t realize how dry their skin is, because they are used to it. If you have dry skin, try cleansing, toning and moisturizing with products that contain Retin-A or mild glycolic acid, this will remove the top layer of flakiness from your skin so your face looks fresher and brighter.
Keep your skin moisturized at all times. If it gets dry after a few hours, you need a heavier moisturizer. Try one with an SPF, which will protect your skin from the sun. ‘
It’s also helpful to use a mild exfoliant twice a week, if your skin looks dull. For women over 40, or those who have very dry skin, a night cream is essential, as well as a rich eye cream to minimize crows feet. If you keep them next to your bed, or in your night table drawer, you will be more likely to remember to use them.
When it comes to moisturizer and other skin products, you don’t necessarily get what you pay for. Invest in quality moisturizers and night creams, but you don’t have to spend $400, when a $50 cream may work just as well.
Look for creams that contain vitamins A, E and D. Don’t fall for pretty packaging. Try to recognize the seduction of the beauty industry’s tactics designed to get you to spend more money than need be. The beauty magazines also play a big part, advertising expensive products on beautiful air brushed models, (who wear a size 0)!
Think of taking care of your skin as an investment in your anti-aging future and you will enjoy it, especially when you see the results. Forget about reclaiming your youth with very expensive skin care products that don’t deliver. Buy products with ingredients that nourish your skin. Be proud of your age and enjoy getting older—remember, it is inevitable!
IceCure says that its cryoablation system can kill early-stage growths within minutes without surgery, let alone scarring.
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women. Usually, treatment involves mastectomy and chemotherapy or radiation therapy. But there is a lesser-known alternative: cryoablation – to freeze the tumor in its tracks. Literally. No scarring, no hospital stay, though chemotherapy or radiation will still apply, IceCure Medical stresses.
This would be good news for women, given the American Association for Cancer Research projection of 440,000 breast cancer cases in 2030, compared with 283,000 in 2011. (Yes, that rate is faster than population growth, because of rising incidence in elderly women.)
Cryoablation has been around for 25 years and is commonly used to remove external skin blemishes, such as warts. Some companies, like IceCure, have developed it to freeze tumors too, but the Israeli company claims its technology is better.
“Other cryoablation companies use 25-year-old technology,” says IceCure CEO Hezi Himelfarb, an engineer. That old technology is large and clunky, and for that reason (plus safety regulations), its use is confined to operating theaters. IceCure’s system, the minimally invasive IceSense3, is compact and usable in any office, Himelfarb says.
Nor does it require a surgeon: a gynecologist or radiologist can use the device to freeze the tumor within minutes, and send the patient home, Himelfarb adds.
On Thursday, June 18, an elite group of Rabbinical leaders; Ambassador’s of several European countries, representatives from the House and the Senate gathered in Washington in the magnificent Senate’s Kennedy Caucus Room to celebrate the monumental accomplishments of the late Rabbi Zvi Kestenbaum. Among the numerous life missions was to preserve and protect cemeteries and Synagogues throughout central and Eastern Europe, where his ancestors were buried.
Most of us are aware that the sun is harmful to our skin. Now that summer is upon us, we can arm ourselves with knowledge that will allow us to have fun in the sun and enjoy its warmth while protecting our skin from its harmful rays.
Shield yourself with clothing, a hat and glasses whenever possible. That’s a great start, but the sun can penetrate our clothing, so it’s important to apply sunscreen as well. The trick is to buy the right product, have it on hand and remember to use it.
For prolonged outdoor activity, choose a sunscreen that offers a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Those with fair skin will want to use a higher number.
Choose a sunscreen effective against both UVA and UVB rays, typically identified as a broad spectrum sunscreen.
Apply sunscreen liberally. For adult protection, use 1 ounce per application. Don’t spread it too thin. Apply sunscreen on dry skin, between 20 and 30 minutes before sun exposure begins. If you are at the beach or pool, apply sunscreen again after swimming. All sunscreens lose some degree of effectiveness when skin is submerged in water. Although many say they are waterproof and sweat proof, their effectiveness diminishes when long periods are spent in the water. For best results, reapply as directed.
Spain’s parliament has approved a law that will ease the path to citizenship for descendants of Jews who fled the country five centuries ago.
It will allow those who can trace their roots to the expelled Jewish community, also known as Sephardic Jews, to apply for a Spanish passport from October.
The aim is to correct what Spain’s government has called a “historic mistake”.
Tens of thousands of Jews were expelled in 1492 during the Spanish Inquisition.
Those who remained had to convert to Catholicism or risked being burnt at the stake.
The halls and classrooms of Barkai Yeshivah were filled with a variety of activities, which kept attendees busy for hours during their 2nd Annual Art Fair.
Art Educators, Barbara Sakkal and Sara Weinstock Aranov, took great pride in showcasing the creative talents of the students, as works of art by every child in the school, from kindergarten through the 8th grade, were exhibited. The lower level was magically transformed into a sophisticated art gallery, where paintings and sculptures, prints and puppets came to life through the imagination of the children.
In addition to the gallery exhibit, there were many activities for both children and parents to enjoy throughout the day.
Interactive art workshops in hat making, wire sculpture, and drawing to music were led by graduates of the Brooklyn College Masters Program in Art Education. The Community Mural had artists, young and old—children, parents, grandparents and staff—lined up to offer their contribution to a wall of patterned circles. Another community project, a group sculpture, grew and took form over the course of four hours, with children and adults cooperating with each other to build a construction out of cardboard.
Alex Aranov, wood carver and Judaica artist demonstrated his craft while chiseling mezuzot from various types of wood. Completed mezuzot were on display and available for purchase.
In addition to displaying work from the art program, the Art Fair featured performing arts, both dramatic and musical. A theater was set up with stadium seating for the audience to enjoy the performances. The first one, “Tableau Vivant,” which means “living picture,” brought to life The Starry Night by Vincent
Van Gogh. The 3rd grade girls performed in glowing costumes against a glow-in-the-dark reproduction of the popular painting. The girls sang lyrics about the stars while performing a ribbon dance which mimicked the movement of the artist’s energetic night sky. Barkai teachers, Deborah Schecter and Rachelle Sitt, wrote and directed the presentation.
The second performance was presented by the Barkai Concert Band, under the direction of Middle School Music Teacher Peter Hanson. The band which formed this year, was supported by the Barkai PTA which provided the program with professional wind and percussion instruments.
Peter Hanson made a second appearance with his jazz combo, which played smooth jazz in the gallery throughout the day.
A new attraction, the Shuka Truck was parked at the entrance to the school, serving Israeli style shakshuka. The food was so delicious and popular that it sold out before the end of the day.
The Art Fair, which requires a full year of planning, is a collaboration between the Art Program and the Barkai PTA. Co-chairs of the Event were Barbara Azizo, Director of the Arts Program, Aimee Bailey, President Elect of the PTA, and Susan Sorscher, Curator of the Art Gallery. The Fair reflects Barkai Yeshivah’s strong commitment to the arts.
