Image Magazine February 2026

THE STAGES TOWARD Lasting Love

THE MEANING BEHIND

The Bar Mitzvah

BEAUTIFUL BITES FOR The Perfect Party

The Future of Magen David Yeshivah High School

PRIME MINISTER

NETANYAHU Comes to South Florida

THE ORTHODOX JEW PRESIDING OVER THE Maduro Trial

“A Must See, Must Experience.”

-Front Row Center

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW • I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER • WISHIN’ AND HOPIN’ • RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR • WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT? • I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN • ALFIE PROMISES, PROMISES • ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME • CLOSE TO YOU • THE LOOK OF LOVE DO YOU KNOW THE WAY TO SAN JOSE? • WALK ON BY ...AND MORE! THE MARJORIE S. DEANE LITTLE THEATER 10 West 64th St, NYC FEBRUARY 22 NOW

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW • I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER • WISHIN’ AND HOPIN’ • RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR • WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT? • I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN • ALFIE PROMISES, PROMISES • ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME • CLOSE TO YOU • THE LOOK OF LOVE DO YOU KNOW THE WAY TO SAN JOSE? • WALK ON BY ...AND MORE!

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104 How to Stop Letting Food, Mirrors, and Other People’s Opinions Ruin Your Joy By Laura Shammah, MS, RDN RELATIONSHIPS

100 The 5 Stages Toward Lasting Love By Devora Levy

Beautiful Bites for the Perfect Party

Styled with Intention How Mothers and Grandmothers Thoughtfully Coordinate a Modern Brit Milah 96 What Does Mazel Tov Mean?

Kylie Ora Lobell

Gemachs Lending Items To Those In Need 112 The Meaning Behind the Bar Mitzvah: A Spiritual and Historical Perspective WRITERS’

From The Editors

February is a month of contrasts. Winter is still with us, the days are short, and the cold lingers. Yet this Wedding and Party issue brings warmth. Even in the heart of winter, these pages are filled with joy, connection, and shared moments. This issue is also designed to help families plan ahead for the spring and summer wedding and party season, offering inspiration and practical guidance for the celebrations to come.

This issue is devoted to simcha in all its forms. In What Brides Are Wearing in 2026, we look ahead at bridal style with an eye toward individuality and intention. The Meaning Behind the Bar Mitzvah: A Spiritual and Historical Perspective explores the depth of this milestone and the responsibility that follows. Styled With Intention: How Mothers and Grandmothers Thoughtfully Coordinate a Modern Brit Milah offers guidance rooted in tradition and sensitivity. In What Happens After the Grand Moment: When the Fire Fades, Rabbi Meyer Laniado speaks honestly about sustaining connection once the music ends. For hosts and planners, Beautiful Bites for the Perfect Party brings creativity to the table, and Never Go EmptyHEADED offers a thoughtful look at style, intention, and the role of headpieces in elevating life’s most meaningful celebrations. Our Community Photo Album: Celebrations Across Our Community highlights families and friends sharing the joy of their parties, capturing the spirit of togetherness that defines our community, along with additional wedding and party related articles to guide families through every stage of planning.

Our cover story looks ahead to the future of MDYHS, with plans for a new high school opening in September 2027. Inside, Discovering Passions: Seventh Grade Electives at MDY and MDYHS Seniors Take On Israel highlight a commitment to education, curiosity, and connection to Israel. This issue also features Leadership, Values, and Real Balance: A Powerful Conversation with Heather Kaminetsky, an MDYHS program that brought leadership and real-world perspective directly to students.

You will also find two first-person pieces by Linda Argalgi Sadacka. In Prime Minister Netanyahu Comes to South Florida, she reflects on witnessing a historic visit by Israel’s Prime Minister. In A Hanukkah Evening at the White House, she shares the unforgettable experience of celebrating Hanukkah with the President and Vice President.

We pause to reflect on Tu BiShvat in Tu BiShvat for Our Time: The Stewardship Paradigm, written by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l, a timeless reminder to think about growth, responsibility, and the future we are planting. In the spirit of community leadership, this issue also includes A Civic Awakening: How Joey Saban Changed the Trajectory of Our Community, an examination of vision, responsibility, and the lasting impact of individuals who help shape communal life.

Our community organizations continue to play a vital role in supporting families at every stage. This month, we highlight the work of SBH through its Parent Engagement Center, which provides parents with practical coaching, tools, and clear guidance on how to access services for children struggling in school. We also feature COJO’s efforts to help teens secure meaningful summer jobs, giving young people their first exposure to responsibility and real-world experience.

We close with stories from around the community, including Meet the Orthodox Judge Presiding Over Maduro’s Trial, Yeshiva Students Presenting at the Jews from Arab Lands Conference, and a joyful note with DSN Brings the Magic of Disney to Life at the Annual Disney Breakfast

May this issue bring warmth, inspiration, and celebration into your home.

Ben-Gurion Matsas and Rachelle Fallas Matsas

VOLUME 35 ISSUE 9

FEBRUARY 2026

SHEBAT - ADAR 5786

Ben-Gurion Matsas PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Rachelle Fallas Matsas EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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A LEGACY OF PROTECTION: LIFE INSU NCE THAT WORKS FOR YOU

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RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS ZT”L

FEW TEXTS HAVE HAD A DEEPER INFLUENCE ON WESTERN CIVILIZATION THAN THE FIRST CHAPTER OF BEREISHIT, WITH ITS MOMENTOUS VISION OF THE UNIVERSE COMING INTO BEING AS THE WORK OF G-D. SET AGAINST THE GRANDEUR OF THE NARRATIVE, WHAT STANDS OUT IS THE SMALLNESS, YET UNIQUENESS, OF HUMANS, VULNERABLE, BUT ALSO UNDENIABLY SET APART FROM ALL OTHER BEINGS.

The words of the Psalmist echo the wonder and humility that the primordial couple must have felt as they beheld the splendor of creation: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is humanity that You are mindful of it, the children of mortals that You care for them? Yet You have made them little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.” (Tehillim 8:3-5)

The honor and glory that crowns the human race is possession of the Earth, which is granted as the culmination of G-D’s creative work: “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.” This notion is fortified in Tehillim 115: “The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth G-D has given to humanity.” While the creation narrative clearly establishes G-D as Master of the Universe, it is the human being who is appointed master of the earth.

Grappling with the challenging notion of humans as divinely ordained owners and subduers of the earth, we come face to face with the fundamental questions of our place in the Universe and our responsibility for it. A literal interpretation suggests a world in which people may cut

down forests, slaughter animals, and dump waste into the seas at their leisure, much like we see in our world today.

On the other hand, as Rav Kook, first Chief Rabbi of Israel, writes, any intelligent person should know that Bereishit 1:28 “does not mean the domination of a harsh ruler, who afflicts his people and servants merely to fulfill his personal whim and desire, according to the crookedness of his heart.” Could G-D have really created such a complex and magnificent world solely for the caprice of humans?

Bereishit chapter 1 is only one side of the complex biblical equation. It is balanced by the narrative of Bereishit chapter 2, which features a second Creation narrative that focuses on humans and their place in the Garden of Eden. The first person is set in the Garden “to work it and take care of it.”

The two Hebrew verbs used here are significant. The first, le’ovdah, literally means “to serve it.” The human being is thus both master and servant of nature. The second, leshomrah, means “to guard it.” This is the verb used in later biblical legislation to describe the responsibilities of a guardian of property that belongs to someone else. This guardian must exercise vigilance while protecting, and is

personally liable for losses that occur through negligence. This is perhaps the best short definition of humanity’s responsibility for nature as the Torah conceives it.

We do not own nature. “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” (Tehillim 24:1) We are its stewards on behalf of G-D, who created and owns everything. As guardians of the earth, we are duty-bound to respect its integrity.

The mid-19th century commentator Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch put this rather well in an original interpretation of Bereishit 1:26, “Let us make the human in our image after our own likeness.” The passage has always been puzzling, since the hallmark of the Torah is the singularity of G-D. Who would G-D consult in the process of creating humans?

The “us,” says Hirsch, refers to the rest of Creation. Before creating the human, a being destined to develop the capacity to alter and possibly endanger the natural world, G-D sought the approval of nature itself. This interpretation implies that we would use nature only in such a way that is faithful to the purposes of its Creator and acknowledges nature’s consenting to humanity’s existence.

The mandate in Bereishit 1 to exercise dominion is, therefore, not technical, but moral. Humanity would control, within our means, the use of nature toward the service of G-D. Further, this mandate is limited by the requirement to serve and guard as seen in Bereishit 2. The famous story of Bereishit 2 to 3, the eating of the forbidden fruit and Adam and Chavah’s subsequent exile from Eden, supports this point.

Not everything is permitted. There are limits to how we interact with Planet Earth. The Torah has commandments regarding how to sow crops, how to collect eggs, and how to preserve trees in a time of war, just to name a few. When we do not treat Creation according to G-D’s will, disaster can follow.

We see this today as more and more cities sit under a cloud of smog and as mercury advisories are issued over large sectors of our fishing waters. Deforestation of the rainforests, largely a result of humanity’s growing demand for timber and beef, has brought on irrevocable destruction of plant and animal species.

We can no longer ignore the massive negative impact that our global industrial society is having on the ecosystems of the Earth. Our unbounded use of fossil fuels to fuel our energy intensive lifestyles is causing global climate change. An international consensus of scientists predicts more intense and destructive storms, floods, and droughts resulting from these human induced changes in the atmosphere. If we do not take action now, we risk the very survival of civilization as we know it.

The Midrash says that G-D showed Adam around the Garden of Eden and said, “Look at My works! See how beautiful they are, how excellent! For your sake I created them all. See to it that you do not spoil and destroy My world, for if you do, there will be no one else to repair it.”

Creation has its own dignity as G-D’s masterpiece, and though we have the mandate to use it, we have none to destroy or despoil it. Rabbi Hirsch says that Shabbat was given to humanity “in order that he should not grow overweening in his dominion” of G-D’s creation. On the Day of Rest, “he must, as it were, return the borrowed world to its Divine Owner in order to realize that it is but lent to him.”

Ingrained in the process of creation and central to the life of every Jew is a weekly reminder that our dominion of Earth must be l’shem shamayim, in the name of Heaven.

The choice is ours. If we continue to live as though G-D had only commanded us to subdue the Earth, we must be prepared for our children to inherit a seriously degraded planet, with the future of human civilization put into question. If we see our role as masters of the Earth as a unique opportunity to truly serve and care for the planet, its creatures, and its resources, then we can reclaim our status as stewards of the world, and raise our new generations in an environment much closer to that of Eden. 

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LEADERSHIP, VALUES, AND REAL BALANCE

A POWERFUL CONVERSATION WITH HEATHER KAMINETSKY

AS MAGEN DAVID YESHIVAH HIGH SCHOOL LOOKS TOWARD THE FUTURE, THE MOMENTUM AND EXCITEMENT THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY CONTINUE TO FLOURISH. THROUGH IMMERSIVE TORAH LEARNING IN TORAT HAYIM, MEANINGFUL HESED INITIATIVES, HANDS-ON ACCESS TO THE BLOOMBERG TERMINAL, AND THE LAUNCH OF THE MAGEN DAVID BUSINESS INSTITUTE, OUR STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE BOTH EXCEPTIONAL AND PURPOSEFUL.

What was once a well-kept secret is now widely recognized, as interest in MDYHS has reached record-breaking levels, coinciding with the anticipation surrounding the opening of our new, state-of-the-art high school building in September 2027.

Together, these initiatives reflect the distinctive educa-

tional experience that defines MDYHS: one that integrates academic excellence, strong values, and real-world exposure. A recent program for our girls featuring Net-a-Porter CEO Heather Kaminetsky exemplifies this vision, offering students meaningful access to a global leader who embodies integrity, ambition, and purpose—and who inspires them to envision their own potential and future impact.

Magen David Yeshivah High School was honored to welcome Heather Kaminetsky, CEO of Net-a-Porter, for a meaningful schoolwide program for all of our girls, thoughtfully moderated by President Gladys Haddad.

Ms. Kaminetsky shared her remarkable professional journey leading a global luxury fashion company. Yet what resonated most deeply was her openness about the fullness of her life beyond the boardroom, as a mother, wife, and grandmother, and how those roles have shaped her leadership style.

She spoke candidly about the importance of asking for help and never being afraid to raise your hand when opportunity arises. She credited her husband’s unwavering belief in her, sharing how his support at home made it possible for her to step into leadership with confidence. She emphasized that parenting has strengthened her ability to manage, coach, and lead teams, teaching her patience, empathy, accountability, and the importance of developing others.

Ms. Kaminetsky reflected on how her children grew more proud of her work as they got older, and how her dedication encouraged them to work hard and take pride

in their own efforts. She shared a powerful message rooted in faith and integrity, always do the right thing, and Hashem will take care of the rest.

The conversation also explored the reality of leadership and growth. Ms. Kaminetsky encouraged students to embrace risk and imperfection, sharing her belief in “leaving twenty percent room for failure,” because without failure, there can be no growth. She spoke honestly about commitment, explaining that success requires making things work even when it feels difficult.

When discussing balance, Ms. Kaminetsky offered a refreshing perspective. She shared that she does not love the word “balance,” because some days one priority must take center stage over another. What matters, she explained, is clarity and boundaries. She noted that she is “always on, always, except for Shabbos and holidays,” boundaries she set early in her career and made clear were non-negotiable.

Throughout the discussion, students and teachers alike were inspired by her authenticity, strength, and grounded sense of purpose. Ms. Kaminetsky’s message was clear,

leadership, ambition, family, faith, and values are not mutually exclusive. You can build a meaningful career while staying deeply committed to who you are.

We are grateful to Ms. Kaminetsky for sharing her wisdom and lived experience, and to President Gladys Haddad for guiding such a thoughtful and impactful conversation. Programs like this empower our girls to envision futures defined by confidence, integrity, and possibility. 

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WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE GRAND MOMENT

WHEN THE FIRE FADES

LAST SUMMER, MY FAMILY AND I WENT TO A SECLUDED CABIN IN THE FOREST. ONE NIGHT, I BUILT A LARGE FIRE PIT AND SAT BY IT, ALONE, FOR NEARLY AN HOUR, DEEP IN THOUGHT. IN A FLASH, I HAD AN INSIGHT AND CALLED A FRIEND TO SHARE IT. HE ASKED ME, “WHERE ARE YOUR WIFE AND KIDS?” I ANSWERED, WITHOUT THINKING MUCH OF THE QUESTION, THAT THEY WERE INSIDE, AND MY WIFE WAS PUTTING THEM TO BED. HE PAUSED AND SAID, “SHE IS DOING THE REAL WORK. THAT IS REAL LIFE.”

His comment struck me, not because I believe we shouldn’t have moments of solitude and reflection, but because of the contrast between seeking grand moments and returning to the everyday rhythm once those moments subside. This is something I have struggled with, and his words brought it sharply to the forefront.

The real question is not how we are in the grand moments, when our child is born or when we stand under the huppah, but how we show up when we return to daily routine. How do we show up once the excitement fades and life settles back into routine? When the focus needs to be on the ordinary, repetitive and often uncelebrated acts of responsibility.

Benei Yisrael confronted this challenge after their huppah at Mount Sinai, when they entered into a covenant, a marriage, with G-D. The scene was one of cinematic grandeur: lightning, thunder and the sound of a booming shofar. The people prepared with awe and anticipation, and the experience was overwhelming. But in the quiet, unremarkable days that followed, sustaining that moment proved far more difficult. What gives the revelation at Mount Sinai its enduring meaning is carrying its commitment forward into ordinary time, day after day.

This idea is at the heart of the story of Hannah (I Samuel 1). Hannah was a barren woman who longed for a child. At the height of her anguish, Hannah made a vow: If G-D would bless her with a son, she would dedicate him

to serve in the Mishkan all the days of his life. G-D did, at last, answer her prayers. With excitement, Hannah returned to the Mishkan, the place where she had prayed for a child, and told the Kohen Gadol, Eli, “This is the boy I prayed for! G-D gave me what I asked for and what I requested of Him.”

The story of Hannah could have concluded here with this happy ending, G-D answering her prayers. Instead, it continues to describe what takes place after, in the quiet, ordinary commitment of the life that follows. The text tells us that she would go year in and year out, miyamim yamimah, to the Mishkan with a new me’il qaton, a small, hand-sewn robe for her son. Why tell us about this detail? What was its purpose and significance?

When you hear the word me’il, robe, in the context of the Mishkan, you would expect the splendor like that of the Kohen Gadol’s: ornate with intricate embroidery, pomegranates and bells sewn along the hem, a garment of glory. But the robe Hannah made for her son was just a simple little tunic, resized each year as her boy grew. This is the image of a mother buying her son new clothes as he grows, like taking our kids school shopping year after year as they outgrow their previous year’s clothing. It’s not glamorous, not a big moment, not a new height of accomplishment. That was Hannah’s me’il, the little robe. Every year, miyamim yamimah, a new size, another trip, another robe, continued commitment in the everyday moments. The emphasis is not on the miracle itself, but on the consistency that follows, miyamim yamimah, year after year.

The simha at a wedding is not really about the wed-

ding itself, but about what it points toward, the hope that two people will keep returning to one another day after day. We are not cheering only for the moment the hattan stands under the huppah. We are cheering for the days, weeks and years that come after. We celebrate the person who leaves in the morning and is eager to come home to his bride again each night, who is pulled in countless directions by the demands of life and yet remains drawn back, again and again, to the same relationship. That is the “real work” my friend was talking about that night in the forest. He was reminding me of the importance of the quiet, repetitive work of being a father and a husband.

The miracle of a child or a marriage is the peak, but the meaning is given weight and impact through carrying the moment forward through daily commitments. That is Hannah’s me’il, the simple, unglamorous tunic that must be resized year after year as life grows and changes. It was Hannah’s continuous showing up that gave greater meaning and purpose to the blessing of a child. And so, miyamim yamimah has become my mantra. It grounds me in the daily commitments I once experienced as interruptions to my “real” work. When I feel the urge to tell my kids I’m too busy, I pause and remind myself, miyamim yamimah, this is the real work. 

FROM I DO TO WE DO

BUILDING A FINANCIAL LIFE TOGETHER

ARI BAUM, CFP®

A WEDDING IS MORE THAN A CELEBRATION. IT IS THE BEGINNING OF A SHARED FINANCIAL JOURNEY. AS TWO LIVES MERGE, SO DO GOALS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND RESOURCES. COMBINING ASSETS DOES NOT HAVE TO MEAN COMBINING EVERYTHING RIGHT AWAY. THE KEY IS CLARITY. UNDERSTANDING WHAT EACH PARTNER BRINGS INTO THE MARRIAGE, HOW MONEY WILL BE MANAGED DAY TO DAY, AND WHAT VALUES GUIDE FINANCIAL DECISIONS.

Couples who take time early on to align around saving, spending, and long-term priorities often find that money becomes a source of confidence rather than conflict. Think of it like planning the wedding itself. When expectations are clear, the experience is far more joyful.

STARTING A NEW LIFE TOGETHER

Marriage marks a powerful shift, from individual plans to shared vision. Whether it is buying a home, growing a family, traveling, or building a legacy, the strongest foundations are built with intention.

Early conversations around money help couples define what “success” looks like together. It is not about perfection. It is about partnership. Just as a wedding brings together family and friends, thoughtful financial planning brings structure and peace of mind to the life you are creating side by side.

CREATING CLARITY FROM DAY ONE

A helpful first step is creating a shared snapshot of your financial picture. Listing accounts, balances, debts, and recurring expenses gives both partners a clear starting point. This exercise is not about judgment. It is about awareness and transparency.

Many younger couples find success with a “yours, mine, and ours” structure. Shared expenses like rent, utilities, and groceries are handled through a joint account, while individual accounts remain for personal spending. This approach supports teamwork while preserving independence.

Couples who align early around spending and saving habits often avoid unnecessary friction later. Agreeing on spending thresholds, and when to check in before making larger purchases, can reduce misunderstandings and build trust.

PROTECTING YOUR HEALTH, TOGETHER

Health insurance is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, financial decisions newly married couples face. Marriage often opens the door to new options, from joining a spouse’s employer plan to reassessing coverage altogether, making it a natural time to review benefits side by side.

Beyond monthly cost, it is important to understand how coverage works in practice, including access to doctors, prescription benefits, and potential out-of-pocket exposure. Comparing premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums helps couples evaluate true costs and reduce the risk of unexpected medical expenses.

Handled thoughtfully, coordinated coverage helps protect savings, stabilize cash flow, and support long-term financial goals. It allows couples to focus their energy on building a healthy life together.

SAVING FROM YOUNG, A GIFT TO YOUR FUTURE SELVES

For newly married couples, time is one of the greatest financial advantages. Starting early, even with modest amounts, allows savings to grow alongside your life together.

A simple but effective strategy is prioritizing an emer-

gency fund before aggressive investing. Having three to six months of living expenses set aside provides stability and confidence, especially early in careers or during transitions.

Once a foundation is in place, saving for the future becomes more flexible. Contributing regularly to workplace retirement plans, especially when employers offer matching contributions, is one of the most efficient ways to build long-term security. For couples with uneven incomes, coordinating savings across both partners can help balance progress.

Planning should also leave room for joy. Allocating funds specifically for travel, celebrations, or shared experiences helps ensure that saving supports life rather than limiting it. When enjoyment is planned for, it feels earned and stress-free.

BUILT FOR THE LONG RUN

At Endurance Wealth Partners, we believe the strongest financial plans are built around real lives, shared values, and long-term purpose. Just like a marriage, a thoughtful plan evolves over time, supporting both the moments you celebrate today and the future you are building together. 

The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. 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. Consult with a financial professional regarding your specific situation.

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

HOW JOEY SABAN CHANGED THE TRAJECTORY OF OUR COMMUNITY A CIVIC AWAKENING

SAM SUTTON AND RONNIE TAWIL

FOR MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS, THE SEPHARDIC COMMUNITY FEDERATION (SCF) HAS SERVED AS THE POLITICAL AND CIVIC BACKBONE OF OUR COMMUNITY. LONG BEFORE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT BECAME WIDELY EMBRACED, SCF WAS DOING THE QUIET, NECESSARY WORK, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS, ADVOCATING FOR OUR INSTITUTIONS, AND ENSURING THAT COMMUNITY CONCERNS WERE REPRESENTED AT EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT.

Over time, our work produced real results. SCF helped secure tens of millions of dollars in government funding for community schools, synagogues, and social service organizations. It played a central role in defeating harmful proposals like the Coney Island Casino, advancing critical rezonings to protect community properties, and registering tens of thousands of voters.

Through years of advocacy and groundwork laid by SCF, the conditions were created for a deeper level of community involvement. Joey Saban is the byproduct of that foundation, reflecting the long-term impact of SCF’s efforts.

Joey Saban’s 2024 run for New York State Assembly was more than a campaign. It was a turning point in our community’s political consciousness. His candidacy ignited

a passion for civic engagement that reshaped how our community saw itself and its power. Joey did not simply run for office. He inspired belief. Belief that leadership could come from within. Belief that participation mattered. Belief that our community could move to the center of political life.

Few believed a challenger could make a serious impact in that race, but Joey proved that assumption wrong. His campaign galvanized thousands, especially younger voters and families who had never before engaged politically. Neighbors became organizers. First-time voters became advocates.

By Election Day, more than fifteen thousand members of our community turned out to vote, an unprecedented show of engagement. But the most important result of Joey

Saban’s campaign was not found in a vote total. It was found in a permanent shift in mindset.

Joey’s run put our community on the political map in ways we never even knew were possible. Leaders across New York State took notice, not just of a candidate, but of a community that had awakened to its influence and was ready to exercise it.

That awakening directly led to the election of Sam Sutton to the New York State Senate. Once again, this outcome was no accident.

From the earliest conversations to the final strategy, Joey Saban played a profound and indispensable role. Sam Sutton’s decades of relationships and political work opened doors in Albany, allowing Joey to line up the nomination for him and build the political infrastructure necessary for success. He then stepped fully into his role as Chief of Staff to Senator Sutton, where his impact has been nothing short of transformative.

Together with Senator Sutton, Joey has been deeply involved in shaping every major policy initiative, guiding strategy, building coalitions, and ensuring that the community’s priorities were not just heard, but delivered. The results speak for themselves.

In just a matter of months, Senator Sutton secured nearly thirty million dollars in funding for religious communities across New York State, resources that will strengthen schools, protect institutions, and serve families for generations.

Equally significant has been the introduction of landmark legislation to protect the Jewish community and confront antisemitism, including:

• Legislation establishing buffer zones between houses of worship and protests, safeguarding the dignity and security of prayer.

• A bill to codify the IHRA definition of antisemitism into New York State law, providing clear standards for accountability and enforcement.

The momentum Joey ignited, with our guidance, has only continued to grow. This past summer alone, SCF and

its partners registered over ten thousand additional community members to vote. That energy carried into the most recent mayoral election, with nearly twenty-five thousand Sephardic voters casting ballots, a powerful demonstration of a community fully awake to its strength.

This is what sustained leadership looks like. A community that votes is respected. A community that organizes is heard. A community that believes in itself shapes its future. What began as a single political campaign has become a movement rooted in belief, participation, and results. With our mentorship, Joey Saban showed our community what is possible when vision meets courage. The momentum he created continues to grow, and as we set our eyes on the 2026 elections, its greatest impact is still ahead. 

A HANUKKAH EVENING AT THE WHITE HOUSE

WHAT STRUCK ME FIRST WAS NOT THE EVENT ITSELF, BUT THE SPACE. THE WHITE HOUSE IS NOT SIMPLY A VENUE. IT IS A WITNESS. WITHIN ITS WALLS, A NATION HAS BEEN FORMED, TESTED, FRACTURED, REBUILT, AND REAFFIRMED. DECISIONS THAT ALTERED HISTORY WERE DEBATED THERE. WARS WERE WEIGHED. PEACE WAS BROKERED. PRESIDENTS CARRIED THE BURDEN OF COMMAND THROUGH MOMENTS OF TRIUMPH AND NATIONAL RECKONING. STANDING INSIDE IT, YOU ARE ACUTELY AWARE THAT YOU ARE OCCUPYING GROUND WHERE THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY ARGUED INTO EXISTENCE.

Being there during Hanukkah, a holiday rooted in endurance and continuity under pressure, sharpened that sense of historical gravity. This was not simply a celebration. It was another chapter layered onto a long national record.

This year’s White House Hanukkah observances included two receptions. The earlier afternoon event brought together influencers with a small number of public figures. The evening reception, held at seven, carried far greater gravitas and was the one most people were trying very hard to attend. That room was filled with major donors, senior administration officials, lawmakers, ambassadors, and figures shaping both the present and future political landscape. I was invited to the latter, and I understood what that access reflected.

My husband attended with me, and we stayed nearby at the Adams Hotel. Walking past the White House at night, illuminated and secured, reinforced the seriousness of the setting. Institutions built to endure carry a weight that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

Entry into the White House was deliberate and controlled. Guests moved through multiple security checkpoints, with identification verified at each stage. The process moved efficiently, familiar terrain given prior attendance at a presidential inauguration and other White House events, yet it underscored the significance of the space.

Inside, the layout immediately mattered. We entered through the foyer, where a live ensemble performed Hanukkah music with elegance and restraint. The sound carried throughout the building and set the tone for the evening.

To the left was the East Room, where guests gathered while waiting for the President to arrive. Straight ahead was the central room, filled with historic artifacts that quietly remind you where you stand. To the far right was the State Dining Room, where food stations were arranged. Hors d’oeuvres and champagne circulated throughout all three spaces as guests moved freely, though many gravitated toward the East Room where the media had positioned itself in anticipation of the President’s entrance.

Just outside the dining area, one image drew sustained attention. A portrait of President Trump from the aftermath of the assassination attempt showed him with his fist raised, his face bloodied but resolute. The image became one of the most photographed moments of the night, eclipsing even many of the historic paintings nearby. Its symbolism was unmistakable.

The culinary execution reflected the scale of the occasion. Multiple chefs were stationed throughout, and the food was refined, abundant, and clearly intentional. Everything was prepared under the supervision of the Vaad of Washington. This was not routine event catering. It was a high level operation executed with precision.

As the room filled, it became clear this was not a casual social gathering. Lawmakers from both parties were present alongside senior administration officials, ambassadors, major donors, and influential voices shaping the national conversation. Among them were Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Ambassador Lana Marks, members of Congress including Josh Gottheimer and Jared Moskowitz, and prominent figures such as Mark Levin and Sid Rosenberg, along with other senior officials and advisors whose presence underscored the seriousness of the gathering. Conversations were purposeful. Relationships were reinforced. Much of what

did not need

articulated.

Dignitaries, ambassadors, and newsmakers gather for a spontaneous minyan (a quorum of ten Jewish adults required for communal prayer) in the Cross Hall of the White House. At center is Dr. Jack Sadacka, with former White House Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt visible among those praying, while U.S. Ambassador Lana Marks is seated with her husband in the foreground, an intimate moment of Jewish prayer in one of the White House’s most historic ceremonial corridors.

At one point, the seriousness of the setting asserted itself in an unexpected way. Someone in the crowd fainted, and my husband, a physician known for his diagnostic precision, along with several other doctors who were present, stepped into an adjacent room to assist until the individual recovered. Even in rooms defined by symbolism and power,

human needs persist, and competence matters just as much as ceremony.

We met the father of Meadow Pollack, who was murdered in the Parkland school shooting, along with her brother Hunter, an attorney who works under Pam Bondi. We had known each other from earlier encounters after Meadow’s death, so this was not a first meeting. At one point, her father half jokingly remarked that Hunter needed a shidduch, calling him a good Jewish boy. It was said lightly, but it landed. Even in rooms shaped by tragedy and power, life insists on moving forward, often in unexpectedly human ways.

I also had a meaningful exchange with Howard Lutnick. The interaction quietly revealed how rooms like this function. Someone nearby was clearly trying to determine who he was without knowing, circling the conversation cautiously. I stepped in and introduced him properly. He immediately understood what was happening and found it amusing. We spoke briefly about the scope of his role and the long term impact of economic policy. I mentioned that I have two sons working in finance and how deeply these decisions matter beyond headlines. It was a small moment, but a telling one.

Another quiet exchange happened the evening before, at a separate reception held at the Naval Observatory, the Vice President’s residence. I had a brief, practical conversation there with Rabbi Levi Shemtov’s wife about kosher

supervision, and we crossed paths again at the White House reception the following night, exchanging warm greetings.

When President Trump entered the room, the energy shifted immediately. He was fully engaged and clearly in command of the moment. He mocked the predictable media ecosystem, including CNN and the broader press corps, with timing and humor that had the room laughing. Humor, in that moment, was not incidental. It was a tool of command.

He spoke directly about rising antisemitism and the cultural pressures facing the Jewish community. In that context, he discussed plans for a new White House ballroom, emphasizing that it would be funded entirely by private donors, not taxpayers. The project has been publicly discussed at an estimated cost of roughly three hundred million dollars. He framed it as a practical necessity, particularly for future inaugurations, noting that many countries maintain formal ballrooms for major state occasions and that security is most effectively managed within a contained White House environment.

President Trump also introduced Miriam Adelson, a longstanding supporter of pro Israel causes and one of the most consequential donors in modern Republican politics. In doing so, he joked that when someone gives two hundred and fifty million dollars, you have to bring them on stage, before adding, tongue in cheek, that two hundred

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Linda Sadacka (left) with Marla Maples, mother of Tiffany Trump, photographed in the Cross Hall of the White House, just outside the East Room. Maples shared that she wore the necklace in tribute to her late mother, who gifted it to her and was deeply cherished by the President.

and fifty million is not what it used to be, so not to speak for too long. The room laughed. It was classic Trump.

At one point, the President made an observation that framed the evening precisely. For every person in the room, he said, many more had wanted to attend and could not. Attendance was intentionally limited. Access was selective. I was aware that I was the sole representative from my community present, and I carried that responsibility consciously.

As he acknowledged individuals, President Trump called out my close friend Elizabeth Pipko. Watching her be publicly recognized was the highlight of the evening for me. It reflected years of earned trust.

Dr. Sadacka with Sid Rosenberg, host of New York City’s number one Nielsen-rated news talk morning show, a platform on which Linda is a recurring guest.

Toward the end of the night, just before guests began to depart, a minyan formed organically near the foyer, in the interior space connecting the central room and the dining area. My husband joined in prayer alongside Jason Greenblatt and several senior figures, including ambassadors and public officials. It was unplanned, quiet, and deeply grounding.

To watch my husband, whose family came to this country as refugees from Syria, standing in prayer inside the White House was clarifying. It captured something essential about America at its best. Faith does not need to be hidden. Origin is not destiny.

That moment carried meaning for me as well. I am Canadian by birth and now a legal American citizen. To

stand in the White House not merely as an attendee, but as a recognized leader and representative of my community, was not something I took lightly. America allows ascent paired with responsibility. It tests what you do with the opportunity it offers.

What this evening illustrated is that in American political life, access and trust are not granted by visibility alone. They are earned through sustained engagement, shared priorities, and mutual understanding. The dynamics in that room foreshadow how alliances, narratives, and priorities will shape the political moment ahead.

In a political culture driven by optics, it is easy to confuse visibility with influence. Evenings like this offer a corrective. Real power operates quietly, relationally, and often out of public view. The official record will show the speeches and the candles. What it will not capture is how much of American political life still unfolds exactly this way. 

Linda Argalgi Sadacka is a writer, political activist, and community leader. She is the CEO of the New York Jewish Council and the founder of Chasdei David, a 501(c)(3) charity. Her advocacy, sparked by the tragic murder of a close friend by Hamas, has made her a leading voice for the Jewish community in America and abroad. She was honored as a Woman of Distinction in 2022 by Senator Simcha Felder for her leadership and activism. Linda is also the host of The Silent Revolution podcast, where she shares weekly classes blending Torah, prayer, and real-world reflection, making ancient wisdom urgent and relevant for our times

DSN BRINGS THE MAGIC OF DISNEY TO LIFE AT ANNUAL DISNEY BREAKFAST

ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, DSN TRANSFORMED ITS GYMNASIUM INTO A WORLD OF WONDER AS FAMILIES GATHERED FOR THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DISNEY BREAKFAST, A JOYFUL MORNING FILLED WITH IMAGINATION, MUSIC, AND UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES.

The magic began even before breakfast was served. Young children had the opportunity to participate in two enchanting pre-events, the Bippity Boppity Boutique and Superhero Academy. At the Boutique, sixty young girls arrived dressed as their favorite princesses to have their hair and makeup professionally done. The experience was topped off with a charming tea party alongside Cinderella herself, creating a truly royal morning.

At the same time, twenty-five young boys took part in Superhero Academy, where they had their hair styled, faces painted, and created their own superhero capes and masks. The excitement reached new heights as the children completed an obstacle course alongside a live Spider-Man, bringing their superhero dreams to life.

Following the pre-events, over 350 parents, grandparents, and children came together for the main attraction, the Disney Breakfast. Families enjoyed a plentiful and delicious spread including bagels and cream cheese, string cheese, Mickey Mouse waffles, grilled cheese, spanakopita, calzones, and salads, ensuring there was something for

everyone. Attendees enjoyed a variety of giveaways including light-up books, pens, Mickey Mouse toys, and wands.

The highlight was an incredible live show that had the children cheering with excitement. Belle served as the Master of Ceremonies, guiding the audience through a magical performance featuring Cinderella, Elsa, Moana,

Maui, Spider-Man, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, and Goofy. Each character was introduced with flair, creating a truly immersive Disney experience.

Adding to the magic, the DSN Dance Academy Dance Team took the stage to perform and proudly introduce Mickey Mouse, dancing alongside the characters to the delight of the crowd. At the end of the entertainment, the children eagerly lined up for autographs and picture-taking with their favorite characters.

This beloved event served an important purpose as a DSN fundraiser, raising money for the DSN Children’s Scholarship Fund, which enables children in need to attend programs.

DSN Youth Program Director Frieda Shammah shared, “The happiness on the children’s faces said it all. The energy in the room was incredible, bringing the magic of Disney World right to DSN.”

The event’s success was made possible by a dedicated committee that worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Committee member Brenda Mamiye reflected, “Attending the Disney Breakfast with my children was truly special. From the characters to the decor, every detail was thought-

fully done. It was a magical experience our family will always remember.”

Committee member Sally Mamiye was elated. “My kids had the best time and so did I! A morning we will never forget!” Her four-year-old son, Chuckie Mamiye, summed it up perfectly, declaring it “his best day ever!”

Committee member Brenda Antebi added, “I loved being part of such a special and memorable day. My kids were thrilled and smiled the entire time. Thank you to DSN for such a wonderful experience!”

With laughter echoing throughout the gymnasium and smiles on every face, the DSN Disney Breakfast proved to be a cherished event, one that brought community together, created lasting memories, and spread pure Disney magic for a meaningful cause.

DSN Executive Director Sammy Sitt was very proud. “It’s very satisfying to see a passionate committee of young mothers working hand-in-hand with our staff to put together a community event on a professional level. This is our winning formula, passionate volunteers, hard-working staff, and an amazing community. Congrats to everyone. What a success! May Hashem (G-D) continue to bless DSN!”

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU COMES TO SOUTH FLORIDA

INSIDE A HISTORIC FIRST FOR FLORIDA AND THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

LINDA ARGALGI SADACKA

SECURITY WAS TIGHT LONG BEFORE THE PRIME MINISTER ARRIVED. ROADS WERE BLOCKED FOR MILES, AND RESIDENTS RECEIVED ALERTS RESTRICTING MOVEMENT. LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE UNDERSCORED THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE MOMENT. THIS WAS NOT ROUTINE. IT WAS HISTORY UNFOLDING UNDER HEIGHTENED THREAT.

Recently, I wrote to readers about my time in Washington, attending the White House Hanukkah reception and later visiting the Vice President’s residence at the Naval Observatory. This brought a different but no less historic chapter, standing in South Florida as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unprecedented appearance. No Israeli Prime Minister has ever visited Florida in an official capacity.

Before the public program began, the State of Florida marked the visit with a quiet but deliberate gesture. In a private setting, Prime Minister Netanyahu was presented with a custom license plate reading Florida Stands With Israel, bearing his name, Bibi. It was not theatrical. It was intentional, a signal of alliance and permanence.

History does not emerge by accident. It is shaped by people who understand timing, trust, and consequence. This moment happened because of my dear friend, Tila Falic.

The Prime Minister himself described her publicly as a force of nature. It was not a courtesy. It was recognition. Every substantive element of the event flowed through her leadership, bringing Prime Minister Netanyahu to South Florida, assembling the right voices in the room, and creating a program that balanced political gravity with moral clarity. This was not ceremonial hosting. It was leadership exercised through credibility, precision, and long-standing relationships.

That intention was evident from the outset. Students from Jewish Culture High School, founded by Tila Falic and

Rabbi Aharon Assaraf, played an active role in the program. They sang to welcome the Prime Minister and the First Lady, offering a gesture of gratitude that was dignified and deeply human. They were not spectators. They were participants, experiencing the moment as it unfolded.

When Simon Falic, Tila’s father, addressed the audience, his words carried weight because they were measured. One phrase settled the room. He described Prime Minister Netanyahu as a leader of biblical proportion. It did not sound lofty. It sounded precise, leadership forged under existential pressure, shaped by history, and burdened with responsibility that extends far beyond one political chapter.

Spiritual grounding came from Rabbi Lipskar, whose remarks framed the gathering in faith, continuity, and responsibility.

I attended the event in overlapping roles, as press, as an activist, and as a long-standing advocate for the Jewish people. Press credentials placed me in the front row within the press core at stage level. It was the clearest vantage point in the room, not only physically but substantively. That distinction matters. I do not enter rooms like this for optics. I enter them to engage seriously.

When I speak of my community, I am not referring to a single neighborhood. I am referring to a global audience. While my visible following numbers in the tens of thousands, the reach of my work extends into the millions each month. That reach carries obligation, not spectacle,

and it informs how I show up in moments that matter.

From that vantage point, the atmosphere was unmistakable. The room was full. The energy was confident, warm, defiant, and resolved. This was not an audience seeking reassurance. It was an audience prepared to stand firm.

Prime Minister Netanyahu met that resolve directly. At one point, he delivered a line that reverberated far beyond the room, clearly echoing a page from President Trump’s playbook: “Do not be intimidated. You must fight. Fight. Fight.” The response was immediate because the message was already understood.

The seriousness of the moment was reflected not only in tone but in who showed up. In the room were Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, Senator Moreno of Ohio, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Speaker of the Florida House Danny Perez, Representative Randy Fine, Representative Carlos Gimenez, mayors and municipal leaders, and Leo Terrell, the renowned civil rights attorney and senior official at the United States Department of Justice. These were not symbolic appearances. These were leaders whose support has been demonstrated through action.

The emotional center of the event came when Prime Minister Netanyahu introduced the family of Ran Gvili. Gvili was among the first to rush forward on October 7 to save Jewish lives, despite an existing injury. He was shot twice, taken captive, and remains the last hostage still held. The

standing ovation that followed was immediate and reverent, collective rather than performative.

Seated near the Lieutenant Governor, I watched as Tila later spoke from the podium about the Lieutenant Governor’s role in bringing children home from Israel during the war. Tears streamed openly down his face. When he addressed the audience afterward, he spoke not as a politician but as a father, saying plainly that he would do it again and again. The sincerity of both him and his wife was unmistakable.

Later that day, in a moment that captured the wider tension surrounding the event, Ran Gvili’s mother confronted a small group of protesters herself, tearing up their signs face to face, a mother defending her son and her people without hesitation.

The following day offered a revealing contrast. I spent time with Tila and her family as a friend, away from crowds and cameras. Sitting together, they casually scrolled through tweets and media reactions from Israel, many clearly intended to wound. Instead of tension, there was laughter. The commentary was met with humor and composure, as though it simply had nowhere to land. Watching that dynamic up close was striking. It was not bravado or defensiveness. It was confidence rooted deeply enough to remain unshaken.

During the visit, I also had the opportunity to speak privately with both the Prime Minister and the First Lady. They were gracious, thoughtful, and fully present, reflecting the same seriousness and humanity that defined the public moments of the day.

What stayed with me after leaving South Florida was clarity. Israel is not only defending Jews. Israel is defending the moral spine of the West. It stands on the front line of a broader struggle against intimidation, chaos, and tyranny.

Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno speaks at the South Florida gathering.

Security presence visible from the podium during the Prime Minister’s address in South Florida.

Hatred is not rational. It rarely yields to persuasion. The task is not to chase those committed to falsehood, but to fortify those anchored in truth, to strengthen alliances, to reinforce moral clarity, and to empower leaders willing to stand without apology.

That is what unfolded in South Florida, and that is why this moment will endure. 

Linda Argalgi Sadacka is a writer, political activist, and community leader. She is the CEO of the New York Jewish Council and the founder of Chasdei David, a 501(c)(3) charity. Her advocacy, sparked by the tragic murder of a close friend by Hamas, has made her a leading voice for the Jewish community in America and abroad. She was honored as a Woman of Distinction in 2022 by Senator Simcha Felder for her leadership and activism. Linda is also the host of The Silent Revolution podcast, where she shares weekly classes blending Torah, prayer, and real-world reflection, making ancient wisdom urgent and relevant for our times.

Individualized Learning

Close-Knit Community

We

Skills for Life

We

Community Service Network, Inc. WITH LOVE

WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT IF EVERY CHILD CAME WITH INSTRUCTIONS

MIRIAM BARRY

IMAGINE HAVING JUST GIVEN BIRTH, AND THE NURSE BRINGS YOU YOUR BEAUTIFUL BABY, FRESHLY BATHED, SWEET SMELLING, AND BUNDLED IN A SOFT, CUDDLY BLANKET. TUCKED INTO THE CORNER OF THE BLANKET IS A SMALL BOOK THAT SAYS “USER MANUAL.” OF COURSE, THIS IS FICTION. EACH CHILD NEEDS A DIFFERENT MANUAL EVERY YEAR, AND SOMETIMES EVERY WEEK.

All stages of childhood are a learning experience for most parents, and as time goes on, we mostly get better at it. School age children can present unique challenges, particularly if they are having difficulty in school. While we can’t offer you a user manual for your child, we can offer you the next best thing, and that is the Parent Engagement Center, the PEC. The PEC offers parents

two to four months of weekly individual parent coaching to give them the skills and tools to manage the issues the child may be facing that impact his or her ability to succeed in school.

This program is free of charge, does not involve any insurance, and is done by phone or Zoom, one on one and completely confidential.

SEARCH CAN HELP! SEARCH CAN HELP!

“I really didn’t understand why my son was acting the way he was. Once I had a new perspective, it changed the way I reacted. This in turn, changed his behavior.”

“My daughter was afraid of a lot of things, and I didn’t know how to handle it. I kept trying different things, but none of them worked. My counselor gave me specific tasks and homework to do to help my daughter with her anxiety, which really made a big difference.”

“I didn’t realize how different my parenting style was from my husband’s. When we both worked with the counselor, we realized that our differences were actually causing the troubling behaviors! Once we got on the same page, things got a lot better.”

“My son did something that really bothered me. I spoke to the counselor about it, and found out that this is pretty normal behavior for a kid his age. Once I stopped freaking out about it, I was able to deal with it calmly and rationally.”

Our counselors are experienced, familiar with our community, and give parents weekly “homework” to hone the skills they need for successful parenting. Both moms and dads are encouraged to participate in the sessions, so that everyone is learning the same tools and at the same pace. One of the most important facets of this program is that the counselors are well versed in childhood development, which helps parents understand when their child’s behavior is age appropriate and when it isn’t.

The PEC was created in early 2020 to utilize Title 1 funds, which are earmarked for private schools and yeshivot. It was developed in recognition of the concept that children’s struggles in school could be addressed in the home with direct parent coaching. At first, only children in

schools that had Title 1 were eligible, but the program has expanded to utilize other funding to open it up to all parents of children in our community yeshivot.

Parents interested can call Frany at 718-787-1100 ext. 532 to see if they are eligible for this program and to register if they are. 

Miriam Barry joined SEARCH in 2001 and became Director in 2006, bringing 25 years of teaching experience in community yeshivot. With her trained staff, she has helped over 5,000 children access services through the New York City Department of Education, guiding parents through school placement decisions, psychological evaluations, and a deeper understanding of their children’s strengths and challenges. Knowledge gained through SEARCH empowers parents to make informed decisions and better support their children’s success in school.

INVESTING IN OUR YOUTH, AND OUR COMMUNITY

A CALL TO EMPLOYERS AND CAMPS TO HIRE THROUGH SYEP THIS SUMMER

ARI BAUM, CFP®

EVERY SUMMER, OUR COMMUNITY HAS A POWERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO SHAPE THE NEXT GENERATION, NOT ONLY THROUGH EDUCATION AND VALUES, BUT THROUGH MEANINGFUL WORK EXPERIENCE. THE NYC SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SYEP) IS BACK, OFFERING EMPLOYERS, CAMPS, AND ORGANIZATIONS A SIMPLE AND IMPACTFUL WAY TO HIRE COMMUNITY YOUTH THIS SUMMER, WHILE STRENGTHENING YOUR OWN OPERATIONS.

As Treasurer of COJO Flatbush and a volunteer Career Coach with SBH, I see firsthand how transformative early work experience can be. A summer job is often a young person’s first exposure to responsibility, accountability, teamwork, and earning their own paycheck. It builds confidence, practical skills, and a pipeline of capable, motivated young adults who are better prepared for college, careers, and leadership within our community.

WHAT IS SYEP?

SYEP is New York City’s largest youth employment initiative, serving people ages 14-24. Participants are placed in structured, paid summer work opportunities for up to six weeks, with wages fully covered by the program.

• Ages 16-24. Up to 25 hours per week, earning up to $2,550

• Ages 14-15. Project-based learning and work experiences, earning up to $700

Applying does not guarantee selection. Participants are chosen through the SYEP lottery, with placement determined through COJO Flatbush and employer matching, making community employer participation essential.

WHO CAN SIGN UP AS AN EMPLOYER?

SYEP is flexible and employer friendly. We strongly encourage participation from small businesses and professional offices, nonprofits and community organizations, and day camps, overnight camps, and specialty camps.

Employers provide in-person, supervised work experiences that allow young professionals to gain real-world skills while contributing meaningfully to daily operations.

ADDITIONAL CAREER READINESS SUPPORT (SEPARATE FROM SYEP)

Independent of SYEP, the SBH Career Division supports young adults ages 18 and over through career readiness programming, mentoring, coaching, and job and internship placement. SBH works closely with young professionals to develop essential workplace skills, including professionalism and workplace expectations, as well as résumé development and interview preparation.

I volunteer as a Career Coach with SBH, working oneon-one with young professionals as they prepare to enter and succeed in the workforce. COJO Flatbush and SBH are entirely separate organizations, and SBH does not manage SYEP placements or employer matching.

DON’T LOSE OUT!

YOUTH AGES 16-24: WORK 25 HOURS PER WEEK FOR 6 WEEKS

EARN UP TO $2,550

YOUTH AGES 14-15:

COMBINATION OF IN PERSON AND ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

FOR 12.5 HOURS PER WEEK FOR 6 WEEKS

EARN UP TO $700

• NYC residents between the ages of 14-24 by July 1, 2026 may apply for the SYEP lottery online by going to application.nycSYEP.com

• Select “BEGIN ONLINE APPLICATION” then enter your “email address” and create a “password”

• Once you complete your application n, you wiilll l be a asked to choose a r referring agency Click on “DYCD”

• Next, you will be asked to choose a provider. Click on “Brooklyn” or “Queens” (if you live in Queens). Select “Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush”

• Complete the application, click “Submit,” print a copy of your application and receipt

JANUARY 20FEBRUARY 27

Now! . Applicants selected for SYEP will have to upload their “Required Documentation” in the SYEP Document System. See the application for the list of required documents. .

• Prepare your required documents

Even if you are not sure where you want to work, apply so that you don’t miss this opportunity.

Online applications will be accepted from January 20 to February 27

If you are not able to apply online you may obtain a paper application from our office at 1523 Avenue M, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, NY

Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the program

Learn more about SBH Career Services: https://www.sbhcareer.org/about-us/services/

EMPLOYER SIGN-UP IS SIMPLE

Employers register directly through the official NYC SYEP Worksite Portal: https://worksiteportal.nycsyep.com/

Once registered and approved, employers have complete discretion over whom they choose to hire. There are no restrictions on selection. Employers interview candidates, may choose applicants they already know, and control role descriptions, schedules, and responsibilities, within SYEP guidelines. This flexibility allows camps and businesses to confidently bring on students they trust and believe will be a good fit.

WHY HIRE THROUGH SYEP?

Hiring through SYEP is not charity. It is a strategic investment of time and mentorship, with wages fully paid by the program.

• No wage cost to the employer

• Flexible placements tailored to your real needs

• Motivated students bring energy, tech fluency, and fresh perspective

• Meaningful community impact that strengthens our shared ecosystem

Students can assist with office administration and scheduling, communications and social media, data entry and organization, educational and program support, and camp operations and logistics.

FOR CAMPS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Camps can place students as counselors, CITs, office support, logistics staff, programming assistants, or with-

in specialty departments. Community organizations can engage youth for administrative work, preparation, or outreach. Just as important, this is a chance to model workplace values, including punctuality, professionalism, responsibility, and pride in one’s work.

A COMMUNITY-WIDE EFFORT

Important Deadline: February 27

Applicants must apply through https://application. nycsyep.com/ and select “Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush” as their referring organization. COJO Flatbush serves as the primary community coordinator for placements. To be eligible for consideration, applications must be submitted no later than February 27. When employers step forward, applicants win, and so does the community.

A PERSONAL NOTE

Our community thrives when we think long-term. Hiring one adolescent for the summer may seem like a small step, but its ripple effects are lasting. I encourage every business owner, camp director, and organizational leader to ask if they can bring on one more young professional this summer. If the answer is yes, even in a limited capacity, you are making a meaningful difference. Our youth are ready to work. Let’s give them the opportunity.

For guidance or coordination, please reach out to COJO Flatbush, and register today at: https://application.nycsyep.com/ 

Ari Baum, CFP® serves as Treasurer of COJO Flatbush and volunteers as a Career Coach with SBH, supporting young professionals as they prepare to enter and succeed in the workforce. He is also the Founder & CEO of Endurance Wealth Partners and is deeply committed to youth workforce development and community leadership.

N YC FR EE TA X PREPARATION @ COJO FLATBUSH

G W e h e l p y o u keep your whole refund!

Personal income tax preparation for eligible taxpayers with incomes up to *$97,000 in 2025 by IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers

We focus on EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) and CCTC (Child Care Tax Credit). B E SU R E TO

BRI N

•

• Original Social Security Cards for all members of household

• 2024 tax return Photo ID for all filers

• All tax forms (W-2, 1099, 1098, etc.)

• Bank account information (voided check)

• All tax-deductible receipts

• Day care information

DISCOVERING PASSIONS

SEVENTH GRADE ELECTIVES AT MDY

SEVENTH GRADE IS A PIVOTAL YEAR AT MDY, A TIME WHEN STUDENTS BEGIN DISCOVERING WHO THEY ARE, WHAT EXCITES THEM, AND HOW THEY LEARN BEST. OUR ELECTIVE PROGRAM IS INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THAT JOURNEY, GIVING STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE EXPERIENCES THAT SPARK CURIOSITY, BUILD CONFIDENCE, AND ENCOURAGE OWNERSHIP OF LEARNING.

These electives are not extras. They are a meaningful extension of our belief in educating the whole child. Alongside academic rigor, MDY values creativity, responsibility, discipline, and self-expression. Through choice-driven learning, students begin to see themselves not just as learners, but as capable, confident individuals.

Below are a few electives that highlight the depth and purpose of our seventh-grade program.

TECH TOOLS & TIPS: WORK SMARTER

This elective empowers students to work smarter and more efficiently in the digital spaces they use every day. Students built practical skills such as typing faster, using shortcuts to move quickly through their work, and exploring creative tools like Canva elements. One student excitedly explained how the quick shortcuts he learned became part of his daily workflow. He tackled his schoolwork confidently and quickly by incorporating what he learned.

DISSECTION: LEARNING BY DOING

For many students, dissection is a moment of true discovery. Instead of reading about anatomy or watching a video, students explore real specimens firsthand, examining structures and systems up close. One student remarked

that it was the first time science “actually felt real.” Another noted how interesting it was to see common elements like intestines in multiple specimens.

PLAYING WITH PLAYS: FINDING A VOICE

Through acting games, improvisation, and original skits, students build confidence and creativity in a supportive environment. For some, it is a chance to discover a voice they did not know they had. Students especially enjoyed the diversity of the skits, allowing them the chance to play different roles and characters. “I loved this elective. I love plays,” said one enthusiastic student.

MONEY MATTERS: REAL-WORLD RESPONSIBILITY

Money Matters introduces students to practical financial concepts such as budgeting, investing, and responsible decision-making. Through a series of guest speakers from the world of finance, students begin to understand how today’s choices shape tomorrow’s opportunities. Students noted that playing games that test their stocks knowledge and foreign exchange understanding is a great way to learn. They especially enjoyed the Q&A portion of their guest speaker sessions.

Together, these electives reflect MDY’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded students who are curious, capable, and confident. By making meaningful choices, taking risks, and discovering what excites them, seventh graders develop the self-awareness and independence needed for middle school leadership, thoughtful high school decisions, and confidence in themselves. At MDY, electives are more than a schedule choice, they are a foundation for what comes next. 

YESHIVA STUDENTS PRESENT AT JEWS FROM ARAB LANDS CONFERENCE

FOURTEEN LOCAL YESHIVA STUDENTS TOOK CENTER STAGE AT A MAJOR MANHATTAN CONFERENCE ON THE DEPARTURE AND EXILE OF JEWS FROM ARAB LANDS, SHARING THEIR FAMILY HISTORIES BEFORE AN AUDIENCE OF NEARLY 300 AT THE MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE, A LIVING MEMORIAL TO THE HOLOCAUST, THIS DECEMBER. THE ANNUAL GATHERING, DEDICATED TO RAISING AWARENESS OF THE OFTEN-OVERLOOKED STORY OF JEWS FORCED TO LEAVE OR PERSECUTED IN ARAB COUNTRIES, BROUGHT TOGETHER SCHOLARS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND DESCENDANTS OF JEWS FROM ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA.

Organized by the Dahan Center at Bar-Ilan University, the conference was co-sponsored by the Museum of Jewish Heritage, JewishGen, the Sephardic Heritage Project, the Ben-Zvi Institute, and Jewish Unity Through Diversity, in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Dr. Shimon Ohayon, director of the Dahan Center, and Yaakov Haogel with Michal Slawny Cababia, of the World Zionist Organization, who underscored the urgency of preserving the history of Jews from Arab lands for future generations.

Rabbi Elie Abadie, MD, former Senior Rabbi of the Jewish Council of the Emirates, Shaarei Mizrah, Rabbi of the Association of Gulf Jewish Communities, and Chairman of the Council of Sephardic Sages, delivered a keynote address titled “Who Are the Jews Who Were Expelled?” In a detailed historical overview, he described how Jews lived for millennia in Arab countries and traced what befell those communities in the twentieth century, including persecution, expulsions, and demographic collapse.

Rabbi Abadie highlighted that Jewish communities in the region are among the oldest in the world, predating

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Islam by many centuries. The Aleppo community in Syria traces its roots back to the time of King David, 3,000 years ago, the Yemenite community to King Solomon, approximately 2,900 years ago, the Iraqi and Iranian communities to the first Babylonian exile, 2,500 years ago, and the Egyptian Jewish community to more than 2,000 years ago. As World War I, World War II, and the upheavals of the modern Middle East reshaped the region, these once-thriving communities faced torture, imprisonment, ghettoization, alienation, and murder, ultimately dwindling to the point that most no longer exist in their ancestral lands.

Journalist Ben-Dror Yemini of Yedioth Aharonoth spoke on “The Jewish Nakba,” employing the Arabic term “Nakba,” commonly used for the displacement of Palestinians in 1948, to frame the parallel story of Jews who were uprooted from Arab countries in the same period. Additional academic presentations included Dr. Mordechai Kedar of Bar-Ilan University on “The Exile from Arab Countries and the Concealment of Property,” Dr. Benjamin Berman-Gladstone of Columbia University on “The Hell That Was Hashed, Yemen,” and Sarina Roffé, president of the Sephardic Heritage Project, on “The Jews of Syria, Persecution, Escape and Exodus.”

Interwoven between the scholarly lectures were moving student presentations from Hillel Yeshiva, SAR Academy, and Barkai Yeshiva, focusing on Sephardic family narratives of persecution, migration, and resettlement. To prepare, students interviewed relatives about life in their countries of origin, their journeys to the United States, and the challenges and opportunities of building new lives, while also collecting family photographs and documents to deepen their understanding of their heritage.

Hillel students Mimi Levy, Daisy Esses, Joy Cohen,

Stephen Franco, Shelly Kassin, Eddie Habbaz, Sophia Barnathan, and Sonny Dweck presented under the guidance of their teacher, Sally Cohen, who has brought students to the conference for several years. From Barkai Yeshiva, presenters included Grace Tawil, Susan Caracoccly, and Benny Mizrahi, while SAR Academy was represented by Colette Alan, Abie Saliman, Netanel Sadigh, and Shana Katan. Their stories traced family origins from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, Iraq, and Israel. Students from Hannah Senesh, DRS Yeshiva for Boys, Yeshivat Frisch, Ramaz, Ben Porat Yosef, and Ma’ayanot also attended, highlighting the growing interest in Sephardic and Mizrahi history across the wider day school community.

The program included a vibrant presentation by Rabbi Dr. Moshe Tessone of Yeshiva University on “The Music of Jews of Arab Lands.” Drawing on the liturgical and folk traditions of various Sephardic communities and ethnicities, he engaged the audience in the distinctive melodies and modes that once echoed through synagogues and homes from Baghdad, to Aleppo, to Sana’a, offering a powerful reminder that the cultural legacy of these vanished communities continues to live on in song.

You can watch a recording of the full program on YouTube https://youtu.be/p_P1odG-C6w 

A genealogist and historian, Sarina Roffé is the author of Branching Out from Sepharad (Sephardic Heritage Project, 2017). She is researching a new book: Syria - Paths to Freedom. Sarina holds a BA in Journalism, an MA in Jewish Studies and an MBA. Drora Arussy is the Executive Director of Jewish Unity Through Diversity and the author of Leah Nassi of Lisbon. She is an active content creator and scholar of Mizrachi and Sephardi heritage and history.

MDYHS SENIORS TAKE ON ISRAEL

HOW REALISTIC DOES IT SOUND TO WAKE UP ONE HUNDRED AND TWO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AT 4:00 A.M.? TAKE IT ONE STEP FURTHER AND IMAGINE THEM SEATED ON THE BUS BY 4:30 A.M., WAITING FOR THEIR EXCURSION TO THE KOTEL.

That scene greeted Rabbi David Elnadav, Dean of Students at Magen David Yeshivah High School, on May 26, 2025. “At 4:40 a.m. I exited the hotel and boarded the bus not knowing what to expect,” said Rabbi Elnadav, senior trip organizer and spiritual leader. “I was so proud to see a large amount of our senior grade ready and waiting to pray Netz (sunrise prayer) at the Kotel.” The day was extra special as it was Yom Yerushalayim. The seniors joined hundreds of fellow Jews there and left feeling uplifted as they continued their jam-packed day.

“We’re proudly connected to Medinat Yisrael (the State of Israel),” said Rabbi Elnadav in regard to MDYHS’ new initiative to host the senior trip in Israel, as opposed to Orlando or prior destinations. “It’s much more impactful marching down that graduation aisle after a trip to Israel.”

Last year, fifty-seven MDYHS seniors traveled first to Poland for four days and then met their remaining fortyfive peers in Israel for an incredible six days. “Whether you started your journey in Poland or not, you will feel this trip is memorable,” said Rabbi Elnadav. Poland is focused on Holocaust remembrance, and the Israel trip thereafter displays the rebirth and growth of our Jewish nation. Carefully designed to be different from a bar mitsvah trip, students had the opportunity to experience a robust itinerary, from mimicking “Chopped” on a kibbutz, to bringing supplies to soldiers, packing sandwiches in Katamon for needy families, and even praying with Hacham David Yosef, Chief Rabbi of Israel. How fortunate the students felt to embark on this trip side by side with their peers.

“We are connecting to our roots and who we are all about,” said Rabbi Elnadav. “That is Am Yisrael (the Jewish people) in Erets Yisrael (the Land of Israel).” There is a time to pray, a time to learn, and a time to dance. Whether the seniors were praying in the cave at the famous pilgrimage site of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai, bearing witness to the atrocities of October 7 and visiting the memorial plaza in S’derot, or whitewater rafting in Kfar Bloom, they received a well-rounded exploration of our country alongside their classmates, developing a unique sense of camaraderie. Perhaps even more significant was a vital connection to their Jewish identity and nation.

Envision the emotion of singing with our hayalim (soldiers) in the IDF on Yom Yerushalayim. That special evening was preceded by visiting Ma’arat HaMachpela, where students had the privilege of reciting personal prayers and feeling the kedushat makom (sanctity of the place). These were two impactful highlights in a day filled with even more activities that will no doubt leave lasting impressions on MDYHS students. Rabbi Elnadav sent daily emails to parents outlining what transpired throughout the day. Parents eagerly awaited updates and were fortunate to be “in the loop” for the duration of the trip.

“Chaperoning our seniors in Israel wasn’t just a trip,” said Ms. Michelle Antar, MDYHS administrative assistant. “It was a return to our roots, a breath of fresh air, and a reminder of who we are and where we belong.” And that is exactly the message Magen David wants its graduates to leave with. “This trip might sound like the culmination of a twelve-year-long journey at MDY, but it’s actually their

camcorder tapes Super 8 & 8mm reel-to-reel

imprint on their forever connection and bond to our yeshivah, their friendships, teachers, rabbis, and Magen David legacy,” said MDY President Gladys Haddad. “In essence, we’ve only just begun!”

One might think high schoolers would be overwhelmed with such an intense itinerary, having an early start to the day and hopping from place to place across the country well into the evening. Instead, the MDYHS seniors were prone to adding more hesed (acts of kindness) opportunities and squeezing in supermarket runs for our fellow soldiers to show hakarat hatov (gratitude). “I run a tight ship,” said Rabbi Elnadav. “But when we go to Israel, these kids just want more.” 

Khaski, Aura Lagnado, Joey and Ronette Mansour, Steven and Randi Matsas, Joey and Leat Romano, Zaki and Freida Salame, Elliott and Olga Schweky, Ovadia and Stella Setti, Iris Shalam, and Elliot and Grace Simhon. You have all been our partners in turning trauma into strength and loss into independence.

It is fitting, then, that as we mark this massive ten year milestone, the spotlight falls on three incredible individuals

2026, at Capitale NYC. Come celebrate a decade of miracles, honor our cherished community leaders, and help us take the next step forward.

When you join us, you are not just attending an event. You are laying the foundation for a future where every amputee in Israel has a place to rebuild their strength and their life.

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WHAT BRIDES ARE WEARING IN 2026

THE WEDDING DRESS HAS ALWAYS REFLECTED ITS MOMENT, AND 2026 IS SHAPING UP TO BE A YEAR OF QUIET CONFIDENCE AND THOUGHTFUL DESIGN. BRIDES ARE CHOOSING GOWNS THAT FEEL PERSONAL RATHER THAN PERFORMATIVE, POLISHED WITHOUT BEING PRECIOUS. THE MOOD IS MODERN, BUT GROUNDED IN TRADITION, WITH A STRONG FOCUS ON COMFORT AND CRAFT.

This shift is not about abandoning romance. It is about redefining it in ways that feel honest and wearable. Designers are responding with silhouettes and details that invite movement, personality, and ease, all while keeping that unmistakable bridal magic intact.

One of the most noticeable trends for 2026 is a softer approach to structure. Heavy corsetry is giving way to flexible bodices that still shape the figure but allow a bride to breathe, sit, and dance without feeling restricted. Built in support has improved, thanks to better pattern making and fabric technology, so gowns hold their form without stiffness. For brides, this means fewer outfit changes and more time enjoying the day without tugging or adjusting.

Fabric choices are also evolving. Matte finishes are taking center stage, replacing the high shine satins that dominated recent years. Silk crepe, soft mikado, and textured organza offer depth without glare, especially in

natural light. These fabrics photograph beautifully and feel timeless, which appeals to brides thinking beyond the wedding album and toward how the dress will age in memory. Designers are also layering fabrics in subtle ways, creating movement that feels natural rather than dramatic.

Sleeves remain popular, but they are becoming lighter and more intentional. Detachable sleeves are everywhere for 2026, giving brides flexibility from ceremony to reception. Sheer long sleeves with minimal embellishment, soft flutter sleeves, and delicate cap sleeves offer coverage without heaviness. This trend speaks to a larger desire for adaptability, allowing one dress to carry multiple moods throughout the day.

Color is another area where 2026 stands apart. While ivory and white remain staples, designers are expanding the palette with soft champagne, warm almond, barely there blush tones and silver. These hues add warmth to the complexion and pair beautifully with outdoor venues and

evening lighting. Brides who once felt boxed into a single shade now have options that still read as bridal but feel more personal.

Detail work in 2026 is refined and meaningful. Lace is still present, but it is more architectural than ornate. Instead of heavy floral patterns, designers are using lace as texture, placing it thoughtfully to highlight shape and movement. Hand sewn elements, like subtle embroidery or fabric covered buttons, add interest without overwhelming the gown. This trend reflects a broader appreciation for craftsmanship and the hands behind the dress.

For brides who value versatility, two piece looks and overskirts are gaining ground. A simple fitted dress paired with a removable skirt creates drama for the ceremony and ease for the celebration that follows. This approach allows brides to invest in one well-made base gown while

still achieving a layered look that feels special and intentional.

Expert bridal stylists are also advising brides to think about their venue and season more carefully than ever. A 2026 trend is choosing a dress that works with the environment rather than competing with it. Lightweight fabrics for summer weddings, sleeves or higher necklines for cooler months, and trains that suit the space are all part of a smarter, more thoughtful approach to gown selection.

The final takeaway for 2026 is confidence through simplicity. These dresses are not about excess. They are about clarity, comfort, and personal style. Brides are choosing gowns that reflect who they are and how they want to feel, not just how they want to look. That sense of ease and intention is what will define the most memorable wedding dresses of the year ahead. 

NEVER GO EmptyHEADED

WHERE STYLE, SPIRIT, AND SIMCHA MEET

FOR SARAH RINETTE AZIZO, FASHION IS BOTH AN ART FORM AND A FORM OF DEVOTION. AN FIT GRADUATE WITH A LIFELONG PASSION FOR STYLE, SARAH’S JOURNEY BEGAN IN CHILDHOOD, WHEN HER MOTHER WOULD LOVINGLY CUSTOM-MAKE HEADPIECES TO MATCH HER OUTFITS. WHAT STARTED AS A PERSONAL EXPRESSION OF BEAUTY HAS SINCE EVOLVED INTO A REFINED CALLING, ONE THAT PLACES SARAH RINETTE AT THE HEART OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY’S MOST SACRED AND JOYOUS MOMENTS.

Today, Sarah Rinette is known not simply for her designs, but for the experience she creates. From the moment a client enters her showroom, they are enveloped in a calm, intentional atmosphere. Soft music, a signature scent, and a carefully curated collection of hats and headpieces in every imaginable color, shape, and texture set the tone. The space feels almost meditative, a quiet pause before life’s most meaningful celebrations.

Sarah’s styling philosophy is holistic and deeply personal. She gives each woman her undivided attention, thoughtfully coordinating every element of the look, from shoes and dresses to gloves, accessories, and, of course, the headpiece. Her keen eye ensures that nothing is overlooked, resulting in ensembles that feel polished, elevated, and effortlessly cohesive. Clients don’t simply leave styled. They leave transformed, confident, radiant, and runwayready.

Yet beyond fashion lies purpose. In religious settings

such as Shabbat, bar mitzvahs, weddings, brissim, and pidyons, particularly in communities where women do not cover their hair daily, the hat becomes an expression of kavod (honor), honor to the Torah and reverence for the occasion. Sarah Rinette understands this nuance intimately. Through her designs, she helps women embrace these moments with dignity while still feeling beautiful, modern, and true to themselves.

Her mantra, boldly stated, “Never go EmptyHEADED,”

is more than a play on words. It reflects a philosophy rooted in intention, that what we wear on our heads can elevate not only our appearance, but our mindset, our presence, and our connection to G-D.

Each of Sarah Rinette’s pieces is one of a kind, crafted with soul, elegance, and meaning. Above all, Sarah considers it her greatest privilege to be part of people’s happiest occasions, enhancing moments of holiness and joy while helping women feel seen, honored, and truly beautiful. 

STYLED WITH INTENTION

HOW MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS THOUGHTFULLY COORDINATE A MODERN BRIT MILAH

A BRIT MILAH IS ONE OF THE MOST MEANINGFUL MOMENTS IN A FAMILY’S LIFE, AND FOR MANY HOUSEHOLDS, THE PLANNING IS GUIDED BY MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS. THEY ARE THE ONES SELECTING THE PILLOW, ASSEMBLING THE CEREMONY SET, CHOOSING THE BABY’S GOWN AND KIPPAH, AND COORDINATING WHAT WILL BE WORN BY THOSE ENTRUSTED WITH CARRYING THE BABY. IN RECENT YEARS, THESE DECISIONS HAVE BECOME MORE DELIBERATE. FAMILIES ARE THINKING CAREFULLY ABOUT HOW EACH ELEMENT WORKS TOGETHER, CREATING A SETTING THAT FEELS DIGNIFIED, CALM, AND BEAUTIFULLY PREPARED.

The process often begins with the brit milah pillow. While white remains timeless, many families are drawn to softer neutral tones that add warmth and depth. Ivory, cream, champagne, and pale stone are especially popular choices. These shades feel refined without drawing attention to themselves and work seamlessly in both synagogue and home settings. Beyond color, quality matters. A well-made pillow should feel substantial and balanced, offering secure support while maintaining a clean, elegant appearance. Fine stitching, thoughtful proportions, and restrained Hebrew embroidery signal craftsmanship that will stand the test of time.

Once the pillow is chosen, the rest of the ceremony pieces naturally follow. Mothers and grandmothers often coordinate the chair of Eliyahu HaNavi cover and wine

cover to complement the pillow rather than mirror it exactly. Consistency in tone creates a cohesive look, while subtle variations in texture keep the overall effect layered and interesting. When the ceremony is held at home, many families also consider how these items will sit within the space, choosing pieces that feel aligned with the surrounding decor.

The baby’s gown is another detail receiving careful attention. Traditionally white or ivory, gowns today are chosen for their fabric, drape, and balance. Soft cottons and lightweight blends that move gently and feel comfortable are favored, especially since the baby may be held by several people throughout the ceremony. Length and weight matter. A gown that falls cleanly without excess fabric feels polished and well proportioned. Many families look for a

gown that quietly echoes the tones and textures of the pillow and ceremony set.

The baby’s kippah, once an afterthought, is now part of the overall vision. Families are selecting soft fabric kippot designed to stay in place and feel proportionate to the baby. Neutral shades, subtle embroidery, or a refined metallic accent add just enough detail to feel special without overpowering the look.

Deciding between ready-made and custom pieces is often a turning point. Ready-made brit milah sets offer ease and confidence. They provide a coordinated foundation and eliminate much of the guesswork, making them an appealing choice for families who value simplicity and reliability. These sets are also practical for reuse and can be shared among family members, allowing items to be passed from sibling to sibling or kept within the extended family for future britot.

Custom pieces offer a more hands-on option and are often chosen for their personal significance. Many mothers and grandmothers work with local needlepoint or embroidery shops to design a custom brit milah pillow or chair cover. Others take on the project themselves, creating something by hand that reflects care and intention. This approach allows for creativity while still keeping the design restrained and appropriate for repeated use. When done thoughtfully, these pieces carry a quiet uniqueness that comes from knowing a family member invested time and effort into making them.

Head coverings remain an essential part of the overall look. Mothers often select a scarf or shawl ahead of time, choosing something that feels comfortable, secure, and refined, and that can later be worn for Shabbat or other simchas. Grandmothers, particularly those bringing the baby in and out, are increasingly included in the coordination. Related head coverings acknowledge their roles and create visual balance, adding to the sense that every detail has been considered. A layered approach helps keep planning manageable. Starting with the pillow and ceremony set provides a foundation. Adding the baby’s gown and kippah builds the look. Finishing with head coverings for the mother and grandmothers completes the picture. This method keeps decisions focused and ensures each piece has purpose.

Even with custom work, restraint remains important. Families often avoid overly specific colors or details so the items can be used again and shared across generations. In many homes, brit milah pieces become heirlooms, brought out for each new baby and associated with years of family memories. Choosing durable fabrics and timeless designs helps ensure these items age gracefully.

Long after the day itself, families often proudly display images from the brit milah in their homes, alongside other meaningful milestones. Choosing pieces with care and restraint allows them to serve not just one celebration, but many families and many years to come. 

Chai there!

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BEAUTIFUL BITES FOR THE PERFECT PARTY

A PARTY FEELS SPECIAL WHEN THE FOOD LOOKS INVITING AND TASTES LIKE IT WAS PLANNED WITH CARE. GUESTS WALK IN, SPOT THE PLATTERS, AND SUDDENLY THE ROOM FEELS WARMER. BEAUTIFUL APPETIZERS DO MORE THAN FEED PEOPLE. THEY CREATE CONVERSATION, HELP GUESTS RELAX, AND SET THE TONE FOR THE REST OF THE EVENING. WHEN EACH BITE HAS GOOD FLAVOR AND A CLEAN PRESENTATION, THE TABLE BECOMES PART OF THE CELEBRATION.

Once you think of appetizers as the stars of the event, choosing and preparing them becomes enjoyable. You can balance rich and light dishes, sweet and savory flavors, and a mix of textures. The recipes below are simple to prepare, easy to serve, and perfect for passing or setting out on trays. They look polished, but they are practical enough for real life.

MINI PULLED BBQ BRISKET SLIDERS

Serves: about 10–12 people 20–24 sliders

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 pounds slow-cooked brisket, shredded

• 1 to 1½ cups BBQ sauce, kosher

• 20–24 small slider buns or mini challah rolls, pareve

• 1 cup pickled onions, sliced thin

How to Prepare

1. Place shredded brisket in a pan and stir in BBQ sauce.

2. Warm gently over low heat until hot and coated.

3. Lay out slider buns on a tray.

4. Spoon brisket onto each bun.

5. Top with a few pickled onions.

6. Serve warm.

These sliders feel hearty and festive, yet they are easy to hold and enjoy while mingling.

CHICKEN SATAY SKEWERS WITH TAHINI “SATAY” SAUCE

Serves: 6–8 people

Ingredients

• 1½ pounds chicken breast, cut into strips

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 tblsps soy sauce or coconut aminos, kosher

Tahini Sauce

• ½ cup tahini

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 to 2 tbsp honey

• Pinch of salt

• Water, as needed

How to Prepare

1. Mix olive oil, garlic, and soy. Add chicken and marinate at least 30 minutes in the fridge.

2. Thread chicken onto small skewers.

3. Grill or bake at 400°F until cooked through and lightly browned.

4. For the sauce, whisk tahini, lemon, honey, and salt.

5. Add water slowly until smooth and pourable.

6. Serve skewers with sauce on the side or lightly drizzled.

This dish brings bright flavor, simple presentation, and a lighter option to the table.

MINI MEATBALLS WITH POMEGRANATE GLAZE

Serves: 8–10 people

Ingredients

• 1-pound ground beef

• 1 egg

• ½ cup pareve breadcrumbs

• ½ small onion, finely minced

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp chopped parsley

• Salt and pepper

Glaze

• 1½ cups pomegranate juice

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 1 tbsp vinegar

How to Prepare

1. Heat oven to 375°F.

2. Mix beef, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.

3. Roll into small meatballs.

4. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until cooked through.

5. In a saucepan, simmer pomegranate juice, sugar, and vinegar until thick and glossy.

6. Add meatballs to the pot and coat with glaze.

7. Serve warm with toothpicks.

They add color to the platter and a sweet-savory taste that feels special.

SHAWARMA CHICKEN CUPS

Serves: 10–12 people

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken thighs, cut small

• 2 to 3 tbsp shawarma seasoning

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Mini lettuce cups or small pareve tortilla-style shells

• 1 cup finely chopped Israeli pickles

• Techina for drizzling

How to Prepare

1. Toss chicken with olive oil and shawarma seasoning.

2. Cook in a skillet until browned and fully cooked.

3. Spoon chicken into lettuce cups or shells.

4. Top with pickles.

5. Drizzle lightly with techina.

6. Serve warm or room temperature.

These bites feel authentic, colorful, and easy to eat.

Put these recipes together on one buffet and you get balance, variety, and flavor without stress. Each dish can be prepared ahead in stages, then heated or assembled before serving. With thoughtful portions and simple garnishes, your guests will feel cared for from the very first bite. 

WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?!

Kollel Chatzos of Beitar Illit, Israel

”the torah is a tree of life to those that support it.” that is, the torah not only gives life to those who study it, but also to those who support those who study it. the Ramah writes that when one supports someone else who is studying torah, “it is considered as if he had studied himself. and a person may make a condition with his friend that his friend will study torah and he will provide him with a livelihood, and they will then split the rewards . . .”

During the midnight hours, the gates of heaven are open to receive the prayers of those who arise to devote these auspicious hours to limud torah. thirteen years ago, Rabbi Yehoshua Meir Deutsch established Kollel Chatzos with just a handful of avreichim. today, over 70 tzaddikim arise each night at midnight to recite tikkun Chatzos, learn until dawn, and conclude by davening together with the netz. once a week, in the predawn darkness, the entire Kollel travels to Kever Rachel and the Kotel to pray for our donors’ welfare, reciting each name from the Kollel’s Kvittel with tremendous devotion. on erev Rosh Chodesh, the entire Kollel travels to Meiron to daven at the kever of Rabi shimon Bar Yochai.

* For just $700 per month, you can become a full partner in one avreich’s limud Torah for the entire month, in a halachically binding YissascharZevulun partnership. In addition to the zechus of limud Torah during the auspicious midnight hours, you will receive a beautiful parchment document attesting to this partnership.

* For just $180 per month, you can become a full partner in 36 hours of one

* For just $101 per month, you can become a full partner in 20 hours of one avreich’s limud torah.

* For just $480 you can have the zechus of one night of limud torah at Kollel Chatzos.

CELEBRATIONS ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY

THIS MONTH’S COMMUNITY PHOTO ALBUM FOCUSES ON CELEBRATIONS CENTERED ON FAMILY, LOVE, AND TRADITION. FROM JOYFUL ENGAGEMENT PARTIES AND WEDDING CELEBRATIONS TO BAR MITZVAH GATHERINGS AND BRIS CEREMONIES, THESE MOMENTS REFLECT THE MILESTONES THAT BRING FAMILIES TOGETHER. THE PHOTOS HIGHLIGHT BRIDES AND GROOMS, INTIMATE FAMILY MOMENTS, AND THE SHARED JOY THAT FILLS EACH GATHERING. WHETHER CAPTURED DURING A QUIET BRIS CEREMONY OR A LIVELY CELEBRATION, EACH IMAGE REFLECTS THE HEART OF COMMUNITY LIFE, WHERE MEANINGFUL MOMENTS ARE HONORED AND SHARED.

WHAT DOES MAZEL TOV MEAN?

THE PHRASE HAS ENTERED THE POP CULTURE LEXICON, BUT WHAT DOES “MAZEL TOV” REALLY MEAN?

You’ve heard the phrase at a bar or bat mitzvah. You yelled it when the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” came on at a friend’s wedding. “Mazel tov!” is widely used throughout the Jewish world and the phrase has entered the pop culture lexicon as well. But what does “mazel tov” really mean? Where does it come from? And when should it be used?

THE MEANING OF “MAZEL TOV”

In Hebrew, mazel tov means “good luck” but it is used as a way to say “congratulations!” Some people – usually Ashkenazi Jews – will say MA-zel tov, while Israeli or Sephardic Jews will say ma-ZAL tov, emphasizing the last few letters when pronouncing it.

The Hebrew word mazel means “a drip from above” or “an alignment of stars,” referring to the fact that everyone is born under an astrological field. In fact, the Zodiac signs in Hebrew are called “mazalot.”

Our mazel, our luck, is determined when we are born. However, when G-D changes Abram’s name to Abraham, He shows the first patriarch of monotheism the night sky and says, “See if you can count the stars.” G-D uplifted him above the stars, out of the sway of the astrological

signs, and changed his identity. This was because Abraham lifted himself out of the system of false idolatry and chose to believe in G-D, the singular source of existence. G-D thereby lifted the Jewish People, the progeny of Abraham, out of the natural system, putting them above “mazel.” By following the commandments, doing good in this world, and praying, you have the power to transcend your “mazel.”

When we tell someone “mazel tov,” we are acknowledging that the stars have aligned for them and something wonderful is happening in their life.

WHEN WE SAY “MAZEL TOV”

We say “mazel tov” when we are celebrating a special occasion, like:

• A wedding

• A birth

• A brit

• An engagement

• A bar or bat mitzvah

• A graduation

You may have heard the song “Siman Tov u-Mazal Tov” play at Jewish celebrations. Or you might have seen it in pop culture, like when Adam Sandler sang it in “The

Wedding Singer” or when they sang it in “Legally Blonde: the Musical.” Bravo TV host Andy Cohen is a huge fan of the word “mazel,” using it on his show “Watch What Happens Live.”

“Mazel tov” is written in Hebrew like this: בוט לזמ .” When responding to wishes of “mazel tov,” you could say “thank you” or “toda rabah,” which is “thank you very much” in Hebrew.

You may hear someone say a person has good or bad “mazel.” In this context, it does mean luck. If you want to wish someone good luck on a future endeavor, you could say, “b’hatzlachah,” which means it should be with success.

Jews do not typically say “mazel tov” when finding out a woman is pregnant. Instead, say, “b’sha’ah tovah”, “it should be at a good time”, as a way to avoid the ayin hara, the evil eye. “Mazel tov” is said when the baby is actually born. Interestingly, many Jewish women will not hold a baby shower because of the ayin hara, and instead will choose to celebrate once the baby is born.

FEELING THE MAZEL IN OUR OWN LIVES

You feel happy and fulfilled when you celebrate a milestone or a special occasion. If you’re married, how did you feel on your wedding day? How was it to become a bar or bat mitzvah? Wasn’t it amazing to have a child or graduate from school or get a great new job?

Jewish mysticism teaches that only a ray of our soul is in our body. The main part of our soul, our mazel, is shining down on us from above. When we have a special occasion, our soul from above shines extra bright, making us feel more fulfilled and connected to G-D. We are able to see the deeper meaning of our life and what our purpose truly is.

By wishing someone “mazel tov,” we are instilling them with a blessing and hoping that they receive only more and more blessings for the rest of their life. 

GEMACHS

LENDING ITEMS TO THOSE IN NEED

THE WORD GEMACH IS AN ACRONYM FOR THE JEWISH TERM GEMILUT CHASIDIM (ACTS OF LOVING KINDNESS). THE MODERN IDEA OF A GEMACH IS SAID TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN ISRAEL, WHERE PEOPLE WOULD NEED THINGS LIKE MEDICINE OR EVEN A PACIFIER FOR THEIR BABY ON THE SABBATH BUT COULD NOT PURCHASE ONE BECAUSE OF SABBATH LAW. THE IDEA QUICKLY SPREAD TO OTHER TEMPORARY NEEDS. OUR COMMUNITY HAS WONDERFUL GEMACHS THAT HAVE ITEMS LIKE BABY PRODUCTS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES, WEDDING DRESSES, COATS AND MORE.

Baby Scale

Bar & Speakers for Parties

Bili Blanket for Baby with Jaundice

Blechs/Hot Plate

Boys Holiday Clothes

Bridal Gown & Veils

Bridal Hats

Bridal Headpieces

Yaacov

Julie Azar

718.692.3425

917.701.4524

Lorraine 917.576.2203

Isaac Kabariti

646.247.9475

Rachel Yedid 917.617.6764

Jody

646.354.1151

Sara Chams 917.841.7908

Rivka Harari

Brides Shower Chair (Leave Text)

Bridal Shower Chair

Brit Mila Pillow, Outfit, Ladies Hats for Parties, Zohar Books

Brit Mila Zohar Books

Etrog Jelly

Furniture

Gowns

Hats/Fascinators

646.322.0705

718.208.0659

Yaacov 718.692.3425

Norma Salman 347.260.5762

Esther Chamoula 917.903.9372

Rosie Chalouh 917.660.2902

Sarah Sasson (Leave Text) 917.361.8268

Jaimie Assa 917.538.6545

Jacqueline 917.692.4636

Hats for Parties Frieda Salman 347.260.5762

Maternity Clothing, Eyeglasses, Etrog Jelly

Medical Equipment

Margo Shalom

718.207.8785

Morris Cohen 718.415.2290

Medical Equipment (Closed in the Summer) 718.338.5375

Medical Equipment

Moving Boxes

Nursing Pumps

Petti Coats (Crinoline)

Ruby Stone (Segulah to prevent miscarriages)

Tables (straight folding ½ tables)

Yaacov 718.692.3425

Marilyn Farah

718.909.9099

Tzippy Chouke 718.300.6922

Arielle Mansour 917.613.6758

Rosie Chalouh 917.660.2902

Jaimie Sutton 917.589.1391

Tablecloths 917.215.0393

Tzniut Dresses for Young Girls (Wedding, Holidays, Parties, etc.)

Wedding Sneakers

Laura Dayan

Jacqueline Arussy

908.489.5500

732.241.0938

THE 5 STAGES TOWARD LASTING LOVE

WHY RELATIONSHIPS GET HARDER BEFORE THEY GET DEEPER

A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP ISN’T A STRAIGHT LINE. IT’S A SERIES OF MESSY, UNCOMFORTABLE EVOLUTIONS. HERE ARE THE COMMON EMOTIONAL STAGES THAT TEND TO SHOW UP IN SERIOUS RELATIONSHIPS, FROM LONG-TERM DATING TO MARRIAGE.

Understanding these stages matters because without a framework, you can misread growth as failure. What feels like distance can actually be development. What feels like loss can be the shedding of illusion. Jewish tradition views love as something you build over time, and building things involves dust, friction, and a lot of heavy lifting.

STAGE ONE: EASY CLOSENESS

This one is easy. You’re both on your best behavior, you’re finishing each other’s sentences, and everything feels like a movie. But be honest, you don’t actually know each other yet. You’re in love with a “trailer” for the person, not the whole film. It’s a beautiful stage, but it’s thin and incomplete. There’s generosity and optimism here, but you haven’t yet seen how the other person shows up under pressure.

STAGE TWO: THE ARRIVAL OF DIFFERENCE

Differences eventually surface. Suddenly, you’re noticing the real stuff. It’s not just the big issues, but the friction of daily life, how you handle money, how long they pout after an argument, or the way they never quite shut the cabinet doors. Conversations that once felt simple now feel loaded.

This is often the moment couples begin to worry. Why does this feel harder than it used to?

This is where Judaism introduces a surprisingly honest idea about relationships. In the book of Genesis (2:18), when the first human relationship is created, the Torah describes the partner as ezer k’negdo, meaning a helper opposite him, or even a helper against him.

At first glance, that sounds strange. How is opposition helpful? But Judaism’s insight is profound. A true partner isn’t meant to be your twin or your echo. They help you

because they are different. They stand across from you, see what you can’t see, and challenge the parts of you that would otherwise remain undeveloped.

In this light, difference is not a design flaw. It’s the design itself. The tension that shows up in daily life isn’t a sign that something went wrong. It’s often the very mechanism through which growth happens. Your partner becomes your counterweight, balancing your blind spots and stretching you beyond your comfort zone.

That friction is not a mistake. It’s the point.

STAGE THREE: PROTECTION AND POWER

When those differences stop feeling interesting and start feeling personal, the ego steps in. This is the stage when you begin to protect yourself. The disagreement itself starts to matter less than what it stirs up underneath. You start watching your words more carefully, or throwing them more sharply. You keep score.

Instead of asking, “What’s happening between us?” the question quietly becomes, “How do I make sure I don’t lose here?” The focus shifts from solving to protecting your position.

Being right, or creating a bit of distance, can start to feel safer than being open.

This stage is fueled by fear. Fear that if you soften, you’ll be overlooked. Fear that if you give in, you’ll disappear. Fear that your needs won’t matter unless you fight for them.

Many couples misinterpret this stage as a sign that love is fading. But that’s a mistake. It often shows up precisely because the relationship now matters enough to feel threatening. The attachment is real, and so is the risk.

Now comes the time to muster the courage to become vulnerable and forge a greater closeness through genuine respect and communication.

STAGE FOUR: LETTING GO OF THE FANTASY

This is the part no one tells you about. At some point, a quieter realization sets in. Your partner will not become the imagined version you hoped for. They won’t read your mind. They won’t respond exactly the way you would. They won’t fill every gap or soften every hard edge in your life. And neither will you.

To reach a deeper place, you have to let the “imaginary” version of your partner die, the version who was supposed to make everything feel easier.

Letting go of that fantasy can feel like grief. There’s a sense of loss in realizing that love doesn’t rescue you from being human.

But there’s also relief. You stop negotiating with a version of the relationship that never actually existed. You stop

waiting for someone to turn into who you hoped they’d be. You finally meet the person in front of you, and allow yourself to be seen as you are, too.

STAGE FIVE: CHOSEN LOVE

By this stage, something has settled. Love is being carried by a clearer understanding of who you’re with. You now see your partner with more accuracy, their limits, their habits, the ways they struggle, and you see your own more clearly as well. The relationship becomes less about filling gaps and more about learning how to move through life together. Expectations are more realistic.

Chosen love grows out of a clear-eyed decision to care for the relationship, even when effort is required. You speak more thoughtfully because you understand the cost of careless words. You repair sooner because distance no longer feels dramatic or necessary. You stop keeping score because you’re invested in what you’re building over time.

Kindness here takes intention. Forgiveness becomes part of how the relationship functions, shaped through repetition and repair. Trust deepens through experience, through seeing what the relationship can hold.

This is the kind of love that can absorb real life, illness, fatigue, boredom, pressure, and change. It doesn’t depend on constant emotional intensity to feel alive. It holds steady through ordinary days that ask for patience rather than passion.

From the outside, it may not look impressive. From the inside, it feels stable enough to build a life on. 

grew up in South Africa and made

24 years ago. She is a life coach and educator who works with women, teens, and couples—both virtually and in person. She also gives workshops on relationships, resilience, and personal growth. Trained through the Refuah Institute in Jerusalem, recognized by the American Association of Coaches, and certified in Reality Therapy, Devora lives in Israel with her husband and seven children.

WHEN EVERY NIGHT IS A WEDDING

HOW TO STOP LETTING FOOD, MIRRORS, AND OTHER PEOPLE’S OPINIONS RUIN YOUR JOY

LAURA SHAMMAH, MS, RDN

IN OUR COMMUNITY, A WEDDING IS NOT A ONCE-IN-A-WHILE EVENT. IT’S A SEASON. SOMETIMES IT’S THREE NIGHTS IN A ROW. SOMETIMES IT’S EVERY WEEK FOR MONTHS. AND WHILE WEDDINGS ARE MEANT TO BE BEAUTIFUL, JOYFUL, AND UPLIFTING, FOR MANY WOMEN, AND MEN, THEY QUIETLY BECOME A SOURCE OF DREAD. NOT BECAUSE OF THE DANCING OR THE SIMCHA. BUT BECAUSE OF THE MIRROR, THE DRESS, THE BUFFET, AND THE FEAR OF BEING JUDGED.

Before a wedding, many people are not thinking, “I’m excited to celebrate this couple.” Instead, they are wondering if the dress will still fit, whether they should eat less that day so they don’t look bloated, if all these weddings will lead to weight gain, what it will feel like to run into people they haven’t seen in years, whether they look older, heavier, or less put-together, or if they will end up standing alone with no one to talk to.

So they skip lunch. They drink coffee instead of eating. They stand in front of the mirror pulling at their dress. They arrive already anxious, and then expect themselves to relax. That’s not a celebration. That’s survival mode.

WHY WEDDINGS TRIGGER SO MUCH ANXIETY

Weddings hit three vulnerable places at once. Your body, because you are wearing something fitted and surrounded by mirrors, photos, and other women in dresses, which makes comparison hard to avoid. Your relationship with food, because buffet-style eating can feel exposing. Everyone can see what you take, how much you eat, and whether you go back for more. For someone with food anxi-

ety, that can feel overwhelming. And your social worth, with questions running quietly in the background. Will anyone talk to me? Will I be sitting alone? Do I look awkward? Do I belong here?

All of that gets wrapped into one night, again and again.

THE BIGGEST MISTAKE, NOT EATING ALL DAY

One of the most common wedding habits I see is skipping food during the day to fit into a dress or “save calories” for the wedding. That almost always backfires.

When you don’t eat, blood sugar drops and anxiety rises. You feel shaky, irritable, and out of control, and you are far more likely to overeat later, not from weakness, but from your body trying to survive. That “out of control” feeling at the buffet is not a character flaw. It is a nervous system that never got fed.

A CALMER WAY TO DO WEDDING NIGHTS

You don’t need perfect eating to enjoy a wedding. You need a regulated body, and that starts before you leave the house.

do anything

Are unhealthy thoughts eating you Alive

• Normalize your eating habits and conquer your weight related fears

• Restore a healthy relationship with food

• Stop restricting/ diet cycle, binging, under/overeating, emotional eating and finally feel free to live the life you want!

TUTOR

READING SPECIALIST

?

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Eat a real meal earlier in the day. Include protein, carbohydrates, and something grounding. Not just coffee and not just a snack. When your body feels fed, your brain feels safer.

At the buffet, don’t try to perform or scan the room. Make a plate you will enjoy, sit down, and eat it. No one is monitoring your plate the way you think they are.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY THINKING

Most people are not studying you. They are worrying about themselves. They are wondering if they look okay, why they feel awkward, whether they know enough people there, and what they should say next. You are not under a spotlight. You are just another human in a room full of humans trying to get through the night.

IF YOU’RE SINGLE AND IT HURTS

In our community, weddings can be especially painful when you’re single, not because someone will or won’t ask you to dance, but because of the quiet moments. Will anyone talk to me? Will I feel invisible? Will people wonder why I’m still single?

It’s easy to turn a wedding into a story about what’s wrong with you. That story is not true.

Your worth is not defined by who speaks to you, who notices you, or what your relationship status is. You are not behind and you are not broken. You are a whole person

walking into a room that is loud, crowded, and emotionally charged.

LET WEDDINGS BE WHAT THEY ARE MEANT TO BE

A wedding is not an audition. It is not a body check. It is not a performance. It is two people celebrating love and inviting you to be part of it.

You are allowed to eat. You are allowed to be seen. You are allowed to take up space.

In my work, I see so many women who are accomplished, thoughtful, and deeply capable, yet feel small when they walk into a wedding hall. We don’t work on perfect eating or perfect bodies. We work on helping their nervous systems feel safe around food, around mirrors, and around other people again.

Because when you stop fighting your body and your plate, something beautiful happens. You actually get to be present for your life.

And weddings, at their best, are not about how you look or what you eat. They’re about being there, fully, for someone else’s joy. And you deserve that too. 

Laura Shammah, MS, RDN, specializes in eating disorders and works with a wide range of clients, including those managing PCOS, infertility, hypertension, high cholesterol, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, and cancer. She also supports clients training for marathons, women who are pregnant, and individuals seeking to lose or gain weight in a healthy way.

Interventional procedures and rehabilitation

DINING GUIDE FLORIDA

AVENTURA

ASIATIKO ROBATA BAR

2906 NE 207th St, (786) 786-0626, Meat, KM

AZUMARE

3585 NE 207 ST, (754) 703-0966, MEAT, KM

BAGEL BOSS

18549 W Dixie Hway, (954) 302-4687, Dairy, ORB

CAFE MAISON LA FLEUR

2906 NE 207 St Unit 102, (305) 204-0304, Dairy, ORB

CAPAS BURGER

2100 W Dixie Highway, (954) 859-7467, Meat, ORB

FOOZO ARTISAN PIZZA

2520 NE 186 St, (786) 916-2812, Dairy, KM

FRESKO

19048 NE 29 Ave, (786) 272-3737, Dairy, KM

GRAND CAFE

2491 NE Miami Gardens Drive, (305) 627-3495, Dairy, ORB

JZ STEAKHOUSE AVENTURA

16145 Biscayne Blvd, (305) 677-7000, Meat, ORB

LEVY’S SHWARMA

3585 NE 207 Street, (305) 974-4899, Meat, ORB

MILANOS

19090 NE 29th Avenue, (786) 640-6400, Dairy, KM

SHALOM HAIFA RESTAURANT

18529 W. Dixie Hwy, (305) 936-1800, Meat, ORB

SHIBOLIM BAKERY & CAFÉ

18800 NE 29th Ave, #9, (754) 232-0967, Dairy, ORB

SOHO ASIAN BAR AND GRILL

19004 NE 29th Ave, (305) 466-5656, Meat, KM

SOHO KOSHER DELI/THE FLAME

19010 NE 29th Ave, (305) 931-8883, Meat, KM

STREET HIBACHI

3599 NE 207th St, (305) 974-5056, Meat, ORB

BAL HARBOUR/SURFSIDE

CINE CITTA CAFFE

9544 Harding Ave, (305) 866-8688, Dairy, OK

KOSH SUSHI & GRILL

9477 Harding Ave, (305) 763-8601, Meat, KM

NEYA

9491 Harding Avenue, (305) 452-0768, Dairy, KM

OVO AT THE ALTAIR

9540 W Bay Harbor Drive, (305) 990-2228, Meat, ORB

ROAST

9441 Harding Avenue, (786) 803-8857, Meat, KM

RUSTIKO

9476 Harding Ave, (305) 560-5650, Dairy, KM

26 SUSHI AND TAPAS

9487 Harding Ave, (305) 570-2626, Dairy, KM

THE HARBOUR GRILL

9415 Harding Ave, (305) 861-0787, Meat, KM

BOCA RATON

BEN’S KOSHER DELI & RESTAURANT

9942 Clint Moore Rd, (561) 470-9963, Meat, R. Plotkin

BURNT

8177 Glades Rd #21, (561) 816-2784, Meat, ORB

CARMELA’S

7300 West Camino Real, (561) 367-3412, Dairy, ORB

JON’S PLACE

22191 Powerline Road, (561) 338-0008, Dairy, ORB

MAOZ VEGETARIAN

Town Center Mall 6000 Glades Road #1176 (561) 393-6269, Vegetarian, ORB

ORCHID’S GARDEN

9045 La Fontana Blvd, (561) 482-3831, Meat, ORB

YOGURT RENDEZVOUS

7150 A-Beracasa Way (561) 392-8384, Dairy, ORB

HALLANDALE

ALMA GRILL STEAKHOUSE

501 Silks Run Unit 1130, (305) 443-1016, MEAT, ORB

HUMUS ACHLA HALLANDALE

658 W Hallandale Beach Blvd, (954) 455-2118, Meat, ORB

IMALEH GRILL

300 W Hallandale Blvd, (305) 735-4565, Meat, RM

KOSHER BAGEL COVE

668 W Hallandale Beach Blvd, (754) 999-8999, Dairy, ORB

KOSHER DE BRAZIL

1710 E. Hallendale Beach Blvd, (954) 399-7777, Meat, ORB

TAGINE BY ALMA GRILL

901S Federal Highway #1130, (954) 307-2461, Meat, ORB

HOLLYWOOD

CAFE NOIR

3000 Stirling Rd, (954) 584-5171, Dairy, ORB

FLORENTIN BAKERY

3000 Stirling Rd, (754) 704-1328, Dairy, ORB

G-7 ROOFTOP

5510 State Road 7, (754) 216-7899, Meat, ORB

GRAND CAFE

2905 Stirling Road, (954) 986-6860, Dairy, ORB

HOLLYWOOD DELI

6100 Hollywood Blvd, (954) 986-7570, Dairy & Meat, ORB

J.Z. STEAKHOUSE

4000 N 46th Avenue, (954) 367-6608, Meat, ORB

LASSO GRILL

5511 Woodland Lane, (561) 600-1456, Meat, ORB

MIZRACHI’S PIZZA KITCHEN

5650 Stirling Road, (954) 505-3190, Dairy, ORB

NAVA’S KOSHER KITCHEN

5021 S State Rd 7 #203, (954) 588-3701, Meat, ORB

PALA MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN

3317 Sheridan St, (754) 217-3182, Meat, ORB

PITA PLUS

2145 Stirling Road, (954) 241-2011, Meat, ORB

PITA XPRESS MEDITERRANEAN AND GRILL

2445 Stirling Road, (954) 251-1799, Meat, ORB

THE CAVE

5650 Stirling Road, (954) 888-8112, Meat, ORB

HUMMUS & VEGAS GRILL

5800 Stirling Road, (954) 981-7710, Meat, ORB

SUSHI HOUSE

5818 Stirling Road, (305) 692-0309, Parve, ORB

YUM BERRY CAFE & SUSHI BAR

4009 Oakwood Blvd, (954) 922-7876, Dairy, ORB

ZUKA RESTAURANT AND HOOKA

900 N Federal Hwy #101, (877) 577-0770, Dairy, ORB

MIAMI BEACH

ORIGINAL PITA HUT

530 Arthur Godfrey Rd, (305) 531-6090, Meat, ORB

SEVENTEEN RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR

1751 Alton Rd, (305) 672-0565, Dairy, KM

SILAN FUSION

5225 Collins Avenue, (305) 939-5264, Meat, KM

TASTY BEACH CAFÉ

4041 Royal Palm Ave, (305) 673-5483, Meat, KM

NORTH MIAMI BEACH

BAMBU PAN ASIAN KITCHEN

3427 NE 163 St, (786) 384-5177, Meat, KM

BOUREKAS, ETC.

18671 W. Dixie Highway, (305) 503-3838, Meat, KM

CHAI WOK

1688 NE 164th Street, (305) 705-2110, Meat, KM

FUEGO

3861 NE 163rd Street, (786) 520-4082, Meat, KM

JERUSALEM PIZZA

761 NE 167th Street, (305) 547-9649, Dairy, KM

LA MATERA ARGENTINIAN STEAK HOUSE

3073 NE 163 St, (786) 885-3085, Meat, KM

PITA HUT

18450 W. Dixie Highway, (754) 354-8101, Meat, ORB

THE MEAT BAR

1009 Kane Concourse, (786) 216-7275, Meat, KM

SUNNY ISLES

MOZART CAFE

18110 Collins Ave, (305) 974-0103, Dairy, OK

For reference only: JEWISH IMAGE™ does not assume responsibility for the Kashrut of any product or establishment mentioned herein, nor do we endorse them.The publisher is not liable for errors, inaccuracies, or omissions of information contained within this list. Please check Kashrut before visiting any restaurant.

THESE ARE THE PROGRAMS

BETH SIFRA RAN

Separate Orthodox Boy Scout 8 Girl Scout Club • Matchmaking

• Trips and Rallies • Free Legal Advice Jewish Films Jewish History Classes

• Job Placement • Boxing & Wrestling

• Men's Karate • Women's Karate

• CSW on Premesis-Business School

• Brisim Performed

• Speakers Bureau

• Free Hebrew School

• Free Summer Camps

• Nursery schools • Jewish Services

• Boxing- High School Programs In Public Schools • Chess Tournament

• Free Bar Mitzvahs • Several English Classes (Green Cards) • Work Release Programs • Release Hours

• Free Flee Market • Homeless Shelter

THE MEANING BEHIND THE BAR MITZVAH

A SPIRITUAL AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

A BAR MITZVAH IS MORE THAN JUST A MILESTONE; IT IS A DEFINING MOMENT IN A YOUNG BOY’S LIFE, MARKING HIS TRANSITION FROM CHILDHOOD INTO JEWISH ADULTHOOD. WHILE TODAY’S CELEBRATIONS OFTEN FOCUS ON GRAND PARTIES AND ELABORATE FESTIVITIES, THE TRUE ESSENCE OF A BAR MITZVAH LIES IN THE SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION THAT TAKES PLACE. ROOTED IN CENTURIES OF TRADITION, THIS SACRED RITE OF PASSAGE CONNECTS A YOUNG MAN TO GENERATIONS OF JEWISH HISTORY, RESPONSIBILITY, AND COMMITMENT TO MITZVOT.

The origins of the Bar Mitzvah date back to ancient times, though the concept has evolved over the centuries. The Torah does not explicitly mention the age of thirteen as the defining moment of adulthood, but the Mishnah in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) states, “At thirteen for mitzvot,” signifying that at this age, a boy becomes obligated in the commandments. Before this time, his parents bear the responsibility for his actions, but once he turns thirteen, he is accountable for observing mitzvot on his own. This transition is not merely symbolic; it represents a fundamental shift in a boy’s spiritual standing. He is now counted in a minyan, can be called to the Torah, and is expected to take his place as a full-fledged member of the Jewish community.

Throughout Jewish history, the ways in which a Bar Mitzvah was marked varied across different communities. In some Sephardic traditions, a young boy would take on the responsibility of fasting on Yom Kippur for the first time, while in Ashkenazi communities, the primary focus was on the boy receiving his first aliyah to the Torah. In medieval France, Rabbi Shlomo ben Aderet (the Rashba) described the custom of a father reciting the blessing Baruch she’patrani (“Blessed is He who has freed me from

the responsibility for this child”) upon his son’s Bar Mitzvah, acknowledging the shift in religious obligation. While the formal celebrations may have varied, the essence remained the same—the moment when a boy publicly assumed his role as a responsible Jew, bound by Torah and mitzvot.

Over time, the celebration of a Bar Mitzvah expanded. In Eastern European shtetls, families would host a modest meal after the young man’s first aliyah, often with Torah learning and words of Torah from the boy himself. In the Sephardic world, grand feasts with communal participation were common, emphasizing the collective joy in welcoming another young man into the covenant of Torah and mitzvot. However, it was not until the modern era, particularly in the 20th century, that Bar Mitzvah celebrations took on a more extravagant nature. Today, it is not uncommon to see lavish parties, live entertainment, and elaborate themes, sometimes overshadowing the spiritual weight of the occasion.

While there is certainly nothing wrong with celebrating this joyous moment, it is important to remember the deeper significance of the Bar Mitzvah. It is not about the size of the event or the grandeur of the party, but about a young man stepping into his spiritual heritage with purpose

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and commitment. The heart of the Bar Mitzvah is found in his first mitzvah observances as an adult—donning tefillin, leading prayers, or delivering a Devar Torah. These actions reinforce the idea that becoming a Bar Mitzvah is not a culmination but a beginning, the start of a lifelong journey of Torah learning and mitzvah observance.

For many, the experience of preparing for a Bar Mitzvah becomes a transformative period of growth. Learning to lay tefillin each morning instills discipline and a connection to Hashem. Studying a Torah portion, whether through traditional chanting or an in-depth explanation, builds confidence and pride in one’s heritage. Engaging in a mitzvah project, such as helping those in need or dedicating time to a meaningful cause, teaches responsibility beyond oneself. These experiences shape not only the Bar Mitzvah boy but also his family and community, who rally around him to support his journey into Jewish adulthood.

Even as times change and customs adapt, the core of the Bar Mitzvah remains unchanged. It is a reaffirmation of our commitment to Torah, a celebration of continuity, and a moment of profound spiritual elevation. When a thirteenyear-old boy stands before the congregation, wrapped in his tefillin, reading from the Torah with conviction, he carries with him the hopes and prayers of generations past. His voice joins the echoes of history, uniting him with the countless young men who came before him and those who will follow in his footsteps. It is this unbroken chain of Jewish faith and responsibility that defines the Bar Mitzvah—not just the moment, but the mission it represents for a lifetime. 

MEET THE ORTHODOX JUDGE PRESIDING OVER MADURO’S TRIAL

AT 92, ORTHODOX JUDGE ALVIN HELLERSTEIN, GUIDED BY FAITH AND DECADES OF JURISPRUDENCE, PRESIDES OVER THE TRIAL OF VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLÁS MADURO.

The trial of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is gripping the world. Maduro’s arraignment was heard in a New York City courtroom, presided over by Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a 92-year-old judge who’s overseen some of the United States most famous cases over the past half century.

An Orthodox Jew, Judge Hellerstein has said that his faith has helped him forge his singular legal career.

FACING ANTI-JEWISH DISCRIMINATION

Judge Hellerstein was born in the Bronx to immigrant parents in 1933 and raised in an observant Jewish household. Always a prodigy, he attended the prestigious Bronx Science High School, then Columbia University and Columbia Law School, graduating from law school in just two years. In law school he served on the Columbia Law Review and graduated sixth in his class.

“I thought that I was in pretty good shape. But I found that the gentile law firms were totally uninterested” in hiring a Jewish lawyer, he later recalled. “As a Jewish boy coming to interview at law firms, you met up with very strong discrimination, some of it overt, most of it implied.”

Instead, he clerked for the progressive non-Jewish Federal Judge Edward L. Palmieri. In his first ten years of being a judge, Palmieri hired three Jewish women and four Jewish men to be his law clerks, an unheard-of practice

for a non-Jewish judge at the time. One of his clerks, an Orthodox Jewish woman, recalled telling Judge Palmieri that as she was religious, she wouldn’t be able to work on Friday nights or Saturdays until after nightfall. Judge Palmieri replied that would be fine and even volunteered to come in on Sundays so she wouldn’t be alone in the office.

After his clerkship, Judge Hellerstein became a Lieutenant in the US Army, working in the JAG (Judge Advocate General) Corps. He joined the firm Strook & Strook & Lavan where he made his mark handling extremely complex cases. One involved 11,000 pages of transcripts, 600 exhibits, and 60 meetings before arbitrators. At the time, he was one of the only Orthodox Jewish lawyers working for a major law firm in New York City.

In 1998 President Bill Clinton appointed him district judge for the prestigious District Court for the Southern District of New York. As one of the first religiously observant Jewish judges in the US, Judge Hellerstein realized he was paving the way for other Orthodox Jews. “I was pleased to say that after me, that there were others, and some credit me with having broken the precedent. When I became a judge, it didn’t make any difference if I was Orthodox or not. It made no difference if I was religious or not. My capabilities as a lawyer were measured, as well as my character and other characteristics, but there was no discrimination.”

GUIDED BY FAITH

Judge Hellerstein has spoken often about the important role his Jewish faith has played in his life and his work. He has also been clear that as a federal judge, his first duty is to uphold the laws of the United States. “I would argue that my Judaism is not a predictable influence on my judgments. Nor would I want it to be the case,” he wrote in a 2013 article for the Law Review at Touro University. He notes that the US Constitution prevents the “unlawful establishment of religion” and that judges must rule according to the laws of the United States, not their own religious feelings if they come into conflict with them. He wrote that “above all (the) influences (on his life), there is one category that stands preeminent–the Constitution, statutes and cases that I swore as a judge to follow and uphold.”

“Yet,” he continued, “it cannot be denied that judges are influenced by who they are and how they were brought up…. I am accountable for all my rulings, orders, and judgments to the litigants, to the courts of appeal, and ultimately to G-D. For as the Psalmist said, and as we read every Tuesday morning (in the Jewish morning service), G-D sits in the congregation of the judged, rendering judgment on the judge. My rulings…are my record.”

For years, Judge Hellerstein has been known for his empathy. “He, more than anyone, understands deeply the pain” his clients feel, recalled Norman Siegel, a lawyer for families seeking to recover the remains of loved ones who died on September 11, 2001. One of Judge Hellerstein’s former colleagues, Charles G. Moerdler, describes Judge Hellerstein as motivated by “a very high standard of morality and decency,” willing to turn down cases if he didn’t believe they were fair.

Outside the courtroom, Judge Hellerstein has been active in Jewish causes. He worked to free Jewish refuseniks from the Soviet Union and served as President and Chairman of the Board of Jewish Education. He was devoted to his wife Mildred, who died in 2017. The couple had three children; today, Judge Hellerstein is blessed with many grandchildren and a proud legacy both professionally and personally.

“JUSTICE,

JUSTICE SHALL YOU PURSUE.”

On the wall of Judge Hellerstein’s chambers hangs a Hebrew language quote: Tzedek, tzedek tirdof–Justice, justice, shall you pursue (Deuteronomy 16:20). He has credited these timeless words from the Torah with helping crystallize his legal philosophy.

Judge Hellerstein often tells the story of how these words affected a case he tried in which a Mexican national with American residency, Alejandro Orozco, was tricked into driving a truck from Mexico into the United States that contained narcotics. Orozco believed he was transporting groceries. Orozco had a wife and daughter who were American citizens; if he pleaded guilty, Orozco would lose his legal immigration status and be deported to Mexico and

separated from them. Judge Hellerstein asked a friend of his to represent Orozco in US Immigration Court. Orozco gained citizenship and tearfully thanked Judge Hellerstein for all his work to allow him to remain in the USA.

“Orozco, weeping, fell to his knees,” Judge Hellerstein described, “thanked me profusely and wanted to kiss my hands, if the Marshals would only let him. I stopped him. ‘All in the courtroom,’ I told him, ‘were engaged in the pursuit of justice–his lawyers, the prosecutor, and the judge.’ I told him the wisdom of Deuteronomy: ‘Justice, justice shalt thou pursue. ‘‘Justice has to be pursued,’ I told him, ‘because it is hard to find and hard to apply. And since you, Mr. Orozco, enabled us to find justice, we should be thanking you; you should not be thanking us.’”

BE A GOOD PERSON

After a lifetime seeking justice, Judge Hellerstein says that trying to be a good person requires constantly questioning oneself, learning Jewish sources, and asking if one is living according to one’s ideals. In 2020, Rabbi Philip Moskowitz of Boca Raton Synagogue in Florida asked Judge Hellerstein what advice he would like to share before Yom Kippur.

Judge Hellerstein responded with his usual compassion and humility. “I do feel that I have to account for what I do,” he answered. “Part of my accountability is to the Court of Appeals, where I can be reversed, and I often am. Another is my account to the individuals involved directly in the process. And third, I have to account to G-D. My purpose in life is to be as good a judge as I can be, and I have to ask for strength and wisdom in performing that job.” 

Dr. Yvette Alt Miller holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the London School of Economics and has taught at Northwestern University, London Business School, and lectured around the world. She is the author of “Angels at the Table: A Practical Guide to Celebrating Shabbat,” which had been praised as “life changing” and compared to having a friend guide the reader through a typical Shabbat, and of “Portraits of Valor: Heroic Jewish Women You Should Know”, which describes the lives of 40 remarkable women who inhabited different eras and lands, giving readers a sense of the vast diversity of Jewish history and experience.

1) ALLENHURST

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Winter rental 5 bedrooms 2.5 baths near tennis center! $3,000 month.

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For sale. 6 bedrooms, 3 baths, updated on 101x125 property! Under $1m. Near Hillel and the new tennis center!

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HOUSE FOR SALE BKLYN

Kings Hwy & East 32nd St–Deal. Great opportunity for your investment portfolio. Two family brick house. Two bdrms in each apt. Private parking and garage. Great area. Asking $1.999M. Also includes a 2 bdrm attic for expansion or living. Raizy@Brisman Realty. Call 718-677-0988 or 917-975-8550

Avenue J/East 2nd St–40 x 100. Detached two fam. Private driveway. Price: $2.25M. Call Sarah Sasson at Homecrest Realty Group 917-361-8268

Midwood Manor/East 10th & Ave J–Detached two fam Victorian triplex on a 30x100 lot. First floor offers a large living room, dining room, kitchen, bath, two bdrms, and front porch. Second floor includes living room, kitchen, dining room, bath, and front porch. Third floor has two bedrooms and front porch. Must see. Priced at $2.99M. Raizy@Brisman Realty. Call 718-677-0988 or 917-975-8550

East 21/Avenue R–40 x 100, 18 x 60. One fam, 5 bdrms, 4.5 baths, Detached, Private driveway. Price: $2.7M. Call Sarah Sasson at Homecrest Realty Group 917-361-8268

East 23rd St & Ave L–Rare Midwood find on a prime block. Detached center hall home on a 40x100 lot. Features sweeping living room, formal dining room, oversized kitchen, cozy den, half bath, and Pesach kitchen. Second floor includes four bdrms and two full baths. Basement adds two additional bedrooms and another bath. Finished attic, private garden, and rear deck. Priced at $3.5M. Raizy@Brisman Realty. Call 718-677-0988 or 917-975-8550

Avenue J / East 2nd. 40 x 110. Detached two fam. Private driveway. Price: $2.699M. Call Sarah Sasson at Homecrest Realty Group 917-361-8268

HOUSE FOR SALE BKLYN

East 32nd St/Ave P–Legal 2 fam brick house in mint condition. Totally renovated finished bsmt. Shared drive. Each apt has a private rear porch. Private garage. Asking $1.098M. Raizy@Brisman Realty. Call 718-677-0988 or 917-975-8550

East 21st St/Avenue R–Office exclusive. Four bdrms, 2.5 baths. 30 x 100 detached with driveway. Price: $1.5M. Call Sarah Sasson at Homecrest Realty Group 917-361-8268

HOUSE FOR RENT BKLYN

Ocean Pkwy Near Ave X–Whole house for rent. 3 bdrm, 3 levels, fully renov, new kitchen, 2 1/2 bath. Front and Back porch parking for 3 cars, garage. On a quiet corner $5600.00 /mo by owner. Available March 1st, can be shown after Feb 18. Call after Feb 18th 917-796-5244

Avenue R/Ocean Parkway–Four bdrms, 2.5 baths. $5K Call Sarah Sasson at Homecrest Realty Group 917-361-8268

East 29th St/Avenue P–Four bdrms, 2.5 baths. $5,500 Call Sarah Sasson at Homecrest Realty Group 917-361-8268

APARTMENT FOR RENT BKLYN

Avenue P/Mid 20s–First floor, newly renovated. Three bdrms, 1.5 baths. Option to rent part of basement. Parking. $4,500. Call Sarah Sasson at Homecrest Realty Group 917-361-8268

Avenue T / High Teens - First floor & bsmt, 5 bdrms, 2 baths. Parking. $5,800. Call Sarah Sasson at Homecrest Realty Group 917-3618268

Avenue P / E 23 Three bedrooms, two baths. Rooftop. Building. $3,600 Call Sarah Sasson at Homecrest Realty Group 917-361-8268

West Long Branch, NJ

For Sale or Rent: 4,000 sq ft office space in West Long Branch, NJ, featuring parking for 12 cars, additional handicap parking, and wheelchair accessibility. Conveniently located near Route 36. The property includes a separate 2-bedroom house and an additional rear lot ideal for development. Offered at $1.99M. Call or text: 917-385-9247

APARTMENT FOR RENT BKLYN

Avenue P / Marine Park Three bedrooms, 1.5 baths. $3,400 Call Sarah Sasson at Homecrest Realty Group 917-361-8268

CONDO FOR SALE BKLYN

Ocean Parkway–Modern and new. 1,100 sq ft, 2 bdrm, two bath. Balcony. No parking. Price: $1.1M Call Sarah Sasson at Homecrest Realty Group 917-361-8268

SPACE FOR LEASE

Ave K & Nostrand Ave–Large open space on desirable first floor and basement. Almost 2,000 sq ft of open flexible floor. Owner will build to suit. Raizy@Brisman Realty. Call 718-677-0988 or 917-975-8550

BUSINESS FOR SALE NJ

Business for Sale in Deal–Name brand sunglasses and watches wholesale & retail. Business established 40 years. Call 908-242-3617

HOUSE FOR SALE NJ

West Deal – Near West Allenhurst Beautiful home on a 220 x 260 property. Call Grace Marcus at Sonya Grill Real Estate, Inc. 732-245-1756

Elberon Near Park Ave Five bedrooms plus maid’s room. Three baths. Heated pool and Jacuzzi. Summer rental. Call Grace Marcus at Sonya Grill Real Estate, Inc. 732-245-1756

Ocean Township Six bedrooms, three baths, updated on a 101 x 125 property. Under $1M. Near Hillel and the new tennis center. Call Grace Marcus at Sonya Grill Real Estate, Inc. 732-245-1756

SUMMER RENTAL NJ

Deal Poplar Ave–Lge 7BR, 3BA. C/A/C, new furn, huge master w/walk-in closet, cntr hall, huge den. Avail 6/08 $48,500. dealnjrentals. com 917-771-6900

35 Years and Still #1 Publication in the

Sephardic Community

The MaTsas FaMily and The sTaFF oF iMage Magazine would like To Thank all adverTisers and readers For 35 years oF supporT

CONGRATULATIONS

Mabrouk, Mazal Tov

BIRTHS

Ruthy and Stephen Shabot – Girl

Stephanie and Ezra Idy – Boy

Anna and Jojo Sutton – Boy

Adele and Max Salem – Girl

Rose and Joseph Corin – Girl

Julie and Charles Barnathan – Girl

Susan and Marc Liniado – Girl

Adelle and Isaac Soffer – Boy

Sarah and Joseph Safdie – Girl

Stacie and Ralph Dweck – Boy

Barbara and Eddie Dayan – Girl

Renee and Sol Harari – Girl

Frieda and Ricky Tawil – Boy

Michelle and Teddy Betesh – Boy

Susan and Isaac Dayan – Girl

Joyce and Saul Ancona – Girl

Renee and Ronnie Dushey – Girl

Elayne and Albert Tawil – Girl

Jacklyn and Joey Khodari – Girl

Dorette and Daniel Mandalawi – Boy

Michelle and David Dayan – Girl

Madeline and Ralph Maman – Boy

Audrey and Shaya Chabot – Girl

Amy and James Mishan – Girl

Luiza and Aaron Harari – Girl

Clemie and Vico Mizrahi – Girl

Joyce and Marty Antebi – Boy

Amy and Joe Maleh – Girl

Rabbi Eli and Diana Cohen – Girl

Grace and Michael Mamiye – Girl

Rachel and Mark Shlomo – Boy

Elyse and Jakey Mayer – Girl

Debbie and Barry Herbst – Girl

Madeleine and Marc Cohen – Girl

Renee and Abe Grazi – Girl

Sophia and David Nigri – Girl

Cookie and Sonny Setton – Girl

Sarah and Moey Levy – Girl

Diane and Morris Mishan – Boy

Jessica and Nathaniel Matut – Boy

ENGAGEMENTS

Shirley Cohen to Shlomo Bijou

Renee Greco to David Shalam

Lauren Ades to Joey Hamui

Florence Zeitouni to Daniel Sitt

Ariella Ciment to David Eskenazi

Anna Margolin to Yosef Farage

ENGAGEMENTS

Sophia Zeitoune to Fredy Bagdadi

Sarah Sorcher to Ben Dahan

Ilana Gritzewsky to Matan Zangauker

Monica Sultan to Tal Ohana

Sharon Dahabani to Hymie Uzan

Charlotte Arnstein to Isaac Levy

Julie Esses to Steven Shamula

Susie Cohen to Nathan Sidaoui

Leena Perez to Liel Shalom

Yvonne Tobias to Elliot Soffer

Jeanette Cohen to Jack Saad

NYC EXPANDS RED LIGHT CAMERA PROGRAM CITYWIDE

NYC Department of Transportation is expanding the city’s red light camera program from 150 intersections to 600 across all five boroughs. The rollout is already underway, with cameras being activated at about 50 new locations each week. The expansion follows a change in state law that removed the previous cap on the program.

City officials point to safety data as the rationale for the expansion. Intersections with red light cameras have seen a 65 percent reduction in T-bone crashes and a 49 percent drop in rear-end collisions. According to 2023 data, 94 percent of drivers who received a violation were ticketed only once or twice, suggesting the cameras are effective at changing behavior and reducing repeat offenses.

NYC MAYOR SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO CUT SMALL BUSINESS FINES AND FEES

Zohran Mamdani signed Executive Order 11 to require New York City agencies to inventory and reduce the fines, fees, and civil penalties faced by small businesses. The move targets a regulatory system that includes more than 6,000 rules, which city officials say raise costs and make it harder for businesses to open and grow. The order was signed at a locally owned business in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn.

Under the directive, seven city agencies, overseen by Deputy Mayor Julie Su, must catalog all fees and penalties within 45 days and identify those that can be reduced. Within 90 days, agencies must determine which fees can be eliminated through rulemaking, with additional reductions requiring legislation identified within 180 days. The city will also study the feasibility of an amnesty or relief program for business owners within the next year.

Your Special Moment!

If you would like to include a birth, engagement, or wedding announcement in our magazine, please email the details to: editor@imageusa.com

SBH MANHATTAN HESED DAY

TU B’SHEBAT

SCC BOOK CLUB

MAH JONGG AND CANASTA

PIZZA, POPCORN, & MOVIE

DSN LADIES CARDS

SCC

EYE EXAMS AT NO COST BINGO & BLACK BEAN SALSA

DSN BOOK CLUB

SCC PURIM POP-UP SHOW

DSN STITCH CLUB

SCC MAH JONGG AND CANASTA

DSN LADIES CARDS

ROSH HODESH ADAR

SCC MAH JONGG AND CANASTA

DSN LADIES CARDS

SCC MAH JONGG AND CANASTA

DSN LADIES CARDS

SCC CENTERFLIX

LEVI’S LOUNGE

SCC KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

SBH FERTILITY IGTV

ROSH HODESH ADAR

SCC CENTERFLIX THE MET LIVE LEVI’S LOUNGE

SCC SENIOR TRIP BROADWAY SHOW

DSN PRE-PURIM BOUTIQUE SHOW

SCC LUNCH & SHOW FILM CLUB

DSN PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB

PARASHAT YITRO MAQAM HOSENI

SCC SATURDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

SBH MHR NETWORKING NIGHT

SHABBAT SHEKALIM

PARASHAT MISHPATIM MAQAM NAWAH

PARASHAT TERUMA MAQAM SABA

SHABBAT ZACHOR

PARASHAT TESSAVE MAQAM SIGAH

fine DINING

NEW YORK

BORDEAUX STEAKHOUSE

1922 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn (718) 942-4040

CHINA GLATT

4413 13th Ave, Brooklyn (718) 438-2576

GLATT A LA CARTE

5123 18th Avenue, Brooklyn (718) 438-6675

GRUIT

252 Empire Blvd. Brooklyn (347) 846-0622

LA BROCHETTE

340 Lexington Avenue, New York City (212) 972-2200

LE MARAIS

150 W. 46th St., New York City (212) 869-0900

MIKE’S BISTRO

127 East 54th St., New York City (212) 799-3911

MOCHA RED

127 4th Avenue, New York City (212) 419-8889

NOI DUE CARNE

141 W 69th St., New York City (212) 712-2222

PESCADA

1776 Ocean Avenue Brooklyn (718) 766-2759

UN PLAZA GRILL

845 United Nations Plaza, New York City (212) 223-1801

URBANA

1305 53rd St., Brooklyn (718) 438-4448

WOLF & LAMB

16 East 48th St., New York City (212) 317-1950

NEW JERSEY

656 OCEAN & STINGERS BAR & GRILL

656 Ocean Ave, Long Branch (732) 728-9656

BALAGAN

66 Monmouth Rd, Oakhurst, NJ 07755 (732)716-4200

BUTCHER’S STEAKHOUSE

401 Main St, Allenhurst (732) 686-1498

CRUST CO PIZZA

379 Monmouth Road, Long Branch (732) 229-2145

DIET GOURMET

167 Lincoln Avenue, Long Branch (732) 870-3287

DOUGIE’S BAR & GRILL

256 Norwood Avenue, Deal (732) 517-0300

DOWN TO EARTH

312 Main Street, Allenhurst NJ (732) 686-1597

GRANDMA’S CHEESE CAFE

101 Brighton Ave, Long Branch (732) 895-3621

JELI’S RESTAURANT

125 Ocean Avenue N., Deal (732) 686-9595

JERSEY SHORE SUSHI

250 Norwood Ave, Deal (732) 660-5393

OUTPOST RESTAURANT

125 Ocean Avenue N., Deal (732) 686-9595

PKS BY THE SHORE

244 Norwood Avenue, Oakhurst (732) 813-5757

PRIMAVERA RESTAURANT & BAR

118 Norwood Avenue, Deal (732) 430-2073

RETRO GRILL

214 Roosevelt Avenue, Oakhurst (732) 695-3119

SALT STEAKHOUSE

15 Morris Avenue, Long Branch (732) 813-7258

SHENG MAO CHINESE

214 Roosevelt Ave, Oakhurst (732) 531-7086

TAPAS

116 Norwood Ave, Deal (732) 660-1700

TEVA RESTAURANT

125 Ocean Avenue N., Deal (732) 686-9595

CONSUMER GUIDE

ACCOUNTANT

Mitch Holsborg ........................... 63

APPLIANCE SERVICE

Astre Appliance Service .............. 124

ATTORNEY

Expert Legal Solutions 69

Gad Shaharabani 67

Jack Erdos 63

Robert Akerman 67

BEAUTY CARE

Lauras Skin Care ....................... 103

BRIDAL

Bridal Atelier NYC 27

BRIDAL BOUTIQUE

Rikis Bridal Boutique 83

BROADWAY/OFF BROADWAY SHOWS

Going Bacharach .......................... 2

CLOTHING/MENS & BOYS

Borsalino 4-5

CONSTRUCTION

Build 1 125

HMS Construction 125

Joseph and Sons Builders 125

Moe Molcho & Al Beyda 79

COUNSELING

Rabbi Pereira ............................ 103

DEBT MANAGEMENT

Angels of Debt 45

DENTIST

Dr Jacques Doueck 101,103,105

Tawil Dental 99

DISC JOCKEY & LIGHTING

DJ David Zeitouni ....................... 63

DR.-INTERNAL MEDICINE

Dr. Ezra Israel 95

DR.-PRIMARY CARE

Rambam Family Health 12-13

DUCT CLEANING

Remex 75 EVENTS

EG Productions ........................... 49

KT Events .................................... 83

EXECUTIVE & FAMILY COACHING

Ezra Max 107

EXTERMINATOR

A&V Prime Exterminating LLC 77 FACTORS

Hedaya Capital Group .................. 7

Middlegate Factors ........................ 3

FILING SERVICES

Liberty Filing.............................. 128

FINANCIAL ADVISORS & ESTATE SOLUTIONS

Power Forward Group 17 FINANCIAL CONSULTANT

Endurance Wealth Partners 31 FISHING BOAT/FLORIDA

Therapy IV Capt Stan 109 FLOOD

Remex ........................................ 75

FURNITURE OUTDOOR

David Cohen Outdoor Furniture 125 HANDYMAN

Eddy Gindi 125 INSURANCE

Allstate David Cohen 33 Eli Cohen Agency .......................... 1 Eric Derzie & Associates ............... 41 Steven Leiner 11 INSURANCE ADJUSTER

Equitable Adjusters IFC,18-19 JEWELRY/WATCHES

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