Community Happenings

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Bike4Chai 2020 Shifts Gears to Support Chai Lifeline Families

Nearly 500 Bike4Chai cyclists rode more than more than 50,000 combined miles to benefit children with serious illness on August 13. Now in its 11th year, Bike4Chai raises funds for Chai Lifeline, the international children’s health support network which provides emotional, social, and financial assistance to children with life-threatening and lifelong illnesses and their families.

This year’s one-day ride featured three scenic route options of 80, 100 and 120 miles. Cyclists departed from Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, NJ, at staggered intervals to maintain proper distancing until they reached the gates of Camp Simcha Special, Chai Lifeline’s summer camp for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities in Glen Spey, NY. There, the riders enjoyed an outdoor lunch just outside of camp before returning to the finish line back in Vernon.

“I n addition to the day-to-day challenges of pediatric illness, this year, our families are confronted with a global pandemic and its devastating health and economic effects,” said Rabbi Sruli Fried, MSW, director of Chai Lifeline NJ/PA and executive director of Bike4Chai. “We have a

tremendous amount of appreciation and gratitude to our dedicated cyclists and community of supporters who have stepped up during these trying times. Their unwavering commitment to Chai Lifeline’s mission enables us to continue provide critical services when our families need

us most.”

Chai Lifeline’s more than two dozen year-round programs and services, including professional case management and counseling, meal delivery to hospitals and homes, transportation to medical appointments, emergency financial assis

tance, Project Chai crisis intervention, insurance advocacy, i-Shine afterschool national programs for children living with illness or loss in their homes, Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special, and more.

Around the Community

Baal Tefillah Boot Camp

As a result of COVID-19 precautions, many shuls are creating multiple smaller minyanim for the High Holidays to accommodate their members, creating a shortage of qualified baalei tefillot to lead davening. To address this need, the Orthodox Union (OU) Pepa and Rabbi Joseph Karasick Department of Synagogue Services has created a “Baal Tefillah Boot Camp” to help train more than 100 to lead these minyanim. To date, more than 36 synagogues from 12 states as well as Canada and South Africa are participating in this historic initiative.

T he Baal Tefillah Boot Camp includes a series of seminars to train shluchei tzibbur at minyanim organized by a synagogue. All of the participants were nominated by their synagogue and will receive a schedule of seminars, recorded tefillot, and will conclude with one-onone meetings to address individual needs and concerns. The seminars are being led by Chazzan Yitzy Spinner of Great Neck Synagogue and Rabbi Gedalyah Berger, project coordinator.

Participating shuls in our area include: BACH Jewish Center (Long Beach, NY), Congregation Anshei Shalom (West Hempstead, NY), Congregation Beth Sholom (Lawrence, NY), Congregation Ohav Sholom (Merrick, NY), NY), Young Isrently in session does not mean that Shulamith High School administrators and faculty are not hard at work! The summer has been dedicated to ensuring a smooth and safe transition back to school for students and faculty. Long checklists – that seem to grow each night – hang in our offices as the building undergoes many changes to accommodate this new normal. Extended Wi-Fi bandwidth, Purell dispensers, doors that open and close using a foot, additional sinks, poly-carbonate dividers, outdoor tents, cameras in classrooms, the list goes on and on, as SHS prepares for September. These were the easier parts, though. rael of Lawrence/Cedarhurst (New York), and Young Israel of North Woodmere (New York).

“The Baal Tefillah Boot Camp was designed to train those new to taking the amud and those who would like some additional coaching to enhance the davening environment of our community during the most holy days of the year. We are very happy that the program has been well received by such a large group of synagogues across the nation and world,” said Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer. “Through this program, the OU is looking to help fill that gap by responding to this important communal need.”

“ We have been working with our member synagogues over the last few months to address needs and concerns related to the upcoming High Holidays and one thing that became clear was the need to run more minyanim simultaneously and we needed more Baalei Tefillah in order to do that,” said OU Synagogue & Community Services Director Rabbi Adir Posy.

The Baal Tefillah Boot Camp is funded in part through a grant by the UJA-Federation of New York and in partnership with the Rabbinical Council of America. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit: ht tps://www.ou.org/chazzan/. What about ensuring that everyone – faculty, students, parents – feel confident and safe? Known for focusing on the individual, SHS made sure that every voice was heard. Earlier in the summer, SHS administrators met with faculty representatives to review reopening plans and discuss concerns as it related directly to faculty. Then, a town hall meeting for faculty was set up with a follow-up later that week. In addition, departmental meetings in June allowed for faculty to plan, academically, for September, adjusting the pacing and learning goals to meet the needs of students who have not experienced in-school learning since early March. Finally, weekly PD newsletters, as well as our upcoming fac

HALB is Gearing Up to be Back Home@HALB

The entire HALB system is looking forward to starting school on our campuses, for all students, full time! HALB’s Task Force consisting of administrators, lay leaders and doctors has been working non-stop over the summer to ensure a start of school that meets the highest standards of both safety and educational quality.

Some of the changes and enhancements include new safety protocols, ulty professional development, have given teachers practical tools to use in physically distant classrooms.

As for students, a volunteer representative group was established that met with Principal Sara Munk, Dean of Students Mrs. Ricky Gaerman, Assistant Principal Ms. Danyel Goldberg, Social Worker Mrs. Channi Packer, and Director of Student Activities Ms. Esty Munk. The student representatives had an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas. “It’s important that everyone has a voice,” Mrs. Munk stated. Communicating the plans and giving everyone an opportunity to ask questions encourages the sense of partnership Shulamith is known for. barriers for desks, smaller class sizes, touch-free bathrooms, and an investment in special tech equipment that will allow for students to learn from home if the need arises. We have also bolstered our ability to focus more than ever before on the social and emotional needs of our children at this unusual time.

We can’t wait to welcome all of our students and to see them Back

SHS Welcomes Students Home

Just because school is not cur

Home@Halb!

Behind the scenes, special attention is being paid to the social emotional health of students. Plans for transitioning freshmen and helping all students to acclimate are on the forefront of the administration. In addition, training teachers on practical strategies of fostering relationships in the COVID era – with masks, poly-carbonate barriers, and social distancing – as well as continuing to facilitate student-centered learning has all been planned. With a never-ending checklist of preparation, the SHS team is excited to return to school and is positive about the year. With awesome, but safe, surprises in store, SHS is excited to warmly welcome everyone home!

Around the Community

Madraigos Never Takes a Break

In these unprecedented times, Madraigos continues to service the community and answer the strong and desperate calls for help. Under the caring watchful eye of Rabbi Dov Silver, founder and executive V.P., the clinical team actively undertakes a broad array of challenges on a daily basis. “We are the nerve center,” says Mrs. Mindi Werblowsky, LMSW, Clinical Director, who oversees the interventional aspect of the organization and manages the critical intake and referral process.

Madraigos believes that issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and abuse can worsen unless they are immediately tackled. Often, there are behavioral issues that may initially present themselves as being the immediate concern, but after a thorough assessment that includes family background, mental health history, and any therapeutic experiences, the root of the issue is uncovered and appropriate, targeted referrals are then made.

But, Madraigos does not stop there. While the client is under the care of the referred outside therapist, rence Village Mayor Alex H.

Edelman joined with Cedarhurst Mayor Benjamin Weinstock to repave W ashington Avenue curb to curb, between Central Avenue and the LIRR tracks.

The job (weather permitting) is mentor, rehab program, hospital, residential treatment, therapeutic school, wilderness program, eating disorder program, outpatient program, mainstream school placements, etc., the clinical case management team stays fully involved on an ongoing basis until services are no longer needed, “so that everything works cohesively,” adds Mrs. Werblowsky.

While Madraigos runs effective intervention services, prevention services are at the core of their mission since nipping an issue in the bud at the early stages is the best way to ensure a healthy outcome. Even now, despite social distancing restrictions, scheduled to be completed on Saturday, August 22 and will allow traffic to flow easily and safely on this busy cross street shared by both Villages.

Mayor Alex H. Edelman and Mayor Benjamin Weinstock are seen in this photo. the prevention services of Madraigos continue in a robust way, particularly the School-Based Services led by Rabbi Dr. Dovid Felt, Director of SchoolBased Services.

The School-Based programs brings awareness to schools about the social-emotional and mental health challenges facing students. For example, programs offer support for educators on how to work with children who present signs of anxiety, addiction, or bullying and cyber-bullying. Asked how this can this be done now in the middle of a pandemic, Rabbi Dr. Felt responds, “Now, with Covid, we still run our Mental Health Awareness

CREDIT: NCSY RELIEF MISSIONS Last week, Senator Todd Kaminsky toured potential sites for a Long Beach Community Garden to be created by OU Project Community (PC20)- NCSY Relief Missions. He was accompanied by Rabbi Ethan Katz, director of NCSY Relief Missions, and Oran Bendelstein, associate director of relief

missions programming.

program, and we do so online for educators.” In addition, Madraigos offers The Lounge for boys and girls on separate nights as well as their very popular parenting support groups and community parenting lectures.

Madraigos is there to help those in need at no charge to any client. All services are free. At this time, the community is asked to help support their mission at our upcoming Benefit Reception on August 31, 2020, so that they can continue to strengthen our youth. To place an ad in our virtual journal, please contact Sharon Gross, ext. 103 or sgross@madraigos.org.

One Street for Two Villages

In a spirit of cooperation, Law

executive director, at 516-371-3250

Around the Community

Anti-Israel is Disguised Anti-Semitism

“D o you pledge not to travel to Israel if elected to City Council in solidarity with Palestinians living under occupation?” reads a questionnaire sent out by the DSA and first reported by NY1’s Zack Fink.

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is an organization designed to push the progressives into political power. This past week, New York City Council candidates seeking the support of the DSA were asked to agree not to visit Israel if elected. The questionnaire continues, “Even though foreign policy falls outside the purview of municipal government, gestures like travel to a country by elected officials from a city the size and prominence of New York still send a powerful message, as would the refusal to participate in them.”

The other question in the foreign policy section asks candidates about their support for the Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment (BDS) movement against Israel.

This blatant anti-Israel agenda generated an outcry on Twitter over the past few days to denounce the DSA’s hateful rhetoric. Proudly, elected officials in the Rockaways and Five Towns spoke out vehemently against the DSA’s disguised anti-Semitism.

Rabbi Michael Miller, the executive Vice President of the JCRC, declared in a statement, “Since 1982, JCRC-NY mission participants have consistently learned from a diverse array of journalists, activists, faith leaders, diplomats, security personnel, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze – Israelis and Palestinians. T hey are encouraged to ask hard questions in order to gain a broader understanding of the complex issues and use this knowledge to become better public officials. We look forward to accompanying the next mission of the New York City Council to Israel.”

Moshe Brandsdorfer, executive director of the JCCRP, commented and urged community members of the Rockaways and Five Towns to thank the local politicians, “Please send thank you emails to your elected officials to thank them for standing up to DSA’s poorly disguised anti-Semitism. If your elected did not stand up to them, then ask for their support. The politicians listen very closely to their constituents; use that to help our brothers and sisters in Israel.”

Pesach Osina, community leader and candidate for NYC Council’s 31 st

District, commented, “We should never allow anyone to single out our beliefs and use religion for their political gain. We must use our voice in a constructive and united way to make changes that will stop such things from happening.”

C all or email your elected officials to thank them for their strong support of Israel and taking a stand against the DSA’s threats. Here is a sample email or phone script. My name is ___, I am your constituent. I am so grateful toward you for your strong position against the DSA and their anti-Israel agenda. Thank you so much for standing up for Israel and the Jewish People. We are so fortunate to have you represent us.

We look forward to continuing our support to you for many years to come.

Local officials can be contacted: • Rep Grace Meng (NY’s 6th Congressional District) 718-358-MENG (6364) • Rep Gregory Meeks (NY’s 5th Congressional District) (347) 230-4032 • Rep Kathleen Rice (NY’s 4th Congressional District) (516) 739-3008 • S enator Joseph Addabbo Jr. (15th Senate District) addabbo@nysenate.gov • Senator Todd Kaminsky (9th Senate District) kaminsky@nysenate.gov • Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer-Amato (Assembly District 23) amatos@nyassembly.gov • Councilman Donovan Richards (NYC Council District 31) drichards@council.nyc.gov • Councilman Eric Ulrich (NYC Council District-32) eulrich@council.nyc.gov • N assau County Exec. Laura Curran ncexecutive@nassaucountyny.gov

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Around the Community

Steven Weil New FIDF CEO

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) announced this week the appointment of Steven Weil as its new National Director and CEO to head the charitable organization beginning September 16, 2020. He will succeed Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir, who has led FIDF for six years of unprecedented organizational expansion.

Under Maj. Gen. (Res.) Klifi-Amir’s leadership, FIDF has experienced exponential growth. It expanded its fundraising capabilities, opened new chapters around the U.S. and raised more than $570 million between 2015-2019. True to its mission, FIDF was able to increase its wellbeing support for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers, helping 114% more soldiers than in years prior.

In light of this, FIDF’s lay leaders identified the need to modify the structure of the organization’s executive office and extend the scope of both management and fundraising operations. To further deepen FIDF’s philanthropic roots within the local community and allow for a prolonged tenure of the CEO, FIDF’s Board has decided to appoint an American-based CEO, along with an IDF general to strengthen fundraising efforts.

The incoming National Director and CEO, Steven Weil, will develop FIDF in the long term and build upon its vital position within the American philanthropic community. He will oversee the 501(C)(3) notfor-profit as it continues to grow its infrastructure, both nationally and locally around the US and Panama, solidifying the strong foundation it has developed over the past 39 years, with the mission of supporting education and wellbeing programs for the soldiers of the IDF.

Weil, particularly suited for this position, comes to FIDF following an 11-year tenure at the Orthodox Union (OU). He attended Yeshiva Universi

PHOTO CREDIT: MINT MEDIA

ty, concurrently completing his ordination at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (REITS) and receiving a master’s degree in Business Administration from NYU’s Stern School of Business. He began his career in education before moving on to pulpit work, first in Oak Park, MI, and then in Beverly Hills, CA. In both locations, he significantly built and expanded his congregations and instituted programs to unify and impact the broader community. He subsequently assumed the position of senior managing director of the OU, where he spearheaded their institutional advancement and community engagement efforts. Weil is a sought-after speaker and educator and has given invocations for presidents, governors, and other senior elected officials. He is deeply passionate about the State of Israel, Jewish continuity, and the vital role Israel’s soldiers play in guaranteeing its future. Weil resides in New Jersey with his wife and is a proud father and grandfather.

“It is the greatest honor to join the FIDF family of lay leaders and professionals who have committed their lives to looking after the IDF soldiers,” said Weil. “FIDF, through educational and wellbeing initiatives, enables these courageous young men and women, who invest years of their lives to protect Israel, to serve proudly and guarantee the future of Israel and the Jewish people.”