Community Magazine June 2003

of the most inviting and pleasant places to pray in the Jersey Shore area. Regularly, on any given Shabbat, there are four separate minyanim; the early minyan, the main minyan, a teen minyan and a youth program. The youth minyan is a point of particu- lar pride for the synagogue; it has produced the most hazanim, baalei koreh and future leaders of the community. Today, once again the synagogue is bursting at the seams. During the winter months, the building is just barely able to hold the activities that take place. There are simply not enough rooms to accommodate all the classes, minyanim and groups that need the building. During the summer months, the synagogue becomes almost impossibly overcrowded. Furthermore, the summer guests keep coming back year after year and bringing their friends with them resulting in exponential growth. Such extraordinary success does not happen by itself. Mr. Abe (Abo) Shamah, the founder, first president and honorary lifetime president of the synagogue, was the driving force from its inception. Hazan Rabbi Moshe Dwek a”h, with his beautiful sweet voice and pure spirit led the services for many years and gave the synagogue the character it has. Mr. Shamah also groomed a generation of younger leaders and activists who shared his burden and ultimately shouldered it themselves. He was followed in the presidency by such past presidents as Raymond Beyda, Irwin Mizrahi and Michael Fallas. Many other members have served on the committees. Although somewhat less active in the day to day operations than he used to be, Mr. Shamah continues to be the inspiration for the younger generation. The synagogue has been especially fortunate to have the Kollel choose it as the place for its Shabbat prayers, bringing into its midst rabbinic personalities and scholars such as Rabbi Diamond and Rabbi Aboud. The members of the synagogue con- sider their presence a source of encouragement and inspiration. Last year the synagogue held its first testimonial dinner and journal drive honoring Rabbi Choueka, Rabbi Aboud and Dr. Leon Sultan. Aside from the financial success of the event, which spearheaded the building campaign, the event was an occasion for the members of the synagogue to enjoy each other’s company and reflect on the growth and success over the years. This year, Ohel Simha is taking the opportunity to honor two leaders of distinction of our community. Mr. Jack Mamiye who was instrumental in the building of Ohel Simha and in whose family name the building has been named and Mr. Isaac M. Gindi whose involvement with many organizations of our community, most notably the Magen David Yeshivah, has helped shape our glorious community into what we are today. Looking to the future, the synagogue is planning a major building campaign to provide the space necessary for its existing activities and in anticipation of a new surge of growth already under way. SIVAN 5763 JUNE 2003 23 s ” xc DOWN PILLOWS & COMFORTERS FAST DELIVERY * FREE SET UP MATTRESSES LESS for FOR “ALL YOUR BEDDING NEEDS” * MATTRESSES * HI RISERS * COTS FREE Gift for Brides & Grooms with purchase SANDRA MANSOUR (718)382-8419 1(800)SLEEP-56 FREE Deliver r y to o Deal CM