Community Magazine August 2006

 ”  54 Community Magazine Or Hatorah to Open Bet Midrash Responding to requests from parents and students alike, Yeshivat Or Hatorah, under the leadership of Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yaakov S. Marcus, will be opening a bet midrash for post high school community boys in September. Boys who, for whatever reason, are not able to learn in Israel after high school, or those who have just recently returned from Israel, will have at their disposal, a local bet midrash to help them continue their studies. College bound student attending the midrash will be able to earn up to 30 college credits to the college of his choice. The Yeshiva will have both part-time and full-time pro- grams. Part-time students can choose from either a morning or afternoon program, while full-time students will attend both. In addition, the Yeshiva offers classes to community boys in its night midrash, which is now entering its fifth year. Presently, on Monday and Thursday evenings, up to 20 young men can be found from 8:30 – 10:00PM in the Or Hatorah Bet Midrash on Homecrest Ave. With a standing open invitation to all, a beautiful mix of high school boys (looking for extra classes), college students, working boys, as well as young married men come together for shiurim in Gemara, Mishnayot and Halacha. The team of Rabbis for Or Hatorah Midrash will be led by Rabbi Yehuda L. Shainkopf, Rosh Kollel of the afternoon Rabbis Kollel at Or Hatorah. For more information, see the announcement in this issue. Shema Kolainu Honors Local Leaders On August 1, Shema Kolainu – Hear Our Voices, a school and center for children with autism, hosted a legislative breakfast to educate legislators and pay tribute to officials and community leaders for their dedication. The event, which took place in Renaissance Ballroom in Brooklyn, and was coordinated by the Friedlander Group, honored prominent community leaders and elected officials including: City Comptroller William Thompson, Jr., with the City Leadership Award; Council Speaker Christine Quinn, with the Legislative Leadership award; State Senator Thomas P. Morahan with the Public Service Award; Commissioner Thomas A. Maul of the New York State Office of OMRDD with the State Leadership Award; David G. Greenfield, Executive Director of the Sephardic Community Federation, with the Community Leadership Award; and Rabbi Shlomo Braun, community representa- tive for State Senator Martin J. Golden with the Hakaras HaTov Award. Shema Kolainu, founded by the trailblazing Joshua Weinstein, opened in 1998 and located in Brooklyn, New York, is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of children with autism in the five boroughs of New York. Renowned for their unique and pioneering approach based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis, they offer education and other services in the field of autism care. Statistics confirm that autism has risen by epidemic proportions. Vital and urgent expenses for care, education and resources are stag- gering. Shema Kolainu hopes to build awareness and sup- port to allow more children and families to benefit from the Community Chest