Community Magazine July 2009

Bnai Yosef Hosts Lag Ba’omer Celebration The real spirit of Meron on Lag Ba’omer was felt this year in Brooklyn, at Bnai Yosef. Over 500 adults and children attended the gala event, coming to watch a huge high bonfire, which at times swelled to over 25 feet, to commemorate the tremendous “light” that came into the world upon Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai’s completion of the Zohar. Led by Rabbi Eli David, the men and children sang and danced all the songs of the day. To ensure the safety of all the attendees, Rabbi Admoni coordinated the event with police who closed the side street of Ocean Parkway in front of the synagogue. Though the fire, the heat of which could be felt from over 12 feet away, remained under control, the Fire Department was called by a passerby who reportedly claimed that “the synagogue was burning,” Gd forbid. Bringing their own lights to the event from three ladder trucks, the fire department quickly determined that there was no danger, and departed wishing the revelers well. Free CPR Classes in Deal Once again, Adam Azrak will be organizing CPR classes, certified by the American Red Cross, over the course of the summer. The classes will cover topics such as administering CPR and helping a choking victim. There will be separate classes for men and women ages 16 years and up. A full course would span two or three sessions, while a refresher and renewal of last year’s certificate can be competed in one session. The classes will be held at Ohel Yaacob (Lawrence Avenue) Synagogue at 4 Ocean Avenue in Deal NJ. Thanks to a generous grant from Sephardic Bikur Holim, which is partially sponsoring the classes, participation for attendees is free, with only a suggested donation of $26. To register, visit www.ohelyaacob.com/cpr CPR CLASS SCHEDULE FOR JULY Recertification (1 Session): Wednesday July 22 8pm-10:30pm Sunday July 26 9am-12pm Full CPR Class (2-3 Session): Sundays July 12th & 19th 9am-12pm Tuesdays June 30th, July 7th & 14th 8pm-10pm Wednesdays July 1st, 8th & 15th 8pm-10pm Full CPR Class – Ladies Only (3 Sessions): Thursdays July 16th, 23rd & 30th 10am-12pm Lev Aharon Boys Celebrate Siyum and More As their successful year of learning at Lev Aharon drew to a close, many students finished various masechtot (tractates) for the first time in their lives, giving them a tremendous and deep sense of satisfaction. Of course, the yeshiva celebrated their accomplishments with a festive siyum with the entire yeshiva and staff. LevAharon is a Sephardic yeshiva in Jerusalem for post high school students. The boys hail from places all over the world, but mostly from Brooklyn’s Syrian-Sephardic Community. Some enter the yeshiva as youngsters seeking direction, and return home just a few months later as emotionally and intellectually mature adults, set in the direction of lifelong observance in the tradition of their fathers. At the siyum , one boy emotionally told the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi David Laniado, “Leaving the Rosh Yeshiva is like leaving my own father.” The Rabbi Laniado could scarcely contain his emotion upon hearing the boy’s loving remarks. Rabbi Laniado and his talented staff provide a warm, loving, and accepting, yet demanding, environment for the students. Some students blushed upon recalling their conduct in the beginning of the year, deeply embarrassed by their previous crudeness. Aswitnessed in the end-of-year siyum , Rabbi Laniado successfully deals with many challenging teenagers, reshaping their behavior and life goals, and putting them on the direction of success and religious commitment. Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi David Laniado grew up in the Syrian community in Brooklyn and eventually settled in Israel. Through Lev Aharon, he is determined to restore the religious commitment among the children of the Syrian Jewish community to its former glory. Community Chest Photos: Yehonathan Elozory Rabbi David Laniado Some of the boys of Lev Aharon 90 Community magazine