Community Magazine September 2011

82 Community magazine Jesse Dweck Learning Center Summer Event The second annual Jesse Dweck a.h. Learning Center Night of Inspiration, organized by Rabbi Joey Dayon, took place on Sunday evening, July 10th, at the home of popu- lar singer Yaakov Shwekey in Deal. Approximately 300 men of all ages participated in the event. The night kicked off with a delicious barbeque, interspersed with songs sung by Shwekey and divre Torah from community rabbis such as Rabbi Shlomo Diamond, Rabbi Eli J. Mansour and Rabbi Meyer Yedid. The rabbis spoke about the importance of learning Torah and the potential for each person to become a gadol (great Torah leader). The key, they explained, is to be involved in Torah and to pray that we receive enjoyment from learning so we will want to learn more. These inspiring words resonated with many of the young men in attendance. “It was a spectacular event for all ages,” enthused Joey Sultan, a regular student of the Jesse Dweck Learning Center. “The night was inspiring and very enjoyable…” “It was truly a night of inspiration,” raved Edward Arking, 21, who also attends many classes offered by the Jesse Dweck Learning Center. “The pillars of the community such as Rabbi Diamond, Rabbi Mansour and Rabbi Yedid had such moving words to share. Kids from all over the community, and of all ages, learned, danced, and got uplifted. We can use more events like this in our community.” The Learning Center was created in the merit of Jesse Dweck a.h., and is designed to help strengthen the Torah learning for adults of all ages in Manhattan and Deal. The Center is currently in its sixth year of operation, and has run many successful programs, including a ladies program in Manhattan. For more information, visit www. jessedweckcenter.com or call Mark Dweck at 917-647-6910. Hayon Pursuing Republican Leadership Brooklyn Tea Party President and former State Assembly candi- date Joseph Hayon has been going door-to-door asking people to support his campaign for Republican State Committeeman. “The Republican leader,” Hayon explains, “is the one who decides who runs for public office, not just for Assembly, but for Senate, Congress, and to a certain extent, even Governor.” Hayon is running together with Orit Tanner for State Committee, and17other communitymembers forRepublicanCountyCommittee. Some of those running for Republican County Committee include Avi Rosenberg, Debbie Cohen, Yaacov Sasson, Meir Arussy, Robert Tanner and Saul Cohen. Only registered Republicans in Steven Cybrowitz’s district will be eligible to vote in the primary elections. Anyone interested in learning more about the elections or joining the Republican County Committee should call 347-692-5364. “Just One Life” Celebrates 13,000 Babies Just One Life, an organization dedicated to help parents bring children into the world rather than terminate a pregnancy, is celebrating the birth of 13,000 babies in Israel. The organization began 20 years ago in the offices of Sammy Sutton’s Bag Bazaar, before moving to Ricky Cohen’s Conway office space. Just One Life and the community continue to be inseparable and powerful partners in the effort to bring Jewish children into the world. The summer benefit for this worthy cause was hosted in Deal at the home of Abdo and Reem Chkalo. The attendees, who filled the home to capacity, heard a special address by renowned speaker Rabbi Paysach Krohn, and were treated to a dazzling table of des- sert delights by the gracious hostess, Reem Chkalo. Rabbi Krohn’s inspiring message touched on many important points, including the value of each and every life. He noted that if Hashem has given us such a gift, we must use that gift wisely. Each of us has an important contribution to make to this world, to our community, and, most importantly, to our families. Sometimes, though, in the rush of it all, we tend to overlook the things and people that should truly be the center of our lives. Rabbi Krohn noted the practice of many gedolei Yisrael to make a heshbon , an accounting, each night before going to sleep of what they accomplished that is meaningful and lasting, urging all of us to do the same. Did we spend quality time with our children and spouses? Did we spend time learning Torah? Did we pray with kavana (concentration)? Rabbi Krohn urged the entire community to follow the lead of the Chkalo family and bring more babies into this world through Just One Life. By supporting this organization, he said, we demonstrate our recognition of the value of each life, and in turn we add value to our own lives. For just $1800, anyone can save a life. To learn more or to make a secure donation online, visit www.justonelife.org or contact Directors Rabbi Martin Katz and Rabbi Etan Tokayer at 212 683 6040. Weprin Faces Opposition from Orthodox Community Assemblyman David Weprin, an Orthodox Jewish candidate for Anthony Weiner’s vacated seat in Congress, is facing stiff opposi- tion in the Orthodox Jewish community. The leadership of the Jewish community has lost confidence in Weprin’s ability to repre- sent their needs after he chose to vote for and speak out in support of the bill to redefine marriage in New York State, ignoring the pain and potential consequences this law would cause religious Jews. Scores of local rabbis – many from our own community – have Community Chest