Magen David Yeshivah Senior Entrepreneurial Program
Magen David Yeshivah High School is proud to announce its exciting new program for seniors, Virtual Enterprise International (VEI). Students are invited to envision, form and execute their own start-up business, which they will then present at a national entrepreneurial competition. Magen David students have taken to this venture with tremendous spirit, transforming one of the classrooms into a suite of business offices from which their own virtual company is being launched. Called 1,2,3-D Printing, their company seeks to produce anactual product on one of the school’s two 3D printers and then market it to the public with a professional business plan.
The students, led by Dr. Sterling Jasper and their company CEOs, Jack Beyda and Judy Chalouh, have been completely engaged in this combination of teamwork and futuristic thought. Split up into finance, accounting, design, production, marketing and human resources departments, these seniors “go to work” for nearly three hours each school day, dressed in formal business attire. The team has been brainstorming a public relations campaign, devising investment strategies, dreaming up virtual loan acquisitions, researching the innovation of 3D printing, and interviewing top businessmen in our community. Throughout itall, they have met the highest level of professionalism which has been clearly on display in their day-to-day operations. Staff members are frequently treated to executive summaries by their CEOs and conduct conference meetings to resolve problems that arise. Each “employee” has received a cubicle, a laptop and an array of office supplies with which to make his contribution to
the company.
The class has been working tirelessly, both on and off school premises. Accompanied by school faculty members, they recently ventured as a “staff” to the Maker Faire at the New York Science Center, where they learned more about 3D printing from technological and engineering experts. Just several weeks ago, in their most accomplished achievement to date, they formally submitted their company’s business registration forms to VEI officials, making 1,2,3-D Printing a viable candidate in its international competition. The entire team will travel to San Francisco to participate in the affair
this spring.
Magen David YeshivahHigh School principal, Rabbi Saul Zucker, gallantly calls these students “captains of industry” and anticipates a bright future for these sharp and savvy young minds. We wish them the best of luck as they strive to bring their business to fruition and draw international attention to their ambitious undertaking.
Pizmonimania at Yeshivat
Or Hatorah Elementary School
Every Friday,Yeshivat Or Hatorah students from Pre-1A
through third grade gather to learn the rich songs and Pizmonim that comprise a vital part of our Sephardic heritage. Led by third grade Rebbe Rabbi Moshe Houllou, the boys learn a vast array of liturgical songs which were sung by our ancestors for centuries. Rabbi Houllou focuses on a unit of songs from one Maqam, introducing the students to the study of Hazzanut. It is amazing to see how excited the boys are as they sing these precious melodies, and how our ancient musical tradition is being preserved among the Sephardic youth of today.
Councilman David Greenfield
Hosts Sukkah Gathering
Councilman David Greenfield hosted the Speaker of the New York City Council, Melissa Mark-Viverito, at a sukkah gathering at the home of Mendy Reiner, Chairman of the Renewal organization, on Sunday, October 12. Over 50 Jewish leaders were in attendance, including the heads of many community non-profit organizations, Jewish leaders and elected officials from across the city. The sukkah gathering in honor of the Speaker was a wonderful introduction to the important Jewish holiday of Sukkot and gave the speaker a unique opportunity to get to know the Jewish community on a close, personal level.
Upon the Speaker’s arrival, Councilman Greenfield introduced her to the community leaders in attendance, highlighting the important and diverse work they do in the communities of Borough Park and Midwood. Among the organizations represented were the Boro Park, Flatbush and Bensonhurst Jewish Community Councils, Masbia Soup Kitchen, Mekimi, Reach for the Stars Learning Center, and Guardians of the Sick. The festivities were joined by a half-dozen other Councilmembers, as well. Several national Jewish leaders were also in attendance, including Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents; Rabbi David Zweibel, Executive Vice President of AgudathIsrael of America; Mrs. Ruth Lichtenstein, Publisher of Hamodia; and Jeff Leb, Political Director of the Orthodox Union.
Councilman Greenfield spoke of the Speaker’s close relationship with the Jewish community, including her unwavering support for the restoration of $10 million in funding for after school Priority 5 vouchers, the City Council’s newly-expanded Autism Initiative, and her strong condemnation of the nearly 40 percent increase in anti-Semitic crimes in New York City. Greenfield also spoke ofthe Speaker’s multiple visits to the community, including a meeting with community leaders in April and several visits with Masbia and the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty to prepare and distribute food for the needy before Pesach and Rosh Hashanah.The Speaker thanked those in attendance for their support and friendship, and reiterated her advocacy for the neediest in New York City.
Councilman Greenfield hosted the Speaker in Borough Park earlier this year at a pre-Passover gathering with Yeshiva administrators to discuss pressing issues of concern to Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish community. The Speaker heard directly from school leaders to learn about the neighborhood’s need for UPK seats and increased funding to priority 5 and 7 vouchers. She immediately went to work on all of those important community objectives.
Peninim Sephardic Seminary
Starts Off With a Blast
The brand new Peninim Sephardic Seminary (PSS) opened its doors this month with classes delivered by an all-star staff which includesRabbi Eliezer Zeytouneh, Rabbi Raymond Beyda, Rabbi Moshe Lagnado, Mrs. Sara Zafrani, Mrs. Sara Haddad, Mrs. Barbara Ozeri, Mrs. Aliza Beyda and Mrs. Alese Busany. Peninim’s students were dazzled and inspired during their first month of learning, and werealso treated to a wonderful guest lecture given by Mrs. Bonnie Mansour. All this while earning college credits through PSS’ college program!
Under the direction of Rabbi Zeytouneh and Mrs. Sara Zafrani, PSS is helping develop some of our community’s finest young ladies into knowledgeable and capable women.
Peninim Sephardic Seminary will hold its Open House on Wednesday, November 12th, 8:00 PM at 1305 Gravesend Neck Rd. For more information please send email to:Sarahzafrani1@gmail.com or call 917-613-0096.
Kaplun Essay Contest 2015
The Kaplun Essay Contest offers students in grades 7 through 12 a chance to display their writing talent and win cash prizes. In each of the two levels – grades 7-9 and grades 10-12 – first prize winners receive $1,800, and the five finalists are awarded $750 each. Entrance prizes of $18 will be awarded to the first 50 essays received in each level.
Level 1 participants are to write about how Jewish values can help the writer make the world a better place. Level 2 students are asked to address what Jews of all degree of religious observance have in common that binds us together.
Entries must be received by March 6, 2015 and mailed to The Morris J. and Betty Kaplun Foundation Inc. Essay Contest Committee PO Box 234428 Great Neck, NY 11023. International entries may be emailed to essays@kaplunfoundation.org.
The Safe Foundation Presents Guide
to Building Coping Skills
Even children who grow up in stable homes with many advantages may still end up making poor choices that lead to problems with drugs, alcohol or other high-risk behaviors, while even children from dysfunctional families can grow to become successful and productive members of society. In trying to explain why some fall and others navigate safely and successfully through the maze of youth, many experts
point specifically to the quality of resilience, the ability to overcome adversity.
The American Academy of Pediatrics defines the key elements a child needs to deal with life’s challenges as the 7 C’s of Resilience. They are: competence, confidence, connection, character, control, coping and contribution.
Experts agree that one of the most important Cs is that of having good coping skills. Ideally, building this skill should be done when kids are young, but it is never too late.
Alissa Sklar, PH.D observed that her students with poor coping skills miss deadlines and class, blame others, and fall apart once the going gets tough. She notes that often these are students who, when growing up, had someone micromanaging their lives, hovering over them to pick up the pieces when things went awry.
There are numerous different kinds of coping strategies that people employ during times of hardship:
Avoidant Coping is when one turns to drugs or alcohol, or other dangerous activities, to temporarily escape challenges.
Passive Coping is distracting oneself. While distractions are effective in offering temporary relaxation, they will not necessarily help one work through the challenge that awaits him once he closes the TV, computer, or book.
Active Coping Skills: Activities such as playing an instrument and sports are healthy coping strategies, as they allow one to release pent-up energy and frustration.
Active Problem-Solving Coping Skills: Talking with a friend, family member, or therapist, and/or writing in a journal, can help one think more clearly and are the most reliable for fixable problems, as they help us actively process stressors.
Teach children healthy coping strategies by:
• Listening with empathy and without interruptions
and judgments
• Talking through problems
• Preparing them for challenges they may face by posing
hypothetical questions, such as: What would you do if
your friends were all pressuring you to do drugs?
• Guiding them to discover outlets for frustration
• Modeling active coping strategies
Note: It is important to remember that children often learn more by recovering from their social mistakes and by analyzing what they did wrong than by making the right decision the first time.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the
SAFE Foundation’s confidential, toll-free hotline, 24/7
at 1-866-569-SAFE (7233).