By Sean Dweck, President of The LEV Organization
On July 9th, more than 500 people gathered for an unforgettable evening of inspiration, community, and purpose at the LEV Organization’s summer event, hosted graciously at the beautiful home of Barbara Fallas Klaus and Shirley and Jordan Granger.
The evening was filled with powerful speakers, meaningful stories, and a shared commitment to strengthening Jewish families, supporting children, and helping individuals navigate some of life’s most difficult challenges.
The event also demonstrated something that has become part of the LEV Organization’s identity: the ability to push forward no matter the circumstances. When unexpected challenges arose surrounding the evening’s planned program, the LEV team quickly scrambled, adapted, and came together to create an incredible night that exceeded expectations. It was a true reflection of the organization itself. When challenges arise, LEV does not stop. It finds a way forward.
The Mission of LEV
The LEV Organization was founded with a simple but powerful goal: to strengthen Jewish families and help individuals and children navigate difficult moments in their lives.
LEV began by helping agunot and agunim facing the painful and complex reality of being unable to move forward from a marriage. Over the past five years, LEV has helped resolve 61 cases, with countless additional individuals and families receiving support along the way.
As the organization’s work grew, so did its mission. LEV recognized that when one person in a family is struggling, the entire family can be affected. Today, LEV serves the broader needs of Jewish individuals and families through three divisions: Shalom Bayit, LEV Youth, and Client Services.
Together, these divisions provide support, guidance, resources, and hope to people who need help moving forward.
Strengthening Marriages Before They Become Crises
At the heart of LEV’s expanded mission is its Shalom Bayit Division, led by Rabbi Ali Cohen.
Rabbi Cohen has dedicated more than 10 years to chinuch and the past five years to professional counseling. He is also the author of the bestselling book Where You End and I Begin. Through his work with LEV, Rabbi Cohen privately counsels couples, helps spouses navigate difficult situations, and provides couple mediation for those experiencing marital conflict.
His work extends beyond helping couples who are already in crisis. LEV believes that every couple can benefit from learning how to communicate better, manage disagreements, and strengthen their relationship before problems escalate.
Through weekly shalom bayit classes, private counseling, mediation, educational programs, and community events, LEV is working to create stronger marriages and healthier homes.
This work is also supported by the community’s rabbinic leadership. With the backing and guidance of rabbis who believe in the importance of strengthening Jewish homes, LEV is building a culture where couples can seek help, guidance, and support without waiting until their marriage reaches a breaking point.
The message is simple: marriage does not have to be in crisis for a couple to invest in making it stronger.
Supporting the Next Generation
LEV’s Youth Division focuses on children and teenagers, particularly those whose families are experiencing difficult circumstances.
Every child deserves to feel valued, supported, and remembered. LEV works to create positive experiences and meaningful memories through birthday and holiday gifts, special activities, programs, and opportunities that help young people feel connected to their community.
One example was LEV’s support of a 12th grade student whose graduation trip to Israel was made possible through the organization. The experience represented more than a trip. It allowed a young person to share an important milestone with peers and create memories that will last a lifetime.
These moments are a reminder that supporting children means more than helping them through difficult times. It means giving them reasons to smile, experiences to look forward to, and a community that reminds them they matter.
Being There When Families Need Help
LEV’s Client Services Division continues the organization’s original work of helping individuals and families facing complex and difficult situations.
The division provides support and resources based on each family’s unique needs, including assistance navigating challenging family circumstances, support programs, holiday assistance, and other services that help individuals move forward with greater dignity and hope.
LEV’s goal is to meet people where they are and help them take their next step forward.
The organization also works to ensure that those it serves have access to qualified professionals and appropriate resources, including counseling, social work, mediation, and other forms of support when needed.
A Night of Powerful Voices
The evening brought together speakers who each offered a different perspective on family, resilience, and hope.
President of The LEV Organization, Sean Dweck, opened the evening with a brief but powerful speech highlighting the organizations recent successes and outlining the work that lies ahead. The message was clear: The momentum is real, and there is no slowing down now.
Rabbi Joey Haber spoke about what it truly means to be a hero. He reminded the audience that heroes are not always found in headlines. Sometimes, a hero is the single mother who works tirelessly to care for her children or the father who continues to support and be there for his children even when a marriage unfortunately does not work out. True heroism, he explained, can be found in the everyday acts of sacrifice, responsibility, and love that parents demonstrate for their families. He also shared that, in his eyes, the LEV Organization itself is a hero for being there for individuals when they are in some of the darkest and most difficult places in their lives, standing beside them when they need support the most.
Rabbi Ali Cohen spoke about the importance of creating peaceful, healthy homes and the work being done through LEV’s Shalom Bayit Division to help couples strengthen their marriages and relationships.
Adina Kamkhatchi, founder of Adina Eden Jewels, delivered an especially inspiring and personal message. Having experienced some of these challenges herself, she spoke from a place of firsthand understanding and reminded the audience of the strength and resilience that can emerge from difficult experiences.
Politician Joey Saban offered a particularly meaningful perspective as someone who personally experienced the challenges of growing up while his parents faced marital issues. His story demonstrated that the struggles a child experiences at home do not have to define their future. Despite the challenges he faced as a child, Joey did not allow his family’s circumstances to stop him from becoming the person he is today. His story served as a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting children and families through difficult times, while also recognizing the strength and potential that exists within every child.
The LEV HASHRA’AH Heart of Inspiration Award
One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the LEV HASHRA’AH Heart of Inspiration Award to Zevi Samet, the all-time leading scorer in Yeshiva University history.
The award was created to recognize individuals who serve as positive role models and sources of inspiration, particularly for the next generation. Zevi was recognized for the example he sets through dedication, perseverance, hard work, and the pursuit of excellence.
Looking Ahead
The July 9th event was more than a single evening. It was a reflection of how far LEV has come and how much work remains ahead.
In just five years, 61 cases have been resolved, changing the lives of individuals and families. But the work of LEV cannot be measured only in numbers.
It is measured in the couple who finds a way to communicate again.
It is measured in the family that receives support during a difficult time.
It is measured in the child who feels remembered and valued.
And it is measured in the individuals who find hope when they thought there was nowhere else to turn.
With three divisions working together, Shalom Bayit, LEV Youth, and Client Services, LEV continues to expand its reach and strengthen its ability to support the community.
The July 9th event showed what can happen when a community comes together with a shared purpose. Even when circumstances change and challenges arise, LEV continues to push forward.
Because the mission remains the same: to strengthen Jewish families, support our youth, help individuals in need, and bring hope to those who need it most.
LEV is always looking for people who want to make a difference. Whether you are interested in volunteering, supporting our work, or simply want to learn more about how you can get involved, we invite you to reach out. And if you or someone you know is facing a difficult family or relationship situation, or you have questions about how LEV can help, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Reach out to us at info@thelev.org or call +1 (732) 320-2617.