Special Election for NY’s 22nd Senate District Set for May 20^th

by Joey C Saban and Sari J Setton

In a historic move, Sam Sutton, one of the Sephardic community’s respected leaders and long-time advocate, has officially launched his campaign for New York State Senate in the 22nd District, seeking to fill the seat vacated by Senator Simcha Felder. The special election will take place on Tuesday, May 20th, and could mark a monumental moment: the first time a member of the Sephardic community would serve in the New York State Senate.

Sutton’s candidacy is more than a political run – it is a powerful statement about representation, community empowerment, and a long-overdue voice for a growing and vibrant constituency. As Sutton put it in his announcement, “Given our community’s growth and needs, we deserve a representative who is deeply rooted in our community and understands its dynamics.”

A Proven Civic and Communal Leader

A lifelong Brooklyn resident, Sam Sutton’s decades of leadership and advocacy stretch across civic, educational, and humanitarian spheres. He served over 30 years on the board of Sephardic Bikur Holim (SBH), including five years as President, helping grow the organization into a multidivisional social service center.

Sam also co-founded and is the President of the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF), the political and public policy arm of the Sephardic Jewish community, and has played a central role in securing government resources and legislative support for key community needs.

His resume also includes supporting his wife Nancy when she founded the New York Cancer Center. He also was a founding board member of the SAFE Foundation. Sam also was privileged to serve as a Trustee at NYU Langone Hospital. 

An Advocate for Education and Jewish Continuity

Education has long been at the heart of Sutton’s public work. Sam was chairman of the education committee at the Sephardic High School and shortly after chaired their fundraising committee as well. A graduate of Yeshiva of Flatbush (67’) and Yeshiva University (71’), he was nominated as a Trustee to CUNY Board of  Trustees by Governor Pataki and served from 2006 to 2012. During his tenure Sam helped hire the Presidents of Brooklyn and City College. He is also the co-founder and current chairman of Teach NYS, an organization committed to securing government support for non-public schools. 

In 1973, Sutton ,along with four other young men, founded the Sephardic Torah Learning Center, which was eventually brought over to Shaare Zion by former President David Cohen.

Sam along with a few other community leaders, including Harry Adjmi, relaunched Ozar Hatorah NY in 2017, helping transfer over 3,200 children in France from public schools into yeshivot -a bold, international effort in Jewish continuity and education.

 A Humanitarian with Global Impact

While his civic accomplishments are impressive, Sam and Nancy are equally admired for their quiet, personal acts of compassion. Sam and Nancy were likely the first Sephardic family to become foster parents, after going through a 3-month training program. They opened their home to 14 foster children, including one with special needs who lived with them for 18 months and became like a sixth child. 

In 2005, in partnership with American Jewish World Service, Sam led a humanitarian mission to Senegal to launch a development project focused on clean water access and sustainable agriculture. Earlier in his life, in 1973, Sutton took part in a mission facilitated by the Nativ Division of the Mossad to the Soviet Union, countering false propaganda against Israel as well as facilitating individual efforts to escape the USSR. 

A Moderate Voice at a Critical Time

If elected, Sutton would bring a much-needed moderate voiceto the State Senate – someone capable of bridging divides and working pragmatically on behalf of all constituents. In a political climate often defined by polarization, Sutton’s balanced, solutions-oriented approach would bring stability, clarity, and credibility to Albany.

Sutton’s top legislative priorities reflect both local concerns and core Jewish values. Among other community priorities, he is committed to:

• Fighting anti-Semitism with zero tolerance, protecting Jewish students and institutions across New York.

• Unwavering support for Israel, ensuring state partnerships and moral backing for the Jewish state.

• Delivering increased funding to critical institutions like SBH, The Sephardic Community Center, SAFE, and the community’s Yeshivahs, ensuring they continue to thrive and serve all generations.

• Funding (not defunding) the Police and fighting against the current Bail Reform

A Community Milestone

For the Sephardic community in particular, Sam Sutton’s campaign represents more than a candidacy – it’s a chance to make history. After decades of growth, contribution, and community-building, the opportunity to elect one of our own to such a high level of state government sends a clear message: our voice matters.

“I believe it’s time for me to contribute directly from within government,” Sutton said. “We’ve come so far as a community – this is our moment to take the next step.” As May 20th approaches, the momentum behind Sutton’s campaign is growing, fueled by grassroots support and the recognition that this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure representation that truly reflects the community’s values, heritage, and future aspirations.

Victor Cohen

A group of community members gathered for a special dinner hosted by OP Development on March 25th honoring the Mayor of Jerusalem, Mr. Moshe Lion. This intimate evening was designed to strengthen the bonds between our community and Israel, and especiallywith Jerusalem. It was an awe-inspiring night, that included worthy charitable projects in Jerusalem and words of hizukfrom Rabbi Eli Mansour.

For generations, our community has held a deep spiritual and emotional connection to Israel. We direct our prayers to Jerusalem. We visit when we can. We send our children there to learn in yeshiva after graduatinghigh school, allowing them to connect with the Land of Israel in a profound way. Following the events of October 7th, our community stepped up to the plate to support Israel. We joined solidarity missions, prayed for the hostages and for the Israeli soldiers, and supplied significant financial and humanitarian aid. We reconfirmed that our ties to the land and the people of Israel are real and enduring. Our community has become increasingly more connected with the land itself, and many now think of Israel as their second home.

But for many, the dream of having a home in Israel has felt distant. Where would we find the same sense of community like we have in Brooklyn, Deal, Panama, or Mexico? How do we carry our unity, traditions, and values into our second home – and ensure they grow even stronger? In the past, the idea of owning in Israel, despite being appealing, did not seem practical.

Today, through the dedicated efforts of our community to foster deep connections and build strong networks in Israel, that distant dream is becoming a reality. With a growing number of thoughtfully-planned projects designed around our values and lifestyle, home ownership in Israel is no longer just an idea – it’s a tangible, accessible opportunity to extend our community and spirit into a new home.

Dinner with the Mayor of Jerusalem

The dinner with Mayor Moshe Lion, themed “Building Bridges Between Jerusalem and Our Community,” was a celebration of shared values and forward vision. Held at Castell’s, the event was attended by prominent community members committed to deepening our connection with Israel, all of whom had the opportunity to meet the mayor personally.

Before becoming mayor, Moshe Lion played an influential role in major infrastructure and cultural projects across the country. His work in Jerusalem has focused on bridging the city’s diverse communities, boosting economic growth, and advancing large-scale urban renewal initiatives. Known for his pragmatic approach and deep commitment to the city’s unique character, Lion continues to champion projects that aim to make Jerusalem a thriving, inclusive, and globally connected city.

Inspiring speeches were deliveredby Harry Adjmi, Sammy Ayal, Menachem Lubinsky – an esteemed representative from the Har HaZeitim revitalization project, Rabbi Eli Mansour, and Mayor Moshe Lion.

Harry Adjmi spoke about the unwavering support and mutual assistance that define our community, highlighting how we always stand by one another. “This is what we do. This is who we are. We care so much about our community and about each other.”

When Harry spoke, he recognized that many refer to New York as the greatest city in the world. He disagreed, however, believing the world’s greatest city is actually Jerusalem. “The man who leads it,” Harry remarked, referring to Moshe Lion, “will forever be a friend to the Syrian Jewish community.”

Harry closed by referencing the strong connection between our community and Israel. “We are connected through the spirit of life in Israel, something that will continue forever and ever.” Then, he introduced the founder of OP, Sammy Ayal.

Sammy reaffirmed the important goal of the night. “Tonight is all about our community connecting with the Mayor of Jerusalem and connecting the Syrian community – one unlike any other – with Jerusalem – a city unlike any other.”

He demonstrated this by pointing out that Jerusalem is mentioned in Tanach 669 times. It is at the center of our prayers, our hopes, and our dreams as a nation. It is a place that holds, for us as Jews, unmatched historical significance. It also is significant for our future as Jews. Sammy concluded by quoting from Pirke Avot, where Rabbi Shimon answers what is the best trait that a person can acquire – “Haroeh et hanolad” – one who sees what the future holds. “The future is in Jerusalem.”

Menachem Lubinsky, a leader of the Har HaZeitim revitalization project, then shared details of his important work. Har HaZeitim is the final resting place of the Ramban, Menachem Begin, Eliezer ben-Yehuda, and the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, to name a few. Har HaZeitim was significantly damaged during the Jordanian occupation (1948-67). Lubinsky hopes the project will preserve this sacred site for generations to come by building a new visitor’s center.

Rabbi Mansour spoke next and focused on the special status Jerusalem has compared to the rest of the world, even to the rest of Israel. “Rambam writes that there is Jerusalem, and then the rest of Israel. The world began in Jerusalem. Hashem took dirt from the Temple Mount and created Adam.Noah brought his korban in Jerusalem. Abraham was tested with the Akedah in Jerusalem.”

After the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash Israel lost its kedusha, but that is not the case with Jerusalem. “It will be eternal.”

Rabbi Mansour introduced Mayor Lion. Before beginning his speech, the mayor sang in Hebrew. He underscored his appreciation for the Syrian community and how grateful he was to get to know the community better. He reiterated that there is no city like Jerusalem throughout the world. He acknowledged the efforts to restore Har HaZeitim.

It was a beautiful night, and an expression of love for the land of Israel, especially Jerusalem.

Next Year in Jerusalem

“At the end of every seder, year after year, we traditionally say, ‘Next year in Jerusalem.’ It’s a hopeful declaration we make each Passover, envisioning the day we will be in Jerusalem.” By strengthening the ties between our community and the leadership in Jerusalem, as well as by providing a viable pathway to owning in Israel, our community has laid out the roadmap. It is up to us now to take the leap and find ourselves “next year in Jerusalem.”

ELLEN GELLER KAMARAS

“The huge shift that I made after ten years in the corporate arena to the yeshiva world was good for my Jewish soul. I feel like this is what Hashem wants me to do.”  – Tali Yaakov

Please meet Talia Yaakov, better known as Tali. She simply exudes positive energy and passion.

After a career of ten years as an optician for a global retailer of prescription eyewear, Tali had a “quarter life crisis.” She pivoted and created a new profession for herself as a dance teacher, which also greatly improved her work-life balance.

Tali is not the first family member to appear in this column. Her older sister, Shany Sharabany, a nurse practitioner, was featured during the summer of 2021.  She was a front-line hero during the pandemic.

Tali’s sister-in-law, Adina Yaakov, was featured in the February 2024 Woman to Woman column and is a registered dietician nutritionist. Her column in Community, Once Upon a Thyme, is a favorite of many shaatras.

A Little History

Tali was born in Flatbush to Shaul and Stella Dagmy, both Lebanese immigrants. They worked hard to establish themselves in the United States. Tali is the youngest in her family, with three older brothers and her older sister Shany. The siblings are very close.

Tali attended Shulamith Elementary School and Machon Yakov L’Bnos, Manhattan high school  for girls, whose principal is Rebbetzin Ruthy Asaf.

She was an outgoing child and she blossomed in social settings, including at school.  Tali enjoyed her relationships with her teachers.

“I was always that loud student.  In my yearbook, they referenced me as ‘the one who can be found singing and dancing up and down the halls.’ I received the Spirit Award in eighth grade for my influential positive energy. My favorite part of the day was always gym class – I was naturally athletic and loved sports.”

During her grade school and high school years, Tali performed and flourished in her roles in plays, dances, and skits and she attended dance classes with her friends.  She started crafting dances as early as fourth grade with her classmates. 

Tali continued to use her talents in student government and in helping with the sixth-grade production when she was fourteen.

“My earliest memory of dancing is when, as a little girl, I would hold my father’s hand during Friday night Kiddush and dance while he sang Shalom Aleichem.  Dancing is something I must do. The rhythm gets to me.”

Post High School

After high school, Tali studied at Machon Seminary in Boro Park and Shaare Bina, also in Brooklyn.  She also enrolled in NYC College of Technology and became a NYS licensed optician and dispensed glasses and contact lenses.

Tali describes herself as energetic, positive, loud, outgoing, focused, and regimented.  She likes to have fun, too. She is warm, smart, and is always growing and expanding her toolbox.

Tali met her naseeb, Yoseph Yaakov, who is four years older, through mutual friends.  Two friends living in Israel told her about a Sephardic kollel student living in in Brooklyn. It was true hashgacha pratit!  A shadchanit arranged for the two to meet.  They got along immediately. They both share the ability to relate well and to connect with others.  Yoseph is a yeshiva rebbe and a youth rabbi on Shabbat, and is also a social worker.   The couple have three children and consider themselves blessed to live in a wonderful community.

The Pivot

Tali was thriving at her job at LensCrafters and even met celebrities when she worked in Soho.

Covid hit and the world shut down in March 2020. Tali was furloughed from her position at LensCrafters.  She was itching to do something meaningful during her time off. While her daughter was in day camp, Tali offered to come in once a week and teach dance and sports to the campers.  The camp director was immediately impressed by Tali’s energy and camp vibe, and after the first day she invited Tali to return for the rest of the season.  Since then, Tali has taught in camp every summer.

“I was that girl at weddings that danced and danced and didn’t stop. Over the years, I would attend people’s parties, mostly bat mitzvahs, and everyone would come over and tell me that I should teach dance.  But the timing wasn’t right when I finished seminary.”

In the fall of 2021, Tali returned to LensCrafters.  The following summer, she asked for two days a week off to work in camp. At the end of the summer, Tali realized that she didnot want to go back to her optician position in the City.

“Although I liked the corporate world and the professional aspect, I realized I enjoyed the yeshiva world and wanted something more fulfilling. The yeshiva environment was good for my soul.”

Tali Reinvents Herself

Tali turned her passion for dancing, her positive energy, and her ability to inspire others into a new career.  Her new profession and livelihood give her the flexibility and work-life balance to be home with her children when they get off the school bus.  It helps her to feel fulfilled and gives her life more meaning and a sense of purpose. 

“I love bringing happiness and energy and unifying all girls whether they can or cannot dance. I enjoy bringing joy and spreading joy!  My husband supports me in all my decisions and is my biggest cheerleader.”

After leaving her optician job, Tali secured a job teaching math to sixth grade yeshiva students.  She likes to have fun with her students while maintaining discipline and a healthy social and emotional environment in her classroom.  No bullying or shaming is permitted in Mrs. Yaakov’s classes.  Students must respect each other as well as the teacher.  “I strive to gain my students’ trust and teach the kids good habits for the future.”

Tali’s children love to dance and even her almost two-year-old child is now dancing.  “Music is always on in my house.”

Her eleven-year-old daughter pitches in at night with the younger ones when Tali is teaching a class.

A Range of Students

Her fitness and dance students come from word of mouth.  Tali teaches Zumba and Pilates two mornings a week and she ensures her students use every muscle in their bodies. She also does girls’ dance parties and senior exercise classes with lots of stretching.   Tali started out as an assistant at bat mitzvah dance parties and advanced to running her own.

Recently, Tali started doing exercises with special needs girls once a week at theelementary school division at IVDU School for Special Education. The occupational therapist complimented Tali on how therapeutically beneficial her exercise routines are.

Tali is always expanding her skill set and knowledge base.  After giving birth to her third child, she enrolled in a fitness center that offered classes for women and she incorporated what she learned into her own programs and events. 

Nachat

At a recent event,one of the girls told Tali that she never gets up to dance. With Tali’s encouragement the girl took the leap to participate, and dance she did! The young girl was so proud of herself.  Tali felt so gratified that she was able to help that girl go from a non-participant to an active participant, and to experience the joy of dancing. “I feel like this is what Hashem wants me to do.”

The following story perfectly captures Tali’s passion.

“I was listening to a podcast interview with Benny Friedman, and they asked him how he knew that he was supposed to be a singer. He answered that it’s something he can’t NOT do. That really resonated with me. For me, dancing is a calling, something I can’t NOT do. It’s a part of who I am at my core.”

Connect with Tali at Mrsyaakov@gmail.com with or by text at 917-674-0484.

Ellen Geller Kamaras, CPA/MBA, is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach.  Her coaching specialties include life, career, and dating coaching.  Ellen is active in her community and is currently the Acting President of Congregation Bnai Avraham in Brooklyn Heights.  She can be contacted at ellen@lifecoachellen.com (www.lifecoachellen.com).