Charging for products and services has become a way of life. Today, many people no longer carry cash when purchasing clothing, appliances, or everyday items; instead, they rely on credit cards. For some, this offers convenience and security, while others use credit to make purchases they may not yet be able to afford outright. The modern credit card is largely a 20th-century innovation that developed gradually through a series of financial and technological advancements.

Early Store Credit

Before general-purpose credit cards existed, many department stores and gas stations offered their own charge accounts in the early 20th century. These accounts allowed customers to make purchases on credit, but only within a single business. Because they could not be used elsewhere, these systems are known as closed-loop credit. While limited in scope, they laid the foundation for broader credit systems by familiarizing consumers with the concept of buying now and paying later.

The First Bank Charge System

One of the earliest bank-operated credit systems was introduced in 1946 by John Biggins of the Flatbush National Bank in New York. He developed the “Charge-It” program, which enabled customers to make purchases at participating local merchants without using cash.

Under this system, merchants deposited sales slips at the bank, which reimbursed them and then billed the customer. Although innovative, the program was geographically limited to a small area of Brooklyn and did not yet function as a modern credit card system. Instead, it is best understood as an early bank-mediated charge system.

The First Multi-Merchant Card

The first widely accepted card that could be used at multiple businesses was introduced in 1950 by Frank McNamara and his partners through the Diners Club. According to a well-known account, McNamara conceived the idea after forgetting his wallet at a restaurant, though this story is often considered partly anecdotal.

The Diners Club card allowed customers to pay for meals and travel-related expenses at a variety of participating establishments. Unlike modern credit cards, however, it required the balance to be paid in full each month, making it a charge card rather than a revolving credit card. Nevertheless, it marked a major step forward by introducing a multi-merchant payment system.

The Rise of Modern Credit Cards

A major turning point came in 1958 when Bank of America launched the BankAmericard in California. This program is widely regarded as the first large-scale revolving credit card system, allowing customers to carry a balance and pay interest over time. BankAmericard later evolved into Visa, one of the world’s largest payment networks.

That same year, American Express introduced its own charge card, initially focused on travel and entertainment expenses. In 1966, a consortium of banks formed what would become Mastercard, further expanding the credit card industry and increasing competition.

During this period, cards also transitioned from paper to plastic. American Express introduced the first plastic card in 1959, and the more durable format quickly became the industry standard.

Technological Advancements

By the 1970s, credit cards incorporated magnetic stripe technology, developed and standardized with major contributions from IBM. The magnetic stripe allowed card information to be stored and read electronically, enabling faster processing and reducing errors.

In the following decades, cards were enhanced with embedded microchips using EMV technology, which significantly improved security by encrypting transaction data and reducing fraud. These innovations made credit cards more reliable and secure, supporting their widespread global adoption.

Contactless and Modern Payments

In recent years, credit card technology has continued to evolve with the introduction of contactless payment systems. These systems use radio-frequency identification (RFID) or near-field communication (NFC) to allow users to complete transactions by simply tapping their card on a compatible terminal.

In addition to physical cards, digital payment methods have become increasingly common. Mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay enable users to store card information securely on their smartphones and make payments without presenting a physical card. These systems often use tokenization, replacing sensitive card details with secure digital substitutes to enhance security.

Beyond Plastic: The Future of Credit Cards

The credit card has evolved from simple store-based credit systems into a complex and essential global financial tool through a series of major developments over the 20th and early 21st centuries. Early store-specific charge accounts were followed by bank-mediated systems such as the program introduced by John Biggins, and later by multi-merchant charge cards like those developed by Diners Club. The introduction of revolving credit by institutions such as Bank of America, which led to the creation of Visa, marked a defining shift in how consumers access and use credit. Subsequent technological innovations, including magnetic stripe cards developed with major contributions from IBM, followed by microchip-enabled cards and contactless payment systems, have continued to improve the speed, convenience, and security of transactions.

Today, credit cards remain a central part of the global economy, but their role has expanded beyond the physical plastic card. Increasingly, credit cards function as the underlying infrastructure behind digital payment systems, including mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. As a result, consumers may not always see or handle a physical card, yet the credit system it represents continues to power a significant share of transactions worldwide.

Victor Cohen

            Our community is known for treasuring its heritage. We are strongly connected to our past. Many of us are named for family members and we know our family tree. We learn in school and from our parents and grandparents about how our families arrived here throughout the 20th century and even earlier. We intentionally practice our family and community traditions and honor our heritage.

            Hillel Yeshiva’s Seventh-Grade Heritage Fair is a celebration of our community’s values. The heritage program helps students learn where they come from, when their families arrived in America, and how they reached where they are today.

            The program originated over 25 years ago with Mrs. Susan Rishty, and is now run by Mrs. Sally Cohen. Mrs. Cohen teaches Sephardic Heritage both to seventh graders and high school students.

A Year of Research

            Throughout the year, the students explore their unique family histories. They research their names, learn about the etymology of their name’s meaning and why they were given those specific names. Students look at their family lineage, tracing their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and potentially further in a vertical fashion. Horizontally, they track their cousins, great-uncles, and distant relatives. The students also interview older family members to learn directly from past generations about their family story.

            The culmination of the students’ research is celebrated at the Heritage Fair, where they proudly display their family’s background and celebrate their traditions. Each student gets a patch with their family’s primary country of origin. The largest number of patches were Syrian. Others included Egypt, Israel, and Europe.

Rabbis Katz and Hanon

Rabbi Katz, the Head of School, spoke briefly about the role of the lechem hapanim and how it ties into the importance of our shared and unique traditions. Why are there 12 loaves of the lechem hapanim? One loaf is for every tribe of Israel, of course. But what is the significance of the lechem hapanim ?

When the Jewish people are in Jerusalem for the shalosh regalim, they look at the lechem hapanim, and they see the 12 loaves. Rabbi Katz explained how important this was, as they saw each tribe of Benei Yisrael received a separate representation. Every tribe of Israel is different, and has a different role to play. “Yehuda is different from Levi, for instance.”

Despite their differences, however, all of the tribes all have one thing in common, and that is their devotion to Hashem. Yes, some factions have different minhagim, which is fine. But when it comes to what is important, we are and will always continue to be united. Rabbi Katz applauded how, year after year, the Heritage Fair continues to help to preserve each student’s family’s unique minhagim. He encouraged the students to learn more about where they come from, to closely embrace their traditions, and to cherish their heritage. “Go over the tunes that you sing at the table, go through some of the things that your families have done – everyone has their own story about something – let’s celebrate it.”

Rabbi Ike Hanon expressed his admiration, watching this night come together year after year. “There’s nothing more important than our heritage,” he said, and emphasized that for the students, this is just the start of a lifelong process.

Mrs. Sally Cohen

Mrs. Sally Cohen spoke next. She welcomed everyone to the 2026 Heritage Fair, and thanked everyone who helped make it happen. She also thanked her father, Mr. Charles Saka, a”h. “My Dad would always say, ‘We are standing on the shoulders of giants who came before us, and it’s our responsibility to build towards the next generation.’” Mrs. Cohen also thanked her mother, Mrs. Brenda Saka, who is also passionate about their family heritage and has researched an impressive family tree, which goes back many generations.

Mrs. Cohen expressed how grateful she felt that the students grew to care about and appreciate their family histories. This year’s theme was “Maaseh Avot Siman Le’Banim.” Mrs. Cohen pointed out how much of tonight’s success was the result of the diligent work and enthusiasm from the parents and grandparents of these students, teaching them and encouraging them to learn more about where they come from. “I can’t thank you enough for passing this message along, and bringing meaning to the work we have done.”

She then described how the students learned about their countries of origin, noting the languages spoken in those countries, the foods eaten, the culture, and the number of Jews remaining there today. There are no remaining Jews in many of these places today.

The Work Accomplished

As an important part of the project, the students spent time talking to their elderly family members, and learning the stories of their relatives’ past and how they arrived in America. The students made family trees, often going back over four generations or more. Some students found out they were related to each other! Each student’s work was displayed at their own station, where they depicted their family trees in unique ways, connecting what they learned about their families and incorporating that information into the tree. Some did so through depicting an actual tree, others chose to use grids, and one student, Jonah Dweck, draped his tri-board station with three flags –  the Colombian flag, the Syrian flag, and the Mexican flag. Jill Gindi turned her station into a 3-D popout tree. Shelly Cohen built a life-size boat with different flags and photos of each of her family members who came here by boat. Students stepped up to the plate to use creativity and ingenuity to display their roots.

On the walls, the students showed what they learned about their names, how their name relates to who they are, and how it helps them connect to themselves. One wall was dedicated to innovations and immigration. What was invented the year the student’s family reached America?

Family Treasures

In Founder’s Hall, each student had the opportunity to display a treasured family artifact, imbued with family history and significance. This year, a pair of cousins, Evelyn Sakkal and Samantha Cohen, included a nearly 200-year-old family shawl, known as the “Missry family shawl” as their artifact.

With the display of the Missry shawl this year, many distant cousins of the Missry family  pulled out pictures of the many family occasions on which they wore this precious family shawl. Sarina Roffe, an author, genealogist, and historian, and is well-versed in the traditions and history of our community, was also in attendance.

Carrying the Torch

The Heritage Fair is important because it helps solidify the link between generations. The students at this year’s fair learned much about where they come from, the journeys that prior generations took to get here, the stories that they took with them, and in turn, the students learned about themselves. It is now their job to continue the examples set by the prior generations, and to carry the torch forward and into the future. Through the Heritage Fair, and other programs of our community – the Sephardic Heritage Museum, the Sephardic Heritage Videos, and more – we ensure that those who came before us are never forgotten, and are always with us as we take our next steps forward.

In 2005 on the heels of a parent support group, Imagine Academy was born. Jane and Sam Sutton invited Wendy and David Jemal, Susie and Marvin Dweck, Heather and Jeffrey Deutsch, and Rebecca and Joe Harary on their boat for an evening out. The couples bonded, planned, and formed our school. Hope was secured.

Rebecca recalls, “That night we decided to open our own school. I knew that these parents had everything at stake, and because of that, we could create something better than any of the mediocre or long-distance options out there. Everyone pulled their weight, and no one dropped the ball. These parents spearheaded every decision from the teachers to the desks, and even the crayons. Through blood, sweat, and lots of tears, Imagine Academy soon opened a haven for 12 students and 24 very grateful parents.”

Trailblazing in Methodologies

It’s been 21 years since then, and Imagine Academy has truly thrived. From a small house on East 7^th street, to a larger and more spacious location on 14^th street, the student body grew from 12, to now almost 50 students. At the time, there were two very different methodologies to educating a child with autism or other developmental disabilities. ABA, one of the most widely recognized and commonly used approaches today, is implemented. Additionally, Floortime (also known as DIR), which is a developmental and engagement-based approach, is a key component. Very few schools are trained to use this highly specialized methodology and almost no schools employ both. For the parents, who wanted every possible therapy for their kids, it was an impossible choice.

Elisa Chrem, the principal, recalls, “Imagine Academy was the first school in the country that opened using both therapies, and while it was an evolution to blend the two, it was amazing because the same child might use Floortime for certain skills, and ABA for other skills. When I have a student in front of me, I ask, ‘How can I support this child at this moment? What’s the best tool in my tool box to accomplish that?’ The answers come with time and experience, which we pride our staff on having.”

Currently, Imagine’s building is wonderful and warm but is also too small. We need more space to teach life skills, reading, science, math, art and music. The amazing staff is constantly training, growing, and self-reflecting, focusing on helping kids succeed at their highest academic potential. The current capacity of the school is 50 students, because with all the staff and specialty therapists, a class with six students is difficult to navigate with 12 people in the room.

Multi-faceted Program

Speech therapist Rebecca Mosseri Haber explains, “What makes Imagine so special is that they support the family as a whole, in addition to the individual student.” Ginette Gindi Tawil, veteran Imagine Academy staff, continues, “Every day we are teaching the kids essential skills, like how to brush their teeth, recognize and write letters and numbers, cooking, vocational skills such as shopping at the supermarket, and even swim lessons every week in the Sephardic Community Center. The teachers are deeply committed to each child, making sure that all their needs are met, including any challenges families may face at home. We also take the kids on overnight trips, which gives both the families and kids a break, and helps them build confidence and social skills in a fun and supportive environment. I even had one of my students, Aryeh, march in my wedding. It made me so happy and was the most special part of the whole night.”

Marcelle Shasho, another staff member, explains, “As teachers, we are constantly asking, ‘How can we make these kids’ lives better?’ We meet every day to work on goals for each child, and the meeting of those goals. Each student is an individual and we create programs based on their profile. Students work together to improve their relationship skills and we bring siblings in for workshops to target relationships within the families as well. Most importantly, we provide FloorTime coaching and support to our families to help our parents overcome any barriers to building a wonderful relationship with their child. We also have school partnerships with Magen David and Flatbush Yeshivah students. This encourages our kids to integrate and interact with students from these programs. When the students come they are impressed with how much fun and interaction they can have with our students. Imagine is a very warm place to be and to work.”

Raquel Savdie, the Assistant Principal stated, “We have done groundbreaking work here, raising the bar and becoming a model for other educators attempting to start neurodiverse schools! From the minute the children arrive, until the minute they leave, it’s an incredibly productive time. And yet… we are bursting at the seams. We need an adequately sized gym, so they can play basketball. We need space for parent functions, thematic events, and schoolwide happenings. Currently, we partner with the Sephardic Community Center, and they are fantastic, but it’s not like having the space on our home court. We’d like to offer more after school services, community outreach, a post 21 program, and possibly even residences for the older kids. We’d love a garden and outdoor space, but most importantly, we want to accept more kids! The environment plays a big part in education. When we moved from East 7th to East 14^th, there was a giant leap in our level of care. Picture yourself trying to cook a whole Shabbat or holiday meal in a tiny kitchen with one oven. You can do it, but you would be so much more productive in a state-of-the-art kitchen, right?”

Life Changing for Students and Families

Elyssa Beroukhim has been sending her nine-year-old son to Imagine’s summer camp in Deal, New Jersey. She explains, “Imagine literally changed my life. So many families had nowhere to turn in the summer, and this program was fabulous. It mixes fun and structure, so they don’t lose any progress made during the school year. I also started sending him from the city to Brooklyn for Imagine’s Sunday program. For us, Sundays were not fun; Sundays were stressful. Imagine took him to a trampoline park, the movies, and bowling, and they showed him how to enjoy each outing. His teachers were able to acclimate him to activities that I would never have attempted on my own, all the while sending updates and pictures, keeping me in the loop. It makes me feel so good because when I’m out with my family, I know my son is out, too, and having a great day. I’m so grateful.”

Over the last twenty years, Imagine Academy’s staff has established themselves as superstars in their field. The emotional roller coaster that these families have to endure is difficult, to say the least, but Imagine wants to partner up with them, and lighten the load. Many students refer to the school as their “second home.” Abie Levi, the Director of the Motor Department explains, “The program that we are using is key to development, and a way of working things out in a gentle and supportive manner. It is unique to Brooklyn, and to all of NYC. Here, you are offered the best care for your child, close to home, and without financial insecurity. Imagine was created for the community, by the community. We want to offer it all to you and in a bigger and better way. In a new environment, we can create divisions, levels and departments, ‘schools within schools,’ if you will. We have the ability to service these kids, and we are good at it!”

Larger Facility Is Critical

David Jemal, one of the original founders, continues, “Our community’s support of Imagine Academy is crucial to its success and alleviates a very severe burden on many families affected by autism in our community. We have outgrown our current location and currently have a long waiting list of students who we’ve had to deny admission due to space constraints. It is crucial that Imagine purchase a new and much larger facility, which would improve our program ever more, and which will be a shining example of professional education and care of these special children.”

Rebecca Harary continues, “Every ounce of space is being used and every moment is productive at Imagine Academy, but there is no cure for autism. As our community grows, our needs grow. Our hope is to be there for every single child that can draw joy, knowledge, and hope from a school like ours.

To donate, please visit our website www.imagineacademy.org or call 718-376-8882.

Frieda Schweky

Let’s be honest – as moms, most of us dread those two to two-and-a-half weeks between school ending and camp beginning. It’s not that we don’t love our kids or want to be around them, it’s simply the lack of structure that can be really challenging, for everybody.

During Covid, when my two oldest were little, I made a schedule that we’d loosely follow every day. We called it Mommy School. I wrote in big letters on construction paper: 9am wake up, brush teeth, make beds. 9:30 tabletop toys – Lego, Magna-Tiles, etc. 10am coloring and crafts. 10:30 story time. 11am solo relaxing time. And so on. It gave us all something to hold onto when the days felt endless. And it worked! My kids still ask for Mommy School sometimes. It is a great model for any long stretch without school.

But now that they’re older and there are more of them, b”H, break looks a little different. Since we live in Deal, those weeks between school and camp we are spent mostly at the pool, the beach, or with playdates, and we are mentally preparing for the shift from school to camp. We slow down – sleeping later, waking later, loosening the routine a little, and letting everyone breathe easier before the summer really kicks in.

Overall, we try to embrace those in-between weeks for what they are – a break from the normal, a chance to reset, and a little runway to get excited for camp. I asked community moms how they handle it. Let’s hear from them.

Jaclyn Bailey

Jaclyn Bailey is a mom of three (ages 9, 7, and 5). “Those two weeks are full of pressure, especially for parents who are working – and especially for parents who can’t afford to sign their kids up for extra programs because camp is already so expensive.” Jaclyn has tried the pre-camp programs, but they seem to be hit or miss. Her go-to solution is the round robin: four or five families rotate, each mom takes one day, and the kids have somewhere to be every day of that gap week.

“For younger kids it works really well. It gets challenging when you have more than one kid to factor in.” More than anything, though, Jaclyn believes in downtime. Her kids are constantly telling her they never have time to just play with their toys or do a project. “There’s so much pressure to go, do, take them somewhere, spend money, and make plans,” she says. “But I really think giving kids downtime is meaningful. When we can give them that, it matters.”

Betty Hassoun

Betty Hassoun has the round robin down to a science. A group of girls rotates houses for the two gap weeks – each mom takes one day, the kids rotate through, and everyone only has to be “on” once.

“It was so much fun! Pre-camp and post-camp programs are another fortune – over $150 a day. It’s crazy!”

Rozan Laudon

Rozan Laudon turns the in-between into something her kids actually look forward to all year. Every gap week, the family does a road trip – and her children are involved from the start, putting in requests, voting on activities, and reminiscing about past trips long after they’re over.

“It’s the highlight of our year, even more than trips where we fly somewhere,” she says. For the weeks they’re home, they build a bucket list together as a family – a mix of day trips, new parks, and at-home activities – so everyone feels heard and excited. She also keeps a loose schedule to manage expectations: one big activity day, one smaller day with errands, and repeat. Simple structure, big payoff.

Adina Antar

Adina Antar sees those weeks as prime time. “I’d rather spend those days with my kids than send them off for more activities,” she says. She takes a few days off from work and uses them for the trips that never fit into a regular weekend – Sesame Place, Six Flags, Kalahari, Philly museums, a quick overnight. “Sundays in the summer fill up fast,” she explains.

“The gap weeks are actually the perfect window.” Adina sees real value in kids spending unstructured time with parents, away from the peer-driven environment of school and camp. And not every day needs an itinerary. “Sometimes it’s pottery painting in the morning, and then we just come home and chill. Kids need to take breaks, too.”

Danielle Mizrahi

Danielle Mizrahi does day trips, the beach, obstacle courses, painting, hiking, and camping with her kids. She includes a rotating mix of easy, low-pressure activities – nothing elaborate, just enough to give the kids something to look forward to each day without turning it into a whole production.

Roz Ben David

Roz Ben David’s strategy? Call in reinforcements! “My in-laws live in Israel, so I book them in advance to come lend a hand with the kids.”  A little advance planning and suddenly the gap weeks feel a lot more manageable. Never underestimate the power of grandparents.

Pauline Sharabi

Pauline Sharabi makes the most of what’s around her, like gardening with the kids, park playdates, cooking dinner together, projects, painting, library days, a trip to the zoo, lighthouse hopping, or piling in the car and exploring the coastline. And when she want to go big? Mani-pedis. Sometimes the best gap-week memories come from the simplest ideas.

Shira Green

Shira Green wants to know what would happen if we took away every screen, every device, and every source of digital stimulation for the full two weeks. No iPads, no phones, nothing.

“When we were kids and had to drive somewhere far, we never had any of that,” she says. “We stared out the window and played I Spy or the license plate game. Or we’d let our brains go off on a tangent and imagine ourselves in all sorts of scenarios. Our brains were so bored they had to work to entertain us.”

Shira thinks the same principle applies now. At first the kids would raid the Shabbat toy closet. But eventually? “They’d end up outside digging holes in the backyard, or picking up a book and learning something new. They might even follow you into the kitchen and beg you to teach them how to cook. Eventually the boredom takes over – and it retrains their brains to work for stimulation.” She signed off with: “Thank you for coming to my TED talk.”

Honestly, Shira, we were riveted.

However you spend that time, I hope it’s as pain-free and enjoyable as possible! Until next time – Frieda Schweky

Frieda Schweky is a community photographer and writer. For photography inquiries or article topic suggestions, email her at friedaschweky@gmail.com or follow her on Instagram @friedaschwekyphoto.

Ellen Geller Kamaras

Have you noticed that you can’t pick up a newspaper without seeing headlines about AI, Artificial Intelligence, or a new AI company?

Since the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022, we are living in the world of AI.  While AI can bring many favorable outcomes, such as those described below, it also raises legitimate and serious concerns.  Key fears are malicious use for cyberattacks and misinformation, job displacement, inaccuracy of data, deepfakes, and societal bias present in training data.  Deepfakes are when AI creates, manipulates, or alters images, audio, and video to appear authentic, when they are, as the name implies, deeply fake.

The job displacement issue is particularly relevant to parents of teenagers who worry about how AI will affect their children’s future jobs and livelihood. 

Let’s talk about some of the best careers for high school graduates to pursue, particularly in today’s AI era.

Context

Before we delve into specific jobs, here is some background.

When you google a topic or start a zoom meeting, AI is right there to facilitate your search and even offers to take notes for you during your zoom session.

Those are two AI benefits, and there are many more.  Key positive impacts of AI include enhanced healthcare, financial services, cybersecurity, and productivity, a boost to economic growth, advanced transportation, excellent customer service, scientific discovery, climate change mitigation, reduced human error in critical tasks, and improved agriculture.

Let’s define AI and then move to the careers in demand.

AI is an area of computer science that is committed to creating machines that can think like humans. AI uses the unique abilities of the human brain to understand, react, and interpret, and then integrates them into computers. Vast amounts of data are used in conjunction with algorithms to essentially “train” AI to be able to learn and grow of its own accord, without the need for programming and code updates.

Research indicates that the jobs that are most at risk to be replaced by AI are basic customer service jobs, simple bookkeeping, data entry, and repetitive office tasks.

The good news is that there are careers that are highly resistant to AI automation.

Human-Centered Jobs

If you choose a career that combines human interaction plus problem-solving plus adaptability, it is highly unlikely that AI will replace you.  Human-centered professions are very AI-resistant because they rely heavily on human connection, emotional intelligence, trust building, empathy, comfort, crisis intervention, and communication with family. 

Many jobs include tasks that can be automated.  However, humans are not being replaced by AI because these careers also need physical dexterity in unpredictable settings, creative intuition, and ethical and moral judgment in addition to the qualities listed above.

First, let’s address the career categories that are both in demand and are resistant to AI, and then delve into those that do not require a college degree.

Even in careers that are resistant to automation, basic AI literacy will become increasingly valuable. Students who learn how to use AI tools responsibly and effectively may have an advantage in nearly every profession.

Professions in Demand That Are AI Resistant

AI does facilitate human-centered jobs and steps in to support these professionals in many ways.  The first five careers listed below require a minimum of a four-year college degree, if not post-graduate work. 

1. Nurses and healthcare workers
2. Medical specialists and surgeons
3. Psychotherapists, social workers and counselors
4. Early childhood educators and specialized teachers
5. Authors, creative directors, and high-level content strategists
6. Crisis responders:  firefighters, paramedics, disaster relief workers
7. Artisans, restorers, and high-end craft professionals
8. Leaders: managers, founders, and change agents
9. Community builders, mediators, and organizers

10. Skilled trades: electricians, plumbers, mechanics and carpenters. 

In-Demand Jobs That Do Not Require Four-Year College Degrees

For high school graduates who want to go straight to work and do not want to pursue a four-year college degree, the soundest choices are jobs that involve hands-on work, human interaction, technical skill, and problem-solving in real environments.

The solid options and career paths are skilled trades, health care jobs, tech careers, personal service careers, and jobs that involve transportation and logistics.

Skilled trades do not require a college degree and are also AI resistant.  AI and robots struggle in unpredictable physical environments like homes and buildings. An electrician generally trains through apprenticeships and has a skill that is difficult to automate. Other jobs in this category include plumbers, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) technicians, and welders.

These professions involve hands-on work, human interaction, licensing or physical presence, and are therefore harder to replace with AI. 

Healthcare Careers

There are several healthcare careers that one can pursue without a four-year degree.  These jobs often require three months to two years of training. They are – certified nursing assistant, dental hygienist, medical assistant, pharmacy technician, emergency services provider, physical therapy assistant (PTA), and veterinary technician (VT). 

It generally takes two years to become a dental hygienist.  Dental assistant certification can usually be earned under one year. Training to be a medical assistant is a shorter path with fast training programs available.  Some accelerated programs that can be completed in a year are available for PTA training.  VT training can be self-paced and completed online in eight to twelve months. 

The TIA School of Allied Health and CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) Training in NYC offers programs for nursing assistants.  Training for nursing and medical assistants is available at NY Medical Career Training Center, and NY Career Institute provides medical assistant programs as well.

EMT certification is offered in many community colleges in NYC and NJ.

Tech Careers

Tech careers that do not require college degrees include IT support/network technicians, web developers, and cybersecurity technicians.  IT support and cybersecurity technicians can enroll in certification programs, whereas web development can be learned independently.  Depending on your current technical knowledge, IT support and cybersecurity tech training can range between three to 12 months. Training frequently starts with CompTIA Security + certification, CompTIA A+, Network+, and Google IT Support. Programs are available at Fullstack Academy, App Academy NYC, and Technical Institute of America.

Personal Service Careers

Personal service careers are very AI-resistant. These include professions as a hairstylist, color specialist, esthetician (skin care and beauty services) and personal trainer. Required training for hair and skin care are set by each state and average between nine to 18 months.

Programs for certified personal trainers can range from between three to six months.

Hands-On and Transportation Careers

Apex Technical School offers electrician and HVAC training. Electrician, plumbing, automotive (electric vehicle repair is growing quickly) and welding courses are available at Berk Trade & Business School.

In New Jersey, Lincoln Technical Institute, Eastwick College, and Fortis Institute have respected options for many of the above careers.

Transportation careers require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and include truck driving, bus driving, and delivery/logistics.  Self-driving is still limited.

An important note:  Not getting a college degree does not translate to “no education.”   Many successful individuals are those that take certifications, go to trade school, do apprenticeships, or do paid training programs.

Next Steps

Before you decide on a career, talk to someone who works in that field and see if you can volunteer or shadow that person.

Take advantage of the resources available in our own communities to explore these careers.  We have wonderful organizations such as Sephardic Bikur Holim and Propel Network. Your own high school guidance counselor can also help you to  explore your potential and your strengths and can guide you towards a career that is the right match for you.  Two of our high schools have valuable career path programs to support our children: the Shifra Hanon Pathfinders Department at Flatbush Yeshiva and Harry I. Franco Leadership Academy at Hillel.  The Pathfinders mentoring program focuses on four main goals with every student: self-exploration, career exploration, professional skills, and extracurricular involvement.  The Leadership Academy Director is Shifra Hanon who created and launched the Pathfinders program.

In Pirkei Avot, Ethics of Our Fathers, we are told to appoint a teacher or mentor for ourselves.  Mentors can offer perspective, guidance, and lessons learned from their own experience.  They can also assist in setting goals and expanding one’s network. We have talented people in our own backyards who are willing to mentor students.  What are you waiting for?

Jack Gindi

I didn’t grow up with the education many people have today. I left high school early, and even now at times I read something and don’t fully understand the words or what someone is trying to say. For most of my life, I had to work through that on my own.

Today, I use AI to help me. If I don’t understand something, I ask AI to explain it in simpler terms. I’ll go back and forth until I understand what’s being said. That has been incredibly helpful.

Answer vs. Understanding

I’ve also learned something important: understanding what something means is not the same as knowing what to think about it. AI can help me understand, but it cannot decide for me.

That realization has stayed with me, especially when I think about the world our children are growing up in.

We are raising kids in a system that, in many ways, no longer exists. Most of us were taught to memorize, get the right answers, follow the rules, and perform well on tests.

However, getting an answer is no longer the challenge today. A child can ask a question and receive a response in seconds. They can generate an essay, solve problems, or summarize information almost instantly. But getting an answer is not the same as understanding. And it is not the same as good judgment.

Thinking Is Critical

What I’ve seen is that people who continue to grow are not the ones who rely only on what they are given. They know how to think about things. They question what they are given, test it, and stay with it long enough to understand it. AI does not remove the need for human ability. In many ways, it exposes it.

The real gap forming today is not about intelligence. It is the difference between people who develop maturity and judgment and those who simply gather information without knowing what to do with it.

Over time, that difference will matter more than anything else. The world ahead will not reward people who can repeat information. It will reward people who can understand context, solve problems, and adapt to change.

Real Observation

I was recently introduced to a camp here in Colorado where children are brought into the wilderness. They climb rocks, build fires, and spend time outdoors without screens. For many of them, it is a life-changing experience. That might sound simple, but for some children today, it is the first time they are fully present in the real world.

That matters more than ever. If a child does not develop a relationship with real observation – what they can see, feel, and experience – how will they know what is true in a world where so much is artificial?

If they look outside and it is raining, but a system tells them it is sunny, and they trust the system more than their own experience, then something essential has been lost. That is not a failure of technology. It is a failure of preparation.

Adults Need to Change

This is where we, as parents and grandparents, have to be honest. We cannot simply raise children the way we were raised and assume it will prepare them for what is coming. If we want our children to be ready, many of us will have to change first.

We will have to think differently about what education really is. We will have to value judgment over speed, discernment over convenience, and depth over constant stimulation.

And we have to model it.

Using AI correctly does not mean depending on it. It means using it as a tool. I use AI to help me understand what someone is saying. Then I stop and think. I ask myself if I agree, if it makes sense in my life, and what I believe about it.

That step, forming your own judgment, is the part no system can do for us.

Stay Connected to What Is Real

The children who will thrive will not be the ones who rely on AI the most. They will be the ones who know how to use it without losing themselves in it. They will stay connected to their thinking, their experiences, their relationships, and the world around them. They will use AI as a tool, not as a replacement.

Because while the future may change quickly, the ability to think, question, and understand what truly matters has never changed. AI can help you understand what someone is saying. It cannot tell you what to believe about it.

Joey Baghdadi, Bowl Night Commissioner

Every Tuesday night, something special is happening at Fun Fest – and it’s not just the sound of pins crashing.

It’s BOWL NIGHT!

What started as a simple idea quickly turned into one of the most energetic, competitive, and genuinely enjoyable weekly meetups in the community. Thirty-six players strong (and growing), ranging from 13 to 60+, lace up their bowling shoes each week not just to play – but to compete, connect, and create something bigger than the game itself.

This Spring 2026 season was a perfect snapshot of what makes BOWL NIGHT so unique. Twelve 3-man teams battling it out over a 10-week regular season (three games a night). And yes – each roll matters. With the top eight teams advancing to the postseason, the energy definitely reaches that “every frame counts” level.

But what truly levels the playing field – and keeps everyone engaged – is our 85 percent handicap system. It’s the great equalizer. The guy grinding out an 82 average can go head-to-head with someone throwing 180s, and win. That dynamic creates something rare: real competition across generations and skill levels. No one is out of it. Everyone has a shot.

Magical Moments

And that’s where the magic happens – because BOWL NIGHT isn’t just about scores – it’s about people.

It’s fathers and sons sharing a lane (something I personally look forward to every week, bowling alongside my two sons). It’s old friends reconnecting, new friendships forming, and a mix of personalities that keeps the banter lively and the vibe loose. There’s laughter after gutter balls, celebrations after strikes, and just enough friendly trash talk to keep things interesting.

Don’t forget the Three Weekly Winners – those who bowl a game highest above their average – who can choose from a trio of great prizes, too!

A Community of Players

Off the lanes, the league has taken on a life of its own.

Our WhatsApp group chat is buzzing daily – recaps, reactions, lineup debates, and the occasional “power rankings” that somehow spark more controversy than they should. Our Instagram page, Instagram (@BowlNightSY), captures the action each week with photos and videos that bring the night to life. And for those who like to track the numbers, we send out detailed weekly stats – standings, averages, schedules – keeping everyone locked in and accountable.

There’s structure. There’s consistency. But most importantly, there’s excitement.

For me, this has been especially meaningful. Years ago, I ran a league called the SBL for over a decade – a run filled with great memories and even better people. When that chapter ended in the early 2010s, I always hoped we’d find a way to bring something like it back.

In Fall 2025, we did just that. And the response? Incredible.

BOWL NIGHT came roaring back with energy, enthusiasm, and a community that was clearly ready for it. What we’ve built in just a short time feels like the foundation of something long-lasting – something that people genuinely look forward to each week.

Looking Ahead                                            

And now, we’re ready to grow.

As we look ahead to our Fall 2026 season (starting this September), the goal is simple: expand from 12 teams to 16+. The interest is already there. The buzz is building. And the lanes are waiting.

Whether you’re a seasoned bowler or someone who hasn’t picked up a ball in years, there’s a place for you here. You don’t need a perfect game – you just need the desire to show up, compete, and be part of something fun.

Because at its core, BOWL NIGHT isn’t just about bowling. It’s about community.

It’s about showing up on a Tuesday night after a long day and knowing you’re stepping into something positive. It’s about the shared moments, the inside jokes, the small victories, and the big strikes. It’s about building something together – one frame at a time.

So if you’re reading this and thinking, “I could see myself out there,” you’re probably right.

We’d love to have you!

To join or for additional info – please reach out via: BowlNightSY@yahoo.com.

Machla Abramovitz

On entering Yossi Biton’s art gallery at 22 Agron St. in Jerusalem’s historic Mamilla neighborhood, southwest of the Old City, one is struck by an explosion of light and color. Large and small canvases display rich and muted colors, textures, and shapes. Each canvas, with its unique rhythm, seems to leap from the frame, capturing the distinctive vision of world-renowned artist Yossi Bitton.

The gallery is freshly renovated. One can almost smell the creamy-white hues on the walls as the sun-drenched Jerusalem light dances across them. The boutique is small and intimate. Its modern décor enhances the varied styles of this gifted artist’s works. Each piece conveys the yearnings of the Jewish spirit in its own way.

Inspired Images

Drawing inspiration from Jerusalem’s streets and landscape, Biblical history, and Jewish symbols, Yossi’s paintings are highly decorative:  Vibrant reds, blues, and yellows emanate from the Western Wall’s stones and the ancient hills of Migdal David, while in others, pale, refined tones of white, off-white, grey, and gold capture their enduring beauty. The images remain recognizable yet move beyond realism. Instead, they “hover between figuration and abstraction, conveying a sense of place that exists on the periphery of dreams,” to quote collive.com.

It is this ephemeral quality that lifts the paintings beyond mere decoration and into a mystical, otherworldly realm. These multi-layered images represent both outward physicality and inner essence. Dancing Chassidim symbolize devotion and yearning for connectivity with Gd. The Hills of Zion, set against a vast illuminated sky, bind the ancient landscape to Gd’s eternal promises to His chosen people. The Splitting of the Sea, one of Judaism’s most iconic images, depicts the rebirth of a small, vulnerable people under Gd’s thunderous protection as they move toward a glorious future.

Soul Connection

“When I sit before the canvas to paint a great tzaddik or a holy scene, it is not just art; it is a soul-connection,” Yossi explains.

This soul connection between the artist and subject draws the viewer directly into the paintings themselves. One admirer said that he sees vital aspects of himself mirrored within [Yossi’s paintings]. Beyond that, the paintings also reflect our collective Jewish consciousness.

The other worldliness embodied in these towering images also echoes the artist’s expanding consciousness and quest for meaning and purpose – a quest years in the making that continues to broaden in scope and depth, while always remaining true to the self.

And like his art, Yossi’s quest is never complete but remains a work in progress.

Yossi’s Background

Born and raised in Tzfat in a creative secular family, creative expression was an integral part of Yossi Bitton’s inner development.  His family, including parents, one brother, and four sisters, all play instruments or sing.

However, Yossi, now 70, was similarly drawn to the flourishing artists colony in Tzfat. As a teenager, he visited there frequently. Award-winning artists and poets, such as Chaim and Aliza Nahor, taught him the technical skills needed to create art and shared their experiential philosophy: artists must communicate feelings that move a painting beyond the literal and into the poetic. Bitton learned to paint there and has never attended any accredited art or design school since.

Although he tried his hand at drawing and painting, often scribbling on scraps of paper and napkins, at that stage in his life, music captured his interest. Mastering the bass guitar, Yossi later played in a band, brought musical movies to the north of Israel, and became involved in musical productions. His popularity grew, and his life progressed well, but the inner needs of his bourgeoning spirit were not satisfied. Surely, he thought, there was more to life than this.

“For five years, he chased the next gig, the next band, new productions. But it wasn’t enough.\His soul craved something deeper,” recalls his wife, Tamar Neomi.

The Pull Towards a Religious Life

After Yossi’s sister became a chozeret be’teshuvah, he, too, felt drawn to the religious life. With the support of Chabad rabbis, Yossi met other baalei teshuvah and rebbeim. He and Tamar moved to Jerusalem, where Yossi studied at Yeshiva Ohr Somayach. Even though Yossi’s siblings had become Lubavitch, Yossi and Tamar did not become Lubavitchers, although they respected the Rebbe greatly. “It was important to me that we be simple Jews,” Tamar says. “My husband is Sephardi. We keep the halachot of Hacham Ovadia Yosef.”

Yossi and Tamar wholeheartedly embraced religious life despite its challenges. They left Tzfat for the Geulah neighborhood in Jerusalem, the heart of Hareidi Judaism. “We wanted to live that kind of life,” Tamar says.

The couple went on to raise three daughters and a son and now live in Mekor Baruch, near Geulah, where Yossi creates most of his art.

Internal Struggles

Nevertheless, from the start, tensions developed between Yossi’s creative drive and his evolving spirituality.

“His rav at Ohr Somayach told him to abandon art and focus on learning Torah and living Yiddishkeit. The rav was possibly right at the time. Religious life is all-consuming and requires continual learning, and he needed to concentrate on that,” Tamar says.

However, inner peace remained elusive.

“The first ten years, Yossi took Yiddishkeit to extremes, often worrying: Am I doing the mitzvot right? Am I doing enough? For him, being religious is a huge zechut, and also a great responsibility – to be good, deliver a message, promote goodness, and help bring down Hashem’s holiness to people.”

When Yossi began painting again, Tamar says, his perspective changed. He loves living a religious life and expressing this love through his art. Moreover, he now blends his passion for artistic expression with his love of learning Torah. Yossi attends a daf yomi and halachah shiur twice weekly.

Intervention by the Baba Sali

But this is now. Eighteen years ago, the decision to dedicate his life full-time to his art was not as obvious. It took the Holy Baba Sali’s appearance in a dream to bring about this change. The tzaddik’s presence confirmed what Yossi had always subconsciously understood: his artistic talents were unique gifts from Hashem, desperately yearning for actualization.

The story goes as follows. In Yossi’s first ten years [as and artist], he completed two drawings of the Baba Sali – one for his parents, the other as a wedding gift for a friend. The bride disliked the black-and-white drawing and wanted color, so he added some color with crayon, but the bride was still not satisfied. On a later visit to the friends’ new home, Yossi noticed the drawing of the Baba Sali was absent. The wife had left it behind.

That night, Yossi went to bed extremely upset. He had invested much of his neshama into producing the picture, which magnificently captures the enigmatic holiness of this great man. Shortly afterward, the tzaddik appeared to him in a dream, equally disturbed. He nudged Yossi to right this incalculable wrong.

Yossi immediately awoke, called his friend, and demanded that he return to his former home to find the picture and bring it to him. At 2am, his friend called with sad news. He had found the picture in their garden, crumpled into a ball, and ruined. Regardless, he brought it to Yossi as requested.

At first sight, the situation appeared hopeless. The wrinkled, cracked canvas defied ironing. Undeterred, Yossi laid it out and placed his complete set of Gemaras on the drawing.  After a week, Yossi removed the seforim. Tamar, a dressmaker who designs and creates magnificent wedding and evening gowns, gently ironed the picture. Yossi then repaired the missing strokes. Now, beautifully framed, the picture hangs in a place of honor in their home.

Return to Art

This incident proved consequential. The dishonor attached to the tzaddik deeply disturbed Yossi. Equally important, however, he came to realize how emotionally and spiritually connected he was to his artistic creations, which are soul connections between himself and G-d. Then and there, he decided that this is what Gd wanted of him: to give voice to beauty and holiness through his art, inspiring others toward spiritual elevation.

Giving up his career as a rebbe to pursue art full-time was not easy for this father of four. The challenges seemed formidable.  Could he afford to do so financially?  Did he have the inner wherewithal to weather the disappointments that were sure to come? 

Hashem, though, paved Yossi’s way. He was fortunate to find employment at Melechet Machshevet Gallery, a popular Judaica gallery located in the heart of Meah Shearim, where he painted reproductions for some years. He did not particularly enjoy the work. Still, the practice proved useful. He expanded his skills by learning new techniques.

Out on His Own – Glorifying Gd Through Art

At the same time, Yossi began producing his own works and assessing their financial viability in the United States and elsewhere. He was pleasantly surprised by the results.

Neither Yossi nor Tamar takes Yossi’s enormous success in the art world for granted. They know how hard it is to make a living in this field. “When people are willing to pay for your work, it is a beracha from Hashem. Fortunately, people love his work so much. He receives such wonderful feedback, which gives him so much strength to continue,” Tamar says.

Producing art has enriched Yossi Bitton’s life to an incredible level. His paintings are not only extensions of himself. They are also explorations of the deeper aspects of spirituality.

“There’s no talking to him when he’s painting,” Tamar says. “He’s totally absorbed in the work. Every brushstroke reflects his love and joy for the subject he is painting. When I tell him the picture is finished, he answers, ‘What do you understand? It’s not finished. It doesn’t talk to me yet.’”

Each painting has its own path to completion. Sometimes, Yossi paints all night. Other times, he paints only a few hours during the day. There are times when inspiration burns bright. Other times, it just is not there. Still, Yossi’s enthusiasm for his art has never waned. His inner artist continues to flourish. He is grateful for this gift and for the positive impact his art has on people’s lives.

“Every day I thank Gd for the merit to glorify His name through art,” Yossi says.