Although last month’s article about summer camp (Summer Camp: A Privilege or a Right?) did mention a few solid reasons why a child should go to camp – I just don’t agree with the whole concept. I find it difficult to understand why parents are so eager to send their children away. Summer is a great opportunity to be together and bond as a family with no outside pressures. Yes, children who go to camp get exercise and learn social skills, but there is no reason they can’t get that at home. During the summer, I take my kids on hikes, bike rides, rock climbing expeditions, and many other fun family activities. Summer is time for us to reconnect as a family, not spend more time apart.
Another pet peeve of mine is sleep away camps. I have a few friends that send their children away for the summer. I just can’t wrap my brain around why people would send children out of their care into the hands and influence of strangers. We hide our jewels and heirlooms in a safe when the housekeeper cleans our house, but somehow, it is okay to send our children away for two months under the supervision of total strangers. We need to stop and think what should be considered precious.
Marilyn D.
SAD Diet
I found last month’s article about dieting very offensive (The Standard American Diet is S.A.D. for More Than One Reason). The author states that nearly two thirds of all adults are overweight, which eventually leads to illness. It is a terrible thing to insinuate that all overweight people are automatically unhealthy. Many overweight people have healthy levels of cholesterol and blood sugar, and have a healthy working heart. There is nothing wrong or unhealthy about being a little overweight.
Maurice S.
Israel
Of the more absurd statements to come from the most recent conflict between Israel and the regime in Gaza are the ones, well-meaning to be sure, purporting to support “Israel’s right to exist” and “Israel’s right to defend itself.” First and foremost, Israel is a recognized sovereign nation whose right to self-determination is beyond question, regardless of the United Nations’ attempt to discredit Israel. No one asserts Norway or Indonesia or The Vatican has a “right to exist,” and the notion that these states require some sort of global approval to function is ludicrous.
Where else in the world is lobbing missiles at a civilian population not an open act of war? If this was Mexico shooting at Texas, they would be obliterated before the day’s end.
But when it comes to Israel, all of a sudden, everyone is very supportive of its rights. The idea is ridiculous, the very question is a nonstarter because if the question is raised, even if it’s answered in the affirmative today, tomorrow the answer could be different. Israel is here to stay. Get used to it.
The plurality of Israel’s society cannot be overstated. Israel gives the vote to Jews, Arabs, and Christians alike, even to those clearly dissenting and disapproving of its policies, and even to its own detriment as Arab populations grow faster than Jewish ones. By contrast, Japan and Switzerland are famously insular, rarely granting citizenship to non-indigenous Japanese or Swiss. Indonesia is 87 percent Moslem, and non-Catholics have no voice or rights in the Vatican. Yet these countries’ rights to existence are never questioned.
Jack B.
Covid Vaccine
I know that I’m in the minority, but I disagree with the rush to get the Covid vaccine. I think a person should have the right not to get vaccinated until the vaccination is proven effective and there are no adverse side effects. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not an anti-vax person. I agree that one should get vaccinated for diseases such as measles and tetanus, since these vaccinations are proven to be effective and have a low risk of side effects. The long-term effects of the Covid vaccine, however, are still unknown.
“Ethics of the Fathers” presents us with the basic principles of Torah values – and few embodied these values more than Izzy Shamah, who passed away this past March at the age of 98.
Rav Yisrael Salanter (1810-1883) taught that it is harder to change one character trait than it is to learn the entire Talmud.
Fortunately, our sages provided us with a priceless manuscript of wisdom, Pirkeh Avot (“Ethics of our Fathers”), to guide us in our pursuit of character development. This text is customarily studied during the weeks between Pesach and Shavuot, as part of our preparations for receiving the Torah. As I learned it this year, while also conducting interviews and researching for this tribute to Mr. Isadore “Izzy” Shamah, a”h, who passed away just before Pesach, I was struck by how many of the essential character traits prescribed by our sages he embodied.
Izzy (Ezra ben Rosa) was very blessed, in every way. Not only was he a successful businessman who raised a beautiful family, but he was also blessed with the gift of clarity. He understood what was important in life, and he dedicated his life to bringing goodness into the world. Both personally and professionally, Izzy epitomized the three “pillars” upon which the world stands, as taught in Pirkeh Avot (1:2) – Torah, avodah (service of Gd), and gemilut hasadim (kindness to others). He was instrumental in the foundation of Beth Torah in Brooklyn, and he spent his life extending loving kindness to others.
True Wisdom
Having never finished high school, Izzy lamented his lack of education, never considering himself “smart.” But according to Pirkeh Avot’s definition of “smart” – “Who is wise? One who learns from all people” – Izzy was about as “wise” as they come.
He considered his time in the army, where he received an exceptional score on his IQ test, equivalent to a college education. As Isaac, his oldest son, says, “He felt that the army helped him grow up, see the world and blossom.” His experiences first in Savannah, Georgia and then in France, taught him skills like cryptography and coding and decoding messages as he rose to the rank of sergeant. He returned with newfound confidence and self-worth that allowed him to take on the world.
He began to work hard, to hustle, to pounce on every opportunity that presented itself. And he continued learning, about business and about himself, from every experience. As told to Sophia Franco in a 2005 interview for The Sephardic Angel News, Mr. Shamah acknowledged, “You cannot run a business by yourself. It was this lesson that I had to learn before I could become a true success. I was arrogant enough to believe that nobody could do the job as well as I could. It was a rude awakening when I found out they could do it even better, but it is what I needed to hear to move forward…” Having acquired the precious asset of humility, he went on to not only succeed in many endeavors, but also guide others toward success.
Along with his triumphs, life sent Mr. Shamah some challenges, as well – challenges that would have left a man of lesser faith depressed and debilitated. His son Harold (“H”) describes how Izzy’s philosophy of life empowered him to deal with adversity. “Dad realized that difficulties are part of the fabric of life and a means to build your character. He always believed we should not be afraid of adversity or regret the difficulties, because they are a way to grow.”
And, amid the hardships, Izzy never lost his deep gratitude and appreciation for all that he had in his life, most importantly, his wife and children. Embodying yet another timeless teaching of Pirkeh Avot – “Who is wealthy? He who is satisfied with his lot” – Izzy always saw his glass as full.
“What’s Mine is Yours”
In another famous passage in Pirkeh Avot, we find Hillel’s famous exhortation: “Be among the students of Aharon, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving people…” Izzy was well known for loving and promoting peace and harmony. His daughter Mimi says, “My Dad lived by the mantra, ‘love and forgiveness.’ I never saw my parents fight, although I’m sure they had disagreements. And if ever he was upset at any of us, he would always come in and give us a kiss before sleeping and say, ‘I love you.’”
Many people who knew Izzy – friends, family members, business associates – would seek out his counsel when facing a difficult problem or making important life decisions. Business associate Jackie Rahmey says, “He gave time…mediating between fighting partners, working on fixing broken marriages, and helping people whose businesses were struggling.” His son Harold recalls that Izzy always “heard both sides of the story before giving advice,” and conducted himself with the principle that making peace is more important that being right. When his daughter, Rozy Cohen, was asked to identify the most important thing she learned from her dad, she responded, “How to say ‘I’m sorry’.”
In the fifth chapter of Pirkeh Avot, the Mishnah describes four types of people. The most revered type, to which the Mishnah refers as a hassid – “pious person,” is one who says, “What’s mine is yours, and what’s your is yours.” Rashi, in his commentary, explains, “The scrupulously pious person allows others to derive enjoyment freely from whatever he owns, and yet he does not permit himself to benefit from the property of others.”
By this definition, Izzy was truly a hassid. He and his wife, Renee, lived their lives with the attitude of, “What’s mine is yours, and what’s yours is yours.”
Izzy and Renee opened their homes in New York City and Florida to countless friends and family members. Even when not in residence, they welcomed people to use their apartments with one request: to sign the guest book – which, according to Mimi, grew to 6 volumes. I marveled to Renee over their generosity in opening up their home. Her simple yet profound response was: “We’re sharing.” Another family member recalls that during a difficult time, Uncle Izzy “in his humble and generous way, handed us the keys to his city apartment and an envelope of money to assure we would enjoy our getaway weekend. It was a gesture of love that instilled hope and helped us get through a difficult time.”
According to Isaac, Izzy and Renee “lived humbly for their wealth,” and were always more interested in giving than receiving. Renee would remind Izzy, “We have everything we need. Let’s give it to the children.” They generously funded the education of each of their grandchildren, loaned money to numerous people starting businesses, and donated funds to start various Torah institutions.
Like a Magnet
But where Mr. Shamah took “What’s mine is yours, and what’s your is yours” to the next level was in is interpersonal relationships. For him, treating others with respect was paramount. He believed that we must show love not because it benefits us, but because everyone deserves to be loved. And he realized that a smile and a hearty “good morning!” are precious gifts – following yet another directive in Pirkeh Avot (1:15): “Greet every man with a pleasant face.” Jackie Rahmey recalls, “He greeted everyone by name, no matter what their status in life. He inquired about the family and made you feel at that moment that you were the most important person to him.”
This theme, that Izzy made everyone feel like his favorite, was echoed by everyone I spoke to – and it actually sparked debates within the family about who was Dad’s/Grandpa’s favorite. Ultimately, everyone agreed that to be in Izzy’s presence, to hear his genuine “I love you” at the end of every phone conversation, meant you were special to him, and that was enough.
Izzy showed love and respect for everyone he met, from the doorman to the gardener to his dear friends and family. His warmth and sincerity made him a perfect confidante. One friend describes how he would take long walks with Izzy and they would discuss their problems. By the end of the walk, they would resolve whatever issue was troubling them.
“As long as I have Izzy,” he would say, “I will never need a psychologist.”
Another acquaintance recalls, “Izzy knew a lot of things about a lot of people that he would never divulge. He was like a doctor.” Daughter Rozy adds, “My Dad had an intuition for who needed something,” such as a kind word, a smile, or advice, which he gave freely. “He was like a magnet.”
We come into this world with the task of finding our purpose and perfecting our character – and this was Izzy’s aspiration throughout his life. He said of himself in the aforementioned interview with Sophia Franco: “Some people are born with traits. I think I created mine. I don’t know how much talent I really had. I didn’t know how much I could accomplish, but I worked many hours anyway, determined to make something of myself.”
“You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it” (Pirkeh Avot 2:16). We are not expected to complete the task of spiritual growth and perfecting the world, but we are obligated to commit our best efforts. Izzy Shamah spent 98 years living this ideal, and left this world a better place than he found it. By all accounts a worrier, he sought out opportunities to support and benefit others, and responded to the needs of his friends and family with an open and generous heart.
Isaac speaks for all of us when he expresses the hope that his father’s legacy of honesty, hard work, seeking peace, forgiveness, and putting others before himself is one that will “live through our actions and through our caring and open-heartedness for each other, and for our working to resolving conflicts.”
The family invites anyone wishing to share a story about their experiences with Mr. Shamah to send it to grandpaizzyshamah@gmail.com.
Everything you need to know to Vote in the June 22 Democratic Primary Election
Voting is not only a right, but a civic responsibility. The SCF, along with other prominent organizations and leadership have been advocating for everyone to be registered as Democrat so that we may all have a vote in this crucial primary.
Here is all you need to be ready:
1) You must be registered to Vote (as a Democrat).
2) If you are unable to vote in person or you will be out of town on Election Day (June 22, 2021), request an Absentee Ballot, or participate in Early Voting.
What’s “Early Voting”?
Early voting runs from June 12 to 20.
Essentially, you can vote early, in person, at a site that is set up for this purpose. You can find your early voting site at findmypollsite.vote.nyc. Your site will have its hours posted there.
Note that the link above will display both regular AND early voting sites.
What’s an absentee ballot?
An absentee ballot is a way to vote without going to the polls on Election Day. It is often referred to as “voting by mail”, but you can also drop an absentee ballot off at a voting site or the Board of Elections office. You don’t NEED to mail it in.
Because of the pandemic, ANYONE can request an absentee ballot this year. In March 2020, state lawmakers passed a law that said a voter’s concern over spreading or getting COVID-19 counts as a “temporary illness” when requesting an absentee ballot. That means that anyone can still claim “temporary illness” as a reason to request an absentee ballot, regardless of the availability of vaccines or any other factors that may have changed since last year.
How do I request an absentee ballot?
You can request an absentee ballot at www.nycabsentee.com, or by calling 1-866-VOTE-NYC.
When can I request an absentee ballot? (And when is the deadline to do so?)
You can request one any time before June 15 to vote in the June 22 primary. But an important note: The deadline to request an absentee ballot may change to June 7, so best to request before then.
When can I expect to get my ballot in the mail?
Even though you can make the request right now to get an absentee ballot, you won’t get your ballot in the mail until at least the last week of May. That’s because Board of Elections officials are still determining which candidates will be on the ballot, and they have a policy to not send out ballots until 32 days before the election.
What do I need to know when filling out my absentee ballot?
You want to make sure you fill out your ballot correctly when you vote absentee. An error could get your ballot thrown out. This year, with ranked choice voting, be careful not to rank two candidates in the same column. That’s called over voting, and it makes your ballot invalid.
With ranked choice voting, you’ll be choosing up to five candidates in order of your preference. The SCF has provided our recommendations on a full page tear out in this month’s issue. To learn more about ranked choice voting, and how it works, please visit nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/ranked-choice-voting/
When mailing your ballot, keep these things in mind:
After you fill out your ballot, put it in what’s called the oath envelope (the smaller one with the signature line). Then, sign the outside of the oath envelope and put it in the mailing envelope.
The mailing envelope will be pre-addressed to your county board of elections office, but you need to use your own stamps.
Campaign Finance Board officials recommend putting three stamps on just to be safe.
You need to mail your ballot by the day before election day. As long as it has a postmark on or before June 21, you’re good.
But you don’t have to mail it. Here’s what to do to drop it off.
You can drop off your absentee ballot at ANY board of elections office, ANY early voting poll site or any election day poll site up until when the polls close on election day. Note: You can also drop off absentee ballots for other people, as long as they’re properly signed and sealed.
You can find your regular polling place at findmypollsite.vote.nyc
What if I decide I want to vote in person but I already requested an absentee ballot?
That’s OK! You can still vote early or on election day in person even if you requested an absentee ballot.
One more time, these are the key dates:
• Request your absentee ballot to be extra safe by June 7.
• Mail your absentee ballot by June 21, or drop it off by the time polls close on primary day, June 22.
Need to figure out who your current elected officials are? Visit mygovnyc.org
Sam Sutton is the President of the SCF, Ron Tawil is the Co-Chairman.
What can go up a chimney down, but can’t go down a chimney up?
Last Month’s Riddle: Calendar Craze
What occurs once in January and again in February, but doesn’t occur again until the summer months of June, July, and August?
Solution: The letter ‘u’!
Solved by: The Blum Family, Hu Cohen, The Pillar Family, Rafi Shabtai, Joy Gadeh, Belle Gadeh, Zaki Dabas, Mopsie C., Fay Chesir, Richie Ayal, Isaac Dayan, David Maimon, Jake Shalom, Joseph Beyda, Harry Falack, Jacob Ayal, Ralph Sutton, Mayer C., Sammy Gabbay, Natalie Cohen, Joseph Cayre, and The Shmulster.
Junior Riddle: What Am I?
Submitted by Karen F.
It has keys, but no locks. It has space, but no room. You can enter, but can’t go inside. What is it?
Last Month’s Junior Riddle: Shorthand
What word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?
Solution: The word ‘short’!
Solved by: The Blum Family, Abe Cohen, H. Soleimani, Rafi Shabtai, Zaki Dabas, M. Calopsie, Judah Levy, Fay Chesir, Richie Ayal, Isaac Dayan, Big Mike, David Maimon, Jake Shalom, Joseph Beyda, Harry Falack, Jacob Ayal, Ralph Sutton, Mayer C., Sammy Gabbay, Natalie Cohen, and Joseph Cayre.
Last month, women and girls of all ages and stages virtually “gathered” together for the first Daughters with Dignity Modesty Forum and Business Expo. An online website was set up as the platform for sharing this inspirational experience. What first began as an idea to help community-based businesses, became an exciting and unique event.
Business owners sponsored the event. Each sponsor broadcast a video commercial advertisement that was shown in between the speakers. The lineup was incredible, featuring hosiery, makeup, invitations, furs, jewelry, and more.
Women from our community shared their personal stories of growth in modesty or other inspiring stories to encourage others to strengthen their commitment to this special mitzvah.
Boi Kallah Bridal Fund
The organizers decided to donate the proceeds from the event to the Boi Kallah Bridal Fund in the zechut of a refuah sheleima for Leora bat Tsipporah.
Boi Kallah is a community-based bridal fund. Volunteers from Boi Kallah guide new kallahs in every aspect of how to prepare a Jewish home. The fund provides new utensils, pots and pans, bedding, and towels. Guidance is also provided for the spiritual aspects of building a new home as well.
The event was done virtually in order to allow more women to participate, comfortably from their own homes.
Different Journeys to a Lifestyle of Tsniut
Jennifer Franco opened with her personal story, making the point of how gorgeous a girl can look dressed modestly. As a teenager, she made the decision to dress modestly while at her friend’s wedding and she felt she made a tremendous kiddush Hashem.
Lisa Chams spoke about how our children learn the most from how their parents conduct themselves on a day-to-day basis. “Some things can be taught; other things must be caught.” The subliminal messages that are given by a parent’s actions go much further than their words do. In order to properly guide our daughters, sisters, and friends, we must share how much we love this special mitzva of tsniut, how excited we are about it, and how we do not feel burdened by it.
Joya Tawil, a community teacher and one of the heads of Boi Kallah spoke next. She emphasized that we, Jewish girls and women, are the daughters of the King. With her inspirational mashal Joya helped us understand that we are here for a higher purpose and we must not lower our dignity.
The next speaker was Jackie Bitton, a teacher in the community and a world-renowned lecturer. As she started to grow and dress more modestly, a close friend of hers told Jackie that it looked like she was going to lose herself. Jackie explained that just the opposite was happening. She was not losing herself, instead she was actually finding her true self. That friend also started dressing modestly and Jackie now calls her “a queen of tsniut.”
Jaime Soudry’s story is familiar to many. She shared how her journey began by watching her sister grow, who was inspired by her friend who began to grow, who was inspired by her brothers who began to grow. We never know where the domino effect will lead. Mitzvah goreret mitzvah!
Lastly, Honey Hamra explained how she used to be far from dressing with tsniut. However, she decided that she wanted a different type of life, a life with more fulfillment, with Torah and mitzvot. She started her journey by just adding an inch of material to her shorts. Then she gradually began dressing and acting more according to Torah values. Honey eventually took on the modest lifestyle and has started a business delivering modest attire. She is happy to help and guide others in the mitzvah of tsniut.
Included in the event was an excerpt from a speech on tsniut by Rabbanit Kolodetsky, the daughter of Rav Kanievsky, shlit”a. She shared how even just one centimeter can heal the sick, help childless couples, and more. The zechut we bring to the world with our modesty is unimaginable.
There was also musical video presentation by Frieda Cookie Marashli. She gracefully inspired participants with her beautiful voice in a song about tsniut called “It’s Who I Am.”
The Main Message
All the speakers had one strong message. We are royalty. We are precious gems of the Bore Olam. That which is valuable is kept hidden – like a jeweler’s most precious jewels. Tsniut is not a burden, rather it is our crown.
For more information or to donate to Boi Kallah Bridal Fund please contact Mrs. Joya Tawil at 646-824-8858.
Mac and Cheese is basically the universal comfort food. But what makes this recipe different from regular Mac and Cheese? This method uses two types of cheese to make a rich and creamy sauce, and then finished with a crispy panko topping. Every bite pairs a delicious crunch with creamy, luscious pasta in every bite. This dish works well baked in a 9×13, or even better, twelve ramekins to establish individual portion sizes. This recipe also freezes well – just wrap well with plastic wrap after adding the panko crumbs and place in the freezer.
INGREDIENTS
Pasta: 1 box dry macaroni
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1.5 cups milk
1 teaspoon garlic salt
Salt to taste
2 cups shredded cheddar
3 cups shredded mozzarella
Panko Topping:
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
3 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit..
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and run under cold water.
3. Melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Whisk in flour and let cook for two minutes while continuously stirring. Slowly whisk in milk, salt, and garlic salt. Cook over medium heat while stirring until thickened.
4. Remove from heat and add cheese sauce and macaroni noodles together. Pour into a greased 9×13 pan.
5. Combine panko cheese topping ingredients together in a bowl and sprinkle over the casserole before baking.
6. Bake 20 minutes or until bubbly. Do not over-cook.
The MSB season is in full swing. As I write this article, the top two teams are The Ball Busters at 5-1 and Lethal Weapon at 4-2.
The Ball Busters are captained by Yanky Itzkowitz and at the halfway point of the season seem to be the odds-on favorite. On the mound, rookie Ray “Pay Day” Sakkal is having his way with opposing lineups, and this team is getting contributions from everybody. Aaron Levy, for one, is having himself an MVP type season as he is leading the league in just about every category.
Just one game behind in the standings, Lethal Weapon is doing exactly what we expected going into the season. Captained by Ike Chazzanoff, this team is fundamentally sound and explosive at the plate. With power bats like Yaakov Seruya and Marc Barsano, this team has the ingredients to be a championship team.
Standing alone in 3rd place at 3-3 are the Jokers. Mordy Chrem has his team playing hard week in week out but they have yet to click on all cylinders. This team’s success rests on the arm of Mark Cohen. If he is dialed in there is no tougher pitcher to face.
In 4th place at 2-2, we have Rubble on the Double captained by David “DT” Tawil. With an early season bye, it’s tough to gauge what this team is capable of, but any team featuring perennial All-Star Steven J. Gindi is usually right in the thick of things come post-season time.
At 2-4, The Super Smash Bros. currently hold the final playoff spot with the 5 seed. Captained by Jack Bibi and budding star Joey “JoeB” Betesh, this rag tag bunch seems to grind out games. There is definitely a storyline to keep our eyes on. Ageless wonder Jackie Shwecky has continued to keep hitters off balance and the team members rally behind each other.
To round out the standings we have Mamba Mentality and El Chapo at 1-3 respectively. These two teams also had their bye weeks, so they have yet to get into a rhythm, but have a full schedule ahead of them to get things on track.
Mamba Mentality, which is captained by Dan Braun who is the reigning world series MVP, drafted quite a few of his fellow 5 Towns rookies and has one of the league’s best players in Joe Sefaradi manning CF. It wouldn’t shock anybody if this team gets hot and makes some noise come post-season time.
El Chapo, which is an Elliot Mann organization, has ace Menachem Diamondstein on the mound and on paper has a very deep lineup. Again, it’s too early to tell, but thus far this team has yet to impress.
Stay up to date with all league news on our website www.SYSoftball.com and on Instagram @MSB_Softball.
Stay tuned for the next league update in next month’s Community Magazine.
MSB Sponsors
MSB would like to thank our sponsors who allow this league to be what it is.
Jackie Shwecky of the Super Smash Bros. represents both the Community Assistance Fund and Orot Sarah.
The Community Assistance Fund is an unsung charity of our community and their support is personally solicited by Rabbi David Maslaton and Jackie.
Bet Yaakov Orot Sarah is a warm and caring school focused on growing, guiding, and nurturing our community’s girls from nursery to college.
Eat N Run Café – Mark Cohen of the Jokers represents Eat N Run Café. Eat N Run has become a go-to kosher eatery. A modern counter-serve café with a diverse menu, it is located on 2574 Coney Island Ave. in Brooklyn.
American Friends of Ariel University – AFAU supports Israel’s newest university, which is evolving into a major institution of research and higher education and is taking its place among the ranks of Israel’s most honored and respected universities.
Our communities are hurting. Our families have lost loved ones, many businesses are on the brink of bankruptcy, seniors and people with underlying health conditions are still trying to receive a vaccine close to their homes. High unemployment and unsafe streets have created a sense of hopelessness and cynicism over the ability of our state and city authorities to successfully guide us out of this crisis.
I am running for City Council to represent the great communities of Southern Brooklyn because I am convinced that public service starts with a sincere desire to help people.
My family and I immigrated to the United States from Belarus in 1993. The very next day after our arrival, I showed up at the JCH of Bensonhurst and asked to volunteer. For the last 28 years, I volunteered as Vice President of the Holocaust Memorial Committee, served as a board member of the Association of East European Jewry, Bensonhurst Business Club, and other important non-profits.
With the help of my mother-in-law, my wife and I have raised two beautiful children in Southern Brooklyn. I graduated Baruch College, City University of New York, with a bachelor’s in Business Administration and I have worked for over 20 years as a journalist for Russian language TV, radio, and newspapers. I also served as a community liaison for a U.S. Congressman and later for two City Comptrollers, representing them in Southern Brooklyn and helping local communities overcome the terrible consequences of Super Storm Sandy.
Since January 2020, I have been working as District Director of Operations for Councilman Mark Treyger. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I hosted multiple food and mask distributions across Southern Brooklyn, helped hundreds of people who lost their jobs to obtain their unemployment benefits, and coordinated private donations of food and PPE to Coney Island Hospital. I also supported small business owners by bringing them masks and bottles of hand sanitizer, promoting them on social media, and helping to connect them with Small Business Services.
In 2012, I was honored to be elected to the volunteer position of Democratic District Leader in the 45th Assembly District. Together with my partners, I founded Bay Democrats, which quickly became a strong voice for local communities. Our club hosted annual Jewish Community Leadership Award ceremonies and Holocaust memorial events. We condemned BDS and the surge of anti-Semitic incidents in New York.
As District Leader representing a large segment of the Sephardic Community, I supported the important work of many local not-for-profit organizations. As your Councilman, I will fight to ensure that Sephardic Community Center, Sephardic Bikur Holim, Reach for the Stars, Harmony, The Morris I. Franco Cancer Center, and the Kings Highway Beautification Association are fully funded to meet the needs of the Community. Also, I believe that it is important for us to fight in City Council and in the state legislature to provide financial relief to yeshiva families. I will always support and protect our yeshivas.
Ronnie Tawil and Sam Sutton from the Sephardic Community Federation endorses Ari Kagan for City Council.
In 2018, I endorsed the election of a highly qualified jurist, Gina Levy Abadi, to the Brooklyn Civil Court, and I am supporting her candidacy this year for her appointment as a Kings County Supreme Court Justice. Together with my friends, I hosted Israel solidarity rallies and have always stood up against hate and anti-Semitism.
Over the years, I have continuously supported our brave police officers and I categorically oppose the “Defund NYPD” movement. Fighting for public safety would be my priority in the City Council. I strongly oppose the construction of a new “motel” at Coney Island Avenue and Avenue T that might be easily converted into a homeless shelter. I will strongly oppose any property tax or water rate increases for homeowners. Homeowners should not be overlooked during the post-pandemic recovery. I will push the Department of Parks to commence the long overdue renovation of the McDonald Park ASAP.
It would be my honor to receive your support and your vote on Tuesday June 22, during the Democratic primary for City Council. Together we will overcome this terrible pandemic and its after affects – it is personal to me. I will never abandon our fabulous Community and will serve you with dignity and perseverance.
Ari Kagan is a candidate for City Council in the 47th District (Coney Island, Gravesend, and Bensonhurst) and Democratic District Leader in the 45th Assembly District.
Hi! I’m Susan Zayat. You may know me from my insta page @Hungrymom. I started that page to share my recipes and my love for cooking. I have loved all kinds of cooking since I was a kid. Now nothing makes me happier than preparing food for my family and friends. I enjoy making a variety of dishes and presenting them in an interesting way, which enhances the enjoyment of any meal. I’m so excited to be sharing my recipes with you. We’ll do a different series every few months. We’re starting with dinner, because you can never have enough ideas to choose from for dinner.
I hope you enjoy!
Chicken with Onions
1 package of chicken cutlets
Corn flake crumbs
½ cup oil, divided
2 onions
Teriyaki sauce
Honey
1. Rinse the chicken cutlets in cool water then pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Prepare two plates (disposables are fine) one with ¼ cup oil, the second with about a cup of corn flake crumbs. Dip cutlets in oil and then in cornflake crumbs.
3. Put the cutlets on a tray sprayed with Pam (or your favorite neutral oil) and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Slice 2 onions very thin. Sauté them in ¼ cup of oil until they become translucent.
5. Once translucent, add 2 tbsp. teriyaki sauce and 1 tbsp honey. Sauté onions for another 10 minutes until they become caramelized.
6. Put the sautéed onions on the bottom of a baking dish.
7. Slice the cooked chicken and lay the slices on top of the onions. Make a mixture of 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce and 1 tbsp honey. Mix well and drizzle on top of the chicken.
8. Bake uncovered for another 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Vegetable Lo Mein:
1 box of spaghetti
2 tbsp oil
Red, yellow, and orange peppers, sliced
1 can of baby corn cut up into chunks
1 box of mushrooms, sliced
Handful of frozen broccoli
1 tsp salt
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Paprika
Mikee’s garlic stir fry and rib sauce
Low sodium soy sauce
This is my favorite way to make lo mein. This version is vegetarian, but you can add in cooked chicken or beef or serve the noodles plain with sliced steak on top.
1. Boil spaghetti according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
2. Add 2 tbsp oil to a skillet.
3. Sauté: sliced peppers, sliced mushrooms, and baby corn. Season with 1 tbsp salt, 3/4 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and a few shakes of onion powder.
4. Add In frozen broccoli and sauté for another 5-7 minutes.
5. Once the vegetables are sautéed add them to the cooked spaghetti.
6. Add in ¼ cup Mikee’s garlic stir fry and rib sauce and ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce.
7. Mix all together and adjust seasonings to taste.
Lemon Edamame
Shelled edamame beans
Oil
Lemon pepper
Lemon juice
Lemon zest from one lemon
I had edamame beans when we were away on vacation and knew right away, I needed to replicate that recipe. I love anything with lemon! These are now the only way my kids will eat edamame beans. Just seasoned with salt won’t do it for them anymore.
1. Boil the edamame beans in a pot of water for approximately 15-20 minutes.
2. Drain them well. Add them to a skillet with 2 tbsp of oil.
3. Mix them up to get them nice and toasty.
4. After 5 minutes add in 1/3 cup lemon juice, zest of a lemon, and a nice amount of lemon pepper, depending on how peppery your family likes it.
5. Mix thoroughly. Return pot to the stove for another 10 minutes tossing the edamame every few minutes to get that nice char on most of them.
Photo styled and photographed by Sarah Husney. Sarah Husney is a food photographer servicing NY & NJ. She has clients from the food businesses in the community upgrading their photos for Instagram and websites. Contact info: 917 626 2991 / @sarahhusney_foodphoto.
Lemon Edamame