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FEBRUARY 2, 2017 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
A Special Day Off for Kadima Kids at The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC
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eople joke that each year when the last week of January comes around you can finally find a parking spot on Central Avenue. It’s actually true. For years now many schools in our neighborhood, as well as in other communities, schedule ”Yeshiva Break” during the second half of the month, a ten day period where faculty and students are given time off. For many, this welcome break is an opportunity to visit family in Israel, take the kids on a warm weather holiday or a winter sports adventure, or even on multiple, exciting day trips. But for most single parents, taking their children anywhere – let alone on an extended costly trip – is simply not an option. Unpredictable, complicated schedules, difficult negotiations, and, of course, financial restraints prevent families from being able to take advantage and enjoy this time off. In fact, this break period frequently
creates even more stress and hardship for a single parent as neighbors and friends take off to various locations while they have no choice but to keep their children home while they must go to work. The Kadima program at The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC, funded by UJA-Federation of New York and the Jewish Communal Fund, was created to lighten the overwhelming burden these single parents face on a daily basis by offering them concrete services, counseling, support groups and special programming – all at no charge. This past Friday – during yeshiva break – 26 Kadima children were treated to a special crafts workshop at the Owl 57 Art Gallery in Cedarhurst, where they were able to design their own embossed mugs as well as work on a fine arts project in an enjoyable, creative atmosphere. Children ages 5-11, supervised by the gallery’s professional staff along with staff and vol-
unteers from the JCC, were encouraged to express their individual ideas in an artistic and unique way. The craft session was followed by a pizza lunch. This wonderful event, which was sponsored by donations from generous neighborhood families, came on the heels of a fun-filled pre-Chanukah party featuring dinner, crafts, entertainment, gifts and prizes as well as our JCC Chanukah toy drive which enabled every Kadima family with tots to teens to receive a bag of holiday gifts. Every day presents unexpected challenges for a single parent. Holidays and vacation time make those challenges even more difficult. At the Marion and Aaron Gural JCC we recognize these struggles. Our Kadima initiative allows us to work hand-inhand with community single parents to create a safe haven for their families and to help guide them through this often heart-wrenching journey. Our goal is to move them and their
children forward to a better, more productive place. If anyone you know is going through or has been through a separation or divorce we welcome the opportunity to reach out to them. If you would like information about sponsoring a Kad-
ima event we would love to hear from you. For more information please contact Rachayle Deutsch at (516)5696733 or email rachayle. deutsch@guraljcc.org. The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC is a Proud Partner of UJA-Federation of New York.
A Reunion of Inspiration and Connection
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n Monday evening, January 24, Shevach High School alumnae who are currently learning in the various seminaries in Eretz Yisroel got together for a special reunion in Machon Raaya, located in Geula. Excitement filled the room as 30 girls from all over Yerushalayim came together to share their experiences with their friends and former
principal. Rebbetzin Rochelle Hirtz, Shevach’s principal, with the help of some of her graduates, spearheaded this uplifting event. When the Shevach alumnae arrived they were treated to pizza and drinks while they connected with their high school friends. Rebbetzin Hirtz then gathered the girls together in a semicircle and treated the girls
Dating readiness is not dictated by your birthday or the number of friends in your class who are currently in the parsha. Page 91
to a d’var Torah. Sharing Shevach’s G.O. theme this year of “Ivri Anochi” with the alumnae, Rebbetzin Hirtz explained that not only are we a nation that stands apart from the rest of the world, standing proud of being a Jew, firm in our Torah hashkafos, Ivri also has another meaning. It shares the same root as the Hebrew word “ma’avar” meaning transfer or bridge. At this midpoint of their year, this time should be viewed as a bridge taking them from first semester to the second semester; it is a time to reflect on what they have accomplished and what goals they still would like to achieve. Rebbetzin Hirtz then went around the room and asked each girl to respond to both of her points. Everyone present was pleasantly surprised by many of the answers. Some of the
insightful remarks were: “I am truly internalizing that tefillah and Yiddishkeit are a privilege and not a burden.” “Yiddishkeit is not a religion of convenience but rather one that requires effort and determination, and that gives us strength.” “This year builds a sense of independence and the ability to make decisions.” “I gained a true appreciation of what I have by observing that here in Eretz Yisroel families live with so much less.” “One gains an appreciation for all of the different types of people that comprise klal Yisroel.” The girls were thrilled for the opportunity to get together and spend time with one another. The room was filled with positive energy and enthusiasm for growth in ruchnius. Everyone left feeling uplifted and energized for continued advancement in their avodas Hashem.