JCCMP MOTHER-DAUGHTER CHALLAH BAKE

RAV BARUCH SIMON AT KJC HOSHANA RABBAH SIMCHAS BEIS HASHO’EIVAH

The Marine Park community was honored with the special visit last month of Rav Baruch Simon, Rosh Yeshivah at Yeshiva University, in an unforgettable simchas beis hasho’eivah organized by the Kingsway Jewish Center’s Thursday night learning group. Members of the community were invited to join in the event, which was sponsored by Rafi and Rina Lazerowitz and held in their sukkah.

COJO OF FLATBUSH OFFERS FREE SMOKE/CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS AND INSTALLATION

Following the recent tragic fi re in Boro Park that took the lives of a well-known and beloved couple from the area, COJO of Flatbush is offering free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. No appointment is necessary, just drop by their offi ce at 1523 Avenue M, third fl oor during their business hours. The detectors are being donated by the Leon Goldenberg family and Goldmont Realty Corp. For those unable to install the detectors, please call Chaim Reisman at (718) 377-2900, Ext 7617 or email creisman@jewishcouncil.org to arrange free installation.

JCCMP MOTHER AND DAUGHTER CHALLAH BAKE

About 500 women and girls attended the Jewish Community Council of Marine Park’s second annual Mother-Daughter Challah Bake on Thursday evening, October 26. The special event was held at Kingsway Jewish Center. Chani Apfelbaum, also known as Busy in Brooklyn, led the crowd with stepby-step instructions and pointers as they created challah dough from scratch. While the dough rose, the crowd enjoyed refreshments, music, and dancing. Rebbetzin Sara Rokeach, wife of Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech of Marine Park’s Khal Bais Mordechai D’Bertch, offered words of inspiration and led the room in taking challah with a brachah. It was an incredible experience to behold as so many partook of the special mitzvah in unison. Chani Apfelbaum concluded the evening with a braiding demonstration that included some unique twists on using challah dough. Each attendee left with a ready-to-bake challah, recipe cards, a yehi ratzon card, and a commemorative apron. Special thanks to Junees and Yudi Solomon of Dependable Foods, for sponsoring this incredible event.

NYPD ARRESTS BURGLAR SUSPECT THAT PREYED ON MARINE PARK HOMES

Police offi cers and detectives from both the 63rd and 70th Precincts in Brooklyn joined forces to investigate a suspected serial burglar, who over the Jewish festivals in Tishrei broke into dozens of homes in Marine Park and Flatbush, stealing signifi cant items and money. The criminals gained entry into homes through open or unlocked windows. The result of this collaboration was the early morning arrest on October 17 of Michael Fields, who had evaded apprehension for more than three weeks. James Palumbo, commanding offi cer of the 70th Precinct and Tito Romero, commanding offi cer of the 63rd Precinct, along with dozens of Flatbush Shomrim volunteers, were aided by videos of security cameras from many Jewish homes in the affected neighborhood. A second suspect is still being sought by the NYPD and members of the Flatbush Shomrim. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez has confi rmed that his offi ce is continuing to take this case very seriously and is working to ensure justice is served.

FLATBUSH SHABBOS OF CHIZUK WELCOMES LAKEWOOD ROSHEI HAYESHIVAH

Thousands of Jews in Marine Park and neighboring parts of Flatbush had a unique opportunity to meet and gain inspiration from the legendary Roshei Hayeshivah from Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, New Jersey when they came to join our community on Parashas Lech Lecha for an unforgettable Shabbos of chizuk. Rav Dovid Schustal, Rav Yisroel Neuman and Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler were hosted by prominent askanim Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Betesh, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Herzka, Mr. and Mrs. Yitzchok Perlstein, and Rabbi and Mrs. Yossel Tabak.

JCCMP ANNUAL ELDERCARE CONFERENCE AND EXPO

The JCCMP and CNG Media hosted an Eldercare Conference and Expo on Sunday, October 29 at Kingsway Jewish Center. Participants who braved the rain enjoyed 12 seminars on various topics such as Medicaid, Medicare, pooled trusts, estate planning, home care, and more. 60 vendor booths showcased a variety of facilities, products,
and services including assisted living, home care, insurance options, and community wellness initiatives. The day was capped off with refreshments and free gifts. The event, focusing on overall health and wellness services and community resources, is held annually.

JCCMP BEGINS ANOTHER EXCITING SEASON OF THE GIRLS SUNDAY PROGRAM

Do you have a daughter or granddaughter whose most boring day of the week is Sunday? Fear no more. The Jewish Community Council of Marine Park has created an incredible Girls Club that is geared to girls from nursery through eighth grade who come from all parts of Flatbush. Here they will enjoy instruction and fun in activities such as swimming, gymnastics, crafts, special projects, and even exciting trips. The entire semester, which begins on November 5 and continues into March, is just $425. There is also a special tots program for girls ages 2 to 4 and boys 2 to 5 for just $389. The JCCMP Girls Club is directed by Mrs. Vichna Kanarek of the Bais Yaakov Day Camp. To register or for more details, visit www.jccmp.org and click on the Sunday Program tab, or call Mrs. Kanarek at (718) 407-1832, or email  undayprogram@jccmp.org.

IMPORTANT GENERAL ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Jewish community leaders are urging us all to take a few minutes out of our busy day to utilize an important aspect of American citizenship: the right to cast votes in the upcoming general election on Tuesday, November 7. It is essential that your voice be heard as this year there are races for such major offi ces as mayor of New York City and members of the City Council. If our community comes out in full force to vote, it will impact the response to our requests by elected offi cials.

RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS SPEAKS ABOUT JEWISH RESPONSIBILITY

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, world-renowned Torah lecturer and author of more than 30 books on diverse Jewish topics, made a special trip last month to take part in the beginning of a weeklong symposium at Congregation Beth Torah on the theme of What are the Limits of Jewish Responsibility. Opening remarks were made by Mr. Judah Cattan, president of the host shul and the guest speaker was introduced by Mr. Hymie Shamah, president of the Sephardic Community Alliance. Rabbi Sacks, who was elevated to peerage in the British House of Lords, served as chief rabbi of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth from 1991 until 2013. He was awarded the 2016 Templeton Prize in recognition of his “exceptional contributions to affi rming life’s spiritual dimension.”

OHEL DINNER HONORS IRVING AND MIRIAM LANGER CENTER OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

The 48th Annual Gala OHEL Dinner will be held on Sunday, November 19 at the New York Marriott Marquis in Manhattan. OHEL’s reputation of clinical expertise, excellence in service, and loving care are well-recognized by both the community and regulatory agencies. Guests of honor will be Irving and Miriam Langer, celebrating the dedication of the Irving and Miriam Langer Center for Developmental Disabilities. The dinner will also honor Joe and Deena Eisenberger (Community Leadership Award), Pinky and Miri Friedman (Sign of Strength Award), and Shalom and Zahava Hurwitz (Foster Family of the Year). David Brecher is serving as the gala chairman.

LONG AWAITED TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT TO MARINE PARK

A new all-way stop sign has been placed at the corner of Avenue P and Ryder Street, an intersection which has been the scene of multiple horrifi c accidents, including one in which a young child was hit while waiting at his bus stop. The signs were implemented by the New York City Department of Transportation following numerous requests from Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, Councilman Alan Maisel, elected offi cials, and community leaders In early 2018, the DOT will install a small high-tech sensor under the street at the Gerritsen Avenue and Avenue U intersection, which will provide a left turn signal when cars are present in the turning bay. The installation will allow adequate time for cars to make the turn and keep the roadway free for emergency vehicles exiting the nearby fi re station. The DOT will also be launching investigations into a mid-block signal for seniors crossing Nostrand Avenue between Avenues Y and Z, and a similar turn signal sensor for northbound traffi c on Nostrand Avenue at Kings Highway.

UJA WESTCHESTER VISITS JCCMP

On Tuesday, October 24 a delegation from Westchester’s Harrison Group Giving Circle came to visit the JCC of Marine Park’s food pantry to see fi rsthand the work that’s being done on behalf of the community. The women of the Giving Circle rolled up their sleeves and donned aprons to package food into individual meal trays. The food pantry initiative involves repackaging lexcess food obtained from caterers or food rescue into ready-to-heat individual meals. This is part of a partnership project with UJA of Westchester that distributes food to members of the community in need.