CAHAL’s FOURTH ANNUAL CONCERT

CAHAL, The Community-Wide Special Education Program, held its fourth annual fund-raising concert on Motzei Shabbos, February 12th at Lawrence High School in Cedarhurst. As part of their joint fundraising campaign, the TOVA Mentoring Program also benefited from the proceeds of the concert. The concert featured Shloime Dachs, who also coordinated the entertainment for the evening, Shalsheles, Yacov Young, a touch of Shalsheles Jr., and The DRS High School Vocal Group. Exceptional music by the Shloime Dachs Orchestra accompanied the performers. The concert was sold-out with nearly 800 people in attendance.

Yacov Young opened the show with a few of the songs from his debut album, “Yogati”. His beautiful and powerful voice set the tone for what was going to be a series of outstanding performances. The DRS Vocal Group followed, represented by 16 members of their choir, directed by Eli Zomick. The young men amazed everyone with their poise, sweet voices and melodic harmony. Shalsheles dazzled the crowd with their unique style, energetic singing and beautiful harmony. The extremely popular group that includes Yitzchok Rosenthal, Baruch Aryeh, Chaim Block, and Simcha Sussman introduced some of the songs from their latest album, “Shalsheles 5”. Shloime Dachs, a favorite amongst the attendees, gave another spirited, crowd-pleasing performance. Some of the tunes he sang were familiar to the audience who sang along with him. His 14 year old son, Dovid, a member of Shalsheles Junior, sang beautifully in segments with his father and Shalsheles. The crowd of mostly families with young children was inspired by the performers and their beautiful songs. The ruach was incredible and the entire night proved to be a fun-filled and rousing celebration. The many Sponsors who contributed to the concert helped make the event a huge success. This is CAHAL and TOVA’s largest fund-raising event of the year.

CONGRESSWOMAN McCARTHY VISITS CAHAL at HANC

On Tuesday, February 1st, 2011, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy met with key staff members and students of CAHAL. The meeting was held at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County (HANC), which houses two of our classes, kindergarten and 1st grade.

Joined by District Director, Christopher Chaffee and Congressional Aide, Toby Nussbaum, Congresswoman McCarthy was greeted and immediately surrounded by droves of HANC students upon her arrival. Exhilaration was shared by students and the Congresswoman as the young crowd of excited students escorted the celebrity and her two guests to the “Minyan Room” where the meeting was held.  After taking pictures with the Congresswoman, the children reluctantly tore themselves away to continue their normal school activities.

Shimmie Ehrenreich, CAHAL’s Executive Director, recounted CAHAL’s 18 year history, from its humble beginnings to its 11 participating Jewish Day Schools and Yeshivot and the unique cooperation among the school’s principals who serve as CAHAL’s board members and advisors. Naomi Nadata, CAHAL’s Program Director, described the spectrum of students served, the methodology behind the program’s structure and delivery and the success that CAHAL students have had transitioning to mainstream classes. Alice Feltheimer, CAHAL’s Educational Coordinator, compassionately described and illustrated the uniqueness of a specialized and individualized curriculum, the relationships between teacher and student and the success of CAHAL students, not only in transitioning to mainstream classes, but beyond the class and in post-school life. Rabbi Benjamin Yasgur and Mrs. Barbara Deutsch, Principal and Associate Principal of HANC elementary school graciously hosted the meeting. 

Congresswoman McCarthy listened attentively and empathetically while relating her own experiences dealing with special-ed issues and circumstances where CAHAL could have played a vital role. McCarthy had asked which former programs served as CAHAL’s model, and was surprised to learn that CAHAL was the innovative model which prompted other educational groups to seek its assistance in replicating programs in other cities and states as far away as Florida. McCarthy expressed deep regret that CAHAL’s Federal Appropriations Request, submitted through her office last year during a most catastrophic budget process, failed to secure much needed and anticipated funding.  Asking how CAHAL manages to survive without government funding, McCarthy was astonished that the community’s generosity was just about the only resource keeping CAHAL alive.

The tour of the classrooms began in Melody Harris’ Kindergarten class and then continued to the 1st grade with teachers Chani Czuper and Shoshana Cohan. Once the classroom tour began, it was as though the clock stood still. The Congresswoman’s disregarded her tight schedule. She appeared at home in the classroom and did not want to leave. In the Kindergarten classroom, Melody Harris was teaching the children their first lesson in rhyming. The children were filled with excitement and determination as they compared and contrasted sounds, words, and concepts. Every child was drawn into the lesson and had the opportunity to give his or her answers and insights. An intense energy and joy with the learning process was shared by Mrs. Harris, her students and their guests. After the lesson, the children presented the Congresswoman with a book that they had illustrated. Congresswoman McCarthy took the time to look at each picture and acknowledge the beautiful and thoughtful work that each child had created. Upon leaving the room, the congresswoman commented on how impressed she was with the children’s accomplishments and their incredible drive to learn and work hard.

Next, Congresswoman McCarthy joined Mrs. Shoshana Cohan’s first grade class as they completed a diagram comparing and contrasting President Washington and President Obama.  After the lesson, each child told the congresswoman what he or she wanted to do as an adult. She commented on their choices and praised the children for their aspirations. Each child also had the opportunity to ask the Congresswoman a question about herself.  The questions included what the Congresswoman does in her spare time, how many children and grandchildren she has, whether she likes driving a car, and what is her favorite activity. Congresswoman McCarthy listened to each question thoughtfully and delighted the children with her answers. Finally, the class presented Congresswoman McCarthy with a book about the role of the president in our government.  She graciously thanked the class for their gift.

When she finally did emerge, Congresswoman McCarthy thanked the CAHAL administration for the invitation and the opportunity to visit the classes. Although it was the CAHAL staff and administration who felt honored to have the Congresswoman visit their program, McCarthy insisted that she was the one who felt privileged to witness the wonderful work being done for children with special education needs in her district.