Briefs: Fashion, Loose change, Shul wins grant, Torah for free

Fashion week comes to Lawrence

NSCY’s Project Frumway featured stylish, modest clothing Project Frumway, a fashion show at Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence on March 16, featured 54 models — elementary and high school students — walking the runway in fashionably modest attire. Long Island NCSY sponsored the event with Central, HAFTR, HANC, and SKA. Brands including Junee, Be Precious, Beautiful Girl, 100% Kids, Trixie and Jane and Buttercup Kids were featured. Two winners, Estie Schwartz of Central and Yaara Syndowski of SKA, wore their own designs, produced by Rachel’s Fabric and Trim and Adeana Hartman, a local dressmaker. Shaina Katz, Lauren Leiberstein, Naomi Ducat and Riva Neuman each received honorable mention and accepted a trophy for their innovative designs. The evening also featured a raffle and a boutique where a dozen local vendors offered clothing, wigs, accessories and refreshments. The show was created to promote self-esteem and modesty, and to show the all-female audience that women can dress well and look nice regardless of their size, and that modest dress can be achieved in a fashionable manner. Many community members donated time, energy, prizes and clothing to make Project Frumway possible. NCSY especially thanked the committee of girls who produced the event: Eliana Brecher, Eliana Pasternack, Tamar Weinstein, Rachel Simon, Jody Cooperberg, Alexa Kotowitz, Rebecca Greenberg, Perri Rosenthal, Jackie Nadboy, and Lizzy Blass.

— Jewish Star Staff

Change that can make a difference

The spare change that Pesach cleaners dig out of couch cushions or auto upholstery can be donated to Tomchei Shabbos via a machine set up in the lobby of the TD Bank at the corner of Central and Cedarhurst Avenues to count coins. The receipt should be handed to a teller with the instruction that the money is a gift to Tomchei Shabbos. All the proceeds will go to the organization that helps feed hungry families for Shabbat and holidays.

For more information about this or other ways to help Tomchei Shabbos call 718-327-7283. Checks can be mailed to Tomchei Shabbos Yad Yeshaya, 634 Oak Drive, Far Rockaway, NY 11691.

Young Israel of West Hempstead gets a grant

The Young Israel of West Hempstead has received a grant from the Legacy Heritage Innovation Project, a non-denominational initiative to support synagogues that create new, systemic paradigms for congregational education.

The group seeks out projects that integrate adult, family, and children’s learning in the rhythm of Jewish living on Shabbat and chagim, engage parents and children in consistent learning and practice; link the different dimensions of Jewish living (Torah, avodah, gemilut chasadim); and foster collaboration and synergy within congregational life. Each synagogue can receive a one-year grant of up to $30,000 and becomes eligible to apply for funding of up to $30,000 per year for up to three more years.

The announcement was made Monday by the National Council of Young Israel.

Other shuls can learn about similar opportunities by reading their mail from The National Council, said Rabbi Mordechai Roizman, the group’s director of synagogue services.

National Council “can be used as a tremendous resource for all of its branch synagogues and member families,” he said. “We strongly encourage them to keep reading our e-mail communications and written notices.”

Free Torah from Rabbi David Fohrman

Wednesday, March 18 marked the launch of a new Torah study web site from Rabbi David Fohrman of Woodmere, a well-known local lecturer and educator.

The free service, www.rabbifohrman.com offers a wealth of Torah resources including videos, podcasts and supporting materials. In the future the site is to incorporate hundreds of videos and podcast lectures for users to enjoy free of charge. The content is made available through the support of The Hoffberger Foundation for Torah Studies, which promotes intensive study of the Torah and other Hebrew texts.

Rabbi Fohrman serves as scholar in residence for the Institute for Text Study, a division of the Hoffberger Foundation. He teaches on biblical themes at Johns Hopkins University and is a frequent guest speaker in local shuls. Rabbi Fohrman served as a senior editor and writer of the Schottenstein Edition of the Talmud, and is also the author of “The Beast That Crouches at the Door: Adam & Eve, Cain & Abel, and Beyond,” a finalist for the 2007 National Jewish Book Awards. — Yaffi Spodek