On Sunday evening, September 25th CAHAL, The Community-Wide Special Education Program, celebrated 13 years of success educating hundreds of children with learning disabilities in local yeshivas, with a Bar Mitzvah Celebration Dinner at the Sands of Atlantic Beach, The honorees at the dinner were the leaders of the 9 yeshivas that make up the CAHAL consortium. These nine Rebbeim were instrumental in the growth and development of the CAHAL program in their school.

•  Rabbi Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshiva Darchei Torah
•  Rabbi Dr. Heshy Glass, Principal, Hebrew Academy of Long Beach
•  Rabbi Moshe Gottesman,Dean Emeritus,Hebrew Academy of Nassau County
•  Rabbi Chanina Herzberg, Menahel, Yeshiva of South Shore
•  Rabbi Shmuel Hiller, Dean, Bnos Bais Yaakov
•  Rabbi Zvi A. Koff, for his years as Menahel, Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island
•  Rabbi David Leibtag, Educational Director, H.A.F.T.R.
•  Rabbi Meyer Weitman, Associate Dean, Torah Academy for Girls
•  Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Yaffe, Menahel, Mesivta Ateres Yaakov

The dinner was an unprecedented event. Over 500 people attended. Families from the 5-Towns, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead, Queens and greater Nassau County joined together to celebrate CAHAL’s 13 successful years. Rabbis from many local community Shuls were in attendance and endorsed the event. The theme of the dinner focused on the Achdus (unity) of the local Jewish community. People from all the different yeshivos in the area, with varying hashkofos, joined together to participate in this event, pay tribute to their school’s leader, and support this outstanding special education program.

The highlight of the program featured a Siyum in Mishnayos Berachos by the CAHAL 5-6 grade boys class at Yeshiva of South Shore. An emotional video presentation about the CAHAL program, an address by CAHAL’s Rabbinic Consultant, Rabbi Yaakov Reisman, and the presentation of awards to the distinguished honorees followed the Siyum. A beautiful dance session presented the honorees with the opportunity to dance together with their families and supporters from the entire local Jewish community. The dinner was catered by Sharmel Caterers, music was provided by Neshoma Orchestra featuring Ophie Nat, and the video was produced by Herman Brothers Productions.