The Sephardic Student Club of CUNY Baruch's Hillel recently hosted its first annual dinner in recognition of Sephardic Baruch graduates of 2007, among other honorees, at Club 100. Baruch students Jeffrey Gindi, who was also emcee, and Albert Dweck did a great job organizing the event, with a turnout of more than 100 people.

Dr. Abe D. Tawil, Hillel's executive director and a Baruch professor for a number of years who is affectionately known as “Abe,” was honored and thanked for his continuous efforts in helping Baruch students. “A lot of what the community is doing today in terms of college is due partly to Abe,” said Generation Angel President Ralph Terzi, a Baruch graduate. “He's really a guiding light for me and I hope he continues to be a guiding light for students.”

Abe holds a J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, an M.D. from the American University School of Medicine and an M.B.A. from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College, as well as several professional certifications. Along with teaching at Baruch, he is an adjunct professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and adjunct associate professor at New York University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies. He was recently named the Continuing Education Association of New York State's Instructor of the Year.

A couple of years ago close to 120 Sephardic students were enrolled in Baruch. “This year we have half a dozen kids in the MBA program, including some women, which is actually pretty neat,” said Abe. “One out of every three New Yorkers between the ages 18 and 45 has a college degree. It's become like a high school commodity. If you want to make it in the corporate and professional world, the next step is graduate school. It's no longer a four-year experience, but a six or seven-year experience.”

Event speakers included Ricky Cohen, Baruch Hillel Vice President Ted M. Serure, Baruch Hillel President Andy Sternlieb, Abe Tawil, Marc Dweck, and 2007 Baruch graduates Ralph Terzi and Eli Yadid. All discussed the importance of a college education, especially in this day and age.

“It's not a numbers game anymore,” said Mr. Cohen, regarding the financial world. “It's all about intellectual brain power.” Knowledge is becoming the core currency, so presently, institutions of higher knowledge are the biggest investments we can be making, declared Mr. Cohen.

Eli, this past year's Hillel Student Club president, was chosen out of 3,500 graduates to receive the Dean's Award for Leadership this spring. Matthew Furleiter, a Yeshivah of Flatbush graduate, received the honor of valedictorian. “We had a great year,” declared Abe.

Mr. Serure spoke about when he and Abe were among the only Sephardic college graduates in 1964. At that time there was no one to counsel them regarding their college education. Now, one of the reasons there are hundreds of Sephardic students enrolled in college is because of Hillel at Baruch. “It gives us a core, a direction,” he said. Another reason would be Abe. “Whatever it is, Abe is committed to do it. Abe has specific knowledge and utilizes it to its fullest potential,” he said.

“We're always one step ahead because of Abe Tawil,” said Eli. Within one day of meeting, Hillel committee members came up with what they were going to do from September until June. “For the first time in history, we actually had a set calendar,” said Eli.
Eli presented an award to President Andy Sternlieb on behalf of the Sephardic Student Club, a subcommittee of the Hillel Student Club. Mr. Sternlieb helped arrange a Hillel at Baruch College Board including community members Harry Adjmi, Jeff Cohen, Ricky Cohen, Marco Habert, Joe Jerome, Ted Serure and Michael Wahba.

Hillel prides itself on being “the Jewish voice for the Jewish community at Baruch College.” Mr. Sternlieb said the Sephardic community is an integral part of college, and could especially help other Jews through Hillel. “We probably touch 100 kids a week,” he noted.

Marc Dweck presented Eli and Ralph with the Jesse Dweck Memorial Tzedek and Hesed Award for all their efforts both in and out of school. Marc said that while in high school, his brother Jesse A"H was designated by his classmates to receive the Hesed award. “Hesed was effortless to him, since it was his essence,” said Marc.

Jesse's father, Sammy, was one of the first in the family to attend Baruch College, and Jesse followed suit when he enrolled in the same school. He loved school, and his passion for life was apparent in his constantly smiling face, said Marc. “We are constantly being told by people how Jesse changed their life.” he added.

It is befitting that the annual award was created in Jesse's memory, said Marc. “Both Eli and Ralph are manning different and beautiful ships.” Eli put his all into Hillel, and Ralph has foresight beyond his years, said Marc.

Ralph commented that he learned to see the best in people from Jesse and now applies that to his own life. It helps him in his college and everyday experiences. Ralph stressed the importance of college, and shared a text message he had received with the audience: “College is about finding yourself and determining who you can and want to be.”

It's no wonder then that students, especially Sephardic Jews, flock to Abe for guidance. “About 10 years ago I had to look for kids,” said Abe. “Today kids are finding me.”

When Abe does seek students out, he knows the first place to look. “I just [go] to Starbucks.”

Written by: Yvonne Harari