Yeshivah of Flatbush High School students knew they wanted to get involved after noticing an ad with the Yankees to fight Lou Gehrig's Disease, in the Ave J Duane Reade. Linda Mandelbaum, the secretary of the YOF college guidance department, suffers from this terrible disease.

With energy and compassion, the students quickly organized a basketball/soccer tournament, soliciting sponsors from local merchants and families and charging $20 per student to participate on a team, and by the tournament's start, they had raised over $7,000.

Before the tournament started—boys played basketball at the Joel Braverman High School campus and girls played soccer at the elementary school campus—all convened at the Joel Braverman High School for a pre-game ceremony. Courtney Bollman, Special Events Coordinator of the ALS Foundation, thanked the participants and told them a little about Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS—Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Joel Braverman High School Principal Rabbi Ronald Levy congratulated the participating students and all those who contributed time and resources to the campaign, explaining that it was no less important to work for a good cause with a project that is fun. He was proud to see the students embark on a lifelong path of sensitivity to the needs of others. Head of School Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari led the group in prayer for the recovery of all those stricken with ALS.

College Guidance Counselor Rabbi Yitzchok Rosenblum shared some insights from our sages about the lessons we can learn from Mrs. Mandelbaum. Marie Levy, one of the student organizers, read a letter to the students from Mrs. Mandelbaum, including the words:

…You are young and have the power to have an enormous impact on ALS research. In addition, this game is a celebration of life for all of you that wake up in the morning and can actually speak the words “Modeh Anee,” can get dressed for yourselves and come to school with determination to succeed. I am moved beyond words by your coming together for this important project and signing up so many teachers, friends and sponsors.

The games were great fun and filled the entire evening. Credit goes to Mrs. Sara Ovadia, faculty advisor of the Yeshivah's Tzedakah Commission—a student organization that sponsors activities to raise money for many worthy causes, the families and merchants that sponsored the tournament—the Shrem family, Richard and Jane Rudy, Steve and Michelle Sasson, Glori and Meir Cohen and family, Bagel Hole, Jerusalem II Pizza, Kosher Subway, Netanya Fast Food and Restaurant, Glatt Zone, Ave. J Stores, Pizza Time, Blueswitch, and Circa. Students involved in the organization of the event were tournament organizers Eric Setton and Abie Cohen, Tzedakah Commission heads Morris Shalom and Marie Levy; assistant commissioners Joseph Harary and Isaac Sasson; Ralph Zirdok, Bobbie Salame, Vivian Abramson, Noam Benamy, Aline Elmann and Charlie Shrem.

Written by: Diane Chabbott