On Tuesday, Aug. 29, Sephardic Bikur Holim held their annual End Of Summer Celebration with special guest performer Steven Chera. The senior event was hosted by The Congregation of Magen David in West Deal NJ.

There was music, food, and a fun time to be had by all. It is to be noted that this was not a stand alone event. SBH hosts our community’s seniors almost every Tuesday throughout the Fall, Winter, and Spring in their building located in Oakhurst NJ and sometimes at the DSN community center. Magen David graciously agreed to host the program throughout the Summer.

Stevie Chera serenading all who attended the End of Summer Celebration.

The Tuesday senior program generally consists of live entertainment, spending time with fellow seniors and volunteers, and a delicious lunch. Two weeks before the end of Summer celebration, SBH held a Syrian Hefieh where the seniors sang and danced to traditional Syrian music and enjoyed a tasty Syrian lunch.

There are about seven people who volunteer each week for this program. These volunteers help run and organize the program from start to finish. From Calling the seniors to make sure they’re attending, arranging rides, arranging the entertainment, ordering lunch, to actually attending the event and serving lunch, not a detail is missed.

A senior citizen enjoying the food and entertainment.

“We really have the best volunteers,” exclaimed Yvette Halawani, Assistant Director of the Volunteers and Programs Division at the SBH NJ branch.

“Steve preforms to close our Summer program for the seniors every year, they absolutely love him,” said Yvette about the annual end of summer celebration.

In addition to Steven Chera and his Band, Dan the Sax Man also performed for the happy crowd. The program is attended by seniors who are NJ residents throughout the Winter as well as Brooklyn visitors who join them in the Summer months. When Chera preforms, they get the largest crowd of the year.

These beautifully organized events are completely free for the people who wish to attend. Yesterday’s light lunch was catered by Nicole's Kitchen. It was a dairy lunch that consisted of salad, egg noodles and ravioli, and spanach (or spinach quiche).

Lunch served at the event, catered by Nicole's Kitchen.

The seniors enjoyed it immensely as they sang and danced along to the live music. Steven Chera wore a bright blue suit and had his granddaughter join him for a song which was a hit.

“She got more applause than me,” joked Chera.

This got a big laugh from the spirited crowd who seemed charmed by the whole performance. Suffice it to say, it was a beautiful day and an event our seniors eagerly await each year!

Frieda Schweky

Frieda@sephardic.org

Frieda Schweky is Sephardic.Org's official community events reporter. For inquiries and to get involved with our site, please contact Frieda via email.