Pictured Above: The crowd filling the room at the groundbreaking ceremony for DSN's highly anticipated Beach Club.

The Deal Sephardic Network, formally known to all as DSN, is the center of activity in Deal, NJ. It offers endless fitness programs, Hessed opportunities, and activities for our community's children. DSN is always finding new and creative ways to bring our community together. On July 12, DSN held an extraordinary ground-breaking ceremony for the future DSN Beach Club on the Jersey Shore, the next step for DSN as the organization grows.

Tables beautifully set with DSN memorabilia for attendees to take home.

That morning, the community gathered together at what will become the site of the beach club, right beside the Deal Casino on Ocean Ave. The ceremony took place under a tent where immaculately set tables were arranged to accommodate everyone. After the guests served themselves from the breakfast buffet, the ceremony began. 

“Ladies and gentlemen,” announced Sammy Sitt, Executive Director of DSN. “We have gathered here today to celebrate a historic event for the Jersey Shore’s Jewish community.”

Community members looking at the impressive plans for the DSN beach club.

The beach club is designed to cater to the needs of teens and young adults which many in the community have felt has been neglected compared to children or more mature adults. The idea is to give this group a space to meet and socialize while still in a community setting. This concept was largely inspired by the Sand Bar in Bradley Beach, NJ, which was the most popular meeting place for young adults decades ago.

Lee Zekaria, president of the executive board of DSN, addressing the crowd.

“We are creating a platform for an underserved demographic in our community by bringing them together in a healthy and exciting environment,” said Lee Zekaria, president of the executive board of DSN. “We are providing them with a starting point for meeting people and being socially engaged.”

Rabbi Saul Kassin, DSN's rabbinic advisor, shares his sentiments.

“I believe it was undoubtedly DSN’s coming onto the scene twelve years ago that has propelled this town to the thriving one it has become year-round,” said Rabbi Saul Kassin, speaking as DSN’s rabbinic advisor. “This new initiative will expand DSN’s reach, and further tie our past to our present, as well as to our future.” 

Detailed plans for the future DSN Beach Club.

The beach club is being built in honor of the Kassin and Chehebar families, both receiving awards for their generous donations and contributions to DSN. The blueprint for the club includes three stories, a fully functioning restaurant, fire pits, rooftop seating, and a “Sandbar” to pay homage to Bradley Beach. If all goes well, the club is set to be completed by June 2020.

Arlette Cojab

Arlette is a talented writer currently working as Sephardic.Org's Summer events intern.