FIGURE RAMADHAN 2011

My Indian kiddies

So for anyone who knows me, they know that a big part of my life has always been working with children. I've been fortunate enough to have varying experiences with children in different countries and my experience in India has been nothing short of spectacular. Carrying on my legacy as the 3rd/4th grade Judaics teacher at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA, I am now teaching the kids of Mumbai in Gan Katan every Sunday. The EPJCC is where Geraldine and I work everyday and run programming. The JDC, which runs the JCC, is an amazing organization that has reinvigorated and brought new, innovative programming to the youth of Mumbai. Each week I teach about 10 children the aleph bet, holidays, songs and anything else you could think of in a religious school class. Hopefully throughout the year we'll bring in more programming that will allow children to explore and learn about Judaism. The room that I teach in looks different, but we follow a similar plan of markers, glitter and lots of fun. Here are some of the pictures thus far from Gan Katan and general cuteness of my new students!

Looking ravishing after a 26 hour Yom Kippur fast.

The beautiful sukkah at Magen David synagogue. This was honestly the most gorgeous sukkah I have been in (even when bats were ferociously devouring the fruits hanging from the ceiling)

Learning the aleph bet

Perhaps my favorite camp game of all, dead fish.

Making flags for Simchat Torah

du employees and families celebrate Ramadan with orphans

As part of its ongoing commitment to the community in which it operates, du, the UAE's new telecom company, invited 240 orphans for Iftar in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The events were attended to by Osman Sultan, CEO of du, along with du staff and their families, sharing this special occasion with the orphans and celebrating the true generous nature of this Holy month. The children, ranging in age from 5-15 years, were invited from the Dubai branch of the UAE Red Crescent Society, Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation in Dubai and Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care, Special Needs & Minors Affairs in Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on these special occasions, Osman Sultan, CEO of du said: "This heart-warming initiative was carried out as part of du's Corporate Social Responsibility and strong belief in being an active participant in the community. At du we are always keen to spread happiness to everyone, and we were keen on spreading smiles to those who need and truly deserve it the most."

The events were hosted out in the Al Majlis Tent at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai and Al Qasr Tent at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. The events included several fun-filled activities for the young ones including drawing and coloring competitions, juggling contest, prizes and many more.

The children were also entertained by their favorite FREEJ characters who brought happiness to the children by posing for photos and playing with them. Mohamed Saeed Hareb, the creator of FREEJ was also present at the events and was an active participant in all the activities with the young guests.

Families of du staff went the extra mile and surprised the little ones with lots of gifts which made them truly feel they are a part of the du family.

Celebrating a Science-Themed Iftar in Jakarta

Embassy Jakarta hosts a Ramadan celebration on August 25, 2010. [State]

About the Authors: Hugo Yon serves as Environment, Science, Technology and Health Chief at U.S. Embassy Jakarta in Indonesia, and Alice Chu serves as Public Affairs Officer in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.

U.S. Embassy Jakarta celebrated the Islamic holy month of Ramadan by hosting a science-themed Buka Puasa (Iftar) on August 26. Eighty high-level Indonesian guests attended the celebration. Adding a high-tech twist, U.S. Science Envoy Dr. Bruce Alberts, Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) Lawrence Gumbiner from the Bureau of Oceans and International and Environmental Affairs (OES), and Gray Handley from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) joined the event via digital video conference (DVC) from Washington, D.C.

Charge d'Affairs Ted Osius opened the evening in Indonesia by highlighting the great strides both countries have taken in the past year to deepen science collaboration, including the recent joint ocean science exploration of the sea floor and biodiversity of North Sumatra by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Okeanos Explorer and Indonesia's Baruna Jaya IV. Via DVC, DAS Gumbiner praised the conclusion of the new Science and Technology Agreement signed earlier in the year, and emphasized President Obama's commitment to science and technology in the United States and as a key pillar of international engagement, saying "our president, Barack Obama, has a commitment to science diplomacy and international S&T collaboration that is placing these themes at the forefront of U.S. diplomacy.” He added that the U.S.-Indonesian relationship “is a partnership that will be continuing and deepening. We look forward to both Muslim and non-Muslim researchers and collaborators working together to solve these great problems that we all share on the global stage.”

Dr. Alberts expressed his strong support of continued science and technology engagement between the two countries that he explored during his trip to Indonesia this past May, including launching regular engagement between the next generation of Indonesian and American scientists. Mr. Handley reinforced the NIH's continued interest in engaging and cooperating with Indonesian counterparts on issues such as infectious diseases.

Speakers from Indonesia included Professor Zuhal Abdul Kadir, Chairman of the National Innovation Committee and Rector of University Al-Azhar, and Dr. Jamaludin Jompa, head of the Coral Reef Research Institute at Hasanudin University, who discussed the relationship between religion and science. In particular, Prof. Zuhal commented that in Islam, "people with wisdom and knowledge" -- scientists -- are highly regarded for they further the teaching of Islam, which includes the human responsibility to preserve nature. Dr. Jompa expanded upon this theme by summarizing the efforts by young Indonesian scientists under the age of 45 to address cross-cutting issues on climate change and the future of human life. The two speakers represented the expanding network of seasoned and up-and-coming scientists in Indonesia's science community and embodied Indonesia's desire to expand science and technology collaboration with the United States.

Sacred Month of Ramadan

Sacred Month of Ramadan - Audio Lectures

This classroom is dedicated to lectures covering a wide range of topics relating to the month of Ramadan, including preparing for the month, the fiqh of issues pertaining to the month, and maintaining a state of spiritual development after the end of Ramadan. Many of the lectures from this classroom were recorded at the Annual Itikaf Program held at the Islamic Center of Chicago.

CD 1
Resetting Our Souls
Moving Toward Ramadan
Part 1 - What is Fasting?
Part 2 - The Month of Ramadan
Part 3 - Questions and Answers
Part 4 - Changes in the Universe
Part 5 - The Requirements of Ramadan
Part 6 - Questions and Answers
Part 7 - Actions that break the fast
Part 8 - Questions and Answers
Part 9 - Encouraged Acts during Ramadan

CD 2
Introduction to Itikaf
Checking In to Ramadan
Welcoming Ramadan

CD 3
Preserving Our Good Deeds
Seeking the Sunnahs of Fasting
Legal Aspects of Fasting - Part I
Legal Aspects of Fasting - Part II
Unbounded Mercy of Allah (ta'ala)
Countless Blessings in Ramadan
Packaging the Fast in Ramadan
The Fast of Maryam (alaiha salam)
Welcoming Ramadan - Part I
Welcoming Ramadan - Part II

CD 4
Retaining the Blessings of Ramadan
Path to Ramadan - The Limited Days of Ramadan
Path to Ramadan - Purification
Path to Ramadan - Prayer
Path to Ramadan - Fasting
Taking Advantage of Ramadan
Making the Most of Ramadan
Preparing for Ramadan - The Month of Sha'ban