Who is Rajarshi Bhupendra Modi?
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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We stopped by 17 Heathcote Road to take a look at a new sign which is the subject of much curiosity in Scarsdale.
It’s remarkable because while most try to conceal their homes and identities this sign does just the opposite. The large royal blue sign with gold lettering at the foot of the driveway announces the name of the new owner, where he’s from and provides the identity of the designer who ostensibly designed the house. It looks more like signage for a business than for a residence.
Property records show that Rajarshi Bhupendra Modi purchased the 9,886 square foot home on just over 4 acres in May 2021 from local developer Shlomo Freidfertig for $8,500,000. The house was built in 1928 and has 7 bedrooms, 8 full baths and 2 half baths as well as a pool, a tennis court and a 4-car garage.
Information on the internet says that the new owner is a 74 year-old Singaporean businessman who is looking to invest $1 billion in the U.S. over the new few years. The home is held in the name of Beyond 100, which is possibly the name of one of the Modi’s businesses.
His profile on Wikipedia says, “Bhupendra Kumar Modi (born 2 January 1949), known informally as Dr. M is an Indian-born Singaporean businessman, social entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the founder-chairman of Smart Group of companies, the founder of the Global Citizen Forum and the global chairman of the Foreign Investors India Forum. He is also the Honorary President of the World Federation of United Nations Associations.
In January 2023, Modi was bestowed with the title of Raja-Rishi on the occasion of his 74th birthday. The title means “royal sage” and describes “a person who has attained all material possessions but has a high level of spiritual knowledge that enables him to remain detached. This is an acknowledgement of the life and work of Dr Bhupendra Kumar Modi who has been known as the ‘Man of Many Firsts’ for bringing several new technologies such as India’s first mobile call, first photocopier etc. These technologies have revolutionized the office automation and mobility landscape of the country, laying the foundation for a digital India.”
On Heathcote Road, just beyond the large blue sign, the gates to the house have also been painted blue and gold, perhaps the work of designer Sussanne Kahan. Her website says, Her website says, “Sussanne Khan has practiced the art of design for 15 years. She is the founder of India’s leading conceptual interior design store, “The Charcoal Project”. The store came to life in 2011 and changed the meaning of curated interior design in India. A victim of a curious mind, Sussanne used her imagination and talents to create diverse design stories inspired by the history of art and architecture through the ages. Her signature is a seamless blending of industrial masculine tone with feminine classical shabby chic. Sussanne Khan obtained an Associate Art Degree in Interior Design from Brooks College, Long Beach, California in the year 1995.
Has anyone met Mr. Modi in Scarsdale? Does he intend to live in the house? Do tell!
2023 Health, Beauty & Wellness Fair Seeks Sponsors and Vendors
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On Sunday, September 10th, 2023, the Scarsdale Business Alliance (SBA) will host its 2nd Annual Health, Beauty & Wellness (HBW) Fair. The event will take place rain or shine in Scarsdale Village from 11am - 3pm. The 2023 HBW Fair will be a fun, festive, and educational day full of activities surrounding key health and wellness resources available right here in our community.
Local businesses and health care providers will exhibit their services and products, offer health screenings, demonstrate fitness and massage techniques, and answer health and wellness-related questions. Food trucks and restaurant vendors will serve a selection of savory and sweet offerings. In addition, an expanded Family Fun Zone will feature face painting, caricature and balloon artists, games, arts and crafts, and much more!
Sponsorship opportunities are now available. Sign up to become a Health, Beauty & Wellness Vendor, Food Vendor or Family Fun Zone Vendor. Sponsorship and vendor participation is the perfect opportunity for local businesses and health care/service providers to exhibit their services and products, and/or offer health screenings and demonstrations.
Please click here or contact info@scarsdalebusinessalliance.com for more information.
The 2023 HBW Fair charitable recipient is Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service.
Congregation Kol Ami Celebrates Rabbi Shira Milgrom's Retirement after 37 Years of Service
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Shira Milgrom listens to the presentations with bitter-sweet tears.As one might imagine, coming up with a program to honor Rabbi Shira Milgrom for 37 years of bold leadership, love, and creativity at Congregation Kol Ami was daunting. According to the event co-chairs, Janet Hershey and Andrea Seiden, both long-time members of Kol Ami and residents of Scarsdale, "We knew to be successful, the program would have to include everything Shira holds near and dear– music, community, opportunity for learning – Jewish values, family, and women's issues." And that it did. On Sunday, June 4, nearly 300 members and guests of Congregation Kol Ami gathered to celebrate Shira's significant and lasting impact not only on her congregation and its members but also on the faith communities of White Plains and beyond, on American Judaism and, finally, on progressive Judaism as a whole. The co-chairs decided to use Shira's recently published book A Traveler's Guide to a Jewish Practice – an exploration of Purpose, Love, Healing, Wonder, Faithfulness, Response, and Joy to inform the stories, music, and overall program concept. The celebration was to thank Shira for helping the congregation embrace these tenets as essential touchstones on a path toward a life of purpose.
Elana Arian, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and recording artist, took center stage to lead prayers and songs. Elana's voice is beautiful, rich, and full of grace. Considered one of the greatest Jewish voices of our time, Elana sang soulful versions of songs such as Oseh Shalom, I Have a Voice, and Mi Chamoca while asking the audience to join her in Call and Response. Elana's mother, Merri Lovinger Arian, Professor of Practice in Liturgical Arts and Music Education for the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music, stepped up on the stage with guitar in hand, harmonizing with her daughter, who played the guitar, violin, or piano. Together their voices soared. They lifted the congregation's spirits so high that the room nearly burst with joy and love. Neshama Carlebach, Reverend Noelle Damico, and Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller also performed, offering songs of gratitude.
Elana Arian, one of the greatest Jewish voices of our time.
Members of Congregation Kol Ami provided personal stories and commentary. Notably, Myrna Barzelatto, a rape crisis counselor, soulfully shared what her purpose is and how Judaism pushes her each day to live life to the fullest; Susan Davis, a private practice psychotherapist, tackled love and the vital role of grandparents; Kathleen M. Pike, a Professor of Psychology at Columbia University, candidly addressed healing; Cindy Muñiz an English teacher for over thirty years at a prestigious Manhattan Day School discussed the topic of Wonder with wit and keen perspectives; three generations of the Pollak family including Jean, 97 years of age, Georgia Pollak and daughter-in-law, Lauren Pollak, discussed Faithfulness; Rachael Arenstein shared her response to refugee resettlement initiatives here in Westchester; and Jen Josephs, a human-centered designer and marketing strategist, examined the physical and psychological benefits of keeping Shabbat. Finally, Rachel Eckhaus graced the audience with her virtuoso skills as a flutist and played Morceau de Concours for Flute and Piano by Gabriel Faure.
During the luncheon, a long-time member of Congregation Kol Ami, Ellen Umansky, Professor Emerita of Judaic Studies at Fairfield University, provided a scholarly perspective about Shira and her impact on Judaism. Finally, serving as Master of Ceremonies was Alex Hopkins, who seamlessly tied the program together and, at times, played the piano and other instruments.
Andrea said, "Alex adeptly made the audience laugh and knew when to pass out tissues to the many who were moved to tears." Janet said, "I will always be grateful to Shira for opening my eyes to Judaism and making my life sweet, more manageable, and meaningful in many ways."
Kathy Pike shared remarks on healing.Shira Milgrom partnered with Tom Wiener as equal senior rabbis to balance work with home life priorities. Such a collaboration, once considered revolutionary, was a source of personal joy for them and considerable strength for the Kol Ami community. Both Shira and Tom are retiring this summer. Rabbi Jason Fenster will become the next Senior Rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami, effective July 1, 2023.
Program speakers celebrate.
Co-Chairs Janet Hershey and Andrea Seiden with Shira Milgrom
Scouts Collect 640 Pounds of Plastic
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The Scarsdale/Edgemont Girl Scouts Troop #2688 express their thanks to the whole community for contributing soft plastics to their recent plastics drive. The scouts collected 640 lbs. of plastic exceeding their goal of 500 lbs. As a result, the Betty Taubert Girl Scout House will get a beautiful outdoor bench from NexTrex.
The girls worked tirelessly to sort and weigh the plastic for months. They built collection bins and wrote letters to news outlets in the community requesting participation. Parents helped transport this plastic to NexTrex collection sites in the community. A special thank you to Happy Days Pizza and Coco Farms for supporting the girls with plastic contributions.
The project began as a segment of their “Growing Sustainably Together” Journey: Take Action Project. In addition to the bench, the girls have made air fresheners, painted beautiful planters and potted houseplants which are in the foyer of the house. Also, they purchased a plant stand with their cookie money and planted outdoor blooms. A summary poster outlining all the things they learned and the results of their efforts is hanging in the Girl Scout House.
The photos below include a heaping pile of 208.78 lbs. of plastic collected at their last weigh-in.
Bowman Votes No on Budget Compromise in Congress
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Most of the folks we spoke to in Scarsdale were concerned about the deadlock in Congress over the raising of the debt ceiling. They feared that if the government could not agree on a bill to raise the debt ceiling and failed to meet their financial obligations it would cause a meltdown in our economy, deeply affecting our lives.
However, this view was not shared by all. In fact Congressman Jamaal Bowman, who represents Scarsdale in the House, saw it another way. He voted against the compromise deal, objecting to its ramifications for America’s neediest.
Here is a statement he issued on June 1, following the May 31, 2023 vote in the house to raise the debt ceiling:
“Tonight, after House Republicans held our economy and the American people hostage for months, Congressman Jamaal Bowman Ed.D. (NY-16) joined dozens of Democratic colleagues in voting against an austerity bill that maliciously weaponizes the debt limit.
Congressman Jamaal Bowman Ed.D. (NY-16) released the following statement in response:
“The ability of the United States government to meet its obligations should never be in doubt. But Republicans have tried to disillusion the American people by manufacturing a political crisis over the debt limit in order to circumvent the normal budget process and pursue their goals undemocratically. Americans deserve to know that throughout these negotiations, Republicans' only agenda was to slash programs for working families and vulnerable Americans, so they could continue to hand those dollars to rich donors. I appreciate that President Biden fought off their most extreme demands and won some important concessions. But this process was designed to rely primarily on Republican votes. Like many of my colleagues, I cannot in good conscience endorse a bill that unnecessarily pairs a debt limit increase with attacks on the poor and marginalized, and that threatens our shared future with more giveaways to the fossil fuel industry.”
“This harmful agreement revokes $28 billion in COVID-19 relief funds, wipes out over $20 billion for the IRS to ensure rich tax cheats can’t get away with robbing Americans, imposes cruel and racist work requirements on older adults who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and undermines national environmental law while jamming through the Mountain Valley Pipeline. It is anything but fiscally responsible: it effectively cuts a wide range of domestic programs that keep our economy strong, yet allows the military budget to continue to balloon and fails to make the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share. We should have never been here in the first place, but President Biden has numerous options for executive action to ensure that Republicans can never again hold our country hostage. I am saddened to see how these negotiations went, but my constituents and people across the country deserve to be able to put food on their tables.”
