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Pack it up for Purim event packs in the volunteers

04/01/2014 10:30:53 PM

Apr1

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rabbi Elie Weissman

Phone: (516) 433-4811 ext. 103

Email: rabbi@yiplainview.com

 

PACK IT UP FOR PURIM EVENT PACKS IN THE VOLUNTEERS

To Help Families In Need By Sending Food Packages, Participants Both Literally and Figuratively Think Outside The Box   

Plainview, NY, March 20, 2014:  In advance of the Purim holiday, which took place on March 15th and 16th, the Young Israel of Plainview recently participated in a far-reaching effort to provide food for those in need. Known as Pack It Up For Purim, this fourth annual event brought out droves of volunteers to help with the efforts. The event is under the auspices of an effort known as Feeding Our Neighbors: An Interfaith Response, an initiative organized by the UJA Federation in conjunction with the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York.

While it is always important to help those in need, the effort bore additional significance due to the underlying themes of Purim. During this yearly Jewish holiday, congregants, friends and neighbors alike take the opportunity to exchange baskets of food to one another, a hallowed tradition that began thousands of years ago. This concept of sending treats to those you know easily transitioned to the notion of giving food away to those in need. Many would argue that this recognizable parallel is not at all by coincidence.

 When all was said and done, the event was a rousing success. The participants collected a tremendous amount of food items, donating the entire lot to the Alix Rubinger Kosher Food Pantry in Massapequa, a both willing and grateful recipient. Iris Astrof, who can be reached at irisastrof@aol.com, and is a longtime volunteer at the pantry, was moved by the effort, saying “we are so appreciative for the all the hard work and determination of the participants. Today’s efforts will go a long way toward helping a lot of people.” Pack It Up For Purim also ended up raising almost $1,000.00, sufficient enough to now be able to provide additional food care packages for 60 families. These efforts, which will have a both real and significant impact in the communities involved, have not reached a conclusion but, rather, will continue on as an annual event, much like the Purim holiday it will coincide with.

Teen volunteer Sammy Gross was glad to be involved, saying “a family having food to eat is not a luxury but a basic human right. I wish we lived in world in which nobody had to worry about where their next meal was coming from. Until that day happens, I am happy to work with my friends and my synagogue to do my part to help out as many families in need as possible.”

 

The Young Israel of Plainview is a vibrant Modern Orthodox Jewish Congregation in Plainview New York. For more information on this and our other programs and events please visit our website at ww.yiplainview.com or contact Rabbi Elie Weissman at rabbi@yiplainview.com

Food for thought on the menu at Young Israel of Plainview Annual Dinner

03/09/2014 08:01:56 PM

Mar9

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rabbi Elie Weissman

Phone: (516) 433-4811 ext. 103

Email: rabbi@yiplainview.com

 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT ON THE MENU AT YOUNG ISRAEL OF PLAINVIEW ANNUAL DINNER

Synagogue’s Yearly Banquet Offers Generous Servings of Recognition and Appreciation

Jericho, NY, March 1, 2014:  The Young Israel of Plainview held their 42nd Annual Dinner this past Saturday night, singling out two extraordinary couples for their years of dedication to the synagogue. Elaine & Gerry Gross were recipients of the prestigious Pillars of the Community award, while Shelley & Gary Katz were the evening’s Guests of Honors, the highest award bestowed by the synagogue. The dinner was held at the beautiful Jericho Jewish Center, a fitting venue for a wonderful gala.

Elaine Gross was involved in educating and inspiring youth for 44 years before recently retiring. Gerry, a Navy veteran, currently serves as a facilities manager at Jamaica Hospital. Elaine was Vice President of Hebrew Academy of Nassau County and was a member of the Board of Education. Gerry was previously the Plainview Coordinator for the Orthodox Little League for 10 years. They have been members of the Young Israel of Plainview for 34 amazing years.

Gary is President and CEO of the International Securities Exchange.  He and his wife Shelley are actively involved in our synagogue from Gary being Chair of the Expansion Committee to Shelley being Chair of the Sisterhood Meal Committee which provides meal arrangements to community members in time of need.  In addition they are actively involved in the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County as well as Ronald McDonald House and Autism Speaks.

The schedule was structured such that the evening started with an elaborate dinner buffet in the grand ballroom, giving all the attendees a chance to settle in as they mingled with one another. Afterwards, the crowd was ushered into the main sanctuary for the much anticipated Award Presentation. Once again, Larry Cohn graciously served as Master of Ceremonies for the event, a position not foreign to him, having functioned as such on numerous occasions. He regaled the standing room only crowd with humorous narratives involving both sets of honorees, who he has known for many years, balanced deftly by heartwarming anecdotes of their commitment to and dedication for the synagogue they hold so dear. 

The honoree’s speeches were preceded by lively introductions by friends and family. Deborah Plutzer took to the stage first, recounting her multi-decade friendship with the Guests of Honor. Next, the Katz’s children described how much they appreciated being raised in a family enveloped in both love and warmth. Afterwards, Shelley and Gary Katz spoke in novel and imaginative fashion, envisioning the proceedings as if it were their Bat & Bar Mitzvahs, respectively.  Benny Gross, son of Elaine and Gerry, then took over the dais, deadpanning his way through an amusing chronicle of his parent’s selfless lives. The Grosses themselves finished off the speeches, matching each other’s quick wit and magnetic charm.

When the dust had finally settled, co-chairs Larry Cohn and Joanne Mlotok could not have been more satisfied with the results, saying “as members of the Journal Committee, we were given the challenging task of putting together an event that properly paid homage to two of the most deserving couples we have ever honored, no small feat to say the least. Shelley & Gary Katz and Elaine & Gerry Gross exemplify the altruistic and admirable qualities of self-sacrifice, benevolence and dedication that our community holds so dear. We are so glad that we were able to organize an event that appropriately recognized their remarkable body of work.”

 

The Young Israel of Plainview is a vibrant Modern Orthodox Jewish Congregation in Plainview New York. For more information on this and our other programs and events please visit our website at ww.yiplainview.com or contact Rabbi Elie Weissman at rabbi@yiplainview.com

Young Israel of Plainview Branches out for Jewish Arbor Day

01/07/2014 10:34:49 PM

Jan7

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rabbi Elie Weissman

Phone: (516) 433-4811 ext. 103

Email: rabbi@yiplainview.com

 

YOUNG ISRAEL OF PLAINVIEW BRANCHES OUT FOR JEWISH ARBOR DAY

Synagogue to Hold Green Community Event Honoring Tree Festival That Has Ancient Roots

 

Plainview, NY, January 11, 2014:  The Young Israel of Plainview, in honor of the Jewish Holiday of Tu B’Shevat is hosting a community wide Kiddush, where eco-friendly refreshments will be served and all are invited. The event, to be held after synagogue services on Saturday January 11th at 132 Southern Parkway in Plainview, has been planned for some time and has created an air of excitement in the local community. Tu B’Shevat is translated literally as 15th of Shevat, and essentially signifies the New Year for the trees.

To honor the holiday, in a way commensurate with its historical origins, the synagogue is planning the Kiddush with an environmental focus. All products served will be from local vendors, thereby bypassing the wasted energy and inherit damage to the earth caused by importing goods from other areas. The vegetarian offerings, selected in a way to highlight gifts from earth, will be as diverse as they will be eclectic, with a special spotlight on sustainability.

Event organizer Tina Ardito reflected on the happening saying “people often ask me how they themselves could possibly have any positive impact on the environment. I always bring up one of my favorite gifts from nature, the shade from a majestic oak tree. If only one or two leaves were there to help, the result would be essentially nil. But if, collectively, all the leaves work together for the cause, the result is nothing short of spectacular.”

The official motto of the event will be Educate, Demonstrate & Inspire. Atara Marzouk, who has also been involved with the planning of the occasion, was hoping that the project would be a contagious one, adding, “as happy as we are to put on this event, it would be that much more satisfying if other communities were motivated by our efforts and, accordingly, become themselves ‘green’ with envy.”

 

The Young Israel of Plainview is a vibrant Modern Orthodox Jewish Congregation in Plainview New York. For more information on this and our other programs and events please visit our website at ww.yiplainview.com or contact Rabbi Elie Weissman at rabbi@yiplainview.com

Rebbetzin Avital Weissman becomes a yoetzet Halacha

10/30/2013 11:04:43 PM

Oct30

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rabbi Elie Weissman

Phone: (516) 433-4811 ext. 103

Email: rabbi@yiplainview.com

 

REBBETZIN AVITAL WEISSMAN BECOMES A YOETZET HALACHA 

Community Leader Joins Select Fraternity of Women Halachic Consultants

Manhattan, NY, October 27, 2013:  Rebbetzin Avital Weissman received her official title of Yoetzet Halacha during commencement exercises today at The Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue. As part of NISHMAT’s U.S. Yoatzot Halacha Fellows Program inaugural graduating class, Rebbetzin Weissman is now one of only a handful of women formally recognized to oversee issues pertaining to women’s health, marriage and family purity. Rebbetzin Weisman, along with her fellow graduates, have become the standard bearers for Jewish women’s authority, as they serve to create a foundation for future women to follow in their footsteps.

This accomplishment enhances Rebbetzin Weissman’s already stellar résumé. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Judaic Studies from Stern College as well as a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School. She additionally holds a Certification in Educational Technology which she received from the New York Institute of Technology. She currently works at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County in Plainview, serving as their Technology and Media Specialist, using her considerable knowledge and vast experience to introduce innovative educational programs to the school.

Brian Berns, President of the Young Israel of Plainview was happy to put this achievement in perspective. “Adding a Yotetzet Halacha to Plainview would be, by itself, remarkably meaningful. Having Avital Weisman be our Yotetzet Halacha is exponentially better. Besides increasing both the overall breadth and depth of our programing and services, in Avital Weissman, we have a woman whose passion for spirituality is matched only by that of her dedication to her community.”

The dual implications of Rebbetzin Weissman’s graduation were as tangible as they were significant. The ceremony equally represented both the final conclusion of many years of hard work and commitment and, conversely, the very beginning of a new chapter of Jewish life in Plainview. The event itself was beautifully orchestrated, allowing for each woman to have the opportunity to fully appreciate the importance of what they had accomplished.

Sandra Katz, President of the Young Israel of Plainview Sisterhood, was elated with Rebbetzin Weissman’s accomplishment. “Historically, our community has always prided itself, among other qualities, as being inclusive, accepting and accommodating. That being said, having a dedicated Yoetzet Halacha in our midst will only serve to enrich what Plainview already has to offer.”

 

 

The Young Israel of Plainview is a vibrant Modern Orthodox Jewish Congregation in Plainview New York. For more information on this and our other programs and events please visit our website at ww.yiplainview.com or contact Rabbi Elie Weissman at rabbi@yiplainview.com

Breast Cancer Walk A Step in the right direction

10/24/2013 12:00:03 AM

Oct24

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rabbi Elie Weissman

Phone: (516) 433-4811 ext. 103

Email: rabbi@yiplainview.com

BREAST CANCER WALK A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Young Israel of Plainview Teens Exercise Goodwill

Wantagh, NY, October 20, 2013:  The Young Israel of Plainview teens participated in the Making Strides of Jones Beach, an event to honor survivors of breast cancer and to raise money to help the American Cancer Society fight this terrible disease. The walkers, participating under the name Team YIP, came together to support this event, one of the many orchestrated by the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer network. The team was organized by Max Kahn of Plainview, NY. Max said of the experience “It was inspiring to look around me and see all my friends from our shul walking together as a team to raise money to fight cancer.” The teens raised over $1000 from sponsors in their synagogue.

The event, which was from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, was formatted with a rolling start such that participants can begin their walk at different times. The walkers used each other for inspiration as they pushed forward toward the finish line, all against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, a fitting representation of the enormity of the challenge faced by those affected. The walk concluded in an emotional finish as participants got together to both celebrate those that have defeated breast cancer as well as honor the memories of others not as fortunate.

When reached later, Jordana Rothschild, a representative of the synagogue, expressed how uplifting the whole event was. “Seeing both the passion and dedication of the teen participants showed today’s youth to be tomorrow’s leaders. Unfortunately, breast cancer is an illness that will not be cured overnight. That being said, raising awareness by taking part in events such as these is, indeed, a great way to put our best foot forward.”

The Young Israel of Plainview is a vibrant Modern Orthodox Jewish Congregation in Plainview New York. For more information on this and our other programs and events please visit our website at ww.yiplainview.com or contact Rabbi Elie Weissman at rabbi@yiplainview.com

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784