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Friday, June 7, 2019
Vol. 79, No. 23
W H A T ’S YOUR HOME W O R T H? CO NTAC
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Torah unveiling held at Jericho Jewish Center BY GARY SIMEONE
It was a special celebration at the Jericho Jewish Center last Sunday, as a Torah Siyum (Completion) event was held in the main ballroom. The event took place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. with an unveiling of the new scroll and a dance of the new Torah. “We are celebrating this generous gift of the commandment with the dedication of this new Torah scroll,” said Rabbi Ben Herman, of the Jericho Jewish Center. “This event brings our whole congregation together and its through generations that we repair these scrolls.” The new Torah scroll was donated by a long-time member of the congregation, Neil H. Cohn, in honor of his parents, Norman and Harriet Cohn, who recently passed away. In the Jewish custom, in the
Dancing the Torah under a Tallit (representing a Huppah) into the Ark
merit and honor of a deceased individual, the congregants undertake what is known as a ‘Mishnah Study,’ with the goal of holding a siyum. “This is a monumental opportunity to have this new Torah scroll in our congregation,” said Rabbi Herman. At the unveiling ceremony, the scribe, whose name was Zerach Greenfield, wrote in the new Torah by hand. Members of the Cohn family and various members of the congregation, came up at different intervals to write messages in and personalize the new book. At the end of the event, members of the congregation took part in a dance underneath a Tallit, representing a type of canopy in the Jewish religion. They danced into the Ark. For more information on the See page 6
Jericho student’s organization helps kids ‘adapt’ to toys BY GARY SIMEONE
Jericho High School junior Michael Dicpinigaitis’ ambition to help kids with orthopedic problems began after watching one of his mom’s speech pathology videos. The video showed a group of kids using toys that were formatted with larger switches which made playing easier for them. “I started this organization a few months ago, with the goal of adapting toys for children with orthopedic impairments across Long Island,” said Dicpinigaitis. “I wanted to do something to give back to my community, help others, and make a difference.” By adapting the toys, which include motor-controlled cars, ball machines and various plastic toys, the electrical components of the toy are redistributed so children can access a larger, easily maneuverable
switch. “Basically any toy with a battery and an internal switch can be adapted,” said Dicpinigaitis. “Switch access is not only important for independent play, but also is extremely important for children with complex communication needs and complex bodies. Learning consistent access to switches helps them learn the skills they need to access a speech generating device which will open their world to communication.” Currently, Michael works with five different schools across Long Island, giving students access to these type of toys. The schools include Nassau BOCES, Suffolk AHRC, UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) Suffolk, Henry Viscardi School and Angela’s House of Stony Brook. His organization recently started working with the Long Island TRIAD Center, loaning toys to their proSee page 6
Michael working with one of the children.
WWII veteran honored for service PAGE 4 DECA competes internationally PAGE 2