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HERALD Celebrating the holidays in town
Basement fire on Blaine Avenue
Cruisin’ through with donations
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Vol. 25 No. 51
DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2025
$1.00
Young theater stars head ‘into’ the spotlight ty to take what I have in my head and make it a reality.” “Into the Woods Jr.” is a oneA diverse cast of students at act, junior version of the musiTemple B’nai Torah hit the cal “Into the Woods,” by Stestage in the temple’s annual fall phen Sondheim and James Lapine, adapted for younger perproduction. There were three perfor- formers. The musical weaves mances of “Into the Woods Jr.” together characters and plots from classic fairy at the temple, tales including which serves Want“Little Red Riding agh, Bellmore, East Hood,” “CinderelMeadow, Merrick la,” “Rapunzel” and and other sur“Jack and the rounding commuBeanstalk,” and nities. was written to be “We have a cast more accessible to of 32 children rangyounger actors and ing in age from 6 to audiences. 17,” Lisa Shubin, “It’s a great perthe production’s AlisA BARoUKh f o r m a n c e , ” executive producer, Co-president, Baroukh said. “The said. “They’ve been Temple B’nai Torah kids have put all working very hard congregation their heart, their since September on soul, into it. It’s t h i s, re h e a r s i n g amazing.” several times a week.” The plot of the musical cenThe show is directed by the congregation’s co-president, ters on a baker and his wife Alisa Baroukh, who resides in who want to have a child, but are shadowed by a curse. To East Meadow. “I’ve been with the congre- break it, they must find a cow g a t i o n m y e n t i r e l i f e , ” as white as milk, a cape as red Baroukh, 48, who grew up act- as blood, hair as yellow as corn ing in productions staged by and a slipper as pure as gold in the temple, said. “One of the order to concoct a cure. Along things I really like about direct- the way on their search, they ing is that I have the opportuniCoNTiNUED oN pAgE 8
By lUKE FEENEY
lfeeney@liherald.com
Courtesy East Meadow School District
A mural in recognition of Unity Day was created by art students on Nov. 6 in the Salisbury School in Westbury. The East Meadow School District recognized their work at the Dec. 3 Board of Education meeting.
Board recognizes artists and athletes at December meeting By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
The East Meadow Board of Education closed out 2025 on a high note — celebrating vibrant student artwork that champions kindness and honoring athletes whose achievements shine on the field and in the classroom. Marisa Morgillo, an administrative assistant in the East Meadow School District recognized student-artists who created a new Unity Day mural. Unity Day is celebrated nationally and is dedicated to promoting kindness, acceptance,
and inclusion, while encouraging students to stand together against bullying. “It is a time when schools and communities unite to send a powerful message,” Morgillo said, on behalf of the PTA Council, who was unable to attend the Dec. 3 meeting at the Salisbury School. “Every student matters. Every student belongs, and together, we can create a supportive and uplifting environment for all each year.” The most recent Unity Day was Oct. 22. Each year, the PTA Council in East Meadow chooses a mural theme inspired by Unity Day.
2025-26 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS PREVIEW December 18, 2025
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he kids have put all their heart, their soul, into it. It’s amazing.