__________________ Merrick _________________
HERALD $1.00 $1.00
MAMS sends care messages
Posh Paws opens in Bellmore
Science program is revamped
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VOL. 24 NO. 49
DECEMBER 2 - 8, 2021
A festival of faith and lights in Merrick Jewish festival that commemorates the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the SecBellmore and Merrick resi- ond Temple. It is celebrated with dents rang in the holiday season holiday music, food and rituals on Sunday at the Hanukkah and that include the lighting of menorah lighting parade that is menorah candles. This year’s hosted every year by the Chabad celebration officially began at Center for Jewish Life in Mer- sundown on Sunday. rick. “On Hanukkah, we remember Now in its 15th year, the the miraculous victory when parade started at the light overcame darkChabad Center, on ness,” Kramer said. Benson Lane, and “Many of us, unforattendees headed tunately, feel like toward Merrick Avethere is darkness all nue. The destination around us.” was the gazebo at the The attendees Merrick train staincluded not only tion, where a 12-footBellmore and Mertall menorah waited rick residents and to be lit. Music blast- RABBI SHIMON members of the ed from speakers Chabad, but also and parade goers KRAMER Nassau County danced down the Chabad Center for Executive-elect street as a fire truck Jewish Life Bruce Blakeman, from the Merrick who will take office Fire Department’s on Jan. 1. Blakeman Friendship Engine and Hose Co. was given the honor of lighting led the way. the shamash, the candle in the “This is actually the start of middle of the menorah. Hanukkah,” Rabbi Shimon “Happy Hanukkah,” BlakeKramer said at the parade. “This man said moments before he lit will last eight days, and we are it with a propane torch. “May so happy that we have the honor you all have a blessed and happy to begin the holiday.” holiday for the festival of lights.” Hanukkah — also referred to as the Festival of Lights — is a CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
MERRICK AVENUE MIDDLE School student Ryan Kenny, math teacher Kenneth Heffernan, math Chair David Prince, student Jason Lin and math teacher Allison Roumbos. Kenny and Lin were both admitted to the Institute for Creative Problem Solving at SUNY Old Westbury.
MAMS eighth-graders are bonafide math whizzes
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
At Merrick Avenue Middle School students Ryan Kenny and Jason Lin have been accepted into the Institute for Creative Problem Solving at SUNY Old Westbury. It is highly selective program for advanced middle school mathematicians who are looking to challenge themselves and learn skills not taught in the traditional classroom. “The Institute of Creative
Problem Solving is a problemsolving enrichment program,” said David Prince, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s math chair. “It’s for students looking to challenge themselves and go above and beyond what is taught here at Bellmore-Merrick.” District students are given the opportunity to take an American Math Competition test in seventh grade. Based on how they score, they can be nominated by a teacher to
submit an application for the SUNY Old Westbury program, according to Prince. “It has been one of the most competitive and gifted programs in the nation,” he said. “The students who were top scorers — we told them about the program, and the rest is history.” Approximately 700 students apply each year, but only 84 are accepted. There are a handful of programs run by institute, focusing on CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
W
e all have a little bit of light in us.