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Synagogues reflect on conflict in Israel Hundreds attend emotional, moving vigil By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Jordan Vallone/Herald
Cantor Benjamin Warschawski, of the Merrick Jewish Centre, and Cantor Joshua diamond, of Congregation Beth ohr, led attendees in ‘avinu she-ba-shamayim,’ — ‘a prayer for the State of israel’ — during an emotional vigil on Monday night for South Shore synagogues.
There were no words to describe the feeling that resonated throughout the Merrick Jewish Centre on Monday night. Hundreds gathered from South Shore synagogues in sadness, frustration and anger over the staggering violence in Israel over the weekend. On Saturday, Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that occupies the Gaza strip, and is considered a terrorist organization by United States and the European Union, attacked Israel, killing nearly 1,000 Israelis and taking hundreds captive. Israel launched a counterattack, and its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, warned of “a long and difficult war” on Sunday. Palestinian authorities estimated
that at least 800 people were killed in the retaliatory attacks. In Nassau County, which has a Jewish population of over 230,000 — 17 percent of the county’s population — residents watched in horror, frightened for their friends and family in Israel. President Biden said on Tuesday that at least 14 Americans had been killed, and confirmed that some were among the hostages taken by Hamas. “We all wish that we were here tonight under better circumstances,” Rabbi Joshua Dorsch, of the Merrick Jewish Centre, said. “The Psalmist teaches us that God is close to the brokenhearted, and those who are crushed in spirits. And given everything that has transpired in the past few days, all Continued on page 10
Bellmore-Merrick libraries gear up for the Great Give Back By RACHElE TERRANoVA rterranova@liherald.com
It’s another year of the Great Give Back, and the Bellmore and Merrick libraries are hosting public-service projects this month, giving patrons opportunities to do good deeds for their community. The Great Give Back, a community service initiative created by the Suffolk County Public Library Directors Association and the Suffolk Cooperative Library system, in conjunction with the Nassau Library System, is back this year, on Oct. 21. Since the initiative’s founding in 2017, it has expanded greatly. Every county in New
York participates, Memorial Library and the libraries’ and the North Bellprojects and goals more Public vary from year to L i b r a r y h ave year. events slated for Local libraries Oct. 21. are preparing for In North Belltheir day of service, more, the library a n d t h e re a re a will continue focusnumber of events, CHRIsTINA ing on sustainabilidrives and collec- BoNIfIglIo-sCAlI ty during the Great tions planned Give Back. RenoMerrick Library throughout October. vated in 2019 with With active and energy-efficient community-oriented libraries features and environment susin Bellmore and Mer rick, tainability in mind, it is only patrons have a variety of ways fitting that it will host a cleanto get involved. up at Forest City Park later this month. The park is at 3099 Morgan Bellmore This year, both the Bellmore Drive in Wantagh, on the bor-
I
t consistently resonates with our residents.
der of North Bellmore, and is maintained by the Town of Hempstead. “The North Bellmore Public Library is currently enrolled in the Sustainable Library Certification Program to enable our library, and ultimately our community, to become more environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically feasible,” library Director Jessica
Tymecki said. “Our sustainability team is looking forward to getting our community involved in our environmental efforts — starting with our Great Give Back park cleanup.”’ The cleanup will begin at 10 a.m. and last about two hours, with all supplies needed to remove debris provided, along with refreshments. Teens can Continued on page 2