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Vol. 26 No. 51
DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023
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Chabad’s lighting encourages hope, peace By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Holden Leeds/Herald
The Chabad of Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh lit its grand menorah last week, at a celebration that was full of holiday cheer, and also prayers for Israel, amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Members of the Jewish community joined Chabad of Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh at its annual menorah lighting on Dec. 7, signifying the beginning of the joyous holiday. The evening underscored the idea of bringing light into the world, especially amid the ongoing Hamas-Israel war — which has affected many Jews personally around the world. “Tonight’s evening is dedicated to the safety and security of our family members, our brothers and sisters in Israel,” Richard Soleymanzadeh, who led the evening’s proceedings, said. “Tonight, we will join ConTInuEd on pagE 10
High school students come together to support Global Volunteers By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Sanford H. Calhoun High School’s Racial Equity Club is once again taking on an ambitious project this school year. On the heels of last year’s Hope Project, which raised $3,800 for the nonprofit Hope for Haiti, the club is back at it this year, now collecting money for Global Volunteers. As its name implies, Global Volunteers is an international program that encourages and enables volunteers to work with and learn from people in communities around the world. On short mission trips, volunteers have helped countless
people in a wide range of countries for over 30 years. At Calhoun, Global Volunteers was chosen as the focus of the Racial Equity Club’s campaign because club member Grace Miller, a senior at Calhoun, had a personal connection to the program. “In the summer of 2018, I traveled to Africa through the organization Global Volunteers,” she told the Herald. “While I was there, I helped t e a ch ch i l d re n E n g l i s h . I worked through the Reaching Children’s Potential program, which aims to eliminate hunger, enhance cognition, and just improve the overall health of children. It especially focuses
on preventing stunting, which can happen through pregnancy, or through the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.” Miller, who traveled to Tanzania, said that when she returned home, she realized how important it is to support organizations like Global Volunteers. “Not everyone can travel to Africa and really help firsthand,” she said. “I thought it would be beneficial to start the fundraiser here, so we could still help Global Volunteers and make an impact.” Miller’s trip to Tanzania five years ago wasn’t her first one with Global Volunteers. “My mom and I had been on two
other trips — I had gone to Montana and Peru beforehand,” she said. “And two summers ago, I went to Italy. My mom just really wanted a chance for my sisters and I to see other parts of the world, and to recognize that we’re fortunate enough to do this, and we should use that to help others.” Calhoun social studies
teacher Beth Finneran, the club’s adviser, said she was impressed by Miller’s efforts. “I was so impressed to learn that Grace had volunteered in Tanzania at such a young age,” Finneran said, “and even more impressed by her passion to share her experience with us so we could support her, and children in Tanzania.” Nickolas Mascary, another ConTInuEd on pagE 12