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VoL. 100 No. 16
It’s a team effort to build a robot
Coming together to burn Chometz
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APRIL 13 - 19, 2023
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Coming to America during World War II Cedarhurst resident, 99, recalls leaving Germany By HERNESTo GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
A Christine Rivera/Herald
And they’re off! The sixth annual Eggstravaganza at the Five Towns Community Center had the children looking for Easter eggs. Story, more photos, Page 28.
s Holocaust Remembrance Day, April 18, nears in the United States and Israel, Cedarhurst resident Margot Cohen recalls leaving Germany at the beginning of World War II in 1939, but she doesn’t consider herself a survivor in the traditional sense. It’s more an appreciation that she and her family were rescued from the horror. “My mother doesn’t really consider herself a survivor, because my mother was never in a labor camp nor a concentration camp,” Margot’s son, Thomas Cohen, explained. “Her family got out in time and didn’t suffer that horror that other families went through, so she is always fortunate she and (they) had escaped.” Cohen, 99, the only child of Morris and Lena Libau, was a teenager when many Jews fled Germany and other countries the Nazis invaded. Her
parents escaped to the Dominican Republic, and Margot had two choices: remain in Germany, her home, or flee to the United States. “The feeling was very awkward,” Margot recalled. “It was not a pretty thing to go from one country to another.” She was placed on a children’s transport ship heading to America, without knowing any English or having any idea how long she would be separated from her parents. Margot arrived in New York in March 1939, and her three aunts on her mother’s side were awaiting her arrival. Afterward, one of them took her upstate to Binghamton to attend high school. Adjusting to American culture took time, but she didn’t shy away from learning English or other subjects. At first, however, she often sat in the back of her classrooms, writing down the words the teacher would say and translating Continued on page 11
Keeping meaning of Passover alive in the 5 Towns By HERNESTo GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
During Passover every year, Jews celebrate the freeing of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. Rabbi Nochem Tenenboi m , o f C h ab a d H o u s e o f Hewlett, also views the holiday as a time to unite as one Jewish family. “Truly, that is the philosophy of our Chabad,” Tenenboim said. “We are one big family.” Passover began at sundown on April 5. During the eight-day holiday, a Seder, or ritual supper, brings Jews together to recount the events in ancient Egypt. The first two nights and the last two nights are considered the most important.
“Passover is the idea of passing down traditional,” Tenenboim said, “and we very much emphasize rituals, such as celebrating the passing to the next generation, and making Passover interactive and exciting.” Tenenboim, whose Chabad celebrated 10 years last November, hosted his 11th annual Seder with his community, or, as he calls it, his family. “Sometimes we get a very big crowd, with many different backgrounds,” Tenenboim said. “People that may not have known each other before come, and we’re trying to give a real feeling of a family Seder dinner by introducing everybody to each other with a variety of activities.”
THE CHABAD HoSTED members of the community at a Seder on the second night of Passover last week.
Hernesto Galdamez/Herald
Hewlett residents Arik and Michelle Yamen spent their first night of Passover with family, and joined the Chabad for the second night. They strive to Continued on page 14