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JUNE 2 - 8, 2022
Rabbi Bruce Ginsburg retires after 31 years By lETISHA DASS ldass@liherald.com
Traditionally, at the end of the Passover Seder, Jewish people say, “Next year in Jerusalem,” and for Rabbi Bruce Ginsburg and his wife, Rachel, that year is now. After 31 years of serving the Congregation of the Sons of Israel, in Woodmere, Ginsburg, 70, plans to retire at the end of June. “We have been fortunate to have him as our spiritual leader,” Mark Kavarsky, the synagogue’s president, said. “So we recognize there was a great loss by his retirement.” The synogogue is in negotiations to hire Ginsburg’s successor, Kavarsky said. In emigrating to Israel, the Ginsburgs plan to live closer to their three children and 10 grandchildren, which is known as making aliyah in the Jewish community. “All our children are in Israel, and grandchildren,” Rachel said. “We wanted to go to Israel when we are still healthy, physically and mentally.” Ginsburg, who was named the rabbi of Sons of Israel in 1991, describes it as a traditional liberal
congregation. Throughout his tenure, he was a proponent of education and social justice in the community. “He introduced many wonderful programs to the synagogue, and also made it a point to be very involved with the children of all ages,” said Harriet Gefen, the education and executive director. Ginsburg, Gefen added, supported programs for special-needs, Russian and Israeli children. “Whatever program or project I came to him with,” she said, “he was completely, 100 percent supportive.” Ginsburg’s adult-education courses, Gefen said, have always been very well attended, and everyone in the community, whether they were part of the congregation or not, has sought his counseling. “I consider him to be a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual leader,” Kavarsky said, “who’s supported individuals and families through a multitude of life cycles.” Born and raised in Levittown, Pennsylvania, Ginsburg was devoted to his Jewish faith and followed the example of his mother, Louis Ginsburg, as a spiritual leader. In their reform congregation, Continued on page 7
Joe Abate/Herald
Remembering the fallen VFW Post 1582 member Frank Santora, far right, read the names of Inwood residents who died in military service at ceremonies on Monday. To his right was post Commander Miguel Martinez.
Hewlett Elementary School honors the Provenzanos By lISA MARGARIA lmargaria@liherald.com
To honor the memory of Nicholas and Joanne Provenzano, two longtime Hewlett Elementary School employees, the school on Broadway held a tree dedication ceremony last week. Nicholas, nicknamed “Nicky” by former co-workers, worked as a custodian for nearly 40 years, from 1957 to 1996. He died in 1996, on his way to work. Joanne had several jobs at the elementary school from 1976 to 2003. After retiring, she stayed connected with her friends from the district. She died last year. The district planted two trees and installed two dedication
plaques — one for Nicholas and one for Joanne — in the school’s courtyard to honor the couple, “who dedicated their time and their service to the students and faculty of Hewlett Elementary School,” Principal Dr. Colleen O’Hara said at the May 26 ceremony. “These beautiful trees here today will serve as a reminder of Joanne and Nicholas Provenzano, and they will help friends come together today and in the future. ” Dr. Mildred David, who was the school’s principal from 1972 to 2002, named the memorial the Provenzano Planting Project. David worked with Nicholas Provenzano for 33 years, and with Joanne for 26.
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hese beautiful trees will be here to remind us that happiest are the givers, and helping hands are always appreciated.
DoREEN RoMANo In her speech, David recalled Nicholas carrying hurt children to the nurse’s office and digging through the trash with students for accidentally tossed retainers. She described him as “approachable,” always having a smile on
his face, and, she added, “When you needed a helping hand, you knew that you could count on Nicky.” Joanne “had three jobs at Hewlett Elementary,” David said. First, she was a “peacemaker” on the playground, then she assisted in the library, and her final job was at the front desk. “When there was a problem,” David said, “you could count on Joanne.”
Joanne used her passion for organization to remember many birthdays, and to beautify the Woodmere Education Center. The students paid respect to the Provenzanos by singing songs in between the remarks. David quoted from “The Giving Tree,” a children’s book by Shel Silverstein, which considers the nature of altruism. “As you grow and as you learn and as you experience life, be like the GivContinued on page 9