_________ Oceanside/island park ________
HERALD VOL. 58 NO. 43
Library focuses on fire safety
Welcoming fall with a festival
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OCTOBER 19 - 25, 2023
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Friedberg JCC looks back on Covid pandemic Jordan Vallone/Herald photos
Cantor Benjamin Warschawski, of the Merrick Jewish Centre, left, 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 Oct. 9.
South Shore shuls reflect on stunning violence in Israel ‘God is close to the brokenhearted,’ hundreds of vigil attendees are reminded By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
There were no words to describe the feeling that resonated throughout the Merrick Jewish Centre on Oct. 9. Hundreds gathered from South Shore synagogues in sadness, frustration and anger, over the events that transpired in Israel over the weekend. “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
of us are brokenhearted. We are crushed in spirit.” Dorsch was joined by rabbinic colleagues and cantors from Congregation Beth Ohr of Bellmore; Congregation Beth Tikvah in Wantagh; Congregation Ohav Shalom in Merrick; the East Meadow-Beth El Jewish Center; the Oceanside Jewish Center; Temple Beth Am of Merrick and Bellmore; and Temple Emanu-El in Long Beach. On Oct 7, the Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that occupies the Gaza strip, and is considered terrorists by United States and European Union, carried out the beginnings of a brutal attack against Israel, killing nearly COntInueD On PAge 16
Executive director says facility made smooth transition to remote services By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
When the Covid outbreak halted public gatherings, community centers across Long Island — including the Barry & Florence Friedberg JCC in Oceanside — were thrown into flux, wondering how they would operate and engage with their community. New York was placed on essential quarantine and lockdown for two weeks in March 2020, around the time Roni Kleinman took on the role as executive director at the Friedberg JCC. To ensure proper health precautions and social distancing measures, the JCC initially closed its building to the public and shifted to online services. During the pandemic, the JCC also shut down all of its childhood centers and six after-school programs, closed all daycare programs, senior programs, fitness centers and pools, and could only provide care for essential workers.
As the weeks went on, the daycare programs reopened, some staff came back into the building, and stringent measures were taken to kee p everyone safe. Wellness center administrators followed all CDC and New York state guidelines, including requiring face coverings everywhere but in the pool, social distancing, temperature checks, deep cleaning of all facilities and putting limits on classes. “There was a lot of Purell,” Kleinman recalled. “At max, (there were) 20 people in the building staff-wise and everybody else went home, and we were able to set up everybody remotely.” The JCC serves a large population, including children, seniors and those with special needs, and uniquely addressed each of their needs during the pandemic. The JCC offers health and wellness programs, social services, early childhood programs, and after-school programs for school-age children, as well as childcare programs. COntInueD On PAge 19