Rockville Centre
HERALD South Side grad releases novel
Chamber event needs musicians
Dancers perform at outdoor recital
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VOL. 31 NO. 31
JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020
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Village will own Killarney Lane Road to be built through Hempstead Avenue subdivision By BRIANA BONFIGLIO bbonfiglio@liherald.com
Briana Bonfiglio/Herald
CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN on Killarney Lane immediately, according to Christian Browne, the attorney for property owners James and Brett O’Reilly.
After an hour of courteous debate at a special meeting on July 23, the Village of Rockville Centre board of trustees voted to claim ownership of Killarney Lane, a new street that will lead into a cul-de-sac of a development at 220 Hempstead Ave. The meeting, held on Zoom, included a public hearing on the dedication of the street. “What’s proposed here is simply that the village would own the road,” said Christian Browne, attorney for the prop-
erty owners, real estate developers James and Brett O’Reilly. The O’Reillys plan to demolish the home at 220 Hempstead Ave. and build six new homes along with Killarney Lane, which would be perpendicular to Hempstead Avenue and allow access to four homes on the southern edge of the property. A resolution authorizing Mayor Francis X. Murray to accept the deed to the road once the developers complete it, as well as public development projects, including sewage and streetlights, passed by a vote of CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
Leadership change at Rockville Centre temple By JILL NOSSA jnossa@liherald.com
After 10 years in Rockville Centre, preceded by decades leading various congregations around Long Island, Rabbi Howard Diamond will lead his final service at Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David on Aug. 8, and then retire. Diamond has been the only rabbi there since the two temples merged in 2010, and was instrumental not only in bringing them together, but also in helping the congregants form bonds. “He was an integral part of providing spiritual harmony when the temples merged, and
uniting the two into one of the strongest and largest in Nassau County,” Barry Hochhauser, a former board president of B’nai Sholom, said. “He was respectful of the traditions of each synagogue, and made an effort to get to know the congregants of B’nai Sholom.” Hochhauser led the B’nai Sholom board when Rabbi Dr. Barry Dov Schwartz left and the merger began. “He proved to be a down-to-earth, roll-up-yoursleeves type of rabbi,” Hochhauser said of Diamond. “He was eager to participate in fundraisers, and helped congregants when they needed spiritual guidance.”
Diamond, 65, has been board member Caryn Morgenbesser’s rabbi for the past 21 years, since he led Beth David in Lynbrook. “When we merged, we needed a building, and they needed a rabbi,” she explained. “He told them he wouldn’t leave his congregation behind, so he took us along with him.” Morganbesser said the merger has been a “good blend,” and many of her close friends are from the new temple. She said she has always appreciated Diamond’s down-toearth personality, and his sense of humor. “He’s always cracking jokes, which I like because it keeps it light,” Morganbesser said, adding, “It will be odd not
having him as a rabbi. We’ll have to get used to a whole new way.” The new rabbi, David Lerner, will start on Aug. 10. Diamond was instrumental in enriching the educational programs for all ages, according to congregants. He established a Wednesday-night discussion group and an adult post-bar/bat mitzvah study group, and he
instituted the Korngold Connection, a Sunday-morning study for Hebrew school parents, interfaith couples and those who want to delve into the Talmud. He also started a post-bar/bat mitzvah group for young adults so they can stay connected to the temple. Along with other rabbis on the South Shore, he resurrectCONTINUED ON PAGE 10