NHP street fair date sparks controvsery

Mayor Devane eyes alternative after criticism for plan to hold on 1st day of Jewish New Year

BY BRANDON DUFFY

The Village of New Hyde Park is discussing other options on when to host the village’s street fair, which is currently scheduled to take place on the frst day of Rosh Hashanah, Mayor Christopher Devane said in a letter to residents.

The fair is now planned for Sept. 16, the Saturday of Rosh Hashanah, which marks the Jewish new year and starts at sundown the day before. The fair’s rainout date is currently set for Sat., Sept. 23.

A letter was sent to both Blank Slate Media and Newsday from Donald Panetta, a trustee on the Great Neck Library Board of Trustees since 2022, expressing his frustration with the date. Panetta said the village is the culprit of “blatant antisemitism.”

“Holding the street fair on one of the holiest days of the Jewish year is an insult and a slap in the face,” Panetta wrote.

Devane said the decision to host the street fair on Sept. 16 was solely his, adding it was his understanding that any conficts between the fair, which ends at 4 p.m., and the holiday would begin on sundown Saturday and the fair would be done by then.

“It has come to my attention that some are trying to use this as a wedge issue for their own purposes,” Devane said in a statement. “Rather than discuss this issue, which is two months away, they are choosing to intentionally embarrass the Village.”

The mayor went on to defend Patricia Santomauro, who responded to Panetta’s initial inquiries with Devane’s full approval he said, saying the village was advised the holiday begins that can join us will,” Santomauro said in full.

Devane said the Panetta letter, which excludes the frst sentence from Santomauro’s email to him about fair.

Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Jewish New Year, holds signifcant historical and cultural importance in the Jewish faith. With origins dating back thousands of years, the solemn holiday marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance, leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

The Hebrew calendar is a synergy between the solar and lunar calendars, which can lead to holidays being on diferent days, Chabad of Great Neck Rabbi Osher Kravitsky said.

“Rosh Hashanah is widely celebrated even by the non-religious or non-observant population among the Jewish community,” Kravitsky said. “Most of the community would not be able to attend a street fair because they would be too busy.” at sundown and there were no alternate dates available.

The last time Rosh Hashanah began on Friday was in 2020.

“A great amount of consideration went into this decision as our wish is not to ofend anyone. We were advised that the holiest of the holiday is during sundown hours. Also, unfortunately, there are no alternate dates available as the vendors would be attending other street fairs the weekends after the 16th. We do hope those not wanting to ofend anyone, was “twisted” to make the village look like it doesn’t care about the Jewish community.

Readers Write: Scheduling street fair during Rosh Hashanah an insult to Jews

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” said Devane, who pointed out “the Village Board is actively discussing other options” for the street

East WillistonSpacious Colonial situated mid block on a tree lined street this home features Large Living Room with a freplace, Formal Dining Room, Eat in Kitchen, Primary Bedroom Suite 3 Additional Bedrooms, 3 Baths, Basement, Hardwood Floors, 1 Car Attached Garage. MLS# 3488202

$1,050,000

Mineola Colonial for rent this home features a Foyer, Living Room with freplace, Formal Dining Room, Eat in Kitchen with granite countertops, 3 Bedrooms, 1.5 Baths, Walkup Attic, Basement, hardwood foors, CAC, 1 Car Detached Garage. MLS# 3489395 $4,000/Mo.

Mineola Spacious and Charming Brick Tudor located on a picturesque tree lined street this home features Living Room with Wood burning Fireplace and 9’ Ceiling, Formal Dining Room, Eat in Kitchen leads out to backyard patio, Primary Bedroom, 2 Additional Bedrooms, 1.5 Baths, Basement, hardwood foors throughout. MLS# 3490895 $618,000

Jericho Sunny Townhouse in a beautiful Gated Community this home feature Living Room, Formal Dining Room, Updated Eat in Kitchen with plenty of cabinetry, Primary Suite with Walk in Closet, 2 Additional Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, 2nd Floor Laundry, CAC, Trex Decking, 2 Car Attached Garage, Pool, Club House and Tennis, Jericho SD. MLS# 3489754 $778,000

Incontract

Room, Dining Room, Eat in Kitchen, Primary Bedroom with Full Bathroom and Walkin-Closet, 3 Additional Bedrooms, Full Bath, basement, hardwood foors, 1 car attached garage. MLS#3468835 $899,000

Learn more about our partnership at MeetHanna.com

Incontract

Elmont Spacious Cape located Mid Block this home features Living Room, Formal Dining Room, Eat in Kitchen, 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, Walk Out Basement, hardwood foors, 1 Car Attached Garage, Fenced Backyard. MLS# 3476335 $645,000

*New York ranking by closed transaction sides. National ranking as reported by RealTrends