Newsbriefs from the 5 Towns

JCC appoints Joel Block as exec director

From JCC of Greater Five Towns

The JCC of the Greater Five Towns has announced the appointment of Joel Block as executive director. Block will provide strategic direction for the JCC and rely on his expertise in program development and community relations to expand JCC’s curriculum, strengthen its community ties and encourage overall growth.

Block served for the past 18 years as executive director and CEO of the Suffolk Y JCC in Commack, a state-of-the art center that serves individuals and families from all walks of life throughout Suffolk County. Block helped to establish that center as one of the largest JCCs in the country.

“The JCC of the Greater Five Towns is extremely pleased to welcome Joel to both our center and community,” says JCC President Arnold Waldman. “Joel has long been recognized as a visionary and leader who has built respect among his peers and within the community he serves. He has outstanding skills in uniting people of various backgrounds and motivating those around him to work together as a team. We look forward to him bringing his strengths and experience to the Five Towns and helping us continue our mission and expand our reach.”

A HAFTR and HALB alumni, Block is a graduate of Yeshiva University. He began his career at the Hartman Y in Far Rockaway but it was his role as Executive Director with the Suffolk Y JCC that allowed him to provide inspirational leadership to his staff, the Board of Directors and the community.

“Rina Shkolnik and the dedicated board of directors and compassionate staff of the JCC of the Greater Five Towns have built a remarkable organization,” Block said. “As we look to the future, we will work together with our community partners to strengthen our role as a resource, common meeting place and Jewish communal center. Our focus will be to expand our programming for people of every age and continue to meet the ever evolving social service needs of our community.”Hewlett Chabad

offers course in Tikkun Hamidos

From Chabad of Hewlett

What a meaningful summer!

That’s how some of the 30 or so participants chose to describe the unique “Tikkun Hamidos According to Kabbalah and Chassidus” course, given at Chabad of Hewlett Jewish Center this summer.

“I was really amazed to see the diverse and big crowd attending class about this deep and fascinating topic,” said Rabbi Tenenboim, director of Chabad of Hewlett who gives the lectures. “It’s not surprising to me that we are all looking for more meaning in our lives. But it’s really different when you actually see us all learning together.”

The course, given at the Chabad center at the Hewlett train station, is a part of Chabad’s effort to bring more awareness and participation in Judaism — to all Jews regardless of backgrounds, affiliation, or previous knowledge.

“The ideas are so deep, but the Rabbi derived from it such practical and useful tools to use in my everyday experiences,” said Sarah, who participated in the class after she heard about it from a friend.

The classes always conclude with a practical lesson so people can try to apply the concepts learned.

“At our recent class, we discussed the importance of setting goals in our life, but at the same time we learned that goals can be achieved by starting with even a very small action,” said Chabad of Hewlett’s Rabbi Nochem Tenenboim.

“The Chassidus teaches us that even if your goal is to change the world“you can still start by just smiling or saying hello to people you meet in the street. In a way, that may be the message of our Chabad.”

Chabad of Hewlett operates together with Chabad of the Five Towns in Caderarhurst.

For information, call Rabbi Tenenboim at 516-537-8770, Rabbi@JewishHewlett.com.

Chesed on a hot

Sunday afternoon

Submitted on behalf of Rachel Dublinsky

Three 16 year old yeshiva high school students raised funds last week for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, an organization fighting childhood cancer, during the Sunday that fell within the Nine Days.

Standing for over five hours in the scorching sun on busy Park Lane in North Woodmere, these close friends began what they promise will be a summer-long campaign to raise funds for a worthy cause.

The girls plan to continue serving lemonade from their stand every Sunday for the next few weeks.

For more information, contact Rachel at 516-603-8221.