5 Towns 5K run/walk aids Israel Chesed Center

This year’s 5 Towns 5K Run/Walk for Israel, staged in North Woodmere Park on June 8, partnered with the Hewlett-based Israel Chesed Center.

The grass-roots chesed center raises funds and collects and sends tactical supplies to Israel Defense Force soldiers and needed goods to displaced Israeli families.

“It was great — we had almost 500 people running in support of Israel, County Executive Bruce Blakeman came to watch the race and we are extremely appreciative for Bruce and his staff,” said Israel Chesed Center co-founder Moshe Bodner.

The 5K started in North Woodmere Park, making its way through the local streets of North Woodmere with major stretches on Cliffside Avenue and Flanders Drive — along with a path through Nutley Place, Glenridge Avenue, Mulberry Place, Cranford Avenue and Kilmer Lane — before ending back at the park for an awards ceremony.

“The Israel Chesed Center is the Five Towns community response to the Simchat Torah Massacre and the ongoing war,” according to 5towns5k.org. “It supports soldiers, wounded soldiers, displaced persons, and medical volunteers to name just a few of its projects. It has shipped countless supplies to people in need in Israel.”

First place went to Cedarhurst resident Dov Sternberg, 48, with a time of 18:05.17. Second place went to Jacob Pekelis from West Hempstead and third place to Zac Nelkenbaum from Cedarhurst.

“The race shows that the community supports Israel and that we’re unified and not going to back down,” Bodner said. “We will fly our flags proudly and wear our race shirts proudly. We had amazing feedback from people who have done the race many years and from newcomers. We look forward to doing the race again.”

Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group was a major sponsor of the event, along with Schumsky, Squeez’r, Abraham Roofing, and Pa-Kua Long Island.

“Maidenbaum is proud to have once again sponsored the annual 5Towns5K in support of the Israel Chesed Center,” Amy Madmon of Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group wrote in an email. “We continue to stand with Israel and encourage our community to do the same.”