Five Towns

Woodmere Young Israel marks Rabbi Schachter’s decade

Posted Wednesday, March 19, 2025 12:00 am

Shulem Lemmer was accompanied by three of Rabbi Shay and Rebbetzin Rina Schachter’s children, as he performed during last week’s dinner marking the Young Israel of Woodmere’s 64th anniversary, at Marina Del Rey in Throgs Neck.

Ira Thomas

At the Young Israel of Woodmere’s 64th anniversary dinner — from left: Rabbi Shalom Axelrod, Rabbi Shay Schachter, Rebbetzin Rina Schachter, YIW Executive Director Steven Myers and YIW President Ari Schulman. Myers is holding a gift to the Schachter’s that reads (in English translation), “He who sows wheat cares for a year. He who plants trees cares for years. He who educates souls cares for generations.

Ira Thomas

At the Young Israel of Woodmere’s 64th anniversary dinner — from left to right: Atara and Ari Stawis, Adam and Daniella Cohen, Elana and Duvie Levine, Michael and Alyse Appelbaum, Sara and Kevin Hagler, and Levi Farkas.

Ira Thomas

At a fundraising dinner marking its 64th year, the Young Israel of Woodmere celebrated the leadership of Rabbi Shay and Rina Schachter as they marked ten years of service to the shul.

More than 700 people came together to express appreciation for the Schachters’ impact on the Jewish communities in the Five Towns and beyond.

“This is not just a celebration of the past ten years,” Rabbi Schachter said at the dinner. “It is a commitment to the future — to continue strengthening our connection to Torah, to one another, and to Hashem.”

“Serving under the leadership of Rabbi Shalom Axelrod, alongside Rabbi Glatt and Rabbi Wolf, and previously under Rabbi Hershel Billet’s leadership, has been an incredible honor,” he said in a message preceding the dinner.

“The opportunity to teach, learn, and grow together has been a source of great inspiration and joy for our family.”

“Our commitment to Torah learning and growth has also been intertwined with our deep love and support for Eretz Yisrael,” Rabbi Schachter continued.

“As a community, we have stood together in support of Israel, advocating for those in need and acting with compassion and sensitivity during challenging times.

“In recent months, our collective efforts to support the hostages, their families, and others impacted by the ongoing conflict have been a testament to the strength of our bond, both within the walls of this shul and beyond. The values of Ahavas Yisrael and commitment to Torah have guided us through it all.”

The evening included a concert by Shulem Lemmer.

The YIW said that under Rabbi Schachter’s leadership, the shul community experienced tremendous growth in Torah learning, youth programming, and chesed initiatives; his ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds strengthened the spiritual fabric of the shul, while Rina’s dedication to women’s learning and community engagement has served as a role model for many inside and outside the shul community.

News submitted by the YIW.