A partial view of the packed crowd at the JHC dinner
Rabbi Naftali Portnoy thanking the attendees for traveling from near and far
Rabbi Naftali Portnoy thanking the attendees for traveling from near and far
A partial view of the packed crowd at the JHC dinner
A partial view of the packed crowd at the JHC dinner
Mr. Yaakov Portnoy, CEO of Get PEYD, and his wife, Tobi, receiving  the Young Leadership Award
Mr. Yaakov Portnoy, CEO of Get PEYD, and his wife, Tobi, receiving
the Young Leadership Award
Rabbi Moshe Turk describing  the incredible breadth  of the JHC’s activities
Rabbi Moshe Turk describing
the incredible breadth
of the JHC’s activities

By Susie Garber

The Jewish Heritage Center of Queens and Long Island celebrated its 28th annual dinner on Monday, August 1, at the elegant Rockleigh Country Club in Rockleigh, New Jersey. The packed ballroom–comprised of JHC alumni, community supporters, and friends and families of the esteemed honorees–was testament to the widespread support of the JHC which transcends neighborhoods, hashkafos, and levels of observance. It also was gratifying for the staff of the JHC to see one of the largest gatherings of JHC alumni who came from far and near to show their support of the JHC’s work.

The dinner was chaired by well-known askan Mr. Moshe Bane, who opened the evening by noting that the Three Weeks present an auspicious time for the JHC dinner. They mark that period of time when the Jewish nation lost the two Temples, each of which presented the greatest opportunity to connect to Hashem. Every single day, Mr. Bane continued, the Jewish Heritage Center is dedicated to providing Jews of all ages, communities, and affiliations with opportunities to come closer to Hashem.

Mr. Bane introduced Rabbi Moshe Turk, co-director of the JHC, who asked the rhetorical question: What is the Jewish Heritage Center? Rabbi Turk then answered this question through the eyes of the various individuals connected to the different divisions of the JHC–from Sunday-school students to college students, moms, dads, and teenagers, Ashkenazim, Sephardim, and chassidim. Though each individual answer was distinct, the common thread was that the JHC will do whatever it takes to provide Jews with the opportunity to come closer to their heritage.

The crowd listened intently as Rabbi Turk shared the breadth of the center’s reach by providing a brief summary of each of its divisions:

Brooklyn Youth Division. One of the newer JHC programs is centered around a drop-in center in Brooklyn for young men and women who have grown up religious but have, on varying levels, struggled with their Yiddishkeit. The division, led by Rabbi Ozer Babad, was launched three years ago and has already touched the lives of more than 300 young adults. The division seeks to address the entire spectrum of needs and concerns of these precious souls by providing a listening ear and open arms. Rabbi Babad is on the streets, often until 3:00 a.m., meeting these young adults in the places they frequent and establishing the trusting relationships that are the foundation for life-changing opportunities. In addition to the state-of-the-art drop-in center with a gym, lounge, classrooms, and computer lab, the division hosts Shabbos get-togethers and yom tov events, and provides yeshiva placement, social, educational, and career-enabling programs that provide the skills for transition into healthy adult lives.

Jewish Family Initiative. Led by Rabbi Yaakov Gruenstein, JFI is the division that works with young secular Jewish families in Nassau County. In just over two years since Rabbi Gruenstein has joined the center, the JFI has reached hundreds of families with mega events, holiday Parties, Torah classes, and Shabbos and yom tov meals. A number of families have even switched their children to Jewish day school through the help of the JFI.

JWRP. The JHC has become a well-known partner of this all-women’s outreach mission to Israel, often referred to as “Birthright for Moms.” Rebbetzins Portnoy and Turk, along with a handful of dedicated mentors, including dinner honoree Shula Katz, join groups of Jewish mothers looking to establish stronger ties to their heritage and to bring an energized spark of Judaism back to their families. Participants return from their trip to Israel with a new appreciation for their heritage, deep relationships with their mentors, and an excitement that is maintained through extensive follow-up that includes Shabbatons, learning partnerships, and monthly programming.

The East Meadow Torah Community. Two years ago, the JHC planted the seeds of a new community of bnei Torah in East Meadow, Long Island–in the heart of Nassau County, one of America’s most assimilated Jewish communities. This bold endeavor, spearheaded by four young families who have purchased homes in the community, is creating a stronghold of Torah Judaism focused on personal growth that has been embraced by the existing Jewish residents of the community. The community is growing with a number of families purchasing homes this summer, and the eiruv project has made significant headway and should be completed in the next couple of months.

Stuart & Eileen Stone Hebrew School. In 2015, the JHC’s Hebrew School merged with Cong. Ohav Sholom in Merrick. The Hebrew School has over 50 children attending class after they finish public school twice a week and once a month on Sundays. The Hebrew School has widespread recognition in Long Island for its innovative curriculum and programming for both the children and their parents, giving public-school children and their families a fun and meaningful appreciation for their Jewish heritage.

Sephardic Division. Led by Rabbi Moshe Vosoghi, to service young professionals in the Great Neck, Roslyn, and Plainview area. What started with weekly Monday Night Football and Torah has evolved into a serious group of secular young men who are committed to Torah study and spiritual growth.

College Division. Led by Rabbi Yoni Katz, the JHC is the center for Jewish Life on the LIU-C.W. Post campus. The JHC collegiate division is the stop for all things Jewish on campus, providing classes, Jewish services, and guidance for all the Jewish students.

High School Yeshiva In-reach Division. Based in Queens, this “In-reach” division aims to strengthen the self-confidence and Jewish observance of an often overlooked segment of our community. The goal is to provide our young adults with a safe environment to meet with friends, grow, and create relationships with young rabbis who understand the challenges faced by today’s youth. This division has reached nearly 100 yeshiva-high-school boys who attend the JHC teen minyanim in both KGH and Kew Gardens, weekly cholent and learning, and motzaei Shabbos and summer activities.

Rabbi Turk concluded his overview by providing one unified answer to the question: What is the Jewish Heritage Center? “It is the sum-total of all the different divisions. Each division is a world of its own, working together as part of a passionate organization that will never stop bringing the light of Torah to Hashem’s children until Mashiach puts us out of business.”

Rabbi Turk then introduced the center’s associate directors, Rabbi Avraham Portnoy and Rabbi Eliyahu Turk, who play an increasing role in the center’s management and who are shepherding the center into its next quarter-century. The associate directors introduced and presented awards to the evening’s honorees: Mrs. Shulamit Katz, Gil and Marilyn Miller Community Service Award recipient; and Yaakov and Tobi Portnoy, recipients of the Center’s Young Leadership Award.

Mr. Chaim Katz, speaking on behalf of his wife, Mrs. Shula Katz, brought an interesting perspective to the work of the center, that of someone who came to know the center through his wife’s involvement. Mr. Katz praised the work of the center as a holy vessel that implants a spark of connection in every Jew looking to grow. That spark gets fanned into flames by continuing learning and connection.

Yaakov Portnoy then shared his personal connection to the center which goes far beyond his familial ties. He inspired the crowd by providing a living example of how those not in the kiruv profession can partner with the center in its critical work.

The evening peaked with the rededication of the Jewish Heritage Center Hebrew School in memory of Stuart and Eileen Stone and the inauguration of the Rabbi Ronnie Greenwald, z’l, Memorial Fund.

No speech could capture the excitement and importance of the Stuart and Eileen Stone Hebrew School like the words of its students, parents, and faculty encapsulated in the short video presentation. Mr. Rick Stone, a son of Stuart and Eileen Stone, spoke poignantly about the lives of his parents and how the establishment of the Hebrew school was the perfect memorial to their lives as committed Jews, community members, and “teachers.”

A second video presentation about the life and impact of Rabbi Ronnie Greenwald, a champion for any Jew or Jewish cause which lacked a voice, and a longtime friend of the JHC, focused on his sincere care for every Jew. Fittingly, the video tribute to Rabbi Greenwald was followed by a second video detailing the work of the center’s chassidic division, which Rabbi Greenwald was instrumental in establishing. A young chassidic man speaking on the video said: “Everybody is welcome. There is actually someone who cares.” That sentiment not only captured the work of the JHC but the life of Rabbi Greenwald who welcomed and cared about everyone. By establishing the Rabbi Ronnie Greenwald, z’l, Memorial Fund for Youth in Pain, Rabbi Greenwald’s life work and legacy will be perpetuated by continuing to assist those who have nowhere else to turn.

Yisroel Greenwald, Rabbi Greenwald’s son and a friend of the JHC for nearly two decades, spoke emotionally about his father. He shared a thought about that first Yom Kippur when the chassidic youth who were running away from Yom Kippur community ended up running into the same hotel where the JHC was hosting its Yom Kippur retreat. Most people, Mr. Greenwald explained, were pouring their souls out to Hashem. That was their avodah, as it should be. “My father was pouring his soul into these kids. That was his avodah.” Mr. Greenwald pointed out, “My father always saw everybody how they could be.” He concluded by asking those assembled to emulate his father by treating everyone with love and respect.

Rabbi Naftali Portnoy, co-director of the Jewish Heritage Center of Queens and Long Island, concluded the inauguration of the Rabbi Ronnie Greenwald, z’l, Memorial by providing his personal story about how Rabbi Greenwald had changed his life when Rabbi Portnoy was a young camper. Rabbi Portnoy then concluded the inspirational evening by thanking the entire JHC staff and their spouses and expressing appreciation for the center’s founders represented at the dinner by Edward and Phyllis Chernoff, all of the honorees, alumni, supporters, and guests.

One dinner attendee perfectly summed up the work of the JHC when she said: “I love the gamut of people who come to the JHC. Everyone is welcome. Everyone is treated the same. It was definitely worth the trip to the dinner to support this worthy organization that brings so much spirituality to Klal Yisrael.”

Hashem should continue to bless the holy work of this wonderful organization in our midst.

To become involved and to donate, visit thejhc.com/donate or call 718-575-3100. To find out more about the Rabbi Ronnie Greenwald, z’l, Memorial Fund or to donate, visit greenwaldmemorial.com or e-mail fund@greenwaldmemorial.com.

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