BKNW 20th Anniversary Dinner
Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz
Last Shabbos, the Beis HaKnesses of North Woodmere (BKNW) celebrated its 20th anniversary with a grand weekend of events, highlighting two decades of extraordinary growth and community impact. What began as a small kehillah of ten families davening in Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz’s basement has blossomed into a vibrant shul, now at the heart of a community with nine shuls.
Rabbi Lebowitz, one of the most respected rabbanim both locally and globally, has been the cornerstone of BKNW’s journey. Under his leadership, the shul has become a beacon of Torah, tefillah, and achdus for North Woodmere and the greater Five Towns community.
The celebratory weekend began with uplifting tefillos led by renowned chazzan Yisroel Williger. A festive Oneg Shabbos brought members together to rejoice in the shul’s milestones, with rabbanim from other shuls offering heartfelt divrei Torah and tribute to Rabbi Lebowitz and BKNW. The Shabbos morning gala kiddush exemplified the warmth and camaraderie that define the kehillah.
The highlight of the weekend was a formal melaveh malkah on Motzaei Shabbos. The evening began with soulful musical entertainment by Eli Levin, setting the tone for a night of joy and inspiration. Shul member Rabbi Natan Farber infused humor and heart into the program with a comedy routine that left the audience in stitches as he gently roasted fellow members.
A touching surprise came with the appearance of Harav HaGaon Rav Yisroel Reisman, who delivered divrei berachah and expressed his warm support for Rabbi Lebowitz, with whom he has recently developed a close relationship.
In his poignant address, Rabbi Lebowitz reflected on the shul’s humble beginnings, expressed gratitude to those who have sustained it, and shared his vision for the future. He lauded the founders for their foresight, praised current members for their contributions, and inspired the next generation to uphold the shul’s mission.
The evening also included a retrospective video, with heartfelt reflections from members on the shul’s growth and its impact on their families. BKNW president Joey Kramer served as emcee, paying tribute to the shul’s founders and past presidents, whose vision and dedication laid the foundation for its success.
The night concluded with a mesmerizing performance by acclaimed magician Shlomo Levinger, leaving attendees amazed and delighted.
Each family left the melaveh malkah with meaningful keepsakes: a BKNW car magnet, and a bottle of wine from a winery in northern Israel that suffered losses during the recent war. This gesture demonstrated the shul’s solidarity with Acheinu Bnei Yisrael and support for those affected by the conflict.
As BKNW embarks on its next chapter, the 20th-anniversary celebration served as a powerful reminder of its remarkable journey and the strength of a shared commitment to Torah, community, and chesed.
