East Meadow Jewish Center Explained

Building Name:East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center
Map Type:USA New York Long Island
Map Size:250
Map Relief:1
Location:1400 Prospect Avenue,, New York
Coordinates:40.7047°N -73.5647°W
Coordinates Footnotes:[1]
Religious Affiliation:Conservative Judaism
Country:United States
Status:Synagogue
Functional Status:Active
Groundbreaking:February 27, 1956

East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center (EMJC) is a Conservative synagogue located at 1400 Prospect Avenue, East Meadow, on Long Island, New York, in the United States.[2] [3] Temple Beth-El of Bellmore, New York, consolidated with East Meadow Jewish Center to create East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center. Rabbi Dr. Ronald L. Androphy has been the rabbi of the synagogue since 1983.

Early history

East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center is the consolidated entity of East Meadow Jewish Center and Temple Beth-El of Bellmore. The consolidation became official on October 23, 2020, The congregation was formed on July 1, 1953.[4] Ground-breaking ceremonies for the synagogue took place on February 27, 1956.[5] EMJC began with 115 founding members.[6] [7] Harry W. Goldin was a co-founder, president, and chairman of the synagogue's board of trustees, and Sidney Feld was a founder and president as well.[8] [9] [10]

Dr. Israel Nobel was Rabbi of the synagogue in its early days (and subsequently Rabbi Emeritus), and Rabbi Irvin Beigel served at EMJC for four years in the 1980s.[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] Paul Carus was a cantor at the synagogue in its early years, as was David Tauber.[17] [18] [19] [20] In the early 1960s, Melvin May was its assistant executive director.[21] The synagogue membership in the late 1960s was approximately 950 families.[4]

In the late 1980s, synagogue members protested against Soviet human rights violations.[22] Judge Fred J. Hirsh, of the Nassau County District Court, was the EMJC Men's Club Man of the Year in 1997.[23]

Recent history

Ronald L. Androphy has been the rabbi of the synagogue since September 1983.[20] [24] He received his rabbinate from the Jewish Theological Seminary, and a doctorate from Harvard University.[4] [24]

After an alleged racial assault in East Meadow in 1989 in which a white East Meadow man was charged with beating two black teenagers with a golf club, the rabbi joined other local clerics, who said they were motivated by their conscience and felt an obligation to lead the community, in speaking out against the violence.[25] Androphy focused on promoting greater understanding among religious groups. The synagogue's rabbi stressed the significance of the positive relationship the synagogue had with the local Methodist community.[26] [27] After David Levinton, a 12-year-old Jewish boy who had been a member of the EMJC, died, the local Methodist church's congregation honored the child. It voted to replace a tree that had fallen down on the church property, and dedicate the new tree to Levinton and to another non-Methodist boy in the community who had also died.[26] In doing so, it voted down proposals to dedicate the tree to Theodore Roosevelt, Jack Kennedy, or Harry Truman.[26]

In 2001, Charles O'Shea, a Nassau County assessor, began to enforce an 1896 New York State law requiring that special tax assessments be paid on homes bought by synagogues and churches for their rabbis and ministers.[28] At the same time, New York State law provided houses of worship with a tax exemption on property used for religious purposes.[28] Androphy observed:

There is a long history in this country of a separation of church and state, and the exemption of religious property from taxes. I think it's a dangerous precedent to set, because if the government can assess taxes for one purpose, what is to prevent it from assessing taxes on church and synagogue property in general? My great fear is that down the line governments might assume that the right to tax gives them the right to regulate. That would be an extremely dangerous breakdown of the separation of church and state.[28]

Temple Beth-El of Bellmore, New York, a 70-year-old congregation, consolidated with East Meadow Jewish Center to create East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center.[29]

Activities and membership

In addition to providing prayer services, the synagogue has a nursery school, a Hebrew school, a men's club, a sisterhood, a youth group, and adult education classes.[30] [31] As of 2009, the synagogue had nine torahs.[32]

As of 2010, Ken Martin was EMJC's president, Scott Goodman was its chairman of the board, Shira Ornstein was the principal of its Hebrew school, and Silvia Kogan was the director of its nursery school.[31] [33] [34]

As of 2019, the synagogue had a membership of about 350 families.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: East Meadow Jewish Center-Nassau County, NY; Topography, Elevation, Lat, Long, Maps . Trails.com . July 29, 2010 . October 14, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121014154935/http://www.trails.com/usgs-topo-east-meadow-jewish-center-church-topographic-map-2074326.html . live .
  2. Book: The Encyclopedia of Jewish institutions: United States & Canada. Oded Rosen. 248, 483. Mosadot Publications. 1983. 9780913185001. July 29, 2010. March 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220320221058/https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Encyclopedia_of_Jewish_Institutions/Git2AAAAMAAJ?hl=en. live.
  3. Book: Oscar Israelowitz's Guide to Jewish Canada & U.S.A.: Eastern provinces. 1. Oscar Israelowitz. Israelowitz Pub.. 1990. 0-9611036-8-X. July 29, 2010. March 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220320221058/https://books.google.com/books?id=sJN2AAAAMAAJ&q=%22east+meadow+jewish+center%22. live.
  4. Web site: East Meadow Jewish Center to celebrate its 65th anniversary with 'quintuple bar mitzvah'. Herald Community Newspapers. 2021-05-23. 2021-05-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20210523033347/https://www.liherald.com/stories/east-meadow-jewish-center-to-celebrate-its-65th-anniversary-with-quintuple-bar-mitzvah,112339. live.
  5. News: Jewish Unit to Break Ground . . February 26, 1956 . July 29, 2010 . July 23, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180723004415/https://www.nytimes.com/1956/02/26/archives/jewish-unit-to-break-ground.html . live .
  6. News: Deaths . The New York Times . 29 . April 9, 1962 . July 29, 2010 . November 3, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103163823/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0711FD395D117B93CBA9178FD85F468685F9 . live .
  7. News: Sylvia Morrison, 69, of Freeport . . July 2, 1989 . July 29, 2010 . November 3, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102528/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/103407628.html?dids=103407628:103407628&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+02,+1989&author=&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=Sylvia+Morrison,+69,+of+Freeport&pqatl=google . dead .
  8. News: Harry W. Goldin, 78, Jewish Leader. Eric R. QuinZones. Newsday. July 30, 1993. July 29, 2010. November 3, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102540/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/103121555.html?dids=103121555:103121555&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+30,+1993&author=By+Eric+R.+QuinZones.+STAFF+WRITER&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=Harry+W.+Goldin,+78,+Jewish+Leader&pqatl=google. dead.
  9. News: Obituaries . . November 23, 2004 . 7B . July 29, 2010 . November 3, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102553/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sun_sentinel/access/741667541.html?dids=741667541:741667541&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+23,+2004&author=&pub=South+Florida+Sun+-+Sentinel&desc=PAID+OBITUARIES&pqatl=google . dead .
  10. Web site: [[Miami Herald]], November 23, 2004, retrieved July 29, 2010 . July 29, 2010 . March 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220320221059/https://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1069DA9D184A38D5&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM . live .
  11. News: Faith Survives Arson at Synagogue. Zachary R. Dowdy. Newsday. October 18, 2000. July 29, 2010. November 3, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102700/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/62697414.html?dids=62697414:62697414&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+18,+2000&author=Zachary+R.Dowdy.+STAFF+CORRESPONDENT&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=Faith+Survives+Arson+at+Synagogue&pqatl=google. dead.
  12. News: Miss Susan Nobel Bride of Physician . The New York Times . July 27, 1972 . July 29, 2010 . November 3, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103163831/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0812FA345A137B93C5AB178DD85F468785F9 . live .
  13. Book: Bitsaron: yarḥon la-madʻa, le-sifrut ule-vaʻayot ha-zeman. Chaim Tchernowitz. 1974. Issue 312. July 29, 2010. March 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220320221059/https://books.google.com/books?id=lLFtAAAAMAAJ&q=%22east+meadow+jewish+center%22. live.
  14. Book: The Torah for Dummies. For Dummies. Arthur Kurzweil. 978-0-470-17345-9. vi. 2008. July 30, 2010. March 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220320221059/https://books.google.com/books?id=t8VZga76bw4C&dq=%22israel+nobel%22&pg=PR6. live.
  15. Book: A Plan of Action for Older Americans: the Final Report. New York State Committee for the 1971 White House Conference on Aging. New York State Executive Dept., Office for the Aging. 238. 1973. July 30, 2010. March 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220320221059/https://books.google.com/books?id=G50lAQAAIAAJ&q=%22israel+nobel%22+rabbi. live.
  16. Web site: High Holy Day Appeal Booklet . East Meadow Jewish Center . 2009 . July 30, 2010 . April 15, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160415043104/http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache%3AIKvtN2vBpoAJ%3Awww.eastmeadowjc.org%2Fobserver%252009-11%2520above%2520and%2520beyond+%22israel+nobel%22+rabbi&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESia98wrzEgjyGe7WoDXVG__U7H6FUpRBVJHdR51yJAn6BpGKzreILP-yPKd416qLCTTjLbFyV4_Wm1JBi754FCH-ELOVmsnAJq6Wuh8P8W_bVQFRPzy31lY1N47phPnqw5HZ_Fx&sig=AHIEtbTSp3VzvHfhAiK54HFvCfAv1IYzQg . live .
  17. News: Paul Carus, 72, of East Meadow, Noted Cantor. Tony Schaeffer. Newsday. August 3, 1988. July 29, 2010. November 3, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102711/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/104042385.html?dids=104042385:104042385&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+03,+1988&author=By+Tony+Schaeffer&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=Paul+Carus,+72,+of+East+Meadow,+Noted+Cantor&pqatl=google. dead.
  18. News: Ethel Carus, 69, Active in Jewish Groups . Tony Schaeffer . Newsday . August 16, 1994 . July 29, 2010 . November 3, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102725/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/101733740.html?dids=101733740:101733740&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+16,+1994&author=Tony+Schaeffer&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=Ethel+Carus,+69,+Active+in+Jewish+Groups&pqatl=google . dead .
  19. News: Friends Remember NY Cantor Lost in Ein Gedi Flash Flood. Michal Lando. The Jerusalem Post. February 27, 2008. July 29, 2010. November 3, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102743/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/jpost/access/1436303131.html?dids=1436303131:1436303131&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+27,+2008&author=MICHAL+LANDO&pub=Jerusalem+Post&desc=Friends+remember+NY+cantor+lost+in+Ein+Gedi+flash+flood&pqatl=google. dead.
  20. Web site: North Shore Synagogue Cantor David Tauber Dies in Israel . Syosset-Jericho Tribune . February 29, 2008 . July 29, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120306031719/http://www.antonnews.com/syossetjerichotribune/2008/02/29/news/cantor.html . March 6, 2012 . dead .
  21. News: Director Is Named . . April 26, 1962 . July 29, 2010 . November 3, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102645/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1709210472.html?FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+26,+1962&author=&pub=The+Sun+(1837-1985)&desc=Director+Is+Named&pqatl=google . dead .
  22. News: Change in Course for a Sputnik . Cope Moyers . Newsday . June 6, 1987 . July 29, 2010 . November 3, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102754/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/104510366.html?dids=104510366:104510366&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+06,+1987&author=This+story+was+reported+by+Cope+Moyers+and+Stephanie&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=Change+in+Course+for+a+Sputnik&pqatl=google . dead .
  23. Web site: Biography of Hon. Fred J. Hirsh . New York Court System . 2008 . July 29, 2010 . July 14, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110714220008/http://www.nycourtsystem.com/Applications/JCEC/Bio2008.php?ID=483 . dead .
  24. Web site: Our Rabbi . East Meadow Jewish Center . December 14, 2006 . July 29, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100126001745/http://www.eastmeadowjc.org/rabbi.htm . January 26, 2010 . dead .
  25. News: E. Meadow Clerics Decry Racism . Robin Topping . Newsday . October 6, 1989 . July 29, 2010 . November 3, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102816/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/103490767.html?dids=103490767:103490767&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+06,+1989&author=By+Robin+Topping&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=E.+Meadow+Clerics+Decry+Racism&pqatl=google . dead .
  26. News: A Tree to Keep Two Memories Alive . Roni Rabin . Newsday . October 19, 1992 . July 30, 2010 . November 3, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102923/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/77570752.html?dids=77570752:77570752&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+19,+1992&author=By+Roni+Rabin.+STAFF+WRITER&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=A+Tree+to+Keep+Two+Memories+Alive&pqatl=google . dead .
  27. News: People Of Faith. Rhoda Amon. Newsday. December 30, 2000. July 29, 2010. November 3, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102824/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/65875283.html?dids=65875283:65875283&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+30,+2000&author=Rhoda+Amon&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=PEOPLE+OF+FAITH&pqatl=google. dead.
  28. News: Ain . Stewart . Nassau Plans to Tax Parsonages . Rockville Centre (NY); Nassau County (NY) . The New York Times . January 14, 2001 . July 29, 2010 . March 10, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140310222515/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/14/nyregion/nassau-plans-to-tax-parsonages.html . live .
  29. Web site: East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center. 2021-05-25. 2021-05-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20210525062111/https://www.eastmeadowbetheljc.org/. live.
  30. Web site: Nursery school . East Meadow Jewish Center . December 24, 2006 . July 29, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110726012420/http://www.eastmeadowjc.org/nurseryschool.htm . July 26, 2011 . dead .
  31. Web site: Contact Us . East Meadow Jewish Center . January 9, 2007 . July 29, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110404233330/http://www.eastmeadowjc.org/contact_us.htm . April 4, 2011 . dead .
  32. Web site: Ain . Stewart . A Safer Torah . . June 17, 2009 . July 29, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110615043501/http://www.thejewishweek.com/features/safer_torah . June 15, 2011 . dead .
  33. Web site: Who's Who in East Meadow: A Guide to Your Community. Mary-Ellen Fosso. East Meadow Public Library. 2009. July 29, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100923032705/http://eastmeadow.info/community/EM_whos_who.pdf. September 23, 2010. dead.
  34. Web site: EMJC Observer . March–April 2010 . July 30, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110726012849/http://www.eastmeadowjc.org/observer%2010-03-04.pdf . July 26, 2011 . dead .

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