Beth Am Temple Gives Christmas Presents to Rockland's Needy

To help make it a Merry Christmas for many of Rockland’s needy, Beth Am Temple’s Social Action Committee arranged to collect winter clothing and toiletries for men and women and children’s gifts to distribute at the United Church of Spring Valley. The effort was organized by Committee co-chairs, Bobbi Chertok and Diane Sussman, United Church of Spring Valley Pastor, Rob Williams and Executive Director Carolyn Giles.

Previously, Beth Am Temple in Pearl River did the same for the homeless in New York City with “Midnight Runs.” Learning of the situation of the less fortunate in Rockland, members decided to help them during the holiday season.

A “holiday boutique” was arranged at the United Church on Tuesday, December 15, with the support of an enthusiastic team of Beth Am Temple members.

Many congregants helped make this event a true success with donations of cash and a huge array of new and gently used clothing and toiletries, making the shopping experience a treat for more than 150 men and women of the Spring Valley community. Beth Am’s Cantor Geri Zeller and third graders in Mrs. Herskowitz’s Sunday school class enthusiastically made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The young chefs included Ben Amish, Sam Beutel, Matthew Franceskan, Jack and Kate Glass, Kyira O’Brien, Alexander Kofitsas and Ryan Schwartz who learned by doing the meaning of “mitzvah.”

Following the early morning breakfast at United Church of Spring Valley, all were invited to select from a huge array of coats, jackets, pants, sweaters, hats, scarves, shoes and gloves. Social Action committee members helped people locate the appropriate size clothing, try it on, and pack the selections in bags. It was gratifying to help so many recipients who struggle and barely get by with additional assistance for the holidays. The many times we heard “thank you” and “bless you” heard reinforced the Christmas spirit.

Helpers included Beth Am’s Building Manager Robert Philippe, Office Manager Judy Youth Group representatives Jules and Karen Mignone, Bob and Diane Sussman, Hans and Cantor Geri Zeller, Nancy and Alan Forman, Irene and Bob Zeig, Bobbi and Harvey Chertok, Leanore Loeb, Denise and Marc Goldschmidt, Susan Wiener, Steven Kaplan, Amy Wexler, Carin Shapiro, Cantor Marcy Kadin, Lisa Dropkin, Temple President Wendy and Sid Slotnick.

Since the project with the United Church of Spring Valley was such a success, Social Action’s co-chairs announced plans are already in progress to have a joint Spring Boutique in April or May 2016.

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Photo Caption: Caption: Social Action program participants gathered at the United Church of Spring Valley. From L to R: First row: Church Executive Director Carolyn Giles, Pastor Rob Williams, Beth Am Temple President, Wendy Slotnick, Cantor Geri Zeller, Social Action Co-Chairs Diane Sussman and Bobbi Chertok, Youth Group representative Jules Mignone

Second row: Alan and Nancy Forman, Sue Wiener, Denise and Marc Goldschmidt, Irene and Bob Zeig, Robert Philippe and Hans Zeller