Central Synagogue of Nassau County Kicks Off 80th Anniversary Celebration

What began in December of 1935, when 58 families met at the Milburn Country Club to discuss the possibility of forming a liberal Jewish congregation has grown into an institution that has been the spiritual home for many south shore residents. The congregation has since established a rich history and deep connection to the Rockville Centre community. The Synagogue has hosted many outstanding speakers in its history including, Elie Wiesel, Mark Van Doran, former New York City Mayor John V. Lindsay, Bill Moyers, and Eleanor Roosevelt.

On January 29th, the congregation kicked off the year-long celebration with an evening of story and song. Over 100 members of the community came together to hear the stories of the past and celebrate in hopes of a joyous future as told by Central Synagogue’s Rabbi Marc Gruber and Rabbi Elliot Skiddell of Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Emeth. Beth Emeth is Central Synagogue’s sister-congregation and is housed in the building at 430 DeMott Avenue. The congregations collaborate on a wide range of programming.

The evening was highlighted by the music of Central’s Cantor Rachel Kohlbrenner, Beth Emeth’s song-leader Adam Blotner and the musicians of Shir Harmony, a lay-led musical ensemble. Guest violinist for the evening was Veronica Underhill.

Over the course of the coming year, the congregation will be celebrating this momentous occasion with a variety of events.

On Saturday June 18th at 8:00 pm, the congregation will host an 80th Anniversary Journal Dinner Dance Celebration. The event will honor five outstanding members of the Temple community:

Neil Hixon, Ritual Committee Chair
Sheila Rosenberg, Temple Administrator
Tamara Saletsky, Temple Master Educator
Louise Skolnik, President
Robyn Teigman, Director, Jacob’s Ladder Early Childhood Education Center

Additional information can be found on the Synagogue’s 80th Anniversary Celebration page at http://www.centralsy.org/80th-anniversary-celebration