Young Israel of Merrick
107 Hewlett Avenue,Merrick, NY 11566
Merrick-Bellmore Bikur Cholim buys two Ambulances for Israel
Young Israel of Merrick's representatives on the Bikur Cholim Committee are Joel Yohay, Stan Fish and Marilyn Grossman.
A
dedication was held on Sunday, September 01, 2002 for the first of two
ambulances purchased by the Merrick-Bellmore Bikur Cholim, for use by Magen
Dovid Adom in Israel. The
Merrick-Bellmore Bikur Cholim is made up of eight synagogues in Merrick and
Bellmore. These synagogues include:
Bellmore Jewish Center, Congregation Ohav Sholom, Merrick Jewish Center, Temple
Beth Am, Temple Beth El, Temple Israel, Young Israel of North Bellmore, and
Young Israel of Merrick.
The Bikur Cholim
was established three years ago and has led the community in many acts of 
chesed.
Already, the group has sponsored four extremely successful blood drives. The group also sponsors nursing home and hospital visitation,
works at soup kitchens, sponsors an annual Hatzilu luncheon for Jewish seniors
from New York City, performs variety shows at local nursing homes ., and
conducts weekly Shabbat programs at nursing homes. Each synagogue has at least one representative on the
steering committee of the organization.
A cardiac care ambulance was purchased through the auspices of ARMDI, American Red Mogen David of Israel. This is one of over 150 ambulances ARMDI has sent to Israel in the last year. Magen David Adom is responsible for over 700 ambulances in Israel. According to Avi Zohar, the director general of MDA, these ambulances have saved over 400,000 lives in Israel.
Many
local dignitaries attended the dedication, including Nassau County legislator
David Denenberg (also as president of Congregation Ohav Sholom), Maureen
McConnell, New York State Assemblywoman, and Dave McDonough, New York State
Assemblyman. Cantor Fabian Getter
of Merrick Jewish Center led the over two hundred participants in the respective
national anthems. Ben Saxe, the
executive director of ARMDI, spoke of the continued need for ambulances in
Israel, but expressed the hopes of peace. Rabbi
Maurice Simckes of Temple Israel led the group in a prayer of peace.
Rabbi Dov Schreier of Young Israel of North Bellmore was also in
attendance. Rabbi Moshe Gorelick,
rabbi emeritus of Young Israel of North Bellmore, who recently made aliyah, will
be greeting the ambulance in Israel and filling it with its first tank of gas.
A
second ambulance has recently been purchased and will probably be shipped to
Israel by early November. The
community raised over $130,000 in just over three months.
The community is now involved in purchasing special medical scooters
through the auspices of ZAKA, which can get to emergency scenes even faster than
any other vehicle.
The Merrick-Bellmore Bikur Cholim is a sterling example of the entire Jewish community working together for a common goal. Other community wide participation is evidenced in the Hebrew High School and the adult education program. The Merrick-Bellmore Jewish community wishes all our south shore neighbors L’shana Tova Tikatevu.
Copyright © 2000-2008 Young Israel of
Merrick. All rights reserved.
Revised: January 07, 2008