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Mostly Cloudy East Meadow Jewish Center celebrates ‘Purim with a Purpose’
A cast of tiny characters sang, ran jumped and paraded around the East Meadow Jewish Center on Sunday to celebrate a holiday and raise money for worthy causes.
Costume-clad kids and their families gathered at the temple, at 1400 Prospect Ave., for the fifth annual “Purim Party with a Purpose.” Hosted by the center’s Sisterhood and Young Adult Division, proceeds from the festive event geared towards children under age 5 will go to charities chosen by family members of three local youngsters: Zachary Goldminz, the 8-year-old nephew of two EMJC members who is undergoing treatment for Ewing’s Sarcoma; Adam Lefkowitz, a 4-year-old North Bellmorite who died after a battle with the extremely rare Degos disease last year; and Zachary Merlin, a premature infant from North Bellmore who died in 2012 owing to complications from severe chronic lung disease.
Jennifer Melnick started the initiative for Ayelet Galena, — a New York City toddler who was born with a rare genetic disorder dyskeratosis congenita and was famous for the massive outpouring of support she attracted, including bone marrow drives — and has since expanded it to honor local families with children afflicted with various ailments. A young mother herself, Melnick previously told the Herald that she felt it was important for children to be involved in and brighten spirits at the fundraiser.
“I wanted my kids to see that they could also be part of this community and feel like they are doing something, within the context of a party,” she said. “It’s mainly for the families who lost children or are struggling through illnesses, and what’s important to them. Any of us could be in their position.”
Funds collected at the Purim event will be given in Merlin’s honor to Angela’s House, a Hauppauge-based nonprofit agency that provides services for medically frail children. Zachary Merlin and his twin brother, Alexander, were born three months premature on May 6, 2012, after just 25 weeks in the womb. Zachary died because of chronic lung disease — a leading cause of death for extremely low-birth-weight infants.
