Friedberg JCC honors ‘Queen Esthers’ at Purim Gala

The Barry and Florence Friedberg Jewish Community Center honored this year’s “Queen Esthers” at a Purim Gala held at Temple Avodah on March 12.

Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates Mordecai as well as his cousin and adopted daughter, Esther, Queen of Persia, who saved the Jews from Haman, who had planned to kill them.

The gala, which honored people in Oceanside and its surrounding communities, is a longtime tradition, according to Stephanie Abrams, the Friedberg JCC’s director of development. Labeled after the holiday’s heroine, this year’s honorees were Maria Heller, Penny Ellis, Jessica Becak, Rachel Charney and Cori Caporimo.

The event raised more than 25,000 for the Friedberg JCC, much of which will go toward its summer camp.

“It’s basically someone who is a pillar of the community…” Abrams said of those lauded at the event. “They’re mitzvahs of Purim, or good deeds of Purim, and one of them is charity and giving back, so we try to pull that into it also.”

Heller, a former teacher’s aide at School No. 5 and production manager for the Oceanside Beacon, Baldwin Citizen and East Rockaway Observer, has been an active member of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce since 1978, serving two terms as president.

Ellis, a retired Oceanside special education teacher, continues to work with men and women with special needs at Hofstra University. She has garnered many accolades through the years, including the Live With Regis & Kelly America’s Top Teacher Award.

Caporimo has worked for the Friedberg JCC for almost a decade, where she is involved with the swim team, and was instrumental in creating a team for children with special needs. Becak and Charney are involved in the Friedberg JCC’s Merrick/Bellmore branch.

Heller said she was humbled and grateful for the distinction. “It’s just what I do,” she said of giving back to the community, “because I like Oceanside.”