On Dec. 6, the board of directors at the newly-formed Temple Am-Echad in Lynbrook held an installation ceremony to official name Glenn M. Jacob the leader of their temple. more

On December 6, the board of directors at the newly-formed Temple Am-Echad held an installation ceremony to official name Glenn M. Jacob the leader of their temple. Refreshments were served afterward, and many congregants congratulated the new rabbi. more

In response to worries that the world is suffering from Islamophobia, a Five Towns rabbi and Far Rockaway pastor decided to invite one of Long Island's Islamic leaders to an interfaith Thanksgiving service last week to send a message of solidarity with the Muslim religion. more

During Hanukkah we tell a story of heroism. During difficult times such stories and, of course, heroes themselves inspire us with hope that we can persist. When the hero wins the day and the cause of goodness triumphs, we feel renewed and invigorated. We root for the underdog and feel gratified at his or her success. When the underdog wins, we know that we can win too. more

Although Hanukkah is a festival with special prayers and rituals, it is nonetheless considered a “light” holiday: no fasting, no all-day services, no lengthy sermons. It is just fun and cheery and especially bright with the lighting each night of the Hanukkah candles. As we are about to conclude 2009 with the brightness of Hanukkah and Christmas, I would like to share with you a prayer for a happy New Year. more

A year after coming to Long Beach as the new spiritual leader of Temple Zion, Rabbi Kalaman Sodden sat down with the Herald to reflect on his time in the city. Sodden was raised in Brooklyn and still … more

Clergy and parishioners from a number of local congregations gathered at the Church of the Ascension on the evening of Nov. 24 to participate in Rockville Centre’s annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service. more

Nearly 200 people attended the 22nd annual Mayor’s Golf and Tennis Classic & Dinner Monday night, the primary fundraiser for the Rockville Centre Community Fund, at the Seawane Club in Hewlett Harbor — about 125 golfers, 30 for tennis and the rest for dinner only. Former Village Justice Frank Yannelli was the guest of honor. Yannelli was introduced by former Village Justice Robert Williams, his colleague for 16 years, and among the speakers were Mayor Mary Bossart and Dr. Barry Dov Schwartz, the spiritual leader of Temple B’nai Sholom who referred to the Jewish harvest festival of Succot, likening the ceremonial citrus, shaped like a heart, to Yannelli’s character. more

A new flavor, a new energy, a new excitement: This is how people described the first observances of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur at the new South Shore Reform Congregation of Temple Am Echad in Lynbrook. more

For members of the Jewish community Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year. From sunset, Sunday, Sept. 27, until after dark on Monday, Sept. 28, they will devote themselves to prayer, self-reflection and seeking reconciliation with God and one another. more