Toscano gives back to the temple

“My husband is Catholic and I’m Jewish,” Wantagh resident Ellice Toscano said. “And we’ve always been respectful of each other’s religions.”

In 27 years at Temple B’nai Torah in Wantagh, Ellice Toscano and her husband, Tom, have always found ways to give back while raising their three sons, Matthew, now 35, Ryne, 30, and Reed, 23. Now in her 60s and a grandmother to 2-year-old Gabriella, Toscano looks back on the time and service she gave to her house of faith.

“I became very active in the temple because my kids went to Hebrew School there,” she said. “We also belonged to St. Frances Church at the time, so they were able to experience both.”

Although Toscano is in an interfaith marriage, that doesn’t stop her from becoming as involved as possible with the temple. Growing up in a strict Orthodox Jewish home, Toscano felt a connection with the United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York, one of the largest non-profit organizations to support Jewish communities and help those in need.

“When the boys were younger, I didn’t really know anyone there and I was asked to join the sisterhood,” she said. “UJA is a huge organization and is very supportive of anyone in need. I would almost compare them to the Red Cross. Wherever the Red Cross is, UJA is there too.

“The New York chapter is the most philanthropic and people from the Long Island area are actually the most giving in the country,” Toscano added. “Being from an interfaith marriage, you want to see an organization give back to everyone, not just specific groups.”

After joining the sisterhood 22 years ago and even holding a presidency position beginning in 2000 for two terms, Toscano made an impact on the temple and the Wantagh community. She also helped with the PTA at Wantagh Elementary School and with various charitable events.

“The sisterhood is considered an arm of the temple,” she said. “And all five arms have to work together to make the temple function.