At 17 years old, Binyamin Lippman has taken on a mission that extends far beyond the classroom: revitalizing the Orthodox Jewish community he has called home his entire life.
Lippman, a North Bellmore resident and lifelong member of Young Israel of North Bellmore, has launched a yearlong effort to strengthen the synagogue, attract young families and preserve the community's nearly 60-year legacy. Through social media, fundraising and community outreach, he hopes to ensure the congregation remains a place where future generations can pray, learn and build lasting relationships.
“I'm not just going to sit here and let my community fade out,” Lippman said.
The idea took shape last year, when Lippman noticed a decline in energy and participation. Having grown up attending services and participating in the congregation, he said he had developed a deep appreciation for its members.
Rather than accept the congregation's struggles, Lippman decided to take action.
“I decided, you know what, I'm going to do whatever I can as a 17-year-old,” he said.
His first step was launching a social media campaign on TikTok and Instagram to introduce the community to a wider audience and highlight the people behind the synagogue.
The videos have reached viewers and potential supporters across the United States and internationally. The campaign has also generated donations and renewed interest from people with connections to the congregation.
Judy Kamber, a longtime board member at Young Israel of North Bellmore, said Lippman's determination has distinguished his efforts from previous attempts to reinvigorate the community.
“He just won't give up,” Kamber said. “It's just amazing, and he's so determined, and he's so enthusiastic, and he so believes that he can make a change.”
Kamber said the congregation, founded nearly 60 years ago by Rabbi Morris Gorelick, has experienced a demographic shift. Many of its original families have grown older, while their children have moved to other Orthodox communities with more young families, nearby Jewish schools and more established services.
Kamber added attracting even three or four new and young families could significantly change the community's atmosphere and encourage others to consider settling in North Bellmore.
To help make that possible, Lippman is organizing a fundraising campaign tied to the synagogue's 60th anniversary celebration on Nov. 1, with a goal of raising $200,000. The funds would help cover synagogue operations and provide financial incentives, including housing assistance, to encourage young couples and families to move into the neighborhood.
Beyond fundraising, Lippman has worked to strengthen connections among current members, including establishing a community WhatsApp group to facilitate communication, coordination and mutual support.
Martha Steinhart, a member of the synagogue's committee to help fundraise, said Lippman has always been an enthusiastic presence in the congregation and described the synagogue as a second home for its members.
“He has always been dynamic,” Steinhart said, adding that his efforts have brought renewed publicity and helped reconnect people with the community.
For Lippman, the project is about more than keeping a synagogue open. It is about preserving the relationships, traditions and sense of belonging that shaped his childhood while creating opportunities for the next generation.
As he documents the effort online, he acknowledges that its outcome remains uncertain. Still, he is committed to using his senior year to make meaningful progress before graduating.
The community's fundraising campaign is underway, with supporters invited to contribute to its anniversary effort and help sustain Young Israel of North Bellmore.
For more information Young Israel of North Bellmore's website at YINB.org. Young Israel of North Bellmore community's social media campaign can also be followed on Instagram and TikTok at @Yinb_Official.
