By Jesse Sherer
Begun just six weeks ago, the minyan has become a popular and integral part of these residents' daily lives. It provides an opportunity to socialize and offers the sense of freedom and normalcy that is an important aid to the physical rehabilitation they undergo at the center.
"The minyan gives them a feeling that they can continue practicing even though they are not still in their own homes," said Leba Sonneberg, director of marketing and community relations. "It is definitely a tremendous program and they enjoy it very much. The first time I saw it I cried. You can see the involvement in their faces; it is a beautiful thing."
The minyan was created by Sonneberg and Saul Feintuch, assistant administrator, after residents and their family members, as well perspective residents, inquired if one was available.
The increased importance placed on the minyan was largely a result of the facility going under the supervision of the VAAD of the Five Towns and Far Rockway two and a half years ago, and its location in an ever-more active Orthodox community.
Sonneberg and Feintuch purchased yarmulkes and large print Siddurim, some in Hebrew and some in English, for the residents to use. The only real difficulty in establishing the minyan was how to transport the residents -- all in different parts of the center -- to the minyan at the same time.
"Many of these men have some confusion," said Sonneberg, "but when they are in the same room and praying together it gives them a sense of camaraderie, and makes them feel as if they belong."
The minyan is led by Feintuch who thought of adding a minyan when he started a year ago at the center, and then approached Jewish residents to form a core group of interested people.
The center's mashgiach, kashruth supervisor, also joins in the minyan and gives money to the residents so that they in turn have money to put into a tzedakah box that is passed around.
"Daily prayer is a very important part of life for the religious Jew," said Feintuch. "We want to encourage spirituality and provide the services that residents need, and spirituality to many of them is important."
The minyan members range in age from the 50's - 80's. Some have family members who periodically join them for the service.
"It is a little Yiddishkeit," said Solomon Glatt, an 87-year-old member. "It make you feel a little better and we all need it."
The other minyan members include Sydney Karp, Sam Puter, Jack Schuss, Abraham Endlich, Josef Kadoch, Mendel Weinberg, Gerald Powell, Arnold Feuerberg, Nathan Breen, Abraham Bernstein, Gerald Shubert, Mr. Edward Kaplan, and Gerald Weisberg.
According to Feintuch the facility would like to offer more religious services but it is difficult to find a time that will see most of the residents active and available.
But many residents do attend Shabbat services and holiday services at Congregation Sons of Israel located just across the street from the center.
"They are very thankful about the minyan and they like it," said Feintuch. "This is a positive fulfillment of their spiritual needs. We look to fulfill not just spiritual, but all the needs they might have."
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