Thursday, October 1, 2026
HOLIDAY EVENTS
Chanuplex and Community Menorah lighting
The entire community is invited to the fifth annual Hanukkah celebration on Dec. 5 at Central Synagogue, 430 DeMott Ave. from 2-5 p.m.
There are “Chanuplex” activities for all ages. For the pre-school set there is the Jacob’s Ladder gym, arts and crafts and storytime. For older kids and teens, there will be movies, games, refreshments, DDR and Guitar Hero in the youth lounge as well as baking with the Cantor. Adults can enjoy a film and discussion, “Matzo and Mistletoe,” about being a secular Jew in America, or participate in an environmental discussion group led by Rabbi Marc Gruber and an adult sing-a-long led by Cantor Rachel Kohlbrenner. Everybody can enjoy live music and refreshments in the coffee house, Chanukah House shopping, and an arts project to benefit families from New Ground. Come pick from the “Big Dreidel” and help provide gifts to patients from Nassau University Medical Center and families from New Ground.
Everyone is welcome — you do not have to be a member of the synagogue or live in Rockville Centre. Admission is a non-perishable food item to help restock local food pantries. RSVP to the temple office at (516) 763-4300 or at chanuplex2010@gmail.com.
Visitors and village residents are all invited for the annual Community Menorah Lighting that will immediately follow Chanuplex, at 5 p.m. on the steps of Central Synagogue.
Village tree lighting and Christmas at the Captain’s
The annual “Christmas At The Captain’s” will be held on Dec. 9 immediately following the village Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in the Village Green at Maple and Lee avenues at 7:30 that evening. As in past years, the Phillips House, at 28 Hempstead Ave., which is the site of the Museum of the Village of Rockville Centre, will be resplendently decorated in the Victorian motif and there will be refreshments served along with Christmas caroling. There is no charge for the event although donations are gratefully accepted. An added feature this year is the display of more than 30 Christopher Radko Glass ornaments. Radko ornaments, hand blown glass lined with sterling silver then painted over in vivid colors by European craftspeople, are prized by collectors worldwide. They are included in collections at the Governor’s House in Connecticut, Gracie Mansion in New York City, the Woodlawn Mansion in Virginia and our nation’s White House. Museum trustees are pleased to present this unique collection on loan from the Gibbons family of Rockville Centre. The ornaments will be available for viewing on Saturdays and Sundays at the Phillips House from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., from Dec. 9 through Jan. 16. Groups can be accommodated for special tours on other days by calling (516) 764-7459.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Transplant victim and her family can use your help
South Hempstead resident Kathy Burns, who was facing a Multi-Visceral Transplant, has received the organs she needed — a new stomach, duodenum, pancreas and small intestine— in surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center that took place overnight on Nov. 21.
Her husband, Brian, said that she is doing well, but that the family continues to face difficult times. Kathy will remain at the medical center for one month, and after that, she must stay in the Pittsburgh area for four months so that doctors can closely monitor her.
Transplant recipient — and her family — can use your help
Kathy is a beloved member of the local community and has been an art teacher to many children from Rockville Centre. She and Brian have five children ranging from 13 to 22. The transplant cost the family up to $120,000 the first year alone from medical insurance premiums, medical co-payments, relocation expenses and the cost of their home here. Exacerbating the situation is that Brian has been unemployed since 2007.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can make it to the National Transplant Assistance Fund (www.NTAFund.org) or directly to the family: Brian and Kathy Burns, 329 Cedar Street, South Hempstead, NY 11550. Any donations to the NTAFund must be made in Kathy Burn’s name so it will be credited to her account.
Kathy has been suffering for over four years with her illness and her family would greatly appreciate any financial assistance from friends and members of the community.
WEEKLY CALENDAR
On the board
Zoning Board Meeting
Dec. 8, 8 p.m., Village Hall
Board of Trustees Briefing
Dec. 9, 7 p.m., Village Hall
Board of Trustees Meeting
Dec. 13, 8:15 p.m., Village Hall
Planning Board Meeting
Dec. 15, 7 p.m., Village Hall
Community Events
Rockville Centre Historical Society
The Museum of the Village of Rockville Centre invites residents to visit and enjoy the historic restoration at 28 Hempstead Ave. Hours are Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and also by appointment for groups. On display are kitchen tools, carpentry tools, period furniture, pharmaceutical collectibles and much more. There is no fee. Also on exhibit is "Rockville Centre: Past and Present," a collaborative photography exhibit by the Historical Society and Watson Elementary School students. For further information, call Frank Seipp at (516) 764-7459.
Nutcracker Suite Ballet
Leggz Ltd. Dance and the Rockville Centre Guild For The Arts present the full length production of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker with a live 70-piece orchestra — our very own South Shore Symphony Orchestra. The principal dancers in this production are from the Boston, Washington, Bolshoi, New York City, Joffrey ballets and the American Ballet Theatre. They also come from Suzanne Farrell, Mark Morris, New York City Opera, Atlanta Ballet, Alvin Ailey, San Francisco Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Morphoses, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Broadway's "Movin’ Out" and Jerome Robbins' "Broadway." In addition, this production also features over 100 young dancers from the greater metropolitan area. Performances for this wonderful holiday classic will be at South Side High School, 140 Shepherd Street on Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. and Dec. 5 at 4 pm. Tickets are $24 and $22 for over 65/under 12. Call (516) 766-7171 for more information.
Christmas Fair at United Church
