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Author Elliott Abrams to discuss Jewish identity at Temple Beth-El

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Elliott Abrams, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, will discuss "If You Will It: Rebuilding Jewish Peoplehood for the 21st Century" at Temple Beth-El on Sunday, Oct. 20 (Photo courtesy of Temple Beth-El)

Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, the recognized home for sophisticated intellectual Judaism on Long Island, will present “If You Will It: Rebuilding Jewish Peoplehood for the 21st Century” with author Elliott Abrams, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, on Sunday, Oct. 20 from 10 to11:30 a.m., followed by a brunch and book signing.

The community is welcome to attend this enriching program through Temple Beth-El’s Miriam & Moses Center for Pluralistic Adult Jewish Learning.

The guest speaker will discuss what Jewish parents and organizations can do to ensure that future generations of American Jews will have a strong Jewish identity.

A former Middle East policy official for the U.S. government, the distinguished author will examine the history of the American Jewish community and its relationship with Israel, even now when many Americans have turned away from the Jewish state.

The impressive politician and lawyer received his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College, a master’s degree in international relations from the London School of Economics and his JD from Harvard Law School.

He served in foreign policy positions for former Presidents Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and Donald Trump, first coming to national prominence as Reagan’s Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs in the early 1980s and later as Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs.

In July 2023, he was appointed by President Joe Biden to the non-partisan U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.

Members of Temple Beth-El who have joined in the past three years are especially welcome at the book discussion and special brunch to get to know their temple family. The program is complimentary, but registration for the brunch is required at tinyurl.com/ElliottAbrams.

Temple Beth-El, a leader in shaping the future of pluralistic Judaism on the western North Shore, has served the community for more than 95 years at 5 Old Mill Road in Great Neck.

Learn more by visiting www.tbegreatneck.org, calling 516-487-0900 or emailing info@tbegreatneck.org.

Halloween parade returns to Williston Park

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Ben Fiebert
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All ghosts, goblins, witches and those who want to join the Halloween fun are invited to attend the Williston Park Annual Halloween Parade.

The parade, which has been held in the village for over 50 years, will occur on Oct. 26 and start at Village Hall at 3:30 p.m. It will proceed west on Lafayette Street, north on Park Avenue, east on Center Street, east on Dartmouth Street and north on Broad Street to Kelleher Field.

“It’s a great event,” Paul Ehrbar, mayor of Williston Park said. “At Kelleher, there’s some events that will be going on down there and we will have some music for the kids.”

Ehrbar said this parade is an event for the community to enjoy the holiday spirit with their friends, families and neighbors. With candy being given out at Kelleher Field, Ehrbar said this Halloween Parade will bring families together to get out on a nice day and enjoy the village.

The Nassau County Police Department, along with the auxiliary police, will be on patrol during the parade to ensure the safety of the community members.

“We encourage all families to show up, regardless of the age of your children,” Ehrbar said.

Upcoming events at the Williston Park Public Library

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The Island 360
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From the Director:
Unfortunately, museum passes are unavailable while the reservation platform is undergoing an upgrade. We apologize for the inconvenience. The library is still distributing Covid-19 tests while supplies last. Please ask at the Reference Desk.

New titles added to the collection:
– Berlin Apartment by Bryn Turnbull
– Life Impossible by Matt Haig
– Worst Case Scenario by TJ Newman
– Passions in Death by JD Robb
– City of Secrets by PJ Tracy
– Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves
– Pair of Wings by Carole Hopson
– Dick Francis’ Syndicate by Felix Francis
– House Keeper’s Secret by Iona Grey
– Feeding the Machine: The Hidden Human Labor of Powering AI by James Muldoon
– Mysterious Mrs. Nixon: The Life & Times of Washington’s Most Private First Lady by Heath Hardage Lee

Adult Programs:

  • Reiki: Oct. 17; Nov. 7 & 21; Dec. 5 & 19 from 6 p.m. in the Assembly Room of Village Hall. $10 per person, per session.
  • Yoga: Oct. 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Assembly Room of Village Hall. $10 per person, per session. Bring a yoga mat, water bottle, and towel; wear comfortable clothes. Call the library (516) 742-1820 or email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com to register.
  • Financial Literacy Workshop: Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10; Jan. 14 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Assembly Room of Village Hall. This four-part series includes investing, retirement and estate planning. Call the library (516) 742-1820 or email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com to register.
  • Ceramic Pumpkin Craft with Rosemarie Attard: Tues., Oct. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the library. $15 material fee. Limited to 25 participants. Call the library (516) 742-1820 or email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com to register.
  • Senior ID Program: Wed., Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Assembly Room of Village Hall. Sponsored by the Nassau County Office for the Aging. Call the library (516) 742-1820 or email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com to register.
  • Tax Exemption Seminar: Thurs., Oct. 24 from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Assembly Room of Village Hall. Sponsored by the Town of North Hempstead, Receiver of Taxes Mary Jo Collins will show homeowners how to apply for important property tax exemptions. Reservations are not required but are recommended. To reserve your seat, email gounarisg@northhempsteadny.gov or call (516) 869-7800 and indicate the seminar you wish to attend.
  • Book Discussion: Wed., Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. in the Assembly Room of Village Hall and via Zoom. Copies of Namesake are available at the Circulation Desk. Join the book club at https://adelphiuniversity.zoom.us/j/96885670102?pwd=VGtSYnkyUW9acVJyV0tyNUtUZnMyZz09
    Meeting ID: 968 8567 0102
    Passcode: WPBookClub
    Or call 1-929-205-6099, and it will ask for the meeting ID and password above.
  • Holiday Entertaining with Chef Barbara Sheridan: Fri., Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. in the Assembly Room of Village Hall. $10 per person. Call the library (516) 742-1820 or email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com to register.
  • Ceramic Christmas Ornament Craft with Rosemarie Attard: Tues., Dec. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the library. $20 material fee. Limited to 25 participants. Call the library (516) 742-1820 or email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com to register.

Children’s Programs

  • Storytime with Miss Beth: Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29 from noon to 12:30 p.m. in the Children’s Room for ages 3-5. Call the library (516) 742-1820 or email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com to register.
  • Minecraft Halloween Pumpkin Patch: Oct. 12 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Children’s Room for grades K-7. Limited to 15 participants. Ten devices will be provided; remaining participants must bring their own device. Call the library (516) 742-1820 or email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com to register.
  • Halloween Crafts: Oct. 26 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Children’s Room for all ages. Call the library (516) 742-1820 or email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com to register.
  • Crafty Thanksgiving: Nov. 16 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Children’s Room for all ages. Call the library (516) 742-1820 or email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com to register.
  • Minecraft Christmas Gingerbread House: Nov. 30 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Children’s Room for grades K-7. Limited to 15 participants. Devices will be provided to the first 10 registrants; the remaining 5 must bring their own. Call the library (516) 742-1820 or email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com to register.

Great Neck schools begin development of Portrait of a Graduate

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Cameryn Oakes
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Great Neck North High School (Photo by Janelle Clausen)

Great Neck Public Schools is embarking on the process of establishing its Portrait of a Graduate, a model it strives for its students to embody by graduation.

“We really want to help bridge the gap for our students who are exiting our secondary programs and getting ready to enter life, be that college, career, military or whatever pathway they choose into adulthood,” Superintendent Kenneth Bossert said.

The district is partnering with Molloy University to develop its Portrait of a Graduate.

The portrait is developed around various learning priorities, skills, life skills and the application of knowledge.

The project goals are four-pronged: identifying key skills, mindsets, and traits critical for post-grad success; infusing these into the district’s education mission and ensuring each student masters them; identifying common ground among the community to influence the district’s collective vision; and finally developing the Portrait of a Graduate model.

Liz Mandracchia, the university’s marketing and events coordinator who is helping lead the portrait development, said community involvement could include live, moderated sessions where they can directly provide feedback on what they want and their priorities. Other methods would include Zoom sessions and student sessions.

The Portrait of a Graduate Process is in its beginning stage. Phase one, which involves conducting community outreach, begins in November and will continue until February.

Phase two would consist of data analysis. This would be done from February to March.

Phase three would pick up in March with a report on the research results and the development of the graphic art for the portrait. This would continue until June.

Once finished, the district would work to integrate the designed Portrait of a Graduate into its curriculum, programming and community interaction.

The district will discuss the initial kickoff of the development at its next board meeting.

The school district is also considering a new policy for cell phone use in schools, which would ban it entirely at all school levels, with exceptions for high schoolers.

At the high school level, students would be permitted to use their phones during non-instruction times so long as the use abided by school policy.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed a state-wide ban on cell phone use in schools. Bossert said that if implemented, the district would be in compliance.

The board conducted the first read of the policy Tuesday night and it will brought forward for a vote at its next meeting in November.

It is School Board Recognition Week, and the Board of Education was honored with various recognitions presented to its members.

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena presented certificates to all of the Board of Education members.

“I continue to be just knocked out by the Great Neck School District,” DeSena said. “What your students do, your facilities, this facility is amazing, the adult education program, I’ve never seen anything like it. And so I want to congratulate you, board members, for your tireless work. Some say that it’s a thankless job, but I came here to thank you.”

Board members were also honored by Rep. Tom Suozzi, state Assembly Member Gina Silitti, state Sen. Jack Martins, Nassau County District 10 Legislator Mazi Pilip, North Hempstead Council Member Christine Liu and the New York State School Boards Association.

The Great Neck Board of Education will meet again on Nov. 13.

Willets Road seventh graders embark on outdoor education adventure

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Ben Fiebert
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Willets Road School seventh graders participated in a weeklong Outdoor Education program. (Photo courtesy of the East Williston School District)

As part of a cherished tradition, Willets Road School seventh graders participated in a weeklong Outdoor Education program.

The enriching experience, a core part of the seventh grade curriculum for decades in the East Williston School District, provided the students with hands-on learning and teambuilding opportunities.

During their trip, the students camped for four nights and attended a variety of classes led by skilled instructors throughout the day. Mealtimes and evening activities further promoted community-building, offering students a chance to bond through communal living and guided exploration. The activities focused on character development, as well as understanding the interconnections that exist socially and in nature.

The experience allowed the students to develop critical leadership and communication skills, boost self-confidence from traveling away from home, develop new friendships with peers and build positive relationships. They also gained a deeper understanding of the human impact on the environment, the environmental impact on society and heightened awareness of current environmental issues.

Hillside students celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in music class

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The Island 360
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Hillside Grade School third graders danced the chacarera in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. (Photos courtesy of New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District)

Hillside Grade School students commemorated Hispanic Heritage Month through song and dance during their music lessons with Joanna Malaszczyk.

Third graders were immersed in the Argentinian culture, as they learned the song “Chacarera del Rancho.” The students learned the lyrics and sang together as a class, aided by a video demonstration.

Following the song, the students learned the dance steps to the chacarera, an Argentinian folk dance. Partnered in two lines, they practiced the chacarera to the song they had learned.

New Hyde Park Road School hosts pirate-themed Buddy Day

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The Island 360
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New Hyde Park Road School hosted a pirate-themed Buddy Day. (Photo courtesy of New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District)

New Hyde Park Road School hosted a pirate-themed Buddy Day to bring students in the Buddy Program together for outdoor fun.

The school’s Buddy Program pairs younger students with their older peers. The Buddies meet for reading and other classroom activities throughout the school year. The students were introduced to their Buddy Class during the first week of school.

On Buddy Day, students joined their designated Buddy Class outside for fun pirate-themed relay races and activities. They participated in sailboat races, hook-hand relays and tossed a fake crab into a bucket. Students were encouraged to dress in pirate costumes to celebrate Buddy Day as well.

This is the school’s second annual Buddy Day celebration.

National Merit Commended Students at H. Frank Carey High School

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H. Frank Carey High School Commended Students, pictured from left to right, Michael Pozzuoli, Ivan Chin, Shirley Chen, Mark Shrivastava and Eshaan Kandel. (Photo Courtesy of the Sewanhaka Central High School District)

H. Frank Carey High School seniors Shirley Chen, Ivan Chin, Eshaan Kandel, Michael Pozzuoli and Mark Shrivastava have been recognized as Commended Students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Students enter the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Approximately 34,000 high scorers are designated as Commended Students. Each student received a Letter of Commendation in honor of their academic success.

Mineola School District recognizes National Merit Commended students

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The Island 360
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Mineola High School seniors Dante Rafuna, Makayla Apter-Quinn, Fatima Badoolah and Avery Liu have been recognized as National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Students. Pictured from left to right is school counselor Tatianna Ossa, Dante Rafuna, school counselor Karen McLaughlin, Makayla Apter-Quinn, Fatima Badoolah, Avery Liu, school counselor Elizabeth Turner and principal Rory Parnell. (Photo courtesy of Mineola School District)

Four Mineola High School students have been designated Commended Students for their academic achievement in the 2024 to 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.

To qualify for this recognition, seniors Dante Rafuna, Makayla Apter-Quinn, Fatima Badoolah and Avery Liu each scored within the top 3 percent of all students nationally on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test taken in October of their junior year.

With this honor, recipients are eligible to be selected for special scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.

The Bakersfield Sound comes to Westbury

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'Tennessee Walt's From Bakersfield with Love' concert and lecture of classic country music will take place on Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Westbury Public Library. (Photo courtesy of Tennessee Walt)

New York-based country singer Tennessee Walt will present a lecture and concert in Westbury about Bakersfield artists and their music.

The Bakersfield Sound was one of the dominant elements of country music from the 1960s through the 1980s, lifting stars like Merle Haggard, Buck Owens and Jean Shepard to international fame.

Tennessee Walt’s From Bakersfield with Love will be presented on Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Westbury Public Library. Admission is free.

The show will include classic Bakersfield songs such as Owens’ “Act Naturally,” Haggard’s “Today I Started Loving You Again” and Shepard’s “A Satisfied Mind.” It will also feature songs by lesser-known Bakerfield artists such as Tommy Collins, Rose Maddox, Billy Mize and Red Simpson. Walt will talk about the stories behind the songs and the man who wrote them.

“People think of country music as based in Nashville, and indeed the 1950s through the 1970s was the era of the so-called Nashville Sound, a pop-influenced school of country,” Gayden Wren, Queens resident who performs on voice and piano as Tennessee Walt, said in a press release. “But Bakersfield, California, is a long way from Nashville, and the artists who rose out of Bakersfield’s rich musical culture had a country style all their own, far grittier and more akin to traditional country than what was coming out of Nashville in those years.

“The artists of the Bakersfield Sound were primarily refugees from the 1930s dust bowl, born in Arkansas, Texas and especially Oklahoma, or the sons and daughters of refugees,” Wren continued. “The experience of migrating west, usually with nothing they couldn’t carry in a single car, left them alienated from the glossy country of the Nashville Sound and hungry for music that related more to real people and the lives they lived.

“In a sense, they’re the real heirs of Jimmie Rodgers, the Carter Family, Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams, the people who made country what it was at its best.” Wren concluded. “When you listen to Haggard or Owens, you’re hearing a purer form of country than you could get from Nashville, then or since.”

From Bakersfield with Love is the eighth show from Tennessee Walt, following on the heels of The Other Great American Songbook, Bristol & Beyond: The Birth of Country Music, Hanks a Lot!, Riding with the Outlaws, An Afternoon in the Country, Three Chords and the Truth: Country’s Greatest Songwriters and The Hank Williams Century.

For more information on the upcoming event, call (516) 333-0176 or visit WestburyLibrary.org.

 

Port Washington Library author’s visit and book signing

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Picture of the Event (Provided by CGC)
On the evening of Oct. 2 the Port Washington Library came alive with literature and music as Kiko Liang, a local author from the Nassau community, hosted a heartwarming book reading of her children’s book, “I Am Me.”
The event, sponsored by the non-profit organization Chinese Giving Circle, drew an enthusiastic crowd of over 100 attendees. Families from across the local area gathered to celebrate parent-child relationships and self-discovery in an evening filled with growth, creativity, and shared exploration.

Kiko Liang wrote the book, “I Am Me” with the goal of helping young readers embrace their individuality and creativity.

The book, which took two years to complete, is a reflection of Kiko’s deep commitment to fostering meaningful parent-child connections and encouraging children to explore their unique talents and imaginations. Kiko shared that she hopes her book will spark deeper conversations between parents and children, inspiring families to grow together through the power of storytelling.

Moderated by Serena Sun and Kayla Xu, both students of The Wheatley School, the event offered a platform for children and parents to delve into the themes of Kiko’s book. “I Am Me” is beautifully illustrated and emphasizes the importance of embracing one’s strengths while encouraging children to express their imagination freely.

Parents, in turn, gained valuable insights into how they can nurture their children’s growth and provide the space for them to explore their full potential.

In addition to the book reading, the evening was enriched by volunteer musical performances. Phoebe Qian, a student of The Wheatley School and Juilliard Pre-College, captivated the audience with her cello and vocal pieces. Norman Yao, a Schreiber High School student and fellow Juilliard Pre-College musician, delivered a soulful bass performance.

Keira Lassegue, a St. John’s University student, joined Phoebe for a beautiful vocal and guitar duet. This seamless fusion of music and literature added depth to the event, creating a peaceful and enchanting atmosphere that made the night truly special.

Following the reading and musical interludes, a lively Q&A session engaged the audience, with children eagerly taking the stage to ask questions. This moment reflected the core educational values of confidence and creativity that Kiko seeks to promote in her book.

The interaction allowed both parents and children to connect with the themes of *I Am Me* on a personal level, making the event a highly interactive and empowering experience for all.

The evening concluded with a joyful celebration featuring a book-shaped cake, which was a delightful surprise for attendees.

Families took the opportunity to sign books, take photos, and share their thoughts with Kiko Liang, who warmly engaged with readers and their families. The event left a lasting impression, providing parents with valuable advice on supporting their children’s personal journeys and giving children a memorable platform to express themselves.

Kiko Liang’s “I Am Me” continues to resonate with both young readers and their parents, offering a message of self-discovery and growth.

Thanks to the collaboration between Kiko and Chinese Giving Circle, as well as the time generously volunteered by the young musicians and students of The Wheatley school, the event successfully merged the worlds of literature, music, and community, offering an enriching night for both parents and children alike.

Queens woman sentenced to 25 years to life for fatal stabbing of Great Neck immigration lawyer

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Cameryn Oakes
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Former client Xiaoning Zhang, 27, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for fatally stabbing her immigration lawyer Great Neck's Jim Li (Photo courtesy of Jim Lee and Associates)

A former client was sentenced to 25 years to life for the 2022 fatal stabbing of Great Neck immigration lawyer Jim Li who had removed her as a client days before she killed him, according to the Queen’s District Attorney’s Office.

Queens’ Xiaoning Zhang, 27, was given the maximum sentence for her crimes.

“It is our hope that with this sentencing, the family, loved ones and legal community can find some solace in knowing the defendant has been held accountable for her crimes,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.

Li, who was 66 at the time of his death, was a known activist during the Tiananmen Square uprising in China in 1989 and was regarded for his work as an immigration lawyer representing political asylum seekers.

Li was born Sept. 7, 1955, in Wuhan. He reportedly served in the Chinese Army at 15 years old before majoring in constitutional law at Beijing University.

As a doctoral student in 1989, Li served as a legal adviser to the Beijing Workers Autonomous Federation, an organization promoting students seeking democratic freedom.

He also spent nearly two years in prison for his role in the Tiananmen Square protest movement.

Li was representing Zhang pro bono but dropped her as a client on March 11, 2022 when she admitted to him that she lied on her application that she was raped by Beijing police, the DA said.

She had also asked Li to remove a photo of her protesting in front of the United Nations building from the internet, but the DA’s office said Li denied this request which angered Zhang.

Police responded to Li’s law office in Flushing, Queens that day due to a disturbance where Zhang was reported to have been choking Li. Police then escorted her out of the office.

Katz said just three days later, Zhang “violently and viciously” stabbed Li in the chest and neck with a pairing knife and a large kitchen knife she had brought to his office. An employee in the office restrained Zhang until police arrived.

Li was pronounced dead at a hospital after.

Zhang was found guilty last month of second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and harassment.

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