Temple Or Elohim Rabbi Harvey Abramowitz was honored with a citation from Nassau County Ed Mangano at the “Celebrate Israel” Festival at Eisenhower Park June 7.
Abramowiz, one of four Long Islanders receiving the award, was cited for his years of devotion and commitment to maintaining strong Israeli-American relations and his efforts to create bonds between youngsters from the two countries.
The rabbi, who has been with Or Elohim since 2002, leads an annual group trip to Israel which has been a popular educational experience for hundreds of Long Island youngsters over the years.
Abramowitz grew up in Brooklyn and was ordained in 1966. He lived in Israel for more than three years and attended the Hebrew University in Jerusalem from 1961 to 1963. The university is ranked as one of the world’s best—four of Israel’s prime ministers over the past decade are among its graduates.
For 14 years, Abramowitz served as associate rabbi with Kehillath Shalom Synagogue in Cold Spring Harbor. He currently serves as chaplain to the Police Surgeons Benevolent Association of Long Island and to the Fraternal Order of Police on Long Island.
The citation was presented by Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater in Eisenhower Park as part of the “Celebrate Israel” Festival, which featured games, Israeli dancing, a krav maga demonstration, Israeli food and performance by a children’s choir.
The event was organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Long Island and attended by more than 400 Long Islanders.
Also receiving awards were Bill Berkowitz, president of the Bellmore Jewish Center’s HAZAK chapter, which addresses the needs of seniors in Jewish congregations; Barbara Mann, one of the founders of the Schechter School of Long Island and Coordinator of the school’s Student Services Department; and Avi Sandler, a “Lone Soldier” who is an Israeli Defense Forces volunteer from Long Island. The Lone Soldier is a volunteer who serves in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) without having immediate family with him or her in Israel. There are an estimated 6,000 Lone Soldiers with the IDF in Israel.
Commenting on the Celebrate Israel Festival, resident Elliott Greenstein said the event helps bring the Jewish population together while also exposure Jewish culture to the community at large.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for Long Island’s Jewish community to show solidarity and at the same time get exposure to Israeli culture,” he said. “And it enables the county to honor outstanding representatives of our Jewish community.”
