Combined Synagogue Congregations to Host May 5 Dinner Dance

Two recently combined synagogues from Little Neck and Bayside will celebrate their first event together at a May 5 dinner dance.

The Little Neck Jewish Center has combined with Bayside’s Oakland Jewish Center to become one congregation known as L’Dor V’Dor.

Rabbi Gordon Yaffe said the dinner dance, which will be held at 5 p.m. at Great Neck’s Temple Beth El, is an opportunity for the two synagogues to celebrate their union.

“On the one hand, it’s an opportunity to celebrate leaders in the community and, on the other, it’s a chance for members of the congregation to set aside a day to rejoice in the beauty of the community that the synagogue represents,” Yaffe said.

Four synagogue members will be presented with awards during the event. Robert Stern, president of the Oakland Jewish Center and co-president of L’Dor V’Dor, will receive the Maury Singer Award, which is named after a long-time Little Neck Jewish Center member who helped bring the congregations together before dying in August.

“He’s actively and passionately involved in the everyday support of the congregation,” Yaffe said of Stern.

Yaffe and his wife, Carrie, will be given the Larry Kaplan Award, while board of trustees member Joan Ross will receive the Elaine Bruckenthal Eischet Chayil Award.

The event will include a cocktail hour, hors d’oeuvres, a full kosher dinner and dessert. Tickets are $100.

To make a reservation, call 718-224-0404. Temple Beth El is located at 5 Old Mill Road in Great Neck.