News in brief 11-28-08

By Mayer Fertig

Issue of Nov. 28, 2008 / 1 Kislev 5769

Lawrence school board hopes to avoid tax increase

Governor David Paterson’s proposed cuts in state aid to schools would mean a less than $1 million reduction for the Lawrence School District — “a very manageable number,” according to Board President Murray Forman, and one that he hopes would mean no increase in the 2009-2010 tax levy.

In a presentation of his budget goals to the school board last week the superintendent, Dr. John Fitzsimons pledged to keep any increase to, at most, two percent. Forman believes that will not be necessary. “Dramatic” drops in oil and utility prices will help keep school taxes level, he added.

Fitzsimons also plans to relocate all fifth graders to the Lawrence Middle School and close one of four elementary schools, as he proposed last year.

A decision on which elementary school would be shut down will be made “toward the end of the year, the early part of next year, to allow for maximum planning,” Forman said.

The $17 million capital improvement plan will continue, unaffected by the economic turmoil, said the board president.

Going to shul never killed anyone

Davening with a minyan is good for more than your spiritual health — it can keep you physically healthy, too.

A study published by Yeshiva University’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine strongly suggests that regular attendance at religious services can cut your risk of dying by 20 percent.

The findings are based on data compiled as part of the national, long-term study known as the Women’s Health Initiative. Study participants were women ages 50-79 from numerous religious denominations.

For more information click here.

Seeking pardon for Pollard

President Bush pardoned 14 people on Monday. In the remaining days of his presidency an effort has begun to convince Mr. Bush to also commute Jonathan Pollard’s life sentence to time served and set him free. The former Navy analyst who passed classified information to Israel has expressed remorse for his crime. He is in his 24th year in federal prison and is in declining health.

“This grass roots campaign gives people the opportunity to participate in a respectful and coordinated effort intended to help enable Jonathan Pollard to go home to Israel to his family,” said Pollard’s rabbi, Pesach Lerner, the executive vice president of the National Council of Young Israel. He communicates with Pollard regularly and visits him in prison.

For more information visit www.freepollardnow.com.

Talent search extended for Chabad telethon

Do you sing or juggle? How about turkey-calling? The deadline for the Chabads’ Got Talent contest has been extended until Monday, Dec. 1, and these are the final few days to mail in audition tapes for a slot on the Chabad Telethon. It will be broadcast on Channel 55 on Sunday, Dec. 14 from 7-11 p.m.

Steve Simcha Bill is the show’s musical director and talent coordinator. The response so far has been “overwhelming,” he said Monday on “JM in the AM with Nachum Segal” (91.1 FM / www.jmintheam.org). There are eight slots to fill amid the professional entertainers who usually dominate the stage.

Hopefuls, so far, include “people singing in English, people singing in Hebrew, one sang an Avraham Fried tune, one even sang a Sinatra tune,” he said. Quite a few of the hopefuls were “excellent,” he added.

To be considered for Chabad’s Got Talent send a picture, bio, and audition piece (audio/video/etc.) with a self addressed, stamped envelope to: Chabads’ Got Talent c/o Chanukah Telethon P.O. Box 1579 Mineola, NY 11501.