News in brief 12-5-08

Issue of Dec. 5, 2008 / 8 Kislev 5769

Long Island company has kosher chicken plans

By Mayer Fertig

A Long Island-based food company is moving into the kosher chicken market. The Hain Celestial Group, makers of products like Celestial Seasonings, Terra Chips and Jason Flavored Bread Crumbs has announced a joint venture with a private equity fund, Pegasus Capital Advisors, to produce a line of antibiotic-free, vegetarian-fed kosher poultry.

The new venture, called Hain Pure Protein Corporation, is to be based at a poultry plant Hain Celestial currently operates in Plainville, N.Y., in Onondaga County. The 90 workers there are to be furloughed for a month in January while the plant is retooled for kosher production. It is scheduled to reopen eight weeks later with the same 90 workers and new hires, as well.

It is not yet known which organization will provide kashrut supervision at the plant.

David Wiggins, the president of Hain Pure Protein, is a former CEO of Empire Kosher Poultry.

The new supply of kosher chickens is expected to fill some of the gap in supply created by the demise of the Rubashkin Company.

New Chabad scholarship fund dedicated to Mumbai victims

By Yaffi Spodek

The Chabad Center for Jewish Life will officially open its new pre-school, the Jewish Early Learning Center (ELC) of Merrick-Bellmore on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.

In response to the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, a Scholarship Memorial Fund has been established, in which scholarships will be awarded to parents of two-year-olds, the age of newly orphaned Moshe Holtzberg, whose parents, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka, were murdered in Mumbai’s Chabad house while serving as the local shluchim. As part of the fund, a $1,000 grant will be awarded toward the tuition of the first four families to register for a full year. Proceeds from the fund will also benefit the two young Holtzberg children.

“In this time of tragedy for the Jewish people and humanity, we must grow our programs and reach more people than ever,” said Chanie Kramer, director of the ELC. “Our goal is to provide parents who require a cost-effective, full-day preschool program with a Jewish option that’s comfortable for Jewish families from all backgrounds.”

As the only full-day Jewish program in Southeast Nassau, the ELC –– located near the LIRR Merrick station –– will be open to children aged 18 months to four years old, with flexible part-time and half day options and extended hours until 6 p.m. The ELC curriculum is based on the S.P.I.C.E.S. approach to education, meaning that the school will focus on the students’ Social, Physical, Intellectual, Creative, Emotional and Spiritual development.

“One of the innovative aspects of the school’s curriculum is the integration of general studies with Jewish traditions,” Kramer said, explaining that during Chanukah, for example, when it is traditional to light a menorah, students will also learn about the scientific properties of oil and wax.

The ELC is fully licensed by New York state and is staffed by certified early childhood educators. Parents can attend Open Houses on Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon; Sunday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Thursday, Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. They will be held at the school, located at 2083 Seneca Gate in Merrick.

For more information and to contribute to the scholarship fund, please call Chanie Kramer at (516) 833-3507 or e-mail info@jewishELC.org.

YINW to install rabbi

By Yaffi Spodek

The Young Israel of North Woodmere will install its new rabbi, Yehuda Septimus, on Motza’ei Shabbat, Dec. 6, with a program of speeches beginning at 8 p.m. followed by a reception.

The keynote address will be delivered by Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt of the Riverdale Jewish Center, where Rabbi Septimus previously served as assistant Rabbi.

Rabbi Septimus began his tenure at YINW in September 2008. He received his semicha and a Bachelor’s degree in English from Yeshiva University in 2002, and is now completing his doctorate from Yale University in Rabbinic History and Literature.

“We are proud and excited to have someone of the caliber of Rabbi Septimus lead our congregation,” said Stuart Katz, president of the YINW. “Rabbi Septimus has a unique combination of exceptional Torah knowledge, outstanding personal midot and an ability to connect with people that will greatly benefit our shul and the entire neighborhood.”

The community is invited to attend the installation, which will take place in the shul at 634 Hungry Harbor Road.