The Farmingdale Jewish Center recently closed its Farmingdale location and combined with the Wantagh Jewish Center. Now called the Farmingdale Wantagh Jewish Center and located in Wantagh, the center serves over 400 families.

The Farmingdale Jewish Center traces its roots back to 1926 when the First Hebrew Congregation of Farmingdale was founded. In 1944, the name was changed and the first building that it could call its own was dedicated in 1948.

In 1951, the Wantagh Jewish Center was founded and has continuously served its community.

At separate congregation meetings in April, both congregations voted to consolidate the synagogues. Effective July 1, the Farmingdale Jewish Center and Wantagh Jewish Center combined resources to form the Farmingdale Wantagh Jewish Center. Financial and demographic concerns were the main reason for the merger.

From Jewish education to book and Yiddish Clubs, the Farmingdale Wantagh Jewish Center offers a variety of programs and activities for all age groups. It also offers daily services.

The Farmingdale Wantagh Jewish Center will have two co-presidents this year; Maddy Ross, formerly president of the Wantagh Jewish Center, and Bob Cooper, formerly president of the Farmingdale Jewish Center.

Cooper said he is at the new center every night.

"It is very gratifying," he added. "I was expecting it to be much more difficult. We're trying to build a consensus for everyone, but so far the response of both congregations has been incredible and I'm really proud of what's happened."

Cooper, a Farmingdale resident himself, assured the center will not be "abandoning Farmingdale."

"We're still working with the community and we're not going to break any of our ties," he added. "It's absolutely critical that we continued our activities from the Farmingdale Jewish Center."

Rabbi Alan Lavin, who joined the Wantagh Jewish Center in 2003, remains the congregation's spiritual leader.

The Farmingdale Wantagh Jewish Center office, located at 3710 Woodbine Ave. in Wantagh, is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If interested in joining, call 785-2445 and leave a message for Membership Vice Presidents Bruce Hartman or Charles Paress. For more information call 785-2445 or visit www.templefjc.org.