Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: August 31, 2012

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Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: August 31, 2012

Written by Stanley Greenberg Friday, 31 August 2012 09:06

Isaac

As Tropical Storm Isaac heads for the United States I am interested in the name, Isaac. I was fortunate to have met all four of my grandparents. Both grandfathers were named Isaac and both were born in Poland.

They were not at all similar in their business lives, but both were very religious and well-versed in the Torah. Isaac, after all, was the son of Abraham, destined to be sacrificed on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Only the sight of a goat by Abraham saved his life.

Isaac Greenberg was a worker in construction. He was a roofer who climbed on houses and buildings with no fear. He raised four sons and named my father Abraham. My father, like myself, was not comfortable on high buildings and rooftops. He eventually opened a dry goods store in the East Bronx.

My mother’s father Isaac opened a dry goods store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He did not work on Saturdays, but his two sons ran the business.

The name Isaac is always listed as one of the three fathers of Judaism: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Isaac is the least flamboyant of the three, but his life is remembered in the Old Testament.

Isaac the hurricane is plodding slowly toward New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama. Along the route, it has caused Republicans to change the scheduling of their political convention. Isaac does not appear to be headed anywhere near New York State, and that is a blessing.

My name, Stanley, is Israel in Hebrew. I have read the biblical origin of the name Israel. Jacob fought with the angel as written in the Bible. Jacob changed his name to Israel after his skirmish, wrestling with the angel. I now have a desire to be called Jake by my friends and acquaintances; it seems like such a friendly name.

If you meet me in the streets of Jericho, I give you permission to call me Jake. I hope Isaac the hurricane is not too severe and damaging.

News

Syosset's BDG Bids For Nassau Coliseum

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Syosset’s Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG), headed by Ed Blumenfeld, has proposed a $200 million design to demolish Nassau Coliseum and build a new arena and state-of-the-art exhibition center for the 21st century.

“The existing facility cannot be effectively retrofitted,” said Brad Blumenfeld, BDG Vice President, adding “Our team is committed to building a new, preeminent facility—other proposals only call for renovations to the existing arena.”

Tensions Spark At School Board Meeting

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

During a Syosset school board meeting last week, tension arose between Superintendent of Schools Carole Hankin, Trustee Joshua Lafazan, and Fred Gang, a resident speaker on transparency and accusations made against the district.

During public comment, Gang expressed disapproval of the district’s proposed budget for 2013-14, and inquired about reports of the district’s use of software to target various community members with the objective of increasing voter turnouts — which is illegal under New York State election law as Gang pointed out.

Sports

Syosset Lacrosse Defeats MacArthur

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

In the last of three quarter-final games at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium on Wednesday evening last week, the Syosset Braves boys’ lacrosse was victorious over the MacArthur Generals in a hard fought 5-4 victory that went into triple-overtime.

With both teams playing their hearts out for possession of the ball, it was Syosset freshman Mac Okeefe who found the hole necessary in MacArthur’s tight defense, and delivered the win for his team.

USTA Honors Syosset and Woodbury Tennis Players

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

The U.S. Tennis Association’s Long Island Region recognized several area residents, including New York State’s top male and female high school singles players, for their tennis playing or volunteer achievements.

Syosset’s Josh Levine was a New York State and Nassau County Boys’ Singles Champ at Cold Spring Harbor High School. This was Levine’s second consecutive year winning the New York State championship. Peggy Gluck and Nadine Netter won the Women’s 60s Doubles Eastern, and Flo Levine was the Adult Volunteer of the Year.