This past Sunday, November 24, the Young Israel of Plainview announced the upcoming commemoration of the 50th anniversary of its first minyan. The synagogue hosted a Shabbaton on Shabbos, November 23. Activities included a wonderful oneg featuring memories from the Young Israel’s community founders. Fittingly, the celebration will take place at the Young Israel of Plainview, which is located at 132 Southern Parkway in Plainview.
At its inception, the Young Israel of Plainview started with barely enough attendees to form a minyan. These early participants had both spiritual faith and, likewise, a belief in the inherent potential of a burgeoning community that they had the foresight to envision. That modest start ultimately proved to serve as the foundation of a much larger synagogue that lay ahead. The shul soon began to blossom and then flourish, eventually developing into the now thriving 200-member-family institution it is today. The congregation first started to grow under the auspices of Rabbi Moshe Portnoy, and now under the steady leadership of Rabbi Elie Weissman and Yoetzet Avital Weissman.
David Gross, who spent his formative years attending services at the Young Israel of Plainview and, moreover, is the current president of the synagogue, was impassioned as he described the significance of the milestone, saying, “The November 23 Shabbaton marks the culmination of so many things. From humble beginnings to a vibrant congregation, the Young Israel of Plainview means so much to so many people. More than anything, this celebration is both a testament to and evidence of the resilience, dedication, and fortitude of a truly incredible community that is 50 remarkable years in the making.”
