S&M Pharmacy on Main Street has been a quintessential neighborhood store, serving medicine with a smile since 1969 when Stuart Pomper founded the family establishment; it’s now run by his son Sean of North Woodmere. Launched as an equal partnership with Martin Behar, a pharmacy school pal, they each used their life savings and some family capital to accrue the necessary $20,000 to begin. In 1984, Pomper became the sole owner and expanded to the current number of combined storefronts by 1989. Sean follows the motto that the customer is always right, a staple of his grandfather’s, the longtime proprietor of a Manhattan hardware shop. The pharmacy cherishes its neighborhood clientele with its core Orthodox Jewish base.
When news of the war in Israel spread, collections for essentials for IDF soldiers and displaced Israelis were foremost for American Jews seeking any tangible act to assist their Israeli brethren. When Yechezkel and Matti Presworsky, true pillars of chesed in Kew Gardens Hills, explained the situation in Eretz Yisrael to their family, their children encouraged the couple to take on a significant measure for the chayalim. Yechezkel jumped in, sourcing coveted medical and hygienic supplies, an assortment of protein bars, toys, clothing, and more, fundraising over $25,000 within their network. Hoping to buy at a discount - usually at wholesale or below - Yechezkel called Sean of S&M Pharmacy to discuss a possible wholesale purchase of necessary medical supplies for the soldiers. Yechezkel proposed that Sean assist in the effort by providing the purchase at cost. Sean replied that he did not even have to ask. When Yechezkel came into the pharmacy desiring to contribute in a larger fashion, Sean asked how much he wanted to spend and offered to half-half with Yechezkel, contributing $2,500, on top of the purchase being at cost, for the endeavor. Yechezkel and his family split their donations amongst various communal collections, including one held at Naomi’s Pizzeria, and another held at Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens. At Naomi’s, the Presworsky children took time to color thank-you cards expressing gratitude to the soldiers.
Sean’s generosity continued to blossom, providing fifty percent off any purchase made for Israel collections. The pharmacy even held a mini inhouse collection for first aid kits, giving customers the opportunity to easily partake in the tremendous mitzvah. Moreover, S&M donated water bottles to keep the volunteers staffing Naomi’s site hydrated.
District Leader and longtime Community Board 8 member Shimi Pelman had a similar desire to help the plight in Eretz Yisrael. His efforts led to Sean, whose heart is forever giving. Sean delightfully provided ample first aid kits, allowing Shimi to drop off sizable donations at a handful of neighborhood collections.
Kudos to Sean and his team at S&M for being a standout mom-and-pop shop.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
