_______________
BaBylon _______________
HERALD BEaCon
Also serving Babylon, Bay Shore, Copiague, Deer Park, Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, West Babylon, West Islip and Wyandanch
Babylon Lions Club gives the gift of sight
NB theater and art teacher recognized
Page 7
Page 10
VOL. 75 NO. 24
JUNE 5 - 11, 2025
$1.00
Babylon honors 2 leaders for Jewish Heritage Month; taps Beautification Ambassador By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Mike Polansky/Herald
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks at press conference at Massapequa High School as Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Massapequa School District Board President Kerry Wachter, right, listen.
U.S. Education Secretary McMahon backs Massapequa in mascot dispute By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Massapequa High School last week and declared that New York State’s ban on indigenous mascot names violates federal civil rights law In addressing the ongoing dispute between local school districts and the state over the use of Native American logos and symbols, McMahon said her office reviewed the Massapequa School District argument that the state mandate violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and vowed federal support. “The president took this issue seriously. I am taking this issue seriously, and we will not tolerate a civil rights violation by New York State,” McMahon said. She announced a 10-day window for the state to pass a resolution allowing Massapequa and
other districts to retain their chosen mascots. If not, McMahon said the matter would be referred to the U.S. Department of Justice for enforcement. The fight over the Chiefs name in Massapequa rose to national prominence in April after President Donald Trump backed the school district’s stance. At the press conference with McMahon, N.C. Exec. Bruce Blakeman criticized the state’s policy as an overreach. “Long Island has some of the best schools in the United States,” he said. “That’s because we have local school boards making decisions, so that parents are involved in what’s best for their kids’ education. When the governor and the Board of Regents try to eliminate Native American names and logos, they’re trying to change our history and our culture — and we’re not going to stand for it.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
The Town of Babylon recognized Jewish Heritage Month by honoring two Jewish leaders, Rabbi Mitchell Nesenoff of Congregation Beth Sholom in Babylon Village, and Avi Posnick, executive director of StandWithUs, an international, non-partisan education organization that supports Israel and fights antisemitism. “Part of what we do collaborate with others on Long Island so we can the negative rhetoric and outright violence against the Jewish community we have seen over the past few years,” said Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer in awarding the two men proclamations from the town recognizing their work in the town and across the nation. “We want to reaffirm our support for the Jewish community, bringing together all municipal officials on Long Island in the common cause of supporting our Jewish residents,” he added. Schaffer said that Rabbi Nesenoff has helped do just that. “He is a miracle worker,” said Schaffer. “Anyone who can bring together Long Island officials and get them to agree on anything is a miracle worker.” “One hundred fifty years ago, the Long Island com-
munity came together and formed the first synagogue for the 2 percent Jewish population that contributes so much in so many ways as responsible citizens, police officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses and more,” said Nesenoff. “We are so grateful for that.” Nesenoff is also a member of the Cluster Clergy, a group of religious leaders from all faiths who meet regularly to discuss issues of common concern. “I support them and we all support each other,” said Nesenoff. Both men thanked the town for the recognition. In related business, the town announced that West Babylon resident Robert Lucasi was named an ambassador for the Babylon Beautification Program, a collaboration to further the beautification of the various hamlets with the communities. The program sponsors Adopt-A-Highway, Adopt-A-Spot, and Adopt-APark initiatives that help give everyone an opportunity to be a part of keeping their communities clean and beautiful. Lucasi, a resident of the town since 1976, said he was honored to be named. Babylon Town Councilman Terry McSweeney, who made the announcement, said Lucasi has been the eyes and ears in West Babylon for the town, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2