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O’Siders’ full-circle teaching journey By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
Kepherd Daniel/Herald
Oceanside residents and School Six teachers Julia Chodash, left, and Elaine Eckers make a great classroom team.
When Julia Chodash walked into Elaine Eckers’s kindergarten classroom in 2021 as a student teacher, she was stepping into a class filled with Disneythemed decorations and decades of educational experience. Neither woman could have predicted that their bond would grow into a dynamic teaching partnership, embodying this year’s school district theme, “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work.” Eckers, 74, is a longtime educator in Oceanside. She began COntinuEd On pagE 5
New year, same selfless efforts for lifelong Oceanside couple By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
For lifelong Oceanside residents Judie and Vic Horowitz, New Year’s resolutions aren’t j u s t Ja nu a r y p ro m i s e s — they’re a way of life. Celebrating their 67th year of marriage, Judie, 88, and Vic, 91, embody the spirit of renewal and determination. For the past 20 years, they have been dedicated volunteers at SIBSPlace, a nonprofit in Rockville Centre that suppor ts healthy children in families coping with devastating illnesses such as cancer. SIBS stands for survivorship in
brothers and sisters. The couples weekly visits to SIBSPlace have made them familiar and beloved faces among the families, staff and children there. “At SIBSPlace, the kids don’t see differences — they see each other as family,” Judie said. “That’s the way the world should be, and it’s a privilege to be a part of that.” At SIBSPlace, the couple helps to create an atmosphere of trust and support, by attending weekly sessions and special events, such as holiday parties, bringing warmth and stability to children who benefit from the structured, nurturing environment.
Another highlight of their week is visiting Rhame Avenue Elementary School in East Rockaway every T hursday with Daisy, the couple’s therapy dog. Each time they visit the school, Daisy brings smiles to children across two classes — one with non-verbal students who enjoy petting her and another where the older kids practice reading aloud to her and watch her hold a paintbrush with her mouth to paint pictures on a canvas. “Daisy just has a way of breaking down barriers and making everyone feel at ease,” Vic said. “Seeing the kids light up when she does her tricks is
the best part of our day.” D e s p i t e t h e i r a g e, t h e Horowitzes are firmly committed to staying active, both physically and mentally. For Judie, the fitness journey became a necessity two years ago after she was diagnosed with osteopenia, a condition that weakens bones and could lead to osteoporosis. Her husband, a longtime
regular at the gym, encouraged her to join him more often, and together they began training at the Friedberg JCC in Oceanside under the guidance of Rocco Perotta, of Rockville Centre. They hit the gym several times a week, prioritizing strength training, cardiovascular health and overall wellness. “Rocco makes it fun,” Judie COntinuEd On pagE 9