_________ Oceanside/island park ________
HERALD VoL. 59 No. 40
Lutheran Church donates to Africa
A ‘historical’ podcast win
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SEPTEMBER 26 - oCToBER 2, 2024
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Playing bingo, raising money for Safe Haven By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
Kepherd Daniel/Herald
The Oceanside Jewish War Veterans post organized the visit of Capt. Dagan Cohen, right, of the Israel Defense Forces, to the Friedberg JCC on Sunday for a presentation on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. At left was post Commander John Robbins.
IDF officer visits Friedberg JCC Cohen discusses Israel-Hamas conflict, Jewish unity By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
The Oceanside Jewish War Veterans Post 717 hosted a special event on Sunday morning at the Friedberg JCC, bringing together residents and veterans for a discussion led by Capt. Dagan Cohen of the Israel Defense Forces. Cohen, a highly experienced reserve officer, offered a detailed and personal perspective on Israel’s current military and political challenges, including the ongoing IsraelGaza conflict. More than 100 people gathered to hear Cohen’s thoughts on the evolving dynamics in the Middle East, among them local veterans, many of whom have deep connections with Israel, as well as members of
Oceanside’s Jewish community. “We asked him to come, and we spread it around to all the people that we know and all the different groups at the JCC, and then this is what we got,” post Commander John Robbins, who helped organize the event, said. “We got a big crowd, and I thought he did very well.” The event included a kosher buffet breakfast, making for a warm and communal atmosphere in which attendees reflected on Israel’s history, and the difficult realities of the region today. Cohen, 35, is a senior emissary, or shaliach, for the Jewish Agency for Israel and is the director of the Randie Waldbaum Malinsky Center for Israel at the Sid Jacobson JCC. COnTInuED On pAgE 5
Animal lovers and bingo enthusiasts alike will have an opportunity to come together at Michael’s Billiards in Island Park on Sept. 28 for a special fundraiser to support Christina’s Animal Safe Haven. The fundraiser is a drag bingo event, which promises to be an evening of fun, while raising crucial funds for the rescue and care of senior, special needs and unwanted dogs. Tickets are $25 per person, which also buys one bingo card. Additional cards can be purchased for $5 and food and drink will also be available for purchase. Drag bingo combines the traditional game of bingo with performances by drag queens, which add to the entertainment compared to a regular bingo game. The rescue has held two fundraisers and hosted a special birthday party for one of their senior dogs and after hearing about the success other Rescues have had with the drag bingo fundraisers format decided to organize their own. Christina’s Animal Safe Haven, based in Baldwin and founded by Baldwin resident
Event details What: Drag bingo fundraiser for Christina’s Animal Safe Haven When: Saturday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. Where: Michael’s Billiards, Island Park Why: To raise funds for the care of senior and specialneeds dogs Christina Diaz, is a grass-roots organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and temporary relocating vulnerable dogs. With her mission focused on animals often overlooked due to age or medical needs, Diaz has displayed a passion for her work. “Every animal deserves love and a second chance,” Diaz said. “Senior and special needs dogs are often the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized. I couldn’t stand by and let that continue.” The fundraiser, set to begin at 7 p.m., will feature lively COnTInuED On pAgE 2