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Community Corner

Over Six Centuries of Collective Years of Marriage - Mazel Tov!

Ten couples celebrate being married for 60 years or more.

The Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center in Commack recently hosted an evening billed "The Jewish American Dream" celebrating ten married couples who have been together for 60 or more years.    

This simcha, which means an occasion of great joy, was the brainchild of Bat-Sheva Slevin, the Director of the Center for Jewish Living and Learning. Rabbi Jacob Benzaquen and Cantor Blum resided over the couples' renewal of their vows.

" I will soon be celebrating my own 18th anniversary," said Joel Block, executive director of the Suffolk Y. " When I look at you here I can only hope my wife and I have the same look of joy, hope and love when we have been together for 60 years."

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 Rabbi Benzaquen said the evening was one of "consecrating and reaffirming the love for each other, the lives of children and the continuing devotion to each other" that these couples have demonstrated.

Shirley Fremeth, who has been married to her husband Charles for 65 years, explained her secret to a long-lasting marriage.  "Have a sense of humor.  I don't even change my furniture, why would I change my husband?"

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Kings Park natives Lottie and Werner Hess were celebrating 64 and-a-half years of marriage.  They have three grown daughters and five grandchildren.  Mr. Hess said it is easy to have a 60 year marriage if the groom learns two words, "Yes, Dear."  Mrs. Hess stated that happiness requires "Patience, a lot of patience."

Irma Abowitz, who married her husband Al in 1948, was thrilled that her wedding gown was on display in the lobby.  Irma's father, a pattern maker by trade, made her gown and her sister-in-law made her crown.  The lobby display also contains pictures of the couples then and now, copies of their marriage certificates and brief histories of each.

After the ceremony, the couples and their guests enjoyed a dinner dance with music provided by the four piece Ross Band.  Members from the center said the celebratory evening was a true community event and one the Jewish Y hopes to repeat in the future.

The couples renewing their vows were:

Irma and Alfred Abowitz(63 years)

Arline and Aaron Berezowsky(63 years)

Frances and Charles Diamant (65 years)

Shirley and Abraham Fremeth (63 years)

Mira and Rolf Grayson (67 years)

Marilyn and Henry Heller (60 years)

Lottie and Werner Hess (65 years)

Evalyn and George Koff (65 years)

Shirley and Jerry Levy (64 years)

Rosalie and Leon Silverman (60 years)

 

 

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