City Council Member Rosie Mendez and UJC Exec. Dir. Joel Kaplan at synagogue protest

n a Thursday afternoon in August, East Village residents and elected officials gathered in front of the historic Adas Yisroel Anshe Meseritz Synagogue at 415 E. 6th street, to protest its coming destruction at the hands of developer Joshua Kushner.

With its limestone fa?ade, the Meseritz Synagogue is one of the Lower East Side’s last operating “tenement synagogues,” deserving of a landmark designation, according to protesters.

Last July 7, the synagogue board of directors met with the developer and voted to approve the project that includes the demolition of the existing structure and building a new, 6 story building, complete with a synagogue on the first 2 floors and 10 apartments on the top 4 floors.

Joel Kaplan, Executive Director of the United Jewish Council, says the process was flawed from the beginning. “People who have been praying here for years were not allowed by repeated requests to become board members,”  

he says. “Also, children of members are precluded from becoming board members.”

Andrew Berman, Executive Director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, feels the synagogue is an important piece of the city’s history. “People inside and outside the congregation want to work so the building can be preserved and the congregation can survive,” he says.

Andrew Cohen

Are You Ready for Football?

he Sol Lain Flag Football League is starting their tryouts for the 2008 fall season during the month of September. Boys and girls ages 9 to 13 are welcome, and if accepted will join one of the four local teams. League members also enjoy trips in the city and upstate.

The league will open in October and run until December, when the championship game will take place. All the games will all take place at Sol Lain Park, located on East Broadway, Gouverneur, and Henry Streets, adjacent to P.S. 134.

The league started in 1992. In 2002 local girls were invited to join, and have been challenging the male players ever since. Two years ago three girls captured the Rookie, Defense and MVP awards.

Edward Garcia

Their Last LES Shabbat

he last Saturday in July was a bittersweet day at the Stanton Street Shul, being Rabbi Yossi Pollak’s last Shabbos there. The rabbi and his wife, Brooke, who had worked to make SSS an open and welcoming place for all, were rewarded with a capacity crowd that came to see them off.

But it was not just the sheer numbers but also the diversity of the crowed, from Black hats to tiny Mets yarmulkes, and from head scarves to no scarves. Religious and secular leaders from the community were there as well, including the neighboring Chasam Sopher Synagogue’s Rabbi Azriel Siff and Shul President Eugene Weiser, and City Council Member Alan Gerson who presented a City Proclamation commending the Pollaks for their contributions to the community.

Peretz Berk

MF Gallery’s Still Alive, with Sixth Annual Halloween Art Show

une 2008 marked the closing of MF Gallery’s Rivington Street location. As they prepare for their grand reopening in Gowanus, Brooklyn, MF Gallery is helping to launch a brand new art space: ITM Lounge, upstairs at I Tre Merli on West Broadway in SoHo.

This year’s Halloween Art Show will feature artists Martina & Frank Russo, Elmer Presslee, Chad Savage, Nicoz Balboa, Kevin Klemm, Joe Simko, Drew & Greg Maillard, Fernando Carpaneda, Moses Jaen, Death Head, Alex Macchiavelli, Mike Annechiarico, James Wrona, Inky Dreadfuls, and Ciou.

The Opening Party, Saturday, September 20, will be a Rock N Roll bash, with horror movies projected on a giant screen, and DJ Justin playing a Death Metal Soundtrack. Drinks and refreshments will be served, and anyone who comes in a Halloween costume will get a complementary drink. Admission is free and open to all ages, no RSVP required.

MF Gallery’s Sixth Annual Halloween Art Show, ITM Lounge, 463 West Broadway bet. Houston and Prince, gallery viewing hours everyday from 12 noon to 12 midnight, contact Martina or Frank, 917.446.8681, mailto:minfo@MFgallery.net

Jim Boyett

Emerging Lower East Side Giant

he industry buzz is that Comprehensive Staffing Solutions, founded by Seward Park resident Nathan Sklar, is fast becoming the most sought after healthcare staffing company in New Jersey and the five boroughs.

It offers an impressive pool of locally and internationally-educated and trained registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, health aides, physical therapists, PT assistants and aides, occupational therapists, certified occupational therapy assistants, and speech therapists/pathologists.

The company has gained a reputation for giving practical, no-nonsense advice to applicants who need assistance on immigration, H1-b visa & green card-related matters. They also provide attractive salary rates and benefit packages, resulting in employee loyalty and retention.

CSS is one of five companies under the umbrella of the Comprehensive Group, which run adult and pediatric rehab centers, developmental schools and a satellite staffing office in Beverly Hills. Comprehensive is also a major service provider for school-based and homecare assignments with the New York City Dept. of Education; all of which suggests they have many jobs to fill.

Comprehensive Staffing Solutions, LLC, 460 Grand Street, 212.539.0257, www.comprehensivecenter.com

Maggie Mitchell

Outreach Program Using… Mossad Techniques

n Sunday, September 21, the unique Discovery Program, experienced by more than 250,000 people worldwide, will come the Bialystoker Synagogue to answer the question “Why be Jewish?” with a compelling and entertaining demonstration of the authenticity and relevance of Jewish values and beliefs.

Discovery invites participants to challenge Judaism’s central principles in a novel process called Failsafe. Based on analytical techniques used by the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, the Discovery draws audiences into a fascinating and rigorous means of testing the rational basis for belief in Judaism.

According to organizers, not only do Discovery participants find out that Judaism can take the heat of logical, historical and scientific testing, but that it is a very relevant and essential part of today’s world.

The program will be held at The Orenstein Building (Lower Level), next door to the Bialystoker Synagogue (15-17 Bialystoker Place). Lunch and refreshments will be served. To register call 212.475.0165 , email mailto:minfo@bialystoker.org, or register online at www.bialystoker.org

Don’t Let Medicine Make You Sick

aking the wrong medicine, or the wrong dosage, can hurt you, say our friends at Gouverneur Healthcare Services. There are things you can do to make sure that medical mistakes do not happen to you. For example, some medicines look alike in shape and color. Some medicines have names that sound the same. Some, if not taken as prescribed by physician, can make you sick. Some should not be taken together.

This is why it is so important that you never share your medicines with anyone or use anyone else’s medicines.

Here are some ways to prevent medical mistakes from happening to you:

1. Always ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for the name of your medicine, its dosage and what it is supposed to do. Also, ask how, when, and how long you should take the medication.

2. Ask about possible side effects and what to do if you experience them.

3. Tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines, drinks, vitamins, and herbs.

4. When you pick up your medicine, make sure it has both your name and your doctor’s name on the label.

5. Take your medicine as told by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

6. Tell the doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you had a bad reaction to any medicines in the past.

7. Do not break your pills in half unless your doctor, nurse or pharmacist told you to do so.

8. Never take medicine in the dark. Make sure to look at the pill and verify that it’s the right one.

9. If you have any questions, always ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Here are examples of medicines that can make you feel sick if you do not take them as the doctor told you to:

• Insulin is a lifesaver for many people with diabetes. But too much or too little insulin can cause dizziness, confusion, weakness, and fainting.

• Blood thinners, like Warfarin and Coumadin, help prevent blood clots. But if you take too little of them you may get a blood clot, and if you take too much it can cause bleeding. People who take blood thinners must have their blood levels tested on a regular basis.

• Pain medicines, like Motrin, Tylenol, and Vicodin must be taken in the dosages prescribed by your doctor, to prevent accidental overdoses and side effects.

• Digoxin helps the heart beat more strongly and regularly. It is important to take it as prescribed, since an overdose can cause the heart to stop.

• Oral hypoglycemic agents (pills that are taken to lower the blood sugar level), like Glipizide and Metformin, are used to treat Type 2 diabetes. If not taken as prescribed by your doctor, your blood sugar level may increase or decrease, causing dizziness, confusion, weakness and fainting.

• Sleeping pills, when taken as prescribed, may help you have a restful night. If not used properly, they can be deadly, increasing the effects of alcohol and drugs that slow down your nervous system, including your breathing.

MM

Make Sure You’re Included

ocial service agencies, clinics and educational institutions – we want to give the entire community fresh access to your programs. Get in touch with our marketing department:

212.473.7284, 917.992.3299, mailto:mn.kramer@rcn.com