Rabbi Bender at Lido Beach Synagogue

Rav Yaakov Bender Inspires Lido Beach Synagogue at its Slichot Program

This past Motzei Shabbos, the Lido Beach Synagogue was fortunate to have Rav Yaakov Bender provide
an inspiring introduction to the first night of slichot. Rav Bender is the internationally acclaimed Rosh
Yeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway, NY, which serves approximately 2,000 students from
pre-kindergarten to 12 th grade. Over his 40+ years in education, he has influenced and guided tens of
thousands of yeshiva students and counts many illustrious talmedei chachomim among its graduates.
Recently, Yeshiva Darchei Torah was visited by U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, who applauded
the high quality of its religious and secular education.

During his slichot introduction, Rav Bender urged the congregation and many visitors from outside the
community to embrace small measures and mitzvot that enhance the lives of those around us. He told
numerous stories of helping lonely people to ensure they did not fall through the cracks. Through Rav
Bender’s humanizing and very personal introduction, the audience found themselves pondering things
they could do in their lives to enhance the feelings of others. Rav Bender’s inspiring message served as a
remarkable lead-in to the beautiful slichot service delivered later that evening by Cantor Meir Goldberg
who will be leading the High Holiday services at the Lido Beach Synagogue.

Rabbi Eli Biegeleisen, the Rabbi of the Synagogue, noted, “This is my first Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur
in Lido Beach. I couldn’t think of a better person to kick off our High Holiday Services than Rav Bender.
Besides his impact on the local and greater communities, he is a personal friend and mentor who has
been an invaluable guide to me and my family. I urge all in attendance to take Rav Bender’s words to
heart and elevate their midos during the Days of Awe and beyond.”

Just a stone’s throw from the bustling Five Towns on Long Island’s south shore, Lido Beach has had an
Orthodox Jewish community for over 50 years in a friendly, small town neighborhood featuring
affordable homes and an active shul. There are daily shacharit and mincha/maariv minyanim and
classes for all levels. The area features numerous kosher stores, an eruv, a mikveh, easy transportation
into Manhattan/Brooklyn and free busing to all Far Rockaway and Five Town schools. And of course,
there is the beauty of the beach, even in the non-summer months. For those interested, a weekend visit
to Lido Beach can be arranged to sample this friendly, welcoming community.