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Wednesday, September 2, 2026 — FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

🐴 September — Belmont Park Racetrack REOPENING

🎶 Tuesday, September 8, 2026

🍎 Friday, September 11, 2026 — Erev Rosh Hashanah

📅 Yomim Noraim / High Holiday Schedule 5787:

Ongoing — Rock Hall Museum, Lawrence

Ongoing — FREE Senior Enrichment at The Sands, Lido Beach

The Five Towns community is still reeling from the devastating and heartbreaking loss of Allison Rahmani A"H of Hewlett Bay Park, who passed away on Friday, August 21 at the age of 40 after her GMC tragically drove into a swimming pool on Elinor Road in Hewlett Bay Park. Police believe she suffered a sudden medical emergency that caused her to lose control — she struck a tree and a parked car before the vehicle became submerged. First responders performed CPR at the scene and she was rushed to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Allison was a beloved math coordinator at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway (HAFTR), a devoted wife to Matthew Rahmani — president of Irving Place Minyan in Woodmere — and a loving mother to four children. She had just celebrated her 40th birthday. She was scheduled to leave that very Sunday for a romantic Paris getaway with her husband. At her funeral at Boulevard-Riverside Chapels in Hewlett, her mother Rachelle Rohde said: "Mama loves you all more than you will ever know."

The community has rallied around the Rahmani family with an outpouring of love, support, and chesed that has been remarkable to witness. Three young Five Towns boys were also seen making brachos in Allison's memory — a beautiful kiddush Hashem that went viral across community social media.

Yehi zichrah baruch. May her memory be a blessing. May the Rahmani family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. Read more — Patch | Read more — LI Herald

🚨 #2 — URGENT SAFETY ALERT: Multiple Individuals in Black Tried to Enter Occupied Homes Across Five Towns on Shabbos Morning

This is a critical public safety alert that every Five Towns resident must read. At approximately 4:20 AM this past Shabbos morning, Saturday August 29, multiple individuals dressed in black were seen attempting to enter occupied homes throughout the Five Towns. The Nassau County Police Department Fourth Squad confirmed an attempted residential burglary at a Plainfield Lane residence in North Woodmere at 4:27 AM — unknown subjects attempted to enter the residence but made no entry and fled in an unknown direction. RNSP Shomrim has significantly increased overnight patrols and will maintain heightened patrols this coming Friday night as well.

What you should do: Lock all doors and windows before going to sleep. Keep exterior lights on overnight. Make sure your Ring/security cameras are operational. If you see or hear ANYTHING suspicious, call 911 immediately. Do not wait.

If you have any information, contact Nassau County Police Fourth Squad directly: 516-573-6454 or RNSP: (516) 858-7300. Read more here

🚨 #3 — THEFT ALERT: Package & Bicycle Thief Spotted on Washington Ave in Cedarhurst Today

A separate and very active theft incident occurred TODAY — Tuesday September 1 — right here in Cedarhurst. An individual was seen around 2:30 PM on Washington Avenue, Cedarhurst, entering properties and stealing packages, bicycles, and other items while pushing a large cart. Surveillance footage of the suspect has been shared by Nassau County Police and RNSP.

What you should do right now: Bring in any packages that have been delivered. Secure your bicycles and outdoor items. If you recognize the individual from the surveillance image shared by 5 Towns Central, call Nassau County Police immediately. Read more here

✡️ #4 — ROSH HASHANAH IS 10 DAYS AWAY — GOV. HOCHUL PLEDGES HEIGHTENED LAW ENFORCEMENT AT SHULS DURING YOMIM NORAIM

With Rosh Hashanah just 10 days away, Governor Kathy Hochul has pledged expanded security resources and a heightened law enforcement presence at synagogues throughout New York State during the Yomim Noraim. The announcement comes amid the ongoing surge in antisemitic incidents across the metro area. Nassau County Police will also be deploying additional resources to houses of worship throughout the Five Towns during the High Holiday season. If your shul has specific security concerns, contact the Nassau County Police 4th Precinct to request additional patrols. Read more here

💛 #5 — KIDDUSH HASHEM: 3 Five Towns Boys Making Brachos in Memory of Ally Rahmani A"H

In one of the most touching stories to come out of the Five Towns community this week, three local boys have been making brachos — blessings — in memory of Allison Rahmani A"H. The story, which was shared widely across community social media and went viral, shows the incredible middos and sensitivity of our community's children. These boys, on their own initiative, chose a beautiful and meaningful way to honor Ally's memory. This is what the Five Towns community is made of. Yasher Koach to these remarkable young men and their families. Read more here

✡️ #6 — THE GREAT DEBATE: ALIYAH OR AMERICA? JAKE TURX VS. HILLEL FULD

A thought-provoking and timely debate has just dropped on 5 Towns Central — Jake Turx, the White House correspondent and Five Towns community member, goes head to head with Hillel Fuld, one of Israel's most prominent English-language voices, in a passionate debate: Aliyah or America? As antisemitism rises across the United States, as Israel continues to fight for its existence, and as our community grapples with these questions in real time, this debate is a must-watch for every Five Towns family. Watch here

⚖️ #7 — JUDGE GRILLS MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION OVER PIED-À-TERRE TAX DATABASE ROLLOUT

A New York State Supreme Court judge is now questioning the Mamdani administration over the controversial publication of a database listing nearly one million properties potentially subject to the new pied-à-terre tax — the same database that critics say effectively doxxed hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, including many Five Towns property owners with New York City connections. The judge has raised serious concerns about the legality and process of the database's rollout. Five Towns residents and property owners with NYC real estate should continue to monitor this closely and consult an attorney if their property appears. Read more here

🚗 #8 — CRASH AT FOREST AND PENINSULA IN HEWLETT — ROAD PARTIALLY CLOSED

A car accident at the intersection of Forest Avenue and Peninsula Boulevard in Hewlett has caused a partial road closure today, Tuesday September 1. Nassau County Police are on scene. Motorists in the area should expect delays and use alternate routes. If you are traveling through Hewlett this afternoon, allow extra time. Read more here

📰 #9 — ASSEMBLYMAN ARI BROWN ISSUES OPEN LETTER: "HATEFUL RANTS" AT PENINSULA PUBLIC LIBRARY STAFF ARE UNACCEPTABLE

Five Towns Assemblyman Ari Brown has released a sharply worded open letter to the community addressing a pattern of verbal abuse directed at Peninsula Public Library staff members in Lawrence. Brown condemned what he described as "hateful rants" directed at library employees, calling on the community to treat all public servants with basic dignity and respect. The Peninsula Public Library — which recently celebrated the reopening of its fully modernized elevator — is a beloved Five Towns institution. Whatever frustrations one may have with library policies or services, abusive behavior toward staff is never acceptable. Read more here

🚴 #10 — FAR ROCKAWAY MAN ARRESTED IN INWOOD E-BIKE ROBBERY — STOLEN GUN RECOVERED

A Far Rockaway man was arrested in Inwood following an e-bike robbery in which a stolen firearm was also recovered. The arrest — which took place in Inwood, one of the Five Towns — is a reminder that illegal weapons continue to circulate in communities adjacent to ours. RNSP and Nassau County Police continue to coordinate on enforcement in Inwood and the surrounding area. Read more here

🏛️ #11 — VILLAGE OF LAWRENCE HOSTS SPECTACULAR SUMMER CONCERT & FIREWORKS SHOW

The Village of Lawrence wrapped up its summer in style, hosting a spectacular outdoor concert and fireworks display for residents this past week. Mayor Samuel Nahmias and village officials were on hand as families gathered for an evening of music and community celebration. After a summer of road upgrades, new surveillance cameras, traffic safety measures, and increased security initiatives, the concert was a beautiful reminder of what makes Lawrence such a special place to live. Read more here

✡️ #12 — HACHNOSAS SEFER TORAH IN WOODMERE — A BEAUTIFUL SIMCHA FOR THE COMMUNITY

Woodmere celebrated a beautiful Hachnosas Sefer Torah last week, with the community coming together to welcome a new Sefer Torah in a joyous procession. Video of the celebration, shared widely on 5TownsCentral, shows the incredible ruach and simcha of our community. May it be a source of bracha and Torah learning for many years to come! Watch here

🎤 #13 — JOEY NEWCOMB PACKED THE HOUSE AT LAWRENCE COUNTRY CLUB

Jewish music star Joey Newcomb performed to a packed and energized crowd at the Lawrence Country Club this past week, treating Five Towns fans to an unforgettable evening of music and inspiration. If you haven't seen him perform live, put it on your list — he never disappoints. Read more here

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📣 Long Island Small Businesses Win $5,000 Grants — Could YOUR Business Apply Next Year?

Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation celebrated 40 Long Island small business grant winners at their 2026 Small Business Summit in Bethpage — 20 from Nassau County and 20 from Suffolk. Each winner received a $5,000 grant through the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program. Five Towns business owners: watch for next year's application cycle opening. It's a real opportunity for local businesses to get a meaningful boost. Source: patch.com

Big news for the shopping and dining scene right near the Five Towns — the Town of Hempstead has approved a lease for Cava, the popular Mediterranean grain bowl chain, at Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream. This is part of the mall's sweeping $100 million renovation, with a huge wave of new tenants coming as construction continues through 2027. Already approved:

Green Acres Mall is just minutes from the Five Towns on Sunrise Highway and is shaping up to be one of the most exciting dining and entertainment destinations on Long Island when the renovation is complete. Source: patch.com

🍽️ Stay Up to Date on Five Towns Kosher Restaurant News:

Why did the student bring a ladder to school on the first day? Because they heard it was the beginning of a new level of learning! 🎒

Question:
Rosh Hashanah 5787 begins on the evening of Friday, September 11, 2026 — exactly 25 years after the September 11, 2001 attacks. How many people from the Five Towns were among those who perished in the attacks on the World Trade Center, and what memorial exists locally to honor them?

Answer:
Dozens of Five Towns residents perished on September 11, 2001 — the community was among the hardest hit in the New York metro area due to the large number of finance and business professionals who worked in lower Manhattan. A memorial to the Five Towns victims is located at Andrew J. Parise Park in Cedarhurst — the same park that hosts the beloved annual summer concert series — with the names of community members inscribed on the memorial. As Rosh Hashanah begins this year on September 11, many Five Towns shuls will include special tefillot in memory of those lost 25 years ago, on this incredibly poignant date.

As reported above — multiple individuals dressed in black were seen attempting to enter occupied homes throughout the Five Towns at approximately 4:20 AM on Shabbos morning, August 29. RNSP has dramatically increased overnight patrols and will have heightened patrols THIS coming Friday night as well.

Action items for every Five Towns homeowner:

If you have information about the suspects: contact Nassau County Police Fourth Squad: 516-573-6454 Source: 5townscentral.com

🚨 CEDARHURST THEFT ALERT — TODAY

An individual was caught on camera stealing packages, bicycles, and outdoor items from Washington Avenue, Cedarhurst TODAY at approximately 2:30 PM. Bring in your packages, secure your bikes, and report any sightings to Nassau County Police immediately. Source: 5townscentral.com

The Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol (RNSP) operates 24/7, 365 days a year — completely volunteer-run — protecting the Five Towns and Rockaway communities.

📞 24/7 Hotline: (516) 858-7300
📱 Instagram: @rnsp_patrol
🌐 Website: rnsafetypatrol.org
💛 Donate: rayze.it/rockawaynassausafetypatrol

Nassau County Police Non-Emergency: 888-684-4274 | Crime Stoppers: 1-800-244-TIPS