Finding a path to honor Sylvia Kaminetsky in North Woodmere

An online petition that seeks to get local officials to dedicate an avenue in North Woodmere after a longtime resident has so far generated more than 300 signatures.

The petition calls for Cliffside Avenue to be renamed in honor of Sylvia Kaminetsky, who died on Nov. 12 at the age of 87. Sylvia lived on Cliffside for roughly 54 years with her husband of 67 years, Irving Kaminetsky, a Sanitary District 1 commissioner.

“She was just a special person,” Kaminetsky said. “She was so smart and did tremendous things for the community. She certainly made me look good.”

Kaminetsky said that Sylvia was philanthropic and civic oriented. She volunteered for many years at Franklin General Hospital in Valley Stream where she served as the president of the coordinating council of the auxiliaries. She became active in local politics, serving as the president of the Republican Club of North Woodmere and an election coordinator for the Town of Hempstead.

An involved member of Temple Hillel in North Woodmere, the Kaminetskys belonged for more than a half century, and Sylvia served on the synagogue’s board for the past 20 years.

Lawrence resident Josh Justic created the online petition with the intention of keeping her memory alive. “A lot of people in the neighborhood know of the impact that Sylvia had on her community,” Justic said. “We came to the idea of trying to rename the street she lived on for over 50 years after her.”

Justic said that the petition was created on Jan. 22 and less than a week later; it already had more than 300 signatures. “I was quite surprised when I saw the amount of signatures was over 300,” Justic told the Herald on Jan. 27. Justic wanted to reach 500 signatures and as of press time that goal was surpassed.

Aileen Margolis has known the Kaminetsky family for roughly six years, as they would frequent the New York Beach Club in Atlantic Beach. Margolis said that Sylvia was an inspirational person. “Although I only knew Sylvia for six years, I felt I had known her for my entire life,” she said. “When someone sees her name on the street sign, I hope it will inspire them to give back to their community.”Kaminetsky added that if he is unsuccessful in getting Cliffside Avenue dedicated, he will turn his attention to renaming North Woodmere Park after his late wife. “With the help of everybody, we can make this happen,” he said. “This has become my mission.”

State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Democrat who represents the Five Towns, wrote a letter on Jan. 28 to County Executive Laura Curran expressing his agreement in renaming the park after Sylvia. “As a North Woodmere/Valley Stream staple, Sylvia’s powerful impact on the community warrants recognition,” Kaminsky wrote. “Her resume of over 50 years at Temple Hillel, volunteering at Franklin General Hospital and serving as an election coordinator for the Town of Hempstead, makes a strong case for memorializing her at North Woodmere Park.”

The petition can be signed online at, https://bit.ly/3org90J.