Bach Jewish Center and L.B.Police Department deliver toys to children

The Bach Jewish Center, the Long Beach Police Department and the Long Beach Police Foundation, delivered 150 toys, care packages and swag bags to children at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside Friday, as cases of pediatric RSV have begun rising in Nassau County.

Rabbi Benny Berlin of Bach and Long Beach Police Commission Ron Walsh were joined by members of the police department to hand-deliver the toys and care package 

The parcels, packed by police officers and community members at a recent event at the synagogue, included an assortment of over 150 gifts as well as swag bags with knick-knacks such as fidget spinners, toy cars and poppers. Also included were personalized cards from the BACH community members and their children with holiday wishes and colorful drawings and artwork to help bring holiday cheer.

“The holidays are a time for families to come together to celebrate and unfortunately with RSV and other illnesses being so prevalent among children this year, far too many will be spending the holiday season in the hospital without much of the holiday cheer they usually experience,” said Rabbi Berlin. “We learn from our sages about Hanukkah being centered around spreading the light, and what better way than by helping sick children celebrate the holidays.”

“We are extremely thankful to Commissioner Walsh, the Long Beach Police Department and the Long Beach Police Foundation for partnering with us for this important opportunity to bring a smile to the faces of the children in Mount Sinai South Nassau. We hope and pray for their speedy recovery and their return to everyday life with all of its celebrations,” he added. 

“It’s wonderful to partner with the BACH Jewish Center and the Foundation to try to make the lives of children who can’t be home for the holidays a little more special,” said Commissioner Ronald Walsh of the Long Beach Police Department. “Kids need to know that the police department and faith-based communities care about them and we are trying to make their world a little bit brighter this holiday season.”