Families affiliated with the Great Neck Chinese Association (GNCA) and Temple Israel of Great Neck met at Steppingstone Park on a gorgeous late summer Sunday for an afternoon of friendship building and connection.
In addition to enjoying the scenery and company, games and art projects kept attendees happily entertained. The formal part of the program included the singing of a Chinese and a Jewish song.
The Chinese song was “Mo Li Hua” about sharing the beauty of the jasmine flower with others. The Jewish song was the Sabbath hymn “Shalom Aleichem” about welcoming the angels on Sabbath eve.
“It was a wonderful day for our first Temple Israel and GNCA cultural event gathering,” said Nathan Fong, GNCA copresident. “GNCA is looking forward to partnering with Temple Israel and other community organizations as we build a brighter future for all in Great Neck.”
Temple Israel’s Associate Rabbi Daniel Schweber shared a Jewish teaching about how in the Bible, God created humankind with just Adam and Eve so all of humanity shares one ancestor.
“We have much more in common than we have different and together we are stronger,” said Rabbi Schweber after the event.
The afternoon marked the beginning of both personal friendships and communal collaboration between Temple Israel and GNCA—and the two organizations are looking forward to sharing many more meaningful occasions.
