Assemblymember Lavine was feeling so much ‘pride’ when he visited Hofstra University to announce a $500,000 grant enabling the Biology Department to make critical upgrades to Gittleson Hall.

A key element of the renovations will be upgrading lab ventilation systems, elevating its status from Biological Safety Level 1 (BSL-1) to BSL-2, enabling higher levels of research involving biomedical agents to be safely conducted.

Lavine noted how fortunate it is to have one of the leading institutions of higher learning right here in our own backyard and for it to be led by such an innovative leader in its president, Dr. Susan Poser.

SCO Family of Services will be able to make some key renovations thanks to a grant secured by Assemblymember Lavine. The $125,000 capital grant will cover the cost of a new automated security gate and two therapeutic sensory rooms for the Robert J. McMahon Children’s Center in Sea Cliff. A frequent visitor to the center, Lavine was recently on the SCO campus in Sea Cliff to celebrate the organization’s 130th birthday and to formally announce the grant. The gate will ease security concerns, as the current perimeter leaves the property exposed to nearby roads, outside hazards, and unauthorized access, creating serious concerns for children who may be prone to wandering. The renovated sensory rooms will feature new equipment, creating specialized environments designed to calm overwhelmed children and reduce behavioral crises. Lavine presented a check to Suzette Gordon, SCO Family of Services President and CEO (next to Lavine / second from right) and other members of her staff.

There’s nothing sweeter than welcoming in the Jewish New Year with freshly baked honey cake! Assemblymember Lavine thanked the Jewish Community Relations Council - Long Island (JCRC-LI) for inviting him take part in the second annual honey cake tasting ahead of Rosh Hashanah at Zuckerbakers Bake Shop in Plainview.

(standing l-r) Angie Greenstein, ZuckerBakers Bake Shop Owner; Mindi Perlmutter, JCRC Executive Director; Adam Novak, JCRC Board Member (sitting l-r) New York State Senator Steve Rhoads and Assemblymember Lavine

Like a good politician, Lavine could not say no to another round over at Bagel Boss of Hicksville where he was joined by the Scott Berskin, the store’s general manager.

It was an especially poignant morning at Manetto Hill Jewish Center as a Torah was rededicated in memory of the innocent lives taken in the October 7th, 2023 terror attack in Israel. Here Assemblymember Lavine looks on as Torah Scribe Yitzchak Friedman makes a close inspection of the century old scroll and makes corrections using a special pen and ink.

It was explained to Lavine that the beloved Torah had already been dedicated in the name of a beloved congregant, but now will also honor and sanctify the memories of those lost on that terrible day.

A double dose of support from Assemblymember Lavine for the Village of East Hills. At an event marking the 20th anniversary of The Park at East Hills, Lavine joined outgoing Mayor Michael Koblenz for the announcement of a $250,000 grant. The funding will cover the cost of a brand-new state-of-the-art sanitation truck which will help sustain the quality of life for residents for years to come.

Lavine was also privileged to present a citation to Koblenz, by all accounts the man most responsible for this incredible park’s creation.

Mayor Koblenz will soon be stepping down from his role to be succeeded by Deputy Mayor Brian Meyerson.

While the Jewish High Holy Days are a time of celebration, they’re also a time for reflection and appreciation of what we have and how we can help those less fortunate. This was the spirit felt when Assemblymember Lavine visited Eisler United Food Pantry in Woodbury where he met with Town of Oyster Bay Chabad Rabbi Shmuel Lipszyc.

Rabbi Lipszyc shows Lavine food that will be distributed to those in need.

Lipszyc and his team are committed to serving local individuals kosher food throughout the year, but it’s especially important to enable families in need to be able to celebrate this special occasion without worrying about the cost.

With the new school year upon us, it’s a whole new ballgame for student-athletes at Roslyn High School! Thanks in part to a $250,000 grant Assemblymember Lavine secured, the Roslyn School District was able to significantly enhance the school’s sports complex with a brand-new multipurpose field for baseball, soccer, and marching band activities, new tennis courts, track and field areas, plus many infrastructure upgrades. After meeting with the district administrators back in 2024, Lavine's office fast-tracked the grant’s approval, enabling construction to get started right away. Lavine said he was immensely proud to have made this state-of-the-art, well-utilized project a reality.

Assemblymember Lavine was proud to announce $30,000 in funding to support the Holocaust Museum and Tolerance Center of Nassau County in Glen Cove. A firm believer that we must fight hate through education, Lavine believes the work done here is essential to stemming the rising tide of antisemitism we are seeing not just here but globally.

Lavine also joined Alan Mindel, host of the Influential Origins podcast and a member of the HMTC Board of Directors, to discuss antisemitism and how his life’s journey influenced my passion to stand up to hatred and discrimination against not just Jews but anyone perceived as ‘the other.’

The Life Enrichment Center at Oyster Bay is always buzzing with activity – just as it should be. Assemblymember Lavine enjoys each and every visit there, but it was especially nice for him to announce a $125,000 grant for internal renovations along with another $30,000 to support the center’s various wellness, socialization, and educational programs. Lavine joined Executive Director Judy Palumbo (furthest left) and her incredible staff for the big announcement.

Lavine relishes the opportunity to meet with all of his constituents but especially appreciates the contributions of our beloved veterans.

With inflation continuing to increase at an alarming rate, more families than ever are finding it difficult to make ends meet, let alone put together a holiday meal. Thanks to Met Council and the Sid Jacobson JCC in East Hills, Jewish families in need will be able to celebrate the High Holy Days with dignity and joy. Assemblymember Lavine was proud to be back at the JCC, along with Met Council representatives and volunteers to lend a hand in assembling bags at this annual event that serves the community.
(l-r) Michael Schlank, Sid Jacobson JCC Executive Director; Emily Neverosky, Met Council Agency Relations Associate; Susan Berman, Sid Jacobson JCC Managing Director, Community Engagement; Alice Burlinski, Director, Met Council Volunteer Services & Donor Relations

Lavine puts his artistic skills to work as he joins volunteers in creating bag labels.

…and then it was time to go to work as Lavine and the volunteers packed dozens of bags filled with holiday essentials.

It was truly an epic celebration as residents and officials joined Lavine for the ribbon-cutting!

At the grand opening of EPIC Long Island’s new Program Without Walls vocational training facility in Bethpage, Assemblymember Lavine was honored to speak and present a citation to President & CEO Lisa Burch.

In Oyster Bay’s beloved Raynham Hall Museum, we are fortunate to have one of the region’s most treasured historical locations right here in northern Nassau County. Assemblymember Lavine always enjoys visiting this wonderful place but was especially delighted recently to meet with Executive Director Harriet Gerard Clark, her staff, and board members to announce a $30,000 grant he secured on its behalf.

Harriet Gerard Clark explains to Lavine how the funding will support educational programming ahead of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in New York State in 2027.

One of the highlights of the summer for Assemblymember Lavine is visiting with the amazing kids at Camp Helen Keller on the bucolic Brookville campus of Long Island University. This year was extra special as, in addition to personally announcing a $30,000 grant he secured in support of this extraordinary program, Lavine was blown away when he returned to his office to see an incredible outpouring of creativity and gratitude from the campers in the form of wonderful thank-you cards. It made his day to read through each and every one, but said that he was the one who was grateful to them for reminding him that they are the reason he remains in public service.

Assemblymember Lavine meets with Susan and Lonnie Sherman (red shirts), founders of General Needs Ltd. in his district office.The organization does amazing work supporting homeless veterans and other veteran and families in need. Former Long Island Cares CEO Paule Pachter (furthest left) joined the meeting in a consulting role.

At the Glen Cove Youth Bureau Summer Camp Stars and Stripes Showcase, it was clear that the celebration of America’s 250th birthday wasn’t done yet.Assemblymember Lavine joined proud parents for a first-hand look at patriotic artwork the kids have poured their hearts into.

Lavine was also thrilled to present a $30,000 grant to Youth Bureau Executive Director Spiro Tsirkas and program coordinator Carolina DiMaggio to support this wonderful program.

Lavine could not say enough about the incredible job they, and their staff, do to provide a fun summer for these great kids.

When Assemblymember Lavine stopped by the Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club to see what was going on with the summer program, he and the kids learned so much about how oysters are such an important element in our ecosystem.

Lavine joined GC G&B Club Executive Director Franca Trunzo (furthest left) and members of the North Country Garden Club who ran the event.

At the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, Assemblymember Lavine had so much fun helping out as kids from around Nassau County received free backpacks and school supplies for the upcoming year.

Lavine thanked News 12 and Optimum for demonstrating their commitment to supporting local families by organizing the event and donating supplies and tens of thousands to area schools, including $10,000 to the Westbury Union Free School District! He is seen here with the district’s Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction – Elementary, Robin Barnett.