Congregation Tifereth Israel (CTI), Long Island’s oldest continuously operating synagogue, has enjoyed and benefited from a more-than-century-long relationship with the five generations of Glen Cove’s Shapiro family.
CTI was founded in 1897. In 1908, an enterprising young couple, Louis and Sadie Shorenstein, traveled east to Glen Cove to open their own business, a bakery. They joined the small CTI Jewish community, launching the close family relationship with the synagogue that has flourished for more than a century and over five generations of the family.
On Sunday June 12, beginning at 4:30 pm, CTI celebrates its 125th birthday with a tribute to the present and departed members of the Shorenstein/Shapiro/Posner family. CTI president Carl Kornfeld, explained that the event has been planned to honor the memory of Joseph Shapiro and to recognize the family’s present members—Libby, Leonard and Caryl, Ben and Michelle and Eve. A Gala Cocktail Party beginning at 4:30 pm will be followed at 6 pm with a 60-minute Video Tribute that recognizes the contributions of this family and others who helped build the Glen Cove and CTI communities. The video tribute will be available for viewing in-person at CTI or at home via Zoom.
Always prominent among CTI’s leadership, members of the Shapiro family have served as officers, advisors and benefactors, inspiring others with their loyalty and dedication. Louis Shorenstein and Ben Shapiro were very active members; Libby Shapiro’s father, Max Posner, and her husband, Joseph, led the congregation as CTI presidents; Libby’s son, Leonard, served on the CTI Board of Trustees for 25 years. Describing what he called the Shapiro family’s true constants, Leonard Shapiro said: “We’ve always lived here in Glen Cove, we’ve always been associated with and active with CTI.”
Ticket information
Tickets for CTI’s Sunday, June 12th celebration of its 125th anniversary, including both the 4:30 Cocktail Party and in-person viewing of the 6 pm Video Tribute are $125 per couple or $75 for an individual. For those not attending the Cocktail Party, a watch-at-home Zoom link is $36. Visit https://www.ctionline.org/125th.html to learn more or to purchase tickets.
Having provided Jewish programming and education to the Long Island community in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, CTI stands as Long Island ‘s oldest continuously operating synagogue. The synagogue is located at 40 Hill Street in Glen Cove, at the intersection with Landing Road.
For further information about programs and activities at CTI, call (516) 676-5080 or visit ctionline.org.
