Plainview Jewish Center 2026
Bruce Elowsky has been an active member of the Plainview community and the Plainview Jewish Center for over 25 years. Born in Brooklyn, Bruce was raised by his parents, Pauline and Sidney, in a Conservative Jewish household. His parents taught him the values of family, Judaism and tradition which he carries with him to this day.
Bruce earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Polytechnic Institute of New York. He spent the early years of his career working in his father’s manufacturing business until its sale after which he showcased his entrepreneurial spirit by founding his own company, BES Industries.
It was also in Brooklyn where Bruce met his wife, Sherry, beginning a lifelong partnership that led them to settle in Plainview in 1985.
Since joining Plainview Jewish Center in 1997, Bruce has devoted himself to the congregation’s growth. His extensive leadership record includes serving as previous Co-Chair of the Religious School, past President of Plainview Jewish Center, Financial Secretary of Men’s Club and past and current Treasurer of the Men’s Club.
Currently, Bruce serves on the Executive Board of Men’s Club and on the Board of Plainview Jewish Center. He remains deeply involved as the Chair of the Shir and Share program, Chair of the High Holiday Family Services, and the Co-Chair of the yearly Journal Dinner.
Above all his professional and communal achievements, Bruce is most proud of his family – his wife Sherry and their children, Jaimie and Corey. He is deeply honored to be recognized by Plainview Jewish Center Men’s Club.
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Eric Stolack is a senior at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School. He is a dedicated scholar, athlete, and community leader whose work reflects a strong commitment to service, teamwork, and leadership both in school and at Plainview Jewish Center. Eric has been inducted into several Honor Societies including Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society; Business, Spanish, and Science Honor Societies; National English Honor Society; and National Honor Society. In addition, he holds an executive board seat (VP of Fundraising) for his high school DECA chapter.
Service has been a guiding force in Eric’s life, most notably through Teen Social Action at Plainview Jewish Center, led by Rabbi Conn. Eric works alongside his peers, at the synagogue where he attended religious school from Aleph-Zayin, to research and select charities and help deliver fundraising events. Through Teen Social Action Eric learned to lead collaboratively, manage projects, and motivate others to toward a shared purpose guided by Jewish values. The same spirit of compassion is reflected in Eric’s work with Birthday Wishes, an organization that creates birthday celebrations in a box for children in local homeless shelters. Since becoming a Bar Mitzvah at PJC in 2021 Eric collects and recycles bottles and cans, then turns the proceeds into wrapped birthday gifts from a child’s wish list.
Eric is passionate about soccer. He played JV and Varsity soccer for all four years of high school. Eric concluded his senior season as the starting Varsity striker, and earned All-County Honors as a top player and scholar. On the field Eric models discipline, resilience, and perseverance. Eric’s soccer experiences have taught him how to perform under pressure, support teammates, and pursue excellence.
When he is not participating in school or service events, Eric spends time with his friends and his family. Eric is the son of Adria and Gary Stolack. He has a twin brother, Matthew, and a younger brother, Grant. Eric’s parents, grandparents, and family members are proud of his accomplishments and his connection to Judaism.
Eric is honored to receive this award and thanks the FJMC along with Plainview Jewish Center.
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Matthew Stolack is a senior at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School. He is an AP and honors student participating in Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society; Business, Spanish, and Science Honor Societies; National English Honor Society; and National Honor Society. In addition, he is the Executive Vice President for his high school DECA chapter.
Matthew is committed to leadership and community service. Throughout high school he has made a positive impact through Teen Social Action, with Rabbi Conn at Plainview Jewish Center. Matthew collaborates with fellow students to identify meaningful causes and organize fundraising and service initiatives. Guided by his beliefs in Judaism, he approaches this work with a strong sense of responsibility to empower other teens to become active participants in their community. As a member of the Executive board at DECA, Matthew is a mentor to underclassmen and helps coordinate competitions. He has earned multiple top placements at the New York State DECA competition, including 1st place in Integrated Marketing Campaign-Service.
You may have seen Matthew on the tennis courts in Plainview. Over the past four years, Matthew competed at both singles and doubles positions for the Junior Varsity and Varsity tennis teams. He was honored with the “I’ve Got Your Back Award” for motivating and supporting teammates, which reflects his commitment to leadership both on and off the court.
Matthew attended Plainview Jewish Center for religious school and became a Bar Mitzvah in May 2021. Something special to note is Matthew’s mother, Adria, also had her Bat Mitzvah at PJC (l’dor v’dor). He is dedicated to the teachings of Judaism and looks forward to sharing his faith with future generations. Matthew enjoys spending time with friends and family when he is not participating in school or extra-curricular activities. Matthew is the son of Adria and Gary Stolack. He has a twin brother, Eric, and a younger brother, Grant. Matthew’s parents, grandparents, and family members are proud of his accomplishments and his connection to Judaism.
Matthew is honored to receive this award and thanks the FJMC along with Plainview Jewish Center.
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Hannah Rice is a senior at Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School, and this fall she will head down to the University of South Carolina to major in Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations.
Giving back is a big part of Hannah’s life. For the past four years Hannah has been a member of Rabbi Conn’s Teen Social Action Committee. She attended monthly meetings where she helped to plan various fundraisers. This includes a Pickleball Tournament for the AJC, a 5K run for Long Island Connections, a Bingo Night for the Jewish Community Relations Council – Long Island, and a car wash for Ronald McDonald House.
Additionally, Hannah participates in Plainview Jewish Center’s Sandwich Making. Once a month she joins other temple members in making and packing over 300 sandwiches to provide lunches that are donated to Long Island Connections for those who are less fortunate. Hannah and her twin sister, Madison, were so passionate about this charity event that they incorporated it into their B’not Mitzvah Project, raising $500 towards groceries purchased for this program.
In school, Hannah is involved in many clubs and academic organizations. She is in the Jewish Student Union, where they focus on culture, history, and staying active in their community. She is President of the Fashion Club, where she has handled everything from social media PR to designing and trend-spotting. She also competed in DECA, where her team took home a 1st Place State Title for a research project on Sports & Entertainment marketing. Hannah is also in the Spanish Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and the National Honor Society.
Additionally, Hannah has been on the Varsity Cheer team throughout high school and was chosen by her coaches as Captain for hersenior year. Hannah’s cheerleading highlights include her team’s winning of the Empire Division junior year which led to their selection to compete at UCA Nationals in Orlando. If she is not cheering, she is coaching through the PAL league, working with kids in grades 1-5 to help them learn the basics.
Hannah spends her summers at her home away from home at Camp Kinder Ring, a Jewish sleepaway camp. Through this camp she became a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard and spent last summer as a lifeguard and swim instructor.
Hannah is honored to be chosen to represent Plainview Jewish Center as an FJMC Youth of the Year Honoree.
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Madison Rice is a senior at Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School. She is a dedicated student and a familiar face in the Plainview community. Throughout high school Madison has balanced a rigorous academic schedule — earning spots in the Spanish Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and National Honor Society — with a genuine passion for helping others.
Madison is always looking for ways to give back, as seen in her participation in Rabbi Conn’s Teen Social Action Group in which she has been involved in helping to create various fundraisers. This includes a Pickleball Tournament for the AJC, a 5K run for Long Island Connections, a Bingo Night for the Jewish Community Relations Council – Long Island, and a car wash for Ronald McDonald House.
Madison continues to be hands-on in her community, joining other temple members once a month in making and packing over 300 sandwiches to provide lunches that are donated to Long Island Connections for those who are less fortunate. Madison and her twin sister, Hannah, were so passionate about this charity event that they incorporated it into their B’not Mitzvah Project, raising $500 towards groceries purchased for this program.
Madison has volunteered to be a tutor for a 7th grader needing help in English while also being active in various high school clubs, such as the Peer Mentors, Kindness Club, and Youth Against Cancer Club. Madison also brings a lot of energy to her work with kids, having spent this past summer as a counselor at Mid-Island Day Camp, where she created a fun and safe environment for 7 and 8-year-old campers. This exemplifies her strong passion for working with kids and she plans to study psychology with the intention of being a school psychologist.
When Madison is not in the classroom or volunteering, you can find her on the track, where she has been a sprinter on POB JFK’s Varsity Track team since freshman year. In addition to her love of running, Madison enjoys a good book, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Madison is honored to be chosen to represent Plainview Jewish Center as an FJMC Youth of the Year Honoree.