Joan & Steven are thrilled to be part of the Chabad family. They moved to Woodmere 24 years ago and became involved with Chabad of the Five Towns through Joan’s parents Abraham and Celia Bernstein (OBM). When the Bernsteins moved to Cedarhurst in 2001, they were taken in by Chabad with open, loving and caring arms. In return, the Bernsteins made Chabad their second home. After Joan’s parents passed away, Chanie and Rabbi Wolowik were a tremendous source of love and support.
Steven was born in Brooklyn and moved to Cedarhurst as a teen. After graduating from Hofstra University, he attended medical school and completed a residency in Ophthalmology. He practices in Brooklyn and is also an Ophthalmology Residency Program Director at Interfaith Medical Center and St. John’s Episcopal Hospital where he trains young physicians in the field. He is actively involved in numerous medical societies and served as President of the Medical Society of the County of Kings. He is an active member of examining boards for certification in Ophthalmology, an Honorary Police Surgeon for the New York City Police Department, and a Board Member of the New York State Office of Professional Medical Conduct. As if that were not enough, he has for the last 18 years been a member of the Nassau County Auxiliary Police and is one of the founders of the Five Town Unit which continues to serve the community.
Joan was born and raised in Brooklyn. After graduating Hunter College, majoring in nursing and receiving her RN, she worked at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Manhattan for 7 years before giving birth to her first child. Joan returned to nursing by becoming a school nurse at SKA High School for girls in Hewlett where she has been for the last 14 years.
Joan & Steven are the very proud parents of Debra, Jacob & Zachary. Debra, a graduate of SKA studied at Midreshet Moriah in Israel and then completed her undergraduate education at Queens College. She recently received her RN and is married to Shimmy Orner who also recently obtained his law degree. Joan and Steven are delighted to have Shimmy as part of their family. Debra & Shimmy have given the ultimate gift of a first grandchild, Yakira Tzipora, a bundle of joy for the entire family. Jacob, a graduate of HAFTR High School studied in Israel at Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh and is now an Accounting major at Queens College. He continues his daily Torah learning at Yeshivat Lev Sholmo (DRS) in Woodmere. Zachary, a Mesivta Rambam graduate, is currently learning at Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh in Yerushalayim.