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About Victor Hatami
Victor, along with his wife Dolores, are founding members of the Woodbury Jewish Center. Victor’s initial involvement came when he moved to Woodbury and was recruited to serve on the WJC’s Fund Raising Committee before we even had a building. This springboarded him into chairing numerous events and committees. He served on the board for over 21 years, holding various positions on the Executive Board and the Board of Trustees, ranging from Gala chair to Vice President, and he is also considered a “regular”, as he can often be seen at Shabbat services and morning Minyanim.
When Victor’s father passed away 27 years ago, the WJC was without a minyan preventing him from saying Kaddish in our building. This motivated him to start the morning minyan service we now have so that our members can honor the deceased in our house of worship.
At the Woodbury Jewish Center, Victor and tzedakah go hand in hand. Victor, along with Dolores and their company Great Neck Games & Productions, support WJC throughout the year by providing audio and visual aid at the High Holidays, break fast for Yom Kippur, the Sukkah in our parking lot that we enjoy on Sukkot, games for our Hanukkah party, and entertainment for our Gala and Purim parties, to name a few. Victor is always ready to enhance our events and support our programs and celebrations.
In addition, since 1997, the WJC Religious School grants the yearly Hatami Award to an outstanding Hey student who has distinguished himself/herself through academic achievement, school involvement, service to school and/or community, and shows a commitment to the synagogue and greater Jewish community. Since 2006, Victor has honored the deserving Hey student with a brick that can be found next to the entrance of our Religious School.
Keeping with the tradition of L’Dor V’Dor, Victor’s children, Gina, Wayne and Dean along with their spouses Michael, Mary and Tiffany and their children, Ava, Addison, Aerin, Brooke, Dylan, Portia, Kai and Zoe, are also all members of the Woodbury Jewish Center, along with his brother Emil and Sherry Hatami.
At 18 years old, Victor immigrated from Iran to the United States. He attended Brooklyn College to study chemistry and worked any job he could get. Victor soon met Dolores and they were married in 1971. Several years later they moved to Syosset and eventually built Great Neck Games, a full service party rental and event production company. In 1983 when their third child was born, seeking an extra bedroom, Victor and Dolores moved to Woodbury. At the time the closest conservative synagogue was approximately 8 miles away, motivating him to become involved in the dream that has now become a reality - the Woodbury Jewish Center.
As one enters the WJC there is a brick with Victor’s name on it summing up his role and endless support for our synagogue. Victor’s continued dedication and involvement in the Woodbury Jewish Center has been one of the most fulfilling of his life.
Fri, January 17 2025 17 Tevet 5785
