Zalman & Amy Hagler

Amy and Zalman Hagler moved to West Hempstead home 21 years ago, thanks to some sage advice from cousins and friends who said they found a wonderful, small community with great people. From the outset, the Haglers recognized West Hempstead as a diverse community with a strong sense of bond and achdus which they found highly unusual for a Jewish community. They happily admit that some things never change.

Zalman was one of the first orthodox baseball coaches for the West Hempstead Little League, helping the league to gain a stronger understanding of the orthodox Jewish families in the neighborhood and their needs. As an Anshei member and integral part of the Anshei family, Zalman assists with yom tov seating for the 8:00 am minyan ("Bruce's Minyan") and arranges its weekly kiddush.  Although Zalman grew up in an orthodox home, he has a limited yeshiva background and when he first started davening at Anshei he was not comfortable saying kaddish and other prayers out loud. Zalman found the 8:00 minyan to be warm and supportive, allowing him to grow in his confidence. Eventually the minyan helped him accomplish his goal of layning for the first time in his life - at his son's aufruf.  Zalman is always eager to give back to the minyan and shul that has helped him so much throughout the years. He can always be counted on to volunteer his time and energy, making himself available for whatever the minyan needs and happily volunteering his time when asked by the shul at-large.

Amy, better known as “Morah Amy,” is a household name in West Hempstead. For the past 20 years she has cared for (what seems like) the millions of children who have passed through her door. Together Zalman and Amy host a Friday night and Shabbos afternoon an minyan in their home, which began 10 years ago when someone needed to say kaddish and has never ended. 

The Haglers are proud parents to their four wonderful children Michael and wife Rebecca, Atara, Roni and Rebecca. They are even prouder grandparents to their newly born first grandchild, Colin. Their 13-year-old dog, Cosmo, rounds out the family.

Zalman is Vice President of Records Management at BNY Mellon in New York City. Amy is the owner of Gan Amy and Gan Tikvah Day Care in West Hempstead.

Zalman and Amy hope to see Anshei continue to grow and remain a vital part of West Hempstead. They are especially committed to helping make the shul a source of Torah and achdus for the neighborhood’s growing youth population.

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