Gold
Congratulations!
An amazing and fantastic 50 years,
Cantor George and Elaine Lindenblatt.
Cantor George and Elaine Lindenblatt.
What a team!!
All our love,
Gail and Stephen Freifeld
Gold
We welcome with an enormous amount
of Love and Pride...
Jonah William Schechter
(Yona Ze'ev ben Pincus Yisroel v' Yosepha Davida)
February 14, 2021
Grandpa & Omi
(Steve & Judy Markowitz)
Aunt Leah
and
Great-Grandma Ruth Schloss
Gold
כל הכבוד
Cantor George and Elaine Lindenblatt
~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for 50 years
of sacred music, bulletins,
and all that you have brought to ACI.
Enjoy your well-earned retirement.
~~~~~~~~~
Susan Mickel
Gold
In honor of Cantor and Elaine Lindenblatt's
devotion to the Astoria Center of Israel
In loving memory of
Etta and Dr. Jacob Telsey
Honorable Sol A. Wieselthier
Ronna Ann Telsey
Dr. Bernard Telsey
& Rosalyn Wieselthier
Silver
We Honor Cantor George & Elaine Lindenblatt
for their half-century of dedicated service to the
Astoria Center of Israel.
We thank the Cantor for sharing his knowledge of, and love for,
cantorial music with generations of congregants.
We thank Elaine, our long-time Bulletin Editor, for keeping us informed,
month by month, year in, year out of Shabbat & Holiday
candle lighting times and service schedules and the yortzeit dates
of our loved ones; and for bringing us important announcements
and news about members of our congregational family.
We thank them both for contributing to the spirit and life of our synagogue
for the past five decades, and we wish them good health & much happiness
in the years ahead.
The Astoria Center of Israel Educational Fund Committee
Silver
Congratulations to
Cantor George and Elaine Lindenblatt
Cantor George and Elaine Lindenblatt
In thankful celebration of your 50 years
of service to the ACI community
and dedicated musical, spiritual,
and editorial leadership.
You will be dearly missed.
And to Sydelle Diner,
97 years young, our link to the Center
97 years young, our link to the Center
Bruce & Judy Diner
Elie, Rachel, Wylie & Ella Diner
Benjamin Diner
Naomi Diner Leszkiewicz & Jonathan Turkel
Daniel, Beth & Lily Leszkiewicz
Jennie, Stefan, Juliet & Mateo Held
David Diner & Kihyang Suk
Silver
When we have joys we yearn to share, we remember them. So long as we live they too shall live,
for they are now a part of us, as we remember them.
-Jack Reimer & Sylvia Kamens
Harold Diner
Jennie and Harry Diner
Murray, Jack, Lily, Eva, Wilma
Birdie & David Eisenberg
Sanford (Sande)
Viviane & Everett
Millie Pakula
Dorothy & Harry Horowitz
Irving Bruskin
Elizabeth & Sam Friedman
Ruth (Stern) & James DiFonzo
Sydelle, Bruce & Judy, Eliie, Rachel, Wylie & Ella, Benjamin,
Naomi & Jonathan, Daniel, Beth & Lily, Jennie, Stefan, Juliet & Mateo
David & Kihyang
Silver
Mazel Tov to our hard-working daughter and sister
Jill W. Schechter, DDS, MPH, MS
upon the completion of her three-year residency program at Columbia University for Orthodontics.
We are so proud of you.
Mommy, Daddy & Leah
(Judy & Steve Markowitz)
Silver
Leah Joy Markowitz
We are so proud of your
continuing accomplishments -
this time for passing the
SHRM-SCP Accreditation.
Much Love,
Mommy & Daddy
(Judy & Steve Markowitz)
and
Jill, Scott & Jonah Schechter
Silver
We honor our parents, Norm and Sara Jane Sherman on their 63rd wedding anniversary!
You are an inspiration to us. We are blessed to have you in our lives.
We congratulate our daughter Nava on her graduation from Bronx Science. She will take
a gap year in Israel on the Young Judea Year Course and will then begin her studies
at the College of Engineering at SUNY Binghamton.
We congratulate our daughter Anna on her recent graduation from Brandeis
and her acceptance of a position at the War College of the US Department of Defense
in Washington, D.C.
We thank the Holy One, Blessed Be His Name, for keeping us in good health,
surrounded by family and friends, in this wonderful ACI community.
-Ben and Qi Sherman
Silver
On this day we celebrate and honor George and Elaine
for their 50 years of service to our community.
We enjoy George's beautiful singing and long to hear him
sing his "yam biddy bum bum bye" in his deep, melodic voice.
George and Elaine welcomed us warmly
when we first came to ACI six years ago.
We love his firm hand shake, the way he greets us
and the way he makes us feel at home at ACI.
We love listening to Elaine's stories about the Red Apple.
We will never forget them.
We wish them good health and continued "nachas."
We also want to recognize how much we have to be thankful for. We have survived this terrible pandemic.
We are grateful that family members have recovered from the virus and that everyone has been vaccinated.
We bless the scientists and doctors who labored to speedily create the vaccines.
Ben and Qi Sherman
Silver
We remember with much love and gratitude...
Our Parents ~ Cantor Richard and Hanna Cohn
Sisters ~ Ilse Cohn, Margit Cohn, and Heather Pressler
Husband and Brother-in-law ~
Fred Stern
Brother-in-law ~
Oscar Pressler
Aunt and Uncle ~
Amy and Herbert Geisenberg
Grandmother ~
Marie Lehner
Ruth Stern and Susan Cohn
Silver
We honor and congratulate you,
Cantor George and Elaine Lindenblatt,
on your 50 years of devoted service to the Astoria Center of Israel.
We thank you, Cantor and Elaine, for your friendship,
through good times and bad, over these 50 years.
We extend our warmest wishes to you for a long
and satisfying retirement. May you be blessed with good health
and strength for many, many years to come,
and strength for many, many years to come,
and may you enjoy life to the fullest,
together with your children, grandchildren,
and all your loved ones.
Ruth Stern and Susan Cohn
Full Page
Congratulations to Cantor George and Elaine Lindenblatt
on their remarkable Jubilee celebration of 50 years at ACI -
on their remarkable Jubilee celebration of 50 years at ACI -
!מזל טוב
May they know only blessings and happiness
in their retirement,
as we extend our best wishes
as we extend our best wishes
to the entire Lindenblatt family.
-Rabbi Jonathan, Judy, Ayelet, Eitan, & Noam Pearl
Full Page
תודה רבה
Rabbi Jonathan Pearl
Judy Pearl
Eitan, Ayelet, and Noam Pearl
Thank you for your ongoing dedication to ACI and reviving and guiding our congregation through these challenging times.
Thank you as well to our tech team,
Ayelet Pearl and Stephanie Luxenberg
Tha Gabbai Girls
Judith Schloss Markowitz
Susan Mickel
Full Page
Welcome to Rose Dauge,
ACI's new office manager.
ACI's new office manager.
Rose, thank you
for supporting the ACI community.
for supporting the ACI community.
Wishing you a Refuah Shlema.
Robin O'Hanlon & Sam Stabler
Full Page
To my Cantor, for over 50 years of service.
I wish you a very happy future
to you, Elaine, your family,
and your grandchildren.
We will miss you.
Elaine Brichta and Family
Full Page
Offering Congratulations or saying Thank You
just doesn't seem enough for all George & Elaine
have done for our Congregation
and our Community over the last five decades.
We hope they have a long and enjoyable retirement
and we wish them health and happiness forever.
The Cohen Family
Maurine
Gail
Arlene & Mitchell
Julian & Shelby
Full Page
My heartfelt gratitude
to Rabbi Pearl and the amazing "tech team"
for bringing us beautiful, virtual,
Shabbat and Holiday services throughout the pandemic
and to all who volunteered their time
and worked behind the scenes,
in various helpful, creative ways,
to keep us connected during this difficult period.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gifted ~ Accomplished ~ Generous ~ Sincere ~
Remembering, with love and appreciation,
Gifted ~ Accomplished ~ Generous ~ Sincere ~
Remembering, with love and appreciation,
Suzie Raphael Berkson
Susan Cohn
Full Page
Mazel Tov to Cantor George and Elaine
Lindenblatt on the their well-deserved honor
as they have provided 50 years of service
to ACI. I wish you both many years
of good health and happy times
with your beloved grandchildren.
-Louis Epstein
Full Page
In memory of James and Margaret Epstein, who provided a lifetime of love
and devotion to their children Louis and Laura Epstein. We are filled with
gratitude as you instilled the values of hard work, honesty, loyalty
and accountability that has made us productive members of society.
In our hearts always,
Louis and Laura Epstein
Special thanks to the ACI tech team, Ayelet, Stephanie and the Rabbi
for their hard work and dedication in providing virtual services
during these challenging times so we may continue to be
engaged as a community.
Prayers for Lottie Finnochiaro that one day she may return home.
Louis Epstein
Full Page
Full Page
Mazel Tov on Your Retirement --
We Will Miss You!
Love,
The Greenbergs
-Ira, Ellen, Aaron and Jason
Full Page
To Our Dad/Husband/Rabbi (Rabbi Pearl)...
How can we put into words what you mean to us,
and to ACI? Watching you constantly give your love
How can we put into words what you mean to us,
and to ACI? Watching you constantly give your love
and devotion to us, and to ACI, is amazing.
All your efforts and creativity during COVID to maintain
the ACI community, its spirit, and its Jewish life
are awe-inspiring. May God bless you for this,
and for all you've done since you arrived at ACI -
All your efforts and creativity during COVID to maintain
the ACI community, its spirit, and its Jewish life
are awe-inspiring. May God bless you for this,
and for all you've done since you arrived at ACI -
for you've given hope, community, friendships, learning,
spirit, and sparks of Judaism to so many, creating new worlds.
Love, Judy, Ayelet, Eitan, and Noam
Full Page
Mazel Tov to Elaine and Cantor George Lindenblatt upon their 50 years as Bulletin Editor
and Cantor at Astoria Center of Israel. I wish them all the best now as they retire.
Congratulations to Rabbi Pearl upon his thirteen years as our Rabbi, with his dedication
making ACI the centerpiece of Jewish life in Astoria, with MASKIT, adult programs,
dedication to all members, and especially during the 15 months of the coronavirus outbreak.
Rabbi Pearl provided connection, community, wonderful virtual Sabbath
and Friday night services, and caring for all.
I commemorate the tenth yahrtzeit of Jay z"l with fond remembrance
of a devoted twin brother who cared for ACI and his medical profession.
I am proud that I have served 30 years as a volunteer in various capacities
with Catholic Charities. I am also marking the 9th milestone year of being a resident
here at Brandywine and serving as a volunteer in various capacities since 2013,
especially during Covid restrictions, encouraging residents and cheering them up.
-Cynthia Groopman
Full Page
People come and go in our lives yet our congregational leaders,
our Cantor and Rabbi give us the constant-the stability
in our everchanging world.
Cantor Lindenblatt, you have been a guiding light in the ACI community.
Through the warm, melodic cadence of your prayers, you have given life to
our synagogue and provided the soundtrack to half a century of joyous
Jewish events. You have warmed our hearts, nourished our souls,
and lifted our spirits. From your yiddishkeit to your smile and thoughtful ways, we have been blessed with your charisma and quintessential European charm. Together with your wife, Elaine, you have set
the benchmark for class and chesed in our community.
Wishing you both many years of good health & happiness!
-Hanna & Dani Harel, Sarah & Ilan Harel, Yael & Jared Harel, Neta & Oren, Kristin & Ronen Harel, Jacob, Liam, and Ayla
Full Page
St. Michael's Cemetery congratulates
Cantor George & Elaine Lindenblatt
on their retirement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
St. Michael's Cemetery would also
like to thank Rabbi Pearl
for his continuous support.
-Ed Horn
Full Page
In honor of
Elysa Blumenthal,
Chair of the Board and
Chair of the 2021 Journal Committee.
We are so proud of all that you, Rafi, Jacob, and Max
have accomplished in this difficult, unprecedented,
challenging year. Mazel tov
on completing your first Journal!
Love,
Mom and Dad
Ralph and Marsha Jacobs
Full Page
In memory of my friends
Abraham Amsilay
Roberta Saltzman
_______________
Susan Mickel
____________________________________________
Thank you to all of you who give so generously
of your time to keep ACI moving forward.
Susan Mickel
Full Page
In loving memory of my parents
Anna and Jack Mickel
-Susan Mickel
Full Page
With deep and tremendous thanks and love to my family: To Rebbetzin Judy who, from 2008 when we arrived at ACI, worked alongside me in our unending and successful efforts to revitalize ACI, who always stands with me, and who created, writes, and disseminates the invaluable Friday Flyer; To Ayelet, אב רימון , who also from 2008, when she was still a teenager, a student at Bronx High School of Science, tirelessly worked with me to revive ACI and build from scratch a now-thriving Hebrew school (MASKIT) which she heads, who shares with us her beautiful voice and other talents, and who is now an advanced Rabbinical student; To Eitan, also a teenager back then, a student at Stuyvesant High School, who has continuously graced us with his beautiful clarinet playing, expert Torah reading, and magnetic personality; To then-little-Noam, who dazzled us with his guitar and bass playing, who literally grew up at ACI. To all of you, my precious family, I thank you, I treasure you,
I love you.
-Rabbi Jonathan Pearl
Full Page
Cantor George and Elaine, you set a record for service dedicated to maintaining
and enhancing our Judaic ideals, recognizing that our traditions and observances
are vital to our spiritual needs.
You have personified what the Astoria Center of Israel is all about,
commitment and caring. We thank you for always being there to help us celebrate
the happy times and to get us through those that were not.
Cantor George and Elaine, we wish you and your entire family good health
and much happiness for many, many years. You will be missed,
but your warmth and influence will always be felt within the walls of ACI.
'Til 120........
Beryl and Lenny Rosendorf
"For length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to thee."
Proverbs, Chapter 3:2
We recall the past with pride, celebrate the present with joy, and
look forward to the future with hope.
In loving memory of our beloved parents
Gussie and Joseph Kamlet
Minnie and Meyer "Sheely" Rosendorf
Full Page
The family of Alex and Jeanne Siegel
would like to thank Cantor & Mrs. Lindenblatt
for their 50 years of dedication to ACI.
Our parents truly valued their friendship
and the Lindenblatts have played
a special part in the lives of our entire family as well.
We wish them good health & happiness.
With gratitude,
Barbara & Jack Palmadesso
Sara & Joe Scicluna
Full Page
Our Best Wishes For George and Elaine Lindenblatt,
In our path through life it was our pleasure to meet George Lindenblatt, our Astoria Center
of Israel cantor and his wife, Elaine. George is warm, welcoming, inclusive, and contributed
great richness to our lives and our synagogue. He is a genuine "mensch." We enjoyed
his cantorial chanting. His European cantorial training provided a wide range of traditional
and modern melodies and the histories behind them. Rain, snow, or sunshine,
George was faithfully the synagogue's cantor for fifty years, which included summer services.
George was clearly dedicated to the life of the synagogue.
Elaine Lindenblatt was amazing in her commitment and devotion to the Astoria Center
of Israel. For almost forty years she competently worked on the Astoria Center
Synagogue bulletin. She also organized flea markets to raise funds for the synagogue.
The Lindenblatts were a dedicated couple and team for the Astoria Center of Israel.
We wish George and Elaine many years of good health and contentment.
-Norm and Sara Jane Sherman
Full Page
Congratulations to Cantor Lindenblatt and Elaine.
Wishing you many happy, healthy years of retirement.
Irene Sprung & Jackson SanFilippo
Irene Sprung & Jackson SanFilippo
Congratulations to Austin Dupoux, Jason Greenberg,
Daniel O'Hare, Nava Sherman, and Jackson SanFilippo
on your high school graduation!
Jackson SanFilippo
Academy of Finance and Enterprise
Class of 2021!!
Academy of Finance and Enterprise
Class of 2021!!
Full Page
To Astoria Center of Israel
chazak ve'ematz
Standard Pest Management
PROTECTING HEALTH & PROPERTY
Professional Pest Solutions
Commercial, Residential & Industry
Tel: 718-728-4040
2580 Steinway Street, Astoria
STANDARDPEST.COM
Standard was founded in Astoria in 1929 and our founders were members of ACI and the second generation attended Hebrew school there.
Full Page
A HEARTY YASHER KOACH AND MAZAL TOV TO
CANTOR GEORGE & ELAINE LINDENBLATT
TWO VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE & PILLARS OF THE ASTORIA CENTER OF ISRAEL
WHOSE TIRELESS EFFORTS & DEDICATION TO THE ENTIRE
JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR OVER 50 YEARS
HAS BEEN A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION!
WE ARE PROUD, PRIVILEGED & BLESSED TO HAVE THE LINDENBLATTS
AS SUCH CHERISHED LIFELONG FRIENDS.
BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS, GOOD HEALTH
& HAPPINESS ALWAYS!
& HAPPINESS ALWAYS!
IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE OF BERNARD STEINBERG (z'l)
SYLVIA STEINBERG
ALLEN & BONNIE STEINBERG
JANET & NEIL GOODMAN
MARCIA & JEFF KAMMERMAN
Half Page
Mazel tov to
Cantor George and Elaine Lindenblatt
on this honor
-Janet, Joe, Daniela
and Brighton Piechota
Half Page
In Memory of ~
Suzanne R. Berkson
In Honor of ~
Cantor George Lindenblatt
Gershon Berkson
Half Page
Congratulations, George and Elaine, on this honor.
Your dedication, service, and friendship have
been much appreciated. You will be missed and we wish you well.
been much appreciated. You will be missed and we wish you well.
-Cara, David, and Iris Bernstein
Half Page
In Honor of Cantor George
& Elaine Lindenblatt
With Love,
Ceil & Steven Chiprut, Michelle, Boris, Isabella & Ryan Strogach
and Daniel, Danielle, Demi & Derin Chiprut
Half Page
Yasher Koach for the many years of service
to the ACI community
and for achieving this wonderful milestone!
-The Gershon/Stark Family
Half Page
A lifelong friend of our family
and Murray's best buddy.
and Murray's best buddy.
We wish you long life, good health,
and lots of mazel on your retirement.
and lots of mazel on your retirement.
Love,
The Jacobs Family
Half Page
Thank you for a half century of dedication
and service to our community.
and service to our community.
Wishing you both a joyous, healthy,
and well-deserved retirement.
-Davina Gelber
Half Page
Thank you to our devoted MASKIT teachers who
delivered another year of engaging activities
to our children in a truly challenging time!
delivered another year of engaging activities
to our children in a truly challenging time!
!תודה רבה
-The Gershon/Stark Family
Half Page
Deep gratitude to Cantor George and Elaine Lindenblatt
for their outstanding service
and their personal friendship
with Mike & Phenie Dreher of blessed memory.
-Fran and David Hirschel
Half Page
DEAR CANTOR GEORGE & ELAINE
!!WE THANK YOU!!
-Sandra, Jules & Deborah Levine
IN MEMORY OF
Sam & Ruth Goldstein
Joe & Lee Bloch
Miriam Sol JoAnn & Stacy Sternfeld
Half Page
Mazel tov Cantor George and Elaine Lindenblatt!
Your 50 years of devotion to ACI
have been exemplary.
have been exemplary.
-Rosine Nussenblatt
-Véronique, Valérie, Eric and grandchildren
-Véronique, Valérie, Eric and grandchildren
Half Page
50 years ago, we gathered in the social hall to meet our new cantor,
George Lindenblatt and his wife, Elaine.
50 years later, we gather in the social hall to bid our farewell to
Cantor George, Elaine, their three daughters and their spouses:
Eve & John, Sue & Boaz, Nicole & Paul and their five grandchildren:
Noa, Ella, Ben, Daniella, and Frankie.
Noa, Ella, Ben, Daniella, and Frankie.
Thank you, Elaine and Cantor George, for giving so much of yourselves to
the congregation. You have become part of our lives and will continue to be.
Much good health and lots of time ahead to enjoy
your beautiful family and well-deserved future!
With best wishes from,
-Andrea Pack
Half Page
Mazel Tov to
Cantor George & Elaine Lindenblatt
for your lifetime of devotion to ACI
and many years of friendship to our family.
-Daniel & Stephanie Palmadesso
Half Page
Much thanks to Cantor Lindenblatt and Elaine
for their years of dedication and service to ACI.
This honor is well deserved!
Best wishes for the future.....
The Black Family
Quarter Page
Mazel Tov
to Daniel on his High School graduation
and to Sarah on her Bat Mitzvah.
We're so proud of you!
Love, Mom & Dad
Congratulations
to Cantor George and Elaine Lindenblatt
for their 50 years of dedicated service!
for their 50 years of dedicated service!
Pastor David Ellis, Astoria Community Church
מִזְמוֹר לְתוֹדָה
to Rabbi Pearl
for sustaining us throughout this challenging year.
- HH Tech Team: Ayelet & Stephanie
Quarter Page
Mazel Tov, George and Elaine!
May your voices continue to resonate.
With Love,
Randi, Bob, Gregg, Eve, Brad & Marilyn
Cantor Lindenblatt,
whose suit pockets were always filled with candy
and provided some very sweet memories.
Rachel Bridgeman
Mazal Tov to Cantor George and Elaine Lindenblatt
on the well-deserved honor.
Samantha, Jonathan & Moses Darche
Quarter Page
Thanks so much to Morah Karen & the ACI Family for another
great year of Tot Shabbat! We look forward to next year!
Naomi, Adam, Sammy & Reuben Daum
(718) 721-0103 [email protected] (516) 873-0968
Spiro A. Dorizas
Certified Public Accountant
35-20 30th Ave., LIC, NY 11103
29 East Drive, Garden City, NY 11530
Dear Elaine and George,
In celebration for all the love, support, and dedication
you have given to Astoria Center of Israel.
you have given to Astoria Center of Israel.
With our warmest wishes to you and your family.
-The Mansdorf Family
Quarter Page
Thank you both for inspiring us with your presence
and being a part of our lives.
We will miss you.
-Grace Felsher
Mazel Tov and Best Wishes to
Cantor George Lindenblatt and Elaine Lindenblatt
on their retirement.
-Diane Giorgi and Family
Congratulations to George and Elaine Lindenblatt,
on your 50 years of service to the Astoria Center of Israel.
-Irene, Andrew, and Steven Guralnick
Quarter Page
Honoring my parents, Pauline & Walter Hochberg
and my brother, Harold.
-Phylis Hochberg
Best Wishes,
Cantor George & Elaine
Thank you for many years of devoted service.
-Angela Rothfeld & Ira Rothfeld, MD
Dear George and Elaine,
Its been my great honor to have known both of you all these many years. My hope for your future is good health and peace.
Warmest Regards,
Murray Lambert & Family
Quarter Page
Cantor George and Elaine,
Best wishes for a healthy and happy
retirement filled with much nachas.
-Sarah Opoliner
Congratulations on your retirement,
Cantor George & Elaine Lindenblatt
-Sharon & Arthur Raphael
Quarter Page
Mazel Tov to Cantor George and Elaine Lindenblatt
on the well-deserved honor!
-Judith Reinhart
Mazel Tov to Cantor and Elaine!
-The Luxenberg-Migden Family
Continued blessings to Cantor George and Elaine,
the loving heart of the Center.
-Joan Weber, Bill Weber & families
Quarter Page
Best Wishes to the Lindenblatts!
-Mollie Traub
-Gina Horowitz
-Takako Nakamoto
In Honor of
Anna Michelle Brichta
Gabrielle Sarah Brichta
Jacob Samuel Brichta
Sophie Rae Brichta
Cantor George Lindenblatt
-Ruth Friedman
Aaron Greenberg, in honor of his college graduation.
Jason Greenberg, in honor of his high school graduation.
In Honor of
Cantor George & Elaine Lindenblatt
-Naomi B. Klosner
With all good wishes,
-Anni Newbeck
The Lindenblatts - May you all thrive to the max.
-Sandra Novick
Cantor George & Elaine Lindenblatt
-Bonnie Raver
In Honor of
Estelle Reiff
Cantor George & Elaine Lindenblatt
-Norman Wasserman
In Memoriam
Alex Cone
Ellen Cone
Malcolm Cone
Pranciskus Simutis
Josephine Morkunas
In Memoriam
Anna & Louis Brooks
Dale Robin Brichta
Sidney Brichta
In Memoriam
Dr. Robert E. Felsher
In Memoriam
Burton Young
Regina Young
Bernard Greenberg
Priscilla Greenberg
Roseanne Greenberg
In Memoriam
Jacob S. Matathias
In Memoriam
Juliette Markowitz