EXHIBIT 10.19
                                                                   -------------

                     FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


                  This FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("First
Amendment") is made and entered into as of December 15, 1998 by and between
WARWICK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC., a business corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Delaware and having an office at 18 Oakland
Avenue, Warwick, New York 10990-0591 ("Company") and TIMOTHY A. DEMPSEY, an
individual residing at 36 Waterbury Road, Warwick, New York 10990 ("Executive").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

                  WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive entered into an
Employment Agreement dated as of December 23, 1997 ("Employment Agreement") at
the time of the Company's initial public offering and the conversion of The
Warwick Savings Bank ("Bank") from a mutual savings bank to a stock savings
bank, and the Executive currently serves as the President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Bank; and

                  WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive have agreed to amend
the Employment Agreement as set forth herein;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
mutual covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth, the Company and the
Executive hereby agree as follows:

                  1. PROMOTION TO CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The first sentence of
         Section 3 of the Employment Agreement shall be amended, effective as of
         January 1, 1999, to read as follows:

                           The Executive shall serve as Chairman of the Board
                  and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as Chairman of
                  the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, having such
                  power, authority and responsibility and performing such duties
                  as are prescribed by or under the By-Laws of the Company and
                  as are customarily associated with such position.

                  2. ANNUAL SALARY. The first sentence of Section 4 of the
         Employment Agreement shall be amended, effective as of January 1, 1999,
         to change the Executive's minimum annual rate of salary to $250,000.

                  3. CLARIFICATION OF TAX INDEMNIFICATION. The definition of
         "FI" in section 12(a) of the Employment Agreement shall be amended,
         effective as of December 23, 1997, to clarify the intent of such
         definition by adding the parenthetical phrase shown below, such that
         "FI" is defined to be as follows:

                  FI =     the highest marginal rate of income tax applicable to
                           the Executive under the Code for the taxable year in
                           question (taking into account


<PAGE>


                           any phase-out or loss of deductions, personal
                           exemptions and other similar adjustments).

                  4. CONTINUED FORCE AND EFFECT. Except as set forth in this
         First Amendment, all other terms, covenants and conditions of the
         Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to
be executed and the Executive has hereunto set his hand, all as of the day and
year first above written.




                                               /s/ Timothy A. Dempsey
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               TIMOTHY A. DEMPSEY



                                               WARWICK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

Attest:

By /s/ Nancy L. Sobotor-Littell                By /s/ Henry L. Nielsen, Jr.
   ------------------------------                 ------------------------------
       Nancy L. Sobotor-Littell                       Henry L. Nielsen, Jr.
       Corporate Secretary                            Director

[Seal]



                                       -2-