About the JCC

The JCC has a rich history and mission that spans over 95 years.

Group of people wearing yellow construction helmets standing in front of a green tent and holding shovels during a groundbreaking ceremony.
Group of people wearing yellow construction helmets standing in front of a green tent and holding shovels during a groundbreaking ceremony.

Our History

We recently celebrated the JCC of Staten Island’s 95th birthday. As the JCC turned 95, we reflected back on the milestones the organization has achieved over the years.

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Two children, a girl with blonde hair and glasses and a boy with dark hair, smiling and hugging at an outdoor event in a park.

Our Mission

The Jewish Community Center of Staten Island was founded in 1929 with the goal of creating a home for the Jewish community by offering social, recreational, and educational activities. Over time, that mission expanded to help anyone who walked through the doors of any of our facilities. The JCC has become a true community center—not just for the Jewish community, but for the entirety of Staten Island.

Programs serve the needs we see in our community and are constantly expanding to meet new demand. We serve people of all walks of life, from young children to seniors and everyone in between. The JCC is proud to offer services that help improve the quality of life for people on Staten Island and beyond. We strive to help those in need as well as provide recreational and educational opportunities for our members.

The JCC of Staten Island is dedicated to encouraging harmony throughout the community by providing facilities and programs that are  open to all regardless of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Everyone is welcome at the JCC.

Meet Our Leadership Team

  • A woman with brown hair and fair skin smiling at the camera, wearing a black top with ruffled sleeves and a long string of pearls, standing in front of a beige background with text.

    Orit Lender, Chief Executive Officer

    Read Orit's Bio
  • A smiling man with glasses, wearing a light-colored plaid blazer and white shirt, leaning on a metal railing outdoors with trees and grass in the background.

    Lee Guttenplan, Chief Operating Officer

Meet the Team

  • Young woman with shoulder-length red hair smiling outdoors, wearing a striped shirt, surrounded by green foliage.

    Allison Cohen

    Chief of Communications & Fundraising
    (718) 475-5233
    [email protected]

  • A woman with curly dark hair smiling outdoors, wearing a blue top with a white background and green trees

    Ronni Flaherty

    Chief of Administration
    (718) 475-5241
    [email protected]

  • Portrait of a man with glasses, short hair, wearing a suit and red tie, smiling against a dark background.

    Adam Miller

    Chief Financial Officer
    (718) 475-5254
    [email protected]

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with short brown hair wearing a red dress and earrings, at an indoor event.

    ​Daisy Olivencia

    Chief Experience Officer
    (718) 475-5248​
    [email protected]

  • Close-up of an older man with glasses, short hair, and a beard, wearing a blue shirt.

    ​Mark Sefcik

    Chief of Building Services
    (718) 475-5218
    [email protected]

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with short, gray hair, wearing a blue top, indoors with a light-colored wall behind her.

    Jayne Smith, M.S. SpEd/SAS, SDL

    Chief Program Director for Early Childhood & Disability Services
    (718) 475-5265
    [email protected]

  • Woman with long wavy brown hair smiling, wearing a black blazer over a white top, against a dark background.

    Randie Vitucci

    Chief of Human Resources & Internal Corporate Compliance
    (718) 475-5234
    [email protected]

  • A man wearing a gray polo shirt and a beige cap, smiling outdoors with green trees and a trash bin in the background.

    Glenn Wechsler, MSW

    ​Chief Program Director of Youth & Camping Services
    (718) 475-5231
    (718) 983-9000 during July/August
    [email protected]

  • A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, smiling widely, wearing a peach-colored top.

    ​Amelia Winter, MPS, ATR-BC, LCAT

    Chief Program Officer
    (718) 475-5238
    [email protected]

  • Thomas Baker, NASM CPT

    Fitness and Sports Director
    (718) 475-5214
    [email protected]

  • Cliff Bloom

    Tottenville High School Beacon Director
    (718) 668-8820

  • Michele Danza

    Director of Grants
    (718) 475-5117
    [email protected]

  • Stephanie Feldman

    Camp Co-Director
    (718) 983-9000 during July/August
    [email protected]

  • ​Maureen Fisher

    Director of Navigator Program
    (718) 981-1400
    [email protected]

  • Dawn Gallis, MS.Ed./MS.Sp.Ed.

    Director of Early Childhood Services‍
    (718) 475-5100
    [email protected]

  • Kristine Hagen, LMSW

    Senior Director of the Older Adult Center Network
    (718) 475-5235
    [email protected]

  • David Harris, MBA, MHC-LP

    Director of Operations
    (718) 475-5260
    [email protected]

  • Seth Kaplan

    Director of Community Based Programs
    Summer Rising Elementary Supervisor
    (347) 466-4407
    [email protected]

  • Kathi Indelicato

    Director of Adult Career Services
    ‍(646) 585-3766
    [email protected]

  • Lisa Lubarsky

    Director of Membership and Community Engagement
    (718) 475-5223
    [email protected]

  • David Lutzker

    Director of Sunrise Experience
    (718) 475-5119
    [email protected]

  • Rabbi Kevin Peters, M.A. Jewish Ed

    Director of Jewish Education
    (718) 508-3898
    [email protected]

  • Drita Popovic, MS Psych

    Sr. Director of Department for People with Disabilities
    (718) 475-5274
    [email protected]

  • Kara Roche

    Director of Marketing & Communications
    (718) 475-5251
    [email protected]

  • Maritza Rivera

    Director of Stapleton Older Adult Center
    (718) 981-8828
    [email protected]

  • Rebecca Rodriguez

    Director of Housekeeping
    [email protected]

  • Dianna Russo, MSE, Sp.Ed./SBL

    First Foot Forward Director
    (718) 475-5100
    [email protected]

  • Michelle Sabatino, MSW

    Director of Avis/South Shore Older Adult Center (OAC)
    718.475.5283
    [email protected]

  • Janice Salerno

    CLLD Fitness/ Wellness Director
    (718) 517-5447
    [email protected]

  • Ela Seeley

    Director of the Music Institute
    (718) 475-5263
    [email protected]

  • Alina Shteynberg

    Director of Education and Cultural Arts for Older Adult Center
    (718) 475-5276
    [email protected]

  • Bella Smorgonskaya

    Director of Arts & Culture
    (718) 475-5262
    [email protected]

  • Linda Springer

    Director of Todt Hill Cornerstone
    [email protected]

  • Rachel Vaynshteyn

    Director of Hillel
    (917) 203-0865
    [email protected]

  • Jeanette Velasquez

    Director of SONYC at Eagle Academy
    (718) 727-6201 x3313/14
    [email protected]

  • Paloma Wasserstein, LMSW

    Director of Social Services
    (718) 475-5228
    [email protected]

  • Michele Weinstein

    Director of Intake and Case Assistance for the Senior Network
    (718) 517-7449
    [email protected]

  • Allisyn Wise-Ortiz, MSW

    Director of Caregiver Support Center & Social Adult Day Programs
    (718) 475-5287
    [email protected]

  • Irina Zaviyalova

    Director of Aquatics Programing & Operations
    718.475.5215
    [email protected]

  • Chaitra Zeigler

    Director of Richmond Terrace Cornerstone
    [email protected]

Board of Directors

  • ​Co-Presidents Kim Avis & Traci Frey
    Senior Vice President Wayne Greenberg
    Vice President Jay Chazanoff
    Vice President Brandon Patterson
    Secretary Boris Natenzon
    Treasurer Frank A. Oswald

  • Dr. Victor Avis
    Susan Bender
    Murray Berman
    Bryn Biren
    Stephen J. Blumert
    Roosevelt Board
    Linda Brill
    Michael Cama
    Gail Castellano
    Solomon Chemo
    Joseph P. Delaney
    Lina Fang
    Isaac Gorodetski
    Jerry Grushkin
    Jasmine Harpargas
    Dr. Philip Harris
    Sadie Koyfman
    Brian Lincer
    Brooke Lopez
    Mendy Mirocznik
    Thomas F. Olsen
    Alan Poritz
    Ed Sappin
    Susan Sappin
    Jack Stern
    Randi Stern
    Jordan Weiner
    Ari Weiss

A group of people posing for a photo in front of a banner that reads 'Kehillah: A Community of Connection, Caring, & Belonging.' The group includes men and women of various ages, some dressed in suits and others in casual attire, standing and seated in a room with warm lighting and a wooden-paneled background.
A group of people posing for a photo in front of a banner that reads 'Kehillah: A Community of Connection, Caring, & Belonging.' The group includes men and women of various ages, some dressed in suits and others in casual attire, standing and seated in a room with warm lighting and a wooden-paneled background.
Chickies restaurant logo featuring a cartoon chicken with a red comb and beak, yellow foot and wattle, standing in front of the bold yellow text 'Chickies' with black outline and yellow stars. The logo includes the tagline 'Fresh Food... Fast!' in red and yellow, and 'EST. 2007' in yellow.

Cafe & Catering

Learn more about our on-site Kosher Cafe and Catering.

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Close-up of three Scrabble letter tiles spelling the word 'DELI' on a wooden surface, with a blurred green leafy background.

DEIB Statement

The Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, Inc. is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment that celebrates the diversity of our community. We believe in the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) and strive to create an atmosphere where all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered.

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