In memory of Sharon Simchayoff:
This donation is being made in memory of Sharon Simchayoff. The JCC was a very important part of his life.
-Carol and Len Lebowitz

In honor of Angela Olsen:
Happy Birthday!
​-Rick & Ann

On Tuesday, July 25, the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, alongside its partners from Met Council, UJA-Federation of New York, and Jewish Communal Fund announced the upcoming launch of online ordering at its Kosher Food Pantry.

As the home of the borough’s first food pantry supporting online ordering, the JCC looks forward to offering more convenient access to nutritious food for Staten Islanders in need.

Powered by Market by Met Council, online ordering is the JCC’s latest innovative effort to better serve its clients. During the pandemic, the JCC joined an app that gave clients the option to book their appointments online, reducing wait times and food pantry lines.

The new, fully digitized system, which launches on August 1, will offer greater convenience and confidentiality while empowering users to “shop” for their food, similar to grocery pickup services like Instacart.

Orit Lender, CEO of the JCC, said, “One of our priorities across the social services we offer is to ensure that our clients not only get the help they need, but experience the dignity and compassionate care they deserve. We are excited to launch our digital pantry, which will allow us to deliver an even higher level of service to more Staten Islanders in need, while empowering those we serve to make healthy choices for their families.”

The JCC’s Kosher Food Pantry serves an average of 2,000 individuals monthly, with a rising number of individuals seeking assistance with food insecurity.

“The JCC runs a top-notch food pantry and we hope that by joining our Market by Met Council platform for online ordering, the impact of the food pantry will reach many more Staten Islanders,” offered Jessica Chait, Managing Director of Met Council Food Programs.

“UJA-Federation seeks to make food accessible to those who need it in a dignified and efficient way, ensuring that we uphold our clients’ humanity during difficult moments in their lives,” says Alexandra Roth-Kahn, Managing Director of UJA’s Caring Department. “Market by Met Council promotes choice and autonomy, which is why we are delighted to be working with our partners at Met Council and the JCC of Staten Island to bring this resource to the community.”

The agency plans to migrate their existing clients into the new digital system—custom-built on the Salesforce platform—before it launches on August 1. New clients who enroll in the system will also have the opportunity to assess their needs and connect with other valuable resources including benefits assistance, career training, and more.

Click here to register! Individuals without access to a smartphone can call 718-475-5242 for assistance enrolling. 

On Monday, July 24th, the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island will host its 43rd Annual Golf & Tennis Classic at the Richmond County Country Club. At the event, the Amerosi Family, Rocco Berardi, Rev. Dr. Demetrius Carolina, Sr., and Laura and Mark Lauria will be recognized for their work in the Staten Island community.
 
The JCC’s Golf and Tennis Classic benefits the Isador Aberlin-Ed Rovner Memorial Scholarship Fund. This fund provides scholarships for the JCC’s day care and summer camp programs to families experiencing financial hardship. This summer and last, many of the scholarships benefitted Ukrainian refugees.
 
Orit Lender, CEO of the JCC, said, “Thanks to the generosity of those attending our Golf & Tennis Outing, we were able to provide several full scholarships to Ukrainian campers to allow them to attend camp free of charge. Our programs offer children nurturing environments in which to grow and play—something that truly benefits our Ukrainian campers who have been through so much. We could see how much they changed throughout the summer and acclimated to living in America. We hope the camp experience has helped them on their journeys, and we will continue to be there for them to provide support year-round.”
 
This year, the number of Ukrainian campers has increased so greatly that the JCC hired a Ukrainian music specialist at camp.
 
Lender noted, “We are grateful for the support of our golfers and tennis players that helps us send children to camp every summer. We look forward to another great event honoring several remarkable community leaders.”
 
The Golf and Tennis Classic, presented by longtime sponsor IDB Bank, will also include dinner, a live auction, and a raffle drawing for a $10,000 prize.
 
To purchase tickets, sponsorships, and journal ads, please visit https://www.sijcc.org/golf.