The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island will host its inaugural bocce tournament on Monday, September 13. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island and the JCC’s Kosher Food Pantry. The event will honor Mannix Family ShopRites for their dedication to both causes.
 
The Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island, run by the JCC, is a free summer camp for children with cancer and their siblings. Recognizing the extraordinary financial demands that a child’s chronic illness can have on a family, Sunrise Day Camp is provided completely free of charge to campers’ families. Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island proudly serves children with cancer and their siblings from Staten Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and nearby New Jersey on a non-sectarian basis.
 
The JCC’s Kosher Food Pantry serves thousands of Staten Islanders facing food insecurity. Through confidential, one-on-one appointments with caring staff, individuals and families in need from all walks of life can access a reliable source of healthy nutrition.
 
As we continue to navigate these challenging times, financial support for both causes has become more necessary than ever. With so many Staten Islanders facing hardships like illness and loss of income, the need for the food pantry has quintupled since the start of the pandemic.
 
Sunrise Day Camp, which resumed in-person camping this summer, brings back the joys of childhood to children with cancer. The pandemic has shown us all a fraction of the loneliness and isolation these children experience due to their illness, reminding us how important Sunrise is to campers and their families.
 
The JCC relies on the generosity of supporters like Mannix Family ShopRites to sustain these vital services. Mannix Family ShopRites, owned and operated by Kevin and Timothy Mannix, include three store locations on Staten Island. The stores regularly donate food and funds to JCC causes, along with hosting fundraisers for the agency.
 
Orit Lender, CEO of the JCC said, “The Mannix family sets a great example of community leadership through their stores’ support for both of these wonderful causes. As we kick off a new tradition with our first-ever bocce tournament, we are proud to honor Mannix Family ShopRites in gratitude for all they do.”
 
The event is being co-chaired by Solomon Chemo, Cory Schifter, and Bob Cutrona.
 
The bocce tournament will take place on the lawn at the Bernikow JCC, located at 1466 Manor Road. Players are asked to check in at 11am, before the tournament begins at noon.
 
To purchase tickets, click here.

The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island will kick off its new programming season with a free Fall Harvest Festival on Sunday, September 19 from 12pm-3pm. Families are invited to stop by the JCC, located at 1466 Manor Road, for an afternoon of outdoor fall fun.
 
Children will enjoy inflatables, carnival games with prizes, and fall-themed arts and crafts. Families can also pose for festive photo-ops. There will be a live performance by the Honeychild Band at 2pm. Food will be available for purchase. In case of inclement weather, the festival will take place inside.
 
During the festival, families will also have interactive opportunities to learn more about the JCC’s programs. Staff members will hold a sports and fitness sampler to give guests a taste of the recreation activities available to JCC members and participants of all ages.
 
The Dorothy Delson Kuhn Music Institute of the JCC will also present free demonstrations to introduce preschool and elementary school-aged children and their parents to upcoming programs. These programs include two parent-child keyboarding classes—Music in Me (ages 3 to 4) and Harmony Road (ages 4 to 6)—as well as Drama Adventures (ages 3 to 5) and Music Adventures with Ms. Bo (ages 3 to 5). The music demonstrations will take place inside. As space is limited, participants should register for the demonstrations by emailing Ela Seeley, Director of the Dorothy Delson Kuhn Music Institute, at ESeeley@sijcc.com.
 
Since the pandemic began, the JCC has continually provided active, engaging programs for participants of all ages. The festival signifies a return to the new normal, as the community organization plans to offer a full slate of in-person programs this fall.
 
Orit Lender, CEO of the JCC, said, “Our Fall Harvest Festival is a chance for us to get back to doing one of the things we love most, which is creating fun activities for the whole family. We know that many families are ready to get back out there, so we invite them to enjoy a fun afternoon with us and get to know the wonderful programs we have in store for them this season.”
 
There is no registration required for the Fall Harvest Festival. To learn more, click here.

The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island will host a job fair to help connect Staten Islanders with employment opportunities at the JCC as well as professional development resources. The job fair is the JCC’s latest effort to help members of the local community rebound in the aftermath of the pandemic.
 
The fair will take place on Wednesday, August 18 at the JCC’s Bernikow building, located at 1466 Manor Road, between 10am and 2pm. JCC staff members will be available to network with job seekers about opportunities in a variety of areas, including marketing, education, fundraising, HR, administration, sports, fitness, and more.
 
During the fair, individuals can also sign up for free training programs for OSHA, green energy systems, IT support, and Microsoft Office. Other job readiness workshops available include resume writing, interview skills, and application assistance.
 
Orit Lender, CEO of the JCC, said, “Throughout the pandemic, we’ve been there every step of the way to help members of our community get back on their feet. As we enter this new phase of recovery, we are committed to connecting Staten Islanders with the resources they need to succeed and find meaningful employment.”
 
The job fair is part of the agency’s broader commitment to pandemic recovery. While networking and learning about job opportunities, visitors can also consult with JCC staff about social services they may need, such as the food pantry, legal and financial counseling, and benefits assistance.
 
The fair is free and open to all. Masks are required and visitors will complete a brief health screening upon arrival. The attire is business casual. Resumes are required. Walk-ins are welcome.
 
For more information about the job fair, please contact Kathi Indelicato at KIndelicato@SIJCC.com

The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island is gearing up for another great season for its Core 24 Basketball Academy.
 
Core 24, the JCC’s new-and-improved basketball academy, offers youth training programs at all skill levels, from beginner recreational players to advanced competitors. Good sportsmanship and character, along with athletic excellence and skill, are at the heart of these programs. 
 
After a soft launch in spring of 2020, Core 24 offered its first program—a summer camp—last year. Building on this success, the academy has continued to offer a wide range of basketball training programs, including camps, clinics, and lessons, ever since.
 
Mike Reape, Director of Core 24, said, “Once we were allowed to open and run our camp last year, we never looked back. Kids really responded to playing basketball and having fun together after spending so much time at home.”
 
Core 24 kicks off its fall programming in September with a series of “tune-up” clinics to help players brush up on their skills before the season starts. The fall training session runs from October 5 through December 23, and is followed by a holiday training clinic.
 
“We have an exciting lineup of programs for the fall. We can’t wait to welcome back our players and see some new faces in the gym,” said Reape.
 
In addition to these seasonal programs, Core 24 also offers year-round training for players at all levels, including CYO training and scrimmages.
 
Orit Lender, CEO of the JCC said, “We’ve always been proud to provide excellent sports and recreation programs for island youth, but it takes on special significance after the year and a half we’ve all been through. We know these programs are making a difference in kids’ lives by helping them stay active, make new friends, and be involved with something positive.”
 
Click here to learn more about Core 24 Basketball Academy programs and sign up for the fall season.