Our newest art exhibit features the work of Michele Guttenberg. Guttenberg, who works with various media including watercolor and oil paint, began cultivating her talent as a young woman. She took up drawing as the mother of three young children, searching for something to sustain her beyond her household life. Initially amazed to find that she could draw, this first foray into art sparked a lifelong passion.

Guttenberg credits many others in her life with teaching and inspiring her to create art of her own. Her brother Steven pointed her in the direction of drawing when she was seeking purpose and gave her helpful tips to improve her craft. Her cousin Alice helped her learn watercolor. Guttenberg’s passion for art is shared with her husband Neil Besignano—she recalls that when they took up oil painting, they were each other’s teacher and muse. Another influence on her work was Jeanne Meisels, an instructor at the Art Lab in Snug Harbor. Today, Guttenberg gives back to her many teachers, and to all that art has given her, by teaching other students in her own classes at the Lab.

Michele Guttenberg’s work is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to learn something new or discover one’s passion. It also reminds us that we should share our talents with one another—we never know where inspiration will come from!
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Come see her work at our exhibit on display at the Murray Berman Art @ the J Gallery at the Bernikow building. An Artist’s Reception, free and open to the public, will be held there on Thursday, November 21st from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The exhibit will be open through December.

On Tuesday, November 19th, the JCC of Staten Island announced that it will operate the island’s first ever NORC—Naturally Occurring Retirement Community—in Stapleton. Stapleton was designated as a NORC based on the large population of seniors who live in the area.

This NORC has been named GO KOSSAH, which stands for Keeping Our Seniors Safe and Healthy—a priority for us here at the J! The social services offered in this community, such as health assessments and transportation to medical appointments, will help seniors live safely and independently in their homes. This newest endeavor will support the JCC’s other initiatives to enhance the well-being of our seniors.           
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This project, announced today in a press conference at the Carter Center in Stapleton, was made possible through funding from the Department for the Aging (DFTA), allocated by Councilwoman Debi Rose. The JCC is proud to play a continuing role in serving Staten Islanders at all stages of life. 

On Sunday, November 17th, we joined with several community and faith-based organizations to hold a memorial ceremony honoring the lives of those we lost in the shootings in Pittsburgh and Poway. We are especially grateful to Rabbi Chuck Diamond, the former rabbi from Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, who spoke about his former congregants who were killed just over a year ago.

We will never forget their memories and continue to honor them by fighting against Anti-Semitism and hate of any kind.

On Wednesday, November 13th, the JCC of Staten Island honored five local men for their commitment to Judaism as well as their accomplishments within the JCC and in the Staten Island community.

This year’s honorees were:
Menorah Award
Stewart Feigel
Ofer B. Nacmias
Mitzvah Award
Steven Kessler
Spirit of Judaism Award
Rabbi Michael D. Howald
Rising Star Award
Doron Roth

The event benefitted the JCC’s KIDS IN NEED programming. For thousands of Staten Island children and young adults, these programs provide a lifeline–whether it is helping them deal with disabilities, cancer, food insecurity, or severe economic hardship. The programs include special education for preschool children, afterschool activities for children and teens with developmental disabilities, day habilitation for young adults with developmental, cognitive and physical disabilities, a food pantry for children and families with food insecurities, and camps for children with cancer or special needs.

Congratulations to our honorees and their families!

This year, Giving Tuesday falls on Tuesday, December 3rd. We hope you’ll take the opportunity to donate to our KIDS IN NEED programs, which serve children facing cancer, disabilites, food insecurity, and financial instability.

Learn more about how to get involved and watch some videos highlighting our programs here!

In celebration of Veterans Day, we are collecting the following items at the Bernikow & Avis/South Shore Buildings through the month of November:
·         Body wash & liquid soap
·         Shampoo/conditioner (full sized)
·         Single edge disposable razors
·         Large print word puzzle books
·         Sweatpants sizes M - XL
·         Craft/art supplies: adult coloring books, pencils,             crayons, colored pencils, art books, watercolor books

​All donated items will be distributed at the Brooklyn VA Medical Center. Thank you to all our Veterans for your service!