​In Memory of Dr. Ron Leventhal:
Ron and Helene Leventhal were an extraordinary couple who devoted decades of their lives to the survival and growth of the JCC. I was honored to call them my friends.
-Jay Chazanoff

In memory of Dr. Ron Leventhal.
​-Sue Bender

We share the shock and outrage that so many have expressed about the events that occurred in Washington, DC yesterday. Our country’s democracy is based upon a peaceful transition of power, and any attack on that process is an affront to everything we hold dear as Americans. I am grateful that our elected officials, their staff, law enforcement, and members of the press were kept safe during this ordeal.
 
Now is the time for us to come together as a community to condemn the violence and hatred we have seen. Hate speech and violence have no place on Capitol Hill or anyplace else in our country.
 
At our JCC, we believe in unity and inclusion, welcoming people of all walks of life. We serve our community in over 31 locations around the Island, which means we meet and work with people from different backgrounds. At every single location, we are committed to providing an inclusive environment for every person who walks through our doors. When we see imagery of people who proudly display hate symbols and racist slogans attacking our government, it is incredibly hurtful.
 
Despite all of this, history has shown us that we can persevere through these difficult times. I know that we, as a community and a country, will get through this if we work together.
 
As we navigate the next few days, we want everyone who enters our doors to feel safe and secure. Though there are no specific threats to our JCC, we are prioritizing keeping our facilities safe. Through our partnership with UJA, we are a part of the Community Security Initiative at the Jewish Community Relations Council. Their representative, Terence Byrne, Staten Island Regional Security Manager, has been in regular contact with the NYPD Intelligence Bureau on our behalf and is keeping us apprised of any updates that impact us.
 
Let us all hope for peace and healing in our country.

​-Orit Lender, CEO

For Harold and Joan Schwartz
​-Lenore Schwartz

In memory of Sharon Mansfield Weinstein:
Our condolences.
​-Dennis & Janet Shane

Our deepest sympathy and love.
-Roslyn & Murray Brenner 

Between the stresses of keeping up with 2020’s news cycle and spending so much more time at home as the pandemic continues to disrupt daily routines, it’s only natural that many of us have put on some extra weight over the last few months. Losing weight is already something that so many of us struggle with but, in 2021, it can be even more difficult—and more urgent—than ever before.

According to the CDC and recent scientific studies, overweight COVID-19 patients are twice as likely to be admitted to the hospital for care. Health professionals suggest that in addition to taking preventative measures like wearing a mask and social distancing, one of the best things you can do to protect yourself during the pandemic is to lose a few pounds if you are overweight. While losing weight won’t stop you from being infected, it can help you avoid a more difficult, or even fatal, battle with the virus.
The good news is that it’s not too late to make changes—like eating right and exercising—that can help you be your healthiest when it matters most and get you out of the “quarantine slump” you might be experiencing.

COVID-19 transmission in gyms in New York has been incredibly low, prompting the Governor to keep gyms open despite closing other indoor spaces. The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island's fitness center was given the green light to reopen in September and has quickly adjusted to operating in the “new normal” we are living in.  In addition to the Fitness Center and Indoor Pool, the JCC is also offering outdoor and virtual classes for those at higher risk.

Membership has continued to grow despite the pandemic. Jill Gottlieb, Chief Program Director of Membership & Wellness Services at the JCC, believes people are joining because of all the benefits exercise can have, especially during these difficult times. Gottlieb explained, “Our members are thinking about their health and trying to position themselves to be in better shape to fight off COVID-19 in the future.”

New gym-goers are also enjoying the mental health benefits of exercise. While exercise alone can’t treat depression and anxiety, research has shown that it can reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for individuals dealing with these issues. During the pandemic, this takes on new importance as health experts have expressed concern over a widespread mental health crisis that has emerged from the coronavirus pandemic.  

Gottlieb believes mental health has been a big factor in JCC members’ decision to visit the fitness center, “People have been cooped up at home for months. Going to the gym provides the routine and the change of scenery that they’re craving.” She added an important caveat—the need to follow safety protocols while getting out of the house. “Our members come to the gym to improve their health, not to put it at risk. Our number one priority will always be your well-being, which is why we’re following all of the CDC guidelines on wearing masks, social distancing, limiting capacity, and increasing cleaning.”

The JCC’s Fitness Center is currently operating at 25% capacity and requires members to make reservations in advance on the JCC website, over the phone, or by email. Members must wear masks at all times. The gym schedules 15-minute cleaning breaks every hour to ensure that all equipment and high touch points are sanitized. Staff members have also cordoned off every other machine to promote adequate social distancing within the facility.

One JCC member remarked, “The staff is doing a great job keeping me safe. Plus, with all the distance between me and the other members, I feel like I’m at my own private gym!”

In these unpredictable times, many gym-goers find that they want flexible membership options. The JCC is making it easy for new members to take control of their health with their Wellness membership special. Wellness members can access the fitness center, indoor pool, and outdoor group exercise classes with monthly membership renewals and no enrollment fee. With no contract commitment required, new members can join the gym on their own schedule without worrying about what the future will bring.

For more information on JCC memberships, click here, call 718.475.5223, or email membership@sijcc.com.

As 2020 comes to an end, I am writing to wish each of you a happy and safe holiday season and to express my gratitude for all that you have done in this most difficult time.
 
Though this year has been one of great pain and loss, I’m so proud of the work we’ve done to come together as a community. We had to change the way we operated, with protocols taking over our lives—from social distancing to contactless pickups to new reservation systems. For many of us, we got more acquainted with technology and learned the most important lesson of 2020: how to hit the mute button on Zoom. We wore masks, washed our hands, and navigated ever-changing rules. But through it all, we’ve been able to persevere. We’ve worked hard to continue to provide our community with vital services, meaningful connections, and heartfelt care. This is, truly, something to be thankful for this holiday season.
 
I ask that, as we continue celebrating joyous moments over the holiday season, you continue to do your part to stop the spread of COVID-19. We know that small gatherings have been a major source of transmission, and we are seeing higher rates on Staten Island than in the rest of the City. In order to help keep our JCC family safe, please do not enter any of our facilities if you’re not feeling well, have been exposed, or are living with someone who is experiencing symptoms. Though we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel, until the vaccine is readily available, we still need to be vigilant about protecting our community.
 
We are grateful for your continued care and patience as we continue to navigate the next phase of this crisis. Thank you to all our donors, members, participants, volunteers, and partner organizations for sticking with us throughout the past year. We were only able to succeed because of your unending support, and that is a tribute to how much it means to have you as part of our JCC family.
 
I wish you and your loved ones a happy and peaceful holiday, as well as a healthy and joyous new year!

-Orit Lender

This year has taught us to be even more grateful, not just for what we have individually, but for the community around us. We’ve seen essential workers step up to the plate and take care of our community. I want to say a special thank you to our staff members, who have been doing this essential work day and night over the past few months. Without them, the JCC would not have been able to weather the storms and continue to serve our community.

Through this work, we can see that so many of our friends and neighbors are still hurting. Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen an uptick in cases through our Resource Navigator program, which links those who test positive with needed services. The need for our Kosher Food Pantry has quadrupled over the past few months. Our other social services, including navigation for health insurance, benefits, and legal services, have also been in high demand.

For anyone in need, the JCC is here for you. Our COVID-19 Connect to Recovery services are free and available remotely to anyone who has been negatively impacted by the pandemic. We are excited that we were able to restart our Grab & Go meal distribution for seniors this week, and we are prepared to provide additional services as needs arise throughout this next wave of the pandemic.

While we work together to heal the wounds caused by the crisis, my hope is for all of us to continue to do our part to help keep our community safe. Our individual actions can help keep others—even those we’ve never met—healthy, and I hope you will continue to stay vigilant during the holidays.

As this is the season of thanks, I could not end this letter without thanking you, our members and participants, for sticking with us over the past year. Our board and staff are so thankful to all of you for continuing to support us throughout these difficult times. Your commitment to our mission is a major part of what makes the JCC so special.

Wishing you and your families a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

-Orit Lender

Through its COVID-19 Connect to Recovery program, the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island continues to provide critical social services to Staten Islanders experiencing hardships brought on by the pandemic.
 
Orit Lender, CEO of the JCC, said, “As we approach what might be a second wave of the virus, we want you to know that we will still be here for you and we are prepared to serve you with compassion and care throughout this crisis.”
 
With temperatures dropping and positive case rates rising, many are worried about a severe winter, especially for the vulnerable senior population who may be isolated and unable to shop for themselves. The JCC recently held a virtual food drive—a safer alternative to traditional collections of canned goods—to raise money to provide free, grab-and-go meals to seniors for the next six weeks.
 
Since moving its wide range of social services under one COVID-19 Connect to Recovery banner in May, the JCC has also connected thousands of Staten Islanders with access to food, health insurance navigation, legal help, mental health support, and much more. Upon contacting Connect to Recovery, clients complete a remote, initial comprehensive intake and assessment with a JCC social worker. The program is open to everyone, regardless of religion, JCC membership affiliation, or other identifiers.
 
Samantha—a Connect to Recovery client whose name has been changed to protect her privacy—is an example of the kinds of help available at the JCC. Samantha used to clean houses for a living, but once the pandemic struck, her customers were afraid of exposure to the virus and stopped using her services. Out of work, she contacted Connect to Recovery to get food from the Kosher Food Pantry. During her initial conversation with a social worker, she mentioned that she had over $10,000 in credit card debt that she could not pay due to her situation. The JCC put her in touch with a New York Legal Assistance Group financial counselor to discuss her options. She also received referrals for SNAP benefits and other social services. Now that Samantha has been diagnosed with COVID herself, the JCC has even arranged to have her neighbor pick up food from the food pantry and deliver it to her.
 
“I was unaware of the positive impact that one phone call to the JCC would have on my life,” Samantha noted.
 
Like Samantha, many clients first contact Connect to Recovery for help with one problem but, through their conversations with the JCC’s social workers, realize that assistance is available for other hardships they are facing.
 
Neshama Marcus, Chief Program Director of Community Based Programs, said, “Individuals in crisis don’t need added difficulties right now. Connect to Recovery makes it easy to get all the help you need from our caring staff members.”  
 
If you or someone you know is in need of any assistance from Connect to Recovery, you can contact Carolyn at COVID19@sijcc.com or 718.475.5264. For more information, click here.