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

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

In a year that has already made history in so many ways, the upcoming elections on Tuesday, November 3 are set to be historic. As we approach Election Day, it is more important than ever to be informed and prepared to vote.

Making our voices heard with our votes is not only our right, but also a responsibility that connects past, present, and future generations of Americans. It is our duty to be informed voters. While the presidency and Congress are certainly important, we also need to be engaged in state and local elections that have significant impacts on our day-to-day lives. Sample ballot tools, like this one from Ballotpedia, are a great way to stay informed on all the elections you can expect to see on your ballot.

In an unpredictable year like this one, it is just as important how you plan to cast your vote as it is who you choose to vote for. I encourage you all to make a voting plan, as you may be submitting your ballot in a different way this year.


• Voting by Mail/Absentee Ballot: The deadline to request your mail-in/absentee ballot in New York is Tuesday, October 27. Returning ballots must be postmarked by Election Day. You can also drop them off at a Board of Elections office, early voting site, or an Election Day polling site.
• Early Voting: Early voting begins this Saturday, October 24 and goes through Sunday, November 1. Your early voting location may be different from your usual polling place, so be sure to look it up in advance.
• Voting in Person on Election Day: Plan for potential crowds and long lines. If you are voting in person, whether early or on Election Day, protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by wearing a mask. For more information, check out this guide to your voting options and make your voting plan as soon as possible!

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For more information, check out this guide created by our friends at the Marlene Meyerson JCC on your voting options and make your voting plan as soon as possible!

​-Orit Lender