The JCC’s Bulletin dates back to the 1930s, when it was a premier source of news for the local Jewish community. We are proud to continue this tradition of keeping our JCC community informed via our virtual Bulletin.
The bulletin circa 1974
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Throughout the year, the JCC is proud to offer family-oriented programs that bring children and their families together to create special memories. The most recent in our great lineup of events was a Hanukkah party on December 15. The Cultural Arts department put together a fabulous party with activities for everyone to enjoy together. Partygoers were entertained by a clown and a magician, who performed an act with a live rabbit. The entertainers also painted the children’s faces and made balloon animals! Everyone got into the Hanukkah spirit with the help of a costumed dreidel character. Families decorated Hanukkah-themed gingerbread houses with candy and gelt. No party would be complete without food, so guests were treated to delicious latkes and soufganiyot. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate the Festival of Lights with us! We wish you and your families a very happy Hanukkah! Who says camp fun has to end when summer does? Our campers have a blast year-round with Camp 365—one weekend each month, we host campers for a few hours of fun and friendship. It’s a great time for the kids to reunite with their friends from camp and parents love having a few quiet hours, knowing that their children are having fun in a safe environment. Since our campers weren’t together on Thanksgiving Day, they celebrated the holiday at their December Camp 365 event. They made turkey headbands and gobble-gobbled up some tasty treats! We can’t wait to see our campers again at our 13th Annual Camp Reunion on January 5 and at our next Camp 365 event on January 11!  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! On Sunday, October 13th, we held our New Seasons event for young children and their families at Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds. It was a beautiful fall day, and we enjoyed an apple hunt, a story walk, and crafts!  This year, we’re celebrating the JCC of Staten Island’s 90th birthday. As the JCC turns 90, we reflect back on the milestones the organization has achieved over the years. September signals one thing—back to school time. Many of you have little ones that started school this week, some of whom are attending daycare or preschool at one of our locations. Our Early Childhood Education programs have a long history, dating back nearly 60 years. In the late 1950’s, JCC leadership saw a need for early childhood services. They decided to start a nursery school, under the leadership of Alma Harter, in 1960. The first application for nursery school only asked a few basic questions. We’ve come quite a long way with the application process, which is now done through the Department of Education’s website!  The first class only had seven students and ran from 9am-12pm. Early childhood education was such a hit that by the late ‘60s, the program grew to accommodate over 70 students, and there were waiting lists!
The program was so popular that the JCC had to expand to accommodate the nursery school. The original building at 475 Victory Boulevard was renovated in the early 1960’s to add more classrooms. Times began to change, and more women were working, which created an even bigger need for early childhood education. The JCC then purchased 485 Victory Boulevard, now known as the Isador Aberlin/North Shore JCC, to house the expanding preschool, which continues to be one of our current locations. In the 80’s, we expanded even further. The opening of the South Shore/Nancy & Ron Avis Building created more classroom space, allowing our ECE programs to grow. In 1989, the JCC decided to serve a new population: young children with developmental issues. We created the First Foot Forward program to help children with speech delays, sensory needs, and motor issues. The current program, which remains incredibly popular, includes individualized instruction with different types of therapy for children’s various needs. In the past 12 years, we’ve seen an even bigger expansion. The opening of the Joan & Alan Bernikow Building included an entire wing devoted to daycare and preschool. Last fall, we opened the Berman Early Childhood Center on Richmond Avenue—an entire building devoted to Early Childhood Education! Recently, New York City has recognized the importance of providing free preschool programs for families, creating Pre-K for All and 3-K for All. The JCC is a proud provider of these programs at all four of our sites and serves over 275 children per year. Over the past 59 years, thousands of children have walked through our doors and begun their educations with us. As we look to the future, one thing is certain; our ECE programs will continue to help mold our students into caring, empathetic young people with the goal of creating thoughtful and intelligent future leaders.  Come meet Buzz Lightyear, Elsa, and more of your children’s favorite characters at our Character Breakfast on Sunday, September 8th at 9am at the Bernikow JCC. In addition to photo opportunities, the breakfast includes arts & crafts, kids’ activities, music, and a chance to learn more about JCC’s fall programs.
The breakfast acts as a kickoff for our fall youth programs, which begin the week of September 15th. In addition to old favorites like soccer, music, gymnastics, and basketball, this year we are offering new classes like yoga, jiu-jitsu, and gaga. Other new youth programs include Camp 365, Middle School Madness, and Teen Travel 365 to keep the spirit of camp going throughout the year. We hope to see you at the Character Breakfast and fall programs! For more information on fall programming, click here. Day camp is a JCC tradition that dates back to the 1930s, and in 2019, it’s still going strong! In addition to our traditional day camp, we also have Marvin’s Camp for Children with Special Needs, also located at Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds. Sports camps based out of our Bernikow and Avis Buildings instruct children in soccer, basketball, aquatics, and gymnastics. Sunrise Day Camp, which runs out of Mount Loretto, is a camp for children with cancer and their siblings that is completely free of charge to families. The JCC also operates camps at our Beacon sites and Cornerstone Community Centers.
Check out photos of our happy campers from several of our locations! |
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February 2021
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LocationSBERNIKOW/MID-ISLAND
1466 Manor Road Staten Island, NY 10314 718.475.5200 ABERLIN/NORTH SHORE
485 Victory Blvd Staten Island, NY 10301 718.475.5290 |
AVIS/SOUTH SHORE
1297 Arthur Kill Road Staten Island, NY 10312 718.475.5270 BERMAN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
2221 Richmond Ave. Staten Island, NY 10314 718.475.5100 |
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