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JEWISH OBSERVER ■ JUNE 22, 20176/28 SIVAN 5777
Menorah Park hosts Red Cross blood drive June 26
As the need for blood is said to rise during the summer, Menorah Park will host a blood drive on Monday, June 26, from 11 am-4 pm, at Menorah Park, 4101 East Genesee St., DeWitt.
To schedule an appointment, the community has been encouraged to call 1-800-Red-Cross or enter “MENORAHPARK” at www.redcrossblood.org. Donors will receive a free Red Cross blood donor t-shirt while supplies last.
JCC entry to require membership card Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse members will soon need to use their membership cards to enter through the Center’s new secured entrance to the main lobby. Construction on the new entry should be completed by July and is intended to add another layer of security to the security measures already in place. Visitors will still be able to enter the building after signing in at the front desk. For more information, call the JCC at 315-445-2360.
Shining Stars event a success
With more than 270 attendees assembled to honor the 2017 Menorah Park “Shining Stars,” Co-chairs Robin and Steve Sisskind shared a moment with the honorees. L-r: Co-chair Robin Sisskind, Samantha Villarreal, Lattoya Clarke Lydford, Lee Cagwin, Eleanor Munzel, Co-chair Steven Sisskind, Michael Sagar, Ronda Hegeman, David Elias and Vikki Curry.
Syracuse Community Hebrew School celebrates last day of school year BY DIANE WLADIS The last day of school for the Syracuse Community Hebrew School was May 17. The afternoon’s special activities began with a school-wide game of Family Feud. Using the results of their completed surveys, grade levels faced off against each other by guessing the most common replies to questions about Hebrew prayer and ritual. For example, when 67 SCHS students were asked, “What is your favorite part of Mincha service?” the third-ranked answer was Aleinu; the second answer was Ashrei, and the top answer was the end of services. After the seventh grade students won, the students then returned to their respective classrooms for concluding lessons, review and games. For the conclusion of the day, the classes congregated in the ballroom for commencement ceremonies. SCHS Education Director Shannon Small led the program by thanking the clergy, synagogue education directors, TempleAdathYeshurun, donors, board members and teaching staff. Awards were given to students with 85 percent or better attendance records. Seven students had perfect attendance records. Cantor Paula Pepperstone, the Rabbi Jacob H. Epstein School director,
JCC
year, was presented to attorney Todd J. Pinsky, president and managing partner of the law firm Pinsky and Skandalis, P.C., which was founded by his grandfather, Norman Pinsky, in 1935. “The Leslie” recognizes outstanding commitment and service to the JCC and to the local community, the qualities which the award’s namesake, Leslie London Neulander, was said to have personified throughout her volunteer pursuits.
Different members of the clergy and education directors asked “Family Feud”-style questions as part of the Syracuse Community Hebrew School’s last day of school activities. Pictured: Epstein School Director Cantor Paula Pepperstone asked the fourth grade team a question. led the seventh grade commencement by welcoming the students to their next level of Jewish studies. Special education teacher Andrea Speer presented Small with an endof-year gift, and then all of the students lined up for a make-your-own sundae. Continued from page 2
The JCC’s annual meeting and gala is considered to be the Center’s largest and most important annual fund-raiser. This year’s event proceeds, as in the past, will provide funding for scholarships to individuals in the JCC’s early childhood, after school, summer camp and senior programs. For more information about the JCC, call 315-445-2360 or visit www. jccsyr.org.