Adarsh Singla, Debbie Buglisi and Judy Douenias
"Sukkot is called the season of joy because we celebrate the abundance of the harvest and how the manna sustained the Israelites in the desert" Rabbi Lina Zerbarini, Director of Jewish Life and Learning at Sid Jacobson JCC.
As I drove to the JCC on this unseasonably warm autumn day, I was thinking about our volunteers who dedicated priceless time in our beautiful garden this summer. Thanks to the planning of Engage volunteer and Master Gardener, Rebecca Shaja, Engage volunteers, Adarsh Singla, Debbie Buglisi and Judy Douenias, celebrated a plentiful harvest grown to support our neighbors in need.
Plant a Row for the Hungry is a successful initiative in its second year at Sid Jacobson. This past summer Engage volunteers expertly cared for the organic garden beds on the grounds of Camp Jacobson in Old Westbury. Fruits, vegetables and herbs were harvested and donated to The Interfaith Nutrition Network soup kitchens in Glen Cove and Hempstead throughout the summer.
Debbie Buglisi is not only a Plant a Row volunteer, but a Friendly Visitor. Through Sid Jacobson JCC, Debbie has been matched with a local homebound senior and uses knitting as one way to really connect during these precious weekly Caring Visits.
Judy Douenias can be found participating in Sid Jacobson JCC's Meditation with Rabbi Lina Zerbarini. Since 2015. Judy has been a weekly volunteer with our community partner Literacy Nassau and meets regularly with an adult student in a local public library to provide English language tutoring.
Adarsh Singla participates in Sid Jacobson JCC Knitzvah and has been Knitting for a Cause with a growing group of dedicated knitters/crocheters. This past September, Knitting for a Cause volunteers assembled more than 100 handmade lap blanket gift bags for patients undergoing infusion therapy at the Cancer Institute at St Francis Hospital . In addition to knitting, Adarsh is now providing Caring Visits to a homebound senior in the community.
It's so wonderful to see our volunteers engaged in various ways throughout the JCC and the community.
Thank you to Debbie Buglisi, Judy Douenias, Adarsh Singla for their dedication to gleaning and donating our bounty and for all that they continue to do!
If you are interested in learning more about Plant A Row for the Hungry, Caring Visits-Friendly Visiting, Knitting for a Cause, or Literacy Nassau please respond to this email.
