Today, JCC volunteers delivered robotic cats and dogs to 15 seniors with dementia to reduce isolation. In addition, community members are piloting a program that brings light to Shabbat during these dark days by purchasing challah and flowers from local vendors to deliver to vulnerable seniors. The Roslyn Softball League has developed a fund to feed local hospital employees, Mask A Hero NY, spearheaded by a local member, is collecting much needed medical supplies for our local hospitals, while Sid Jacobson JCC just sent a check for $2,000 to All Hands and Hearts, donated by community members, to assure hospital and front line medical staff have the PPE they need.
This comes on the heels of our teens helping the technologically challenged how to use Zoom and Early Childhood families checking in on “adopted” isolated individuals. All this while dozens of families donate thousands of pounds of food to deliver to those who are hungry and our social workers serve a new influx of individuals seeking care.
The message?
In times of uncertainty - provide clarity. When reality is brutal, supply relentless optimism. When the future is unpredictable, invent the future we want. As all of us face the unknown, we intend to be a constant presence serving hope over fear.
As our community struggles with new norms, we intend to be radically attentive to the needs of every individual. Our aim is relevance, innovation, and impact - the reinvention of our community on behalf of our community. This Shabbat, we salute the community innovators. We salute the fundraisers - the askers and the givers. And I hope you will join me in saluting the Board and staff of SJJCC for their unstinting kindness, for meeting the needs of the community at large and for their continuing demand for us to do more for those we serve on this beautiful Island of ours.
We stand with our community. We are thankful that our community stands with us.
