Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island

When the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island opened its beautiful bronze doors on Victory Boulevard in 1929, its mission was to provide a home for the Jewish community for social, recreational and educational activities where people of all races and religions would feel welcome. The standard for excellence and inclusion continues to this day and it is truly a center for the Jewish community as well as a community center for all. The JCCs growth through expansions and new sites paralleled that of the borough from the North Shore to the South and then to mid-Island. New programs were developed to serve the needs of the community such as day camp (1932) to preschool (1960), from the Dorothy Delson Kuhn Music Institute to Kosher Meals for the Homebound Elderly to First Foot Forward, a preschool for children with special needs. Ldor vdor from generation to generation as the JCC, its lay leaders and staff continue providing for the varied needs of its members and other State...