Big JCC Event honors Blanks, Bernsteins at
By Jason Cohen
The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center,
It was an evening filled with food, music, and people full of praise for the Blanks and the Bernsteins. In attendance were the JCC board, its past presidents, Rabbi Shmaya Krinsky of the Chabad Jewish Center of Southern Somerset County, Jewish Family Service Executive Director Jerry Starr, Jewish Federation of Somserset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties Executive Director Diane Naar, and many others.
Susan Ferbank, the executive director of the JCC said the JCC is growing and thriving because of leaders like the Blanks and the Bernsteins, who are not afraid to dream and educate others on the importance of the community.
Nancy and Ken Bernstein have been members of the JCC since it opened in 1999. Their commitment and support for the JCC began long before the JCC became a reality. He has served on the board of directors since the JCC opened, is currently the second vice president, and serves on numerous committees. Also, they have been members of
"Our success is largely due to our members, but there are four people that have been in the background in the JCC since it opened nine years ago: George and Harriet Blank and Ken and Nancy Bernstein," Addie Kluger, JCC president, said.
Kluger said the Bernsteins’ vision and dedication has been instrumental to the JCC.
"How proud I am to be associated with a fabulous institution, where my oldest daughter Jessica has been a camp counselor and my younger daughter Samantha loves the Purim carnival here,"
She said she is thankful for how a small idea quickly blossomed into such a big success.
"My friends and family enjoy my vision, and I beam from the inside out that my vision 10 years ago has finally come to fruition," Nancy Bernstein said.
Ken Bernstein thanked his parents for setting a great example in community leadership.
"It’s kind of strange: 10 years ago, I didn’t know whether to refer to the Blanks as Mr. and Mrs. or George and Harriet," Ken said. "Now, you see, I have known them for 32 years, because I used to take the train to high school every day for four years with their son, Howard, who was my best friend and still is today."
He said his grandparents always gave back to the community, setting an example for his parents, and because of that, his parents and he and Nancy are still active today.
"Those lessons served a strong foundation for me and my two brothers who are both still very active in the JCC and their temples," Ken said. "Also, I hope my two daughters take these lessons, and become active responsible adults in the community."
He said the JCC is a place in the community for friends and family that pulsates with energy.
"The JCC has a need for you, needs more hands on deck, and don’t ignore your JCCs," he said.
Ken thanked
"I feel very fortunate to have shared the night with George and Harriet who are leaders of the community," Ken said. "More importantly, I hope people get to recognize the JCC, what it does, and how important its future is."
Harriet and George Blank have lived in
Kluger said the Blanks have touched her life in many ways and served as an inspiration.
"For a generation they have been role models, concerned and committed Jews, and I am grateful for their friendship and involvement in the JCC," Kruger said.
Harriet thanked her best friend and her husband, George.
"He taught me about tzedakah and allowed me to put my passion into the JCC," she said.
Harriet said the progress that has been made from nine years ago to the building that stands today is very special.
"It was a marvelous evening set up by a wonderful staff and a great team of leaders," she said. "I’m really excited, it was a great turnout, and it was simply wonderful."
George said he and Harriet would like to thank all of their friends and family for attending the dinner and showing their appreciation to them and the Bernsteins. He said the JCC enhances the lives of young children and the support of the dinner makes a huge difference in the JCC.
"The dinner is not about me, but for great leaders -- like the committee that helped put this evening together, the board, past presidents, our immediate past president Al Levine, our current president Addie Kluger, and my favorite president Harriet Blank," George said.
"No one I know is more passionate, on a consistent daily, weekly, monthly effort to contribute to the JCC than my wife," he added.
He said the dinner was about organizing, promoting, and raising money -- not about him and his wife, but allowing them to give back to the community.
"We as Jews have a certain view of God that if we are kind and take care of each other, we receive blessings from God," George said. "Additionally, if we act like special people, then we are treated special."
He said the greatest happiness is not from taking, but from giving.
"My husband, Gary, and I are so pleased to have attended this event in recognition of the hard work and dedication that the honorees have made to our JCC and the community at large," Jill Shiman, a member of the JCC and a resident of
Laura Friedman, the associate executive director of the JCC, said she has been here since the beginning of the JCC and watched it evolve into what it is today.
"It felt warm right down to the soul and it’s really what he JCC is all about," Friedman said.