Day of Chesed, Service and Remembrance Sunday at the JCC

This Sunday, September 9, from 10 am to 3 pm, the JCC of Mid-Westchester and UJA Federation of New York will host a Day of Chesed (Kindness), Service and Remembrance in honor of the observance of the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance.

In 2011, the JCC welcomed over 1,200 members of the community as part of the largest day of good deeds and charitable service in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. “The response to last year’s event was overwhelming. We want to continue the spirit of volunteerism that followed the tragic events of 9/11 by organizing a day where the community can participate in service projects, good deeds and remembrance”, said Milton Sussman, Acting Executive Director.

A number of activities will take place, including a Rosh Hashanah Holiday Package program in partnership with UJA to benefit Bronx Community Services, a children’s clothing drive sponsored by Kids Kloset, a program of Westchester Jewish Community Services, a teen/adult clothing drive to benefit the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services (JBFCS) and Jewish Child Care Association (JCCA) and a sandwich brigade and boxed cereal collection to benefit Hope Community Services, which provides meals for the hungry in New Rochelle.

Also planned are a bone marrow drive with the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation, a pet adoption with PetRescue, a blood drive to benefit the blood bank at White Plains Hospital, a DVD collection for Operation Support Our Troops which sends packages to soldiers, toiletries/first aid supplies for AFYA Foundation and hair donations for Locks of Love, an organization that benefits children with medical hair loss. “In total, fourteen local agencies will benefit from the day’s activities. We are asking members of the community to come out and donate items for these drives and/or participate in other charitable opportunities taking place that day at the JCC,” said Sussman.

New this year will be sports activities for children, and intergenerational activities including a concert by Rockmitzvah, a musical ensemble of real rock and roll musicians performing with local teens. In addition, there will be age appropriate art activities for children as well as teen service projects for both high school (11am-1pm) and middle school (1pm-2pm) students. A remembrance program will take place at 10:30am. “We are happy to host this event and serve as a hub of community activity to bring awareness of our role in the community and also for the many services we provide here at the JCC”, said Ophira Cukierman, co-president of the Board of Directors.

Everyone is welcome to participate, though teens are being asked to sign up in advance here. Children of all ages are welcome as there will be sports activities, art projects and the Rockmitzvah concert. See the entire schedule here .

Corporate Sponsors include Arizona Beverages, Houlihan Lawrence, and Seasons. Co-sponsors include American Jewish Committee, BBYO, Hillels of Westchester, JCC on the Hudson, J-Teen Leadership, New Rochelle Jewish Coalition, Rockmitzvah, Rosenthal JCC of Northern Westchester, Solomon-Schechter School of Westchester, The Jewish Renaissance Experience, Westchester Day School, Westchester Hebrew High School, Westchester Jewish Community Services, and Westchester Jewish Council.

The JCC of Mid-Westchester, a proud beneficiary of UJA-Federation of New York, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the community by providing cultural, social, educational and recreational/fitness programs, human services and Jewish identity-building opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds. For more information about the JCC of Mid-Westchester please visit their website .