Scarsdalian Smashes Grueling Guinness World Record to Inspire Other Epileptic Athletes
- Details
- Written by Adam Katcher
- Hits: 5091
Rowan Haffner with his Coach Jeff BoyerIt is not often people get to witness a Guinness World Record find a new home, but on August 13th at SUNY Purchase, the prestigious award for most sprint duathlons completed in 24 hours was broken by Rowan Haffner. The motive for running 45 miles and biking 108 miles (yes, an 18-year-old did that) is best described by Haffner.
He explained, “The entire motivation behind aiming to set a world record was to raise awareness about what epileptic athletes are capable of. Because of the natural limitations living with Epilepsy can bring, very few people with Epilepsy participate in endurance events. I wanted to demonstrate not only could someone with Epilepsy achieve and finish such a strenuous race, but show that someone with Epilepsy could be the best in the world at something. I hope others can see what I’ve done, and that I’ve helped pave the path for future epileptics to dive into endurance sports and challenge themselves and not let Epilepsy limit their ambitions.”
Jeff Boyer, Haffner’s coach from Barracuda Tri, told of how the preparation for the event is no less strenuous than one would expect – making the accomplishment all the more remarkable.
“Let’s say he wasn’t training for this specifically when he was diagnosed with Epilepsy in November 2021,” Boyer said. “That kind of took the fast-paced draft-legal racing out of his repertoire. That’s when I succumbed to training him for a long course like this. He signed up for Iron Man Lake Placid which took place three weekends ago, and we started training for that in January, and that training helped for this as well.”
For context, Boyer estimated a “typical Iron Man athlete” would need closer to a month to recover from the Lake Placid event before even considering attempting to break this world record. This is just another of seemingly countless reasons why, when the final steps were taken, it is no wonder the rush of emotions hit Haffner hard.
“When I finished, I was immediately flooded with feelings of relief, enormous fatigue, but most prominently pride. This was a goal I set out to do months ago, a goal that required up to 20 hours of training a week to complete and so seeing that come into fruition was emotional and truly incredible.”
The previous record for most sprint duathlons completed in 24 hours was nine full sets. One full sprint duathlon has a 5k run, followed by a 20k bike segment, followed by a 2.5k run. Then, the cycle repeats. Haffner tied the former record at nine full sets, and he determined he had enough gas left in the tank to break it by completing another 5k run. After nearly 2-full-marathon’s worth of running (and enough biking to get from Scarsdale to Philadelphia), Russ Gold, the certifier of the record, was able to confirm Haffner had indeed set out for what he wanted to do: he showed how someone with Epilepsy can be the best in the world at something with flying colors – even in an intense athletic field. The message is worth infinitely more than the Guinness World Record – though the accolade does make the achievement tangible and undisputed.
Gold, a decorated triathlon/duathlon coach and official, acknowledged the uniqueness and rigor of the feat, telling how he would not be shocked in the slightest if this is the only time he is asked to verify this world record. Boyer added, “It takes a certain individual to do something like this. Not so much to say they want to do something like this, but to actually put the work in and do it. It takes a certain mindset, determination, self-motivation to do something like this.”
Regardless of how impressive the feat was – even in the mind of the experts – Rowan is far from finished.
“It’s hard to think about what’s next considering I always want to go one step further than my previous accomplishments,” Haffner admitted. “It’s that mindset that led me to set a world record. Yet I’m still searching for what can be crazier than setting a 19-hour world record. That being said, knowing me, I’ll find something even crazier to do soon enough that is even more challenging than I could imagine.”
Set to be a part of Duke’s club triathlon team, the training never stops. As Boyer memorably said, “This is Rowan’s crazy.” Fortunately, his “crazy” has led him to be the best in the world, portraying the exact message he wanted to inspire people with. Epilepsy could not prevent him from being the best.
Synagogues Host Drive for "Second Life” Medical Items to be Donated to Ukraine
- Details
- Written by Max Grudin
- Hits: 2918
Max Grudin with Shah Haq, a Lufthansa representative at the JFK airport. Lufthansa has been supportive of the effort.
The following article was submitted by Max Grudin of Overhill Road, Scarsdale. He is a native of Vinnytsia, Ukraine.
Despite the many challenges this summer (high fuel prices, extreme heat, gun violence), two organizations are stepping up to help with the Ukraine crisis. Local Jewish congregations Temple Israel and Westchester Reform Temple are co-hosting a donation drive for pre-owned medical items for Afya Foundation, a local leader on aid to Ukraine. Your pre-owned, in-kind donations may be tax deductible. If your organization would like to join the drive, please reach out to Max Grudin (mgrudin@yahoo.com).
Volunteers performing quality control at Afya’s warehouse in Yonkers.Afya was founded by former Scarsdalian Danielle Butin. It is a very efficient nonprofit: for every dollar donated to the Afya Disaster Response Hub an astounding $0.90 goes directly to supporting global health during times of disaster.
Just last week Afya arranged almost 500 pounds of supplies for Ukraine, such as first aid kits, knee braces, gowns, wound care, etc. I personally delivered the supplies to Poland from where volunteers are transporting them to Ukraine. Big thanks to Lufthansa for the support and to my neighbor Nick Buchen for helping bring the bags to the airport.
Right now and throughout the end of August, Temple Israel and Westchester Reform Temple are holding a donation drive for “second life” (pre-owned) medical items such as:
-thermometers (no mercury)
-walkers, non-electric wheelchairs, crutches
-stethoscopes
-reading glasses and magnifier glasses
-unopened pain killers and ointments
-test strips, adult diapers, slings, braces, underpads …and so on. 
Open packages are OK. No expired medicines. Please contact Sharon Stiefel at the WRT (sharon.stiefel@wrtemple.org) and Rabbi Annie Tucker at Temple Israel Center (a.tucker@templeisraelcenter.org) for their guidelines. The needs are dire; your help is really appreciated.
The Kharkiv area map of Eastern Ukraine with the recent Russian missile strikes. The Kyiv-based volunteers delivered two tons of humanitarian supplies to Malynivka (lower right corner, 3 miles from the front lines) on 7/13/2022 just two hours before the strikes.
Afya can provide a letter acknowledging your donation, but for an itemized list of your donations, you should also reach out to the congregations. Please consult with your tax advisor about deductibility of your donation.
Afya also needs funds to buy some items that cannot be obtained otherwise and also to fund transportation to disaster areas. You could bring a check to one of the congregations mentioned above or go to https://afyafoundation.org/donate/ to make a donation. It would be really appreciated. If you want to make sure that your donation goes to a particular cause you can write Afya a check and mention the cause. Or, if you want your donation to go to Ukraine, you can email me (mgrudin@yahoo.com) your name and I will let Afya know. Afya’s Ukraine campaign page https://afyafoundation.org/campaign/ukraine/ has a link to an Amazon list of the most needed items.
The Afya supplies I brought to Poland last week will reach volunteers from Ukrainian nonprofit Ridnyi Krai (Brovary branch) in Kyiv, Ukraine before July 31th. These volunteers, led by Svitlana Fedosova, will distribute medical aid to civilians in the Kharkiv region as well as to defenders in the east and south of Ukraine.
In the meantime these volunteers have been distributing other humanitarian help in Chuhuiv and Malynivka, near the city of Kharkiv, three miles from the front line. Few organizations supply these dangerous areas, and these volunteers provide help that is otherwise not available.
Acknowledgments (apologies if I have missed anyone)
-The Afya Foundation - Danielle Butin, David Bourns, and Arilene Garcia for providing and packing the supplies and for the motivation.
-All the Scarsdale donors who gave funds and supplies to the Afya Foundation, to other charities, and to me.
-The Lufthansa Group for their support. Shah Haq is their representative who managed the check in process very efficiently!
-Dara Broxmeyer Gruenberg - for connecting me with Afya and advice
-Westchester Reform Temple - Rabbi Blake, Mary Blum, and Sharon Stiefel for spearheading the donation drive effort
-Temple Israel Center - Rabbi Annie Tucker for joining the effort at a short notice
-Nick Buchen for helping with the transportation and handling of the Afya Foundation supplies
-The Scarsdale Forum for giving me an opportunity to speak about the issue
-Mykhailo Sorochynskyi for transferring the supplies from Poland
-Svitlana Fedosova and the Ridnyi Krai Brovary Branch for their selfless dedication…and my wife Ingrid Tamm for giving me time and inspiration to work on this.
The locals get very little humanitarian support because many volunteer efforts do not distribute supplies in unsafe areas. A lot of women and children came to get help.
Graduation 2022: They Weathered it All
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 6617
In a sign of the uncertainty of the era, this year Scarsdale High School reserved three dates for their graduation: Thursday morning June 23, Thursday evening June 23 and Friday morning June 25, 2022. It wasn't until Wednesday afternoon that the school announced the graduation would be held the following night on Dean Field, just the second time graduation was held at night.
When the band struck up "Pomp and Circumstance" and the Class of 2022 processional from the gym to the field began, the sun was peeking through the clouds. Jubilant seniors, led by Class Advisors Jonathan Pai and Rachel Warshowsky, filed onto the field in a sea of maroon. There were cheers from parents, grandparents, siblings and teachers who strained to take photos of the final assembly of the 382 graduates of the Class of 2022.
Speaking for School Board President Karen Ceske, Board VP Amber Yusuf said, you have, "displayed incredible 
Drew Patrick, Amber Yusuf and Ken Bonamoresilience, determination, and focus...learning, experiencing, and accomplishing so much – both inside and outside of the classroom." She continued, "Your experience at Scarsdale has also emphasized the importance of being engaged citizens and living our school’s motto of Non-Sibi. They have encouraged you to live lives of kindness and compassion; to embrace diversity and help build welcoming and inclusive environments; and to spend time talking to others with different perspectives and seek other experiences that widen your frame."
Class Officers Chinasa Ohajekwe and Elizabeth Hurshman thanked their teachers for "everything you have done for us, saying, "We are struck by the impact our teachers have had on us. You worked online to make sure our experience was as normal as possible."
Class Advisor Jonathan Pai said, "You have lived "through the uncertain, you are unafraid to question and explore," you are "goofy, empathic open-minded and kind hearted."
Class Advisor Rachel Warshowsky said, "Accept your new adventures with an open mind and open heart. Push the boundaries and trust yourself. Let your setbacks not discourage you but teach you." She repeated advice that her parents told her when she was growing up,"Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light."
Class President Spencer Krivo quoted Rick Astley saying, “I am never going to give you up…. We are more than a part of the COVID generation… We are resilient, we did not stop doing what we love… Look behind and be proud. “ He told his classmates, “Truly enjoy our moment together one final time.” He ended with “Krivo Out.”
Scarsdale High School Principal told the class to "build a legacy of love." Here are his parting words to the SHS seniors who lived through two years of the pandemic, virtual classes, interrupted and cancelled plans and myriad ups and downs, making history of themselves and the school.
Bonamo said, "Today is a special day that marks the culmination of your childhood education and the beginning of college and adulthood for you. Your families and your teachers are filled with a deep hope that we have given you all that you need to succeed in these next stages, and we are filled with anticipation at what the future holds for you.
Noah Schnapp of Stranger Things and his twin sister Chloe were among the 382 grads.But first let me say how truly wonderful it is to be together on such a beautiful evening. It is so good to see all of you smiling and enjoying one another’s company on this occasion filled with meaning. Let us pause here for a moment to let the beauty of this moment sink in.
We also take a moment to reflect on the values that Scarsdale represents as a community, values of active citizenship, civic engagement, and debate that is informed and respectful. The resources that the community invests in education have, we hope, provided you with an enriching and engaging experience that has developed in you a depth of critical and creative thinking, an appreciation for global interdependence, and a genuine love of learning. These goals have guided our work as a faculty in designing the courses and learning activities that you’ve enjoyed during the past four years. The vantage point of graduation allows you to appreciate the aggregate effect of your work as having both developed your academic skills and fostered your growth as individuals.
Class President Spencer Krivo
It is important to stop and reflect on this moment, for all the accomplishment it represents as well as the hard work you have put into getting here. Individually and collectively, you faced formidable and unprecedented challenges during your high school career, and you responded with tenacity and ingenuity. You have excelled in athletic and extracurricular activities, finding ways to maintain continuous engagement in the most difficult of circumstances. And you have completed your coursework and your exams and your Senior Options and have earned a seat at this very ceremony. This is not by accident but instead through commitment and dedication to your goals. We are gathered here to recognize all you have had to do during the past four years.
Assistant Principal Andrea O'Gorman orchestrated the event.You are at an important moment of transition, from high school to college, from childhood to adulthood, from the familiarity of home, family, and friends to the new and different people and places. Whatever trepidation you may have is likely and justifiably overshadowed by the excitement of possibilities. Unfettered with responsibilities of families, careers, and financial obligations, you should see opportunity and possibility wherever you look, in whomever you meet, in wherever you go. Take full advantage of this good fortune and this auspicious moment in your life. Yes, you have the last summer of your childhood before you, filled I hope with good times with friends and family and also the upcoming farewells. Then you will have four years—or more—of learning, of studying, of travel, learning about the world and yourself and finding your place in it.
I do hope that your educational journey allows you to find work that truly engages you, that motivates you to pursue it on its own merits, where you find yourself in a state of flow—where you lose a sense of time and space in answering a question or satisfying a curiosity. That is one of the true pleasures of learning, and I hope you use the privilege of being engaged in study as your primary occupation to search broadly and then deeply to find the subject that brings you the most intellectual satisfaction.
Then, as you confront the challenges of our world and of our society, armed with the knowledge and skills you have acquired here at Scarsdale, I hope you will endeavor to make the world a better place. In order to make real change and bring about progress, you will need to add personal courage to the skills and knowledge you gain in school. When you take 
SVAC was on hand.stock of the news of our day, of domestic problems, international relations, income inequality, social justice, educational policy, and environmental challenges, it should be clear that regardless of what side of any one question you take, in order to advance the cause you will need courage. As the energy of your youth matures into the wisdom of age, you will continue to find your voices and ways in which you can make your marks. Given the magnitude of these social and global problems, we will need your fresh voices and new ideas and the courage to stand up even when it means you will stand out. Your success will be measured not by how much you take for yourself but by how much you give of yourself.
Finally, I also urge you to build a legacy of love. The key to your success in taking advantage of 
the many opportunities and meeting the many challenges that lie ahead will be to infuse love into your work, your relationships, and your self-regard. If you look around this field, you will see your family and friends who demonstrated love in supporting you. You will see your teachers who loved teaching and guiding you. And most importantly, you should look at yourselves and love what you see—an intelligent, curious, responsible person, poised to continue learning in order to take on the challenges of life and of our society.
I wish you all a wonderful graduation day and health and happiness in the future. Congratulations to you all!"
With that, Superintendent Andrew Patrick said, "I certify that you are hereby graduates of Scarsdale High School and bid you to go forth and serve the common good."
In a well-oiled procedure, masterminded by Assistant Principal Andrea O'Gorman, the name of each member of the class were announced by their dean, and each was awarded with a handshake and a diploma from Principal Bonamo.
Before they got to the end of the list, the skies opened up, first with a drizzle and then a more steady downpour. No one appeared phased. The cheerful class took the rain in stride and weathered yet another unexpected turn of events with smiles all around.
Photos by Elliot Zhang and Joanne Wallenstein. Email your photos to scarsdalecomments@gmail.com to add them to the graduation photo gallery below.
Rachel Moseley Appointed President of the Board of the JCCMW
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 4049
Rachel Moseley, who will retire as the Director of Information Technology, Chief Information and Data Protection officer for the Scarsdale Schools this summer, does not let grass grow under her feet.
On July 12, we received the following email from Moseley, announcing that she has been elected to serve as the President of the Board of the JCC Mid-Westchester, where she has been a board member for nine years.
Read the announcement and her interesting life story below:
Dear JCCMW Community,
I am honored that my colleagues on the JCC Mid-Westchester Board of Directors have voted to appoint me as the new president of the board. I have been a part of the JCCMW leadership for the past nine years, having served as both board member and, more recently, as board secretary. I always marvel at the impact this agency makes and the work it champions on behalf of our community.
For the last four years, our board has been expertly led by Dr. Ellen Reinheimer. Much of her tenure was focused on supporting the JCCMW as we navigated the challenges of COVID. We stand here today in a position of strength, serving many members of the Westchester community because of her tireless work and commitment. I thank Ellen for handing over the leadership reins with a JCCMW poised to thrive in the years ahead. I am also grateful that she will continue to serve on the JCCMW Board, as a member of the executive committee, such that we can continue benefiting from her insights and experience.
What’s more, I am thrilled to be working in close partnership with our new CEO, Elise Dowell, who has truly hit the ground running since she joined us in January. Her exemplary vision, strong leadership and management expertise have been evident from the start, as well as the sense of warmth and compassion she brings to everything she does.
For those who do not know me, I have deep roots not only here at the JCCMW but in our own corner of Westchester. I raised my children in Scarsdale, where my husband and I still live, and I worked for nearly 20 years for the Scarsdale Public Schools. For the past six years, I served as the district’s director of information technology, chief information and data protection officer. Last year, I announced my retirement, which takes effect next month. I have also held positions at two fixed income electronic trading firms and previously worked at Union Bank of Switzerland, first in Switzerland and then in Manhattan.
I am also fortunate to have been part of, or at least been exposed to, well-established Jewish communities, both in the United States and abroad. I was born in Israel and, at a young age, moved to Switzerland where I spent my childhood and attended university. Through my husband, who grew up in Ireland, I also became part of the Dublin Jewish community. I have always placed great emphasis on the importance of community, as I was nurtured and sustained by the various communities in which I have lived.
It is my intention to ensure that the same type of nurturing, supportive community is available through the JCCMW to all those who need it. From the older adults who make meaningful connections by participating in our variety of programs to the families of children in our early childhood and special needs programs who rely on us for specialized early education and socialization opportunities, I will keep our members in mind at every juncture. You are the reason we do what we do. You make us vibrant and strong.
I look forward to getting to know you all better in the days, weeks and months ahead. In the meantime, I wish you a wonderful summer.
Sincerely,
Rachel Moseley
President, JCCMW Board of Directors
Lemonade for Ukraine
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 1457
Greenacres boys used their day off on Juneteenth to raise money for Ukraine by selling lemonade and treats on Greenacres Avenue.
The boys love the idea of specifically helping out kids impacted by the fighting because they identify with children more than adults. They are not sure which relief agency they will donate to but are considering some that provide food (which is scarce), offer medical help, help transport families across the border into Poland, provide settlement support in their new (hopefully temporary) settings, etc.
All great causes and the boys raised $362 to give.
Pictured above from left to right are Jacob Dubinsky, Alexander Kingfield, Isaac Simnowitz, Teddy Eisenberg, Teddy Babister, Jonah Bloomgarden, and Micah Bloomgarden. All are in third grader at Greenacres except Micah who is in first grade, and four of them live on Greenacres Avenue.
