Peninsula Jewish Community Center Your Center for Life! Winter 2011 Tevet / Shevat / Adar I 5771
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Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leaders D
aniel Jude and Scott Spivak are the proud recipients of the PJCC’s “2010 Dan Cook Sports Achievement Award,” established in loving memory of Daniel Levine Cook (1965 – 1996). This award recognizes young athletes who serve as an inspiration to other young Jewish athletes. For the past two years, 14-year-old Scott has scored as a soccer player on the PJCC’s Maccabi delegation. The Kehillah Jewish High School freshman is an active member of BBYO (B’nai B’rith Youth Organization), Kehillah’s Mish Mosh (improv) group and volunteers with the Friendship Scott Spivak Circle, Second Harvest Food Bank and Rebuilding Together. For his Tzedakah
(charity and social justice) project, Scott chose Chai Lifeline, an organization that helps Jewish families with children who have serious illnesses. Prior to his Bar Mitzvah, Scott cut off all of his hair and donated it to Pantene Loving Locks, a program that provides free wigs to women battling cancer. Sixteen-year old Daniel Jude is a junior at Sequoia High School. Enrolled in the school’s i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y Daniel Jude recognized International Baccalaureate program, he finds time to serve as sports
editor of the school newspaper while also playing football. For two consecutive years, the gifted athlete has joined the PJCC’s Maccabi Game delegation as a member of both the soccer and tennis teams. Daniel is known for his great sense of humor, positive sportsmanship and upbeat nature. Currently, he volunteers with the North Peninsula Jewish Teen Foundation. Scott and Daniel will have their names engraved on the Dan Cook Sports Achievement Award plaque, displayed in the Byer Athletic Center. In January, a special ceremony will honor the recipients. Mazel tov!
A Partnership That Thrives By Shelley Eisenman, Facility Security Manager and Deborah Pinsky, Executive Director
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he PJCC is proud to partner with Thrive, a San Mateo organization that serves as a bridge between more than 100 Peninsula nonprofit, business, government and community leaders. Guided by the belief that a strong nonprofit sector is a vital part of a flourishing community, Thrive provides a rich network of shared resources and ideas, from emergency preparedness to personal and professional development. Last May, Thrive recognized the PJCC with the 2010 Thrive Safety NET (Nonprofit Emergency Task Force) Disaster Resilient Organization Award. Formed in 2005, the task force helps nonprofits prepare for any type of potential event, from pandemic threats such as the H1N1
recognized for our exemplary biannual disaster preparedness trainings and mock drills with staff, county officials and city first-responders. One reason our training has been so effective is because of the training and resources provided by Thrive. There are social benefits as well—on a warm summer day in July, over 25 Thrive members enjoyed a relaxing mixer in the Hamlin Garden as guests of the PJCC. The PJCC’s association with Thrive provides us with access to a network that we might not otherwise have. Thanks to Thrive and this invaluable alliance, we have become a better-equipped organization. To learn more about Thrive, please visit www.thrivealliance.org.
From left: PJCC employees Kelly Joseph, Shelley Eisenman and Jane Post; Thrive’s Dena Gunning and Porcia Silverberg; and Marsha Hovey of the California Emergency Services Association.
flu to disaster preparedness and response drills. Out of 42 nominees, the PJCC was
What Do You Like to Do Best? Brendan Whitry, age 4, PJCC Preschool Kangaroo Class I like to go to faraway places like Los Angeles and Legoland. I’ve never been to the farthest place. It’s Australia. I know this because my daddy told me. ®
Read additional quotes from kids inside! ➙