New Haven Independent

The overriding theme for the Jewish community of Greater New Haven was L’Dor V’Dor-from generation to generation. Sunday’s weather cleared up just in time for a scheduled clean up of the Holocaust Memorial on Whalley Avenue.

Earlier in the week, Yom Hashoah, the annual observance, was held at the Jewish Community Center; survivors were teamed with local teen agers in the hopes that the memories shared would be recounted for generations to come. There is a certain desperation to these efforts as the number of survivors increases in age and frailty and decreases in numbers. “We must remember our past lest we be condemned to repeat i.”

A much younger crop gathered at the site of the Memorial, giving hope and inspiration to the survivors who came to pay tribute to the 6,000,000 Jews who were so brutally exterminated. As they weeded and planted, these “mini-mulchers” committed themselves and their parents to forever tend the sacred garden.

Among the adults, leading by example, were Doris Zelinsky (Chair of the Holocaust Memory organization and an original founder), Eric Epstein (archivist of the group and local architect), Marvin Cohen (a founder and original landscape designer of the monument area), Lindy Gold (community activist), Anat Weiner (Jewish Federation staffer), and Josh Zelinsky (Yale student).

Marvin Cohen, one of the original designers of the landscaping of the Holocaust Memorial.

Liz Ditman and Doris Zelinsky, organization chair.

Matan Weiner and Anabelle Boyd.

Tower One Tower East Honors Rosa

Shortly after the chores were completed, some of the group raced to shower and change attire to attend the celebration at Tower One/Tower East, honoring Rosa DeLauro. Accompanied by her indomitable mother, Luisa, the Congresswoman was applauded for her role in support of the institution going back to her days of working for Mayor Frank Logue. Rosa was also instrumental in the founding of the Holocaust Memorial at that time.

The “Towers” reception staff were residents who happily offered tours and shared positive stories about their happiness found within their new home. They had provided their own professional caliber art work for the walls of the recently completed dining room addition; it was beautifully and professionally mounted by a member of the Herbert S. Newman architectural firm. Peter Newman, co-chairing the event with Ted Schaffer, were the subjects of parental pride as witnessed by the presence of Herb and Edna Newman and Larry and Gloria Schaffer. Reverend Bonita Grubbs gave a moving invocation. Jim Vlock and Linda Kantorwere among the founders that were present. Dr. Bill and Lauren Ortman were in attendance with Bill’s mother, a recent arrival from Florida who plans to move into her apartment at the Towers this month. Alderwoman Dolores Colon sat with her predecessor in that office, Rita Krevit, another resident. Sharon and David Bender, Carol Robbins, Betty Lou and Joe Blumberg, Irwin and Louise Epstein, and Ray and Shula Sterman were among those with long standing histories of service to the organization. Kyle Ballou, Lyn Caliendo, Lindy Gold, Deb Hauser, Barbara Segaloff and Ed Zelinsky were circulating with other members of the event committee.

Attorney General Dick Blumenthal and Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz were on hand to pay tribute to the wonderful work accomplished by the honoree. Ed Lish, a resident and enormously talented photographer, teamed with Peter Newman to compile incredible portrait photographs into a collage arrangement resulting in “The Wisdom Quilt” (the brain child of Caliendo and Vivian Kantrow, Development Director of the Towers). Dorothy Giannini-Meyers had every reason to smile as she surveyed the multi-generational crowd who had come
o honor Rosa and to express community gratitude to the organization, the staff and most of all to the residents.

L’Dor V’Dor-“all for the Greater Good”!

Pictured: U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Peter Newman, Ted Schaffer.

All Our Kin’s Executive Director Honored by Harvard Business School Club of CT

The Harvard Business School Club of Connecticut honored All Our Kin’s executive director, Jessica Sager, at its annual spring gala on Thursday, May 1st. Each year the club selects one outstanding local nonprofit executive to attend the Harvard Business School summer program, Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management. The recipient receives a full scholarship, as well as a plaque commemorating the award. Ms. Sager is the fifth annual nonprofit executive chosen for this honor, and the first selected from New Haven County.

Late last month, Jessica and her partner Janna Wagner hosted the A-List of female philanthropists and providers, at the Community Foundation. Author and anthropologist Carol Stack, who wrote the inspiring book, All Our Kin, was the guest speaker. Universally considered the best analysis of family and kinship in a ghetto black community ever published, it is also an indictment of a social system that reinforces welfare dependency and chronic unemployment. Her latest work examines the cycle of poverty and the impediments to breaking it as experienced by young, low wage earners at fast food restaurants. Her research leading to “Coming of Age at Minimum Wage” led to a lively discussion of strategies and solutions with the audience. Stack, a professor of education and women’s studies at the University of California at Berkeley, was clearly honored and touched at the work of the organization and the indelible impression that she unwittingly has had on its founders and supporters.

Congratulations to Jessica.