Professor Ralph Buultjens Draws a Crowd in Scarsdale
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Perhaps there is hope for the world – at least in the eyes of rock-star lecturer Professor Ralph Buultjens who drew a crowd to the Bendheim Auditorium for his talk, titled, The U.S. & the World – Will America Continue to be #1?, sponsored by the JCC of Mid-Westchester and the Scarsdale Adult School.
Many of the attendees on Monday had heard Professor Buultjens speak multiple times before at the 92nd Street Y and were thrilled to have this world-class speaker in a venue so close to home. Audience members spoke of his engagements with such reverence that it was clear that he is a celebrity on the lecture circuit.
Professor Buultjens who is a well-known media commentator (featured on BBC, CNN, ABC) was awarded the Toynbee Prize for Social Sciences, and is the author of 10 books on world affairs. For over 15 years, he has been a lead speaker at the 92Y World Affairs Program and is an analyst of world affairs, a Professor at NYU and former Nehru Professor/Professorial Fellow at the University of Cambridge.
Professor Buultjens' talk focused on America's position in global politics including challenges and opportunities. He spoke soberly of this particularly tumultuous time in the world. The United States is involved in multiple conflicts around the world including military and humanitarian efforts. He also mentioned the threat of Jihadists as a primary concern. Our country is facing strained relations with Russia and China. The American people have given Congress, the Supreme Court and the President historically low approval ratings signifying a lack of confidence in leadership. In spite of the dire seeming situation, he was able to provide perspective by framing current events in the context of historical ups and downs. He stated "the stream of history contains crap and champagne" and Professor Buultjens spoke eloquently about his views on both.
He cited the United States as being a world leader in innovation. He feels that our increasingly open society (using examples such as marriage equality and decriminalization of marijuana laws) will further our culture of creativity and innovation. He also said that our evolving energy self-sufficiency provides us with more political and economic independence when dealing with situations in the Middle East. Further, he mentioned our population growth (neither too big nor too small) as a strength. He spoke of positive forces in the world overall such as the spread of literacy and a feeling of international interconnectedness provided through the use of social media. He also discussed the development of computer voting which will greatly increase much needed voter participation and ultimately lead to a more democratic society and faith in government leadership.
A Q&A followed the 60-minute lecture with audience members posing questions to Professor Buultjens on topics as varied as the recent elections in Brazil, voter registration, the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe and climate change. The discussion was very informative and Professor Buultjens' ability to speak in an informed and approachable way on such varied topics was impressive.
Monday's lecture was the first in a series focusing on critical global issues in the context of global political and economic uncertainty, technological advances and the changing balance of world power.
Professor Buultjens will be back in Scarsdale on January 27, 2015 with the lecture Middle East Turmoil – Its Impact on America & Israel and on May 21, 2015 with China, Russia and America— A New Cold War?
Do not miss these riveting talks! Register by contacting the Scarsdale Adult School or The Jewish Community Center of Mid-Westchester.
Scarsdale Psychologists Come in First at the Westchester Running Festival
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Drs. Helene Walisever and Caren Baruch-Feldman, both clinical psychologists residing in Scarsdale, tied for first place female finisher in the half-marathon walker category of the Westchester Running Festival that took place on Sunday October 12th. The race began in White Plains near the Westchester County Center and continued south down the Bronx River Parkway.
Both Helene and Caren were members of Team TSA. Runners for Team TSA commit to fundraising to support the Tourette Syndrome Association-NY Hudson Valley Chapter. The NY Hudson Valley chapter of TSA is a non-profit that serves individuals with Tourette Syndrome and their families in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Orange counties.
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder defined by multiple motor and vocal tics lasting for more than one year. TS is an inherited condition frequently misunderstood and misdiagnosed. The NYHV chapter provides support and information to parents, and trains classroom teachers on how to support their students with TS. The NYHV chapter also has Youth Ambassadors, teens with TS, who offer peer education to classrooms, schools and clubs, to teach understanding, sensitivity and tolerance of TS. For more information, visit their website.
LWVS Welcomes New Members and Reviews Proposed Changes to Leaf Collection
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The League of Women Voters of Scarsdale held their membership outreach coffee at the home of League President Susie Rush on Monday October 6th. The League welcomed current and prospective members and shared information about their current activities and mission. Turnout was impressive and participants included some of Scarsdale most involved women and men. Following the membership portion of the meeting, the League examined the Village's proposed fall leaf collection program which would require residents to mulch their leaves in place or bag them for collection. The resolution was introduced at a Village Board meeting on August 12, 2014. Superintendent of Public Works Benny Salanitro and a representative from the Greenburgh Nature Center were on hand to answer questions posed by League member Cindy Dunne.
The League is a volunteer, nonpartisan, political organization which promotes political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League is nonpartisan in that it does not support or oppose any candidate for public office; it is political in that it takes positions on selected governmental issues after serious member study and consensus. The League does annual studies of the school and village budgets and reviews the elections for the school board nominating committee and citizens nominating committee. In the past they have studied issues such as the formation of a schools foundation, the homestead tax option and the non-partisan system.
For more information, contact Susie Rush, srush76@gmail.com.
Scarsdale Foundation President Evelyn Stock Shares Her Passion for Volunteerism
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Longtime Scarsdale resident and volunteer Evelyn Stock has been named president of the Scarsdale Foundation, a community trust that since 1923 has provided support for individuals and institutions in Scarsdale. Stock, who has been on the Foundation board since 2007, succeeds Richard Toder, who has served as the Foundation president since 2012.
Stock, who moved to Scarsdale in 1970, received the Scarsdale Bowl in 1997 and was named Westchester Woman of the Year in 1996. During her long and distinguished volunteer career in Scarsdale, Westchester County, and New York State, her leadership roles have included Scarsdale League of Women Voters (as its president in 1982-84), followed by presidency of the Westchester and New York State Leagues; the Scarsdale Board of Education (as its president in 1991-1992); Scarsdale Planning Board; Southern Westchester BOCES, Westchester Reform Temple; and Scarsdale Adult School. Stock is currently chair of the Scarsdale Board of Ethics, a member of the Westchester County Fair Campaign Practices Committee, the Board of the Scarsdale Adult School, and the Salon Committee for Westchester Community College, and an officer of the Women's Research and Education Fund. She was inducted into the Westchester Hall of Fame in 2001.
Stock took a moment out of her jam-packed schedule to discuss her volunteerism and to reflect on her current role at the helm of the Scarsdale Foundation.
What initially attracted you to Scarsdale and when did you move here?
I moved to Scarsdale in 1970 with my late husband Howard and then- two year old daughter, Elisabeth [her second daughter, Andrea, was born three years later.] I had a friend who told me that there was no better community in which to live...and I haven't regretted that decision for a day!
How did you first become involved in the volunteer sector?
I "picked up" a friend (Toby Nussbaum) in the Golden Horseshoe and we started a playgroup together. She offered to watch Elisabeth so I could attend a membership coffee of the League of Women Voters. It was an instant fit. I soon joined their board, and as soon as Elisabeth entered school, I got involved in the Heathcote PTA. I often say I climbed onto a conveyor belt in 1970 which has taken me from one volunteer to the next and I was smart enough not to get off.
You have served on some of the most significant and time-consuming boards in town, often concurrently. How have you been able to balance these responsibilities, all while raising your family?
I always felt that there was a lot of work to be done...and I had a lot of energy. Almost everything interests me so it was and continues to be hard to pick and choose! And most importantly, I was blessed to have a family who valued what I did. Howard's mother had been a volunteer and he supported me in this work.
As the new president of the Scarsdale Foundation, what do you hope to accomplish in your term of office?
I am both humbled and proud to lead an institution which for more than 90 years has been the essence of what it means to be a community. If there is need, the Foundation is there. I would like the community to know more about more of what we do. For instance, our scholarship program provides need-based funding for Scarsdale students entering their sophomore, junior and senior years of college. Many people in town donate to the SHS PTA Scholarship Fund, a wonderful organization that helps to support financially needy students entering their freshman year of college. But the community is not aware that the Foundation provides funding for these same students, and others, for their next three years of college! For the 2014-2015 academic year, we awarded $105,000 for 21 students! One of my goals will be to get that word out. I am confident that when our community learns more about what we do, they will be supportive of our charitable programs.
Many people believe that all Scarsdale residents are well-to-do and don't need financial assistance. Is that a myth?
Yes! We have learned from our [confidential] scholarship applications that the needs are great here in Scarsdale. There are people who struggle to live here. They moved here for the education and stretch to afford their children's education. And terrible things happen to our families – death, divorce, illness, job loss. Just because people live in Scarsdale, they are not immune from these challenges. Working with our scholarship applicants has been one of the most uplifting things I have done in Scarsdale and one of the most frustrating. The cost of a college education has been skyrocketing and what we are able to give is just not enough. My greatest passion is making education available to everyone!
What is a typical profile of a scholarship recipient (recognizing that this is a confidential process)?
Our students are ambitious. They are hard working. And they are appreciative of our support.
Though it hardly seems possible, your life is NOT all work, no play. You are a consummate baker (to which most of your colleagues can attest), and you are an avid theater and opera buff. Tell us about your favorite pastimes:
I taught two baking classes at the Scarsdale Adult School. (And, yes, I share my recipes.) I love theater, movies, opera and bridge. I am a lifelong learner; I take classes on all subjects. I am in three book groups. There are not enough hours in the day to do what I want to do!
What would you tell new parents moving into Scarsdale about getting involved?
Volunteerism is important work! Being such an active volunteer has provided me with a great source of friends – of all ages, from all neighborhoods. Each committee brought me in contact with people with different interests. I have been able to lead a very enriched life because of these wonderful friends. So I would tell young parents that they will not reap the benefits of this unique and wonderful community without getting involved. They will get back at least ten times more than they give; they will be enriched by a meaningful life and they will make lifelong friends. Plus they will be setting a wonderful example for their children!
To learn more about the Scarsdale Foundation, you may log on to their website at www.scarsdalefoundation.org or you may contact Evelyn Stock at em.stock87@gmail.com.
Josh Rosenthal Appointed Youth Engagement Director at Kol Ami
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Josh Rosenthal joins the staff of Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains as its Director of Youth Engagement. Mr. Rosenthal's responsibilities include guiding the High School Youth Program, teaching in the synagogue's middle school, and supervising the junior youth program. He also will help lead Kol Ami retreats.
Mr. Rosenthal, a resident of Hartsdale, has spent the last seven years working in various capacities at Crane Lake Camp in west Stockbridge, MA. This summer, he joined the camp's senior staff, training high school students to work as counselors. Last summer, he led 59 students from the North American Federation of Temple Youth through Eastern Europe and Israel.
A graduate of Tulane University with a bachelor of arts in Jewish studies, he brings scholarly experience as well as a background in working with adolescents to Kol Ami. "I am thrilled to join the Kol Ami community and to be working with students here," he said.
Congregation Kol Ami, a Reform synagogue at 252 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, welcomes diversity in all its forms and embraces a broad spectrum of backgrounds, ages and lifestyles, blending the traditional with the contemporary in prayer and song. For more information about Congregation Kol Ami, its programs, and membership, contact Jane Friedberg at (914) 949-4717, Ext. 101 or at JSFKolAmi@aol.com.
