A Heartfelt Celebration for Two Compassionate Members of the Scarsdale Community
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- Written by Sharon HIggins
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Friends, family and supporters gathered to walk the “red carpet” at the Scarsdale Family Counseling Service (SFCS) 2025 Gala, held at the Scarsdale Golf Course on Thursday, May 15th. The evening was blessed with perfect weather—a rare break from the recent rain—with clear skies and a stunning sunset setting the stage for a memorable celebration. The event kicked off with an energetic welcome from the charming and witty Lori Rothman, followed by heartfelt remarks from SFCS Board President Janice Starr. Starr also took the 
Wendy Gendel and Rona Muntneropportunity to thank Gala Co-Hosts Wendy Gendel and Rona Muntner for their dedication in making the event a reality.
The night’s first highlight was the presentation of the 2025 SFCS Rising Star Award. Last year’s recipient, Meg Simon, introduced this year’s honoree, Rachel Krisbergh, with a touching tribute. Simon shared how she and Krisbergh had first crossed paths through their work with the Greenacres PTA, forming a lasting friendship. Krisbergh’s extensive contributions to the Scarsdale community were showcased, from her leadership roles within the PTA to her commitment to inclusivity through the C.H.I.L.D. program and the "Learning From Our Differences" initiative. Simon also highlighted Krisbergh’s extraordinary efforts during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when she organized a fundraiser that raised over $55,000 to provide meals for frontline workers. “Rachel, you are a true leader—deeply thoughtful, a builder of bridges, and endlessly committed to advocating for others,” Simon remarked as she presented Krisbergh with the award, drawing applause from the crowd.
Next, the inaugural Guiding Star Award was presented to Maryellen Saenger by SFCS Executive Director 
James Genova. Genova praised Saenger’s tireless work since 2015, starting as SFCS’s first Aging in Place Coordinator. Saenger’s work grew to encompass wellness programs for active seniors in the community, and her role in launching programs like the Vital Aging Seminars and the Annual Vital Aging Fair was highlighted. Genova shared, “In a community that focuses so intensely on children, Maryellen’s guiding light reminds us of the importance of our seniors, our most cherished residents.” He described her as having “the care and compassion of Mother Teresa, the style and grace of Princess Diana, and the energy and charisma of Beyoncé.” The crowd erupted in applause as Saenger came up to the podium to accept the award.
The event also doubled as a crucial fundraiser for SFCS, supporting the organization’s wide range of services in Scarsdale and Edgemont. Following the awards ceremony, the lively Russ Flicker took to the microphone to lead a successful donation appeal, ensuring the evening raised vital funds for the cause. The Gala concluded with final remarks from Co-Chairs Gendel and Muntner, followed by the closing of the silent auction and a sweet dessert service that capped off the evening.
Reflecting on the event, Gendel shared, “The SFCS Gala was a heartfelt celebration that truly brought our community together. Seeing so many familiar faces—many more than last year—filled the room with incredible energy. This is one of our largest fundraisers, and the overwhelming support we received is a testament to the exceptional services SFCS provides. The impact we make when we come together is immeasurable.”
(Pictured at top: Russ Flicker, Lori Rothman, Wendy Gendel, Rachel Krisberg, Maryellen Saenger, Jay Genova, Rona Muntner and Meg Simon.)
Join Me in Voting for Laura Liu for the Scarsdale School Board of Education
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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(This letter was submitted by Mayra Kirkendall Rodriguez)
I encourage Scarsdale residents to join me in voting for Laura Liu for School Board Trustee on May 20 at the Scarsdale Middle School from 7:00am – 9:00pm. I have known Laura for about a decade, since we have worked together closely in Scarsdale as cub scout and scout leaders, the Education Committee of the Scarsdale Forum, and as Parent Teacher Council (PTC) Budget Co-Chairs. From numerous conversations I have had with her, I also know that she has volunteered extensively at Heathcote Elementary School and in a number of Chinese organizations in Westchester County. Laura embodies what the Scarsdale School District stands for ‘non sibi.’
Despite her impressive academic background in chemistry and finance with degrees from Peking University, Columbia, and Cornell, she is incredibly humble and approachable. Since she has lived in Heathcoate for many years and has had her three sons in Scarsdale schools, I have observed frequently that she is well-informed about the needs of our students as well as mindful of teachers’ and taxpayers’ concerns.
In her leadership roles in cub scouts (ages 5 – 10) and scouts (ages 11-17), Laura has worked with boys and girls from all over Scarsdale. She knows how to roll up her sleeves and help with demanding Eagle projects, fundraising for Scarsdale Troop 4, developing activities for scouts, and even organizing end of year parties. No activity is too small or too big for her. Presently, as Troop 4 Committee Chair, she works with a lot of very different adult leaders; her skills in being patient and mindful of different opinions helps keep everybody on track to develop the best troop for our scouts.
When we were Scarsdale PTC Budget Co-Chairs, I witnessed and benefitted from her very good listening, quantitative, and writing skills. We engaged with residents to encourage them to be involved in the budget process, drew up questions for the District to answer, and designed a budget glossary and Frequently Asked Questions resource for parents. Laura will bring important analytical skills to the Board of Education at a time when fund balance, healthcare and insurance costs, and bond issuances will be key topics.
Additionally, Laura and I share a love of languages. As a bilingual speaker of Mandarin and English, she values the acquisition of foreign languages and is aware of the importance of raising our students as global citizens. I look forward to voting for Laura on May 20th.
Mayra Kirkendall-Rodríguez
Letter: The Risks vs. Rewards of Surveillance
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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(The following letter was written by Mike Otten of Stonehouse Road)
Hello Justin,
First, thanks for being one of the most proactive and accessible mayors that we have had in our 50+ years in Scarsdale. I further appreciate your efforts with ConEd pricing, although they have apparently had little impact, as our utility seems incapable of out-of-the-box thinking, still resisting what could be a longer-term better solution to have the wiring moved in a managed way over time from telephone polls to underground.
I'm fine with License Plate Readers, but I do worry about the potential misuse of drones and live view cameras. I have 3 questions that I don't see clearly addressed:
1. Your letter specifies the number of Live View Cameras in other villages, but does not say how many Scarsdale currently has, or would have under the contract?
2. "No data would be accessible to third parties outside of SPD except through mutual agreements with law enforcement or by court order." How is this sufficient protection, given the current posture of the Department of Justice and to some extent the courts? One of my friends 'made' the "Enemies List" of Richard Nixon and was harassed by the IRS. If data exists, it can be accessed and mis-used. Here the risk versus reward in my view is unacceptable.
3. If we have 6 months to decide whether to cancel the contract, when are the 6 months up?
Thanks for requesting feedback, given that the risk is far more than just financial! We are seeing at a national level just how justice can be inadvertently 'weaponized' from both sides of the aisle.
All the best,
Michael Otten (former School Board President)
37 Stonehouse Road
Letter: Concerns Over Privacy Must Be Weighed Against Need For Protection
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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(This letter was written by Howard Wiesenfeld)
Dear Editor:
A number of Scarsdale residents have expressed concerns about the scope and selection of new public safety technology to protect our community (“Does Scarsdale Want to be Associated with Flock Safety?”, opinion piece by Mayra Kirkendall-Rodriguez).
But we all need to be equally serious about the real potential dangers that new security tools are meant to address: In the very same issue, it was reported that a third grade girl walking home from Heathcote School was approached by a stranger in a car. I don’t think it’s going out on a limb to say that most parents, in any community, are willing to do far more where their children’s safety is at stake.
We ought to be thankful that violent crime is not be an everyday problem in Scarsdale, but it is a difficult reality in many neighborhoods close to ours. Meanwhile, the entire metropolitan area has seen a shocking explosion in hate crime, including violence, against Jewish citizens and institutions. Many of the most egregious incidents have occurred in “low crime” areas.
While it is proper to examine the process by which the Village Board approves any contract, incremental concerns over privacy must be weighed against the very legitimate and urgent need to protect our families.
Howard H. Wiesenfeld
howardwies@gmail.com
Local Couple to be Honored at Cancer Support Team Event
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- Written by Bill Doescher
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Jennifer and Dan Smith willbe honored at the Cancer Support Team dinner on May 8 at Scarsdale Golf Club(Written by Bill Doescher)
A lot of people honored in Scarsdale by various organizations over the years, or for that matter, any other city, town or village in America, no doubt would have preferred if it were somebody else getting the honor, praise, and the press. Stardom and community recognition were never in their minds while helping others in need. The same holds true for the Scarsdale couple being honored at Cancer Support Team’s “Celebrate Spring” event at the Scarsdale Golf Club on Thursday evening, May 8, 2025, 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
For Jennifer and Dan Smith, described by many of all ages as most caring volunteers, it was never, ever, about fame. It was always just about helping others improve their lives. Many of the members in the congregation at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, where The Smiths have been active members and volunteers for years, know first-hand about their good deeds. Now those involved as a patient, volunteer or board member at Cancer Support Team (CST) know first-hand about that same personal penchant for helping others, some who could be identified as underserved.
Never Interested in Recognition
“Getting recognition at an event or notice in the press, was never our intention when helping others in need,” both Smiths will tell you. “It’s just not who we are.” Then along came Bonnie Gould, also of Scarsdale, a CST board member and the former chair, and also the host of “Celebrate Spring,” and her persuasive powers. She wouldn’t let them say no to being honored at the upcoming event, and the rest is history. Their involvement with CST over the last five years helped Bonnie make the sale.
According to Tania Weiss, executive director at CST, “Jennifer and Dan Smith are both very involved with CST. Dan has been a board member since 2020, and Jennifer a volunteer driver, taking patients to and from life-saving cancer treatments multiple times every week for the same five years. Many people talk the talk, but this couple actually walks the walk.”
Giving back comes naturally to them because they both are from the health-care field. Dan is a retired surgeon of gynecologic oncology, and Jennifer began her education by becoming a registered nurse, later obtaining a master’s in public health (MPH) and in business administration (MBA), and finally becoming a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Together, they have used their healthcare knowledge and resources both locally to help newly settled refugees and abroad, traveling to Haiti on medical missions.
Both Studied Health Care
Raised in Oklahoma, Dan came east to Harvard for both his undergraduate degree and for medical school. Jennifer is originally from Pittsburgh and began her education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. Dan completed two residencies: one at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston in general surgery, and another in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Los Angeles County, USC Medical Center. He then completed a fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Jennifer practiced nursing at Mass General, UCLA Hospital and the Bay State PSRO, before going back to school to obtain an MBA, an MPH as well as a DNP, all from Columbia University.
Dan taught Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cornell University Medical College and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. Jennifer taught numerous courses at Columbia School of Nursing on such topics as Adult Diagnosis and Management as well as Legal and Ethical Issues.
