Local Teens Fight Hunger
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BBYO and DoSomething.org teamed up this fall to launch "Can-Tribute," a campaign that rallied young people across North America to fight hunger in their local community through a food collection drive. The campaign started on September 23, just before the Jewish High Holidays to align with the Yom Kippur tradition of collecting food for the needy during the day of fasting, and lasted through November 30.
"You have a voice and you have power,' said Kyle Price, a high school Junior at Rye Country Day School. "Our involvement in the hunger crisis is crucial and we cannot shy away from our responsibility. Together we can make a difference through awareness and action."
To celebrate the conclusion of the campaign, BBYO Westchester Region, in partnership with Westchester Reform Temple, Tempe Beth Shalom, Mid-Westchester JCC, Hebrew Institute of White Plains, Rosenthal JCC, Solomon Schechter School, Jewish Education Project, Jewish Student Connection, Jewish Community Center of Harrison, and Westchester Jewish Council, hosted a pre-screening of the Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. The pre-screening was attended by more than 280 teens and was an additional opportunity for teens to socialize and support the community. Over 600 pounds of food was collected at the theater for the Westchester Interfaith Food Pantry. Across North America, the leaders of the top three biggest drives won seats for themselves and 20 friends at their local BBYO pre-screening.
"BBYO has a long tradition of teens coming together to stand up for the causes they believe in and to take action to create change in their communities and our world," said Natalie Spring, Director of Campaigns and Movement Initiatives at BBYO. "Working with DoSomething.org on this campaign, we're able to connect more teens to the value of repairing the world."
"DoSomething.org is all about making social change accessible to young people and working around events in their lives like holidays and movie premieres to make social change a part of a lifestyle" said Naomi Hirabayashi, Chief Marketing Officer at DoSomething.org
The Can-Tribute campaign and pre-screening event is an example of the community-wide events that BBYO offers teens in our community. In December, Westchester Region BBYO will host "Let's Wrap", an event to celebrate the holiday season and conclude our first semester!
For more information about ways to give back to the community and be a part of BBYO Westchester Region, please contact Dana Shakarchy, Regional Director, at dshakarchy@bbyo.org or (917) 968-9638.
Tales from the Shark Tank
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If you watch the popular TV show Shark Tank on December 12th, you may see a familiar face. Scarsdale's Howard Adler will appear on the show with investor Daymond John and inventor Morri Chowalki who stopped by Adler's office for an update on a product that made its debut on Shark Tank in December, 2013.
At the time, Morri Chowalki was selected from hundreds of candidates to pitch his idea for a "Hanukkah Tree Topper" on the show. He was successful in getting funding from entrepreneur Daymond John to launch the product which is a Star of David that sits on top of a Christmas tree. The product is targeted at interfaith families where one spouse celebrates Christmas, and the other Hannukah.
With funds in hand, Morri met Howard Adler who couldn't have been a more perfect partner to produce the interfaith tree topper. Adler and his brother Cliff, also of Scarsdale, run Kurt S. Adler, a leading producer of Christmas ornaments, lights and collectibles. Though these two are Jewish they could easily be called the Kings of Christmas as they dominate the market for Christmas goods. Their products are sold throughout the U.S. and the world.
The Hanukkah Tree Topper is now produced in two varieties – the original silver star of David and a stained glass star that lights up and is powered by batteries. Adler reports that though the market for the product is limited to families of mixed faiths, it is selling nicely and will continue to be sold in upcoming years.
Adler told us that the Shark Tank crew came to his showroom a few weeks ago and filmed him speaking to Morri and Daymond for hours – but assumes it will be edited down to a short clip to be aired on the December 12th show.
In the meantime, if you're looking for a Hanukkah Tree Topper for your Christmas tree, they are in stock at Bed and Bath in Elmsford and available on Amazon.
Kristof and WuDunn Discuss New Book in Scarsdale
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Even small acts of altruism can go a long way toward solving intractable global issues while providing the donors with a sense of pleasure and fulfillment. That was just one of the messages communicated by Scarsdale authors Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn when they discussed their new book, A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity to a packed audience in Scarsdale on Thursday, November 6.
Kristof, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times columnist, is often called the "reporter's reporter" for his human rights advocacy and his efforts to give a voice to the voiceless. WuDunn is the first Asian-American reporter to win a Pulitzer Prize, a business executive, a best-selling author and is married to Kristof. She works with entrepreneurs in new media, media technology, and social enterprise at a small investment-banking boutique in NYC.
A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity is an inspirational call to altruistic action. It showcases philanthropic innovators around the world who are using research, evidence-based strategies, and brilliant ideas of their own to fight some of the twenty-first century's most intractable problems: poor early-childhood education, sex trafficking, inner-city violence, poverty and malnutrition, homelessness, and many others. In a glowing critique in The New York Times from October 16, 2014 reviewer Paul Collier wrote "If you want to carry on with your life just as it is, best give it a miss."
Kristof and WuDunn spoke to a crowded auditorium driving home some important points about altruism, charitable giving, and how poverty in early childhood can lead to a life of instability. However, it was not all doom and gloom ... in fact the whole point of the book is that even small efforts can have impact.
For example, just $3.50 can provide de-worming medicine for one year to one child in Africa. Treatment with this medicine removes a barrier that keeps children out of school. Every additional year of schooling a child in Africa receives can lead to a more much stable life. Check out www.givewell.org to find some organizations doing work in this area and see how small amounts of money can have impact.
Why don't more people get involved? Kristof referred to as the "empathy gap" and the idea of pointing fingers and laying blame on those who live in poverty rather than reaching out and lending a hand. In developed countries the well to do can lead insular lives without truly interacting with people who live in poverty. Without knowing an individual's story and struggles it is easy to see poverty as "moral failing". He encouraged people to reach out to those in need even as he acknowledged getting his heart broken many times by doing so. Though we have all had the "no good deed goes unpunished experience," Kristof encouraged the audience to keep exercising the muscle that drives them to engage in kind behavior and acts of charity. Kristof and WuDunn were eager to point out that study after study have shown that altruistic acts activate the same pleasure centers in the brains as are activated when receiving gifts, sometimes to an even higher degree. It really is better to give than to receive!
The authors spent time with the community at a reception following the event and signed copies of their book for audience members.
There are still a few signed books available for purchase through www.scarsdaleadultschool.org.
This event was co-sponsored by the Scarsdale Public Schools Interdependence Institute, Scarsdale Adult School, Scarsdale Council of Parent Teacher Associations, Scarsdale Teachers Institute, and Scarsdale Public Library.
Library Invites You to Share Your Story
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Most people come to the Scarsdale Public Library to learn about people, places and things or to get a good book. Now, the library wants to hear your stories and learn about your library experiences as it embarks on a Story Project this month. The Scarsdale Library Story Project will explore the role the Scarsdale Library plays in the life of residents. The interviews with photos will be part of an exhibition about the library and its role in the community in the Scott Room in January.
Patrons are invited to come in for a brief 10-15 minute interview with a librarian and tell us about the connection the library has to them and their family or relate any human interest or funny experience. Did you come to children's programs as a child and now bring your own son or daughter. What is that experience like? Did a librarian assist you with a tough to research term paper? Did you come as a family to films or other programs? Was the library a haven during Super Storm Sandy? Tell us about your experiences or just the joy of coming to the Dickinson Room and sitting down with a favorite mystery author on a cold winter's afternoon.
"This is an exciting program inspired by the national oral history project StoryCorps," said Michelle Lichtenberg, Library Board President. "It is an opportunity to discuss the role the library plays in our lives and for those who read the brief profiles to share the experiences. Don't be shy."
Interviews will be held at the library from Thursday, November 20, thru Saturday, November 22, during library hours. For more information and to schedule an appointment, contact the Reference Desk at 722-1302.
"We're here to listen," Lichtenberg said.
Local Runners Go the Distance in the NYC Marathon
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We don't know how many locals ran the NYC marathon, but were able to contact a few exhilarated runners to tell us their stories of running on a very cold and windy day. Here is what they shared:
Scarsdale's Andrea Seiden ran the marathon and raised $5,500 for the Achilles Track Club a group that provides people with disabilities support to train and participate in athletic events like the NYC Marathon. The group paired volunteers with those with disabilities to run the NYC marathon together.
About the race, she said, "The race was thrilling. After crossing over the Verrazano Bridge, we were greeted in Brooklyn by thousands of cheering fans offering water, tissue, cookies, and words of encouragement. In every borough there were scores of bands (everything from gospel to reggae to punk) and groups of dancers and cheerleaders. And the 50,000 runners were inspiring, too. They came from every corner of the planet and ran for every imaginable cause. At times it was chilling. While I was a bit dazed, the palpable energy from the crowd, helped to push me over the finish line – still wearing my good luck totem. Hearing someone yell, "Go Achilles!" was what I needed to take those last painful steps. I was proud of myself for completing the race, but even more proud of what we accomplished together."
Gabrielle and Shawn Lese of Edgemont also had an "awesome" experience. Gabrielle had planned to run the race in 2012 and raised money for the American Cancer Society. Hurricane Sandy caused that marathon to be cancelled so this race fulfilled her obligation to all of her donors. This is her third marathon – she travelled to London and Paris with her husband to complete races there. Speaking about the race she said, "It was everything I dreamed about. We had a magnificent run over the Verrazano Bridge and I could feel the wind sway my feet with each step. Brooklyn was phenomenal – I was surprised at how much heart the crowds have. I ran with my husband and we completed the race with exactly the same time."
Gabrielle report that she came to running late – and only 
began at the age of 41. A former ballet dancer she only recently got hooked on running and trains with friends on the path next to the Bronx River Parkway, usually about four times a week.
Tracie Sundack ran with 33 other members from the Newro Runners. She said, "It is always a pleasure to run The NYC Marathon because of the awesome crowd support and because the city is so diverse. Unfortunately, the weather was terrible. It was cold and extremely windy. We brought a lot of extra "throw away" clothes to wear for the 3 hours we waited in Staten Island until we started. I also ran with a number of layers that I gradually stripped off while running. My hair was in braids when I started running but the wind on the Verrazano Bridge caused my braids to come undone. I was hot when running in certain sunny spots, but that changed when heavy winds returned. By the end of the race I was so hot that I had stripped down to a tank, shorts and gloves. Unfortunately there was a long wait after the race to retrieve my warm clothes that were at baggage check. I was experiencing symptoms of hypothermia after the race and ended up receiving medical care in the heated medical tent.
Nina Steinberg also ran her 20th NYC marathon with the Newro Runners. She said, "it was all about the celebration of my friend Steven Stein's 50th birthday. Steven is the founder (along with David Brot) and CEO of a local running group known as the NewRo Runners that serves all of Westchester County and we have over 200 members. Our slogan is "Changing the shape of the community - one mile at a time." You can visit our website at www.newrorunners.org. The club is involved in a variety of charitable events and races including The North Avenue Mile, Mamaroneck Turkey Trot, and the Paine to Pain Half marathon trail race. However, the real story is the friendships and camaraderie that have developed between our group. We had 34 runners participate in the 2014 NYC marathon. I 
am 55 years old and have run many marathons with a personal best of 3:52. Mark Medin, another NewRo runner and veteran marathoner, and I stayed with Steven the entire way and it was one big birthday party. We were joined by several other runners a long the way and crossed the finish line together."
Congrats to all the runners! Did you participate? Send your photo and story to scarsdalecomments@gmail.com to share with our readers.
