Details

Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 08 February 2021

Created: 08 February 2021

Last Updated: 09 February 2021

Hits: 3007

For years, Greenacres resident and knitter Tanya Singer has been fascinated by the significance of handknit items during the Holocaust, and how they helped women to resist, remember, and renew their lives after the atrocities of World War II.

Her research has uncovered a series of impactful items – including a little red dress knit in the Shanghai Ghetto during the Holocaust. Timed to coincide with the 78th anniversary of the Japanese seizing control of the Shanghai Ghetto in February 1943, Singer is now sharing the story of the dress through her passion project Knitting Hope, which launches online today.

The little red dress is one of many objects knitter, teacher and writer Tanya Singer identified through years of research, the culmination of which is “Knitting Hope” – a project which shares the ways in which knitting helped women to resist, remember and renew their lives after World War II. The piece makes its debut on Modern Daily Knitting on February 8, 2021 in recognition of the 78th anniversary of the Japanese seizing control of the Shanghai Ghetto in February 1943.

“Many aspects of Jewish material culture have been recognized for their sustaining power: art, writing, music, and recipes all played important roles in resistance, remembrance and renewal after the war. It’s time to recognize the significance of knitting in our history,” Singer said. “I hope to share more stories like Judy’s, in collaboration with contemporary knit and crochet designers, in the years to come.”

Born in the Shanghai Ghetto after her family fled Germany in 1939, Judy Fleischer Kolb donated her little red dress for the 2009 opening of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. Kolb’s story is told in detail in the Knitting Hope piece, which invites each of us into the story of Kolb and her family, who were among 20,000+ refugees who fled to Shanghai, the last safe harbor in the world.

As an homage to the endurance of this piece of clothing, the “Knitting Hope” piece will include a link to a contemporary little red dress knitting pattern by designer Melissa Shinsato, available for purchase on the knitting website Ravelry.

Kolb, a former nurse and museum volunteer, uses her dress to urge children to have courage and to “realize their heroes are right in front of them.” Kolb continues, “I’m so happy my dress can bring hope to others. I only wish I could share the impact of the little red dress with my family who made my life so special.”

To foster community around this inspirational dress, Singer will also host a multi-week Facebook Knit Along series accessible via the “Knitting Hope” page Front view of the modern little red dress; Credit: Gale Zucker.beginning on February 8. 

The group, which is comprised of women who have been touched by the moving story, will have the opportunity to meet Kolb, Singer and Shinsato as they knit the dress step-by-step.

Pictured at top: Judy Fleischer Kolb, pictured in the little red dress, with her mother Carla in Shanghai, circa 1940. Photo credit: Illinois Holocaust Museum: in memory of Cantor Leopold Fleisher and his family.

Scarsdale Resident Tanya Singer

Details

Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 02 February 2021

Created: 02 February 2021

Last Updated: 02 February 2021

Hits: 2106

From June through December 2020, in an effort to support Scarsdale Village and our local merchants during the global pandemic, the SBA organized and executed the Dine the ‘Dale tent initiative, which involved leasing and installing a 2,500 square foot tent on Spencer Place along with picnic tables placed under and adjacent to the tent. This initiative was a huge success, creating a safe destination for multi-generational community members to gather, dine and socialize, while bringing vitality to our downtown center and supporting local businesses, including 27 participating restaurants.

The SBA thanks its past donors for their incredible generosity and is seeking community support from individuals and corporate sponsors for their next major initiative: to purchase and maintain the 2021 Dine the ‘Dale tent area on Spencer Place.

As a result of the initiative’s overwhelming success, the SBA is seeking funding to purchase and maintain the tent area again this year, and for future usage as well. The tent will be installed by April 1st and will remain up through August, with the possibility of being extended through November, similar to last year. In addition to being a safe place to gather and dine, the SBA hopes to offer programming during the late afternoon and evenings from local businesses, non-profit organizations and service providers.

The SBA is a non-profit organization, dedicated to supporting the Village of Scarsdale and its local businesses. The SBA works with local merchants, government, property owners, real estate corporations, community members and other local groups to help make Scarsdale a thriving village.

Like all other businesses, the SBA suffered financially in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many merchant members were unable to pay their annual dues, and free provisional memberships were given to all 10583 businesses in order for the SBA to offer its assistance and services to its local businesses. In addition, SBA’s annual fundraising events were cancelled.

The SBA is extremely thankful and grateful to Scarsdale Improvement, the lead sponsor of this initiative.

Please consider supporting the SBA as we continue to reimagine outdoor usage of space, making our Village center a destination and supporting our local merchants.

SBA Community Donor Levels: $1000 Leader, $500 Benefactor, $250 Friend, $100 Patron, $50 Supporter (Name will be recognized on the SBA website and in the Scarsdale Inquirer and Scarsdale10583 thank you ads).

SBA Corporate Sponsor Levels: $10,000 Presenting Sponsor (limit 4), $5,000 Platinum Sponsor, $2,500 Gold Sponsor, $1,000 Silver Sponsor (Name/logo will be recognized on the SBA Website and social media platforms, included in the Scarsdale Inquirer and Scarsdale10583 thank you ads, and logo printed on sponsor signage. Presenting Sponsor logos will be affixed to the tent).

Corporate Sponsorship must be confirmed prior to March 1st, 2021 to be included in onsite signage.

The SBA is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization. Contributions to 501(c)(6) organizations may be deductible as a business expense; however, contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes as charitable contributions. Please consult your tax advisor.

Donate Now: 

Direct link: 

Press Contact: Marcy Berman-Goldstein ([email protected]; 917-940-3944)

Details

Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 01 February 2021

Created: 01 February 2021

Last Updated: 01 February 2021

Hits: 2712

(Updated at 3 PM) As the weatherman predicted, it definitely is snowing. Will we get a foot or even more? Your guess is as good as ours.

Here's what you need to know:

-Due to the snowstorm, Metro North is shut down. The last train for Westchester left Grand Central at 3 pm.

-At 1:30 pm, County Executive George Latimer declared a State of Emergency, which reads, "A local state of Emergency is hereby declared in the County of Westchester beginning at one o’clock p.m. on the first day of February 2021, and ending at one o’clock p.m. on the fourth day of February 2021. This State of Emergency shall be in effect for a period of time not to exceed seventy-two hours."

-Vaccination sites at the Westchester County Center and the Westchester County Health Clinic are closed today, Monday February 1 and tomorrow Tuesday, February 2, 2021.

What else:

-Garbage pick-up is on.

-Food scrap pick-up is on.

-School is cancelled.

-The Board of Education meeting, scheduled for tonight, February 1, 2020, is cancelled.

-Scarsdale Village Hall is closed.

The Recycling Center is closed.

-The JCC of Mid-Westchester is closed.

Winds are expected to pick-up and power lines could be affected.

If your power goes off, report it to ConEd either by phone at 1-800-752-6633 or online. Also, review the Con Ed Outage Map for service restoration estimates.

Details

Written by: Sammy Silberberg

Published: 27 January 2021

Created: 27 January 2021

Last Updated: 28 January 2021

Hits: 2741

Mayor Marc Samwick opened the meeting of the Scarsdale Village Board of Trustees on Tuesday, January 26 by quoting several lines from "The Hill We Climb," the inspirational poem that Amanda Gorman, the 22-year-old Youth Poet Laurette, wrote and beautifully delivered at President Biden’s inauguration last week:

“When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid,
the new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.”

This young woman’s powerful words touched millions of people across the nation and spoke to the depth of the challenges we face as a country. Mayor Samwick then transitioned to Scarsdale, emphasizing the importance of addressing both the short and long-term impact of the choices we make as we continue to deal with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Mayor praised the years-long prudent financial management of Scarsdale that resulted in having $4 million available to weather the expensive and unanticipated Covid-19 storm. He also underscored the importance of continuing to maintain the services and structures that define the character of the Village.

The Village currently has $7.35 million, or 13% of the budget in unassigned fund balance. Unfortunately, however, there remain substantial financial challenges for the Village to manage. There is a $1.3 mm or 2.2% increase in operating expenses this fiscal year. Personnel costs account for over 75% of the Village budget and Samwick said, "delivery of Village services remains a highly labor-intensive operation – from reviewing building plans, to planning and implementing recreation programs, to building and grounds maintenance, to performing marriage ceremonies."

A decline of $1.9 mm in revenues and a $1.3 mm increase in spending has resulted in a funding gap of $3.2 million, representing over 5% of the projected $60.5 million-dollar budget. Mayor Samwick stated that while a 4.87% increase in the tax levy would be required to balance that budget, “no one wants to see a tax increase of that magnitude.” Furthermore, he stated that the Village will work to develop solutions to bridge this gap and avoid implementing a tax increase of that nature.

Public Comment:

During public comments Scarsdale residents are given the chance to voice their concerns directly to the Board. Robert Harrison, a 40-year resident of Scarsdale, spoke about the financial strain faced by the Scarsdale Pool and the proposed 30% increase in the cost of pool permits. Rather than enact this steep rate increase he proposed offering pool memberships to members of the surrounding community on Garth Road at a higher rate than is charged for Scarsdale residents. Additionally, he suggested the Village offer membership to Scarsdale teachers, police officers, and firefighters so that rates do not have to be raised for Scarsdale residents. He projected this would lead to the sale of 100 extra permits which he projected would not overcrowd the facilities.

Mayor Samwick addressed Mr. Harrison’s remarks by stating that the Board is considering selling 100 non-resident permits. He responded by saying that the Board feels similarly to Mr. Harrison about the need to find creative solutions to finance the Scarsdale Pool without overcharging residents for pool permits. While the Scarsdale Pool's fund balance has been depleted, the Village is committed to developing solutions to keep the pool open and financially accessible for Scarsdale residents.

The final public comment was from Leah Dembitzer, the President of the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the League of Women Voters, the League recently hosted a panel titled “100 Years of Progress: Women in New York Politics.” Attending the virtual event was New York State Attorney General Letitia James, New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, New York State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, and Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah. The panel was moderated by Janice Starr and the panelists discussed issues such as voting and systemic racism in New York. A full video of the event can be found HERE. Additionally, Ms. Dembitzer announced that the League published an updated They Represent You Brochure, which is a document containing the information on the elected officials in Scarsdale, Westchester County, New York State, and the Federal Government.

Trustee Liaison Reports:

Trustee Waldman delivered a report about the ongoings of the Scarsdale Library. The library has increased its virtual program offerings for all ages, and events can be found on the library’s updated website HERE. Parents are encouraged to ask for book recommendations for their children and can pick up books through the library’s contactless pick system.

This Friday, January 29, 2021, at 7:30 PM, the library is hosting a virtual book talk with Sydney Ladensohn Stern, the author of The Brothers Mankiewicz: Hope, Heartbreak, and Hollywood Classics. The book tells the story of Herman J. and Joseph L. Mankiewicz, who wrote, produced, and directed over 150 motion pictures. The brothers were involved in projects such as Citizen Kane, All About Eve, Pride of the Yankees, and Guys and Dolls. Goodreads writes that "for this first dual portrait of the Mankiewicz brothers, Sydney Ladensohn Stern draws on interviews, letters, diaries, and other documents still in private hands to provide a uniquely intimate behind-the-scenes chronicle of the lives, loves, work, and relationship between these complex men." You can learn more and sign up for the virtual event HERE.

Next, Trustee Arest announced that the Christie Place commuter parking has been reprogrammed and it now offers 8-hour parking after 10:00 AM. Hopefully, he stated, this new improvement will be heavily used and will help increase parking revenue for the Village.

Finally, Trustee Waldman introduced two resolutions to the Board. The first was the Resolution Awarding VM Contract #1272 – Athletic Field Maintenance. Scarsdale Village typically contracts the maintenance of field properties to private companies and recently held a bidding process for a new contract as a previous contract expired. A total of eight companies bid for the contract, and the lowest bid came from ACL Property Maintenance. The resolution awarded this new contract to ACL Property Maintenance and the Board authorized the resolution.

The second resolution was the Resolution to Transfer the Principle from the Library Children’s Endowment to the Library Capital Campaign Account. Up to 10% of this Children’s Endowment can be used annually to enhance children’s resources and services at the library if authorized by the Board of Trustees. The Board approved the transfer of $26,572 from the Children’s Endowment to the Library’s Capital Campaign Account.

Written Communications- Rippy Philipps Field

One of the final agenda items for the meeting was Village Clerk Conkling announcing the written communications she has received from village residents. The item she received the most communications about was residents voicing their support for the renaming of Crossway Field to the Rippy Philipps Field. All written communications on this topic can be found HERE and below several messages of support from town residents have been included:

The Patrizio Family:

I am reaching out to express my family’s support of the acknowledgment of Coach Richard “Rippy” Philipps dedication to the Scarsdale Community. While we have relocated out of state, Scarsdale will always be home to our family. A major part of the strong connection we feel to Scarsdale began with our warm welcome to the Scarsdale Community by Rippy when my oldest son (now 26) signed up to participate in Scarsdale Youth Football Organization. Rippy embraced us new residents then and he continues to be connected to our family. We can think of no better way to show gratitude for his many years of service then to rename Crossways Field in his honor. Thank you for your consideration.

Mitchell Stone:

When it comes to naming Crossway Field after somebody, I cannot think of a more worthy recipient of this honor than Coach Rippy. Over the years no one has been more dedicated to Scarsdale athletics. Through his coaching and mentorship, he has instilled generations of Scarsdale children with values such as dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship. He has been the ultimate role model and teacher, so writing this note of support was an easy decision.

Eileen Capone:

It is impossible to express my family’s indebtedness to Coach Rippy. He taught my sons to be both sportsmen and gentlemen; to bring passion, joy and camaraderie to the game and extend these pillars to life off the field; to be generous with their spirit and their time. Because of Coach Rippy’s largesse and commitment, my sons always felt special and felt like they mattered, even in their most trying times. I cannot think of a member of the Scarsdale community who is more deserving of this enduring honor and legacy.