Sid Jacobson JCC proudly announces that Susan Berman, Associate Executive Director, Community Engagement, will be bestowed a New York State Proclamation from Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti this Monday, December 23, 12pm, at our Annex, located at 200 Forest Drive, Suite 11, in East Hills.
This prestigious honor recognizes Susan’s decade-long commitment to building impactful programs that address the community’s most pressing needs. Through her leadership, she has expanded volunteer initiatives at SJJCC, brought awareness to social justice issues, and fostered partnerships that deliver meaningful solutions to individuals and families across Long Island.
“Our Center [for Community Engagement] is a vibrant place of constant activity, where even the smallest acts of kindness serve as reminders of our resilience and compassion,” Berman said. “In today’s world, it really is a privilege to do this work every day.”
Since arriving at SJJCC in 2013, Susan has shaped our Center for Community Engagement (CCE) into a cornerstone for community action. At the heart of her work lies CCE’s three pillars: the Linda and Gerald Marsden Social Responsibility Pillar, Volunteerism, and our Nikki Schwartz Memorial Community Needs Bank (CNB), a vital resource addressing food insecurity and providing essential supplies to residents across Long Island and Queens.
Operating as both a collection site and re-distribution organization for Island Harvest, the Bank—through the tireless work of community volunteers and neurodivergent participants in our Life Skills Training Center—delivers thousands of pounds of food, household goods, and personal care items to underserved populations each year.
Building on the impact of our Community Needs Bank, initiatives such as Curb Your Mitzvah, a monthly effort to re-stock CNB’s shelves while promoting community-driven themes, and the Lunch Box, in which volunteers prepare nutritious meals curated by a licensed nutritionist for safe distribution, have become crucial components of the Center’s efforts.
These programs, along with organizing seasonal drives and numerous other volunteer projects, showcase Susan’s innovative approach to inspiring meaningful change.
Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti praised Susan’s extraordinary dedication: “Susan has been a consistent presence throughout my entire time in office. We’ve worked together on food drives, toy collections, and most notably, the Empathy Walk program that united Jewish and Asian high school students. Susan is the epitome of a selfless community organizer who makes a true impact on people’s lives every day. It is an honor to know her.”
Sid Jacobson JCC’s Executive Director David Black added: “Very few people rise to the level of community service and purpose as Susan Berman. Her humanity uplifts humanity every day!”
The ceremony, to be held at our Nikki Schwartz Memorial Community Needs Bank, will celebrate Susan’s extraordinary contributions and her lasting legacy of service, advocacy, and compassion.
About Sid Jacobson JCC
Sid Jacobson JCC (sjjcc.org) in East Hills provides a full range of cutting-edge recreational, health, fitness, educational, cultural arts, and social service programs. SJJCC promotes Jewish identity and provides a comprehensive program based on Jewish values, traditions, heritage, and culture, and is committed to enriching the lives of all individuals and families in its community. See community differently, “Like” the JCC on Facebook (facebook.com/sidjacobsonjcc).
Sid Jacobson JCC is a beneficiary agency of the UJA Federation of New York.