Purim Ball to benefit JCC, Sunrise Day Camp

The Friedberg JCC in Oceanside will hold its annual Purim Ball to benefit the center and the Sunrise Day Camp on March 13. The festive evening will include dinner, dancing, and live auctions. The evening will also include a special ceremony to honor six individuals for their contributions to the community.

“Our honorees have made positive contributions to their home communities and the JCC community,” said Beth Fetner, vice president of agency development. This year's honorees are Linda Friedman of Oceanside, Elle and Hy Kapito of Baldwin Harbor, Bari Lebowitz of Long Beach, Jill Levine of Merrick and Caryn Pilnick of Bellmore.

Linda Friedman and her late husband Jerry helped create the JCC's Adult Couples Club in 2001, and have overseen its growth to more than 80 members. Elle and Hy Kapito, married 34 years, have been active members in the JCC's Baby Boomer Club, and continue to help organize the club's outings. Friedman and the Kapitos are also active in various community fundraising efforts, including the annual walk-a-thon to benefit the Sunrise Day Camp for children with cancer.

Caryn Pilnick began teaching pre-school at the JCC more than ten years ago, and is being honored for her contributions as an educator and supporter of many other programs for children. Pilnick is also a member of the Bellmore Jewish Center, where she helped institute a Torah for Tots program. Her husband and children are active as members and volunteers at the JCC.

Jill Levine and her husband, Craig, formed the Robbie Levine foundation in honor of their son, who collapsed suddenly at a baseball game and could not be revived. The foundation's goal is to raise awareness about the importance of having Automated External Defibrillators in places where children play. The foundation has successfully raised thousands of dollars for the cause, and helped to buy and donate AEDs

This year's youngest honoree, Bari Lebowitz, has contributed to the JCC community as a camp counselor in training and as an organizer of many of the center's events for young people. She also contributes to organizations including the Special Olympics, and has participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

Each of the honorees will be recognized and given a special scroll at the Purim Ball. Live auctions will also be held to raise money to support the center's many community programs. Fetner said the JCC rose more than $80,000 last year, and hopes to raise $100,000 this year.

The primary beneficiary of that funding is the JCC's Sunrise Day Camp, the nation's only day camp for children ages three to sixteen who are suffering from cancer. Executive Director Michele Vernon explained that the goal is to help support children undergoing treatment while allowing them to enjoy childhood and stay close to their friends and family. The camp is located on the Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds on the border of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, and runs programs during the summer and throughout the year during weekends and school holidays. It also provides outreach to local hospitals for children who are too sick to come to camp.

While the JCC runs the camp's programs free of charge, Vernon said the cost of sending one child to camp is approximately $6,000 dollars. She said benefits like the Purim Ball are essential in helping to maintain the day camp's programs.

The Purim Ball will begin at 7 p.m. on March 3 at the Oceanside JCC at 15 Neil Court. Tickets are $75 per person. For more information or to buy tickets, call Tamar Segura at (516) 634-4148.