Riback Gives Back: A Community Project Benefiting JCC MetroWest Seniors
by Mia Edelstein, Hannah Gardner, Zachary Nessel, and Chandler Wald

The theme of summer 2009 at Camp Deeny Riback (CDR) was Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World). To help fulfill the summer’s theme, the 2009 Leaders in Training (LIT) at CDR participated in a mitzvah project called “The Big Give.” After much thought, it was decided to dedicate this year’s Big Give to an important Jewish value — L’Dor V’Dor (From Generation to Generation). To help fulfill this goal, the 37 CDR LITs looked within their own community and chose to orchestrate a renovation of the Margulies Senior Center at the Leon & Toby Cooperman JCC in West Orange, NJ.

To raise funds for the project, the LITs ran a fundraiser at Camp Deeny Riback in Flanders, NJ—it was a Hot Dog Eating Contest with 33 participating CDR staff members. The winner of the contest was Jeremy Knoepfler, a senior counselor who consumed 18 hot dogs in 3 minutes! The hot dogs were generously donated by Fresh ‘N Tasty, the food company that provides lunch every day to CDR campers and staff. The LITs raised over $600 in donations from the CDR community. This was added to a $1,500 grant from the JCC Association/Legacy Fund to finance the project.

The main focus for the renovation of the Margulies Center was the Communication Center that provides the seniors all the information about services and programs provided by JCC MetroWest, including flyers for trips and classes. Based on feedback from the seniors, the Communication Center now features a large slat wall, two dry erase boards, and a corkboard — all to display pertinent information. The LITs also purchased two large computer tables and a large storage cabinet to make daily life in the Margulies Center more enjoyable.

The LITs spent two full days at JCC MetroWest, befriending the seniors while re-organizing and cleaning the Margulies Center. On their first visit to the Senior Center, the LITs played games with the seniors (bingo, Scrabble, chess, and more) and taught them how to use their brand new Nintendo Wii. They all ate lunch together and enjoyed a song session while the piano was played by one of the seniors. This day was not only memorable for the LITs but it gave them a true feel for the population their mitzvah project was serving.

Through the inspirational guidance of their unit leader, Carly Freidel, and the Director of Camp Deeny Riback, Diana Ackerman, the LITs were able to make “The Big Give” a stunning success once again.

Mia Edelstein, Hannah Gardner, Zachary Nessel, and Chandler Wald are 2009 — Leaders in Training — at Camp Deeny Riback. Camp Deeny Riback is conducted each summer by JCC MetroWest, a beneficiary agency of UJC MetroWest.

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