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In the Neighborhood

As a Program Manager at Central Queens Y, I remember partnering with my first Jewish organiz...

As a Program Manager at Central Queens Y, I remember partnering with my first Jewish organization. Chanie Zalmanov was kind enough to share with me the 'do's' and 'don'ts' of working with the Jewish community. After our conversation, we learned that our cultures are very much alike. It helped me to understand how the Italian and Jewish communities have been able to work so well together throughout NYC history. Since that conversation I was able to partner with and gain the respect of over a dozen other Jewish camps, businesses and organizations, as well as their families!

Calogero Argento
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In Israel

My favorite thing about being Jewish in New York is how much time I've had to spend with my ...

My favorite thing about being Jewish in New York is how much time I've had to spend with my friends from Birthright who also live in NY! Whether it was hanging out at the beach during the summer, heading to museums such as the Met and the Tenement Museum, or girls' nights, I couldn't ask for any better! The photo is from our first Shabbat together after getting back from Birthright this summer when one of our Israelis was visiting us!

Alyssa Ridley
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In the Neighborhood

I grew up, like most South-Brooklyn Jewish boys, being primed to become a doctor or a banker. I tested the waters in banking for a short while. After my third, distraught, 85-hour week, I hit a local Greenwich bar for ...

I grew up, like most South-Brooklyn Jewish boys, being primed to become a doctor or a banker. I tested the waters in banking for a short while. After my third, distraught, 85-hour week, I hit a local Greenwich bar for some Sunday, recovery breakfast. A middle-aged man turned and spoke to me like not only could he read my mind, but also trace every step I've taken and choice I've made. He shared some words of wisdom that must have been passed down for generations. He said, "Son, you look like shit... It's 7am on a Sunday, and you're drinking coffee with Irish Cream... Only bankers do that.. You would think a nice man like yourself would be in real estate." After placing me as a protagonist in a Brooklynite fairy tale, that has been told many times before, we fast-forward a successful 1.5 years later where I'm happy with a new career. This story isn't about success, it's about having some seasoned, hebrew wisdom to open our eyes from time to time in this city.

Alexander Gornik
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In the Neighborhood

I grew up in a small suburban town in Pennsylvania, where there were very few Jewish people....

I grew up in a small suburban town in Pennsylvania, where there were very few Jewish people. My friends were all Christians and it was tough being different & celebrating different holidays. Three years ago, I decided to pack up and move to New York City. Being surrounded by Jewish culture, food, & customs in this city has helped me develop an appreciation and absolute love for my heritage. I’ve found Jewish friends, museums, shows, and discovered Jewish and Israeli restaurants (Shout-out to my favorites, 12 Chairs in Soho, and Shalom Japan in Williamsburg!) And thanks to J-Swipe, I now have a Jewish boyfriend (who invited me to his family’s Hanukkah dinner, which was so special!) Moving to New York City was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve never felt so connected, on so many levels, to my religion. I'd love to go to Israel to continue to develop a love for my heritage, experience the culture of the country, visit the treasured historic sites, & to become a better Jew!

Michele Kirschenbaum
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In Transit (subways and cabs)

I love when I take the Q train to Brooklyn and I see the men ( shomer shabbat), pull their s...

I love when I take the Q train to Brooklyn and I see the men ( shomer shabbat), pull their siddur out and do their prayers in the train, it is very inspiring to the point that I get off at Avenue B go to the nearest Jewish deli and order bagel with lox, mmm Jewlicious!!!!!

Yedidya Flaquer
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In the Woods (Camp)

“The three men I admire most are the father, son and Holy Ghost…” You did say favorite Jewish memory. I’m getting there. I was a teenager, active in my youth group. I spent a week at a summer camp in ...

“The three men I admire most are the father, son and Holy Ghost…” You did say favorite Jewish memory. I’m getting there. I was a teenager, active in my youth group. I spent a week at a summer camp in PA to talk about Jewish leadership. I had recently been chosen as the board member in charge of programming. This week started me on a long winding path to engaging others through Jewish programming. What struck me as a super funny moment was when we had a sing along one night. There were a hundred high school aged kids like me, all passionate about our Jewish youth group, singing Don Mclean’s American Pie. And then we all sang that line and burst out laughing. If I were ever to write my life story, I’ve always known that would be a scene in it.

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In the Neighborhood

For my father growing up in the very Jewish Lower East Side in the 1920s, basketball was the...

For my father growing up in the very Jewish Lower East Side in the 1920s, basketball was the top sport on the playground. Becoming basketball city champions in the 1925-1926 season for Mangin Junior High was an achievement he was always very proud of. Too bad that today the junior high school is no longer there... And neither is the street! But the photo remains - go Mangin!

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In Israel

My Birthright trip in December of 2014 was my first time in Israel.

My Birthright trip in December of 2014 was my first time in Israel. I had been curious about going since I was involved in USY at my synagogue in New Rochelle. It was an amazing experience. I discovered how much I love the country ... and learned that I actually do like falafel!

Arielle Reiner
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In Transit (subways and cabs)

I was riding the 4 train to Crown Heights for a Sheva Bracha 10 years back when I met a hip, 20-something religious Jew. This gentleman, my mom and I hit it off, and since then he regularly invites me ...

I was riding the 4 train to Crown Heights for a Sheva Bracha 10 years back when I met a hip, 20-something religious Jew. This gentleman, my mom and I hit it off, and since then he regularly invites me for Shabbat.

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In the Woods (Camp)

I remember the first day of dropping my son off at JCC Manhattan summer camp.

I remember the first day of dropping my son off at JCC Manhattan summer camp. Dropping my son off at the bus and waving goodbye... as they traveled out of Manhattan and over the bridge to the great Henry Kaufmann campgrounds. For him it was taking the city kid out to a camp that had real grounds to run on, a taste of Jewish culture – as every Friday there were Shabbat services – and thinking about the new adventures that would await at camp the following week.

Adam Cohen
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In the Woods (Camp)

Summer sleep away camp was a big part of my childhood. I loved camp! I went for 9 years and had some of the best summers there. Every Friday night we had services to celebrate Shabbat, but it was more ...

Summer sleep away camp was a big part of my childhood. I loved camp! I went for 9 years and had some of the best summers there. Every Friday night we had services to celebrate Shabbat, but it was more of a social gathering for the girls and boys side, which made everyone stay true to their Jewish ties. The best memories are still from going to camp. I learned so much, especially things that made me who I am today.

Erin Brenner
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In the Neighborhood

Sunday at Grandma’s… My fondest memories. 😊

Sunday at Grandma’s… My fondest memories: going every Sunday to Brooklyn as a kid to visit Grandma Minnie and Uncle Sid. The boys (father, brothers, and uncle) watched the “game” all day. Grandma Minnie and Mom talked. And I, the only girl, read — very patiently — until the moment we all sat down at the table to eat Grandma’s stuffed cabbage. Then came Jewish deli. It was the best.

Lori Goodman