After a two-year hiatus, Sid Jacobson JCC’s Friendship Circle Luncheon, A Yellow Rose Event returned to its in-person roots.
The event, which was held in June of 2022, at the Pine Hollow Club in East Norwich honored Jodi Rosenthal, and featured guest speaker Jenna Bush Hager.
Continuing the tradition, this year Sid Jacobson JCC’s Adult Day staff Mike Alestra, Lonnie Fox, Taylor Graf, Lindsay Ingenito, Lynn Losquadro, Derrick Parsons, Christine Pizzo, Jillian Simon, Christine Staats, and Erika Stieflein received the Tikkun Olam Award for their work with those with dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders, and their caregivers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The last two years saw many members of SJJCC’s Adult Day program homebound. This team embodied the phrase Tikkun Olam, repair the world, as they strengthened their roles as caregivers, program curators, health advisors, friends, and family. They often made trips to members’ homes to bring isolated families connection and respite.
Honoree Jodi Rosenthal has resided on Sid Jacobson JCC’s Board of Directors for more than 20 years. Along with many other roles, Jodi has been the Co-Chair of the Cultural Arts Committee since its inception.
One of her most rewarding roles at SJJCC was that of President from July 2017-June 2020. Jodi’s heartfelt speech heard hurrahs from around the room as some of her colleagues and closest friends listened on.
Professor and speaker Lynn Kennedy’s speech about her personal experience with her father’s battle with Alzheimer’s, and how she maneuvers and learns with her husband’s recent diagnosis with Alzheimer’s as well brought tears to what was otherwise a day filled with love and laughter.
Guest speaker Jenna Bush Hager, former first daughter and co-host of NBC’s TODAY with Hoda & Jenna is no stranger to those living with dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders. As the author of The New York Times Bestseller “Everything Beautiful in its Time,” Hager wrote intimate personal essays paying homage to her grandparents and sharing the impact her maternal grandparents’ experience with Alzheimer’s disease had on her. During Jenna’s Q&A with SJJCC Board member Debi Buslik, Jenna shared anecdotes about her time growing up in the White House and the importance of teenagers making mistakes.
More than 500 of Long Island’s most influential and impactful community members attended Sid Jacobson JCC’s annual Friendship Circle Luncheon, A Yellow Rose Event.
This year’s record-breaking event raised more than $400,000 to provide financial sustainability for SJJCC’s Adult Day programs to continue improving the lives of those with dementia, other neurodegenerative disorders, and their caregivers.
