CELEBRATING THE HEART OF JCCGCI: OUR ANNUAL WINTER EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION PARTY
On January 7, 2026, Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) came together to celebrate the people who make our mission possible at our Annual Winter Employee Appreciation Party—and this year’s gathering was truly one for the books. With more than 100 employees in attendance, we were proud to see triple the turnout from last year, reflecting the strength, growth, and deep sense of connection across our organization.
Today, JCCGCI is powered by a team of over 340 staff members working across dozens of programs to serve Brooklyn and beyond. Staff members from our various programs and pillars at JCCGCI were represented, including our Career and Workforce Development program, Older Adult Center staff, our Holocaust Survivor Services teams, Operation H.O.O.D, and more. Coming together in one room, colleagues who serve the communities we support through dozens of programs had the opportunity to connect, reflect, and celebrate the collective impact of their work.
The afternoon was filled with incredible food, lively conversation, and meaningful moments of recognition. Rabbi Wiener and the HR Team warmly welcomed staff, introduced new team members who joined in 2025, honored employee anniversaries, and recognized the dedicated service and departure of Derick Scott. These moments served as a powerful reminder that behind every program and service are individuals whose commitment, compassion, and professionalism drive our work forward every day.
Adding to the fun was a spirited team relay game, “Survivor JCCGCI,” which brought together staff from across departments into six mixed teams. The friendly competition highlighted teamwork, camaraderie, and plenty of laughter, with Robin Furman of the Seaside Older Adult Center proudly taking home the prize for her team. Every attendee also received a customized JCCGCI mug and tote as a small token of appreciation for their hard work and dedication.
This celebration would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of our HR Team—Karen, Jennine, Sapir, Naomi, and Ivy—who worked tirelessly to plan and execute the event. We are also deeply grateful to the many staff and volunteers who supported set-up, logistics, and clean-up, including Mark Fartushniak, Kareem Moody, Linda Smith, Dwayne Pierre, Ana Pirs and her team, the Seaside OAC crew, Michelle Jakob, Chani Merke, and Clara Zeva. Their behind-the-scenes support ensured a seamless and welcoming experience for all.
At JCCGCI, our staff are the foundation of everything we do. Whether supporting older adults and Holocaust survivors, guiding youth and families, helping individuals find meaningful employment, or strengthening community resilience, our team shows up every day with heart, professionalism, and purpose. This annual celebration is just one small way we say thank you for the extraordinary impact our staff make throughout the year.
👉 If you are inspired by the work we do and interested in joining our team, we invite you to explore current career opportunities at JCCGCI by visiting our careers page or emailing info@jccgci.org. We are always eager to welcome passionate individuals who want to make a difference and be part of a mission-driven organization.
ABOUT JCCGCI
Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) is a community-based organization with a citywide scope, providing a wide-spectrum of senior citizen, career, educational, crime-reduction, mental health, community revitalization and related services benefiting all segments of the population. JCCGCI is also a technical assistance provider, offering capacity building services to nonprofits in all five boroughs through its NonProfit HelpDesk division (www.nphd.org). With 40 program sites throughout New York City staffed by almost 400 social service professionals, JCCGCI assists an average of upwards of 2,500 needy individuals and families each day.
JCCGCI’s Holocaust Survivor Support Services is one of the largest in the world, providing critical assistance to over 4,000 Holocaust Survivors annually. Services include Homecare, Transportation, Case Management, Friendly Visiting, Medicaid Appeals, Socialization, and Home Delivered Meals.
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