The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Press

Brothers from Princeton and Armonk Open Up about Late Father’s Oral Testimony Recorded by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

by

As the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum prepares to lead America’s annual national commemoration of the Holocaust during the Days of Remembrance from April 4-11, the Museum continues its race against time to collect and record oral history testimonies before the last generation of Holocaust survivors is no longer with us.

While the Museum’s doors have been closed to visitors during the coronavirus pandemic, the Jeff and Toby Herr Oral History Archive, one of the largest and most diverse collections of Holocaust testimonies in the world, experienced one of its most productive years in 2020, conducting 181 remote interviews in Europe and the United States with survivors and witnesses to the Holocaust. In 2019, 148 interviews were conducted. The increase in interviews last year is attributed to expanded reach through virtual platforms, whereas previously most interviews were conducted in-person.

Lubcher Family in Vienna

One of the oral testimonies that the Museum recorded in 2018 was that of Frederick Lubcher, who passed away two years later on November 29, 2020. Lubcher was an attorney and retired partner and chair of the Trust and Estates department of Fried, Frank, Harris Shriver & Jacobson, LLP in New York – and he was also a child Holocaust survivor who went nearly his entire life without talking about his Holocaust experience – until he recorded his oral testimony with the Museum at the age of 87.

“He hardly spoke about what happened to him in the Holocaust – we never really knew until the Museum recorded his oral testimony,” said his son Jeremy Lubcher, who resides in Princeton, N.J., with his wife Amy. “I am so grateful my father recorded his experience because we not only learned so much that we would have never known, but we now have a living memorial of him and when I need my dad, I watch it.”

Jeremy, his brother Howard Lubcher, and their spouses and children are grateful to have their father’s and grandfather’s Holocaust survival story, and the specific details of how he escaped Nazism in Poland and Austria, forever preserved by the Museum and accessible on the Museum’s website as an educational resource, and evidence of Holocaust history.

Howard and his wife Mari Lubcher, of Armonk, N.Y., stated, “We are so incredibly proud of who our father was, and thankful to the Museum for preserving the memory of his struggles and accomplishments. We hope that in some way these oral testimonies will help keep the memories of the survivors, and the histories of their endurance and perseverance, alive.”

A private foundation just made a $250,000 gift to the Museum’s oral history archive to honor the memory of Lubcher, who was a longstanding trustee of the foundation, and Shirley Lubcher, his wife of beloved memory, who passed away two months after Frederick.

“I think it’s great that the foundation is making a gift in honor of my father and the oral testimony archives, which mean so much to me,” said Jeremy Lubcher. “If people start seeing these oral testimonies, they will have a better understanding of the Holocaust.”

To date, the Museum’s oral history archive contains more than 25,000 interviews produced and acquired from individuals, institutions and organizations.

“We know there are many others who can relate to the Lubcher family’s experience, and we hope that the Lubchers’ meaningful story will encourage others to contact the Museum to record their oral testimonies with the profound understanding of how precious time is,” said Andi Barchas, director of the Museum’s Northeast Regional Offic

About the Museum

A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Its far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors. For more information, visit www.ushmm.org.

 

News Courtesy of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

 

MENTOR NEW YORK Virtually Hosts the 18th Annual MENTORING MATTERS Conference for New York State

by

Amidst the Country’s Increased Awareness of Racial Disparities, this Year’s Conference Focuses on Creating a Future of Racial Equity and Finding Spaces of Joy for Youth

The mentoring movement is facing unprecedented challenges, during the changing landscape of a global pandemic and deepening divides rooted in racial inequity. MENTOR New York, a leader in the statewide Mentoring Movement, will convene New York’s youth development and mentoring professionals virtually for the 18th Annual Mentoring Matters Conference on Friday, April 16, 2021, to address increasing racial equity and creating spaces of joy for young people.

In the Mid-Hudson region, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester, Her Honor Mentoring, Team Tuskers, Family Service Society, and My Brother’s Keeper Success Mentorship Program will gain new tools and techniques to learn, reflect, reassess and redirect their work with young people in ways that ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are the driving force. The conference is open to the public and is ideally suited for youth development professionals and mentors.  Others looking to participate can purchase tickets here.

“As we have seen in the past 10 months, it is no longer enough to state your organization’s commitment to increasing racial equity,” said Brenda Jimenez, CEO of MENTOR New York.  “Now is the time for courageous action. We need to come together as a movement and take definitive and collective action creating anti-racist spaces. This is hard work that no one can do on their own, which is why MENTOR New York has partnered with Adelphi University, Niagara University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission.”

“As a thought leader in the Mentoring Movement, Adelphi University knows the role mentoring can play in increasing equity through human connection, which is why its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion oversees the University’s Mentoring Program, and is also why it will be a community partner co-host for the Mentoring Matters Conference,” said Chotsani Williams West, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Adelphi. “This conference will address the dimensions of mentoring for diverse populations in educational spaces, a topic of great interest to mentoring leaders, school supervisors and those interested in starting mentoring programs or serving as mentors.”

Over 400 experts, organization leaders, and educators are expected to attend the conference virtually to engage in interactive workshops providing concrete skills and new knowledge that lead to direct action. Large-group sessions including the keynote and plenaries will tackle large-scale challenges from multiple perspectives and provoke new ways to think about the work that professionals are doing with young people.

The conference will include expert presenters and panelists immersed in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the mentoring movement, such as:

  • Nisha Sachdev, DrPh, PsyD, President, Premnas Partners
  • Chotsani Williams West, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Adjunct Professor, College of Arts & Sciences / College of Education and Health Sciences, Adelphi University
  • Roland Ward, Associate Professor of Social Work at Niagara University and Endowed Faculty Director of the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission
  • Laura Quiros, Ph.D, LMSW, Author/Associate Professor/Trauma Informed DEI Consultant
  • Brooks Frederick, Professor of Studio Art/ Freelance Artist
  • Ashely Watson, Marriage & Family Therapist, Founder of #RealTalk
  • Sekia Turner, Assistant Professor of Social Work
  • Tommy McClam, Senior Director of Boys and Men of Color Initiative, Say Yes Buffalo
  • Marisa Hattab, Training and Partnership Development Manager, MENTOR Nebraska
  • Brenda Jimenez, CEO, MENTOR New York
  • Ivette Maza Cabrera, Student, Queens College

“Niagara University is thrilled to partner with MENTOR New York. MENTOR New York works tirelessly to train adult partners who seek to build strong relationships with young people. This year, MENTOR New York’s efforts have been needed more than ever,” said Dr. Roland Ward, Associate Professor of Social Work at Niagara University and Endowed Faculty Director of the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission. “Like Niagara University, MENTOR New York is working to dismantle racism and elevate the voices of BIPOC youth. When BIPOC youth have safe spaces to develop and grow capacity, mentors are engaging in life-changing work.”

MENTOR New York is at the center of the NY Mentoring Movement partnering with adults who want to make a difference in the lives of young people and elevate their voices. By providing them with cutting-edge tools and resources, MENTOR New York is fueling mentoring relationship and fostering mentoring cultures that will give our young people the confidence to take on tomorrow’s leadership roles or even develop their own. 

Above info made available via a News Release from MENTOR New York

Nation’s Largest Health Care Union Announces March 18 a ‘Day of Action’ in Events Across NYS

by

1199SEIU Healthcare Worker East members, the nation’s largest healthcare union, has announced that thousands of its members, who comprise the nation’s largest healthcare union, will participate in a Day of Action at over 200 nursing homes across New York State. Per a news release, they are calling on Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature “to work together to pass real nursing home reform that ensures nursing homes invest in resident care rather than profits. “More than 200 actions will take place across the state (see map,  https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1cc4nXC4W7W4pr6ZLw2hHfMoeiKABtx1g&usp=sharing) with more than 15 taking place in Westchester County.

The union released the following additional  information to New York media and have invited coverage at Cortlandt Manor Nursing Home from 2-4 p.m.:  “Nursing home workers all over New York have been standing up and taking action in the name of change for their residents, their co-workers, and themselves,” said Milly Silva, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU’s Nursing Home Division.

“They have dealt with so much over the last year, and they are standing together to demand the reforms that could have saved the lives of their residents and even their own colleagues. They are united and they are ready to keep up the fight until the industry makes the changes needed to prioritize resident care and the well-being of workers over profits.”

A Demand for Legislative Action

The widespread Day of Action is the latest in the union’s Invest in Quality Care campaign, launched last month to urge legislative action to reform New York’s nursing home system and ensure residents get the quality care they deserve. Ads are running across New York featuring workers and families of nursing home residents calling on the state to act now.

 

 “Most days there are not enough CNAs to meet the needs of the 40 residents I care for,” said Debbie Ciavarra, an LPN for more than 30 years at Cortlandt Healthcare. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times–nurses cannot do our jobs without CNAs. They are essential to the care program. Residents depend on their CNAs.  It has been devastating for a year now, since the pandemic meant that families could not visit. And yet there is frequent turnover and a constant shortage of nursing assistants because to put it bluntly, their work is not valued by the owners.  Ironic, since the “nursing” home could not operate without nurses and nurse assistants.”  I’m telling Albany lawmakers that this needs to be fixed now!”

 

“Leaders in Albany have heard 1199SEIU workers’ call for reforms and have begun the process of passing key policies that would improve transparency and accountability, and ensure nursing home operators are making the investments necessary to provide the most vulnerable in New York with the quality care they deserve. With their action, nursing home caregivers are pressing to ensure that any reform enacted will actually improve conditions in the homes, by forcing operators to spend more on resident care and provide sufficient hours of hands-on care.

 

“Last week, the State Assembly passed a series of bills focused on improving transparency and accountability in nursing homes, including one requiring that operators invest a minimum of 70% of their overall revenue on resident care, including 40% on staffing, and another preventing owners with poor track records from purchasing additional homes. The State Senate has advanced similar legislation, and Governor Cuomo included nursing home reform policies in his 2021 budget proposal. 1199SEIU members across New York are calling on the Governor and Legislature to come together and finalize these urgently-needed reforms–including minimum hours of care for residents–as part of the State budget process.”

 

Local Westchester Gymnasts Take Home NINE Gold Medals at State Championship

by

World Cup Gymnastics boys’ team competed this past weekend at the New York State Championship held at World Class Gymnastics Academy on March 14, 2021.  Over 500 gymnasts competed at this exciting event. 

To support a safe competition during Covid-19, the championship was divided into three sites throughout the state.  At the completion of the competitions, scores were merged to determine individual rankings by level. World Cup Gymnastics proudly reported that their masked champions took home nine gold medals!

A definite standout at the event was Level 6 (Ages 10-11) gymnast, Dylan Davenport from Stamford, CT.  Dylan received three gold medals on Floor (11.1), Pommel Horse (11.2) and High Bar (10.4) and earned a silver medal on Parallel Bar (10.4) making him the All Around Champion with a score of 61.600.   His teammate Sawyer Robertson from Mt. Kisco took the silver medal on High Bar with a score of 10.1 and Gabriel Zybert of Pleasantville earned a silver medal on Floor (10.5).  Congratulations to Kavi Manchanda of Tarrytown and Victor Dyakin of Scarsdale who had events that scored in the top 6

The Level 8 (ages 13-14) boys took home three gold medals.  Stamford, CT native Michael Davenport earned a gold medal on Pommel Horse (12.8) and a silver medal on Floor (12.5) earning the 2nd spot All Around.  His teammate Noah Rock from Chappaqua took home two gold medals on Rings (12.1) and High Bar (12.1) and a Bronze medal on Vault (11.3). Scarsdale native, Alex Dyakin was close behind Noah earning the silver medal on High Bar (12.1) and the Bronze medal on Floor (12.4).  Congratulations to Carmel resident Andrew Sinnot who had two events in the top 5.

 Level 10 seniors had their last meet before they venture off to college.  JT Basulto from Hartsdale walked off with a gold medal on High Bar (12.7), a silver medal on Floor (14.1) and Pommel Horse (13.1) and a bronze medal All Around.  Ihor Tarasenko from Manhattan walked off with the gold medal on High Bar (13.9). 

“Our boys’ team missed most of last year’s competitions when many gyms, including ours, closed because of the pandemic,” said Jason Hebert, Director of World Cup Gymnastics.  “Fortunately, they continued to train by working out with their coaches on Zoom and conditioning on their own.  They were able to quickly pick up where they left off when they were allowed to return to the gym.  Their efforts paid off and they should be very proud of their accomplishments,” he added.

World Cup Gymnastics has been training State, Regional and National Champions for over 25 years.  It is deemed one of the most revered recreational and competitive gymnastics programs in the state offering mommy and me classes for infants, pre-school gymnastics, school-age recreational gymnastics, tumbling for cheerleaders and competitive teams.   For more information, please call 914-238-4967 or visit www.worldcupgymnastics.com.

News courtesy of World Cup Gymnastics

 

Northern Westchester Hospital ‘One Year Anniversary’ Remembrance Ceremony Honors Healthcare Team

by

On the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 patient admission, approximately 50 to 100 people, including the Mount Kisco Fire Department, patient families and visitors, gathered on walkways lined with luminaries around Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) to remember those who were lost to the pandemic and honor the hospital’s dedicated health care professionals at the change of shift.

 Mount Kisco Firefighters, patient families and visitors applaud Northern Westchester Hospital’s healthcare heroes as they change shifts on the year anniversary of first COVID-19 positive patient admission              

“This was a significant week at Northern Westchester Hospital as we recognized the day that we admitted our first COVID-19 positive patient on March 11, 2020, and reflected on what the past year has meant for our entire organization,” says NWH executive director Derek Anderson. “We are incredibly proud of the resiliency and dedication of our team members and so grateful to the community, which rallied around us with their continued support.  Over the past few days, we have had several opportunities to recognize our team members for the outstanding care they have provided over the past year and for the sacrifices, they made in their personal lives so that they could be here for our patients and community.  We also paid tribute to the lives lost during the pandemic.”     

One particularly moving moment was the change of shift recognition held on Thursday.  Hospital leadership came together to greet team members as they arrived or departed from their shifts.  Each team member was invited to create a luminary bag on which they shared a memory or word of inspiration. 

Each bag contained a prayer card that included the verse read by hospital chaplain Reverend Angela Maddalone during a moment of silence earlier this week. The luminary bags also included a tea light, which staff lit before placing their bag in a growing lineup of tributes throughout the entryways.  On Thursday evening, the luminaries were brought outside to ‘spread the light’ across the campus at the end of the day.  Visitors were invited to join team members as the Mount Kisco Fire Department rang a bell at 7 pm to honor those who were lost during the pandemic. Large spotlights illuminated the campus, spreading light through the community.

Northern Westchester healthcare heroes receive applause during shift change on year-anniversary of first COVID-19 positive patient admission.

News courtesy of Northern Westchester Hospital. 

Mount Kisco Firefighters cheer Northern Westchester Healthcare heroes on year anniversary of first COVID-19 positive patient admission
Northern Westchester Hospital doctors, nurses, staff, patient families and visitors wrote messages on luminary bags that lined the walkways to remember those lost in the pandemic and honor the hospital’s dedicated healthcare professionals .