SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

From our friends at the Shorefront Y:

In celebration of Chanukah, the Shorefront Y in collaboration with UJA-Federation of NY invites everyone to their “Hugs for Chanukah” carnival. Festivities will take place this Sunday, December 16, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Originating from a desire to bring the community together to celebrate this special holiday, “Hugs for Chanukah” is a no-charge event that has been made possible by the generous support of the UJA-Federation of NY. Highlights of the festivities include activities such as cookie decorating, face painting, arts & crafts, & carnival games. A live music performance is also scheduled, along with many more surprises!

“We are thrilled to be able to host such a wonderful celebration of Chanukah in spite of the challenges faced in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. This is the time that our children need an extra opportunity to celebrate and spend a fun afternoon with their family.” says Susan Fox, Executive Director of the Shorefront Y.

Sunday’s “Hugs for Chanukah” carnival is designed to be the largest and most elaborate celebration at the Shorefront Y to date. The Shorefront Y is located at 3300 Coney Island Avenue, right along the boardwalk.

Sandy relief at Shorefront Y. Source: Shorefront Y

The Shorefont YM-YWHA (3300 Coney Island Avenue) is a neighborhood organization that’s rising to the challenge of continuous local disaster recovery in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. Currently, they’re responsible for everything from assigning volunteer contractors, to repairing homes and giving out food, to translating complicated government forms.

Shorefront Y Director Sue Fox has been busy not just with addressing the needs of Sandy victims, but with taking a “peek ahead” at future disasters and positioning the organization to be a major preparedness and relief hub for Southern Brooklyn.

Find out what the non-profit is planning.

From our friends at the Shorefront Y:

A large scale relief distribution will take place in front of the Shorefront Y (3300 Coney Island Avenue).

This one time event is taking place thanks to Office Depot Foundation, Feed The Children, & Lorenzo Hodges of Jezreel International, in collaboration with the Shorefront Y. A sample of the items that will be available for distribution is below:

• Children’s Books & School Supplies
• Diapers & Baby Food
• Beverages & Adult Food
• Cleaning Supplies
• Sack Packs

With the objective of bringing much needed supplies to Brooklyn families who were affected by Hurricane Sandy, a 53 ft. tractor trailer will arrive on Thursday, filled with thousands of products. Vital supplies will be distributed to all families & children as they arrive in front of the Shorefront Y.

What: Hurricane Sandy Relief Distribution
When: Thursday, December 06, 2012 at 12 P.M.
Where: 3300 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11235

The Shorefront Y has become the site of one of the city’s largest relief efforts, with National Guard and government agencies teaming up the Y and other local organizations to collect and distribute food, clothing and supplies to Brighton Beach’s residents in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

We just got an e-mail from Shorefront letting us know that a doctor is on-hand at the time of this writing – 12:30 p.m. – treating children who may need medical attention. Many of Brighton Beach’s residents remain without power, heat or hot water, and in such conditions, parent should have their child checked out.

The pediatrician is from Refuah Health Center, and is assisted by a mobile medical truck. They don’t know how long the truck will stay, but they are trying to treat any and all children who come before they leave. They have medicine available and can also write prescriptions.

Hey parents, looking to keep your kids out of trouble and involved in loads of good stuff? Well, our friends at the two local YM-YWHA – Kings Bay and Shorefront – are both having open house events this weekend, providing an opportunity to learn about each of their unique offerings. Here are the details:

Kings Bay Y (3495 Nostrand Avenue) invites the community to the Back to School Open House on Sunday, September 9, from 11:00 am to 1:00 p.m.  Learn about programs for toddlers, swim, sports, preschool, after school, Sunday classes, Jewish programs, chess, art and more!  Sample activities and meet the staff.  Arts and Crafts and Food.  Free giveaways and special discounts.

Shorefront Y (3300 Coney Island Avenue) is hosting an Open House party on Sunday, September 9 at 2 p.m. Held in a large backyard next to the boardwalk, children can play Gaga, enjoy frozen yogurt, and take many free sample classes such as karate, guitar and dance. Program directors, along with expert teachers, will be on hand to speak to parents about programs including after school, early childhood, children’s enrichment, youth sports and  the Shorefront Y Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy. Special discounts, free giveaways and raffles.

Local Assemblymembers Alec Brook-Krasny and Steven Cymbrowitz, and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer released the Russian-language edition (pdf.) of the Immigrant’s Rights and Services Manual on Friday at the Shorefront YM-YWHA in Brighton Beach.

This pamphlet serves as a resource that educates New York immigrants on their rights, government benefits, and programs. New York City already provides translations in Chinese, Spanish and Korean.

“I am proud to stand here today with my friend, Borough President Scott Stringer as we present this amazing and much needed resource to the Russian-American community,” said Brook-Krasny. “As an immigrant myself I first hand understand the trials and tribulations of assimilating into the mainstream American community, it is my hope that this guide will serve as a stepping stone to many others who are striving to reach the American dream.”

Brook-Krasny himself is the first Russian-born, Russian-language speaker elected to public office in America. He emigrated from Moscow in 1989, and was elected to represent to 46th District in the New York State Assembly in 2006.

A community education effort led by Stringer’s office along with Brook-Krasny will help distribute the pamphlet to those interested. Workshops will also be held to hand out and clarify aspects of the manual.  Organizations that wish to host a community workshop should call the Borough President’s office at (212) 669-8300.

Source: JSmith Photo/Flickr

The following is from our friends at the Shorefront YM-YWHA (3300 Coney Island Avenue). On a side note, I had the opportunity to meet with the three playwrights, as well as the backers of this initiative, yesterday. Three truly interesting people working on an awesome project that will bring stories of Brighton Beach to a global audience. Check it out.

Elyse Dodgson (Head of International Dept. at the Royal Court Theatre, London), The Public Theater (NY), and Actors Touring Company (UK) present: a free practical workshop/discussion hosted by three of the most important contemporary playwrights in Europe today.

Natasha Vorozhbit (Ukraine), Pavel Pryazhko (Belarus) and Mikhail Durnenkov (Russia) will invite the audience to take a journey into the process of playwriting and the world of contemporary drama. They will be joined by Elyse Dodgson (London), the Director of Actors Touring Company Ramin Gray (UK), and translator Sasha Dugdale (London). The session will run in English as well as in Russian.  

Background Information:  In the 1960s, Dodgson’s mother filmed a documentary about life in Coney Island, a document now lost. That missing film and her own family’s emigration from Eastern Europe to Brighton Beach inspired Dodgson to commission playwrights to spend two weeks in Brighton Beach and to turn their findings into plays. The project has come to life thanks to the support received from Public Theater (NY), Actors Touring Company (UK) and the Genesis Fund.

Natasha Vorozhbit (Ukraine) Ms. Vorozhbit studied at the Moscow Literary Institute.  Her plays, Demons and Galka Motalko were staged in Moscow and Latvia. She also writes extensively for television including the script for series School in Russia. She has also written two plays for the Royal Court Theatre in London.  Her play THE GRAIN STORE was produced at the ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY in 2009.

Pavel Pryazhko (Belarus) Mr. Pryazhko has won several major Russian language theatre awards and his plays have been produced throughout Europe. His play LIFE IS GRAND was invited to the Golden Mask Festival in Moscow in 2010. His play HARVEST was presented as a staged reading in London in the Royal Court Theatre’s International Season in 2011.

Mikhail Durnenkov (Russia) Mr. Durnenkov is the author of over 15 plays including THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER which was produced at the Moscow Arts Theatre. His plays have been translated and produced throughout Europe. THE DRUNKS was produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2009. He has also participated in workshops with the Royal Court Theatre in London.

When: Sunday, June 3, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Shorefront YM-YWHA (3300 Coney Island Avenue)

The following is from our friends at the YM-YWHA of Brighton-Manhattan Beach:

Sorry for the short notice: The Shorefront YM-YWHA of Brighton-Manhattan Beach (“Shorefront Y”) is holding a Language and Cultural Exchange this morning, April 16, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The organization will be pairing native Russian speaking community members — many of whom are students of the Shorefront Y’s English as a Second Language Program — with the US Military Academy West Point cadets who are studying Russian as part of their academic curriculum.

There is a need for Russian-speaking volunteers, so if that is something you can do, get yourselves to the Shorefront Y. This volunteer opportunity offers our community’s Russian speaking public a unique opportunity to use their native language skills and culture of origin to help more than 200 cadets practice their Russian verbal skills and comprehension in a way that does not happen on campus.

According to the Shorefront Y, “The exchange has been a colorful event that leaves our community members feeling ‘proud to be American’ and gives cadets a taste of the Russian people and culture they will meet abroad.”

You can learn more about the cross-cultural exchange in this video.

The Shorefront YM-YWHA is located at 3300 Coney Island Avenue, right off the boardwalk. To learn more, call the Shorefront Y at (718) 646-1444 or email mail@shorefronty.org.

Our friends at the Shorefront Y, the Kings Bay Y and the Marks JCH of Bensonhurst are putting together their second annual Walk for Autism event, slated for April 22. In advance of the event, they’ve asked us to help get the word out to local about how they can get signed up to help this great cause.

You can register at the Shorefront Y’s website, or call (718) 646-1444 ext. 406.

The walk benefits Southern Brooklyn families who cannot afford to pay for special needs programs as the government continues to slash away at free programs. So by participating, you’re helping out neighbors who need it the most.

The walk itself is 1.2 miles along the Coney Island Boardwalk, beginning at the Aquarium. Here’s the flier: