DAVID BLACK APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SID JACOBSON JCC

Susan Bender retires after 18 years as Executive Director

East Hills, NY– Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center is pleased to announce

the appointment of David Black as Executive Director. Black was voted in at the

October Board of Directors meeting.

“Sid Jacobson JCC is the model of social consciousness, community connection

and health within the JCC movement,” Black said. “Susan Bender, the Board and

the staff envisioned a caring community and brought it to life. What incredible

footsteps I get to walk in and what extraordinary partners I inherit.  My intention is

to take this beautiful place from strength to strength.  I am grateful for the

opportunity to do so.”

Black comes to the JCC with over 25 years of experience in the Jewish non-profit

world. Prior to his appointment as Executive Director, he was the Associate Vice

President for Institutional Advancement at Yeshiva University since 2007.

Previously, he also served as the Executive Director of the Jewish Community

Center in Manhattan, the CEO of the French Institute Alliance Française, Vice

President of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science and

Deputy Director of the Zionist Organization of America. Black holds a BA from

Binghamton University and studied international relations and sociology at the

University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He was awarded the Ordre National du

Mérite by the French government in 1998.

In a volunteer capacity, Black was chosen to represent Israel on the New York-

Israel Cultural Cooperation Commission from 2000 to 2004. Currently, Mr. Black

serves on the cabinet of the American Zionist Movement, is a committee member

of Renaissance Française and is President of the American Friends of Yahad In

Unum, a national non-profit association supporting interfaith relations and

Holocaust discovery work of a French Catholic Priest, Father Patrick Desbois.

Sid Jacobson JCC Contact:Kate Perelman, PR Coordinator516.484.1545kperelman@sjjcc.org Press Room

Black will take over as Sid Jacobson JCC Executive Director for Susan Bender,

who will be retiring after 19 years in the position. During Bender’s tenure, the

JCC developed programs for the most vulnerable members of the community,

including specialized programs for autistic children and young adults, a day

program for older adults with Alzheimer’s Disease, a free cancer wellness group,

a first-of-its-kind program for adults with Young Onset Alzheimer’s Disease and

UJA-Federation of NY’s Connect to Care and Partners in Caring. Bender also

oversaw the JCC’s 30,000 square foot addition in 2001 and the 2008 purchase of

the 15-acre Bernice Jacobson Day School & Camp in Brookville, both of which

permitted the expansion of social services, cultural arts, camping and childcare.

“David brings a great deal of skill and knowledge which will help bring Sid

Jacobson JCC to a new level of service to our community,” Bender said.

# #About Sid Jacobson Jewish Community CenterAs the only full-service Jewish Community Center on Long Island's North Shore, Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center and Bernice Jacobson Day School and Camp , its campus in Brookville, provide a full range of cutting-edge recreational, health, fitness, educational, cultural, arts and social services programs. Sid Jacobson JCC promotes Jewish identity and provides a comprehensive program based on Jewish values, traditions, heritage and culture and is committed to enriching the lives of all individuals and families in our community. Our Centers of Excellence, Gershwind/Jacobson Health and Wellness Center; Ruth and Saul Weinberger Center for Jewish Life and Learning; Waldbaum Family Children’s Center; Edward & Bernice Wenger Center for the Arts; Jack Nadel Social Services Center; Adult Services Center; Senior Center; Buslik/Levy Teen Center are here to provide the best possible services to our membership and the community at large. For more information, contact us at 300 Forest Drive, East Hills, NY, (516) 484-1545 or visit our web site at: www.sjjcc.org