Canarsie senior center turns 34
Jewish Association Serving the Aging celebrates anniversary in style
BY AIDAN GRAHAM
It was a very hip celebration.
A Canarsie senior center
celebrated its 34th birthday
with a raucous dance party on
April 7.
The Jewish Association
Serving the Aging at the Hebrew
Educational Society
hosted 174 seniors for the anniversary
celebration at 9502
Seaview Ave., according to the
group’s Program Director.
“It was a great celebration.
There was live music and dancing,
a full course luncheon, desserts,
gifts,” said Sue Ann Partnow.
Brooklyn District Attorney
Eric Gonzalez and local
state Sen. Roxanne Persaud
delivered keynote addresses
to the crowd during the fourhour
celebration, which also
featured a candle lighting ceremony
and party favors, said
Partnow.
“The District Attorney gave
me a certifi cate to celebrate our
34 years. People exchanged anniversary
gifts, everyone was
dancing, relaxing, and having
a good time,” she said.
The organization, founded
in 1985, hosts events for seniors
to exercise, learn, and take
trips around the city.
“We host yoga classes, painting
classes, design classes, and
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sing alongs. We’ll take trips to
Broadway shows,” said Partnow.
“It’s really a wide variety
of activities.”
Guest speakers, from politicians
to business leaders, treat
seniors to seminars and holiday
celebrations throughout
the year, said Partnow. The
group recently wrapped up its
Women’s History Month festivities
with a keynote address
on March 29 from Schneps Media
President and Publisher
Victoria Schneps.
“Vicki spoke for Women’s
History Month. She told the
inspiring story of her life, and
talked about how she got involved
in her organization,”
said Partnow.
The Hebrew Educational Society
chapter is one of 22 Jewish
Association Serving the Aging
centers, with a daily attendance of
approximately 100 seniors for the
various events every weekday,
according to Partnow.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s
fun. It’s a labor of love,” she
said. “I do it because the people
are great, and we really
respect each other.”
Partnow believes the center
provides seniors with valuable
structure and allows people opportunities
to engage with one
another.
“JASA keeps people as an
integral part of the community,
and gives them somewhere to go
when their children grow up,”
she said. “Staying home is the
worst thing in the world, so we
keep people active and staying
involved.”
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: (Above left) Program Director Sue Ann Partnow, left, Treasurer Frieda Bitran, middle,
and Program Coordinator Lillian McPhaul, right, cut the ceremonial cake. (Above right) District Attorney Eric
Gonzalez presents a certifi cate to Partnow commemorating the anniversary. Photos by Steve Solomonson
/BESTOFBK.COM