JCC Rockland celebrated the grand opening of The Gallery Above at the J with a sold-out photography presentation and community celebration that drew enthusiastic crowds. The inaugural event featured photographer Daniel Spitzer, whose captivating presentation "Epic Journey to Antarctica" took attendees on a visual expedition through some of the planet's most remote and breathtaking landscapes, sharing stories and images from his 8,000-mile journey while offering rare insights into the beauty and fragility of the natural world.
Following Spitzer's presentation, guests gathered for the official opening of The Gallery Above at the J, which showcased the debut exhibition of local artist Joan Israel, a lifelong painter whose vibrant gouache works reflect her deep love of color, creativity, and Jewish identity. Israel, who was raised in the Bronx and discovered her passion for art as a child, earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute and continued her studies at NYU and Parsons School of Design. The celebration featured live music by Clint Edwards, refreshments, and warm conversation that embodied the JCC's commitment to celebrating creativity and building community through the arts.
Sponsored by Jill and Jeffrey Degen, the event highlighted JCC Rockland's dedication to providing cultural programming that connects, inspires, and enriches lives as part of their Arts, Books, and Culture festival. This month-long festival brings together artists, authors, and performers throughout the community to share their work and spark meaningful dialogue. "The Gallery Above at the J was designed to be a welcoming space where art and community meet," said David Kirschtel, CEO of JCC Rockland. "We're thrilled to see it come alive with such enthusiasm and gratitude to the artists and supporters who made this inaugural event possible."
Located on the second floor of JCC Rockland, The Gallery Above at the J will showcase rotating exhibitions every 8 to 12 weeks, featuring regional artists across a variety of mediums. The space invites both members and the public to experience art that sparks dialogue, reflection, and joy, with artists interested in exhibiting encouraged to visit jccrockland.org/art-gallery for submission details and future exhibition opportunities.
Meanwhile, Rockland County celebrated its commitment to community service at the 25th Annual Philanthropy Day, hosted by The Fostering Philanthropy Fund, a component fund of the Rockland Community Foundation. The breakfast event, which drew a record-breaking attendance of over 400 people, represents the largest annual gathering of non-profit agencies and philanthropists in the county. Patrick Byrne, Rockland Community Foundation's advisory board chair and Philanthropy Day Committee Chair, addressed the crowd with the question, "How can there be any higher aim in life than giving?"
Philanthropy Day 2025 was presented in partnership with the Rockland Community Foundation Advisory Board, The Fostering Philanthropy Fund, and past board members of the Rockland Development Council. The event served as an opportunity to celebrate commitment to enhancing the quality of life and giving in Rockland while honoring individuals and businesses who make such efforts possible. Program highlights included a keynote presentation by Shiri Reuveni Ullrich, Founder of Rising Above Bakery, and the delivery of a proclamation by County Executive Ed Day designating November 6th, 2025, as Philanthropy Day in Rockland County.
Reuveni Ullrich emphasized the critical need for nonprofit services in the county and welcomed Luke Garrison to the stage to share firsthand how he has benefited from working at Rising Above Bakery. The 2025 Philanthropy Day Honorees included Elena Sherwood for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, Peter and Rebecca Lang for Outstanding Philanthropists, Eileen and John Murphy for Outstanding Volunteers, Diane Serratore for Outstanding Nonprofit or Fundraising Professional, and Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan for Outstanding Corporate Leadership, with the award accepted by President & CEO Elizabeth Rowley.
The event also distributed significant monetary awards to support community organizations and initiatives. The Youth in Philanthropy awardee received $500 toward her education or philanthropic goals, while $500 each went to Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan, People to People, TevaLand Sanctuary, and Rockland Homes for Heroes. Additionally, Bridges received a $2,500 grant for its Veterans Program, and nine food relief organizations each received $2,000: Community Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, People to People, Proyecto Faro Food Pantry, Rhoda Bloom Kosher Food Pantry, Rockland Interfaith Food Pantry, Soup Angels, T.O.U.C.H., and Westcop Spring Valley.
In healthcare recognition news, Montefiore Nyack Hospital has been named among the top 10 percent in the nation for coronary intervention care by Healthgrades, the leading website Americans use when searching for doctors and hospitals. For the second consecutive year, Montefiore Nyack Hospital received the Coronary Intervention Excellence Award from Healthgrades, along with five-star ratings for Treatment of Heart Attack and Coronary Interventional Procedures.
"Our state-of-the-art Cath Lab and team of cardiac experts provide coronary interventions for emergencies and scheduled procedures," said Montefiore Nyack Hospital President and CEO Mark E. Geller, MD, FACR. "For those patients needing immediate cardiac care, time is not lost travelling far from home, which makes a great difference in successful outcomes. We are very proud of our team for achieving this recognition for two years in a row. It highlights our commitment to providing the highest quality care in our local community."
Healthgrades annually evaluates risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for over 30 common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to identify top hospitals in key specialty areas, including coronary intervention. The organization's 2026 analysis revealed that if all hospitals performed similarly to five-star hospitals during the 2022-2024 study period, an average of 230,466 lives could have been saved and 156,797 complications could have been avoided. "Healthgrades specialty awards identify the nation's top-performing hospitals in key service areas, helping consumers find high-quality care tailored to their specific needs," said Alana Biggers, MD, MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades. "We're proud to recognize Montefiore Nyack Hospital for its consistently superior outcomes in cardiac care."
