2017 Fall Program Guide

JCC Gala
• Continued from page 8
chairman, Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology; as well as president of the
Upstate Medical University’s medical
staff. Ellen currently is the chief clerk of
the Onondaga County Surrogate’s Court
and vice president of the NYS Association
of Chief Clerks of Surrogate’s Courts.
Howard currently serves as president of the
Syracuse Community Hebrew School and
is on the board of Advocates, Inc. Ellen
is currently vice president and Allocation
Committee co-chair for the Jewish
Federation of CNY, and is on the boards of
Advocates, Inc., Menorah Park, Menorah
Park Foundation, Syracuse Jewish Family
Service and Syracuse Hebrew Day School.
The Weinsteins have four children: Jessica
and Gregg Rosh, Josh and Caroline
Weinstein, Danielle, and Lisa; and seven
grandchildren: Jamie, Sydney, Carly, Max,
Ava, Tessa, and Evan. Jessica is a past JCC
Kovod Gadol Award recipient.
The Hall of Fame Awards were
then presented to Linda Alexander and
posthumously to
Phil Holstein. This
award recognizes
and celebrates
individuals who
have dedicated
themselves to the
Syracuse Jewish
community and to
the advancement of
the JCC.
Linda Alexander
is president/CEO
of the Jewish
Federation of
Central New York and current and
founding executive director of the Jewish
Community Foundation of CNY. She
recently announced that she’ll be retiring
in the fall and moving out of the area
to be closer to family. Alexander is a
leadership pioneer for local women, having
served as president of Congregation Beth
Sholom-Chevra Shas and the Federation’s
chairwoman of its Annual Campaign. She
also received the Community Endowment
Excellence Award, given by United Jewish
Communities. Alexander has three
children and five grandchildren, who all
From left, Hall of Fame Award honoree Linda
Alexander, JCC Executive Director Marci Erlebacher
and JCC Board President Steven Sisskind.
live on the West
Coast.
Phil Holstein,
who passed away
last fall, was an
incredibly selfless
individual. A
former Jewish
Federation of
Central New York
board president,
he was a true
philanthropist,
community and
business leader,
and outdoorsman.
Holstein is
survived by his wife, Alyse, and children
Erin and Greg.
Holstein had the incredible gift of being
able to bring together diverse parts of the
community and approach sensitive issues
with kindness and fairness. “In addition
to caring about every aspect of the Jewish
Community, Phil cared about the whole
community,” said Alyse Holstein. He
was a compassionate peacemaker, always
wanting everyone to
be included and feel
engaged.”
Alex and
Charlotte “Chuckie”
Holstein had
a tremendous
influence on their
son, Phil. Both Alex
and Chuckie have
been a positive force
in Central New
York. They have
generously given
of their time and
talents for many years, for which they were
recognized by receiving the JCC’s Hall of
Fame Award in 2014.
“Phil had very strong Jewish roots
and just loved bringing people together,”
said Chuckie Holstein. “He was a very
honorable and ethical person. He had
tremendous integrity and was an extremely
positive person. He always looked on the
bright side and knew that there were two
sides to every story.”
This year’s Leslie Award, the second to
be given since being introduced last year,
was presented to attorney Todd J. Pinsky,
315-445-2360 | www.jccsyr.org
One of this year’s Hall of Fame Award honorees, Phil Holstein, was recognized
posthumously. Accepting the award on Phil’s behalf was his family. Pictured, starting
second from left, is Phil’s wife Alyse and children Erin and Greg, flanked by the
JCC’s Executive Director Marci Erlebacher and Board President Steven Sisskind.
president and managing partner of the
law firm Pinsky & Skandalis, P.C., which
was founded by his grandfather, Norman
Pinsky, in 1935. “The Leslie” recognizes
outstanding commitment and service to
the JCC and to the local community—the
qualities which the award’s namesake,
Leslie London Neulander, personified
throughout her many selfless volunteer
pursuits.
Pinsky dedicates his time to several
local Jewish organizations which serve
children and seniors and help strengthen
our community’s strong culture and
traditions. He is a board member with the
Jewish Federation of CNY, where he is on
the community relations committee in
addition to serving as the security liaison
between the Federation and the JCC of
Syracuse. Pinsky is also on the boards of
Menorah Park, Syracuse Jewish Cemeteries
Association and Temple Concord. He and
his wife Sarah reside in Manlius with their
two young children, Charlotte and Nathan.
The JCC’s Annual Meeting & Gala is
the center’s largest and most important
annual fundraiser. Event proceeds, as in
years past, will provide significant funding
for scholarships to individuals in the JCC’s
early childhood, after school, summer
camp and senior programs.
In memory of
Steven Alexander.
Photos by Jerry Klineberg
May the family be comforted
at this time with all other mourners
in Zion and Jerusalem.
JCC of Syracuse | 2017 Fall Program Guide 11