The Van Cortlandt Jewish Center held its Annual Journal Gala honoring Gary Axelbank on Sunday, June 24^th. The event was held at the Riverdale K Grill House, located at 259^th Street and Riverdale Ave. Attendees enjoyed a scrumptious cocktail hour followed by a lavish gala lunch and dessert. Amidst the great food and drink were a welcome speech by our President Bob Gillman, invocation by our Rabbi David Borenstein, Committee welcome by our Vice-Chair Philip Friedman, family remarks by the honoree’s daughter Shawn Axelbank and more. Shawn spoke beautifully about her father, telling a cute story about how when she told her classmates he was the “best dressed”.  Turns out she meant he got dressed the quickest, nothing in reference to what he wore. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, his son, Eric Dinowitz representing for Council Member Andrew Cohen, and State Senator Jeffrey Klein attended, addressed the group, and bestow Proclamations and good wishes on Honoree Gary Axelbank. Gary was presented with a gift and a commemorative plaque by Ceil Hartstein, President of the VCJC Sisterhood, and Honoree Gary addressed the crowd. He started off by warning that the 11^th Commandment is never to give the microphone to a public speaker, but then gave an excellent speech talking about what it meant to him to grow up involved in the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center, from Hebrew School in the old building on Gouverneur Ave. including shooting spitballs from the boy’s bathroom into the classroom, to the auspicious march of the Torahs from the old to the newly built building on Sedgwick Avenue, to his Bar Mitzvah and marriage to his wife, Suzanne, in the new building. Gary is part of the third generation of Axelbanks belonging to the VCJC, and very proud of his heritage. Speaking of which, Gary’s mother Mickey, who herself with her good friend Renee Stoller were honored at this same event several years ago, made a special appearance at this event. Mickey recently moved from the VCJC neighborhood to assisted living, and everyone who missed her smiling face, constant good humor and friendship were thrilled to see her (as she was to see them).  Completing the event, “Master” of Ceremonies Marcy Gillman-Harris did an exceptional job connecting all of the different speakers, the various stages of dining and the gaps between with some “Gary Axelbank Trivia” questions.  

The Journal Gala Committee thanks all those who participated in the journal and/or the Gala, and especially our honoree Gary Axelbank, for all the good he has done for the Van Cortlandt community and the VCJC!

The complete Journal is now available online and photos can be viewed on our photo gallery.