Jewish Center Throws Christmas Party for Immigrant Families

by Harold Wolfson, photos by Harold Treiber

(December 15, 2006) Some 300 Hispanic immigrant children and their parents were entertained at a Christmas party Sunday, December 10th hosted by the Westchester Jewish Center and held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Mamaroneck. The party, now in its third year, has become a tradition that keeps expanding to include more hosts and more guests.

The inter-faith spirit of the event was not lost on guests, many of whom had just walked cross-town from late mass at St. Vito’s Roman Catholic Church.

Theresa De Leon who was there with her three sons, one only six months old, was asked what she thought of Catholics having a Christmas party given by Jews in an Episcopal church. She said, “You know, there is only one God.” Her husband, a gardener, couldn’t join her because he was working.

The music was as ecumenical as the gathering. A group of 4- to 9-year-olds from Hispanic Resource Center’s (HRC) literacy class started the entertainment singing the traditional Jewish anthem, Hatikvah, bringing tears to many of the hosts. Next came traditional Christmas carols sung under the direction of Angel Ulerio, director of the Mamaroneck Music Academy.

The young singers were followed by the 23-member Mamaroneck High School student-run a cappella group, The Sound, who stomped and mugged their way through Freedom, That Sting and Wake Me Up Before You GO GO.

Singing and mugging to the music was the 23-member MHS a capella group, The Sound.

Thirteen-year-old Alejandro Dianes was there with his parents (photo at right), younger brother and two sisters. His family came from Uruguay seven years ago and moved to Mamaroneck only last month from New Jersey. In between bopping with the music and pushing down some cookies, he said, “ I like Mamaroneck. I like Hommocks School and my teachers. I’m learning new stuff. I have some new friends.”

An official welcome came from Mariana Boneo, executive director of HRC -- the guests were all clients of the center. Speaking in Spanish, she said, “We are very lucky to have this wonderful group of community members to organize such a splendid event, filling us with holiday cheer and love.” Ruth Obernbreit Glass, representing the synagogue hosts, briefly told the story of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights that occurs at the same winter solstice period as Christmas.

When the five-member Marichi Solido Mariachi Band marched down the aisles playing Navidad, many feet and hands were keeping time. Little children were holding hands in a dance circle at the front of the auditorium, and guests were busy ferrying food and beverages from the refreshment tables.

In one corner, high school students Anna and Samantha Schafler, Edith Gamarra and Carolina Kupferman face-painted younger children. Off among the tables, lawyer and part-time magician Tom Fleisch made coins disappear and miraculously reappear behind the ear of an unsuspecting guest.

Twenty minutes before the official 5pm closing, guests were handed large transparent bags filled with multiple, colorfully wrapped presents. Each family received gifts selected specifically for them by members of the synagogue. The Christmas party was “in keeping with the Jewish tradition of providing for those in need and welcoming the stranger,” explained Ms. Glass. “Also, we wanted to bring the community together.”

The inter-faith theme continued beyond the closing. Jose Luis Fonseca, head of the Westchester Jewish Center’s custodial department, who attended with his wife and daughter, pitched in with Edgar Garza, custodian of St. Thomas, to clear away debris and stack the folding tables and chairs.

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