Kaplen JCC 75th

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Throughout the year, we look forward to saluting our history, engaging with current and new members, and securing the future of the Kaplen JCC for generations to come. Please visit our CELEBRATE 75 page for ongoing updates and activities.

Mark your calendars for November 15, 2025, and get ready to celebrate this landmark occasion. Together we will commemorate our milestone anniversary and honor four of the visionaries who laid the foundation of the modern-day JCC, by presenting Lifetime Achievement Awards to Sandra O. Gold, Edward Grossmann, Daniel Rubin, and Pearl Seiden. 

Get to know our esteemed honorees:

Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees

Sandra O. Gold
Edward Grossmann
Daniel Rubin
Pearl Seiden

Sandra Gold is a distinguished pioneer in community service and non-profit organizational development, with a career spanning decades of impactful contributions. She served as President of the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades from 1988 to 1992 and is the Founding Chair of the JCC Thurnauer School of Music, now in its 40^th year. The JCC Association of North America Board Leadership Development Manual co-authored by Sandra was used at the Kaplen JCC and other JCC’s for more than two decades. Sandra is an honorary board member of the JCC Association.

A co-founder and past president of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, Sandra has also led and supported numerous other organizations, including the Jewish Federation of Northern NJ Association for the Developmentally Disabled (Founder and President), Jewish Individuals with Disabilities Committee (Founding President) of the Council of Jewish Federations (now JFNA), the Adler Aphasia Center (Founding Board Member), and the Jewish Home and Rehabilitation Center (President).

Sandra has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Rutgers-The NJ Medical College and Sacred Heart University. She was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, andreceived, among other honors, the Marge Bornstein Award for Outstanding Volunteerism from Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.

Sandra resides in Englewood, New Jersey, where she enjoys time with her children and grandchildren while remaining actively engaged in her community and philanthropic endeavors.

Edward Grossmann is a dedicated leader and long-time volunteer at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades since joining the Board in 1981.  Serving as President from 1996 to 2000, he holds the distinction of being the organization’s first second-generation President – his father previously served in the role in 1974. Edward is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees, serves on the Executive Committee, and has held numerous other lay leadership positionsduring his decades of service.

Beyond the JCC, Edward has contributed his expertise to multiple community boards, including the Englewood Hospital, Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, and the Jewish Home at Rockleigh. He also actively supports his alma maters, having served on the Boards of the Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Michigan Law School. 

Professionally, Edward was a founding partner of Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP, a leading NYC law firm where he played a pivotal role in its success for over 35 years before retiring in 2018.

Raised in Englewood, Edward now resides in Fort Lee with his wife Ronnie of 53 years. He is a proud father of two and grandfather of five. 

Daniel Rubin has been a steadfast advocate for Jewish philanthropy and community service for decades. He served as Chairman of the National Young Leadership Cabinet of JFNA (1987), President of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey (1994–1996), and President of the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades (2005–2007). From 2016 to 2019, he chaired the National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry.

Currently, Daniel is a board member of the Jewish Home Family and a trustee of the Kaplen JCC, where he serves on the Executive Committee. He is a past board member of Englewood Hospital and the Tel Aviv Foundation and was a proud recipient of the ADL Torch of Liberty Award.

A lifelong entrepreneur, Daniel has managed diverse businesses throughout his professional career and currently focuses on investments and real estate.

Daniel and his wife Eileen reside in Englewood, NJ, and are passionate travelers who prioritize visiting Jewish communities around the world, especially Israel. They have four children, also all actively involved in Jewish causes, and 10 grandchildren.

Pearl Seiden has been deeply involved with the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades as part of one of its founding families. A dedicated and active member from the start, Pearl serves on the Executive Committee, is co-chair of the Legacy Campaign and is on the Board of Trustees. As Vice President of Fundraising and Chair of the Gift of Community Capital Campaign, she raised over $30million. Pearl served as President of the Kaplen JCC from 2010 to 2013. A passionate advocate for children with special needs, she co-founded the acclaimed Camp Dream Street Summer Program for Children with Cancer and Blood Disorders.

Pearl’s commitment extends beyond the Kaplen JCC to several local and regional organizations. She has served on the boards of Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, the Jewish Home at Rockleigh, Englewood Hospital and NJ Gilda’s Club.

Today, Pearl remains a true advocate for the Kaplen JCC and a tireless champion of the State of Israel. She cherishes time spent with her family, including her four children and eight grandchildren.