Elana Perilstein
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Votes for Elana Perilstein: 352
Tell us about your nominee. Why should he or she be recognized as a Jewish Community Hero?
Elana is an incredible 16 year old role model
living in our community. Elana implemented an incredibly successful
food campiagn and collection for Jewish Family & Children's Service
of Southern NJ. She has also been the initiator of a BBYO chapter for
teens with special needs for our community, the second community in the
country to offer such an innovative and integrative opportunity for
teens with special needs. Elana also serves as a founding member of the
JFCS teen volunteer program which is resposnible for numerous outeach
efforts and assistance for those in need in our community, helping us
strengthen the lives of those living in Southern NJ.
What problem did your nominee identify in the community that needed to be solved? How has your nominee's efforts made a difference for others?
Elana's efforts have had a two-fold impact in
our community. In addition to Elana's hand-on assistance in helping us
provide food for those in need in our community she has also made an
incredible difference in mobilizing other teens to participate and
volunteer. The new special needs chapter of BBYO has brought together
two Jewish agencies in Southern NJ, housed in the same building (who
had never before offered a joint program) to offer a new and innovative
program to our community. She formed a new partnership, which serves
the greater community...this is an unbelievable task for a 16 year old!
She has vision well beyond her years! Elana does not realize how her
enthusiasm, kindness and generousity has touched the lives of
recipients as well as other teens who have been inspired to get
involved. She is a remarkable young woman who will continue to identify
needs in a community and strive to meet those needs, herself and by
engaging others.
