STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — On Sunday, the Joan & Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center of Staten Island hosted its annual Holiday Gift Fair, bringing a host of vendors and prospective shoppers to the community center in Sea View.
For almost six hours, more than four dozen vendors packed the Bernikow JCC, selling everything from handmade jewelry and ornaments to tchotchkes, treats and sports memorabilia.
A customer purchases a handmade craft from Donna Forte of Watercolors by Donna Forte at the Bernikow JCC’s Holiday Gift Fair.(Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)
According to Alina Shteynberg, the cultural arts program manager at the Bernikow JCC, the event had a long history at the community center, running for many consecutive years before pausing for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since starting back up, the holiday fair has successfully drawn in a consistent crowd of vendors, especially during a crowded holiday season.
Mezuzahs, dreidels, and other religious items being sold by Hedy’s Gifts.(Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)
“In the past three years we’ve always had over 40 vendors and there’s just something for everyone — jewelry, knitting, home decor,” Shteynberg said.
This year also featured a live musical accompaniment, a first for the holiday fair. The organization invited the Staten Island Jazz Band, a local jazz band made up entirely of high school students, to play at the beginning of the event.
“You get to see the different things that people are doing, everyone’s so creative. And I also like talking with the people from the community,” said Stacey Cohen.
Valerie Spector Rose sits in front of a table of wreaths, frames and holiday goods at the Bernikow JCC’s Holiday Gift Fair.(Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)
“There’s a few people I saw that I haven’t seen in years and they came walking in here and it was nice to reunite,” Cohen continued. “And they had a band earlier today and they were really wonderful.”
One detail that Shteynberg pointed out was that over two-thirds of the vendors in attendance on Sunday had tabled at the JCC holiday fair before, something which those in attendance credit to both the commerce and community of the event.
Vernia Lauria of Richmond sells handmade jewlery at the Joan & Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center’s Holiday Gift Fair.(Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)
“Every year I’m near different people and it’s nice that I get to meet someone new,” said Barbara Niederhoffer of St. George.
“This is my third year at the JCC and I really like this venue, I always do well and people appreciate the handmade items,” she continued, adding that the event offered a much appreciated social aspect, allowing her to bond with others over knitting.
A hand knit sweater is offered for sale by Barbara Niederhoffer of St. George.(Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)
For some on Sunday, the fair offered a chance to reach new groups of people outside their normal reach.
“This is my first time at the JCC and I’m very happy with it,” said Karen Bobinski of Graniteville. “I haven’t been here before and I usually stay on the North Shore. Plus we’re usually with all of the same vendors, seeing the same customers. I haven’t seen any of my regular customers here today, it’s a very nice change for me.”
As the event wound down and tables were packed up, vendors were seen saying farewell to their neighbors. Holiday wishes were exchanged, and some expressed hope to see each other at the next fair.
“It’s such a nice group that comes here each time, and it’s increased in size over the last three years,” said Donna Forte. “We get a good amount of foot traffic and it’s close to our home,” she continued.