Sheepshead Bay
Standing O is leaving the lights on for Oksana Momot, the new sales and service manager at TD Bank, “America’s most convenient bank.” She will be responsible for new business development, consumer and business lending, managing personnel, and overseeing day-to-day operations.
Our pal Oksana moved swiftly through the ranks. She joined the company in 2003 as a teller, left five years later as head teller, and then re-joined in 2010 as assistant store manager. She will oversee the East Brooklyn banking community in her new position.
TD Bank [2700 Coney Island Ave. at Avenue Y in Sheepshead Bay, (718) 616–2200].
Borough Wide
Heart-smart Marty
Former borough president, “Mr. Brooklyn,” and long-time Standing O pal Marty Markowitz has jumped aboard the Brooklyn Board of Directors of the American Heart Association to share his expertise and lend his dedication because heart disease is close to his heart.
Marty, his father, and his grandfather suffered from cardiac issues, and he did his heart-felt best to keep Brooklynites healthy with a “Lighten Up” fitness campaign during his 12 years as beep. Marty’s arrival is sure to bring heart to the organization while he embraces its life-saving work.
“I look forward to working with the American Heart Association on this important issue,” he told Standing O, which wishes him a whole lot of heart and luck in his new endeavor.
Bensonhurst
PJ his way
It’s time to break out a book and read along with David Schwartzman. The 9-year-old Brooklyn bookworm was selected by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation to join the national PJ Our Way Design Team, in partnership with the Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst. David will serve as an online resource for fellow readers and help lead conversations about Jewish children’s books, nationwide. Mazel tov, David!
The foundation has gifted more than five million Jewish books to infants and children through its PJ Library program, which allows young readers to select one of four books a month, giving them more choice on their journey to being life-long book enthusiasts while introducing them to Jewish ideas.
Its online discussion portal on the PJ Our Way website is unique because participants can create book trailers, videos, quizzes, author interviews, and other media to communicate with peers about the books they read, said director Catriella Freedman.
“It provides a safe environment in which participants can discuss topics, outline themes, and recommend books to friends,” she added.
Standing O loves a good book too, and shares a favorite to congratulate David on his selection, “Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!” (Dr. Seuss).
Inquisitive readers and their parents can visit PJ Our Way at www.pjourway.org.
Downtown
Giving toys and joy
Three cheers to the staff and students at the Berkeley College Office of Student Development and Campus Life. The group held a toy drive for Quest Youth Organization in Bedford-Stuyvesant, a group committed to enriching the lives of young people through the performing arts. Berkeley student Andrew Gordon presented a box of wrapped toys to Linda Sylvester, associate executive director at Quest just before the holidays.
Standing O is committed to offering well-deserved pats on the back for do-gooding deeds and says, “Thank you Berkeley staff and students.”
Berkeley College Brooklyn Campus [255 Duffield St. at Fulton Street in Downtown, (718) 637–8600].
