[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8358]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF ``HAND IN HAND''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2012

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the efforts of 
the Hand in Hand organization, as its members gather to honor its 
outstanding teen volunteers. Hand in Hand continues to cultivate 
friendships and build life long relationships between local teen 
volunteers and special needs children. Hand in Hand teen volunteers 
will be recognized for their outstanding service to the community at an 
awards dinner on June 5, 2012. Aimee and Gerald Ostrov and Nona and 
Dennis Drazin will serve as Guests of Honor. Their faithful service and 
dedication to the community is worthy of this body's recognition.
  Hand in Hand is a local volunteer based organization founded in 2006 
under the direction of Chabad of the Shore. The organization is 
dedicated to building friendships between children with special needs 
and teen volunteers. Students involved in the Hand in Hand organization 
remain fully exposed to a wide variety of Jewish activities and social 
experiences. Teen volunteers learn to become effective friends and 
mentors while children learn to interact and build social skills. The 
interaction has helped build eye opening experiences and strong, life 
long relationships. The unending generosity demonstrated by the Hand in 
Hand teen volunteers has undoubtedly touched many lives and has helped 
countless people throughout central New Jersey.
  Hand in Hand volunteers and children have also benefited from the 
steadfast leadership and mentoring of Rabbi Laibel Schapiro and the 
Chabad of the Shore staff. Rabbi Schapiro received his rabbinical 
ordination from the Central Chabad Yeshiva in Brooklyn, New York. He 
has directed the Chabad of the Shore of Monmouth County since 2002 and 
is a powerful presence in the Monmouth County Jewish community. Rabbi 
Schapiro's steadfast leadership and contributions to Chabad of the 
Shore, the Hand in Hand organization and Jewish community are an 
inspiration to future generations throughout Monmouth County, New 
Jersey.
  The 2012 Annual Hand in Hand Dinner will also recognize four 
outstanding individuals who will serve as the Guests of Honor. Aimee 
and Gerald Ostrov are residents of Long Branch, New Jersey and Herzliya 
Pituach, Israel. Aimee served the Hadassah organization for 30 years 
and has served in numerous prominent positions including President of 
the East Brunswick Chapter, President of the Southern New Jersey Region 
and National Board and Executive Committee. She is an alumna of Cornell 
University and completed a dietetic internship at Massachusetts General 
Hospital. Aimee worked as a dietitian in hospitals and nursing homes 
before dedicating her time exclusively to family and philanthropy. 
Jerry is an alumnus of Cornell University and earned his Masters in 
Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He has spent most 
of his career at Johnson & Johnson where he was later promoted to 
Company Group Chairman. After a short retirement, he returned to work 
as Chairman and CEO of Bausch & Lomb. He currently serves on several 
Boards and provides guidance for start-up companies, particularly in 
Israel. The Ostrovs are dedicated to sharing their Jewish faith with 
the community through various charitable and volunteer activities. 
Their recent volunteer work has provided professional and strategic 
leadership to educate the community about Israel.
  Nona and Dennis Drazin continue to serve with various organizations 
throughout Monmouth County, New Jersey. Dennis Drazin currently serves 
as President at Drazin and Warshaw, an esteemed position that oversees 
12 attorneys and 40 support staff members. Dennis earned his Juris 
Doctorate from Dickinson School of Law and is a current member of 
multiple organizations including the Monmouth County, New Jersey and 
American Bar Associations. He often lectures for the American Bar 
Association and Monmouth Bar Association, among others. Dennis Drazin 
is also chairman of Elite Equine Consultants, providing advice and 
consultation for the Thoroughbred Horseman's Association. Nona Drazin 
is an alumna of the University of Pennsylvania and earned her Juris 
Doctorate in 1994 from American University. She has practiced law in 
Washington, DC and New Jersey. Nona was also employed by the New Jersey 
Thoroughbred Horseman's Association as their General Counsel and serves 
as President on their Board of Trustees. Until recently, she served two 
terms as an elected Trustee at Congregation B'nai Israel in Rumson, New 
Jersey. Nona was recently elected to the Monmouth Parks Charity 
Foundation's Board of Directors. The Ostrovs and Drazins continue to 
provide valuable and dedicated time to the Hand in Hand organization 
and the Monmouth County community.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, please join me in thanking the Hand in Hand 
teen volunteers and congratulating the guests of honor for their 
service and dedication. Their efforts continue to enhance the lives of 
individuals throughout Monmouth County and New Jersey.

                          ____________________