Connecticut Jewish Ledger

NEW HAVEN — As the summer of 1952 was drawing to a close, the New Haven Register featured a photo of eight smiling children wearing birthday hats and blowing out candles, as they stood gathered around a large birthday cake. The caption read, “Jewish Center Campers End Season with Birthday Fete.” The fourth camper from the left is eight year old Barry Vine, now a New Haven businessman.

Vine never forgot his two wonderful summers at the JCC camp. And he never forgot the people who made it possible for him to attend camp. Now, Vine actively raises money for the “Barry Vine Send a Kid to Camp Scholarship Fund” of the JCC of Greater New Haven.

“Camp opened up my world and created a love for the JCC and the Jewish community-which has stayed with me for over 50 years,” reports Vine, who grew up on Legion Avenue. “At that time, I don’t think I traveled more than five miles from my home.”

Vine’s parents did not have a car, and both parents worked hard to provide for young Barry--but they did not have money to send him to camp. “If it wasn’t for generous donors at that time, I would have never attended camp and enjoyed the resources of the Jewish community,” he said.

Giving Back
Vine, who lives in Woodbridge with his wife, Hyla, and daughters Ilana and Glenna, and is the owner of Vine Products, a costume jewelry company in West Haven, believes strongly in giving back to the community. Vine has been actively involved in many Jewish and non-Jewish organizations over the years, including the JCC of Greater New Haven.

“Barry has been an active supporter of many Jewish and non-Jewish organizations with both his time and his money for as long as I have had the pleasure of knowing him,” said Andrew Eder, a past president of the JCC and a current board member, has worked closely with Vine in many organizations. “I can always count on Barry to lend a hand to any project which benefits the community.”

JCC Executive Director Scott Cohen agrees.

“Mr. Vine has made a tremendous contribution to the JCC in many ways over the last several decades,” Cohen said. “Through this fund, which the JCC has named in his honor, Mr. Vine acknowledges how others helped him when he needed it, and reaffirms his willingness and commitment to give back in a meaningful way today. I know I speak for the JCC board and staff when I say that we are all very grateful for his contribution.”

Vivid Memories
Vine, an only child, fondly and vividly remembers his JCC camp experiences, which included playing ping-pong and volleyball, singing songs on the bus, and eating ice cream at Clark’s Dairy on the way back from the YMCA swimming pool a few blocks from the JCC building at Legion and Dwight Avenues.

“Twice a week our counselors took us on swimming trips to Woodmont, which was a summer gathering place for many local Jewish families,” Vine recalled. “We also went to Wharton’s Brook and to Chatfield Hollow State Park, and on rainy days, to Whitney Theater for a double feature with cartoons.” Vine even remembers his camp director, Lenny Margolis and his favorite counselor, Sherman Krevolin.

In a recent fundraising letter to the Jewish community, Vine writes, “My counselors were my mentors, and they influenced many young kids like me. They showed me that life had many possibilities and opportunities beyond my limited experience.”

During Vine’s visit to camp last summer, he writes, “I could not tell which of the children attended camp on scholarship; nor could I tell which would someday become a leader in the greater New Haven community. But I do know that, one of these children, perhaps many of them, will someday fill that leadership role…The JCC opened my world.”

Contributions may be made to the Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven; ATTN: Send a Kid to Camp, 360 Amity Road, Woodbridge, CT 06525.