The next time you drive by Avenue S and Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn, lift your eyes way up high to the third-floor corner of the Sephardic Community Center. There, behind a section of glass blocks, in an office filled with crayoned pictures taped to the wall and cartons of snacks piled-high, sits a frisky dog named Lola and her proud owner, the very special Lillian Ebani, Director Youth Services, Director of Camping Services.
What makes Lillian so noteworthy is how much she does, how well she does it, and what she says when you inquire about the motivation behind her magic.
For over 30 years (18 of which have been at The Center) Lillian has brought an abundance of joy to tens of thousands of community children.
Her involvement with Camp David, Passover trips, Magen David Trips to Cabo, and Center Sleepaway Camp have been tremendous. From her office and her cell phone, which, like Lola, doesn’t leave her side, she also handles the monumental task of coordinating The Center’s Sunday and after-school enrichment programs for the youth throughout the year, year after year.
Cooking, dance, gymnastics, a variety of arts, all kinds of sports, martial arts, mad science, lego-building, model airplane-building, music, and springtime baseball leagues are just some of the programs Lillian helps to create for 3 – 12 year-olds.
Renée Beyda is a wife, mom, writer, artist and community member.