Spotlight On: Amy Kufist

When Amy Kufist joined UJA-Federation of New York’s Young Wall Street group in October 2010, she was eager to hit the ground running. Fortunately for Kufist, she became involved with UJA-Federation during Jewish Social Action Month (JSAM), an annual global celebration during the month of Chesvan that aims to transform the month from one without Jewish holidays into one celebrating volunteerism and tikkun olam, repairing the world.

Amy Kufist (far left) with other cemetery cleanup volunteers.

Kufist chose to join other like-minded adults in their 20s and 30s for UJA-Federation’s Emerging Leader & Philanthropists (ELP) Jewish Social Action Week. Though she says she’s normally a “craft-projects-with-kids kind of volunteer,” Kufist stepped out of her comfort zone and into Bayside Cemetery in Queens to help beautify the grounds. In addition to landscaping and gardening, volunteers toured the space and learned about its history and connection to the New York Jewish community

“I wasn’t sure what to expect or if I’d enjoy it because I’m not really the outdoorsy type,” Kufist said. “What I got was an incredibly unexpected and rewarding experience that was so much more than I could have hoped for.”

Kufist said that when participants first arrived at the cemetery, they could barely walk beyond the center path because it was so overgrown with weeds and trees. The volunteers picked up their hedge cutters and loppers and almost immediately saw results from their hard work.

And lurking under the shrubbery were some unexpected surprises.

“It was especially touching for me to reveal a completely hidden grave — to read the name and the story of that person who lived and died over a century ago,” Kufist said. “Beautifying their graves was a way for me to honor my heritage in a historic surrounding, all while meeting new friends. It was definitely hard work, but nothing this city girl couldn’t handle!

“While this project may not provide the instant gratification of an elderly person’s smile or a child’s laugh, the beauty of the land and the feeling of being among nature will leave just as lasting an impression in my mind and my heart.”