At its fourth annual community service event, "A Celebration of the Arts and Humanity," held at Pathways Women's Health on Nov. 7, Bilha Chesner Fish, M.D., director, honored two generations of artists and two survivors of atrocities.

This special event focused on connecting the generations by fostering mutual appreciation, using art and music as a universal language of expression that transcends the barriers of age and the presentation of humanitarian awards acknowledging teen and adult contributions to the community.

This year's humanitarian awards, based on "Stories of Courage," were awarded to David Gewirtzman of Great Neck and 17-year-old Jacqueline Murakatete. While separated by over 50 years and by cultural differences, they are connected by the atrocities they have experienced: one, the horrors of the Holocaust, and the other, the sole survivor of her family in the 1994 genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda, in southeast Africa. Amazingly, they each have emerged from these nightmares without bitterness, without hate, and with the mutual belief that the only weapon against hate is education. It was, in fact, through a lecture Gewirtzman gave at Martin Van Buren High School that these two met and have since established a special bond. Their strength, courage and tenacity have enabled them to survive and to move forward using their experiences to promote peace and understanding. While their extraordinary stories they shared with the audience focused on human atrocities, the true focus was on the survival of the human spirit. Together, they will soon appear before the US Commission on Human Rights.

The walls of Pathways were adorned by the teen/adult art exhibit that was also a major part of the evening. With the sounds of a classical guitarist and violinist in the background, guests filled the hallways and various rooms for the reception and viewed over 70 pieces of artwork. Beth Levinthal, director of the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington served as the judge for the show and along with Dr. Fish, made the presentation of awards to the winners at the ceremony that followed.

This very moving evening ended with the sweet sound of music. The two teens, who were selected by music aficionado Mason Senft from the many competing, performed. First place winner, Danielle Fortunato, who attends Sewanhaka High School, led the audience in the National Anthem with her powerful and beautiful voice, and later performed Porgi Amor from The Marriage of Figaro. Multitalented John Field, a junior at Nassau BOCES Cultural Arts Center, received the prize for 2nd place and magnificently performed Adagio E. Tarantella by E. Cavallini on the clarinet.

Sponsors of the awards were: Unitex Textile Rental Service, Martin Viette Nurseries, Dynaire Corporation, Sunrise Business products; Corners (Syosset), Sam Ash Music, Jerry's Artarama, and Riebe's Artists Materials.

Teen winners: 1st place - Brian Strumwasser, Plainview, Old Bethpage/JFK High School; 2nd place - Rebecca Sheckman, Paul Schreiber High School; 3rd place - Renelin Valdez, Elmont Memorial High School.

Adult winners: 1st place - Judith Huttner of Oceanside; 2nd place - Marion McManus of Port Washington; 3rd place - Ruth A. Padawer of East Hills.

Honorable Mention - Beth Goldberg of Massapequa.

"It feels great to win first place," said Strumwasser, a student at Plainview Old Bethpage JFK High School. "It was a good experience and it was run very nicely." Strumwasser received a $200 check and a certificate of recognition for his first place artwork.

Strumwasser recently donated his artwork titled With a Cherry on Top to a silent auction that the Holocaust Memorial Center is holding.