So many stories have been told about Stanley Chera A”H. His passion. His business acumen. His vision. His wit. His moral compass. But above all, it is his tenderness and full heart that stand head and shoulders above it all. With unmitigated strength and determination, Stanley Chera loved and lived and shared. He truly enjoyed this world and the people in it, and his joie-de-vivre created a bridge for all of us to be a part of the electrified atmosphere he and his beautiful wife Cookie created. His approachability, rock-solid integrity, and generosity are the standard to which we all aspire.
Stanley had a love for all children, but he had a special love for special children. He rooted them on, encouraged them, and fought for them. Maybe he saw the potential and the possibilities ahead of them. Maybe he saw the pure love in their souls. Maybe he even saw a bit of himself in them, battling every day for a better life.
The History
Built with the love, sweat and tears of a few devoted individuals and a cast of hundreds who support them, The Special Children’s Center started with two kids in Jenine Shwekey’s basement after school; then four, and then six. When she and Chaya Bender found themselves taking care of 16 kids they expanded into a bright and cheery apartment and began to ask for help.
The year was 1996, and they were just teenagers at the time. As they began to ask for donations of furniture, services and money to bring joy to these kids, many friends and acquaintances discouraged them, but it only made them work harder. One by one, people joined their cause, as they formed the alliance that would become the Special Children’s Center; Richie Dweck, Elliot Tawil, Harry Adjmi, Dr. Gayle Krost, Michael Cayre, Norma Cohen, Jeff Sutton, Steve Rosenberg, and of course, Yaakov Shwekey, the Center’s most vocal supporter. They pushed for every dollar, every expansion, every square inch of play space, and every tool needed to make each special child’s life the most it could be.
Today, Jenine and Chaya’s dream is thriving. The Center hosts more than 450 special children daily across three locations. Every year, the number of families needing the Center’s services grows. Every year the Center needs to grow with it.
The day that Stanley Chera first met the founders of Special Children’s Center, it was at an event that took place in his own home. It was July, 2013. His daughter-in-law, Carol had been doing arts and crafts with the Center kids together with a few of her girlfriends. Later on, her daughters began visiting the Center on their own, once a week. They became attached, finding something beautiful in these kids, and when Jenine and Chaya were searching for an event venue, she suggested the Chera home in New Jersey.
Stanley said ‘yes’ without asking too many questions. That year they had created a “make a wish fashion show” for the children. Norma Cohen held the microphone while wishes came to life in every form, from front row tickets to Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber, to princess dreams, basketball star introductions, and so many other joys, large and small. When Stanley arrived home on the day of the event, he found a helicopter on the lawn, a forty-foot runway in place, and a white horse complete with Cinderella carriage in tow. He was in awe. This was his kind of show, and he could not believe his eyes. He looked at the two young women in charge and said incredulously, “Who are you, and how did you make this happen?”
Jenine recalls, “I think he saw a lot of himself in us. The crazy lengths we went to achieve our goals, the constant push and the sheer love for these children. He was on board immediately, and when we took him to Lakewood to see the building and meet the kids, he was as in love as we were.
The Businessman
Stanley Chera was and will always be a legend. He was known to be smart, savvy, and unbelievably creative. His enthusiasm was contagious, allowing him to appreciate the value in things many others could not fathom.
Born to Isaac and Florence Chera A”H, Stanley was raised in Brooklyn with two sisters, Helene and Louise, and a younger brother, Morris. The family grew up simply, without much money or fanfare, and Stanley worked after school delivering newspapers on his bicycle. When his dad took over a small hat store to open a discount children’s wear shop, he could not even afford to buy a new sign for the storefront, so Suzette’s Hats became Suzette Kiddie Togs overnight, and the seeds were planted for a future in the children’s wear business for the Chera family.
Isaac Chera fell ill at a young age, and so Stanley began working when he was just 13 years old. He was so young. He took the train to Fulton street alone, while his mother constantly worried where he was. By the time he was 15, he quit school to work full time, helping to support his family and running the store on his own. It wasn’t an easy road, but that only gave him the incentive to want more, and the motivation to work harder for it. He was surrounded by successful people. He had smarts and wits and drive. As his business grew from a 500 square foot store to a 10,000 square foot store, and then to a chain of stores called Young World, Stanley fought to make a name for himself and his family. As retail began to decline, he realized there was greater potential in the land itself than in operating the business. He started to buy the real estate on which his stores stood, and kept going. He was not afraid to go big, and then bigger still.
Stanley was a powerhouse and a miracle maker. His passion, creativity and fortitude would help change the face of retail, both in Brooklyn and on 5th Avenue. His attention to detail and smart business sense not only made him one of the most respected men in business today, but a force to be reckoned with worldwide. They called him “The Shark,” fittingly. Powerful, efficient and dynamic, Stanley was never afraid to swim with the big boys. He moved mountains every day, and his foresight and prudence created the foundation for the future of the family’s real estate business, Crown Acquisitions. The fact that his heart was made of pure gold was the cherry on the sundae.
The Philanthropist
For so many years, Stanley and Cookie stood at the forefront of the charity that this community thrives on. Stanley loved to plan parties and it was with joy and pleasure that the Chera’s gave back, elegantly and impeccably, hosting gala after gala at their home, lending their name and services to so many organizations. As founders of the Sephardic Community Alliance, they set the example. They are key donors, if not founders of almost every charity our community depends on, including SAFE, UJA, Sephardic Community Center, Bikur Holim, Food Fund, American Friends of Rabin Medical Center (Israel), Exceed, and United Hatzolah, among so many others. Stanley also arbitrated countless dilemmas in both personal and business situations. Stanley supported so many causes, from youth to health issues, both within our community and worldwide, but amongst all this giving, The Special Children’s Center stands out.
Jenine recalls the planning of the first Cipriani event. “When Stanley was working with us it was still ‘work’ for him; his mind reeled the same way it would for any business deal. ‘We need to raise big money. What’s hot now,’ he asked out loud. ‘Real Estate,’ he said, answering his own question. ‘And what’s the hottest place in NYC?’ Cipriani. And so, we began plans for a Real Estate event in Cipriani for the Special Children’s Center. We had no idea what we were doing, but Stanley guided us through every step of the process. He challenged us, and it only pushed us to excel.
“We held the Cipriani event to tremendous success three years in a row. At the last one, we invited Lloyd Goldman to speak in Stanley’s honor. It was a surprise, and when he walked onto the stage, Stanley was floored. I remember him smiling, and looking at us in that way he had, ‘You girls don’t stop,’ he said. He was always so proud of us.”
Stanley believed in the power of these kids, and in a speech that he made in 2016 he said, “When a parent has a special child, it is not what they bargained or hoped for, but it can still be a blessing…We have so much to gain from the purity and innocence of these kids; from the sheer joy they get through the simplest of activities… You have to understand what this Center is for these kids. Go and visit, see for yourself. It is truly jaw dropping.”
Richie Dweck, the Center’s very first supporter, explains, “Stanley had real rachmanut (empathy) for the children, and for the mothers who roll up their sleeves and give so much daily. He understood that for them this Center is a necessity. The kids gravitated towards him, too, like a big teddy bear. They saw the sunshine in him, and when Stanley called on donors it was his sincerity and true love for these kids that inspired them to join him in this cause. From the day he stepped foot in the Center the dynamics changed dramatically. He really brought these incredible children into the limelight.”
Stanley’s Girls
Jenine and Chaya became Stanley’s girls. They had a standing date with him every Friday. Chaya would bring his favorite, homemade chopped liver and Jenine would bring her energy and excitement for a cause that never stopped breathing. Stanley was often heard proclaiming, “These are the forgotten children. And as long as I am alive, they will not be forgotten.”
Jenine explains, “We lost a prince the day Stanley passed. I remember the first day he came to the Center. He was wearing a bright orange sweater. When he came inside to meet the children he just burst out crying. He fell in love with the kids and the place, but did not understand why we had several trailers attached to our state-of-the-art building. We explained that unfortunately the demand is just too high, and we didn’t want to refuse any children. We had to create more space, we could not say no. He wiped his tears, and immediately began going through his personal phone book, making calls and matching each donation as they came in. Chaya and I and Richie were all there. He looked at us and said, “You are going to get this building built and you will not be in debt. I am going to help you raise the money, and it will happen, I promise you.”
Norma Cohen, world renowned event planner and dear friend to the Chera’s remembers, “I believe that Stanley was the single person to give these girls the confidence and courage to raise money to numbers they never dreamt about. He was as excited about Center events as his own black-tie parties. He was involved in every step, and couldn’t wait to see the success. I remember when we were in Cipriani he would come check on the setup in the middle of the day. He’d make sure the model of the new building was set up just so, and that the seating arrangements were perfect. He did this selflessly, with nothing to gain. He just had pure love for these children.”
It’s Not What You Know…
Chaya Bender remembers, “We’d walk into Stanley’s office, sometimes with an appointment, and sometimes without, but no matter what he was doing, he made the time for us. One time, Stanley excused himself because the Oval Office was on the phone. Moments later he was right back there with us. Another time, Yaakov got us a last-minute meeting with a big fan of his, Brazilian businessman and tremendous philanthropist, Mr. Elie Horn. We called Stanley and told him we were 20 minutes away. He replied, ‘I’ll meet you there in 10.’ That was his way.”
We all know that Stanley was unafraid of people, and nobody was too big or powerful for him to approach. He had known Donald Trump from the real estate world and met him when he was one of 16 candidates running for President. He liked him and believed in his platform, and so they became fast friends. What people may not know is that Stanley did not ask much from the President, not for himself or the community. Except for one time.
Jenine recalls, “Charlie Kushner invited us to a Hanukkah party at the White House. We were so excited! We were allowed to bring just one guest. We decided it would be a special child, Bo. It was not an easy task. Bo had a ventilator and a wheelchair, but he also had a real dream to meet the President of the United States. When we arrived, we were part of a large crowd at the party. We tried to get close to Trump, but everyone was ignoring us. Bo was so disappointed. We called Stanley, and of course, within moments, the President made his way past security and towards this incredibly special boy. It was crazy. I am told it is the only favor he ever asked of the President. A special favor for a special child.”
Family
Stanley was the ultimate optimist who lived every day to the fullest. While his business dealings took much of his time, his crown jewels were truly the wife he adored, his three sons and daughters-in- law, and his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved life, and when he passed at 77 years old, on April 10, 2020 due to complications from COVID-19, a light went out in this community and around the world. He was a force on more fronts than anyone can imagine.
Stanley marveled as his dynasty continued to grow. His children refer to him as the glue that kept them all intact, and insist that he always put their needs before his own. As far as he was concerned every problem could be solved, and every pinnacle could be reached and surpassed. No decision was ever made without him, and it’s no wonder, because Papa always knew best. He did everything with a smile, and without stress. He was not afraid to be who he was, and by example, he gave his family the impetus and direction to live lives of honesty, philanthropy and industry. He was their greatest protector, and his sons Isaac, Haim and Richard follow his lead.
Renee Chera, Haim’s daughter recalls, “His dedication to the Special Children’s Center was unexpected, but as we watched how he connected with the children, we realized that it wasn’t about the money or the building. It was truly about the kids. He just always felt that these kids were his responsibility.”
Stanley H. Chera agrees, “My grandfather’s life was not linear. It was full of ups and downs, and I think these kids resonated with him because they’re the underdogs, like he was, once upon a time. He had a personal investment in them to succeed, and he wanted to provide the best for them as he would for any one of us. He always reminded us that money had no inherent value. He only used it as a tool, a conduit to do the things he wanted to do and to better the lives of those around him. ‘It is not about how much you have,’ he would say, ‘but what you do with it that is important.’ He gave us more than we could imagine, not trying to impress us, but because it was his way. Even when he got others to match his donations it was him sharing in the mitzvah of giving. It was always out of love.”
Stanley never took ‘no’ for an answer. He didn’t ask for money for the Center, he demanded it. Harry Adjmi recalls, “Stanley was so sensitive to the kids. He’d say, ‘we have to do everything we can because they can’t help themselves.’ He wanted all the children to be taken care of, and wanted to be sure that we’d have enough space to handle any child that needed the Center’s services. He believed fully in the new building and was determined to see it built within the year. He had a unique power with people because he was genuine and they knew it.”
Christine Lompado, executive assistant to the Chera family, planned thousands of appointments for Jenine and Chaya and Stanley over the years. She adds, “All I can say is how dear the Center project became to him as the years went by. He loved the kids and wanted to make sure they had the best. The energy of Chaya, Jenine and Gayle propelled him to want to do more.”
In 2020, almost 25 years since its inception, so many more have joined the Center bandwagon, Elliot Aizer, Jack Scaba, David Hillel, Jack Klugman, Sam Zeldes and so many new young minds. Center care is 24/7. Every weekend. Every legal holiday. It’s a place of music and dancing and art—dinner and bath time. They take the children on vacation and provide work skills and homes when the kids become adults. This is not a school, but a respite for families with special children—a place where the kids can play and relax and learn, and be free of labels and stares. This Center is unlike anything else in the world.
On June 15, 2020 The Special Children’s Center made history with the live fundraising event of the summer, Singing in the Rain. Between the virus, the quarantine, the looting of our beloved city, and most devastating, the illness and death of far too many of our loved ones, G-d knows we have seen plenty of rain. And yet, today, while sadness fills our hearts, we find ourselves taking a page from the Special Children’s playbook, pushing through to the sunlight, singing and smiling. I say to myself, Hashem has a plan. He is forming an army up there, and without question, our beloved Papa, Stanley Chera A”H, must be the general.
Jenine concludes, “Stanley’s children would tell me that when he was with our kids he would have his best day ever. It felt like he was the captain of our ship; he’d lift everyone up, like it was his responsibility. He was always thinking of us and taking care of us; we never had to remind him. He had big dreams for these children, and I hope that his dreams carry on now that he is gone. We are so grateful. Our hearts are broken.”
Thank you to all who shared their stories with me, we have lost a diamond this year. To share in Stanley’s mitzvah and donate to Special Children’s Center please contact chayab@thecenternj.org.
