On Tuesday, September 24, Hoboken residents gathered at Maxwell Place Park to celebrate Shirael Vaknin Pollack’s life.
At 5 p.m., the city held a ceremony to dedicate a bench in ﷺher memory at a park that was special to her.
Shirael, who passed away in 2019 after a two-year battle with stomach cancer, was much🌸 more than a Hoboken resident.
Her passion for educatio♎n and her desire to improve the lives of the children of Hoboken left a strong impression on the community.
- Shirael Vaknin Pollack passed away in 2019 after fighting stomach cancer and was a passionate advocate for public education.
- A bench in Maxwell Place Park, a place she often visited with her daughters, has been dedicated to her memory.
- The ceremony celebrated her contributions to education and her close connection to the community.
Shirael’s Commitment to Public Education
Shirael Vaknin Pollack was a person who truly cared about making a difference in public education.
As co-founder of the Hoboken 💦Public Education Foundation, she worked tirelessly to improve schools for students and teachers.
Incredibly, she was hands-on and always looked for ways to h꧂elp.
During the bench ded🦹ication ceremony, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla spoke about Shirael’s ability to𝓡 turn her beliefs into action.
She was known for her determination and ene⛄rgy in hel🔯ping the community.
And her involv🌌ement was about getting things done and encouraging others to step up, too.
Even though Shirael is no longer wit𓆏h us, the foundation she helped build is still working hard to support public school🐷s in Hoboken.
Th🎐is means her vision for a better educationღal system continues to benefit the city’s students. And that keeps her memory alive in the best way possible.
A Bench for Reflection and Remembrance
The bench at Maxwell Place Park n🔯ow serves as a quiet place for reflection and is dedicated to Shirael’s memory.
The plaque on the bench reads: “In loving memory of our beloved daughter, sister, mother, and aunt, Shirael Vaknin Pollack. Shirael loved her community and Hoboken with all her heart.
May her memory remain in ours.”
Friends, family, and community members attended the ceremony to share their stor🦩ies and remember how much Shirael cared about the people aroun🌄d her.
As you c𝓀an imagine, it was a touching moment, especiallyꦦ for her two daughters, who were present at the event.
They spent many moments together i꧋n the park, and now the bench will help keep those memories close.
As people sit on the bench or pass by, they’ll be reminded of someone wh🌠o worked hard to make Hღoboken a better place for everyone.
A Lasting Memory in the Heart of the Community
Shirael Vaknin Pollack’s bench in Maxwell Placeﷺ Park is now a permanent part of the Hoboken landscape, honoring her commitment to her family, community, and public education.
It’s a small but meaningful🐎 tribute to a woman who spent h𒉰er life working to improve the world around her.
While Shirael is no longer with us, her🌸 work and memory꧂ live on in those she touched.
Her efforts to improve public education in Hobok𓆉en continue to make a difference, and her love for the community is reflected in every part of this dedica🉐tion.
Next time you’re at M𓃲axwell Place Park, take a moment to visit the bench and remember Shirael’s contributions.
It’s a peace🍬ful spot that represents everything s💫he stood for—love for her family, care for her community, and dedication to making things better for the next generation.
Shirael may be gone, but her legacy will alwa🍸ys ꧟remain a part of Hoboken.
