Annual Meeting, Cont'd...

In January, 1983, then-Executive Director Allan Finkelstein and Board President Mike Talis formally opened this building. Since that time, more than 400 members have been consistently, without interruption, loyal JCC members. And a number of these members have been with the JCC for much longer than that - some 50+ years!

We have had the honor of service from 12 JCC presidents from 1983 to today. A select few JCC staff members have worked at the JCC 25 years or longer. It is an honor to recognize all 25+ year members, staff and Past Presidents at this meeting.

With the depth of this loyalty and support, it is no surprise that our JCC exceeds benchmark recognition at the national level for our Jewish community building, programs, services and member retention.

It is the members, the Board members, the Presidents and the staff who make this place work, and I am in awe and humbled by your commitment to our mission.

This year, we have been very busy investing in our JCC for the next 25 years and beyond! For example, the opening of the new Zusman Center, with full use this summer for campers; kaleidoscope and rental use has begun. Thank you Larry and Leonore Zusman for your generosity.

A brand new, state-of-the-art High Ropes Course at Hoover, is another example. More challenging and more fun for campers and community groups, it was made possible by support from Marvin and Sue Katz and the Berman Endowment Fund at the Columbus Jewish Foundation.

The new Sports and Wellness model with enhanced fitness staffing, youth basketball and baseball programming, and use of the incredible new ball fields - thanks to Alan Byer and his family - is another exmple.

Additional examples include: The Columbus Jewish Film Festival, now in its 4th year, hit the big time with more support and more community wide visibility; a first-ever all children's production, Willy Wonka, which gave 68 children amazing self-confidence and fun; David Moss - one of the most significant Jewish artists today - held a week-long residence; and the Gallery Players, with their new shows and new faces.

Our Early Childhood program is nationally recognized and has record numbers with more than 450 children and waiting lists at all three sites. As a result of this success, the JCC will be the first to partner with the Columbus Jewish Federation in a strategic planning process to "Grow Jewish Columbus." Recognizing that Early Childhood programs provide the first point of contact with the Jewish community for many young families, the JCC and Federation want to ensure that our programs and facilities are "best-in-class." The project will provide a new Early Childhood facility in the Northeast to house our preschool, multi-purpose space with a gym, community rooms for teens and adult learning, and space to grow. Community Plannning includes a Capital Campaign that also will enhance all three locations, Northwest and College Avenue.

The JCC also took a big leap forward this year with electronic communication. Our CenterScene newsletter is now online and sent to you each month electronically. Our website, ColumbusJCC.org, recently won recognition for excellence by our national organization, the JCC Association.

The Member Services Department led a year-long Synagogue Promotion - a joint effort with every synagogue to promote Jewish life and involvement. No wonder that for the first time, our membership revenue alone will exceed $1 million this year.

A few final thank you's - to Marsha Hurwitz, president and CEO of the Columbus Jewish Federation and to Jackie Jacobs, executive director of the Columbus Jewish Foundation. You are true partners and the community is a better place because you are here.

And to the hardest workiing JCC president I can imagine - Jeff Meyer (also a 25+ year member). He may have a day job, but he works on behalf of the JCC 24/7. It is never too early in the morning or too late at night for Jeff to be thinking about the JCC and what needs to happen next. His energy is amazing and our JCC is incredibly fortunate that he cares so deeply about it.

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