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L’Hitraot to our Executive Director, Les

12 February, 2021

Dear JCC Members,

It is hard to believe that we have been under COVID-19 rules for almost a year, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We appreciate you all for hanging in there and for your continued support of our wonderful Katz JCC. We are open for business and have learned to pivot for all of you.

Katz JCC Les CohenFitness and Wellness is going strong with virtual and real-time classes. In-person training, fitness center workouts, classes and swim times keep our building bustling daily. Our JCC follows strict safety guidelines for our members and staff, so come in and see us!

Our Sari Isadner Early Childhood Center is open and is having such a positive impact on our youngest members. Our students have a wonderful, safe, and caring environment with dedicated teachers. Parents have been able to go back to a somewhat new normal, knowing their children are in great hands.  Our Adult Department is offering countless virtual classes via our adult education and outreach programs. We have expanded class offerings and know there is something for everyone.  We have provided support for parents with the development of our JSchool virtual learning support program right here at the JCC as well as JHeart in-home support for families with children of all ages.

We’re counting down the days until Summer and we are excited that our JCC Camps at Medford and our Early Childhood Camps will once again be a summer home to so many children in our community.

We also have a big change to tell you about. It is with mixed emotions that we announce that Les Cohen, our beloved executive director for the past 30 years, has decided to retire. While happy for Les, we are sad to see him leave us.  It is through Les’s leadership that we moved from our old building on Route 70 to our current home. It was also Les’s vision, that took us through a successful expansion of our fitness and wellness center. Beyond the walls of the JCC, the warmth and community we all feel inside the JCC is due to Les, his commitment and his deep love for the work we do. We will be celebrating Les and his many accomplishments soon, so stay tuned.

As we move towards the future, we are in the process of conducting a national search for a new executive director. While we search, we are thrilled to announce that Beth Segal, our Chief Program Officer, will serve as our Interim Director. Beth has been part of our JCC family for several years and is a consummate JCC professional with over 30 years of experience. We value her leadership, guidance, and love for our JCC and I know we are in good hands.

Our Federation leaders and our JCC Board of Directors are strong and capable. Transitions are often bittersweet, but we all know that nothing stays the same. So please wish Les much success in his retirement, and Beth an easy transition.

Thank you for your membership and continued support, we are so grateful!  We hope we make you feel important to us because you are!  Thank you, stay healthy and safe.

B’Shalom,
Marcy Dash Friedman, Katz JCC President

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