The Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County held a toast to another 25 years last week, and just in time for Hanukkah.
Doris Geller (c) and others chat in front of a newly unveiled wall honoring donors to a major fundraising campaign for the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County, located on Oak Tree Road in Edison. JEFF GRANIT staff JCC trustees and other longtime members were joined by Mayor Antonia Ricigliano on Dec. 2 at the Oak Tree Road center as they reflected on their efforts over the last quartercentury to provide services that are “an integral component not only for the Jewish community, but for the community as a whole.”
Members unveiled a donor wall to show their appreciation for the hard work of many over the years. Linda Baker, house vice president, took charge of designing the wall with the help of others.
“We have focused on our mission of enhancing this community, and I think we have done a great job,” said Adam Glinn, executive vice president of the JCC. “The new JCC is a vital and positive part of the community.”
It was five years ago when a challenge was put forth by the Morris & Lydia Goldfarb Foundation and the Marion & Norman Tanzman Charitable Trust Foundation. David Koplowitz, Jeffries Shein and Barbara Sousa, trustees from the two groups, suggested a fundraising campaign with the foundations matching whatever amount is raised. The money would be used to pay off long-term debts that had been incurred over the years and enable the JCC to remain focused on providing services to the community.
“The mortgage was really large and there were credit card debts,” Koplowitz said. “Everyone made it possible. My uncle, Morris Goldfarb, was a tough guy, I’m sure I will meet him again, and if we did not do a good job, he would let me have it.”
Glinn said officials at the time were not sure what the goal amount should be.
“Then David said $1 million,” he said. “He said we could reach it, but I wasn’t so sure since I never ran a campaign like this before.”
On Dec. 2, Glinn and fellow board of trustee members announced that the campaign was a success.
“We are at the cusp of reaching our goal, and the funds raised will secure our future,” he said.
Eric Nacht, president of the JCC, said the funds raised allowed the organization to pay off its debts and free up its cash flow in order to concentrate on providing services.
Five years ago, Nacht said, the organization was struggling.
“It was in Adam’s kitchen where a vision was made to keep the building going,” he said. “The tireless efforts of our members, with the guidance of Dorothy Rubenstein, kept the board sound. … The JCC has never been stronger.”
Glinn said the JCC has overcome many challenges since opening in 1984.
“It was in 1992 when a financial crisis reared its ugly head,” he said. “Our only options were either to raise money or close our doors forever. Our members stepped up; we raised $400,000 in six weeks … it was a JCC miracle.”
Glinn said the money raised allowed the JCC to remain open, and though it was in high demand, the JCC and its building still had significant debt when the 2005 challenge, “JCC 2010, Honoring the Past and Securing the Future,” was announced.
“This was a quiet effort,” he said. “There was no telethon; this was a person-to-person grassroots campaign.”
Glinn said the JCC is still accepting donations. The matching component of the challenge will run through June 2011. For more information, visit www.jccmc.org or call 732- 494-3232.