One of the most incredible things about the Tucson J is that it does not stand out here in the Sonoran Desert alone – it is part of global network of community centers united in shared mission and vision, each of them serving the unique needs of their local communities, which, come to find out, are not so different across the globe. And much like the Jewish people, our JCC’s are stronger together.
Earlier in September, Tucson J leaders and Board members met virtually with leaders and Board members from the Qiryat Bialik Matnass (Community Center) in Qiryat Bialik, Israel, and the Kedem JCC on the Kishinev Jacobs Jewish Campus in Chisinau (formerly known as Kishinev), Moldova. Smadar Bar Akiva, Executive Director of JCC Global, JCC Association’s Dori Denelle, Senior Vice President of Executive Leadership, and Leah Garber, Senior Vice President of Israel Engagement, also joined the call, which kicked off a series of meetings that will take place over the course of the next year or more.
After a discussion about the religious and cultural manifestations of Jewish Peoplehood, Smadar laid broad goals for the collaboration: to strengthen Peoplehood, develop our Board members, and foster relationships that result in mutual growth and learning for our individual and global communities.
Each CEO gave a brief presentation about their JCC, featuring the history of their organization and the city they are in, the mission and vision behind their work, and highlights of the programs they offer. In breakout rooms, participants took time to learn about one another, sharing why they serve in their roles and some of the challenges and successes Boards are facing.
What the leaders discovered was not necessarily surprising, but incredibly powerful: both in terms of the work itself, and the why behind it, all three JCCs had a tremendous amount in common. Said in different but similar terms, each mission and vision statement focused on creating meaningful connections, fostering communal harmony, and cultivating a sense of belonging by providing programs and services that speak to a diversity of needs, interests, and identities.
Similarities in programming included cross-generational offerings from early childhood education to leisure programs for aging adults; programs serving people with disabilities (with emphasis on the arts!); and Jewish educational and cultural programming of all kinds from informal learning for teens, to clubs and classes, holiday celebrations, and special events.
But perhaps the most impactful takeaway, was that resoundingly, the reason Board members at all three JCCs said they served was to give back to a community they felt had given so much to them – and not only them, but the Jewish people as a collective.
Julya, who has served for six years on the Board at the Kedem JCC, said, “I got involved on the Board because there is such important Jewish history in Moldova. This work helps to continue that history, shaping our legacy into the future and connecting us to the values we share with Jewish people around the world.”
The Boards of the Tucson, Kedem, and Qiryat Bialik (and all) JCCs are not only responsible for governance but play a crucial role in guiding the growth and development of their organizational communities, and by extension, leading the growth and development of the Jewish people. By working collaboratively to explore similarities, differences, and challenges across communities, the leaders hope to gain new ideas that will guide and deepen their work in the year to come.
However, it is not only in thought and spirit that our communities uplift one another; both Kedem, which is bordered by Ukraine to the north, east, and south, and Qiryiat Bialik, have welcomed in the Ukrainian community in the wake of the war. Strong relationships lead to tangible, meaningful action. As antisemitism continues to rise around the world and communities across the globe continue to face new challenges, there will only be more opportunities to connect with one another in strength and solidarity.
Leah Garber closed the meeting with an inspiring and hopeful message, “Better leaders in our JCCs create better citizens of the Jewish world.” As the Tucson J prepares to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, and with a talented and invested Board and leaders at the helm, it is with dedication, innovation, and collaboration that we will shape a brighter future in the year to come.
