In succeeding years, the JCC would add a Jewish Book Fair,
symphony orchestra, theater program, Hebrew and adult
education classes, activities for people with special needs,
teen gatherings, holiday programs, art gallery and experi-
ences for families to spend quality time together. The JCC is
a place where people of various beliefs and levels of obser-
vance can feel comfortable to hold dialogues. It's a place
where people can relax, socialize, renew acquaintances,
make new friends and celebrate their Jewish heritage.
Wherever the Jewish community relocated, the JCC was
there.

Instilling the joy of Judaism is part of the mission of the JCC's Sarah and Irving
Pitt Child Development Center. Each fall the children celebrate Simchat Torah,
marching with flags and singing songs.

What a tremendous history the JCC has! And what a fabu-
lous future it has ahead of it! From small beginnings, the
JCC has grown up with the Jewish community and in so
doing, changed its focus to meet the needs, interests and
abilities of each successive generation. At its founding, the
JCC offered social services, teaching new Americans skills
to enable them to live in their new homeland and become
self-sufficient. It grew as a center for social and recreation-
al activities and informal Jewish education programs.
During World War II, the JCC was a place of respite for sol-
diers, providing comfort and social opportunities as a USO
site.

Children in the Sarah and Irving Pitt Child Development Center listen to the
Purim story and march in costume at the annual Purim parade.

/0z

And we're still moving forward. Our children can look for a
JCC in their future with improved programs, services and
facilities including the Joseph and Celia Lakofsky Aquatics
Center at the JPM Building, the Samantha Erin Rosen Pool,
the Kuschinski/Indianer Playground and the Sara A. and
Harry Berlin Play Area, all at the Kahn Building. They'll
have the beginnings of their Jewish education in our nation-
ally-accredited child development center. They'll expand
their Jewish communal contacts through partnerships creat-
ed between the JCC and local organizations and congrega-
tions. And as our children grow, they can take advantage of
recreational, health and fitness facilities and quality cultur-
al and Judaic programs to enhance their bodies, minds and
spirits, and it all will be in the heart of the neighborhood.

What a wonderful future we have to look forward to at the
JCC!

The JCC offers a variety of sports and recreation opportunities for children and
teens. The InLine Hockey Center at the Kahn Building teaches skills that will
be useful later in life, such as good sportsmanship and teamwork.