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Promising JCC Vibes

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The JCC-hosted SAJE still draws hundreds of adults to
f first impressions count, there's reason to be optimistic
study each winter, but these community-taught classes
about the future of the financially stressed Jewish
should stand the test of a rigorous evaluation now that
Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit. Let's
Alterman is JCC president. Still growing are Shalom Street
hope the new top leaders reach their potential in the strategic
and the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, both co-devel-
areas of planning, programming, budgeting and connecting.
If they do, the JCC will become stronger and less Federation- oped by Federation's Alliance for Jewish Education. The JCC
day camp, child development center, sports leagues and
dependent at a crucial crossroads in its 79-year history.
As Irwin Alterman, a personable guy and respected motiva- inline hockey boast record participation. The Jewish Book
Fair and the Lenore Marwil Jewish Film Festival are pillar
tor who loves the JCC, becomes president and as Mark Lit, a
events. There's a waiting list for lockers at the Oak Park JCC.
career JCC professional with energy and experience, succeeds
I see more young adults toning at the Center Fitness Club in
David Sorkin as executive director, the
West Bloomfield despite so many nearby options. Current
Center looks to be in good hands.
JCC membership is 4,243 households, up 174 from 2004.
Alterman hears what others say about the
I hope the Jewish Academy, in temporary, adjacent quar-
JCC, even in the sauna; the JCC staff
ters, does move to the second floor of the West Bloomfield
knows he truly cares. He's a founder of
JCC. And I was glad to forego a jog on the large indoor track
Seminars for Adult Jewish Enrichment
in that building for a BBYO teen party. The
(SAJE), of which the JCC is a
JCC and teenagers benefit equally from the
co-sponsor, and co-endows
interaction.
the Susan Alterman Center
ROBERT A. Leadership Award in memory
SKLAR
of his late wife, who was a
"But most of all, he has taught
Editor
Center ambassador. He serves
us something really important: to
on the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit board so is no stranger
think out of the box, to think for
to the strain put on Federation's Annual
Campaign by Michigan's economy.
yourself but be smart and bring
Of all the plaudits showered on Alterman at
his installation on June 15 in the West
people along with you."
Bloomfield JCC's Janice Charach Epstein
Gallery, what struck me most was Sharon
— Sharon Hart on Invin Alterman
Hart's take. She's a JCC past president who
also has worked with Alterman in a leadership
capacity at Adat Shalom Synagogue in
Alterman blasted a homerun in vowing to emphasize cus-
Farmington Hills.
tomer service, on making every JCC visitor feel special. If the
"Irwin has taught us less is better than more," Hart said.
intent isn't an inviting experience for all who come, the JCC
"But most of all, he has taught us something really impor-
is doomed. Something still needs to be done about seniors
tant: to think out of the box, to think for yourself but be
able to drive but not make the long walk from the West
smart and bring people along with you."
Bloomfield parking lot (perhaps staff-provided valet service if
The Center needs nothing if not thoughtful risk-taking in
seniors call ahead?).
pursuit of new income, more efficiency and less Federation
Executive Director Mark Lit cut his JCC spurs in Texas
reliance.
over 25 years. Most recently, he was CEO of the Jewish
Federation awarded the JCC $1.63 million for the 2004-
Community Association of Austin, which represents the
2005 allocation year, no change from the prior year. It also
Center and Federation. That dual exposure should serve him
gave the JCC a $200,000 supplemental grant for the fifth
well in helping lift our JCC to fiscal independence. I like his
straight year to expedite capital improvements and stem a
script for success: create a sense of family at every turn, gen-
loss of members amid the dust and disruption. Federation,
erate more scholarships for users with special needs or on
through its banking/real estate arm, the United Jewish
fixed budgets, enrich Jewish learning opportunities for every
Foundation, provides 17 percent of the
age and interest, follow ethical business
$10.7 million JCC operating budget; the
practices.
subsidy ranks third after program fees (34
Points To Ponder
Outgoing President Hannan Lis, always
percent) and membership fees (22 per-
upfront and sincere, spoke of "bringing
cent). Federation has not yet announced
the largest JCC in the world into a new
2005-2006 allocations. The supplemental
Are you a dues-paying
reality that is evident in the incredible
grant, set to expire, will continue but be
member of the JCC?
demographic, cultural and economic
cut to $100,000, a positive step toward
If not, why?
changes influencing the lifestyle of today's
erasing the (valid) impression that
If a user, what do you like
Jewish families."
Federation cannot focus on other pressing
best and least about
Therein lies the core challenge for
needs while covering Center deficits.
the JCC?
Alterman and Lit: to map a five-year
Federation's Howard Neistein says the
strategic plan that's edgy enough to
$100,000 cut "does not reflect a dissatis-
If not a user, how must the
inspire people to join, use and give so
faction with the JCC or a lack of need by
JCC change to attract you?
JCC membership, revenue and endow-
the agency for operating support but is
ments flourish. Federation's new demo-
rather a result of our community having
More about how JCC
graphic study, the first in 16 years, will
to make difficult decisions and looking to
funding is spent:
furnish helpful data. ❑
its priorities as guidelines."
www.jccdet.org

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