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■ 11 ■ 169.161
18 June 18 • 2015
-
Proposals being vetted
for Oak Park JCC; Issner
to remain director until
situation stabilizes.
I
Jackie Headapohl
Managing Editor
p
rofessionals at the United Jewish
Foundation are in the midst of
reviewing and vetting a "hand-
ful" of proposals they received for the
NI. future of the Jimmy
Prentis Morris Jewish
Community Center
in Oak Park, which
will be closing Aug.
31, according to Scott
Marcus, who is lead-
ing the committee
doing the work.
Scott Marcus
The proposals are
from a "mix of Jewish
and secular agencies:' he said.
One of the main questions to
be answered, according to Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit CEO
Scott Kaufman, is whether the proposing
businesses and com-
munity organizations
are able to execute
their plans.
"Maintaining the
mission of the facility
to serve the commu-
nity remains the high-
est priority:' Kaufman
Scott
said, "especially the
Kaufman
needs of the senior
population in that
neighborhood:'
Marcus is upbeat about the prospects
for the building once the JCC ceases to
operate.
"The motivation of the people who've
come forward is exciting; he said. "A
lot of thought and effort went into these
proposals:'
According to Kaufman, information
gleaned from the surveys undertaken
by the grassroots Save the Oak Park JCC
Committee has been shared with the
organizations that submitted proposals.
"We are interested in a long-term,
sustainable solution that serves the com-
munity:' Kaufman said, "not so much on
turning a profit:'
Issner To Stay
A decision on who will take over the
facility is likely to come by the end of the
summer. In the meantime, it's business
as usual at the Oak Park JCC, accord-
ing to JCC Executive
Director Jim Issner,
who has agreed to stay
on at the JCC, perhaps
for another year or
two, until its financial
situation has stabilized.
Issner was hired 15
The lobby of the Jimmy Prentis Morris JCC in Oak Park
months ago as interim
director, and a search
for his replacement
be able to operate at break even with its
was begun. That search is now on hold.
current level of support:' said Issner, who
"We need a more stable platform
says fundraising hasn't been affected by
before we bring in new leadership:'
the upcoming Oak Park JCC closure.
Kaufman said.
"We understand people are upset by
"Jim has done a good job in a difficult the closure Issner said. He says funds
situation to create a viable model for the
raised by the Save the Oak Park JCC
JCC going forward:' Kaufman added.
group have been returned to the donors.
"There are still significant challenges,
Ron Aronson, one of the leaders of
but everyone is comfortable with Jim's
the grassroots group, is a member of the
vision and his commitment to the JCC."
JPM Repurposing Subcommittee of the
While the real estate committee con-
Foundation's Real Estate Committee.
tinues to vet the proposals, an inventory
"They've told us that they want us to
has begun of assets
be part of the process from the begin-
at the Oak Park JCC
ning to the end:' Aronson said. "We are
along with an analysis
pleased to be included:'
of how those assets
He said that when the facility propos-
will be repositioned.
als have been narrowed down, the grass-
"It depends on who
roots committee will be asked to discuss
ultimately moves into
the remaining proposals.
the facility:' Issner
Another challenge the JCC continues
said. "Nothing will be
to face is the perception of the commu-
moved until Sept. 1."
nity, Issner said.
Issner says discussions are occurring
"We're not just a fitness center; he
about the possibility of arranging trans-
said. "We're looking at branding the JCC
portation to the West Bloomfield JCC
as a place to go for arts, culture, educa-
from the Oak Park neighborhood, "but
tion and shows. We're looking to under-
I'm not sure if that is financially viable
stand how to engage a broader audience
he said.
and attract more members:'
Issner is also looking at making
Discussions about the continuation of
the Oak Park JCC's senior programming
changes to the JCC's board of directors,
perhaps making it smaller and "keeping
are also under way.
"I met with the IRP [Institute for
people with institutional knowledge and
bringing in an influx of new talent"
Retired Persons] and we've talked about
finding new facilities for that group:'
The Federation is also doing its part to
Issner said. "Conversations are continu-
ensure that the JCC and other member
ing:'
agencies do not experience financial
trouble.
Challenges Remain
"We have senior CPA volunteers who
The closure of the Oak Park JCC will not
are joining every audit committee
resolve all of the financial challenges
Kaufman said. "If there is a problem on
the JCC still faces. Even though Issner
the horizon, we will spot it sooner."
says the 2014-15 fiscal year broke even,
The Federation has also created
thanks in part to last summer's Maccabi
a position for a business practices
Games hosted by the JCC, he projects
expert, who will help spread best
the 2015-16 fiscal year will show a slight
practices throughout Federation and
deficit.
its agencies. Interviews are ongoing
"I'm confident that soon the JCC will
for that position.
❑