NEWS JCC Reopens After COVID-19 Closure By Dave Schechter
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Powers later told the AJT, “We have been in constant communication with Seventy-nine days elapsed between medical and public health officials and have March 13, when the Marcus Jewish Commumade our plans in accordance with guidenity Center of Atlanta closed its doors, and lines from local, state, and federal agencies, June 1, when those doors reopened. including the CDC,” Centers for Disease The JCC was among the local Jewish Control and Prevention. institutions severely imThe COVID-19 emerpacted by COVID-19, as the gency fund established by loss of revenue-producing the Jewish Federation of programs resulted in job Greater Atlanta provided cuts. the JCC with $100,000 to “When we reopen, we aid in the reopening. won’t look the same overPowers did not annight,” CEO Jared Powers swer questions from the said during the JCC’s May AJT about the extent of 27 annual meeting, this the financial hit that COyear held via the video VID-19 leveled on the JCC. conferencing platform On a conference call early Zoom. in the crisis, Powers said Even with enhanced Robbins told the JCC’s annual meeting that “community and that 60 percent of its revhealth and sanitation connection will never be more enues came from summer procedures the JCC faces important than when we find programs. a challenge. “We all know our way out of this thing.” A major program that reentering daily life casualty of COVID-19 was summer 2020 at will include some degree of risk and every Camp Barney Medintz, the JCC’s overnight family will have to make that decision for their own,” Powers told those watching on- camp near Cleveland, Ga.
20 | JUNE 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES
The Marcus JCC’s outgoing board chair, Ken Winkler, middle, is flanked by his predecessor Joel Arogeti and CEO Jared Powers.
“Camp Barney” annually attracts more services with Rabbi Brian Glusman. As phase one of the JCC’s reopening than 1,200 boys and girls, ages 8 to 16, from throughout the southeastern United States gets underway, Powers and the JCC staff are and beyond. According to its website, the reshaping its future. “The possibilities here cost of a two-week session begins at $3,170 are endless. The Marcus JCC is so fortunate for JCC members and a four-week session to have its 52-acre Zaban Park campus and begins at $4,865, depending on age, with a highly creative staff who are always innoout-of-town or nonmembers paying slightly vating our programs and services. We are currently developing plans for reimagined higher fees. sports and recreational The JCC was spared programs, and we look another revenue loss forward to sharing the dewhen an executive order tails with the community issued by Gov. Brian Kemp soon,” Powers told the AJT. made it possible to plan for Barely two weeks afday camps and preschool ter closing its doors, the camps to open. JCC announced the layoff “Summer Days @ the or furlough of more than J,” the June 29 to Aug. 7 day half its employees, citing camp for children from risan anticipated loss of proing kindergarten to rising gram fees and membersixth grade will cost $350 ship revenue. At the time, for members and $400 for CEO Jared Powers cautions Powers said the cuts were nonmembers per week. that the JCC “won’t look the part of “necessary, though “July at the J,” the name same overnight” as it did when the doors closed March 13. very difficult, decisions to given to the preschool proensure the long-term future of the Marcus gram, will operate June 29 to Aug. 5. The day camp plan calls for small JCC.” The JCC has declined to answer quesgroups of 10 campers and two counselors, and outdoor activities on the 52-acre Zaban tions about the number of jobs eliminated. Park campus that include boating, ropes The Federation emergency fund thus far courses, fishing, swimming, archery, along has made grants totaling $310,000 to the JCC to help extend health insurance coverage to with arts and crafts. “We know many working parents need those furloughed and laid off. Powers told the annual meeting that a safe and enriching summer program for their children as they head back to work. the JCC hopes to bring back a “limited” numThis program will provide that quality care ber of the furloughed employees. In his remarks to the JCC meeting, Eric for your children, and priority placement will be given to families who need child- Robbins, Federation president and CEO, said, “Yes, this is a time when we’re sepacare,” a statement on the JCC website reads. In addition, throughout June the JCC is rated, but I can tell you that community offering 10 “virtual” day camp programs on- and connection will never be more important than when we find our way out of this line, the offerings geared to age groups. During the closure, some JCC program- thing.” Ken Winkler, outgoing chair of the JCC ming migrated to online presentation, including preschool and day camp programs, board, said in his parting comments, “I am the Lisa F. Brill Institute for Jewish Learning, unwavering in my confidence that the MJCthe Book Festival of the MJCCA, BBYO, and CA will see brighter days ahead.” ì
