MJCC Looking Forward: A New Strategic Vision
Annual Report | 2022-23
Mission
The MJCC is an inclusive and welcoming hub for a diverse community, fostering lifelong wellness and providing dynamic social and educational experiences, grounded in Jewish values and culture.
Vision
The Mittleman Jewish Community Center envisions a thriving, diverse Jewish community, and embraces a central role in welcoming all to gather, connect, learn and celebrate life.
October 2023 Dear Friends of the MJCC, Dear Friends of the MJCC, We are pleased to present the Mittleman Jewish Community Center’s Annual Report for the 2022-23 fiscal year. This has been an exciting year for the MJCC with the development and implementation of a new strategic plan. This report highlights the priorities in our new plan as well as some of the first action steps that we have taken toward its realization. Our ability to support our community with new and existing, high quality programs and services is entirely dependent upon the generous philanthropic support of our members and extended community. We are deeply grateful to each one of our donors. A primary focus of our new strategic plan is on the engagement of youth and families. Our summer camp program is the keystone in these offerings, and our 2023 summer program brought together a talented, experienced staff team to provide engaging and innovative programming to a diverse array of about 400 campers. Our afterschool offerings are expanding, as are our family programs, especially in connection with our assumption of oversight for PJ Library programming in the Portland community. Membership continues to grow, and we are excited about our many new offerings, ranging from specialized exercise classes to pickleball. We’ve also had numerous opportunities to gather for community events during the past year, especially our Community Celebration and “Day for the J.” Programs that celebrate Jewish culture and strengthen Jewish identity remain at the core of our mission. Our Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration brought together nearly 700 members of our community, and our films, concerts, authors, exhibitions, and holiday celebrations allow us to celebrate the “J” in MJCC. Membership, program, and rental revenue cover only a portion of the J’s operating budget, and we depend upon our generous donors to enable us to offer our wide range of programs and services. Support from the community remains critical to allow us to purchase new equipment, update our facilities, offer financial assistance for membership and camp, and launch new initiatives. We are especially grateful to our event sponsors and to the members of our Friends of the Center Society who make these programs – and so much more – possible for our community. We also extend a special thanks to the members of the MJCC Legacy Society. Legacy gifts help to build our endowment, ensuring that the MJCC will continue to serve our community for generations to come. Thank you, once again, for your strong commitment to the MJCC. We look forward to the continued implementation of our new strategic plan and are excited to continue to serve and strengthen our community. B’Shalom,
Steve Albert Executive Director
Jason Zidell Board President
Priorities
of the Strategic Plan
Reimagine
MJCC Summer Day Camp
Art Camp
This past summer, we incorporated Art Camp into the two weeks before and after our day camps for our K-6 participants. Campers experimented with and expanded their knowledge of different media, learned new techniques, and brought their projects home with them at the end of camp. Each day focused on completing a different art activity which involved sculpting, playing with color, drawing and more. We had over 30 campers participate in Art Camp during its inaugural year!
Training + Communication
To best deliver our Jewish summer day camp programs, we added counselor training in professionalism, discipline and behavior management, and effective communication with parents. To increase our communication with families, we hosted an informational night before the beginning of camp and utilized our text management service through Daxko to deliver important updates and information to parents.
Increase revenue, parent satisfaction, and enrollment in an expanding range of camp programs through strategic communication and additional offerings.
CIT Levels
We achieved our goal of dividing our CIT program into Junior CIT and Senior CIT levels. By dividing our CIT program into two levels, one for our younger CITs and one for the older, we were able to provide future leadership advice to the Senior CITs who plan to apply to be counselors, along with creating an incentive for the Junior CITs to return next summer to be Senior CITs. This summer, we had a high and consistent level of CIT registrants from the start to finish of camp.
Expand
Youth Programs
Aquatics Programs Expansion
We have expanded our aquatics programs for infants/toddlers ages 6 months to 2 years and youth, ages 3 to 12. We offer both group swim lessons and individual lessons where our youngest learn water entry, bubble blowing, kicking, floating, and underwater exploration. As students complete lessons they move up in skill level and begin learning more advanced techniques like how to enter and exit the water, submerge face, exhale underwater, explore floating, and move with support.
Invest in a significant expansion of our portfolio of youth programs including afterschool, enrichment, aquatics and sports to increase participation and revenue.
After school Activities
Our new after school activities include rockclimbing, where students learn the basics of rock wall climbing in a safe and structured environment while building confidence and motor skills; flag football, where we play non-tackle football mini-games to improve running, catching, passing, and other skills; and volleyball where we learn all aspects of the game through drills and exercises that focus on passing, setting, hitting and serving.
Strengthen
the Pipeline for Young Families
PJ Library
PJ Library is now run through the MJCC! You can find our PJ Library reading nook downstairs at the MJCC. This space is for families looking for a calm space to read with their children, and it offers free PJ Library books for those that would like to expand their library. We offer exciting events for our families, such as Jewish storytelling events and musical performances as well as much loved events such as our annual “Pizza in the Hut” celebration of Sukkot.
Chai Baby
Chai Baby offers families of newborns a connection to the Jewish community at a pivotal time in their lives. Our Chai Baby Indoor Playground events provide space for children under 5 to play in our Sportsplex, meet friends, run, have snacks, sing, and listen to stories.
Develop creative programming for young families including an increase in preschool programs and connections with PJ Library.
Drop-in Childcare
The MJCC provides child care services for our members who can drop their child off while they work out or attend other programs. This past year we lengthened our morning drop-in sessions by one hour, Monday through Friday. Our childcare services, which provide opportunities for reading books, playing games, coloring and more, have been rated in the top 5 for the PDX Parent pick for the category of Best Workout with Onsite Child Care.
Launch
Signature Events
Day for the J
The Day for the J is a one-day celebration of the MJCC, where participants spend the day participating in a wide range of events at the J. This is a family event with children joining as ‘Kids for the J”. Day for the J was a success this year, with people participating in a variety of sports and games including swimming, pickleball, racquetball (doubles tournaments), and a “Walk for the J.”
Israel’s 75th Birthday
In April of this past year, we celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut alongside community partners IAC, Keruv Levavot, Israel 360, Neveh Shalom, PDX Hillel, Jewish Federation and JCCA. This celebration of Israeli Independence was attended by over 600 people. The event included Israeli food, dancing and trivia, as well as an Israeli music sing-a-long, a photo contest, and a special ceremony honoring Israel’s 75th birthday.
Increase the MJCC’s profile in the Jewish community and beyond by launching Day for the J and offering new holiday programs.
Arts and Culture Events
We are reviving our Arts and Culture event series post-COVID with more in-person events. We hosted “A Kaddish for Bernie Madoff”, the Hanukkah Fair, and quarterly PDX Business Series events. The lobby gallery exhibited photographer Erez Kaganovitz’s ‘Humans of Israel’ photography series, showcasing Israel’s diversity, multiculturalism, and vibrant civil society.
Empower
the Board of Directors
The Development Committee
The Board has re-established its Development Committee to help support the J’s philanthropic efforts. This committee will meet once a month to work on growing our donor base through the Friends of the Center Society, our planned giving “MJCC Legacy Society”, soliciting sponsorships for our events, and our Annual Appeal. The committee will create and adhere to a fundraising calendar that will guide the achievement of annual fundraising goals.
Increase engagement by the Board of Directors in all aspects of philanthropic activities and revitalize the development committee to support these efforts.
Philanthropic Expectations
This past year we have reset the philanthropic expectations for the MJCC Board of Directors in order to increase participation. The Board of Directors has been tasked with the leadership of development events and hosted our 2023 Friends of the Center Society Dinner, our annual thank you event for the MJCC’s top donors.
Refresh
Fitness + Wellness
Facility Upgrades
This past year saw facilities upgrades to our studios and workout spaces. We painted our second floor studio as well as our downstairs workout room. Since we began implementing our Strategic Plan, we have replaced much of our older workout equipment. We purchased a total of 9 new machines, including 4 new treadmills, an assault runner, an ab machine, a nustep machine and a lateral elliptical.
New Group Ex Classes
New Group Exercise classes were added this past year, and we are now proud to offer Happy Power Hour, a fun class aimed at building up the body and a sense of community at the same time. We also now offer a series of classes that focus on building core strength for participants of every level, including seniors.
Refresh fitness offerings in ways that accentuate our position as a welcoming and inviting wellness community.
Personal Training
The J offers personal training sessions with coaches who take individualized approaches to each member’s fitness goals. We brought on six new trainers, all of whom are dedicated to providing one-on-one training and expertise, motivation, and encouragement along the way.
Financials
As we emerge from the pandemic, the MJCC’s sources of revenue continue to shift back toward our traditional model rather than including substantial government grants. In 2022-23, 73% of MJCC revenue came from membership, program fees, and rental revenue. We continue to move toward a return to a balanced operating budget based on traditional sources of revenue.
Revenue 4% Federation 11% Grants Fundraising
6% Program
4% Government Grants/Credits
30% Program
9% Rentals
Expenses
11% Office Administration
12% Occupancy 71% Personnel
42% Membership
We are extraordinarily grateful to our donors for making it possible for us to provide our wide range of programs and services.
This Year
At a Glance
18.65% Increase in Membership!
$ 100%
Board Participation in the Annual Campaign
95
Hours per week the MJCC is open!
3,421
Community members who met with Design Team about Campus Plan
PJ Library Families
9
Bagels sold in the Cafe at the J
150+
1,101
New Fitness Machines
65
Total Group Exercise classes per week
$437,089 Spent on upgrading facilities
Our Donors
We are incredibly grateful to each and every community member and organization that supports the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. The donors who gave during the 2022-2023 fiscal year helped us to recover from the pandemic and continue to offer quality programs to our community. This list reflects only new gifts to operations. It does not account for previous pledges or pledge payments. We have made our best effort to ensure the accuracy of this list. If you find an error, or if you would like information about making a tax-deductible donation, contact Bess Butterworth, Development, Events and Community Programs Manager, at 503.452.3427 or bbutterworth@oregonjcc.org.
$100,000 & above
Jewish Federation of Greater Portland Ralph Miller
$20,000-$99,999
Friendly Rosenthal Fund of OJCF State of Oregon OCF Joseph E. Weston Public Foundation
$5,000-$19,999
Anonymous Ellie and Dan Albert Anonymous - A Fund of OJCF Anonymous - A Senior Program Fund of OJCF Alice Graham and Joel Newman Ellen Lippman and Steve “Rosy” Rosenberg Robert and Rita Philip Family Fund of OJCF Sarah (Richter) Ritchie Fund of Oregon Community Foundation Gayle and Paul Romain Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Family Fund of OJCF / Jordan Schnitzer Lois Schnitzer Sandra Schnitzer Philanthropic Fund Richard Weil Deborah Yaeger and John Emshwiller Juan Young Trust Jason E. Zidell Foundation Diane and Jay Zidell
$1,800-$4,999
Anonymous Carol and John Arnsberg Baysinger Partners Architecture / William Ruecker Mia Birk and Glen Coblens Max Birnbach Charity Fund of OJCF Detwiler Family Foundation Sarah and Jonathan Glass Bob Gordon IPM / C & R Property Management The Ellen M. and Peter M. Klein Foundation Inc. Priscilla and Tony Kostiner OnPoint Community Credit Union Jeff Reingold Diane and David Rosencrantz ShedRain Corporation
Harriet Silverman Mardi Schnitzer Spitzer Foundation Jerry and Helen Stern Grandchildren’s Fund of OJCF Robert P. Weil Fund of OJCF / Dana Hunt / Marlene Weil-Perez / Sharon Weil
$500-$1,799
Anonymous The Michael Adler and Molly Newcomer Family Fund Steve Albert and Janie Goldenberg Jerome Barde Baron/Gilbert Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation B’nai B’rith Camp Sandra S. and William M. Bennett, MD Karla and Barry Benson Rosalie and Keith Berne Mel Birge Sarah and Marc Blattner Amy and Doug Blauer Henry and Gerel Blauer Family Fund of OJCF Stanley and Judith Blauer Family Fund of OJCF Cohen Family Fund Congregation Neveh Shalom Cameron and Dick Davis Christopher Dotson Jill and Richard Edelson Energy Trust of Oregon Chris and Michael Feves Cere and Scott Fingerhut Marilyn Q. Forse Endowment I of OJCF Josh and Amy Frankel Family Fund of OJCF Nadine Gartner and Ben Olds Geffen Mesher & Co. Beth and John Germain Gevurtz Menashe Lesley and Bob Glasgow The Goodman Family Greater Portland Hillel The Harads Lindsey Hefner and Eric Brickenstein Sue Hickey and Sheldon Klapper Jay Holzman JCC Association of North America Jan Jewett and Rick Nitti Laurie Kilbourn and Ron Cobb Lucy Kivel and Scott Howard Joanne and Jerry Kryszek
Lora and Jim Meyer Family Fund of OJCF Nike, Inc. Anne and Jeffrey Nudelman Regional Arts & Culture Council Danelle Romain and RD Symms Tiffany, Eric, and Ben Rosenfeld Stan and Madelle Rosenfeld Family Foundation Bunny and Jerry Sadis Jonathan Singer Linda and Gary Singer Helen Stern University of Oregon Foundation
$250-$499
Steve Arnsberg Kelly and Richard Barker The Brody Family Ana Helena De Castro and Nicholas Reddel The Drucker Family Joyce and John Evans Jennifer Gates Merrill and Perry Hendin Renée Holzman Sheryl Horwitz Janis Jaffe Karli Kondo Shari Levinson and Marshal Spector Sandra Lewis and James Rosenbaum Gail Mandel and Steven Klein Judy Margles and Steve Wasserstrom Elizabeth and Ruben (z”l) Menashe Jeanne Newmark ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists Melanie and Jay Rathe Eric and Tiffany Rosenfeld Fund of OJCF Eve and Alan Rosenfeld Rosemarie Rosenfeld Meredith Rudof and Dan Weiss Lisa and Mitch Smelkinson Paul Smelkinson Ann and Robert Sola Linda and Larry Veltman Sallie Weissinger and Bart McMullan, Jr. Tamar Wyte-Lake and Josh Lake Jennifer and Ken Zeidman
$100-$249
Anonymous (3) Rebecca Barkin and Ronald Sharrin Howard Beckerman Laura and Floyd Bodner Lynn Burgin Edith Dorsen Jeanne and John Esler Bridget Fahrland and Stephanie Portman Fred Meyer Marni Glick and Hank Kaplan Henry Haimsohn Intel Foundation Judith and Garry Kahn Leatrice Kaplan Michelle and Josh Kashinsky Tracy Klein and Mark Magee Richard Kramer Tammy Kramer Andrea Manchester Dena Marshall Beth and Jonas Merrill Alan Messett Margaret Moench Margaret Nightingale and Ted Coonfield Galia and Arnon Peleg Tinah and Charles Quintana Denise Rodine Jeanette Ross Ilene Safyan Christina Scarzello Tara and Dennis Siegman Tivnu: Building Justice Sharon Ungerleider Betsy Valle Sandra Valle and Peter Mellman Betty Jean and Brandon Wentworth Mindy and Mark Zeitzer
Under $100
Anonymous (7) Susan Abrams Amazon, Inc. Alan Bacharach, ChFC Abdul Baki Addie and Bruce Banasky Sean Bartlett and Brandon Chateauvert Mary and Graham Beattie Betsy Bergstein Chris and Christopher Blakemore Stephen Borda Rochelle Borg June Bremmer Janice Brown Jennifer Cassius Michele and Stephen Charlton Lynne Chassin Arlene Cogen Linda and Aaron Cohen Martha and Ben Compaine Jennie Condon Congregation Shaarie Torah Steven Corbato Katie Crocker Brian Darnell Lynn De La Torre Marilyn Deinert Tom Diamond Autumn and Gil Dorfman Barbara Durkheimer and Gary Larsen Rebecca Emshwiller Erin Farrar and Sam Sirkin Vivian and Eric Feldman Rhona Feldman Julian Fortune Katie Franz and Nathan Johnson Suzanne Friedman Ian Gadberry Cherri and Dave Gallison Sue and Rich Garber
Jay Gilbert Catherine Giraud Doris Girt Alanna Glass Randi and Samuel Glass Tova Glass William Gonzalez Ian Gordon-Knight Kerry Griffin Laurie Gross Jennifer Harrington Naomi and Sam Harwin Sara and Fred Harwin Gina Hawley Marn Heggen Michael Horenstein Sarah Hutchinson Steven Jacobson David Johnson Lisa Katon and Noah Kressel Ruth and Ron Katon Sue Katz Nasser Kahn Saul Korin Naomi Korin Goldman Eileen “Ikie” Nolan Kressel Miriam Lambert Shoshanna Lansberg Laura Lew Esther Liberman Denise Littlefield Jonathan Long Naomi Macioce Anna Marti and Vincent Martinez Griéco Boaz Meir Natan Meir Amy and Kevin Milbert Paulette Mizrachi Lindsay Moskovitz Marcus Mundy Abby and Conrad Myers Elad Nadler Linda Neale
Ruth Oxman Elaine Paul Liz and Brett Phillips Ellen Pitcher and Ken Wright Portland General Electric Co. Rabbi Eve Posen and Duncan Gilman Magdalen Powers Naomi and Steven Price Kathleen Raetz Deborah Reisman Jeffrey Richmond Jenny Robinett Rachael Robinett Noah Rosenberg Penny Russell The Sapoznikow Family Sharona and Jorge Sapoznikow Gaye and Bruce Schafer Paul Schwabe Nancy Seton Ethel Shuldman and Jeff Edmundson Mort Simon Marcella and Rodger Sleven Nathaniel Smith Catherine and Michael Solomon Colette and Brent Spetner JoAnne and William Treuhaft Unitus Community Credit Union Sofia Vidalis Lauren Wallace Gina Wand Gregory Weber Sue Wendel Gina Westhoff and Mike Khavul The Woods Family Janice Yaden Emily Yeomans Nancy Zemirah
In-Kind
Michael Knutson
MJCC Legacy Society
The MJCC Legacy Society recognizes those who have made the extraordinary commitment of including the MJCC in their estate plan with a gift through a bequest, trust, life insurance policy or other planned gift. The commitment does not require a completed gift, but is merely an expression of intent to include support for the MJCC as a part of your legacy. We gratefully acknowledge all of the members of the MJCC Legacy Society. If you would like more information about how to include the MJCC in your estate plan, please contact Steve Albert, the MJCC’s Executive Director, at 503.535.3592 or salbert@oregonjcc.org. Anonymous (2) Steve Albert and Janie Goldenberg Bruce Abrams John and Carol Arnsberg Richard Barker and Kelly Portnoff-Barker Stacy Barna Barry and Karla Benson Amy and Doug Blauer Gerel Blauer z”l Stephen and Pamela Butler Milton Carl z”l Glen Coblens and Mia Birk Edith Dorsen Becky and Greg Ewer Howard and Jen Feldman John and Beth Germain Robert E. Glasgow and Lesley G. Glasgow Jonathan and Sarah Glass Bernard Goldhammer z”l Nancy J. Green z”l Merrill and Perry Hendin Lisa Katon and Noah Kressel Sheldon Klapper and Sue Hickey Eric and Anna Kodesch Eric and Robin Kornblit Tony and Priscilla Kostiner Stacey Lebenzon Jordana and Ryan Levenick
Howard and Wendy Liebreich Gail Mandel and Steven Klein Ralph and Sandy z”l Miller Jeanne Newmark Jeff and Anne Nudelman Marshal Oller Sue Perkel Robert and Rita Philip James E. Richman Bert and Laurie Rogoway Gayle and Paul Romain Steve Rosenberg and Ellen Lippman Stan and Madelle Rosenfeld Kyle and Rebecca Rotenberg Bunny and Jerry Sadis Stephen and Becki Saltzman Faye Gordon Samuels Andrea Sanchez and Benjamin Drucker Lois and Leonard z”l Schnitzer Sandra Schnitzer Gary and Linda Singer Jonathan Singer Les z”l and Martha Soltesz Tom Stern Menachem M. Teiblum z”l Kenneth and Jennifer Zeidman Jason Zidell
Mittleman Jewish Community Center 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland, OR 97219 503.244.0111 | oregonjcc.org
Board of Directors (2023-24) Jason Zidell, President John Emshwiller, Vice President Richard Barker, Treasurer Naomi Harwin, Secretary Nadine Gartner, President-Elect Barry Benson Eric Brickenstein Marni Glick Martha Izenson Michelle Kashinsky Steven Klein Karli Kondo Rick Nitti Arnon Peleg Danelle Romain Nate Smith David Solondz Sandra Valle Tamar Wyte-Lake
Leadership Staff
Steve Albert, Executive Director Beth Germain, Chief Financial Officer Jenny Robinett, Assistant Executive Director Becky Ewer, Marketing + Creative Director Miriam Stroud, Human Resources Director Bess Butterworth, Development Events and Community Programs Manager
Program Managers
Jennie Condon, Aquatics Program Holden Regnier, Youth Programs Hillary Shifrin, Wellness Programs + Engagement Bethany West, Rentals + Events The Mittleman Jewish Supported by Community Center is a proud beneficiary of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and is proud of our partnership with them in strengthening our local Jewish community and greater Portland community.
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