Mittleman
Exclusive updates for our donors and supporters from your MJCC
Jewish Community Center
Fall 2016
at the Schnitzer Family Campus
6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219 | 503.244.0111 | oregonjcc.org
Celebrating the Success of Roots & Rafters vehicles out there, including fire trucks, construction vehicles, an enormous RV, a double-decker bus, a Hummer, and more. There were smiles all around for this truly festive event, and even the weather cooperated to help make this the biggest-and-best Big Truck Day ever.
During the month of September, the MJCC held two special events, both celebrating the community’s success in raising over $3.5 million for the MJCC’s Roots & Rafters Campaign. Roots & Rafters, completed ahead of schedule, enabled us to make much-needed repairs and upgrades to reinvigorate The Schnitzer Family Campus. Examples of the impact of the campaign include refurbishing the roof, making parking lot repairs, replacing old pipes, upgrading safety and security systems, resurfacing the swimming pool, modernizing the therapy pool lobby and locker rooms, and much more. None of this would have been possible without the broad support of the community who supported this campaign from the outset.
On Labor Day, September 5, we welcomed over 600 people to our campus for our annual Big Truck Day, this year combined with our community-wide celebration to recognize the completion of Roots & Rafters. There was cake (of course!), live music by the Green Tambourine Band, food stations by Century Catering, face painting, arts & crafts, and many big trucks. Families experienced first-hand what it’s like to be behind the wheel of some of the biggest
The following week, on September 13, we held a smaller celebration to thank our largest donors to the Roots & Rafters Campaign. This “thank you” reception was held at Cellar 503, a new event space owned by MJCC Board Member Carrie Wynkoop and her husband Kari Chisholm.
Guests enjoyed hand-picked wines thanks to Carrie’s generosity, and delectable hors d’oeuvres by Century Catering. While primarily a chance to mingle and socialize, guests heard brief remarks by Executive Director, Steve Albert, and Co-Presidents of the Board of Directors, Andrea Sanchez and Jonathan Glass. While recognizing the lead donors to the campaign, they also extended their deep gratitude to all of the Roots & Rafters donors who helped to ensure a successful future for the MJCC through their generosity.
Welcome to the MJCC Saul Korin
Jay Ego
Saul Korin, MBA, is the new Development Manager for the MJCC and PJA. Prior to relocating to Portland, Saul served as the manager of The Guardians of the Los Angeles Jewish Home, a support group that raises $750,000 annually for the residents of the Jewish home. A graduate of the nonprofit management MBA program at The American Jewish University, Saul worked for 15 years in the Los Angeles Jewish community with many organizations such as the Jewish Free Loan Association, Jewish Communal Professionals of Southern California, Los Angeles Hillel Council and the American Jewish University. Saul is also the founding DJ of IKAR Spiritual Community in Los Angeles. He is a father of three amazing daughters, and is married to Dr. Tatum Langford Korin, Assistant Dean for Educational Research and Innovation at Oregon Health Sciences University. Born and raised outside Philadelphia, he is now rooting for the Trailblazers but maintaining affiliations with the Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies.
Jay Ego is the new Fitness Program Manager for the MJCC. Prior to coming to the MJCC, Jay accumulated 28 years of experience in the fitness industry – most of which was at the Multnomah Athletic Club (MAC) and the Willamette View Retirement Community. While at the MAC, Jay held a variety of managerial and supervisory roles, taught 13 different exercise formats (land and water), and was a personal trainer for a large variety of clients (ranging from special population clients to elite athletes). During most of his years at the MAC and Willamette View, Jay held side jobs at several local gyms and swimming pools, including: Nike Campus, Cascade Athletic Club, Eastside Athletic Club, Clackamas Water Park, Lake Oswego School District pool, Umatilla Army Depot pool, and Hermiston swimming pool.
What would we catch you doing on a Sunday afternoon?
When not at the MJCC, you will likely find Jay coaching girls basketball at both the youth and high school level. Jay has been coaching girls high school basketball for 25 years – he is currently the head girls basketball coach at Tualatin High School.
Hiking, watching football, attending a concert.
What would we catch you doing on a Sunday afternoon?
What three words best describe you?
Watching basketball or catching a mid-afternoon nap.
Spontaneous Jewish Dad.
Favorite quote?
What is your favorite food?
“Stand up for what you believe, even if you stand alone.” John R. Wooden
Sushi… or hummus… or steak…. one of those… What do you enjoy most about working at the MJCC? I enjoy building relationships and helping enhance Jewish life in Portland. I like dropping in to play basketball on my lunch hour. I enjoy working with great people who are passionate about community and health.
What is your favorite food? Steak and potatoes – home-style cooking. What do you enjoy most about working at the MJCC? The great sense of community and family, and being a part of building new relationships. Personal mission statement? To support each person to function at the highest level of his or her individual potential.
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MJCC Receives Grant Awards for Art + Music As a nonprofit, we rely on donations from individuals, corporations and foundations to continue our important work. Donations may support general operations, or be directed towards a specific program or project. Behind the scenes, we frequently apply for grants from local and national foundations. Competition is tough for the limited foundation dollars available. We are pleased to announce two recent grant awards to the MJCC. Each of these grants will enhance different aspects of our program. In August, we were notified that we were awarded a 2017 Cultural Development Grant of $5,000 from the Oregon Cultural Trust. The grant will support a new cable art hanging system in our lobby that will allow us to feature a variety of rotating, high-quality art exhibits. Artists will gain exposure in the community while members and visitors will have the opportunity to view carefully curated works of art. Through our Jewish Community Center Association of North America (JCCA) membership, we were eligible to apply for a “Making Music Happen” grant and recently learned that we have been awarded $5,000 for an outdoor summer concert series. We look forward to hosting a series of three live music concerts next summer on “The Green” for the whole community to enjoy. As we all know, Portland is a place that truly comes alive in the summer and people are always looking for outdoor activities to take advantage of the beautiful weather. The summer concert series will bring people together from all backgrounds and enrich their lives through Jewish music and culture. Stay tuned for more details about this series, taking place this summer, June through August. These new initiatives will add to the diverse programming already offered here as we strive to enhance our Jewish cultural offerings.
Naim Hasan Photography
Our Development Team works hard to identify and apply for numerous grants throughout the year. If you are aware of a grant program for which we might be a good fit, please contact Lisa Katon, Donor Relations + Grants Specialist, at lkaton@oregonjcc.org or 503.535.3532.
Upcoming Events Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean Sunday, Nov. 13; 10:30 am Mirabella at 3550 SW Bond Ave.
Pissarro, Pinot + Palette: Impressionism and Beyond with artist Jeffrey J. Hall Tuesday, Nov. 15; 7:00 pm
Oy G’FELT for Adults Thursday, Nov. 17; 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Books and Bagels + Chanukah Gift Fair Sunday, Nov. 20; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Story time begins at 11:00 am
Chanukah Donuts and Dancing Sunday, Dec. 18; 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Chinese Food, Movies + Kugel! Sunday, Dec. 25; 11:00 am - 2:30 pm
Erev New Year’s Eve at Noon Friday, Dec. 30; 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Pool Float: 12:30 - 2:00 pm
Friends of the Center Brunch Sunday, March 5; 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Guest Speaker, Yossi Abramowitz
March Author Series Tuesday, March 7; 7:00 pm Author: Janis Cooke Newman – A Master Plan for Rescue Tuesday, March 14; 7:00 pm Author: Jennifer Keishin Armstrong – Seinfeldia Tuesday, March 21; 7:00 pm Author: TBA All events are held on the MJCC campus unless otherwise noted. 3
Planned Giving to the MJCC Message from Our Executive Director For over 100 years, the MJCC has served individuals and families in the Portland community of all faiths and backgrounds for fitness, sports, educational, and cultural activities. Your support is what allows the MJCC to be more than just a fitness center and meeting place. Your generosity allows us to provide innovative programs to meet the ever-changing needs of our community in heath, wellness, and arts and culture, where people of all ages can come together. Whether our members and guests are here for play, rehabilitation, or celebration, we strive to be a friendly and comfortable gathering place, a true home away from home. The MJCC was one of only 11 organizations selected by the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation to participate in their Life and Legacy Program. We have launched the MJCC Legacy Society, with over 40 supporters committing to a Legacy Gift in our first three years! Coupled with annual fundraising efforts and grant applications, planned giving will assure that a state-of-the-art facility with quality programs will be a significant part of our financial base of support in coming decades. Please see our summary below about this opportunity. For more information, please call me at 503.535.3592. I would look forward to scheduling a confidential conference with you. Sincerely,
Steve Albert
What is Planned Giving? Planned giving, sometimes referred to as gift planning, is a way anyone can support the MJCC today, and in the future. By definition, a planned gift is any typically larger gift, made in one’s lifetime or at death, as part of a donor’s overall financial and/or estate planning. Some planned gifts provide a life-long income to you, the donor. Others use estate and tax planning techniques to provide for charity and your heirs in ways that maximize the gift and/or minimize its impact on your estate. Whether you use cash, appreciated securities/stock, real estate, artwork, partnership interests, personal property, life insurance, a retirement plan, etc., the benefits of funding a planned gift can make this type of charitable giving very attractive to both you and the MJCC.
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How a planned gift is different from an Annual Fund gift? Gifts to our annual fund or for membership dues are made from your discretionary income. They may be budgeted for, but they are not planned by philanthropic definition. Three types of planned gifts 1. Outright gifts that use appreciated assets as a substitute for cash; 2. Gifts that return income or other financial benefits to you in return for your contribution; and 3. Gifts payable upon a donor’s death.
MJCC Legacy Society The MJCC Legacy Society is a group of dedicated community members who have made the extraordinary commitment to remember the MJCC in their estate plans. We are deeply grateful to these individuals for their ongoing support and their dedication to ensure the long-term sustainability of our Center. If you are interested in becoming a Legacy Society member, contact our Executive Director, Steve Albert, at salbert@oregonjcc.org or 503.535.3592. Anonymous
Howard and Wendy Liebreich
Steve Albert and Janie
Gail Mandel
Goldenberg
Jeff and Anne Nudelman
Bruce Abrams
Sue Perkel
John Arnsberg
Robert and Rita Philip
Stacy Barna
Bert and Laurie Rogoway
Barry and Karla Benson
Gayle and Paul Romain
Gerel Blauer
Steve Rosenberg and Ellen
Milton Carl
Lippman
Edith Dorsen
Stan and Madelle Rosenfeld
Becky and Greg Ewer
Bunny and Jerry Sadis
Howard and Jen Feldman
Stephen and Becki Saltzman
John and Beth Germain
Andrea Sanchez and Benjamin
Robert and Lesley Glasgow
Drucker
Jonathan and Sarah Glass
Lois Schnitzer
Merrill and Perry Hendin
Sandra Schnitzer
Lisa Katon and Noah
Gary and Linda Singer
Kressel
Les and Martha Soltesz
Eric and Anna Kodesch
Adrienne Stenger z’l
Eric and Robin Kornblit
Tom Stern
Tony and Priscilla Kostiner
Ken and Jennifer Zeidman
Jordana and Ryan Levenick
Jason Zidell
Save the Date: March 5 Friends of the Center Brunch 2017 Yosef Abramowitz: Energized to Change the World Through Solar Yosef I. Abramowitz, an American-Israeli human rights activist, educator, and entrepreneur is recognized as one of the pioneers of the solar energy industry in both Israel and East Africa. Named by CNN as one of the six top global “Green Abramowitz holding a mini solar panel. Pioneers,” by PV Tech as “one of the most inspiring solar CEOs” worldwide, and as Person of the Year by the Israel National Business and Energy Conference, Abramowitz is co-founder of the Arava Power Company, Israel’s leading solar developer. Nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize, Abramowitz heads Energiya Global Capital, an impact investment platform that provides healthy returns to investors while advancing the environmental and humanitarian goals of providing affordable green power to underserved populations as a fundamental human right.
SAVE THE DATE Mittleman Jewish Community Center’s
The Zelda Springer Garden
For over 50 years, Zelda Springer kept fit with her rigorous three-day a week routine in the Mittleman Jewish Community Center’s Warm Water Pool. Zelda was an inspiration to everyone she passed on her way to “Zelda’s Spot” in the southeast corner of the pool. An anonymous donor has made a significant contribution toward honoring Zelda’s memory and enhancing the neglected garden area at the MJCC Warm Water Pool entrance. We are looking for donations to help enhance this garden. The garden will feature three boulders that represent Zelda’s perseverance, continuity, and endurance. Native grasses and shrubs will fill out the space. We need your help. Please consider a gift today of $50, one dollar for each of Zelda’s Warm Water Pool years (and more if you can). Envelopes are available or you can make a donation at the Guest Services Desk with a credit card or check. Or call Saul Korin at 503.452.3427.
Sunday, March 5, 2017 10:00 am at MJCC Special Guest Yosef Abramowitz Also honoring new inductees to the Oregon Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and presenting the Harry Glickman Scholar Athlete Awards.
oregonjcc.org/brunch 5
MJCC Department News Health + Wellness Christine Gilmore Teaches Wellness Coaching The MJCC has added Wellness Coaching to our Health and Wellness offerings. Christine Gilmore is a certified professional coach who assists individuals and groups to achieve their highest personal and professional potential. By empowering her clients to connect with their passion and purpose, she helps them to become more aligned with their commitments, priorities, and values. Christine is passionate about helping people live happy, engaged, and meaningful lives. She specializes in coaching women who are ready to live the lives they have always wanted, and women who are keenly aware of the demands of walking the dual paths of work and family. Working with Christine, clients achieve more confidence and fulfillment, resulting in the creation of more positive, productive relationships. As a coach, she is acknowledged for her integrity and authentic, challenging style, and deep commitment to her clients’ success. Her special interests are health, wellness, and mindful mediation, as she aims to help individuals live their best lives. Christine meets with individuals one-on-one at the MJCC and also teaches a myriad of workshops, including: Dealing with Difficult People, Mindfulness off the Mat, and Life Balance. Check our program guide for the most current offerings.
Day Camp 2016 - Fun for Everyone The summer of 2016 was a summer full of fun, laughter, and dance parties for the MJCC Day Camp! This summer our campers got the opportunity to rock climb, swim, garden, play Gaga, celebrate the Olympics and Maccabi Games, learn archery, and craft to their heart’s content. In the 11 weeks of summer camp offered, the MJCC Day Camp welcomed over 450 campers resulting in an amazing community feel all summer long. Janelle Marshall, the camp manager, noted, “I enjoyed seeing the smiles on the camper’s faces as they returned from week to week, and I loved watching new campers find a home here at camp.” Camp is a place for children to make friends, learn about the world around them, and try new activities. When campers were asked what their favorite camp activities were, many of the responses revolved around swimming, Friday Funday, playing in the Sportsplex, Shabbat, the slideshow at the end of each week, and field trips! Although our summer is now at its end, the fun still continues! Janelle and the camp team offer Vacation Day Camps throughout the school year with many of the same activities experienced during the summer, including swimming! Save the date for our Erev New Year’s at Noon Celebration on Friday, Dec. 30 from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm with the pool float open from: 12:30 - 2:00 pm.
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Sports JCC Maccabi Games 2016-17
abi Game s acc M
Team Oregon
The 2016 JCC Maccabi Games has come and gone. Our 20 athletes traveled to St. Louis, MO July 31 - August 5. We participated in basketball, soccer, and track and brought home gold or silver medals in all three sports! Our athletes not only enjoyed their sporting events but also loved meeting new friends at hang time, attending evening events, and spending time with their host families. With the 2016 JCC Maccabi Games in the books, we look towards the 2017 Games. We will be participating in one of the following games: 1) Birmingham, AL July 30 - Aug 4; 2) Albany, NY Aug 6 - 11; or 3) Miami, FL Aug 6 - 11 (and JCC Maccabi ArtsFest). Go to oregonjcc.org/sports/maccabi-games to see more photos and a video. We are hoping to bring even more athletes in 2017 so we can share this experience with more Jewish teens (ages 13 - 16) in the state of Oregon. Looking for more information on how to be a part of the Games? Contact Elliott Saunders at esaunders@oregonjcc.org or 503.535.3534.
MJCC Receives OHSU Grant In September, we received a Community Engagement Grant of $1,000 from the Oregon Health & Science University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) in partnership with its Community Partners Council (CPC). This grant will support our ongoing partnership with Incight for its electric cart hockey program that practices regularly in our gymnasium. Incight is a 501(c) 3 non-profit that supports and empowers key life aspects of education, employment, and independence for people with disabilities. Thanks to our partnership, which began in 2014, Incight uses our gymnasium, at a greatly reduced rate, for this exciting adaptive sport, designed specifically for power chair users. Twice a month, athletes like Floyd Miller participate in this exhilarating sport, where teams of three players zip around in a specialized chair that goes about 10 miles an hour. According to Floyd, “Electric hockey gives me the ability to be competitive, and social, and provides an outlet for energy that otherwise could go to waste.” Jennifer Wilde, Incight’s Independence Program Director, is grateful for the ongoing partnership with the MJCC. According to her, “the venue is perfect for electric hockey – accessible and convenient location, and affordable rental fees allow for regular programming for our athletes. Valuing the niche population of Incight’s athletes, our friends at MJCC have generously removed every barrier to enable our program to grow and thrive.”
Facilities Project Updates We are excited about the myriad of projects that have occured in our facility over the past few months. The lobby received a face lift with new carpeting and many areas of the building now have fresh coats of paint, which both brightens and warms the spaces. Not as noticeable to the everyday patron, yet equally as exciting, we have also reupholstered many of our ballroom chairs and our roof project is complete, just in time for the rainy season! We have received many positive comments on our new look down in aquatics, as our pool decks have gone through an extensive process bringing them down to their more natural state, which provides for a rougher, steadier and safer surface. Our cardio and weight room also went through a recent transformation by replacing the old black rubber floors with new Ecore flooring, a high quality and performance floor that is well beyond industry standards related to durability, and acoustics. In addition to the new floor, the fitness floor was reconfigured to allow for more functional exercise and stretching space! 7
Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Schnitzer Family Campus 6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219 503.244.0111 | oregonjcc.org
MJCC Staff is Here For You!
MJCC Board of Directors
Steven Albert, Executive Director
Co-Presidents
503.535.3592 | salbert@oregonjcc.org
Jonathan Glass
Beth Germain, Chief Financial Officer 503.535.3593 | bgermain@oregonjcc.org
Linda Huseby, Human Resources Director 503.535.3632 | lhuseby@oregonjcc.org
Becky Ewer, Marketing + Creative Director
Andrea Sanchez Board Members Avi Ben-Zaken Barry Benson Amy Blauer Joyce Evans
503.535.3533 | bewer@oregonjcc.org
Steven Klein
Jennifer Harrington, Health + Wellness Director
Robert Philip
503.535.3541 | jharrington@oregonjcc.org
Erik Richmond
Len Steinberg, Program Director 503.535.3555 | lsteinberg@oregonjcc.org
Gail Mandel
Gayle Romain Channah Rose Steve Rosenberg
Saul Korin, Development Manager
Stan Rosenfeld
503.452.3527 | skorin@oregonjcc.org
Jonathan Singer
Lisa Katon, Donor Relations + Grants Specialist 503.535.3532 | lkaton@oregonjcc.org
Linda Singer, Community Concierge 503.535.3539 | lsinger@oregonjcc.org
Carrie Wynkoop Jason Zidell
We are grateful to the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and our community for their support of the MJCC. Support ed by
www.jewishportland.org