History of the J
2010-2019
Presidents/Executive Directors with Photos
- Rusty Federman 2010-2012
- Aaron Alhadeff 2012-2014
- Aaron Wolff 2014-2015
- Kim Waldbaum 2015-2017
- Liz Friedman 2017-2019
- Oren Nissim 2019-present
Key date timeline
- 2011 - Kesher Community Garden opens on land leased from the Washington State Holocaust Education Resources Center and is subsequently purchased in 2012.
- 2012 - $5 million campaign commences to purchase Kesher Community Garden land, renovate the auditorium, and replace the roof.
- 2013 - Seattle Jewish Film Festival premiers as an SJCC program and becomes a cornerstone of the J’s Arts+Ideas programming.
- 2014 - Dedication of newly renovated, state-of-the-art auditorium and community gathering space.
- 2016 - Judy Neuman retires and is honored for her accomplishments and commitment to the SJCC at the 2017 Circle of Friends Luncheon.
- 2017 - Amy Lavin is appointed Chief Executive Officer.
- 2017 - Due to changing demographics and financial considerations, the ECS in Seattle is programmatically transferred to Temple Beth Am and ceases as an SJCC program.
- 2018 - Circle of Friends celebrates its “B’nai Mitzvah” year and is retired as a special event.
- 2019 - Inaugurates a January Celebration and Fundraiser in place of Circle of Friends Luncheon, kicking off the SJCC’s 70th anniversary and 50th year on Mercer Island. The J introduces “All Love, No Lonely,” to continue the celebration.
Quotes from the decade
2000-2009
Presidents/Executive Directors with Photos
- Carol Harris 1998-2000
- Paul Etsekson 2000-2002
- Stuart Williams 2002-2004
- David Rind 2004-2006
- Alan Tesler 2006-2008
- Lindsay Schwartz 2008-2010
Key date timeline
- 1998 - Fitness wing is updated
- 2000 - Gary Polluck retires as Executive Director and Jerry Melman is appointed Interim Executive Director
- 2002 - Barry J. Sohn is appointed Executive Director
- 2004 - French American School of Puget Sound leases land on the SJCC Mercer Island Campus, becoming a valuable partner.
- 2007 - Seattle Early Childhood School moves to new space at Temple Beth Am in North Seattle
- 2008 Barry J. Sohn resigns as Executive Director; Lindsay Schwartz serves as President until 2010.
- 2009 Judy Neuman is appointed Executive Director
Quotes from the decade
1990-1999
Presidents/Executive Directors with Photos
- Stan Rosen 1990-1992
- Amy Stephson 1991-1993
- Pam Feinstein 1992-1994
- David Frum 1993-1994
- Doug Rosen 1994-1996
- Rich Roodman 1996-1998
Key date timeline
- 1994 - The two JCC Boards blend together in governance of the agency.
- 1997 - The JCC and Seattle host the Maccabi Games with 1,000 Jewish teen participants in athletic competition.
- 1998 - Mercer Island JCC facility updates and renovates its physical fitness wing.
Quotes from the decade
1980-1989
Logo from the 1980's.
Presidents/Executive Directors with Photos
- Edward Fisher 1980-1982
- Lucy Pruzan 1982-1984
- Gerry Ostroff 1984-1986
- Michael Saran 1984-1986
- Joel Erlitz 1986-1987
- Michael Morgan 1986-1988
- Cindy Masin 1988-1990
- Joe Piha 1989-1991
Key date timeline
- 1980 - Groundbreaking for the expansion of the Mercer Island facility.
- 1981 - Building expansion begins at Mercer Island facility, increasing the building's square footage by 45,000 square feet to a total of 90,000 square feet.
- 1981 - Holocaust Memorial installed on Mercer Island JCC property. Designed by Mercer Island artist, Gizel Berman. The memorial states "Lo Tishkach - Thou Shalt Not Forget." The memorial is a wall of names of some who perished in the Holocaust.
- 1982 - In the early part of the year, a financial crisis arises as the JCC was unable to meet the mortgage and construction loan payments. A successful $4 million dollar campaign, led by Sam Stroum, was achieved in just a few months time. The JCC was saved by the community and the corporation's name changed to the Samuel and Althea Stroum Jewish Community Center of Greater Seattle.
- 1984 - Northend branch created and moves into its first site, a portion of Jane Addams School.
- 1985 - Northend branch moves to the basement of Congregation Beth Shalom as the Seattle School wants the space back at the Jane Addams School.
- 1989 - In the fall, the Northend branch moves into its own facility, converting a supermarket into 11,000 square feet of program space.
Quotes from the decade
1970-1979
Presidents/Executive Directors with Photos
- Herbert Rosen 1970-1972
- Douglas Weisfield 1972-1972
- Herbert Pruzan 1972-1974
- Ted Daniels 1974-1976
- Esther Fallick 1976-1978
- Robert Miller 1978-1980
Key date timeline
- 1972 - Douglas Weisfield is president, then resigns and moves to California.
- 1978 - Campaign starts for Mercer Island building expansion.
Quotes from the decade
1960-1969
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The facility on Mercer Island.
Presidents/Executive Directors with Photos
- Harold Glass 1960-1962
- Addis Gutmann 1962-1963
- Merle Cohn 1963-1965
- Dr. Charles Kaplan 1965-1968
- Martin Rind 1968-1970
Key date timeline
- 1963 - "Basic Facilities Study" undertaken for Jewish Federation to determine best site for a new Jewish Community Center building. Results found the Jewish population moving to the east. Mercer Island was chosen because of the price of available land.
- 1966 - Land of current Mercer Island facility purchased.
- 1968 - Groundbreaking for the Mercer Island facility.
- 1969 - Mercer Island facility opens.
Quotes from the decade
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Groundbreaking
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Opening ceremony for the building on Mercer Island.
1949-1959
Presidents/Executive Directors with Photos
- Norman Davis 1949-1954
- Sam Tarshis 1954-1957
- Dr. Norman Clein 1957-1960
Key date timeline
- 1949 - The Seattle Jewish Community Center incorporates with the purpose to foster and develop Jewish social affiliation among all the different groups within the Jewish community
- 1954 - First Director of Seattle JCC, Eugene Berlatsky, was hired
- 1954 - Meeting rooms rented on 4th Avenue and Spring Street, above the Leavitt Apparel Shop, used mostly for adult programs
- 1959 - Elks Building purchased at 4th Avenue and Spring Street. Campain led by Norman Davis, Dr. Norman Clein, Harold Poll, and Irving Anches.
Quotes from the decade
