At the Mandell JCC’s 101st annual meeting Jeffrey Hoffman was honored with the Gerald M. Steinberg Award.

Jeffrey Hoffman was honored at the Mandell JCC’s annual meeting. Submitted photo

Submitted by Larah Winn, Mandell JCC

Earlier this summer, the Mandell JCC honored outstanding leadership and recognized JCC professionals for their years of service at its 101st Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at the Herbert Gilman Theater at the Mandell JCC, Zachs Campus, 335 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT.  The meeting was chaired by Ben Leibman of South Windsor and Teen Representative on the Board.

Former Mandell JCC President and community leader Jeffrey S. Hoffman received the the Gerald M. Steinberg Outstanding Leadership Award, bestowed upon a community member for achievement and service to the Mandell JCC and awarded in recognition of dynamic leadership, meritorious service and extraordinary dedication. Jeffrey is Co-Chairman of Hoffman Auto Group, which was founded in 1921 by Israel Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman has always made it a priority to give back to the community. His philanthropy includes the establishment of The Burton and Phyllis Hoffman Foundation in November 1998, in memory of his father, Burton C. Hoffman, which makes annual gifts to six local arts organizations. Mr. Hoffman is on the Board of multiple arts, education, and medical organizations throughout the Greater Hartford area. He and his family were major benefactors to the JCC Capital Campaign, the Aim Chai Campaign and founding members of the Mandell JCC Pillars Society.

David Jacobs and Rhonda WIrth. Submitted photo

In addition, current Board President, Richard B. Fechtor addressed the membership, highlighting the Mandell JCC’s focus on the future with the recent opening of the Mandell JCC Valley Sports and Community Center in Canton and the Mandell JCC Fitness Center at St. Francis in Hartford. “As our Centennial celebration is over and we complete the first year of our second hundred years, we should examine how we did. Simply stated, we did great, while still leaving us room to grow and improve,” Fechtor stated.

The annual elections brought in eight new Board members:  Harvey Goodman, Deborah Mehlman, Joseph Schwartz, Scott Wallquist and Ellen Woodruff all from West Hartford; Tricia Meltser (Avon) and Debbie Shmerling (Hartford). Newly elected as Teen Representative was Amber Raisner.

New members of the Mandell JCC board. Submitted photo

Also honored, were employees marking special anniversaries in 2016 including 35 year employee Karen Wyckoff, Camp and Youth Director and 30 year employee, Donna Goldstein, Executive Assistant. The evening concluded with a “Big Mandell JCC Send-off” to beloved JCC staff retiring this year: Harriet J. Dobin, Film Festival Director, Rhonda Wirth, ECC Co-Director, Susie Cleaver, ECC Teacher and Valerie Schwartz, Shirley Reaback ECC Teacher.

The Mandell Jewish Community Center is open to everyone and supported by funds raised by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, a recipient of funding from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, and a member of the JCC Association of North America. For updates, follow the Mandell JCC on Facebook and Twitter.