At its 102nd Annual Meeting, the Mandell JCC 102nd honored outgoing Board President Richard B. Fechtor and welcomed new President Gayle W. Temkin.

Submitted by Larah Winn, Mandell JCC

 At its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, the Mandell JCC honored outgoing Board President Richard B. Fechtor, welcomed incoming President Gayle W. Temkin, and recognized JCCprofessionals for their years of service.

Jeffrey Hoffman, outgoing chairman of the Board, was thanked for his many accomplishments and financial generosity. The meeting, which was held in the new Innovation Center at the Mandell JCC was chaired by Annie Tilden, outgoing teen representative on the Board.

Richard Fechtor ended his two-year term as Mandell JCC Board president stating, “What the Center gave to me was immediate, enjoyable, beneficial, rewarding and certain. I cannot think of a better successor than Gayle Temkin.”  The JCC honored Fechtor with a gift highlighting memories of his grandaughter, who currently attends the Mandell JCC’s Beatrice Fox Auerbach Early Childhood Center.

Before addressing Board elections, the JCC honored special community partners that supported the Center when faced with threats earlier this year. The Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation, Hebrew Health Care, Jewish Family Services, West Hartford Police, FBI Hate Crimes Division, FBI Domestic Terrorism Division and St. Timothy’s Church were presented with gifts of appreciation. Chief Operating Officer Annie Keith thanked the partners saying, “We learned that we are cared for, supported, and are a part of a thoughtful, committed community.”

In the incoming president’s address, Temkin committed to helping the JCC serve future generations by prioritizing strategic planning, fund development and creating leadership opportunities. “The JCC is a true success story, but our resources are not limitless. Being strategic creates an environment in which we can use our resources to constantly improve, be creative, and further guarantee our successful future.”

The annual elections brought in eight new Board members: Jeffrey Bellitti, Heather Cullen, Ashley Dorin, Sally Henowtiz, Matthew Hoffman, Dennis House, David Weiner, and Will Schoen, teen Board member.

Also recognized were employees marking special anniversaries in 2017, including 30-year employees Member Services Director Lia Wald, Facilities Director and Ron Dionne.

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.