The J hosted its annual meeting in the social hall at the Jewish Community Campus on Tuesday, Oct. 24, highlighting the impact The J and its staff has had in the community, before officially electing a new board slate for the 2023-24 year.
This year’s theme was The J caring about the community, its members and own team. Meeting Chair Howard Jacobson began the meeting highlighting that fact.
“We hear daily from our members and visitors how wonderful and caring our staff is, and we know this is a big part of why so many people feel at home when they are here,” Jacobson said.
The J’s President and CEO Jim Sluyter highlighted record-breaking years for membership, sports and recreation, and arts and culture, before acknowledging that what is most important is the impact on individuals walking through the doors.
Outgoing Board Chair Diane Azorsky and others reflected on her time in her position at The J for the past two years. Azorsky was presented with a painting from one of the artists from this year’s Jewish Culture Fest as a thank you for her leadership and dedication.
Throughout the evening, multiple awards were distributed. The new J Cares Fund, which was created to help staff care for one another, was given the Hesed Award, which demonstrates the value of showing loving kindness. Rachel Rubin, who joined The J’s board in October of 2021, was honored as this year’s Howard Jacobson Emerging Leader Award winner.
The chairs for 2023 Jewish Culture Fest, Rhonda Fromm and Sharon Loftspring, were honored as this year’s Otzmah Award winners for their work at this year’s event. Gloria Schoolman was also announced as the winner of this year’s Lifetime Membership Award.
Later, “Vilna: A Resistance Story” won the Program of the Year Award. “Vilna” was co-produced by The White Theatre and The Culture House and developed in consultation with Midwest Center for Holocaust Education (MCHE).
Board members Andrew Kaplan and Julie DeVoe formally introduced the first cohort of The J’s Building Community Leadership Council (BCLC), a program to encourage future J leaders to build community, enhance leadership skills, prepare to engage more deeply with The J and connect them with others in the organization.
Michael Novicoff was elected as the chair of the board for the next two years. Other elected board officers include Kurt Kavanaugh as first vice chair and vice chair of fund development; Rachel Rubin as vice-chair of leadership development; Marc Hammer as treasurer; and Sheryl Kaplan as secretary.
Three new board members were approved – Leslie Anderson, Sheryl Kaplan and Lisa Schifman, each for three-year terms that expire in 2026.