At the Kaiserman JCC, our mission is grounded in values that inspire connection, growth, and impact. Among them, the Jewish virtue of Hachnassat Orchim — the concept of hospitality — serves as a cornerstone of our efforts, guiding everything we do.
During this year’s annual meeting, our CEO reflected on how this timeless value has shaped our actions, programs, and vision for the future. From expanding early childhood education to creating memorable summer experiences and fostering intergenerational connections, the stories shared highlighted a year filled with growth and transformation. As we look ahead, we invite you to celebrate these accomplishments with us and explore the exciting initiatives that will continue to elevate our community.
Here’s the full speech from the evening, capturing the essence of a year defined by hospitality.
Good evening.
About two and a half years ago our board of directors — many of them still leaders with us this evening — approved a visionary strategic plan for our future here at the Kaiserman JCC. This catalyst has served as an animating compass ever since — informing not only our actions, but our programs, and aspirational impact. Among the tenets was the adoption of several values: Jewish virtues, you will hear about later this evening modelled by staff. While all hold equal importance, as a community center one serves as the cornerstone of our efforts, a lynchpin of our work here: Hachnassat Orchim, or the concept of hospitality.
In Jewish tradition, this aspect is epitomized by Abraham a patriarch. His actions portrayed as radically empathetic; he literally runs in one Torah episode to greet strangers upon their arrival. His environment is also portrayed as reflective of this beautiful approach: He rests each day within a tent open to the community on all sides. This year at the Kaiserman JCC we have been exploring this behavior, engaging our staff with the question: How much does emulating such an approach help elevate everything we do here at the Kaiserman JCC?
Before I answer that question, I should demonstrate. I want to begin by therefore personally welcoming each of you. In gathering for this annual meeting, this opportunity to toast another great year here at the Kaiserman JCC, we have brought our most precious stakeholders together. First and foremost, we have our leadership. I want to recognize, appreciate, and call attention to our incredible Board of Directors. These exemplary volunteers work tirelessly to buttress this institution. Your passion, commitment, and direction is the foundation upon which we thrive. If you all would, please rise and be recognized. Let’s give them a round of applause. In particular, I want to recognize Phil Grinnell, our President. I cannot think about a better partner — Phil, your guidance, comradery, and enthusiasm are unceasing, and your leadership is unfailing. Thank you for being such a tremendous example of a lay leader. Secondly, I want to share gratitude to our staff. They are the beating heart of the Kaiserman JCC. The wellspring of our impact. You here tonight, and those you represent, are in so many capacities the reason we have something to celebrate this evening. If you – my incredible colleagues – would rise and be recognized. Thank you for your indefatigable spirit. To everyone else here tonight — you are our community – our volunteers, the generous donors who support this institution, and the program participants we proudly provide for. Our collaboration gives us purpose. Your showing up here today is a manifestation of our mission. Let’s all give you a round of applause.
So, the gang’s all here this evening. And we have a lot to be proud of. As a collective, looking back, it is clear we have accomplished many things this year together. Phil mentioned several highlights. But I want to use the aforementioned framework of hospitality to provide some additional color. And help to illustrate how this concept can illustrate what makes this institution unique, special, and worth celebrating.
This year we were once again recognized publicly with an award in the space of early childhood education. Voted Best Childcare by Main Line Today, we continue to be recognized as a place young people come to thrive. Where families come to prosper. With space limitations here at the Robert J. Wilf Preschool & Kindergarten, and waiting lists of significant size, we opened a second preschool this fall — our ELC at Temple Brith Achim. There we’ve already welcomed over 30 new children and families. Our partner in that venture has been Jan Biros and the team at TBA – Jan is here with us this evening, and I want to publicly thank her. Jan – we’ve loved working with you, and your community. Thank you for welcoming us and modeling hachnasat orchim. Not only for us, but for all of our new students. I recall in particular one story I heard about the impact we’ve made. In our second month, one of the students inquired of their mom if they would be going to school later on. Unfortunately, no, she told them – school was closed because of a holiday. The child then burst into tears! Through heavy breathing, they explained – how would they get through the day without their new friends at the JCC?
Similarly, everyone knows summer is a special time at the Kaiserman JCC where friendships are made. This summer – we radically expanded camp by welcoming 125 new children participating in Sunrise Philadelphia, a partnership venture that serves children with cancer and their siblings. I don’t have to explain to any of you what a mitzvah it is to host this program for the community. For these children, the opportunity to embrace the ruach and spirit of camp for even one, two, or up to 35 days during the season is an absolute gift. To prepare, with our partners at Sunrise we tapped into our teen programs and created a leadership group of young people. This cohort worked together to decorate classes, program space, and raise critical funds for this special endeavor, focused entirely on how they might welcome these campers to the Saligman Campus in as memorable a way as possible. And what an impact they had. Throughout the summer, the Sunrise teens, working in tandem with Camp staff, other volunteers, and our partners at Perelman Jewish Day School ensured each and every one of those children had their very own summer of a lifetime.
Finally, last year we integrated the Gems program into the JCC, immediately tripling the size of our programming for older adults. One of the most exciting facets of this program – it operates here in an intergenerational community center, as opposed to a homogeneous senior center. In this capacity, interactions between populations can be revelatory. One such was featured recently at one of our klezmer jam themed initiatives. These offerings rich in the exploration of Ashkenazi Jewish culture can be as fun as they are educational. Whenever possible, we bring together participants from multiple generations – an inspiring embodiment of another one of our values: L’Dor Vador, or connecting “generation to generation.” In this particular setting we had musicians performing for not only adults, but some of our preschoolers. And their engagement was a blessing. In discussing afterward with one of the older adults, they spoke to me about welcoming these children into Jewish culture through song. Teaching them to dance, to sing, to experience joy in relationship with these traditional melodies they enjoined, they told me, was akin to opening a door. I loved that image. It was the essence of hospitality.
I invite you to reflect on these stories, and your own memories, as we toast together at the culmination of our program. But don’t forget that our “year of hospitality,” is only half over.
Over the next six months, we are planning for the manifestation of several initiatives well worth savoring. Later this month, for example, we finally break ground on our gymnasium renovation. Here, where we come together, we will welcome a new, vibrant space reflective of our aspirational high bar of hospitality. That effort will be followed by work in our lobby, and our back lobby –as we look to expand, enhance, and welcome back more fitness, wellness, and aerobic offerings to the JCC. We will be hosting more teen programs over the next few months. Developing and offering new trips to Israel. And this summer opening up more specialty camps! By the time we come together at this juncture next year, our invigorating acts of hospitality will have contributed to the continued renaissance of this institution. In fact, it may very well be our raison d’etre. For in welcoming, hosting, and providing comfort we foster an environment in which people may grow, flourish, and build vibrant community. Thank you for helping us make that environment a reality.
Alan Scher, Kaiserman JCC CEO
Annual Meeting, December 13, 2024
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