By Josefin Kanin, Special to JTNews
Volunteer leadership of the Stroum Jewish Community Center bid farewell to the leaders of the center staff at the JCC’s 44th annual meeting on Oct. 18 on Mercer Island.
The evening was given special luster by the appearance of several luminaries in the Seattle Jewish community, including Jack and Becky Benaroya and past presidents Pam Feinstein, Eddie Fisher, Carol Harris, Cindy Masin and Doug Rosen.
Many showed up to honor Gary Pollock, who was feted in a special tribute for his 17 years as executive director and 22 years of service to the JCC.
“I’ve been pleased and honored to have had a part in positioning the “˜J’ for the great things that lie ahead,” said Pollock, 50, who will step down at the end of December. He also thanked JCC staff, members and the Jewish community for their support throughout the years.
Looking back, Pollock said he was particularly proud of three programs that came to the JCC during his tenure: The Florence Melton Adult Mini School for adult Jewish education, the JCC Maccabi Games for Jewish youth, and the Night & Day for the “J” inaugural fund-raiser that took place in June this year, raising $257,000 for JCC programs and services.
“There are a lot of great programs here because of you,” said Pam Feinstein, JCC past president, who presented Pollock with a silver tzedakah box and engraved stand. “We appreciate the years of commitment you’ve given to us and to the Jewish community.” Current JCC President Paul Etsekson added that “the JCC will forever bear the imprint of your years as its leader.”
This was also the last annual meeting for Assistant Director Rick Nelson, who leaves for a position as the executive director of the JCC in Rhode Island next month. Nelson thanked JCC staff and members for “three incredible, memorable years.” He also expressed gratitude for the “outpouring of compassion” from the community that helped his family cope with the recent death of his wife, Diane, after a six-month battle with cancer.
Past president Carol Harris announced the nominations for the officers and board of directors for the 2001—2002 fiscal year. New board members include Edith Rothenberg, Pam Schwartz and Stephanie Sherman.
Officers elected for a new, one-year term include Paul Etsekson, President; Stuart Weinstein, Vice President; Stuart Williams, Vice President; David Rind, Vice President; Alan Tesler, Secretary; Leon Grundstein, Treasurer; and Carol Harris, Past President. Also continuing in office are board members Rusty Federman, Bruce Glant, Gerda Lawrence, Judi Mildeberger, Becca Moss, Leslie Redd, Sherri Richman Chanen, Wendy Rosen, Lindsey Schwartz, Deborah Simonds, Marc Sloan and Jay Wampold.
The Max Kaminoff Volunteer of the Year Award went to Jennilee Anderson and Alyssa Novick for their volunteer efforts in the health and physical education department. Lois Fuhr, Rena Pitasky and Deborah Simonds were honored for their contributions to fund-raisers and special events in the JCC’s Early Childhood Services department. Pam Schwartz was recognized for her invaluable support as procurement chair of the agency’s Night & Day for the “J” fund-raiser. Adult programs director Asher Hashash honored Howard Stern for his support of JCC singles’ events, and development director Leslie Watanabe recognized board member Jay Wampold for contributing his “brilliant and talented marketing and PR communications” skills to evaluate the JCC’s marketing needs.
Pollock presented Ed Weinstein with the Executive Director’s Award for donating “hundreds of hours of architectural expertise and attending hundreds of meetings” as part of the Jewish Community Campus Task Force.
The Community Tzedakah Award went to the Bernice Sachs Family for supporting the JCC, including their recent sponsorship of youth basketball leagues.
The evening wrapped up with a report by JCC president Paul Etsekson, who announced that the JCC will soon join forces with the Jewish Day School, the Jewish Federation, the Washington State Holocaust Resource Center and Herzl-Ner Tamid to sign a joint venture agreement to explore bringing “all of us together on a new Mercer Island complex” in the future. (Josefin Kanin works in the JCC’s marketing department.)