NEWS

Contact:
Marilyn Casey, Director of Marketing,
The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland
Direct: 216-593-6294

CEREMONY INTRODUCES NEW NAME FOR JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF CLEVELAND.

Beachwood Jewish Community Center (JCC) officially becomes The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland

(Beachwood, OH) May 21, 2007… In a ceremony at the Jewish Community Center in Beachwood on May 21, officials from The Mandel Foundation and the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland joined the JCC to announce that The Jewish Community Center will now be known as The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland.

In December 2006, The Mandel Foundation announced a gift of $13.5 million to the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland’s Centennial Initiative for the purpose of renovating and expanding the JCC building in Beachwood, which opened in October 1986. The JCC anticipates the project will cost more than $15 million to complete. A projected timeline for the planning process is being developed with the Cleveland architectural firm of Bialosky + Partners.

The Mandel family has been instrumental in supporting the efforts of the JCC in Cleveland since its inception almost 60 years ago. Morton Mandel, a former president of the JCC of Cleveland, has  been involved in the work of the JCC movement in North America for decades, and served as Chairman of the Board of the Jewish Community Center Association of North America (JCCA) from 1970 to 1974.

The Mandel family’s leadership and generosity was instrumental in the construction of the Mayfield JCC building which opened in 1960.  Over two decades later, in 1982, once again the Mandel brothers became the lead contributors in the construction of the existing JCC facility in Beachwood. Now, this recent gift of $13.5 million reflects the Mandel family’s recognition and commitment to the vital role the JCC plays in building a strong and cohesive Jewish community. 

Among the guests attending the ceremony to announce the new name of the JCC will be Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel who established The Mandel Foundation in 1953.

 “Changing the name of the JCC to The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland is acknowledging the leadership of the Mandel family and the  generosity of the Mandel Foundation,” said Cleveland JCC board president Darrell A. Young.

About The Mandel Jewish Community Center

The Mandel JCC provides programs of exceptional quality for families and individuals of all ages including pre-school and children’s programs, summer camps, fitness, wellness and recreation programming and arts and culture programs.

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Editor Note: Digital images of the naming ceremony are available. Please email your request to mcasey@clevejcc.org.