Mike Goldstein says he’s “thrilled” to have been chosen for the JCCs of North America training program; Barbara Weisbart’s aim is to make members’ lives “fun and wonderful”; Sandra Kenoff says she intends to create a “unified, synergistic identity” for the JCC.
September 4, 2008
Mike Goldstein, program director at the JCC of Central New Jersey, is one of 17 leaders from around the country who will participate in the JCCs of North America’s 2008-09 Middle Management Training Program.
Inaugurated just last year, the program is designed to help upcoming leaders at JCCs develop critical management and leadership skills. It consists of three week-long seminars and culminates with a 10-day trip to Israel in October 2009.
The first seminar will be held Sept. 21-25 in Orlando, Fla.
Championed by Central JCC executive director Barak Hermann, Goldstein, who also serves as JCC camp codirector, was selected from a field of 36 applicants.
“I expect to come away with a deeper perspective on Jewish communal service and improve my supervisory skills,” Goldstein said. He is particularly excited to have the opportunity to learn from and with his peers.
“They are amazing leaders in the field, and I am thrilled to be in this program with them.”
A lifelong camper, Goldstein began his career as the administrator of a private camp in Burlington County. In 2004, he joined the JCC as the teen services and after-school director. He was promoted to assistant camp director in 2006 and assumed his current position the following year.
“I want to be part of creating a vibrant Jewish community,” said Goldstein. “We have a very special thing here [at the JCC]. We should celebrate and acknowledge it every way we can.”
Goldstein holds bachelor of arts degrees in English and music from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., and a master of science degree in musicology from the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music in New York.
A change and an addition to the staff have also recently taken place at the JCC.
In July, Barbara Weisbart took over the reins as director of adult enrichment.
Weisbart joined the JCC in February 2007 as the director of special events, which included supervisory responsibility for membership, public relations, older adult activities, and cultural events. She brought with her expertise gained from having served as director of membership for JCC MetroWest in West Orange for 23 years.
“I’m really a people person,” she said, adding that she intends to go “from strength to strength,” building on the strong foundation left by her predecessor, Nan Statton, and creating new programs for active adults.
Approximately 50 seniors, age 65 and up, are currently enrolled in the JCC’s Senior Program, which meets three times a week. Members enjoy such activities as exercise classes, sing-alongs, discussions on a host of topics, and instruction in cooking, crafts, and hobbies. A homemade hot lunch is included and free transportation within Union County is provided.
“Since many of our members don’t drive, this is a phenomenal opportunity for them to get out and socialize,” said Weisbart.
Weisbart is launching a program for active adults, age 50 and up, that will include bus trips to area attractions and a variety of “lunch-and-learn” sessions. Trips are being planned to: Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton (Sept. 11), the “Waterfalls” exhibit in New York Harbor and an architect’s talk about Jewish New York (Sept. 28), the site of the Woodstock music festival (Oct. 16), the NJ Performing Arts Center to see a production of Cats (Nov. 20), and New York’s Jewish Museum to view an exhibit on Chagall and the artists of the Russian-Jewish theater (Dec. 11).
Her goal, Weisbart said, “is to make this stage of life fun and wonderful for our members.”
Weisbart is creating a steering committee to plan events for the active adult group and is seeking musicians to lead sing-alongs with the seniors. Anyone interested in volunteering or learning more about the programs should contact her at 908-889-8800, ext. 207.
New to the JCC is Sandra Kenoff, who has joined the staff as director of marketing and special events, a new position.
A JCC volunteer for five years, Kenoff has worn many hats. She chaired the Golf and Tennis outing for three years and the Marketing Task Force and cochaired the HaDerech Leadership Development Program, the Early Childhood Parent Committee, and the Membership Committee.
Her new position, she said, “is my dream job. I see a tremendous opportunity to expand membership in all age brackets. We have so many great things to offer our community. Marketing professionalism is key.”
Kenoff is spearheading an effort to develop special events that will build community and support the agency’s goals.
“I intend to give the JCC’s communications a distinctive look and feel to maximize impact and create a unified, synergistic identity for the organization.”
Kenoff, who holds bachelor of arts degrees in English, writing, and communications from the University of Pittsburgh, has worked in advertising, account management, and marketing.
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