Forty years ago, on Rosh Hashanah, Jewish families across the country and around the world gathered around their dinner tables, dipping apples into honey, to usher in the new year of 5734. 

Here in Orlando, the families sitting down for conversation around the holiday table had another reason to celebrate—the Jewish community had just completed its first successful summer camp season at the JCC.

It’s incredible to reflect upon how far we’ve come in 40 years. What started out in Maitland as a tiny preschool and summer camp in a small building surrounded by empty land that once housed an orange grove has blossomed in to a tremendous community hub—times two—with the addition of our full-service facility on the Jack & Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Campus in 2009.  Our entire community should be proud of the impact we’ve had on the thousands of members of our community during these past four decades, imbuing children with a sense of Jewish values, connecting families with other families, and boosting the physical and emotional wellness of all of those we serve. 

All these years later, we’re still proud of our recently completed summer camp, now called Camp J, as this year marked the first year both campuses hosted shlichim (Israeli emissaries) to infuse our programs with a sense of Israeli and Jewish pride and culture.

This year was successful in many other ways. In an effort to rejuvenate the facilities at the Roth JCC’s Maitland Campus, more than $355,000 to date was raised as part of the Roth JCC Renovation Project. Chaired by Daniel Coultoff and Dr. Andrew Kleiman, the project aimed to improve the aesthetics and functionality of the Roth JCC, enhance the overall experience for the members and attract more participation. The renovations included the swimming pool complex, outdoor basketball courts, tennis courts, auditorium dividers and a courtyard preschool playground.

Our board of directors and professional staff continue to work hard in building community, strengthening family life, and promoting Jewish values through our nationally accredited and award-winning programs, events and partnerships. The JCC is as committed as ever to strengthening our JCCs as community hubs, providing “value-added” programs and services to our members, and working collaboratively with the other Jewish organizations. Additionally, this year, our board of directors will participate in a strategic assessment of our organization made possible through a grant from the Frances and Joseph Victor Fund at the Community Foundation of Central Florida, Inc.

The Roth Jewish Community Center and the JCC’s Jack & Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Campus wish you and your family a very happy, healthy and prosperous 5774.

Shana tova.

Executive Director David Wayne and President Scott Richman