“We welcome you to Ricaree. We’re mighty glad you’re here. We’ll set the air reverberating with a mighty cheer.”
Do you remember where you were when you realized the JCC was special or a place you wanted to go to again and again? For me it was JCC Camp Ricaree – singing songs at the end of the day in the auditorium, learning to swim and being with friends.
The JCC has been more than a destination – it has been a second home. Some people remember the food: Icees at the snack bar or pizza bagels at the cafe. Some remember the sports, competition, skit night and Camp Ben F Washer.
The best part is the shared experiences coupled with our own stories and our own experiences that have changed and enhanced our lives.
We are also grateful to the leaders who came before us. Personally, Annette Sagerman and Jay Levine made everyone who entered the building feel at home. I hope our staff carries on that tradition every day.
Keep remembering, but it is also time to look ahead and plan for the future as those before us did.
Our 125th yearlong celebration culminated on Saturday night with a gala celebration.
Congratulations to the committee led by Gala chair Robin Miller and JCC development director Lenae Price for planning a wonderful evening.
We are grateful to the 100 plus volunteers and over 2,600 community members who participated in our celebration this year starting last year with the 125 Tip Off last January. We are grateful that we were able to honor Annette Sagerman last spring, thrilled that our JCC 125 float won the Pegasus Parade Grand Prize at Derby time, amazed that our 125 festival welcomed over 700 people and proud of the gala bringing the community together to celebrate our past, present and future.
From strength to strength, it is time to take all of our reflections and memories and look toward the future. The strong history of the Louisville JCC will provide the foundation as we evolve for the future.
The next 125 starts now. We invite you to be a part of the future. In the near future, we will announce efforts to maximize our strengths and opportunities and for you to be part of the journey.
My journey began at Camp Ricaree and my goal is to ensure all members of our community find their entry points and places at our J so they, too, call the JCC their second home.