Ian Feibelman of Manalapan is the new program director at the Jewish Community Center of Western Monmouth in Manalapan.
Photo courtesy Ian Feibelman
December 2, 2008
Aiming to increase its services to young Jews, the Jewish Community Center of Western Monmouth has appointed its first full-time program director.
Ian Feibelman of Manalapan, who began his new job on Nov. 17, said his plans include developing programs that are geared to youth; activities will range from day trips, miniature golf outings, and arts and crafts sessions to a series of enrichment programs in the arts and sciences.
“Ian will focus on programming areas that are important to the Jewish community, particularly in the areas of family and youth,” said Shelley Feingold, JCC operations and outreach director, who will continue to organize events for the community’s senior citizens. “He will establish many new and exciting programs.”
Feibelman said he hopes to create a series of enrichment programs that will include musical presentations, model building, computer programming, and language arts. Plans also include a carnival and a summer camp program.
He said he also wants to organize a parent-child sports day and a mother-daughter fashion show.
“My short-term goal is to present one major youth program each month,” said Feibelman. “I also want to network with synagogues, temples, camps, and day schools. This will help increase recognition of the JCC and everything it has to offer. We can all work together and support each other; we’re all in the youth development business.”
An increased concentration on youth activities and community outreach will help spread the word about the Manalapan JCC’s existing and future services, he said.
“The concept of brand and name recognition is an important consideration,” Feibelman said. “By developing and expanding youth programs, we can definitely put a positive brand on this community center.”
Feibelman graduated in 2003 from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics with a focus on business management and marketing. Prior to joining the JCC staff, he was the assistant director at Pine Grove Day Camp in Wall Township, a private facility, where his responsibilities included increasing enrollment.
“I think my background in business, programming, marketing, and day camp work will be very useful here,” said Feibelman. Given that a summer camp is among the plans for the JCC, he said, “I think my work in the private day camp sector will be a good crossover to organizational camping.”
Feibelman and his parents are longtime Monmouth County residents. Elliot Feibelman owns an executive recruiting firm in West Long Branch, and Ann Feibelman is a teacher in the Manalapan Middle School. His sister also is a teacher in the Manalapan school district. Since 2002, Feibelman has been a volunteer adviser to the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization’s Manalapan chapter.
Feibelman said he is eager to receive programming suggestions and other input from the community.
“There is a strong Jewish population in western Monmouth County, and I welcome all programming ideas from community members,” he said. “It will provide the chance to combine our ideas. Creating youth and family programs and activities is a wonderful opportunity, and I know we’ll be able to do some great things.”
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