by Jill Huber
NJJN Bureau Chief/Monmouth

December 16, 2008

In a move designed to promote its performing arts center, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Monmouth County has put its former chief executive officer in charge of the venue’s programming and endowments.

Jess Levy, an Ocean Township resident who has been on the JCC staff for 25 years, resigned as CEO on Dec. 1; Aaron Rosenfeld of West Long Branch remains as the JCC’s interim executive director.

Prior to the staff changes, the responsibilities of running the Axelrod Performing Arts Center and the JCC fell to the CEO.

However, the growth of the APAC — a 550-seat theater that opened in Deal in 2005 — has necessitated the creation of a separate board of directors that will focus solely on its use and activities.

As a result of the staff changes, the CEO slot will be eliminated.

Levy will work with the newly created APAC committee to expand funding sources and finalize governance of the facility, said Donald Epstein of Ocean Township, chair of the JCC board of governors, an advisory group of major donors and past JCC presidents that works on long-term strategic planning and capital fund-raising.

“Jess has been a symbol of stability for the past 25 years and the mortar that has helped build the strong and diverse Jewish community that we all enjoy today,” said Epstein.

“I have had the privilege of working with Jess for all of those years in both joyous and challenging times. He has been, and will continue to be, a dedicated friend and advocate of the JCC’s mission. I look forward to continuing to work with Jess as we look to establish a strong programmatic and financial foundation for APAC.”

Before assuming the executive director’s position almost 19 years ago, Levy served as the JCC’s assistant director and associate director.

He is credited with a host of achievements: the development and expansion of the JCC summer day camp and preschool programs, overseeing building expansion, conducting a capital campaign that raised more than $6 million, bringing to fruition the completion of APAC, launching a kosher meals-on-wheels program for senior citizens, hosting the JCC Maccabi games and Maccabi ArtsFest, and developing strong countywide collaborations and partnerships with Jewish and nonprofit organizations.

“It has truly been a privilege to work for a remarkable group of leaders, volunteers, and donors,” Levy said. “Without their support, my personal success, as well as the success and longevity of the JCC, would not have been possible.”

Levy has begun to transfer his executive director tasks to Rosenfeld, who was the Deal JCC’s associate executive director until he was named interim executive director last year. The JCC board of directors formed a search committee three months ago to begin reviewing applicants for the executive director’s position, Epstein said.

“The board has not yet made a decision,” he said. “Our goal is to come to a conclusion during the first quarter of 2009.”

After becoming interim executive director last year, Rosenfeld told NJ Jewish News that he planned to apply for the executive director’s position.

Rosenfeld was a practicing attorney in Monmouth County and served on the JCC’s board of directors and executive committee before joining the staff. He left his law practice in 2001 and became the JCC’s assistant director. In 2005, he completed the two-year JCCs Association Executive Development Training Program and was promoted to associate executive director in 2007.

During the transition phase, JCC activities will continue uninterrupted, according to Dr. Brian Krost of Oakhurst, president of the JCC board of directors.

“The JCC is most appreciative of the 25 years of service that Jess Levy devoted to the community,” Krost said. “Without his commitment, the remarkable progress of the JCC would not have been possible. We look forward to his support during the transition and for many years to come.”

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