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January 11, 2002/27 Tevet 5762, Vol. 54, No. 17
JCC strives for financial stability
BARRY COHEN
Editor
Five of seven Jewish community centers in the Greater Los Angeles area are closing to help defray a $3 million loan. Approximately 375 hundred miles to the east in Scottsdale, the future home of the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center is on schedule to open in the fall.
While the Los Angeles Jewish community is struggling to come to terms with its fiscal commitments, Valley leaders are working to ensure the local center's financial solvency and stability.
"We plan conservatively and watch the books very carefully," said Mark Shore, president of the VOSJCC. He cited the sources of income for the proposed $5 million budget for 2003: Forty percent will come from JCC dues; 43 percent from program income, tuition and service fees; and less than 10 percent from the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and the United Way. The remaining funds will come from other sources, such as JCC board fund raising and government grants, he explained.
Fred Zeidman, federation assistant executive director, said the local VOSJCC has put together a business plan and the federation executive committee has reviewed it. "It is on target with membership projections," he said. In addition, the center's assessment of revenue, income and expenses is "prudent and balanced."
As construction continues on the future home of the VOSJCC, the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus - located at the southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Sweetwater Avenue - officials are turning their attention to membership. Nearly 400 charter members have joined, according to Shore. "We originally expected 300 (at this time). The goal when we open is to have 900 units or members," he added.
Ron Bookbinder, chairman of the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus Task Force, has little doubt about membership increasing. "There is a huge pent up demand for the services and programming the campus will be offering," he said. He predicted there will be a waiting list to participate in the center's programs.
According to Bookbinder, what distinguishes the VOSJCC from the JCCs in Los Angeles is that it will be housed in a "state-of-the-art facility" that is opening "debt free."
Bookbinder also pointed to the fact that $2 million of the proposed $10 million endowment for the campus has already been raised. Interest from the endowment will help pay for the campus' operating expenses, he explained.
Zeidman added that the endowment will also "cover unforeseen expenses (for the campus)."
Regarding predictions of continued population growth in the Valley, Bookbinder said he believes that people will want to join the center and take advantage of the activities on the campus. Raising the funds to reach the endowment goal will not be a problem, he added.
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