This summer, the JCC of Greater Monmouth County in Deal proudly opened its doors to thousands of visitors of all ages. Not only did the JCC host top-notch cultural entertainment in its state-of-the-art theater, but it also enabled many organizations to hold critical fundraising events, sometimes on an emergency basis.

Helping charitable organizations succeed reflects the JCC’s longtime commitment to the community. On July 16, the Yaakov Shwekey benefit concert for the Special Children’s Center of Deal was held in the JCC’s magnificent Axelrod Performing Arts Center.

Jenine Shwekey, founder of the Special Children’s Center, recognized the JCC for helping make the event so sensational. “We thank the JCC from the bottom of our hearts for opening their doors to our organization for the second year,” she said. “It is nice to know that our community has such heart, and that the JCC is at the center of that heart.”

Community leaders know the JCC is the place to turn when they are in need of a top-notch facility to host their events, including graduations, concerts and plays for Hillel and Ilan High School, as well as gym and pool facilities for sporting events.

When rain threatened the 2008 Top Gun Tournament, event co-organizer JoJo Chehebar picked up the phone to call the JCC. JCC’s Interim Executive Director Aaron Rosenfeld and his staff quickly put together a backup plan to accommodate the annual tournament without interfering with JCC’s regular Sunday programming. Hundreds of Top Gun participants were rerouted to the JCC facility, enabling the tournament to continue, which raised critical funds for Sephardic Bikur Holim.

“In 15 years, Top Gun was never rained out, so this was the first time we had to put a backup plan in place,” said JoJo. “The JCC did an amazing job accommodating all of our needs under such short notice. Their facility had everything we needed to carry out this annual event, and we are extremely grateful to the JCC for their help.”

Th JCC is also very proud to have collaborated once again with the Sephardic Community Center on Encore 2008 Celebration of the Arts, which raised necessary funds for scholarship programs at SCC and JCC. Encore made history this year with four sensational nights of entertainment, all sold-out.

The JCC also proudly partnered for the third year with Stevie and Esther Doueck, founding directors of The Jersey Shore Film Festival. Each year, the audience continues to grow for this remarkable film series portraying Jewish life around the world.

“We are very pleased to hold this special series at the Axelrod Tgheater,” Stevie said. “The accessibility of the JCC helps bring these films to the attention of people from all areas of Monmouth County. The theater accommodates a lot of people, yet it also gives a warm and intimate feeling, which is critical for film-goers. Plus, the festival helps give emerging filmmakers such as Rob Margolies a chance to screen their work to the general public. The JCC is a perfect venue for our film series.”
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Jill Garbi is marketing director at the JCC. Photos by Morris Anteby.