The faces of impact 2025-2026 IMPACT REPORT
DEAR VALUED MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE JCC,
As we reflect on this extraordinary year at the JCC, we are filled with gratitude for the community that continues to make our mission possible. Every day, across every stage of life, the JCC is shaping futures; creating opportunities for children to grow with confidence, helping families build connections, supporting older adults with dignity and care, and ensuring that every individual feels a sense of belonging.
This year’s Impact Report highlights the remarkable impact of generosity through the “Faces of Impact” – very real people and stories that have made a difference this year. Because of the commitment of our donors, volunteers, members, and community partners, we are sustaining the programs and services that define the JCC experience and strengthening them for generations to come.
From Camp Centerland and early childhood education to fitness and wellness, arts and culture, inclusion programs, senior services, and Jewish engagement, philanthropy is helping transform lives every day. Gifts of all sizes are making it possible for more people to access the programs they need, discover new passions, build lasting friendships, and feel connected to a caring community.
The momentum surrounding the Shaping Futures Capital Campaign launched last year at our 80th Anniversary Celebration reflects a shared belief in what the JCC means to so many. Together, we are investing in spaces that inspire, programs that uplift, and experiences that bring people together.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported this work and helped move our mission forward. Your generosity is shaping a stronger, healthier, and more connected future for our entire community.
Thank you for being part of the JCC family and for helping us continue to shape futures together.
Warmly,
Sheryl Schechter President, Board of Trustees
OUR MISSION & VISION
Patricia Simonson Chief Executive Officer
Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo’s core mission is to be the town square for building and strengthening the Jewish and Western New York communities by providing recreational, educational, cultural, and social programs and services consistent with Jewish values. The JCC’s vision is “Building a Stronger Community.”
As a not-for-profit multi-service agency open to everyone, the JCC is a diverse community that helps all age groups thrive and flourish. We offer fitness and wellness services, summer day camp, early childhood education, and school-age child care, family recreation, youth enrichment, adult programs, cultural arts programming, our beloved Jewish Repertory Theatre, and Jewish life and education! We are unrivaled in our passion for helping the whole family.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Sheryl Schechter, President
Rion Kweller, Vice President
Ann Marie Carosella, Vice President
Everett Weiss, Secretary
Randal Spivack, Treasurer
Ron Benderson, Trustee Emeritus
Eric Alcott
Lisa Allen
Matthew Burwick
Debroah Goldman
Michael Komm
Glenn Pincus
Zabrina Reich
Carrie Rich
Rabbi Sara Rich
Douglas St. Cyr
Alyssa Strang
EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Executive Team
Patricia Simonson, Chief Executive Officer
Mark Horowitz, Chief Operating Officer
Joseph Modicamore, Chief Financial Officer
James Morgan, Chief Facilities and Security Officer
Pam Marin, Senior Director of Human Resources
Brittany Bassett-Baran, Executive Assistant
Senior Leadership Team
Alexander Eadie, Senior Director of Advancement
Jason Stowell, Senior Director of Business Development
Barbara Reden, Senior Director of Early Childhood
Sharon Kostiner, Senior Director of Member and Staff Relations
PAST PRESIDENTS
Richard Ament*
Barry Appelbaum
Robert Berghash
Jerome Brock*
Debra Chernoff
Max L. Dozoretz*
Raymond Fink
Lawrence Franco
Susan Freed**
Irwin Gelman, PhD**
Gordon Gross*
Gretchen Gross*
Robert Hayman*
Andrew Isenberg
John Jacobowitz*
Leonard Katz*
William Kaufman*
Harold Kirschenbaum*
Kevin Kulick*
Risé Kulick**
Alon Kupferman
Stuart Lerman
Joel N. Lippman*
Joseph Markel*
Ethel Melzer**
Haiman S. Nathan*
Leonard Rochwarger*
Richard Romer
Samual Sanes*
Andrew Shaevel
Donald Sheldon*
Gary Schuller*
Bruce Wisbaum
* of blessed memory
** Voting Honorary Trustee
INTRODUCING OUR NEW TRUSTEES
The following four individuals have been appointed to a one-year term as Trustees of the JCC:
Jordan Balsom Jordan Balsom’s strong involvement with the JCC of Greater Buffalo has been lifelong, beginning in his youth when he attended the Early Childhood Center, Camp Centerland, and Camp Lakeland. In 1999, Jordan left Buffalo to attend Tufts University before returning in 2011 to work professionally including in his current role as President of his family’s business Kenny Enterprises. He became reengaged with the JCC when he joined the Board of Trustees in 2012 serving for over a decade, and was heavily involved in the Membership and Finance task forces. Jordan and his wife Nicole chaired the JCC’s 80th Anniversary event and share a passion for the JCC. He has passed down his love for the JCC to his three children who have attended the Early Childhood Center and Camp Centerland.
Debra Gross-Weiner is the daughter of the late Linda Sillman and Gordon Gross, and the devoted stepdaughter of Gretchen Gross. She shares her life with husband and partner, Ken Weiner, and is the proud mother of three adult children, Micki, Kyle, and Jordan. The JCC of Greater Buffalo has always held a special place in Debra’s heart, particularly programs like Camp Centerland in which she and her family have been deeply involved. Not only did herself and her children attend Camp Centerland, she also served as a Counselor in Training in Arts and Crafts at camp. A testament to her family’s devotion to camp can be seen in her father Gordon’s gift of the Omanut building to Gretchen. She is honored to follow in the footsteps of Gordon and Gretchen and continue supporting the institution that has meant so much to her family and our community.
Sean (Shai) Lewis As an award-winning executive advisor and strategist, Shai Lewis has built an impressive career with 25 years of leadership across for-profit, not-for-profit, government, and education sectors. In his current role as President of SLC Advisory Group, he partners with boards, senior executives, and key stakeholders to guide organizations through growth, transition, and complex financial and operational challenges. Apart from his professional accomplishments, he has demonstrated a strong investment in his community by serving as a facilitator and mentor for the University at Buffalo School of Management and holding positions on several not-for-profit and community boards. The JCC of Greater Buffalo has played an important role in the lives of Shai and his family being that they have been avid members for over 20 years. In addition, his eldest daughter has held the position of a camp counselor at Camp Centerland for two years.
David Miller has built a rewarding life and career in Buffalo. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Tufts University, he went on to graduate from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine, and then completed his residency from Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Afterwards, he practiced medicine at Helen Hayes Hospital, Buffalo General Hospital, and ECMC before spending the remainder of his career in private practice in Williamsville. Since 1993, David and his wife Cathy Shuman have been long-time members of the JCC of Greater Buffalo where they enrolled their two children in the Early Childhood Center and Camp Centerland. Now retired, he spends his free time hiking, cooking, and repairing everything that needs fixing.
We want to thank DouglasSt.Cyr, as his term ends, for his dedication to the JCC, his role within the Board of Trustees, and the JCC Audit Committee.
KWELLER FAMILY EDUCATION FUND
JCC Vice President Rion Kweller is the 2026 recipient of the Kushner Award for Volunteer Leadership. This award recognizes volunteer service to the JCC and Rion’s longstanding work with the Board of Trustees, including the Personnel and Governance Committees. In the fall of 2025, Rion and his wife Julie established the Kweller Family Education Fund to support the professional development of JCC staff. Through this Fund, eligible staff members may receive support to pursue coursework, certifications, workshops, seminars, or other accredited learning experiences that enhance their professional skills, expand their knowledge base, and strengthen their effectiveness in their current roles or future career development within the JCC.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Our Agency continued its trajectory of strong financial performance, marking the fifth consecutive year of growth in both membership and program fees. Net program fee revenue reached $8.1 million, representing an increase of $630,906, or 8.36%, over the previous fiscal year. Leading this growth was our Early Childhood program, which recorded over 63,000 child days—a new milestone and the highest total in the program’s history.
Membership revenue also showed impressive gains, approaching pre-pandemic levels. Net membership revenue totaled $2.8 million, an increase of $105,000, or 4%, compared to the prior fiscal year. The completion of renovations at our Benderson and Holland fitness centers are continuing to boost membership levels by the 2026–27 fiscal year.
Contributions, fundraising, and grants totaled $1.1 million, reflecting an increase of $130,000, or 13.5%. This growth was driven primarily by the receipt of security grants, which will help us further enhance the safety and well-being of our staff, members, and guests.
Overall, the Agency concluded the fiscal year with total revenues of $11.8 million—an increase of $348,277, or 3.0%, over the previous year.
On the expense side, while inflation and geopolitical challenges such as the conflict in Israel have contributed to rising costs, the Finance Department has remained diligent in managing expenditures. Total expenses for the fiscal year were $12 million, representing a modest increase of just $14,000, or 0.1%, compared to the prior year.
The Agency remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering a safe, welcoming, and high-quality experience for all members and guests. The accompanying graphs in this report provide a detailed overview of our financial performance and position.
EXPENSES
REVENUE
1%
2%
2025-2026 Year in Review
Net Program Fees 0 2000000 4000000 6000000 8000000 10000000 8,175,716 7,544,810 7,324,969 6,267,000 5,609,000
Net Membership Revenue
2,072,945 1,154,117
2,784,074 2,679,478 2,482,531
EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERS
Over the past year, we have continued to see growth in our Early Childhood Program. Our NAEYC-accredited programs offer children the opportunity to learn through a multi-sensory approach through educational and engaging activities such as reading, dance, swim, music, Hebrew, soccer, yoga, arts and crafts, and play with their peers. They learn cognitive, social and physical skills while preparing them for success in kindergarten and beyond.
LYNN HIRSCH
Lynn Hirsch was the first director of the Early Childhood Center when it opened at the Benderson Family Building nearly 50 years ago. After a lifetime spent educating the youngest members of our community and helping to set up the program to what it has become today, Lynn has the distinct honor of being the very first donor to the Shaping Futures Capital Campaign. “I don’t think a week goes by that I don’t come across somebody who had a connection with me at the Jewish Center, whose children or grandchildren are now in the program. It is a family type atmosphere, and people just feel good when they come here. I am proud to support the mission of a place that has given me so much.”
CAMP CENTERLAND
Fresh off being designated one of America’s best summer day camps by Newsweek magazine, Camp Centerland saw over 2,600 camper weeks registered in 2025, again surpassing registration records. Camp served over 600 individual children, led by nearly 100 seasonal staff, who participated in fun and enriching camp experiences over 9 weeks. Children spend their days at camp swimming, hiking, making arts and crafts, singing, ziplining, rock climbing – and most importantly, making lifelong friends and memories.
Camper Weeks
THE SUMMER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Many in our community know the North Forest Farm Stand across from the JCC Benderson Family Building—the flowers, the cookies, and the smiles. What most don’t see is the extraordinary courage behind it. The woman who runs the stand, Jenn, is battling stage 4 cancer, and every sale helps support her treatment. In summer 2025, thanks to generous donations to the All for One Fund, her son Harry received a scholarship to Camp Centerland. For eight weeks, he laughed, played, and simply got to be a kid—giving his parents one less worry during an incredibly difficult time. As his mom shared, “The JCC gave our son the best summer of his life… That gift means more to us than words can express.”
KIDS’ PLACE
Kids’ Place is our comprehensive after-school program offered at both locations. In addition to dedicated homework time, a healthy snack, and plenty of activities, children enrolled in Kids’ Place can add enrichment such as dance, swim lessons, or music lessons. This past year, children had the chance to further participate in the popular Minecraft coding club, winter outdoors club, STEM club, rock climbing club, and even comic book club. Creativity and excitement abound in this one-of-a-kind program!
Kids’ Place Child Days Holland (per month)
Kids’ Place Child Days Benderson (per month)
A PLACE FOR EVERYONE
Aaron Blum first came through our doors as a child to swim, attend camp, and experience the joy of belonging, and today he helps create that same experience for others. Now in his twelfth year with the JCC, he serves as both an Assistant Teacher in our Early Childhood program and Assistant Director at Kids Place, and during the summer he is part of Camp Centerland’s counselor team. Aaron’s journey has included significant challenges, including living with apraxia, but at the JCC he found a community that saw his strengths, supported his growth, and believed in his potential. Today, he is continuing to grow professionally and personally, and his story is a powerful example of how the JCC helps shape confident futures for everyone.
JEWISH REPERTORY THEATRE
For the fourth straight year, the Jewish Repertory Theatre sold over 400 season subscriptions, solidifying one of the most stable patron bases among local theaters in Western New York. Prior to opening the season, the JRT completed theater renovations thanks to a generous grant from Erie County. With the funds, we installed new seats, risers, curtains, lights, and a modern projection system that was used for the first time in the production of Conscience. Additionally, we’re thrilled to celebrate a record-breaking season at Jewish Repertory Theatre with 12 Artie Award nominations! Congratulations to our incredible artists, designers, and performers whose work made this recognition possible.
MONTHLY GIVING MAKES A DIFFERENCE
David Lundy is a familiar and celebrated presence in Western New York’s theater community. A talented local actor, David has taken the stage in several productions with the Jewish Repertory Theatre, earning critical acclaim—including a 2024 Artie Award for his powerful portrayal of Jan Karski in Remember This. Beyond the stage, David recently deepened his impact by joining the CEO’s Chai Society, making a recurring monthly gift to support the JCC’s mission. Consider becoming a monthly donor through the CEO’s Chai Society—an easy, meaningful way to support the programs, people, and community that make the JCC such a special place.
CULTURAL ARTS
Cultural Arts programs attract many individuals to a myriad of annual events. We offered inspiring speakers, art galleries, the Cover to Cover Book Festival, day trips to iconic sites in WNY, baking demonstrations with Errol Sull, and celebrated the 41st Buffalo International Jewish Film Festival by hosting it back at the JCC for the first time in nearly a decade.
HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
Thanks to a generous grant from the New York State Office for the Aging, the JCC, along with our community partners at HERO, provide many services and programs for our WNY Holocaust survivors. This special group of people receive free JCC memberships, tickets to cultural arts and JRT events, programs like monthly luncheons, and even monthly home Kosher meal delivery. We are grateful for their testimony and witness to what they have experienced and are blessed to care for them through the JCC community.
JEWISH LIFE AND EDUCATION
At the JCC, we prioritize outreach in educating our members and the broader community about Jewish life, traditions, and customs. Highlights from this past year include our annual Purim Carnival, a Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration of Israel’s 78th independence day, and the weekly Limud speaker series. We also have a robust Aging Well program, where older adults gather weekly at both locations for various discussion groups, art classes, playing cards, and mah-jong – which has grown to nearly 80 players per week!
MAH-JONG MADNESS
For Sharon Serota, our resident instructor of Mah-Jong, the game is more than tiles and strategy. She has a passion for not only leading this game but also for working at and supporting the JCC. She has been a dedicated employee for over 50 years, serving first in the fitness department, and later in membership services. Her connection to the JCC is also deeply personal — she met her husband at the JCC, was engaged at the JCC, and her children and grandchildren have participated in our youth programs, making the JCC part of her family’s story across generations. For Sharon, the JCC is not just a place of employment; it represents a lifelong engagement and commitment.
FITNESS AND AQUATICS
Members are enjoying brand-new, state-of-the-art equipment featuring modern technology and enhanced features designed to make workouts more engaging, energizing, and accessible for individuals of all fitness levels. At the same time, we continue to invest in strengthening our aquatics offerings, which remain a cornerstone of the JCC experience for swimmers, families, youth programs, and older adults alike. From swim lessons and water fitness classes to recreational swimming, Au-Some swimmers, and competitive programs like the newly rebranded J-Rays team, our aquatics program provides opportunities for wellness, safety, confidence, and connection for people of all ages and ability levels.
SEPHARDIC FOUNDATION ON AGING
Thanks to a $12,000 grant from the Sephardic Foundation on Aging, the JCC is enhancing its Rock Steady Boxing program for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. Funding supported the purchase of new boxing and fitness equipment as part of our renovated fitness spaces, helping participants improve balance, mobility, strength, and stability. The grant also supports instructor training, program growth, and outreach efforts to expand access to this impactful program. We are deeply grateful for this investment in the health, wellness, and quality of life of our community members.
FUNDRAISING YEAR IN REVIEW:
The following are some highlights of our year in fundraising at the JCC.
• We had 24% growth in giving in the 2025 calendar year, outpacing the national average. This has been driven in large part by the Shaping Futures Capital Campaign.
• Donor retention was up to 49%, a 3% increase over 2024.
• We re-activated 74 donors who had made gifts to the JCC in the past.
• We had 199 first-time donors to the JCC in 2025.
• Gifts came in from 14 states, including California, Florida, Virginia, Michigan, and of course, New York.
In 2025-26, the JCC enjoyed a successful and productive year in fundraising. From many grant awards, our 80th Anniversary Celebration, small in-person fundraising events, our Shaping Futures capital campaign, All for One annual campaigns, online fundraisers like Give 716 and Giving Tuesday, corporate sponsorships, grants, to most importantly, donations from generous donors, we grew fundraising by 13.5% over 2024-25 to $1.1 million. This success would not be possible without the generous spirit and strong commitment to the JCC that we have seen from our community.
The JCC is proud to have 72 Life & Legacy commitments, totaling over $2.6 million in future permanent endowment funds. These funds will ensure that the JCC continues its vital mission for generations to come. Consider securing your own legacy at the JCC today. Visit jccbuffalo.org/ support-us and click on the Life & Legacy tab to learn more.
49% DONOR RETENTION DONORS WHO HAD MADE GIFTS TO THE JCC IN THE PAST 74 RE-ACTIVATED TO THE JCC IN 2025 199 FIRST-TIME DONORS STATES HAD MADE GIFTS TO THE JCC IN THE PAST 14 GIFTS CAME IN IN THE 2025 CALENDAR YEAR 24% GROWTH IN GIVING
A 3% INCREASE OVER 2024
A CAMPAIGN FOR JCC BUFFALO
SHAPING FUTURES UPDATE
Since the launch of the Shaping Futures Capital Campaign in summer 2025, the JCC is proud to share our current progress towards our $7 million goal. Over 80 individuals, families, and community partners have pledged or committed a total of $2,171,469.25. Combined with our generous dollar for dollar match from the Benderson Family, the grand total raised so far is $4,342,938.50, approximately 64% to our goal.
The campaign success thus far reflects our continued commitment to providing exceptional experiences for our members while strengthening the long-term sustainability of the JCC. Most importantly, this effort is about more than facilities and equipment — it is about creating welcoming spaces that inspire health, belonging, and community now, and for the future. We are proud of what has already been accomplished and excited for what lies ahead as we continue shaping the future of the JCC together. Can we count you in for your campaign gift this year?
LEADERSHIP, LOVE, AND COMMUNITY: A TRANSFORMATIONAL GIFT TO SHAPE FUTURES
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo proudly received a transformational $1 million gift to the Shaping Futures Capital Campaign from the Gordon and Gretchen Gross Family Estate, directed by trustees Debra Gross Weiner and Sandra Wolchok. This extraordinary commitment honors Gordon and Gretchen Gross’s lifelong dedication to the JCC and Camp Centerland, where Gretchen’s leadership, passion for Jewish camping, and commitment to early childhood education left a lasting impact on generations of families.
Inspired by their parents’ legacy of philanthropy and community leadership, Sandy and Debra made this gift to help ensure the JCC continues to thrive for generations to come. Their generosity will provide critical endowment support for future programs, scholarships, and evolving community needs — shaping futures and strengthening Jewish community life well into the future.
CAN WE COUNT YOU IN?
Can we count you in to make a gift in support of the Shaping Futures campaign? With your help, we will remain an epicenter for the Jewish community while inviting and encouraging our entire community to find friendship, strength, and values inside our walls. Donors to the campaign as of June 1, 2026, we sincerely apologize for any errors or omissions:
Heather Ackley
Betsy Abramson and David Reisman
Eric and Deb Alcott
Lisa Allen
David and Joan Alexander
Jordan and Nicole Balsom
Edwin L. Berger Trust
Bob and Joan z”l Berghash
Benderson Family Philanthropic Fund
Jeffrey and Leah Blum
Hon. Lisa Bloch Rodwin
Elaine Brothman
Matthew and Sara Burwick
Anne Marie Carosella and Jeff Lackner
Edward and Carin Case
David and Nancy Colligan
Errol Craig Sull
Alex and Danielle Eadie
Ellen Freed
Sue Freed
Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies
George Gellman
Irwin Gelman and Mara Koven-Gelman
Charlotte Gendler
Horace Gioia
Deborah Goldman
Goldman Titanium
Debra Gross-Weiner and Sandra Wolchok
Barbara Grossman
Les Greenbaum and Judith Kerr
Mr. Joseph Green
Angel Gutierrez and Liz Zausmer
Eduardo and Amy Heumann
Lynn Hirsch
Cantor Mark Horowitz
Laurie Kasnicki
Judith Katz
Alexander Eadie | Senior Director aeadie@jccbuffalo.org | (716) 929-6258
Edward Kerber
Michael and Jill Komm
Sharon and Ariel Kostiner
Alon Kupferman
Rion and Julie Kweller
Richard and Arlyne Lepie
Irv and Donna Levy
Bruce Levine and Corey Wolffe-Levine
Steve and Marian Lustig
Pam and Bernie Marin
Ethel Melzer
Dr. David Miller and Cathy Shuman Miller
Sanford and Margaret Nobel
Ed Northwood
Glenn Pincus and Janet Gunner
Cara and Kenneth Polk
Eric and Susan Recoon
Carrie Rich
Rabbi Sara Rich
James Sachs
Alan Scheff
Todd Schifferle
Sheryl and Jonathan Schechter
Maxine Seller
Marilyn Shuman
Patty and Randy z”l Simonson
Randy Spivack
Ellyn Stevenson
Jason and Amy Stowell
Richard and Karen Zakalik
Ralph and Laura Vanner
Variety Club of Buffalo and WNY
Everett and Mandy Weiss
Howard and Karen Wiseman
JCC Board of Trustees
David and Janet Desmon
Peggy Kahn-Sullivan
Risé Kulick
Anonymous
Veronica Fabrizio | Donor Engagement Specialist vfabrizio@jccbuffalo.org | (716) 204-5388
LAYOUT & DESIGN: Sarah Schuppenhauer, Creative Design Specialist