WEST HARTFORD—On Sunday, Sept. 26, community leaders came together at the Mandell JCC in West Hartford to celebrate the organization’s long list of past presidents with the dedication of a new outdoor courtyard and indoor tribute wall in their honor.

Designed by landscape designer Ching Lin of Artistic Outdoors, along with art students from the nearby University of Hartford, the courtyard, which was originally the JCC’s driveway entrance, was transformed into what the JCC’s executive director David Jacobs called “a garden oasis.” 

The tribute wall which exhibits photographs of the JCC’s 44 past presidents, is located in the lobby area outside the building’s Herbert & Evelyn Gilman Theater.

“We are so deliberate about ensuring that every part of our JCC is carefully designed to serve many purposes,” said past president Joyce Mandell (1995-1997). “The Courtyard is no exception. We can’t predict all of the purposes that this space will serve in the years to come, but we do know that like all of the magnificent plantings, it will always be flourishing.”

Jacobs thanked the Mandell Braunstein, Samuels, Temkin Weiner, and Zachs families for their support in making the Presidents’ Courtyard a reality and noted the contribution of the past presidents.

“It is truly an honor to celebrate a century of commitment and service each president has devoted to the JCC,” he said. “These men and women have played a crucial role throughout our history, meeting the ever-changing needs of our community – and they did this in partnership with countless lay leaders and professionals.”

Newly elected Board President Brad Drazen agreed. 

“The president’s role at the Mandell JCC is sacred,” he said. “We are charged with fulfilling our very important mission to build community, cultural identify and bridges of understanding by celebrating diversity and foster appreciation for Jewish culture and heritage.”

At the dedication, JCC past president Gayle Temkin (2017-2019) announced the creation of the Mandell JCC Presidents’ Courtyard Endowment Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation. “Like the JCC,” she noted, “the courtyard landscape will change and grow in the years to come. This endowment fund will support those efforts.”

Main Photo: At the JCC Presidents Courtyard dedication: (l to r) David Federman (JCC president 1986-1988), Richard Robinson (JCC president 1988-1990) and his wife Ann Dee Robinson, Bob Samuels, and Joyce Mandell (JCC president 1995-1997).