“As we mature as an organization, it’s important to continue to review our structure and position the J for an even stronger future, and to provide new opportunities for growth within our staff,” said Marc Fisher, Mayerson JCC CEO. “We are at that point today, and I’m excited to announce changes that will allow for the growth of our organization and our team.”
Seven years ago, the JCC implemented a significant reorganization to the staff that included the addition of the Chief Operating Officer position. At that time, Jennifer Kash was promoted to that role and began overseeing building operations, the Early Childhood School, Fitness and Membership, and Senior Adult Services.
“She has led the agency through several major system and construction projects, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been critical to maintaining business continuity and to ensuring we meet the needs of our seniors, ECS parents, and JCC members,” Fisher said.
As part of the current reorganization, both Kash and Holly Wolfson are changing roles. Kash will retain her COO title, and Wolfson will serve as Chief Programming Officer. They will both have additional responsibilities and oversight. They will work closely together and, between the two of them, oversee all operations and programming at the JCC.
Holly has served as the Programming Director since 2017 and has helped grow the J’s arts and ideas programming, as well as programs for children and families, including finding creative ways to keep programming active when it has not been safe to gather during COVID-19.
“She has been instrumental in partnering with our community’s Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, Hebrew Union College, Skirball Museum and many others, to develop meaningful events that create a more vibrant Jewish community,” Fisher said. “She has also developed partnerships with organizations in the broader community, including the Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Reds and many others, to bring programming with Jewish themes and artists to people across Cincinnati.”
“I am so grateful for Holly’s and Jennifer’s commitment to the J,” said JCC Board President Ronnen Isakov. “We are a better JCC because they have dedicated their time and efforts to the people in our Cincinnati community. They have the board’s full support, and we are excited about partnering more closely with them moving forward.”
“I’m most excited about having the opportunity to focus on strategy and growth,” Wolfson said. “I will continue to foster relationships with Jewish and non-Jewish organizations across the Cincinnati community and deepen our partnerships and collaboration.”
As a result of these promotions, Fisher will be less involved in the day-to-day operations and programs at the J and instead focus on strategic planning and new projects. Top of that list will be working with the JCC Board to explore the feasibility of a relocation of Camp at the J. This could pave the way for future expansion of JCC programs and facilities at the current campus. The J will also enter a strategic
planning process, in partnership with The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, aimed at helping the JCC move past these last two difficult years.
“One of the benefits of a reorganization is that it creates opportunities for professional growth throughout the organization—and that is certainly true in this case,” Fisher said. “There are a number of opportunities for greater leadership and development that have been created as a result, which will be put into place in the coming months. And there are positions that existed pre-pandemic that have not been filled, that we will begin to replace.”
“I am looking forward to having a peer that I can work alongside—and partnering with Holly on moving the organization forward,” Kash said. “And by elevating others in the organization, I will be able to focus more broadly on the growth and development of our programs and staff.”
“These changes will allow Jennifer, Holly and Marc to be more strategic in their roles,” Isakov said, “allowing them to better integrate operations and programming to more thoughtfully live out our mission of connecting people so that they can live happier, fuller lives, creating a more vibrant Jewish community.”
