We asked CEO Emeritus Marc Fisher to tell us about some of his favorite moments at the Mayerson JCC. Enjoy this exclusive Q&A as we look forward to a new year and a new chapter in JCC history.
When you look back on your years here at the JCC, what is a moment that stands out to you?
Looking back over my time as JCC CEO, there are many moments that stand out to me. From our first Under One Roof celebration, to having the J Classic becoming more than a golf tournament when we added Tennis and the Course of Caterers, to just seeing the development and growth in the careers of so many of my colleagues. Symbolically, the day we took sledgehammers to the walls in the office really sticks out to me because we changed the culture of the organization with the simple idea of no private offices.
What is one of your favorite memories as CEO?
One of my favorite memories is when we had Zingerman’s Deli from Ann Arbor, Michigan and their Zingtraining come to town for community wide staff professional development as well as an event for the community led by Ari Weinzeig, the founder of Zingermans. It was a special day and evening that really spoke to our mission of connecting people so they can live happier lives, creating a more vibrant Jewish Community.
Talk about something that didn’t go as planned. What did you learn that changed how you approached similar projects in the future?
Two things come to mind quickly when I think about what didn’t go as planned. First, was our effort to find a way to provide senior individual transportation. We researched many models, talked to other organizations around the country, and tried a program we called J Uber. We used the startup tech world mantra: if you are going to fail, fail fast and regroup. We attempted to make it work several times without success. The bigger project to not go as planned was our attempts to expand to Amberley Green and increase our Early Childhood School. The first major attempt was derailed mostly by Covid. During that time, we looked inward and asked ourselves tough questions as to how to move forward. The second go around, we found we hadn’t anticipated the challenges we would face in raising the money. The good news is, we once again learned from that and found we need to create greater and deeper relationships with our donors. We also looked inward and found a solution to help support our Early Childhood School. Expansion remains on our radar, and I believe Holly and her team will bring it forward at some point in the future.
What do you think is the most significant thing you accomplished while CEO?
There were many things that were accomplished during my tenure at the J. One of the most significant has to be transforming the J from a relatively small not-for-profit to an organization that runs like a large business enterprise. Besides the scale and scope of our operation having changed, the J had to operate more like a business than it had previously. Bringing my past experience in working in other businesses enabled the J to move forward as a leader in our community and a central gathering place for all.
What are you looking forward to most in retirement?
Retiring may be more of a rewiring of what I do. I plan to take some time to just be: just be present, just be with my wife Evelyn, just be with my kids, just think about what I want to be and what I want to do. I know I have years ahead of me, and I want to continue challenging myself and helping others. What that turns out to be, not sure yet.
What do you think you will miss the most about the job as CEO or coming to the J every day?
Easy question: the people. I don’t know how anyone works 100% remote. I have come to realize that being around others, being with the team at the J is what gave me the energy to do the work I was doing. Interacting with them, helping them, coaching them, teasing them and them teasing me were all a great part of being at the J every day.
What is one piece of advice you would give as we look toward the future?
One piece of advice would be to make sure you are having fun. I remember that every year I would welcome the new camp counselors and the two things I would say to them are, be safe and have fun. If they were having fun, the kids would have fun. I believe that rings true for everyone at the J; enjoy what you are doing, and the J will continue to thrive.
What is your favorite Jewish holiday and/or favorite holiday food?
From a religious standpoint, I would have to go with Sukkot, and from a non-religious viewpoint, I would go with Yom HaAtzmaut. In all cases, when my family gathers for any Jewish holiday, my favorite food is my mom’s chopped liver.
What would your JCC walk-up song be if you were introduced like a baseball player?
Homegrown by Zac Brown Band or Starting Over by Chris Stapleton.
