The Mandell JCC Board of Directors has voted to open the entire facility on five additional Jewish holidays effective September 1, 2012, announced Theodore N. Kaplan, Mandell JCC President.  The additional days include the second day of Sukkot (Festival of Booths), Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law), the last two days of Passover and the second day of Shavuot  (Festival of Weeks).   The Mandell JCC will open after sunset the evening before these days.  The expanded schedule is being coupled with a new, broader mission statement and an increase in programming and engagement to young families, interfaith families and those who do not belong to synagogues.

The new holiday openings, reflecting the needs of the Mandell JCC’s diverse membership as well as local and national communal trends, encompass the entire facility including the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Early Childhood Center, the Recreation and Wellness Department and the administrative offices.

“Our decision to open on these five Jewish holidays came after thoughtful and respectful conversations with a broad cross-section of our key committees and departments on every level. We recognize that to be a true community institution that serves all people, we must sometimes make difficult choices so that we are as relevant to today’s families as we were in 1915 when we opened our doors,” commented Mr. Kaplan. Series-based classes and special events will not be held on these days.

The Mandell Jewish Community Center, Zachs Campus, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT., is open to everyone and supported by funds raised by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, a recipient of funding from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, a beneficiary agency of the United Way and a member of the JCC Association of North America. For more information, contact the Member Services Center, 860-236-4571, or visit www.mandelljcc.org. For updates, follow the Mandell JCC on Facebook and Twitter.