Lewis Brown

“At a critical moment, the JCC is where we come together and lead with our values.”

The J has been part of my life since childhood, and that connection continued as I raised my own family here. For me, the J is a safe and vibrant Jewish cultural center—a place where we can proudly celebrate our values while also modeling them for the broader community. At a critical moment for the Jewish people, I believe the JCC is where we must come together, build bridges, and create allies. Serving on the Board alongside so many talented and focused leaders humbles me, and I feel a deep responsibility to help lead collaboratively. I’m confident the J will continue to stand at the center of our community, strengthening Jewish life for generations to come.

Alisha Cipriano

“From a theater kid to Board member, the JCC has been part of every chapter.”

My connection to the JCC began years ago in the theater program and continued through programming for my own children and the preschool. The JCC has always been a special place where Jews and non-Jews gather for meaningful experiences. I chose to serve on the Board because I care deeply about the strength and sustainability of the JCC as a central part of Jewish life in Greater Hartford. Even though my children are no longer active in programs, I want to see the JCC thrive. I hope it continues to feel comfortable, safe, and like a true community for people of all ages.

Debbie Mehlman

“The JCC isn’t just where I go—it’s where I belong.”

Our family’s connection to the JCC began with Camp Shalom and children’s programs, and it quickly became my second home. Friends joke that I could practically have a bed here—and it’s true, because the JCC offers something meaningful at every stage of life. Serving on the Board and on multiple committees is how I give back to a place that has enriched my life in countless ways. I feel a responsibility to be more than just present—to be an ambassador, support the JCC financially, and help ensure that everyone who walks through the doors feels welcomed and at home.

Ian Polun

“From swim team to a bat mitzvah at Camp Shalom—this place grew with us.”

When my family moved to West Hartford, we came to the JCC looking to meet other Jewish families in the community. What started with swim team quickly grew once we became more involved. Being part of the JCC connects me to my heritage and reminds me of the values that matter beyond everyday routines. I serve on the Board because I believe in showing my children—and my community—that you have to be involved to keep important institutions strong. One of my most meaningful experiences was celebrating my daughter’s bat mitzvah at Camp Shalom, a moment that continues to reflect our family’s deep connection to the JCC.

Ronit Shoham

“I saw the JCC’s heart in the people who make it welcoming every day.”

When I first moved to this community, I came to the Mandell JCC looking for connection and quickly discovered a place filled with engaging and meaningful programs. Over time, the JCC became central to my life—especially while rebuilding Jonathan’s Dream—when I spent many hours here and came to know the staff personally. I saw firsthand the dedication they bring to making the JCC a warm and welcoming place. As a Board member, I see my role as introducing others to everything the JCC offers while helping ensure it maintains its warmth, quality, and spirit of inclusion.

Eva Greenspan

“Growing up at the JCC taught me what community and belonging truly mean.”

I’ve grown up at the Mandell JCC, with childhood memories that span the ECC, swim lessons, summer camps, afternoons at the playscape, and long rehearsals for musicals. What made me stay was the strong sense of community and belonging that those experiences created. Now, as the Teen Representative on the Board, the JCC continues to be a place where I learn from and connect with others while giving back to the community that has given me so much. One of my most meaningful experiences was creating a unified art program for school-aged children with special needs, where I watched participants build confidence, friendships, and joy through creativity.

Irene O’Connor

“The JCC is where my son found his team—and I found my community.”

Our family first came to the JCC through children’s programming and the basketball gym, which became an important part of my son’s life growing up. For me, the JCC has been just as meaningful—a place to exercise, focus on health, and build friendships. I chose to serve on the Board because I believe I can help tell the JCC’s story and highlight its impact through my skills as a communicator. I feel a responsibility to help ensure the JCC remains vibrant and welcoming for generations to come—a place where people of all ages feel connected, engaged, and supported.

Michael Fishman

“Sixty years later, the JCC is still where I find community.”

I’ve been a member of the JCC since I was eight years old—more than 60 years—and it has supported me through every phase of my life. I love coming to the JCC for the camaraderie; I’m always running into familiar faces and meeting new people. It truly is a melting pot of personalities. Being asked to serve on the Board felt like an honor, especially at what I see as a pivotal moment in the JCC’s history. Serving has given me a new appreciation for the work happening behind the scenes, and I’m energized to help ensure the JCC continues to grow and thrive.

Amanda Katzman

“This building carried me through my hardest days—and my best ones.”

I first arrived at the JCC as a preschooler and, over the past 38 years, have been a participant, staff member, parent, and now Board member. The JCC truly is a home away from home—it has held me through some of my hardest moments and my happiest ones, and my children feel that same sense of belonging. I serve on the Board to help leave this community better than I found it and to ensure future generations experience the JCC as a safe haven. Creating JNext is one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of, and I’m excited to see where it goes in the years ahead.

Evan Schiff

“What started with preschool and became the center of our family’s life.”

My family’s connection to the JCC began 18 years ago when my children enrolled in the early childhood program, and it quickly became our go-to place for activities, education, and friendships. The JCC is a place of belonging and inclusion—one we’re proud to be part of. It has shaped our family in lasting ways, which is why serving on the Board feels so meaningful to me. I’m motivated by the opportunity to give back and help ensure the JCC continues to meet the needs of a wonderfully diverse community while remaining a place where everyone feels welcome.

Gabrielle Goldfarb

“The friendships I made in JCC musicals shaped who I am.”

I first came to the JCC as a preschooler and stayed because of the many activities and opportunities it offered as I grew up. Being part of the JCC community means feeling connected to people of all ages and backgrounds and knowing it’s a safe place for everyone. I chose to serve on the Board because the JCC has given me so much, and I wanted to be part of making a difference for others. Some of my favorite memories are from participating in JCC musicals—where I made close friends and experienced firsthand the power of community.

Jessie Gagnon

“The JCC is where connection happens—for my family and for our community.”

I joined the JCC nine years ago after moving to West Hartford, initially looking for a place to train for sprint triathlons, but it quickly became so much more for my family. From the ECC and Kids Korner to fitness, arts, and cultural programs, the JCC is a place where we always feel welcome, safe, and connected. I chose to serve on the Board to help ensure the JCC continues to be a vibrant and inclusive community center for future generations, and to help strengthen the programs and experiences that make it so meaningful to so many. One moment that will always stay with me is during my son’s time in the ECC, was during COVID when the staff created a movie in place of a traditional graduation play—seeing him on screen, fully in character, captured the creativity, care, and sense of belonging that make the J so special.

Matthew Hoffman

“The JCC is a place that brings people together in meaningful ways.”

The Mandell JCC has become an important part of my family’s life—a place where I can be at a program with my daughters, my wife, my parents, and so many others in our community all at once. It’s rare to find a place that brings together people of different ages and backgrounds so naturally, creating opportunities for connection, shared experiences, and lasting memories. I chose to serve on the Board to support the continued growth and strength of a community center that has given so much to my family and to the Greater Hartford community. One of the things that stands out most is the lasting bonds my daughters formed with their teachers—relationships that continue even years later—which speaks to the care and impact of the JCC. At its core, the JCC is a place where people come together, build relationships, and create memories that stay with them.

Kathy Fishman

“The JCC was where our family found connection from the very beginning.”

When we moved to Connecticut in 1994, one of the first things we did was join the JCC, where several of our family members were already involved. It quickly became central to our lives—from preschool and summer camps to after-school programs, it was truly one place where our kids could learn, grow, and connect. The JCC gave our family some of our first friendships in West Hartford and became a place where we celebrated holidays, built community, and supported one another through all of life’s moments. I chose to serve on the Board after participating in a JCC family trip to Israel, inspired to give back to a place that had given so much to my family. I remain committed to helping ensure the JCC continues to be a welcoming and inclusive place for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect and belong.

Andrew Helfman

“The Mandell JCC quickly became our second home.”

When I moved to Connecticut for work nearly seven years ago, I didn’t know many people, but joining the Mandell JCC quickly helped make Connecticut feel like home. As a fourth-generation JCC member, the JCC has always been part of my family’s story and an important part of how we stay connected to Jewish community and tradition. What started as a place for my fiancée and me to work out, swim, and spend time together quickly became our second home and introduced us to a community that now feels like family. I chose to serve on the Board because giving back to the JCC is truly in my blood, and I want to help ensure it continues to grow and thrive for future generations. One of the experiences that has meant the most to me was becoming involved in the return of the Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, where I was able to combine my passions for storytelling, sports, and Jewish community in a meaningful way.