After 56 years of serving the Jewish community, Valley Cities Jewish Community Center will close its doors effective Friday, June 19, 2009.

Our forced move in June of last year presented us with many challenges, among them moving costs, building improvements, and a large monthly lease payment. On the other hand, the move presented great opportunity for renewal and continued growth. The physical facility, which is even better suited to rentals, e.g., Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, Shabbat services, film festivals, etc., was expected to more than offset these new costs. The nursery school and after school care programs were expected to continue to increase in enrollment. With membership renewals and volunteer efforts, we had great hope for continuing our legacy. But, the global financial crisis, and more particularly with an increase in job losses, parents have removed their children from nursery school and child care. Not only is enrollment down, but requests for financial aid have risen. Member ship renewals are down. Charitable donations are down. With our survival uncertain, and funding for necessary improvements either non-existent or delayed, we were not able to book rentals in the sanctuary.

Over the past several months, our Board of Directors has met regularly and diligently, in an effort to save the Center. They have spent hundreds of hours analyzing finances, identifying and pursuing ways to cut costs and increase income and funding, and have determined that there is simply no option but to close at the end of the school year.

Although this journey will be ending in just a few months, it is our hope that for however long you have travelled with us, the trip has been meaningful and filled with special friends and a lifetime of cherished memories!

Sincerely,

Marla Minden
Executive Director