The Mandel JCC Announces $2.5 Million Gift from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation for Phase II Renovations

The Mandel Jewish Community Center announces a $2.5 million grant from the Mandel Foundation.  The grant will allow the second phase of its transformational renovation and expansion project to take place. This new grant coupled with an earlier grant brings the Mandel Foundation’s total investment in facility improvements at the Mandel JCC to $16 million.

Since the May 2009 groundbreaking, The Mandel JCC has been immersed in an extensive renovation of its 132,000 sq. ft. Beachwood facility.  The $13.5 million first phase has primarily focused on the renovation of the entire fitness, aquatics and recreation facilities—both indoors and out—and the main entrance of the facility.  This additional $2.5 million gift will allow The Mandel JCC to tackle the second phase of renovations which will encompass many of the public areas including meeting rooms along with its Early Childhood facilities and administrative offices.

“My brothers, Jack and Joe, and I are happy to support the second phase of the renovation and expansion project.  We hope that the Mandel JCC will continue to be a focal point of meaningful Jewish communal life from generation to generation.  Simply stated, our gift reflects the commitment to Jewish values that our parents’ instilled in us at a young age.” stated Morton Mandel, Chairman of the Mandel Foundation.

“We are extremely grateful to the Mandel family and its foundation for their generosity and commitment to our mission of building a strong and connected Jewish community for generations to come,” said Jeanne Tobin, Mandel JCC board president.  “This generous gift will help the Mandel JCC realize its vision to become the 21st century neighborhood for our Cleveland Jewish community, a place that inspires Jewish journeys by connecting families and individuals of all ages to meaningful Jewish experiences,” Tobin continued.

“We are delighted to be able to launch the second phase of our transformational renovation and when completed, our entire 132,000 sq. ft. building will have been improved” said Michael Hyman, Mandel JCC executive director. “With this renovation we will have a state-of-the-art facility and be equipped to serve the community for generations to come,” Hyman added.

The Mandel Foundation was established by Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel of Cleveland, Ohio in 1953. Its primary mission is to help provide outstanding leadership for the nonprofit world, and it also places great importance on Jewish education and continuity.

The Mandel family has been instrumental in supporting the efforts of The J since its inception almost 60 years ago. Morton Mandel, a former president of The Mandel JCC from1953-1957, also served as Chairman of the Board of the Jewish Community Center Association of North America (JCCA) from 1970 to 1974.

Bialosky and Partners and Legacy Construction Services, the project architect and construction management company for the first phase of construction will continue in their respective roles for the second phase of this project. As with the first phase of the construction project which is anticipated to be complete this winter, the Mandel JCC will remain open and operating throughout the second phase of construction.

Highlights of the $2.5 Million Phase II Renovation

  • Early Childhood Center and its Outdoor Playground
  • Public Meeting Rooms and Spaces throughout the main level of the building
  • Multi-Purpose Activity Room
  • Administrative Offices
  • Treuhaft Conference Center and Stonehill Auditorium

The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland builds and strengthens Cleveland’s entire community by providing exceptional programs and services that enhance Jewish continuity and identity in four key program areas: Fitness, Wellness and Recreation, Preschool/Early Childhood Education, Day and Overnight Camps, and Cultural Arts. The Mandel JCC has embarked on a major renovation and expansion scheduled to be complete March 2011. Membership in this non-profit social service agency is open to all. The Mandel JCC receives funding from The Jewish Community Federation, grants, donations and other public funding sources and has been serving the greater Cleveland community for 62 years.