WEST HARTFORD – The Mandell JCC honored outstanding leadership and recognized JCC professionals for their years of service at its 101st Annual Meeting on June 8 at the JCC’s Herbert Gilman Theater.

Former Mandell JCC president and community leader Jeffrey S. Hoffman received The Gerald M. Steinberg Outstanding Leadership Award. Hoffman is co-chairman of Hoffman Auto Group. His philanthropy includes the establishment of The Burton and Phyllis Hoffman Foundation, which makes annual gifts to six local arts organizations. He and his family were major benefactors to the JCC Capital Campaign, the Aim Chai Campaign and founding members of the Mandell JCC Pillars Society.

The annual elections brought in eight new Board members:  Harvey Goodman, Deborah Mehlman, Joseph Schwartz, Scott Wallquist and Ellen Woodruff, all from West Hartford; Tricia Meltser from Avon; and Debbie Shmerling of Hartford. Newly elected as Teen Representative was Amber Raisner.

Also honored were employees marking special anniversaries in 2016 including 35-year employee Karen Wyckoff, camp and youth director, and Donna Goldstein, executive assistant, a 30-year employee. The evening concluded with a “Big Mandell JCC Send-off” to beloved JCC staff retiring this year: Harriet J. Dobin, Film Festival director; Rhonda Wirth, ECC co-director; Susie Cleaver, ECC teacher; and Valerie Schwartz, Shirley Reaback ECC teacher.

CAP: Jeffrey Hoffman, fourth from left, with new Mandell JCC board members.