From The CEO
Todd Rockoff
Chief Executive Officer
The annual report provides an
opportunity to reflect on all of
the wonderful things that have
occurred at the Tucson J over
the past year. The challenge
is how to narrow down the
magic that occurs every day
into a concise article. I could talk for hours about the
outstanding programs and services that the Tucson J
provides to its members and community and how we
remain committed to fulfilling our mission.
Our talented staff and dedicated board are committed
to fulfilling our promise to the community. We create
community by providing the HIGHEST quality
programs and services in a safe and secure environment
for ALL people of ALL ages.
Each and every day, thousands of people enter our
doors for Early Childhood Education, After School
Care, Arts and Culture activities, Taglit, Camp (all
summer long), Fitness, Aquatics, Recreation and
More. Regardless of the reason to walk in, what people
find is that they are part of a very special community.
Our J is locus of our Jewish and broader community.
It is already a gathering place and a symbol of the ties
that bind us as a community. Most importantly, The
J functions as our remaining Jewish, pluralistic "town
square" that welcomes all Jews with no preconditions
or prerequisites.
We have a collective responsibility to care for our
neighbors, to educate our children, and to build a
community that reflects our values. Together, we feed
the hungry, we teach the young, and we strengthen the
mind, body, and spirit.
OUR J is a place that is founded on principles that live
inside Jewish ethics and values, we live the values of
kavod (respect,) tikkun olam (repair the world,) and
tzedakah (justice.)
We successfully launched our Tikkun Olam initiative
whereby we focus on using the power of our collective
staff and membership to make a difference in the
community. We are proud of the work we did at the
Pio Decimo Center’s transitional housing units and to
have collected holiday gifts for families! This spring we
gathered a team of board members and staff to help
landscape and plant a garden at the Ronald McDonald
house.
OUR J is committed to partnering with agencies
and organizations from the Jewish and the General
community – along with synagogues – to build a
healthier and stronger Tucson. We actively seek out
and invite all people to join us in our collective effort
to grow and strengthen our community.
OUR J is like a tent, open on all four sides. We welcome
all people to come in, to participate, and to be a part of
the community at The J.
I encourage you to take part in the good and important
work that is in front of us. Volunteer for one of our
Tikkun Olam projects, give to OUR J by participating,
making a donation, or volunteering for one of our
many committees or projects.
It’s a place where we can all Live Up to our goals, Live
Up to our dreams, and Live Up to our aspirations —
small or large.