Writing the Next Chapter: JCC of Northern New Jersey Honors Community Leaders at Annual Spring Celebration
ROCKLEIGH, NJ — Every community has a story, and last Thursday, June 18, the JCC of Northern New Jersey (JCCNNJ) gathered to celebrate the remarkable people who are actively helping write theirs. The annual Spring Celebration brought together supporters, friends, family and staff to honor individuals whose outstanding leadership, generosity, and dedication have shaped the most meaningful chapters of local Jewish life.
The evening was a vibrant testament to the JCCNNJ’s core mission: building community, creating opportunities for Jewish joy, and fostering deep, lasting peer connections across generations.
The highlights of the evening included the presentation of two prestigious awards to deeply deserving community leaders:
The Julie Eisen z”l & Buzz Rukin Leadership Award was presented to Eva Jakob z”l and Howard Jakob for their visionary commitment and enduring impact on the community.
The Community Connector Award was presented to Erica Danziger, celebrating her incredible ability to bring people together and spark meaningful community relationships.
Through their shared vision, kindness, and unwavering commitment to strengthening Jewish life in Northern New Jersey, these honorees have helped create vital opportunities for connection and reinforced our community standing. They continue to inspire the next generation to engage in Jewish life by stepping up, taking the lead, and modeling the importance of Jewish community - especially at a time when the complexity of the world and growing antisemitism push many in the opposite direction.
"Our community thrives when we choose to actively show up for one another. Honoring the legacy of Eva Jakob z”l, alongside Howard and Erica, reminds us that the connections we build today form the foundation for tomorrow's Jewish joy. Their work and their unwavering commitment have given our community a real foundation upon which to build,” said Eliza Millman, Director of Operations of JCCNNJ.
Speaking for the JCC of Northern NJ, General Manager, David Kirschtel extended his deepest appreciation to the honorees, the JCC Board of Directors, and everyone who attended and supported this celebratory evening filled with immense gratitude, and a powerful sense of togetherness.
Tara Merson, Chairperson of the Board, summed up the evening best: “There is something profoundly Jewish about planning for a future we may never see. We plant trees whose shade we will never sit under. We understand that our responsibility is not only to inherit community, but to strengthen it and pass it forward.”
As the JCC looks ahead, it remains fiercely dedicated to ensuring that every individual - from our youngest families to our most treasured active seniors — finds a welcoming, inclusive space to learn, socialize, and grow together.
JCC of Northern New Jersey is a nonprofit organization serving families raising young Jewish children from prenatal through preschool and active seniors throughout Northwest and Central Bergen County. Its programs are designed to engage, enrich, and strengthen the lives of all they serve, fostering connection and a strong sense of community. For more information, visit jccnnj.org.
PHOTO CAPTION: This year’s honorees from the JCC of Northern NJ’s Spring Celebration, Howard Jakob and Erica Danziger.
PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Grossberg, Spirited Images Photography
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