FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Samantha Kelman | 510.848.0237

THE JCC EAST BAY WELCOMES MELISSA CHAPMAN AS NEW CEO
Chapman brings extensive strategic and fundraising skills to the role

Berkeley, CA, July 10, 2019 — The Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, a dynamic organization guided by Jewish principles and values, announced today that Melissa Chapman will be its new Chief Executive Officer. She will start on September 3, 2019, and reports to the Board of Directors.

“We are thrilled to bring Melissa into our organization at this important moment in our development,” said Steven Douglas, Chairman of the JCC board. “As a lifelong East Bay resident, I have seen the changes in our community and I know Melissa is the perfect person to take us to the next level in terms of growth, reach and quality.”

The JCC Board unanimously approved Chapman’s hire after an intensive six-month search. She steps into the role left open by the departure of Amy Tobin last winter after four and a half years. Samantha Kelman, the JCC’s Chief Operating Officer, was interim CEO during the search.

"From the moment we met her, we knew Melissa was our next CEO," said Julie Elis, head of the Board's search committee. "We were so impressed by her accomplishments, her clarity of thought, and most importantly, her passion for the work."

"The JCC East Bay is such a rich institution," added Kelman. "It requires a powerful thinker and doer, which I know we've found in Melissa. I look forward to partnering with her and achieving the goals of our mission and strategic plan."

Chapman joins the JCC East Bay with a long history of dedication to Jewish causes and nonprofit, mission-driven organizations. Most recently, she was Chief Development Officer at the San Diego County Jewish Federation, where she helped shift a highly traditional fundraising model into a donor-centric approach and paradigm. She also brought synergy to the organization by overseeing all fundraising, marketing and event functions and staff. Before that Chapman was Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region, her first position in California after moving here from her native Chicago. There, she eliminated a significant deficit, purchased a permanent home for the organization, and reinstated Jewish Family Service to the Sacramento region in just a few short years.

“The JCC East Bay is a dream organization—at the center of an engaged, informed, incredibly diverse and multigenerational community that is passionate about the values I have spent my personal and professional life championing,” said Chapman. "I am inspired by the deep commitment and contagious energy of the Board and staff, and can’t wait to be part of this dynamic team."

As CEO, Chapman will lead fundraising and relationship building across the East Bay, as the JCC moves to expand and serve the region’s changing demographics. She will continue rolling out the organization’s new strategic plan, and will oversee marketing and communications to support and drive growth, reputation and community engagement.

“The JCC is coming off a strong fiscal year where we saw expansion in almost all our programs, from the preschool and afterschool to our well-attended ‘We the People’ speaker events,” said Douglas. “With Melissa’s arrival, we are perfectly positioned to continue this momentum and achieve the growth we know we need.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Media Contact: Samantha Kelman
samanthak@jcceastbay.org / 510.848.0237, ext. 112

 

 

 

[Berkeley, CA, May 13, 2019] The Jewish Community Center of the East Bay (JCCEB) and The Contra Costa Jewish Community Center (CCJCC) have signed an agreement to jointly offer community, cultural, and educational programs and services in Contra Costa County and Eastern Alameda County. Each JCC will remain independent, with this agreement focused on program collaboration and new content development.

 

"By working together, our two independent JCC will be able to significantly strengthen and expand connections to Jewish life and values in the East Bay,” said JCCEB board president Steven Douglas.

 

The two organizations will collaborate over the next year through a variety of co-branded initiatives, including shared marketing, events, and custom programming, including: 

Co-producing salons and gatherings in Contra Costa County and Eastern Alameda County that extend the thought-provoking and civic-minded missions of both institutions, and collaborating on transformative programming for all ages, including the JCC Maccabi Games, camp, young adult initiatives, and holiday celebrations. 

 

“I’m thrilled to extend the reach of both JCCs and increase our collective ability to advance Jewish life in the East Bay,” said interim CEO Samantha Kelman. “These cooperative efforts will enrich the communities served by each JCC.”

 

Larry Jacobs, President of the Contra Costa JCC adds, “The Contra Costa JCC is proud to add new programming and opportunities for community engagement to its successful Under One Tent series. I am particularly excited about adding more programs for our youth and young adults throughout Contra Costa”.

 

 

About the JCC East Bay

The JCC East Bay creates healthy communities inspired by Jewish values, culture, and tradition. We provide programs and gathering spaces throughout the East Bay to advance, nurture, and evolve Jewish communal life and contribute to the vitality of the broader community. The JCC proudly serves and reflects the diverse residents of the East Bay.

 

The Center’s core programs include provocative cultural events featuring emerging and established artists and thinkers; award-winning early childhood education and parenting support; lifelong learning and older adult services; youth activities including four afterschool programs and summer camp; as well as inclusive Jewish holiday celebrations for all ages. 

 

For more information on upcoming programs, to register for any event, the JCC Maccabi Games, Preschool or camp, please visit http://www.jcceastbay.org/.

 

About the Contra Costa JCC

The CCJCC is proud to celebrate its 43rd anniversary this year. Our goal as an organization is to help create a thriving community based on Jewish culture and values, and to serve as a welcoming doorway to greater involvement in Jewish life through partnerships with local organizations.  Our “without walls” approach allows us to serve populations throughout Contra Costa County and Eastern Alameda County.  

 

For information about the Under One Tent Series or the CCJCC please visit www.ccjcc.org