40 Faces of the J

40 Faces of the J is a year-long storytelling campaign highlighting members, staff, and volunteers whose experiences reflect our core values. Each month features stories that showcase the community, culture and connections at the Levine JCC. Click their name to read their full story.

#1 \| Vicki & Frank Heckl Members for 5 Years "If you ask me for the one word that describes what the JCC is to me and my family, I'd have to say 'LIFECHANGING'!"	#2 \| Kevin Gobuty Member for 8 Years "JForce has given me structure and community that has helped me develop healthy lifestyle choices."	#3 \| Cheryl Murray Member for 12 Years "At the JCC, my focus is wellness — both physical and social."	#4 \| Renaldo Turnbull Staff Member for 13 Years “Renaldo has made wellness not only possible, but sustainable.” – Mattye & Marc Silverman
#5 \| Sadie Ann Member for 3 Years “Miss Diana didn’t just teach my granddaughter to swim. She saved her life.”	#6 \| Mark Thompson Member for 3 Years "The impact of the pottery class has surpassed our wildest dreams."	#7 \| Jing Russell Member for 11 Years “In a world that often told me ‘no,’ the JCC celebrated me for who I was.”	#8 \| Emily Russell Staff Member for 7 Years "Emily embodies the Levine JCC’s commitment to compassion and action."
#9 \| Lynn Edelstein Member for 40 Years "There are not many places in a community that bring people together in this way. The J truly does."	#10 \| Amy Lefkof Member for 22 Years "The JCC keeps strengthening the bonds between the Jewish community and every community around it."	#11 \| Sean & Leo Members for 4 Years (Sean) & 12 Years (Leo) "Two lanes, two kids, one friendship built one Wednesday at a time."	#12 \| Steve Perhla Members for 16 Years "The J gave me more than a place to work out — it gave me a network, a community, and lifelong friends."
#13 \| Todd Sato Member for 6 Years "The Levine JCC welcomes its members and guests like family."	#14 \| Andrea Cronson Member for 28 Years "Everyone has a story, and sometimes they just need someone to listen."	#15 \| Lane Ostrow Member for 40 Years “I would love nothing more than for the young people coming up today to be sitting somewhere at 65, looking back on a lifetime of belonging.”	#16 \| Cohen Family Members for 33 Years "For more than 30 years, the J has grown alongside our family, supporting each of us through every stage of life.”
#17 \| Stephen Schlussel Member for 30 Years "I am incredibly proud that I am not just driving a bus but continuing a meaningful family legacy."	#18 \| Mitch Ormand Staff Member for 26 Years "Best. Day. Ever...It's not just something you hear. It's a promise.”	#19 \| Drew Phillips Member for 3 Years "The Levine JCC has never felt like just another gym or fitness center. It feels like a place where people truly care about one another."	#20 \| Becca Stern Member for 16 Years "The Levine JCC doesn't just create programs. It creates friendships that become family."
#21 \| Erin & Michael Keeter Members for 17 Years “Camp Soar isn't just a camp. It's a place where friendship, acceptance, and community come to life.”	#22 \| Matti & Scott Rieder Members for 36 Years “The staff and programs at the J have allowed Matti and I to put our wellness as our #1 priority."	#23 \| Lynne Sheffer Members for 40 Years "We’ve grown with the J for 40 years, and it has grown right alongside our family.”	#24 \| Miriam Waugh Members for 2 Years "At 81 years old, I found a new community, new friendships and a place where I am embraced for exactly who I am."

#1 \| Vicki & Frank Heckl Members for 5 Years "If you ask me for the one word that describes what the JCC is to me and my family, I'd have to say 'LIFECHANGING'!"	#2 \| Kevin Gobuty Member for 8 Years "JForce has given me structure and community that has helped me develop healthy lifestyle choices."	#3 \| Cheryl Murray Member for 12 Years "At the JCC, my focus is wellness — both physical and social."	#4 \| Renaldo Turnbull Staff Member for 13 Years “Renaldo has made wellness not only possible, but sustainable.” – Mattye & Marc Silverman
#5 \| Sadie Ann Member for 3 Years “Miss Diana didn’t just teach my granddaughter to swim. She saved her life.”	#6 \| Mark Thompson Member for 3 Years "The impact of the pottery class has surpassed our wildest dreams."	#7 \| Jing Russell Member for 11 Years “In a world that often told me ‘no,’ the JCC celebrated me for who I was.”	#8 \| Emily Russell Staff Member for 7 Years "Emily embodies the Levine JCC’s commitment to compassion and action."
#9 \| Lynn Edelstein Member for 40 Years "There are not many places in a community that bring people together in this way. The J truly does."	#10 \| Amy Lefkof Member for 22 Years "The JCC keeps strengthening the bonds between the Jewish community and every community around it."	#11 \| Sean & Leo Members for 4 Years (Sean) & 12 Years (Leo) "Two lanes, two kids, one friendship built one Wednesday at a time."	#12 \| Steve Perhla Members for 16 Years "The J gave me more than a place to work out — it gave me a network, a community, and lifelong friends."
#13 \| Todd Sato Member for 6 Years "The Levine JCC welcomes its members and guests like family."	#14 \| Andrea Cronson Member for 28 Years "Everyone has a story, and sometimes they just need someone to listen."	#15 \| Lane Ostrow Member for 40 Years “I would love nothing more than for the young people coming up today to be sitting somewhere at 65, looking back on a lifetime of belonging.”	#16 \| Cohen Family Members for 33 Years "For more than 30 years, the J has grown alongside our family, supporting each of us through every stage of life.”
#17 \| Stephen Schlussel Member for 30 Years "I am incredibly proud that I am not just driving a bus but continuing a meaningful family legacy."	#18 \| Mitch Ormand Staff Member for 26 Years "Best. Day. Ever...It's not just something you hear. It's a promise.”	#19 \| Drew Phillips Member for 3 Years "The Levine JCC has never felt like just another gym or fitness center. It feels like a place where people truly care about one another."	#20 \| Becca Stern Member for 16 Years "The Levine JCC doesn't just create programs. It creates friendships that become family."
#21 \| Erin & Michael Keeter Members for 17 Years “Camp Soar isn't just a camp. It's a place where friendship, acceptance, and community come to life.”	#22 \| Matti & Scott Rieder Members for 36 Years “The staff and programs at the J have allowed Matti and I to put our wellness as our #1 priority."	#23 \| Lynne Sheffer Members for 40 Years "We’ve grown with the J for 40 years, and it has grown right alongside our family.”	#24 \| Miriam Waugh Members for 2 Years "At 81 years old, I found a new community, new friendships and a place where I am embraced for exactly who I am."