Marcy and Neil Cohen
Julie and David Silver

Request the pleasure of your company at the

Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington's

95th Birthday Celebration

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2008 • 5 NISAN 5768 • 6:30 PM

Cocktails & Buffet Dinner
Casual Attire

Valet Parking Available

Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington
6125 Montrose Road
Rockville, Maryland

Countdown to 100

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington was conceived in 1911 by a group of young men as a club that would have “broad programs, including varied athletic and recreational pursuits and sports as well as lectures and debates.” At the time, Jewish people were not welcome in most other clubs.

The Club went unnamed until 1913 when it was chartered as a YMHA and a YWHA (Young Men’s/Women’s Hebrew Association). Today, 95 years later and  as we approach our 100th birthday, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington continues to faithfully serve the same mission established by those visionary young men.

For nearly a century, the Center has been the neighborhood and the Jewish community for all who pass through our doors. We have been the place for families to send their children to camp and preschool or for afterschool programs; for teens to hang out and connect with other Jewish teens; for seniors to get a hot kosher lunch; for adults to learn together; for adults and teens to play pick-up or league basketball; for the community to hear Yo-Yo Ma or Pinchas Zuckerman as they started their careers; to view the works of Jewish artists like Clarice Smith; or to hear a lecture by a famous author like Thomas Friedman or Amos Oz. It is a place where we welcome diverse populations to learn, explore and exercise together as we connect generation to generation, one person at a time.

We are your community and you are ours. This is your Center. It’s all happening here…but not without your support!

Honoring 50 Years of Ourisman Award Recipients

Benjamin Ourisman was President of the Center from 1936-1942. After his presidency, Colonel Ourisman continued his commitment to the community by serving on numerous committees and boards.

After his death in 1955, the Benjamin Ourisman Memorial Award for Civic Achievement was established in recognition of his service to our community. Since then the award has been presented annually to a resident of the Greater Washington, DC area whose efforts and achievements have improved the life of our community.

For the last half-century the recipients of this prestigious award have been the shapers, founders and pillars of this community. Please join us as we honor their contributions to our community. Without them, the Center and the Washington community would not be who we are today!

Celebrating 95 Years