Paul L. Gross Steps Down as Chair of the Mandel JCC Board of Directors

It is with profound respect and heartfelt appreciation that the Mandel Jewish Community Center (JCC) announces the resignation of Paul L. Gross, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Paul has chosen to relinquish his responsibilities several months shy of the conclusion of his term in an effort to kick-start the agency’s governance leadership transition. As “immediate past chair,” he plans to remain an active member of the Board of Directors to continue his work on behalf of the JCC and the Palm Beach Jewish community.

At Paul’s suggestion, current officers Hal Danenberg and Bob Schneider will serve as interim Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors and, in conjunction with Paul oversee the nomination process that will choose the next JCC Board Chair. In the letter Paul sent to the Board he stated:

“…Hal Danenberg and Bob Schneider are willing and able to serve as Co-chairs until the annual election of new Officers and Board Members in April at the Annual Meeting. Together, Bob and Hal represent a super team who can handle all matters for the next 3 months.”

Six years ago, at a time when the organization faced daunting challenges at its struggling operations in West Palm Beach, Paul emerged as a visionary, willingly accepting the mantle of leadership and aggressively addressing the demands of his new position as Chairman of the Board. The tasks were numerous and the mountains to be climbed formidable. Paul’s perseverance instilled confidence and galvanized both veteran and newly engaged board members and professional staff. The result of his leadership was the unprecedented campaign that fashioned the construction of the Mandel JCC Building on Hood Road in Palm Beach Gardens and renovations to the Ross JCC Building in Boynton Beach.

The Jewish Community Center is a multi-faceted, non-profit Jewish education, social service and recreation agency. The purpose of the Center is to engage Jews in the life of their community via promoting Jewish culture, perpetuating our Jewish heritage and Jewish values, nurturing positive Jewish identity and helping the individual develop creatively as a person, as a Jew and as an American. Further, the Center seeks to support and strengthen the family as a source of Jewish continuity, and seeks to forge close ties with the people of the State of Israel.

Although a Jewish agency with sectarian purposes, the Jewish Community Center is strongly committed to pluralism, both in the Jewish and general communities. It serves as a common ground for all Jews to meet in the spirit and context of Jewish Peoplehood. Its non-sectarian membership and participation policies allow it to become a meeting place where members of the entire Palm Beach County community are welcomed to come together to collectively take part in its programs and services.

Despite Paul’s intense modesty, the JCC’s leadership is planning to recognize his immense achievements and overwhelming impact on our agency at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mandel JCC at 5221 Hood Road in Palm Beach Gardens. The community is invited to join us at this meeting to pay tribute to Paul and to participate in the celebration of your Mandel JCC.

The mission of the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches is to build community and enhance connection to Jewish life. The Mandel JCC is a partner agency of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.

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