Aaron Family JCC celebrates lobby dedication

By Lisa Rothberg

“L’dor v’dor,” from generation to generation, is part of all that takes place at the Aaron Family JCC, and the Jan. 24 Front Entry and Lobby Dedication was another example of this.
In 2000, when asked why they chose to designate their Capital Campaign gift to the JCC, Carol and Steve Aaron responded, “The Jewish Community Center is for everybody, regardless of age, gender or affiliation. Most people who have been a part of the Dallas Jewish Community have, in some way, been part of the JCC. The JCC has touched everyone — whether you or your children grew up at the JCC, whether you’ve attended a class, performance or meeting or whether your parents have come to depend upon the JCC.”
A decade later these words still hold true. Carol and Steve honored their parents, Sylva and Roy Aaron, and Sally and Sam Rosenthal, by dedicating the brand-new front entry and lobby in their names.
Jan. 24, 2010 was a day that will always be remembered in the Jewish community. Over 200 members came together to celebrate the dedication at the Aaron Family JCC. Alan Shor, chairman of the board of directors, served as the spokesperson for the event. He expressed his delight in being able to share the turnaround story of the J and how the agency was able to get to this day. Alan also spoke about the many future aspirations for the JCC. He thanked the Aaron family for their generous donation to the Jewish Community Capital Campaign for the 21st Century, which made this renovation possible.
Alan called upon Dan Prescott, immediate past chairman of the board, and catalyst for the project, to continue the program. Dan thanked Mark Albert from ArtHouse Homes and Bruce Bernbaum of Bernbaum Magadini Architects for their generous contributions to the project. He then thanked the Sayah family for their donation of the new lighting, and the many other contributors as well.
Dan called upon Carol and Steve Aaron. Carol mentioned how much the JCC has meant to them and their family. She spoke about their parents and how they would be so proud to see all the accomplishments in the community. “Now it’s our turn,” said Carol, “to make certain that the JCC will be here for our children, grandchildren and everyone else who wants to belong to the Center’s family.”
Carol spoke about the many generations of the Aaron family that have been involved at the JCC. She thanked everyone for attending and turned the program over to Artie Allen, JCC president.
Artie asked everyone to go outside to the new front plaza where Rabbi William Gershon led the mezuzah hanging ceremony. Following the ceremony, the entire Aaron family cut the grand opening ribbon signifying the opening of the new entrance.
The event ended with the recitation of the Shehechiyanu and refreshments for all.
It was a historic day at the J.