A transformational moment honoring legacy, leadership, and a renewed commitment to Jewish continuity in Rockland County
WEST NYACK, NY – May 2026 – JCC Rockland will mark one of the most significant milestones in its history on Sunday, May 17, 2026, as it introduces the newly named Bobbi & Barry Lewis Jewish Community Center during its annual Founders Celebration.
More than a ceremonial naming, this moment represents a powerful reaffirmation of the organization’s mission:
Welcoming all into the heart of Jewish life in Rockland County.
For over four decades, JCC Rockland has been dedicated to the enrichment and continuity of Jewish life and to the preservation and celebration of our rich heritage. Through recreational, physical, educational, social, and cultural programs, the Center strengthens individual awareness and connection to the Jewish community, the State of Israel, and the broader community at large.
The naming of the Bobbi & Barry Lewis Jewish Community Center reflects these values in action.
“This moment is about more than honoring extraordinary generosity,” said David Kirschtel, CEO of JCC Rockland. “It is about honoring a vision for what Jewish community can and should be. Bobbi and Barry Lewis z”l have always understood that a strong Jewish future depends on connection, shared responsibility, and creating spaces where people feel rooted and inspired.
This naming ensures that their commitment to Jewish continuity will shape every generation that walks through our doors.”
A Legacy That Lives in Community
Bobbi & Barry Lewis z”l have long exemplified leadership rooted in compassion, commitment, and communal responsibility. Their philanthropy has strengthened education, culture, healthcare, and Jewish communal institutions throughout the region.
By naming the Center in their honor, JCC Rockland ensures that their legacy becomes inseparable from the daily life of the community, from early childhood classrooms to teen leadership programs, from fitness floors to cultural celebrations, from summer camp memories to lifelong friendships.
“This building is more than brick and mortar,” said Eliza Millman, Chief Operating Officer. “It is where Jewish life is lived, where traditions are celebrated, where families gather, where children grow in confidence, and where community resilience is built. Naming it after Bobbi and Barry Lewis z”l anchors their legacy in every story yet to be written here.”
Honoring Service and Stewardship
During the Founders Celebration, the Estelle & Allan Eisenkraft z”l Founders Award will also be presented to Alan Feldstein in recognition of his distinguished service as Board Treasurer of nine years and his unwavering commitment to the financial stewardship of the organization.
“Alan has safeguarded the sustainability of our mission,” said Wendy Soos, Chief Development Officer. “His leadership ensures that the JCC remains strong, stable, and positioned to serve our community well into the future.”
A Celebration of Continuity and Belonging
The Founders Celebration directly supports JCC Rockland’s mission-driven work of strengthening Jewish identity, fostering meaningful connections, and ensuring that we remain a welcoming and inclusive home for individuals and families across Rockland County.
At a time when connection and community matter more than ever, this historic naming signals a renewed commitment to Jewish continuity, collective responsibility, and shared purpose.
As JCC Rockland enters its next chapter as the Bobbi & Barry Lewis Jewish Community Center, the message is clear:
The heart of Jewish life in Rockland is strong – and it is growing.
Sponsorship opportunities and journal ads are open to the community at a variety of levels. For tickets and information, visit: www.jccrockland.org/support-us/founders-celebration/