2021 VJCC Gala Tribute Journal final

Welcome to the Valley Jewish Community Center’s VALLEY
special Galathon of Comedy, Magic and Giving!
JEWISH CENTER

This event features International Israeli Comedian Joel Chasnoff and CO M M U N ITY
Magician Lou Serrano. We are honoring three representatives who have
dedicated their lives to help the Community Center build a better way of
life for our members.

Our Distinguished honorees:
* Development Award: Thomas E. Backer, PhD
* Legacy Award: Bill Bender
* Community Award: Shay Diamant

The Galathon’s main focus is to turn your generous donations and pledges into the
continuation of educational, sports, and outreach programs that are so successful in
meeting the needs of all ages of our community.

VJCC reached this evening due to the dedication of our Executive Director Jerry Wayne.
He has been the heart and soul of the Center. Ollie Haas and Elaine Fox, VJCC President
and Vice President have navigated the Center through uncertain COVID-19 times and
Donna Haas has been a tremendous asset to the Galathon Committee.

This entire evening would not have come to fruition without the efforts of many players
dedicated to its realization. Event Co-Chair, Stephanie DuCaine has done an outstanding
job heading the program; Nancy Levine crunching out numbers and keeping us focused;
Ellen Cohen has been tremendous in fielding any concerns regarding the Center; Ilene
Tatro, Program Director of Beth Israel has donated countless hours to ensure tonight’s
success; Abby Younger, Sheri Bloom and Susie Menkes monitoring the Tribute Journal;
Danielle Nebel volunteered her time to head marketing; Debbie DuVal and Wendy Fishman
on solicitation. What a phenomenal team!

But the most vital component of this event is all of you. Thanks so much for supporting
the Center and donating to an organization that aspires to build a better future for our
children.

Jack Bloom
Committee Co-Chair

President’s Message VALLEY

Over the past year, a great many things have changed for us all, not only JEWISH CENTER
personally and with our friends and family but also at the Valley Jewish
Community Center (VJCC). Of course, we’ve experienced a Pandemic, CO M M U N ITY

beginning about March of 2020, and we were forced to cancel last
year’s Gala event. So, when our lease was up for renewal, we closed our facility as we
couldn’t meet in person anyway, and began using virtual means to “get together.” Most
significantly, we lost our beloved Executive Director, Jerry Wayne, who has guided us
these many years and provided inspiration, direction and professional leadership as well
as being a friend to so many of us.

At our virtual Galathon, we honored our three wonderful Awardees:
Bill Bender (a past President) who received the VJCC Legacy Award.
Shay Diamant, (overseer of the Maccabbi Sports Program for Teens and Mamanet,
a Cachibol League for women and a VJCC Board member) who received the VJCC
Community Award, and, Thomas E. Backer, PhD., (Founder and Executive Director of
Valley Non-Profit Resources at Cal State University Northridge, where he is also a Senior
Research Fellow) who received the VJCC Development Award.

At this time, I would like to thank the hardworking, dedicated and tenacious Co-Chairs
of the Galathon Fundraising Committee, Stephanie DuCaine and Jack Bloom and kudos
to the Fundraising Committee members who have worked so diligently to make this
incredible event possible. Also, thank you to our Board of Directors who helped in
numerous ways over the past year to ensure the continued existence of our Center.

A special shout out to our devoted staff, Ellen Cohen, who stepped up and did the lions
share of staff work for the Galathon. Of course, thanks also to Chereen Peretti, Today’s
Montessori’s Preschool Administrator and her most capable and loving staff of preschool
teachers and childcare givers. In addition, we so appreciate the creative efforts of Rick
Lupert, our webmaster. And, we cannot forget Abby Younger, Executive Assistant.

Actually, all of the things that go on at the Center happen because of the work, participation
and devotion of our member volunteers. We benefit from each and every one of you to
sustain our Center and to serve our Community.

In order to continue to offer and expand our programs to the Community, and to be
able to reopen our doors, we need the support from friends/family like you. I hope you
all enjoyed the evening and that you will continue to offer support through participation
in events, joining in on programs, making donations, and getting involved in Center
activities and events.

Thank you for all you do and wishing you a healthy, happy 2021 and looking forward to
seeing you all, in person, very soon!
Ollie Haas, VJCC President

2021 Honorees

Development Award - Thomas E. Backer, PhD
Thomas Backer is founder and Executive Director of Valley Nonprofit Resources at California
State University Northridge, where he also is Senior Research Fellow. Since 2007 VNR
has provided information, education and technical assistance to the more than 4,300
nonprofits in the San Fernando Valley. For 30 years he was President of the nonprofit
Human Interaction Research Institute, and now administers the HIRI Nonprofit Research
Fellows permanent endowment at CSUN, which makes grants to CSUN faculty for research
on the nonprofit sector. His PhD in psychology is from UCLA, where he also is Associate
Clinical Professor of Medical Psychology in the Medical School. Dr. Backer’s professional
life has been devoted to studying and supporting the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
His most recent book is Strategies to Scale Up Social Programs: Pathways, Partnerships
and Fidelity (with James Dearing and R. Sam Larson), published in 2017 by the Wallace
Foundation. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and was honored
with both the Consulting Psychology Research Award and the RHR International Award for
Excellence in Consulting of the APA Division of Consulting Psychology, of which he also is
past president. He was a six-year-old in Van Nuys and has lived in the same Sherman Oaks
hills home since 1979. Through VNR he is a long-time consultant to VJCC, helping Board
and staff with strategic planning and fundraising.

Legacy Award - Bill Bender
Bill Bender is well-known in our community as a past President of the North Valley JCC
and the first President of Valley JCC. In addition, Bill has a lifelong career as a veterinarian
in the San Fernando Valley since moving to Southern California from New Jersey in 1976.
Bill graduated from Cornell University in 1971 and practiced veterinary medicine in New
Jersey before he, his wife Stella and their children moved to the north San Fernando Valley
(SFV). The Bender family settled in the SFV because of their desire “to live in a Jewish area”
and almost immediately became active and involved with the North Valley JCC for more
than three decades. Their sons Craig and Todd (who are now married with the sweetest
grandchildren!) also felt at home in the early 2000’s at the North Valley Jewish Community
Center.
For more than 20 years, while being the “veterinarian of the community,” Bill also took active
leadership roles in his professional affiliations, including being the President of American
Veterinarians for Israel, a group dedicated to the aid and to the advancement of veterinary
medicine in Israel through contributions to the Journal of the Israeli Veterinary Medical
Association and monetary grants to medical students. He is also a member of the American

Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the California Veterinary Medical Association
(CVMA), the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), and the American Academy of
Veterinary Dermatology (AAVD).
When the North Valley Center closed, along with the other two Centers in the SFV, the Valley
Jewish Community Center was “born.” Bill worked toward the goal of establishing a JCC for
the entire SFV. Bill has remained active in the Jewish community as a longtime member of
the Valley JCC Havurah, as a fundraiser, and as a volunteer serving in a variety of leadership
positions, most recently as a Past President of Valley JCC. Bill is strongly connected to the
Valley JCC as a founding member with a clear sense of purpose. “I have been privileged to
be a small cog in this organization. Together, we can create value for our Community.”

Community Award – Shay Diamant
Shay Diamant was born and raised in Israel. He realized the value of the Maccabi Games
and became involved and active in providing the Maccabi sports program for youth for well
over twenty-five years.
On a personal note, Shay and his wife Revital have been married for 32 years. They have two
children. Carmel, their daughter, is an OB-GYN and their son Oren, works with Shay in their
business, Hartland Electric, as an electrical contractor. They also just began an innovative
company called UV Solutions which cleans the air from bacteria and Coronavirus.
Shay is a valued member of the VJCC Board of Directors and in addition to overseeing the
Maccabi teen sports program, he co-leads Mamanet, the mother’s Cachibol League of Los
Angeles. He has developed and ensured the growth of both programs exponentially. The
Maccabi program grew from two athletes to over 70 young athletes pre-pandemic. And,
pre-pandemic, the Mamanet League, under his guidance is composed of 14 teams with
approximately 174 players.
As well as his tremendous volunteer activities at the VJCC, Mr. Diamant is a giver to the
greater community in other important ways. He is the President of Larger Than Life/LA
Family, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and their
families in Israel who are living with cancer. Furthermore, Shay is a member of the Israeli
American Council (IAC), an organization that promotes programs and initiatives for the
Israeli-American community in the Los Angeles area. Shay Diamant touches the lives of so
many in our community in a most meaningful way and, thus, is a well-deserved recipient of
the VJCC Community Award.

Congratulations
to all of our Honorees

and to Valley Jewish
Community Center

Nancy & Steve Levine

“Our fathers planted for us
And so we plant for our children”

A NOTE FROM ABBY
It’s been a year since I sat at the front desk at the Center. People were happy at the Center-
playing, planning, donating and always socializing. Everyone smiled when they walked in
and it was a treat to be the first one to greet them.
I’d like to be sitting at VJCC’s front desk again. Until that happens, I would like to take this
opportunity now to acknowledge those that help make the Center run and made my job
enjoyable.
Congratulations to this year’s well deserving Galathon Honorees!
• Dr Thomas Backer whose association with the Center has put us on a positive path.
• Bill Bender who always has suggestions to make the Center better. His caring and
experience pushes us to always strive for more.
• Shay Diamant, my good, good friend who always gave me a huge hug when he
walked in the door. Shay works hard for the Center and the community impacting
lives of young and old.
The Gala Committees past and present who put their hearts and souls into making a fun and
meaningful event every year. A shout out to Paul Silver who always gave me the best advice
to produce the best Tribute Journal no matter what schedule we were on.
My staff colleagues – Ellen, Rick, Chereen and Ivy – smart, kind, hardworking, loyal people.
The best team that I’ve ever worked with. I’d love to be with you again!
The Center Board works so hard to keep the Center on track. A few that have a special place
in my heart are Ollie Haas, Elaine Fox (without Elaine, I wouldn’t have had the Center job),
and Nancy and Steve Levine. And the Center and I would not be successful without Cary Fox
and Chas Phillips, of blessed memories.
The Center teachers and leaders – Judy & Bill Nachenberg, Manny Berlovich, Howard Cohen,
Sam Goldberg, Burt Kaminsky, Galit Peled, amongst others. Their leadership makes their
programs fun and educational.
The members and programs participants who became my friends and friends with each other.
I can’t mention them all, but I must point out a few…
Donna Haas, Nadine Levy, Harlene Sosin, Jacque Roth (of blessed memory), Joyce Newman,
Wendy Fishman, the always available, hardworking Volunteers, our Havurah, the Monday
Mah Jongg players, the Wednesday Mah Jongg group, and the Wednesday Table Tennis
players.
Last but not at all least…Jerry…oh, I can hear him now telling me not to single him out.
My favorite boss and partner, and friend. We worked darn hard, but when we had a few
minutes, we’d take time out to discuss positive thinking, politics, the Constitution, and on and
on. I’m proud to be one of the many people that considered him a best friend. He loved
everyone he touched and everyone loved him back. The Center and our lives will carry on
stronger because of him. Of Blessed Memory…
Hugs to all!

Congratulations to our honorees

and

Thank you to Ellen and our staff
for all you’ve done and continue

to do for our Center

A special remembrance to Jerry -
you will be greatly missed.

BEST WISHES
THE VJCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Q

Thank you Jerry Wayne for your many
years of service to the community and

the JCC spirit. You will be missed.

May your memory be a blessing.

From the Diamant Family
Hartland Electric
Mamanet
Maccabi

The entire Bender family & I wish to thank
the JCC Board and the Gala committee for
giving me the honor of receiving the Legacy
Award. We also appreciate the many good
wishes of the JCC community and that of
our family and friends. It means more than

you know.

Wishing JCC all the best in its quest to
provide programs and services to the entire

San Fernando Valley

Legacy Award Honoree, Bill Bender
When I think about a Legacy Award, it tells a story of someone who has done something

meaningful (and often difficult), over a period of time or lifetime, that has made a
difference in a positive way. However, a VJCC Legacy Award tells a very Jewish story,
where someone has done all of this in the name of their beloved Jewish People, which is

exactly what our dad, Bill Bender has done.
As a child growing up in Brooklyn New York, he used to walk uphill, in the snow (both

ways) to get to school and Temple. His parents taught him the values of hard work,
commitment, family, what it means to be Jewish and keeping your word. My brother
and I would often hear him say, ‘If you’re going to do something, do it right the first time’.

Effort matters.
Dr. William Martin Bender got his Veterinary Degree from Cornell. He and our mom,
Stella, met at a ranch in the Catskills, a true love story and then left New Jersey in 1975.
They moved out west with Craig to the San Fernando Valley. The first thing they looked

for was a Jewish Center to join, and start a new life. A Jewish Life.
They joined the NVJCC right away joining the Young Couples Club, softball on Sundays,

getting Craig into pre-school and Todd, a few years later. Who would have known
that this would turn into a lifetime of friendships. All three Bender Boys performed in
several NVJCC plays like Oliver and The King and I, among others… Our family was also
very active in Temple Ramat Zion, where both kids were Bar Mitzvah’d and went to USY
events. We continue to attend High Holy Day Services there. As time went on there was
a shooting at the NVJCC and everything changed. Bill did everything he could to keep it
alive, along with Jerry Wayne, Elaine Fox, Chas Phillips, and many others over the years.
The JCCGLA was set on selling our Center, OUR HOME NVJCC on Rinaldi St. With his
leadership they kept a Jewish place for Jews to gather by forming the Valley JCC. Jerry
would call the office often, game planning with Dad to make a difference as best they

could.
At this time, he was also very involved with American Veterinarians for Israel, trying to help
the Veterinary Profession in Israel, which wasn’t very popular at the time. Along with Dr

Gerry Buchoff and others, they were able to create many Veterinary scholarships, while
supporting a profession that is successful today, in our homeland.

Yet when we think about our dad, that’s what he is… our dad. As well as a loving
husband of almost 50 years, a grandfather of 3, and loyal friend to so many. He always
balanced work, family, all our sporting events, and the Jewish Center… all with a smile on

his face. Way to go pops, a Legacy for sure; A walking Mitzvah!

We love you and are so proud of you! Mazel tov!
Stella, Craig, Todd, Emily, Eileen, Lizzy, Blake, and Eva

Nadine & Izzy Levy say
Mazel Tov Bill

for being one of OUR CENTER
2021 GALA HONOREES.

We thank you for all you do for
OUR CENTER

and the community at large.

TRIBUTE TO JERRY WAYNE

Your dedication, commitment and passion for the
Center were unparalleled. We want to acknowledge
your hard work and visionary leadership.
Throughout your career, you have inspired us to
make the Center the hub of our Jewish community.

Always in our hearts,

Susan Menkes
Stephanie DuCaine
Donna Haas

>

Congratulations Bill Bender and Shay Diamant!
Glad to share the virtual stage with you tonight.
I’m proud to support the Valley Jewish Community Center,
and to have worked with Jerry Wayne and all VJCC’s

leaders through Valley Nonprofit Resources
Thomas E. Backer

In honor of Shay Diamant,
Your generosity and your good deeds
for the community are an inspiration.

Sarah & Ezie Isaac

Nadine & Izzy Levy say
Mazel Tov – Todah

SHAY DIAMANT

for being one of OUR CENTER 2021 GALA HONOREES.
We thank you for all you do for OUR CENTER
and the community at large

Today’s Montessori is proud to be a part of
the Valley Jewish Community Center family

and congratulates the 2021 honorees,

Thomas E. Backer, Bill Bender
and Shay Diamant.

Screen shots from
VJCC Galathon

Screen shots from
VJCC Galathon

Screen shots from
VJCC Galathon

Screen shots from
VJCC Galathon

Congratulations to our Honorees…
Thomas Backer, Bill Bender, and Shay Diamant
Thank you for your guidance and contributions to the community.
Thank you Jerry, our amazing staff, and volunteers for keeping
the VJCC family together during these challenging times.

Each of you make a difference!
Elaine Fox

Congratulations, Bill! In honor of our VJCC
You’re a true leader, Director Jerry Wayne and
mentor, and friend! his lifetime of commitment
to the Jewish Community.
With Love and Thanks,
The Fox Family Jan Silver and
Fred Fisher
(San Francisco Branch)

Rachel Rosalie Kern Wolf

May 3, 1921 – February 19, 2021

She will be missed by those fortunate enough to have been touched by her long and
rich life. Mom, rest in peace. May your memory always be a blessing.

Your loving Family, Debbie, Al, Carol, Rod, Sharon, David, Amy, Marc, Grandchildren Chloe,
Hannah, Zach, Kellie and Great Grandchildren Rachel and Gabriel.

To honor her life Donations in her memory can be sent to
the Valley Jewish Community Center www.valleyjcc.org

Honoring My Brother Jerry Mark Wayne

I still remember the day that my mom and dad brought Jerry
home from the hospital. And, I will always recall, that given the
choices my parents were considering for his name, they finally

conceded to my request to call him Jerry.

Today I am left with memories of his kindness, empathy, and
generosity of spirit, which will live in my heart forever.

Erna Toback

JERRY WAYNE

There is nothing sadder than losing a loved one, especially when that loved one was such a
special person. Jerry devoted much of his life to making the world we live in a better place.

Jerry ‘s legacy is VJCC. He is the person who kick started its emergence from ideas to reality.
He had a tireless work ethic and a drive that was relentless. Yet, he did this work with his
engaging personality. While striving to raise money for the Center in its infancy, he would
approach every individual or group potentially interested in supporting the Center with a
genuine caring that allowed for others to want to engage in helping the Center grow and
prosper.

Jerry’s personality was unique. He was very bright and his sense of humor was wonderful.
When he laughed, we all laughed. He was a character who stood out in a crowd. So many
of us, especially those close to Jerry loved him, even when he took direct shots at his friends.
His sarcasm was always playful. His intent was to banter with us, never to hurt. That’s what
was one of his most endearing qualities.

Those of us fortunate enough to have Jerry in our lives and who have been able to hang out
with him (for some of us as long 50 years or more) we have experienced a profound loss.
There has been a ripple in the Force on his passing.

Below are individual comments from some members of our poker group.

Abe Porter,
“Jerry is an old friend. He lived a few blocks from where we lived. We spent a lot of
time at the Westside Jewish Community Center on Olympic. He loved to dance as did I.
Sometimes we danced together. Of course, he played the girl because I didn’t want to.”

Gregg Ziskind:
“[Gary’s] comments about Jerry and what he meant to [Gary] are very eloquent and
moving. They express my feelings perfectly.
I have known Jerry for over sixty years. We met at the Westside JCC on Olympic
Blvd near Fairfax. We played sports together and explored the mysteries, joys and sorrows
of early romance with girls. Along with my father who founded a nonprofit psychiatric
hospital in the Silverlake area, Jerry, as I told him on many occasions, was my absolute
hero. The two of them shared a passion for and lifelong commitment to helping others.
Neither was motivated by material reward. To paraphrase the last line of Rudyard Kipling’s
Gunga Din, ‘you are a better man than I, Jerry Wayne, ’Like all of you who are reading
this, I am devastated by Jerry’s passing. May his life be a blessing.” - Gregg

Irving Reitzenstein
“Gary...... although his loss touches us all, I know that as his cousin, it breaks your heart
just that much more.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to our poker group in 1972. Some new guys joined
once in a while but Jerry was always one of the core players. People reading this might
assume that since it is written by one of the “poker guys”, that this group’s purpose was
poker, but oh no!

Our poker games were very much like going to a fight and every once in a while, a
hockey game broke out. We would all get there early for dinner. When Jerry would host
it was like catering for a Bar Mitzvah. Since most of the players knew each other since they
were adolescents, and the rest of us never matured past that stage, we would banter back
and forth most of the evening, with the occasional poker hand breaking out.

For the last five years or so, our game did not begin without Jerry first bringing up the
Center. Whether it was fund raising ideas, bouncing ideas off us regarding projects or
events, Jerry’s love of the Center was always evident. As we all aged a bit, we played with
a bit less frequency, but no less fun. Although the game fell by the wayside a few years
ago, the bond that we shared never really faltered.

Jerry’s loss leaves a hole in our hearts that we will only be able to fill with the rich
memories we all shared.”

We all love you and we will miss you dearly.

Cousin Gary Wayne
(and the boys in our poker game)

My brother, Jerry Wayne, was an outstanding person who dedicated himself to
the betterment of Valley JCC. All who had come into contact with Jerry have
benefited of his love, generosity and kindness. I will miss you.
Barbara Tenan

VJCC Men’s Club Congratulations
Salutes 2021 Gala Bill!

Honorees From your
Thomas Backer Ph.D Havurah Friends

Bill Bender
and

Shay Diamant

EMSLOInc. 20746 Plummer Street
Chatsworth, California 91311
Graphics (818) 998-9900
(818) 998-9911 Fax
an EMSLOInc. company www.quicksilverprint.com

an EMSLOInc. company

Birthday Wishes for a dear friend and an Mazel Tov from Howard and Ellen!
exceptional person-Stephanie DuCaine
Wishing you good health and joyous
memories in the coming year!

Your laughter and caring are so appreciated!
Love always from Arlene, Donna and Susan

Congratulations
To the VJCC 2021 Honorees

From the VJCC Book Club

Congratulations to Tom Backer,
Valley Non-Profit Resourses,
and the VJCC!

Allison Sampson

Congratulations to the Honorees!
Dave & Dori Aberson





WEST HILLS

5 Star Fun Every Day I Stop by Any time!

8138 Woodlake Ave. • West Hills, CA • 818.713.0900 • www.leisurecare.com

LIC#197603296 INDEPENDENT AND ASSISTED LIVING

Celebrating VJCC and the
2021 Honorees

Thomas Backer, Ph.D.
Bill Bender
and

Shay Diamant

Thank you to our Tribute Journal donors and
advertisers for your support of Valley JCC.
Please support their businesses!

Chai & Double Chai

Congratulations on the Galathon!
Mazel Tov to the VJCC’s 2021 Honorees,
and a very warm thank you to the Galathon Committee.

Jack & Sheri Bloom

THE SILVERSTON CLAN WISHES…
GOOD HEALTH, SUCCESS, HAPPINESS AND PEACE TO

THE CENTER FAMILY

To our dear friend Bill,
Congratulations on a well earned and richly deserved honor.
You have been a blessing to the Center and to all who know you.

We love you, Tillie and Stu Markman

In loving memory of Jerry Wayne
Daniel Sagal

Burt and Kathy Kaminsky
Wish all Health and Happiness

Mazal Tov to Dr. Bill Bender and family!
It has been an honor serving as Treasurer of American Veterinarians for Israel under your

capable and creative presidency. You are a great model of leadership.
Gerry Buchoff

A Special Thank You to Our
Galathon Committee

Jack & Sheri Bloom Elaine Fox Danielle Nebel
Ellen Cohen Donna Haas Esther Ravid
Nancy Levine Daniel Sagal
Stephanie DuCaine Nadine Levy
Debbie Du Val Susan Menkes
Wendy Fishman

Thank You For Your Contributions to
Our Galathon

Tom Backer Sponsors Yossi & Marit Rabinovitz
Shay & Revital Diamant VJCC Board of Directors
Al and Deborah Leamons Stephen and Nancy Levine
Izzy & Nadine Levy Abby Younger
Susan Menkes

Arie Aharon Donors Gerald & Joy Picus
Samantha & Sean Besser Michael & Sherry Raber
Norm & Sally Braverman Marianne Haver Hill
Stanton & Janet Canter Mick Horwitz Oren & Esther Ravid
Ellen and Howard Cohen Marc Rischall
Burt & Kathy Kaminsky
Paul & Bobbi Endler Debra Kane and Calvin Hill Kim Goldberg Roth
Michelle Eskinazi Ivan & Merkie Rowan
Pam Farkas Marty & Marsha Kaplan
Bernard Kaufman Daniel Sagal
Stephen & Holly Fleschler Evelyn Kaufman Adam Shamam
Elaine Fox Irv & Sandy Klasky Lawrence Shapiro
Renee LeStrange
Julian & Barbara Fox Andrea Levine Janis Shein
Ira Freeman Sandee Libby Randy & Bess Silverston
Linda Linn
Donna & Ollie Haas Jerry & Donna Stone
Judy Hackett Paul & Eleanor Malyknot Eva Tuchband
Jay Halpern Alan Mantell
Lynn Heckler VJCC Men’s Club
Stu & Tillie Markman John Wacker & Kevin Ripley
Phil & Joyce Newman
Marvin Zaidner

In-Kind Donations

David Estrin, David Estrin Productions The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and
Deanna Scortino, TheKnifeGal.com Botanical Gardens
Heart and Sol Designs
Hope Organizers, Inc. Jennifer Hobaica, The Warm Me Luxury Pillow

Thank you for celebrating
our 2021 Gala with us!

Lots of laughter, time spent proofing and
some debates over commas...

we express our apologies to those whose
names were not available at press time or

inadvertently omitted or misspelled.

Valley JGC Remembers Jerry Wayne

+

Jerry Wayne - 1945-2021 +

Sorrow fills our hearts, with a sadness that is deep and personal. Jerry Mark Wayne, Executive Director of
Valley Jewish Community Center (VJCC), has silently closed the door of life and departed from us. Our lives
will be empty in the areas that he had brightened for us.

Jerry was living proof of how fine a person can be. He was a true friend to so many of us, a good boss to
the people in his charge, and an amazing colleague. The character of the life he lived can be summed up
in a few words: he was dedicated; he was sincere; he was passionate.

We lost our beloved Executive Director who has guided us these many years and provided inspiration,
direction, and professional leadership.Jerry led the community in such a way that he exemplified leadership.
He gave his tremendous energy, commitment, and guidance to so many members of the community,
including the many volunteers at VJCC, his friends, his family, and his staff.

Jerry will always be remembered as a positive person; one who was not only optimistic, but who brought
much cheerfulness to others. He had a sense of humor, a gentle demeanor, and a smile for everyone.

He was creative, bright, logical, and systematic in his thinking. As an MSW and a longtime professional, he
was always willing to share his ideas and information. He was passionately interested in serving the
community and not only had a fine intellect but also a big heart.

Jerry was a genuinely warm and wonderful person-one who will be greatly missed. Our sorrow is lessened
only slightly with the comforting thought that we had the privilege to know him.

We'll grieve for Jerry, and cry for him, and even smile because of the joy he brought us... And in all our
tomorrows we'll remember him - though he is gone, he will certainly remain in our hearts!

May his memory be a blessing.

Contribute to the Jerry Wayne Memorial Fund at www.valleyjcc.org/donate

JEWISH VALLEYCENTER

CO M M U N ITY

Valley Jewish Community Center

18017 Chatsworth St., #217
Granada Hills, CA 91344

(818) 360-2211 • [email protected]
www.ValleyJCC.org