Craft Bash: Connections

The Jewish Community Center is always growing and changing, but some names are as steady as a rock against the tide. Jodi and Benjie Cohen have been members at the Siegel JCC for over 20 years. They’ve raised a family in this community, three children who are still active on the JCC campus. Tireless volunteers, Jodi and Benjie’s help with November’s Craft Bash is only the latest of their contributions to their community.

The Cohens first came to the JCC in the 90’s, and they quickly found their home in the Jewish Community Center. Each of their three children, Ari, Jordan, and Aliya, attended the Early Childhood Center, then the Albert Einstein Academy, and continue to use the center regularly. Jodi and Benjie accepted their first invitation onto a committee in 2001, to work on the event committee making decorations for the JCC’s 100th Anniversary party. Since then, they’ve helped with dozens of events, volunteering their time and energy to the community.

The buck hasn’t stopped with them, either: All three of their children have worked and volunteered at the JCC. Jordan and Aliya have both spent time working in the Membership or Aquatics departments. Ari, the eldest, is a familiar face to many at the JCC front desk, which Benjie takes pride in. This year, Ari is old enough to join in the festivities for Craft Bash, the latest project his parents have been working on. While Benjie knows the Bash is going to be a great event, he believes that it’s more important than that: “[Ari] is old enough to enjoy, but more importantly, he wants to help out in any way he can. He feels as if he is a major component to the community and wants to give back.”

There’s plenty of work to go around for the Craft Bash, which will be held on Thursday, November 16th, 7 – 10:30 PM. Benjie and Jodi are Chairs of the Event Committee, and they’re reprising their roles as Decorators-in-Chief for the event. The proceeds for the fundraiser go to funding important programs like the Early Childhood Center and KidsPlace, both of which the couple used for all of their children. According to Benjie, “[It’s] a fun night while raising money for the J. Great combo.”

The Jewish Community Center thrives on the contributions of its members, and the Cohens are proud to contribute. They see the JCC as their community and have worked hard to make it a community for their children as well. “They grew up here, went to school here… [this is where] their friends are, this is where they exercise, this is their community.” Their hope is to continue the tradition, keeping their community strong through programming and raising children to be the next generation of leaders in a community which they have called home for over twenty years.

Join us for Craft Bash on Thursday, November 16, by registering at tinyurl.com/craftbash. Register October 9 to brew, create, and celebrate with us!