The Future Is Ours

The Louis S. Wolk Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester means different things to different people. A place to meet a friend for a show. A place to swim with your family. A quiet place to study. A place that offers opportunities to practice self-care. A place to explore Judaism.

For generations, our members and friends have found the community they were searching for here at the JCC. It is a special place and we all play an important role in ensuring the legacy continues.

Please consider a meaningful gift today in honor of what the JCC means to you.

Donate Now

For information on giving, please contact us at giving@jccrochester.org

Becoming the Tomorrow of JCCs

In just one year, the Louis S. Wolk JCC of Greater Rochester has taken bold steps toward transformation. Guided by the vision that The Future is Ours, we are redefining what it means to be a JCC—anchored in Jewish values, responsive to community needs, and driven by innovation.

Every part of our agency—from camps to culture, early childhood to older adults, fitness to Jewish life—is alive with growth and momentum. Together, we are not only preserving a legacy but also building a new model for tomorrow’s JCCs.

How You Can Support

The JCC’s future depends on all of us. There are three powerful ways you can help us reach the next level:

Volunteer your time and talents
Engage with us through classes, membership, performances, and events.
Donate to sustain the growth of our mission.

Already, our comprehensive campaign ($5M goal) has generated $2.3 million in pledges, reflecting the community’s belief in our vision.

Membership & Community Engagement

Our membership base continues to grow—up 7% since September 2024—a strong signal that families and individuals are finding value, connection, and belonging at the JCC. Beyond numbers, membership reflects something deeper: a renewed trust in the JCC as the central gathering place for learning, wellness, celebration, and Jewish life in Rochester.

Camp Seneca Lake

Camp Seneca Lake continues to thrive, both in numbers and in impact. With 85% camper retention year over year and a 37% increase in enrollment over the past two years, CSL has become a beacon for Jewish camping in our region.

Equally powerful is the feedback we’ve received:

96% of families would recommend CSL to a friend.
97% say camp helped their child grow.
95% say CSL fostered Jewish pride in their child.

These aren’t just statistics; they are proof of lives transformed, friendships formed, and Jewish identity strengthened.

Camp Sisol

Closer to home, Camp Sisol is experiencing its own renaissance. From 2024 to 2025, enrollment jumped 32% and camper-weeks increased 30%. Families are already reserving spaces for 2026, with 239 camper-weeks booked before the summer season has even begun.

Sisol is becoming a vibrant hub for local families—where campers build confidence, forge friendships, and return year after year.

Wolk Children's Center

Our youngest community members are thriving at the Wolk Children’s Center, where recent leadership transitions have brought fresh expertise and a renewed focus on safety, compliance, and nurturing care. The team has elevated standards, strengthened staff development, and prioritized the well-being of every child.

This work is a reminder that while not every impact can be measured in numbers, it can be profoundly felt in the daily lives of children and families.

Jewish Life & Engagement

In 2025, we proudly launched a brand-new Jewish Life & Engagement Department, staffed by four dedicated professionals serving the needs of all ages—from our youngest learners to our wisest elders.

Already, the department has created a ripple effect across the JCC. JFest, our signature Jewish cultural festival, grew from 400 visitors in 2024 to more than 1,100 in 2025. That surge reflects a hunger in our community for meaningful Jewish experiences, and we are meeting that need with creativity and care.

Arts & Culture

The arts have always been central to the JCC experience, and this year was no exception:

CenterStage Theatre enjoyed its most attended season in 48 years, a testament to the quality of performances and the loyalty of our audience.
The Rochester Jewish Film Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary with record post-pandemic attendance, reaffirming its role as a cultural touchstone.
TYKEs Theatre marked its 20th anniversary with unprecedented reach: 5,900 students and teachers attended weekday field trips, the largest audience in TYKEs history. Even before the new season begins, nearly 5,000 school seats are already reserved—including a significant number for underserved and at-risk students.

Our arts and culture programming not only entertains but also educates and connects, reinforcing the JCC as a home for creativity and community.

Special Projects & Innovation

The newly established Special Projects Department is already leaving its mark. In just a few months, the team delivered the double-decker Adventure Course in the JCC Backyard, hired and trained 16 staff members, and welcomed more than 800 participants in its first summer.

From ziplining to spin-art bikes to a 22-foot-high vertical bike, the Adventure Course has captured imaginations and created unforgettable memories for campers, members, and visitors alike. It stands as a symbol of the JCC’s ability to dream boldly and execute with excellence.

Financial Pathway to Stability

Behind every program is a commitment to long-term sustainability. Over the past year, the JCC has charted a clear financial pathway toward break-even (by 2028)—a milestone that once seemed out of reach.

This progress is driven by three core business focuses:

Programming & Operations – maximizing participation and ensuring quality experiences.
Real Estate – strategically leveraging assets to create stability and opportunity.
Development – building a strong culture of philanthropy and growing community support.

Together, these pillars are moving us from survival to stability, ensuring that the JCC will not only endure but thrive for generations.

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Looking Ahead

This is only the beginning. The JCC of Greater Rochester is not just keeping pace with the present—we are becoming the tomorrow of JCCs. With your partnership, we will continue to innovate, engage, and inspire.

The cards are in our hands—and together, we hold the winning hand for the JCC’s future.

The Future is Ours—let’s build it together.

Volunteer: Share your time and talent.
Engage: Take a class, become a member, attend a show.
Donate: Fuel the momentum of our $5M+ campaign.

Ways to Give

Annual Fund

Every day, in every corner of our JCC, we create lasting connections and meaningful moments that bring our
community together. We offer services for people of all ages and an array of programs that meet a variety of needs. Creating the connections that inspire our success takes caring, commitment, and dollars.

While membership dues, tuition, and program fees help underwrite some costs, they only account for a portion of what we need. The JCC Annual Fund bridges that gap.

Unrestricted Gifts – Circle Society

Your gift of $1,000 or more toward the JCC Annual Fund welcomes you into the Circle Society – a treasured group of individuals whose belief in the importance of Jewish culture, community, and philanthropy are demonstrated through their extraordinary support. This group of visionary leaders works together to support the continued growth and strength of programs benefiting the JCC.

In ancient Judaism, a circle was believed to have protective, magical qualities which is why you often see circles incorporated into our traditions. It also symbolizes wholeness and totality, which is at the core of Annual Fund Giving. By joining the Circle Society, you are ensuring that the circle is complete today, tomorrow, and always.

Restricted Program Donations

You can also make a restricted donation to support a specific program or need.

Examples of this type of donation would be a gift earmarked for Camp Seneca Lake or to purchase something to address a need.