One J Moment After the Next: Celebrating Community at JCC Chicago’s 2025 Annual Meeting
On September 16, our community gathered for the 2025 JCC Chicago Annual Meeting & Staff Awards at our beautiful ‘Z’ Frank Apachi campus in Northbrook. The evening was filled with pride, joy, and a shared sense of purpose as we celebrated the impact of the J, recognized outstanding leaders, and looked ahead to a bright future.
Leadership Reflections
In her remarks, Addie Goodman, President & CEO, shared The State of the J. Standing on the very grounds where thousands of children made summer memories, Addie reminded us that summer is at the heart of JCC Chicago. This past season, more than 5,000 campers and 1,400 staff brought our programs to life. Thanks to Sunrise Day Camp–Chicago, children with cancer diagnoses and their siblings shared in the joys of summer, and with the generosity of Cathy and Ed Atkins and the Gilford Humanitarian Fund, Israeli campers experienced the magic of Camp Chi.
“We raise our kids here, we have found friends here, we choose to be here. Team JCC is a force for so much good in this world and a really beautiful example of how a diverse group of people come together every day to grow good kids, to care for parents and families, to lift up community. I am very proud to be among their ranks and sing their praises.”
-Addie Goodman, President & CEO
Board Chair Stuart Hochwert, JUF Board Member Dana Hirt, and Board Member Mark Pinsky also shared updates, while Chief Financial and Operations Officer Josh Slattery delivered the Endowment and Finance Report, and Julie Gerstein represented the Women’s Board with their annual report. Together, their reflections demonstrated the collective strength and vision guiding JCC Chicago forward.”
“One J moment after the next, the work that we do has a tangible impact on
thousands of lives every day”
– Board Chair Stuart Hochwert
Welcoming a New Voice
A highlight of the evening was the introduction of JCC Chicago’s first Chief Impact Officer, Melissa Chapman. After serving as a Jewish communal leader in three California communities, Melissa shared that Chicago has always been her North Star. Her message was simple yet powerful: when we focus on kindness, positivity, and making the world better, we build a future filled with hope for all.
Honoring Excellence
The annual meeting highlighted how, one J moment after the next, our work creates a tangible impact on thousands of lives—from young families taking their first Jewish steps in our Early Childhood programs, to Apachi campers showing ruach during Maccabi week, to epic Shabbat song sessions at Camp Chi, and to community members of all ages who engage with the J throughout the year. It was a night of pride, leadership, and legacy, the perfect way to launch the year ahead and celebrate the connection and community that the J provides for everyone.
Mazel tov to this year’s award winners! Learn more about each award and the winners below.
Inaugural Community Partner Award
JCC Chicago 2025 Inaugural Community Partner Award honoring Jewish Child and Family Services of Chicago for exceptional dedication to JCC Chicago and our community through supporting JCC Chicago families and staff in both everyday and extraordinary moments. From offering professional development for educators, motor and speech screenings, parent “Lunch and Learn” sessions, and small group support for children through their Integrated Pediatric Therapies program, to providing guidance during the pandemic and standing with us after the Highland Park tragedy, JCFS has consistently ensured that our community has the resources, expertise, and compassion it needs. In turn, JCC Chicago provides the platform for JCFS’ impact to reach thousands of children and families, creating a durable and meaningful partnership rooted in caring for the whole child and strengthening our community together.
Early Childhood Spirit of Sheva
JCC Chicago proudly congratulates our Early Childhood educators that exemplify our Sheva (seven) values of teaching and learning.
This year’s honorees included:
Jessica Morgan
JCC Chicago Early Childhood at Beth Emet
B’rit: fosters a sense of belonging and commitment to building community
Heather Gerstein
JCC Chicago Early Childhood at Am Shalom
D’rash: acts as a researcher, learning and exploring alongside the children
Jackie Baker Schupbach
Jacob Duman Early Childhood at Lake County JCC
Hit’orerut: reinvents the familiar and finds beauty in the world around them
Ju Ju Laurie
Bernard Weinger JCC
K’dushah: uses the environment as inspiration for inquiry
Sheri Berger
‘Z’ Frank Apachi
Masa: focuses on process vs. product and makes the learning visible
Jennifer Streicher
JCC Chicago Social Services Team
Tikkun Olam: advocates for children and education to make a meaningful difference
Ilana Teller
Bernard Horwich JCC
Tzelem Elohim: supports the understanding that children are capable and full of potential
Camp Chi Atkins Ultimate Staff Star Award Winner
Every year Camp Chi presents this award to one staff member who creates innovative camp programming, represents our camp values of Chesed (Kindness), Kavod (Respect) and Kehilla (Community), and who goes above and beyond their responsibilities while demonstrating commitment to leadership.
The 2025 Winner is:
Bailey Corneliuson
We are delighted this year to recognize Bailey Corneliuson as the 2025 Ed Atkins Ultimate Staff Star! Bailey served as a Senior Counselor this year, and has been a member of the Camp Chi seasonal staff for four years. Bailey was selected for his incredible dedication to his campers and fellow staff members, taking on every role that came his way in stride and making lasting positive impacts on each one of this campers.
Michael Reese Health Trust Scholarship Award
This award is granted to Sunrise Day Camp-Chicago staff who are seeking a degree or certification in a health-related field, such as nursing, child life, social work and physical therapy.
Karen Abrams presented the awards, celebrating the transformative power of Sunrise Day Camp and its ability to provide joy and connection to children with cancer and their siblings. This award is granted to those individuals who showed commitment and dedication in their work toward a health-related field. The scholarship will support education in health-related fields such as nursing, child life, social work and physical therapy
“These scholarships ensure that every child has the chance to experience summers filled with laughter, resilience, and hope,”
– Karen Abrams, Director, Sunrise Day Camp-Chicago
The 2025 Winners are:
Diana Ramirez
Jack Salit
Fernanda Lopez
Lilian Khazin
Byron Gonzalez
Olivia Dziwisz
Apachi RUACH Award
This award recognizes an outstanding individual from each camp who exemplifies the core values of the Apachi Day Camp program: Community, Kindness, Courage, Care for the World, Respect, and Spirit
Andrea Merfeld presented the RUACH Awards, which honor campers who embody spirit, kindness, and community at Apachi.
“The RUACH Awards remind us that camp is about so much more than activities — it’s about building character, creating belonging, and celebrating each camper’s unique spark,”
– Andrea Merfeld Director, Apachi Northside
The 2025 Winners are:
Jessie Barron
Elaine Frank Apachi
Kitara Bradley
Apachi Northside
Laila Levi
Apachi Irving Park
Zach Lidskin
Z Frank Apachi
Tracy Markin
Apachi Village at Bernard Weinger JCC
Jillian Shor
Apachi Evanston
Ella Szymanski
Apachi Old Town
Staff Impact Award
This award celebrates a staff member who exemplifies the agency’s core values of Creativity and Innovation, Customer Experience, Self-Leadership & Accountability and Teamwork & Collaboration.
JCC Chicago is proud to announce the 2025 Staff Impact Award winner:
Maggie Marx
Director, Customer Solutions
Maggie began her tenure at the J in 2018 as a front desk team member at Bernard Horwich JCC, welcoming community members to the J, answering questions and generally taking care of things. Her aptitude for digging in, being a quick and eager learner, and raising her hand for more led her from the Customer Experinece side of the team to Customer Solutions, where the nitty gritty really gets going. Over the years, Maggie has shown up time and time again. Quietly, behind the scenes, marching forward. She’s become a leader in her field, presenting to and called upon by colleagues across the country. She has transformed processes and operations for the better, holding both agency and individual in center view. A few months ago, Maggie was promoted to Director of Customer Solutions, well-earned and very much deserved.