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Philanthropic Visionaries Sharon and David Wax Donate $3.6 Million to JCC Movement

Generosity to help ensure a vibrant, strong Jewish community endures in North American life long into the future

NEW YORK — JCC Association of North America deeply thanks Sharon and David Wax of San Diego, California, for their recent $3.6 million donation to the JCC Movement—$1.8 million to JCC Association and $1.8 million to the Lawrence Family JCC of San Diego County – Jacobs Family Campus in La Jolla, California. Recognizing the value of the JCC Movement, both locally and across the continent, the Waxes’ gift will strategically enhance the movement’s endeavors to advance and enrich North American Jewish life.

According to Betzy Lynch, CEO of the Lawrence Family JCC of San Diego County – Jacobs Family Campus, where Wax serves on the executive committee and the JCC past chairs advisory board, “David and Sharon’s incredible gift is the culmination of decades of philanthropy and leadership they have offered to our community and the JCC Movement. David and Sharon’s passion and commitment to our work has elevated our impact on so many occasions, but at this moment in time, now more than ever, their CHAI gift truly breathed life into our JCC during this unprecedented time of need.”

“Sharon and I are proud to recognize and honor the work of the JCC Movement, here within our local San Diego home community and across North America,” Wax said in speaking about the donation. “We are hopeful that our gift provides illumination to strengthen the continuity of our work, along with the programs and services provided within our JCC communities during and beyond these unprecedented times.”

On the continental level, Wax, a member of JCC Association’s board of trustees since 2004, serves as a vice chair and co-chairs the donor development and stewardship committee. He previously chaired the professional development andJCC Maccabi® committees and has served on numerous other committees.

Gary E. Jacobs, JCC Association board chair, shared these comments about the Waxes’ gift: “As a fellow San Diegan, I am especially delighted that Sharon and David have continued their leadership within the JCC Movement in this noteworthy and most generous way. Their decision to support both Jewish communal life in San Diego and JCC Association as it guides and furthers the work of U.S. and Canadian JCCs from coast to coast is a fine example for others in all our JCC communities to follow.”

“We are profoundly grateful to Sharon and David for their vision, leadership, and extraordinary generosity,” said Doron Krakow, president and CEO of JCC Association. Their powerful demonstration of loyalty reflects a deep and abiding commitment to the JCC Movement, the preeminent platform for Jewish engagement on this continent.”

Recently retired from WAXIE Sanitary Supply, the family-held company founded by Wax’s father, Morris, and Morris’ brother, Harry, Wax held positions in all areas of the company throughout his career, including, among others, customer service, purchasing, sales, and sales management. He held branch management roles in Utah, Los Angeles, and most recently served as executive vice president, with responsibility over the organization’s California location portfolio. WAXIE Sanitary Supply recently joined forces with Chicago-based North American Corporation and FEMSA, a multinational beverage, retail, and logistics company, to become the premier national platform for Jan-San, packaging and specialized distribution in the U.S.

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About JCC Association of North America
JCC Association of North America leads and connects the JCC Movement, advancing and enriching North American Jewish life. With 1.5 million people walking through the doors of JCCs (Jewish Community Centers and Jewish Community Camps) each week, the JCC Movement represents the largest platform of Jewish engagement on the continent. JCC Association is the convening organization of this powerful network, partnering with JCCs to bring together the collective power and knowledge of the JCC Movement, which includes approximately 53,000 staff members—12,000 full-time skilled professionals, 24,000 part-time staff, and 17,000 seasonal summer staff. By supporting them, together we enhance and strengthen Jewish life throughout North America. Learn more at JCCA.org or on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter.

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