Jewish Community Centers today are managing increasing operational demands, balancing complex systems, limited resources, and rising member expectations. To help address these challenges, Daxko partnered with the JCC Association of North America to host a webinar spotlighting how experienced JCC leaders are streamlining their operations to support sustainable growth and stronger community outcomes.
Leaders from the Wolk JCC (Rochester), Katz JCC (Cherry Hill), and Marlene Meyerson JCC (Manhattan) joined Daxko’s Joanna Stahl and the JCC Association of North America’s Annette McCann to share real-world strategies that are helping JCCs make smarter decisions in an increasingly complex environment.
Tackling Complexity with a Unified Vision
Operational complexity at JCCs often stems from misaligned systems and overlapping responsibilities. Panelist Jason Vasquez emphasized the need for clarity, stating that “streamlining processes and reducing the chaos of daily operations should be a top priority.”
This focus on alignment was echoed throughout the conversation: strategic clarity helps staff collaborate more effectively, leading to improved decision-making and stronger mission delivery.
Simplifying Systems to Reduce Friction
Tools like Daxko Operations and Engage allow JCCs to create single sources of truth cutting down on redundancy while increasing organizational agility. Multiple speakers pointed to system sprawl as a core operational challenge. Rather than relying on fragmented tools, JCCs are consolidating platforms to improve team capacity and reduce administrative drag.
Deb Kadetsky illustrated the benefits of a connected infrastructure, noting that “an integrated approach provides faster decision-making, reduced friction, and clearer visibility into organizational goals.”
Michelle Higgins added that these changes can’t happen without intentional staff support. She advocated for training and structure, highlighting the impact of a dedicated database manager and ongoing staff development to fully leverage available systems.
Empowering Staff Through Culture and Communication
The success of any operational system hinges on the people who use it. Leadership across the webinar reinforced that empowering staff is essential to long-term sustainability.
Michelle Higgins shared that her JCC transitioned away from email-heavy communication in favor of centralized toolkits, improving collaboration and reducing internal silos. She also emphasized the importance of staff morale: “Recognizing contributions and equipping staff with the right tools directly impacts operational outcomes.”
Leaders are fostering environments of transparency, training, and accountability so their teams can thrive.
Using Data to Drive Smarter Decisions
Panelists agreed that data is one of the most powerful tools JCCs have at their disposal but only if it’s accessible and actionable. From measuring program performance to understanding member lifecycles, JCCs are using dashboards and automation to better inform their strategic direction.
Jason Vasquez spoke to the power of capturing member journeys: “Tracking detailed notes and engagement patterns creates opportunities for retention and more personalized service.” These insights allow teams to adjust offerings, forecast participation, and deliver targeted outreach.
My team’s focus on SEO and website optimization drove an 80% increase in user engagement, showing how data-informed digital strategy can drive real results.
Planning for Growth with Built-In Flexibility
In a changing environment, JCCs must stay responsive without losing sight of long-term goals. The speakers encouraged building flexible infrastructures that can scale with future needs.
Deb Kadetsky discussed how adopting configurable software platforms allowed her JCC to grow without sacrificing adaptability. Jason Vasquez noted that even decisions like equipment purchasing should reflect long-term operational planning.
“Start small but think big” became a central takeaway: Align immediate needs with broader strategic objectives to build a resilient foundation for growth.
Learn More About Streamlining Growth
To hear the full conversation and gain deeper insights from the field, watch the on-demand webinar. Discover how JCC leaders are turning operational complexity into sustainable growth; without burning out their teams or compromising their mission.
Want to explore how Daxko can support your JCC? Schedule a demo today and learn how we’re helping JCCs simplify systems, align teams, and grow with confidence.