Dear J Members and Friends,

We are excited to announce that Oded Kraus has been named the next Chief Executive Officer of the Valley of the Sun JCC, effective October 6, 2025.

Oded brings an outstanding record of leadership from Katz JCC in Cherry Hill, NJ, where he helped lead a remarkable turnaround, expanded programming, and doubled member engagement. We look forward to introducing Oded in person later this summer.

This moment also gives us the opportunity to express our deepest thanks to Jay Jacobs, who is stepping down as CEO at the end of the year after nearly a decade of service to our community. Jay’s legacy is visible in every corner of our J – from the expanded Alison Hendeles Early Childhood Center and new campus enhancements to the resilience he helped build during the pandemic. He has led with kindness, foresight, and a passionate commitment to our mission and people.

We are forever grateful for Jay’s leadership and the foundation he has built for the future.

With gratitude,
Mallory Savan Lebovitz
Board Chair, Valley of the Sun JCC