The JCC South celebrates Chanukah with a musical ceremony featuring the preschool children, c. 1995.
First housed in classrooms of the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation, the JCC’s preschool had 30 students in three age groups when it opened in August 1994. The children celebrated the Jewish holidays in a variety of ways, including a special family program for Chanukah that featured singing, costumes, latkes, and a lighting of the menorah. For families on the southwest side of town, this was a start to a flourishing Jewish community. There were 130 children in the preschool in 2016.
Rosen JCC Archives
This groundbreaking shovel and commemorative plaque for the JCC’s Jack and Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Campus are a testament to Rosen’s hands-on approach, 2008.
In 2008, construction commenced and was completed in August 2009. The JCC South was renamed the JCC of Greater Orlando on the Jack and Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Campus. The new building features an education wing, gymnasium, fitness center, multipurpose room, group exercise studio, and houses Jewish Federation and Jewish Family Services offices. Harris Rosen was actively involved in every detail of the development and construction of the project that was named for his parents. He is known to walk the halls of the JCC often, assuring that it is maintained at a Rosen Hotel or resort standard.
Rosen JCC Archives
Aileen and Edgar Schaked get a sneak peak of the new Jack and Lee Rosen JCC during a hardhat tour, 2009.
The Schakeds helped organize and host the initial fundraising party to get the campus built. Later, Aileen spearheaded the multiday grand opening in 2009. More than 220 families contributed to the building campaign for this 35,000 sq. ft. facility. Most recently, the Schakeds were sponsors of the 2016 Opening Night Gala celebrating the campus expansion and opening of the auditorium, featuring Theater South Orlando. Aileen served on the Early Childhood Board. The family continues to take part in the afterschool program, basketball leagues, summer camp and other activities.
Rosen JCC Archives
Harris Rosen (second left) cuts the ribbon at the grand opening ceremony for the JCC of Greater Orlando on the Jack and Lee Rosen Campus, honoring the memory of his parents (1988 inset), 2009.
David Wayne, director of the Roth Family JCC, looks on (at right). Second from right is Linda Stewart, who at the time was District 4 Orange County Commissioner (2002–2010); in 2016, she was elected to the state senate. At left is Trisha Rosen. The two-week extravaganza featured programs for young children, a realtor’s luncheon, a theater arts expo, fashion show, a teen party, poker tournament and Dueling Pianos party.
Rosen JCC Archives