JCC Executive Vice President Retires After
Thirty-Eight Distinguished Years

When you have traveled the same rewarding road for thirty-eight extraordinary years, it's hard to say goodbye. But that is the difficult decision Jerry Wische, Executive Vice President of the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Houston, has made. Wische announced at the JCC Board of Directors meeting that he will retire effective June 1, 2010, ending nearly four decades of service and accomplishments. 

"Jerry's decades of service and guidance has led us to the impressive position we enjoy today as one of the premiere JCC's in the U.S. His vision and commitment have helped us expand the center's physical facilities and programming to enrich our community in countless ways. Jerry has touched the lives of tens of thousands of individuals," said Dan Steiner, JCC Houston Board President.

Wische is currently the longest standing Executive Director of JCC's across the country. His list of accomplishments and accolades include several professional awards including the JCC Association Florence Heller Award for Distinguished Professional Service. Wische serves and will continue to serve the community through his partnerships with the United Way and Jewish organizations.

Over the decades, Wische executed the JCC's collective vision by building a state-of-the-art preschool, gymnastics center, indoor tennis and fitness facility and off-campus teen center, to name a few highlights of his tenure at the JCC Houston.

"All of those developments came because of a good group of board members and staff leadership that was able to see changes in the community's priorities and move quickly to make decisions," said Wische. "If you don't have diversity in your program you will never have the opportunity to create new and different things. We have continually been engaged in experimentation and innovation. Nobody else has a tennis center like we do. Nobody has a gymnastics program like we do. And the fact that we have a freestanding teen center off campus on its own acreage is unique and innovative. Something is being done right here."

Wische first came to the JCC of Houston as assistant director to Hans Mayer in 1971, a leadership position attained despite his youth and relative inexperience as the Director of Emma Kaufmann Camp at the JCC of Pittsburgh.

"I was 28 years old and I had never been west. I decided to come and see Houston. I never expected to get the job offer but I thought it would be good for my career to be interviewed for that level position. I had never really had a full job interview before," said Wische.

Six years later Wische moved into the Executive Director's chair as Mayer left to head the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston. A very modest Wische contends he got the job because nobody else would move to Houston in the 70s. But it wasn't long after his arrival that the Houston Jewish community experienced a population boom. To meet exploding demand, Wische oversaw reconstruction and multiple expansions of the JCC facilities.

"In 1975 we were turning people away because there wasn't enough room. We were flooded with people. Parents would get here at four in the morning to sign their kids up for camp," commented Wische.

Those who have worked with Wische point to his thoughtful wisdom and willingness to take bold yet carefully calculated risks.

"Jerry is a consummate professional, thoughtful, insightful and a visionary, who has made an indelible mark in the community," said former JCC Houston Board President and long-time friend Nancy Lerner. "He has already and will continue to touch thousands of lives for the better, creatively thinking outside the box to provide core and enriching programs and services for the entire community. Jerry is a community treasure, within the Jewish and greater community, always thinking several steps ahead, collaborating, anticipating and pushing us to be even better," she said.

Wische will spend the first few months of his retirement traveling. He is passionate about all issues involving children and remains committed to helping train future leaders. But for the foreseeable future Wische is looking forward to the luxury of a calendar free of meetings.

The JCC Houston Board of Directors has appointed a transition team led by former Board President Ed Schreiber to coordinate the naming of a new Executive Vice President.

In the News:

Longtime JCC exec to retire after 38 years
Houston Chronicle 

JCC executive vice president to retire
Jewish Herald-Voice

JCC executive vice president retires after 38 distinguished years
Village News/Southwest News