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WHEREAS, in the words of President Teddy Roosevelt, “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” Rachel Marcus will retire from the Jewish Community Center after a lifetime of work worth doing; and,
WHEREAS, Rachel Marcus, one of four siblings, born in Coraopolis and raised in the East End of Pittsburgh, was first exposed to the work of Jewish community groups when her mother took her to an arts and crafts class at the East End Irene Kaufman Center, followed by her first summer camp experience at the age of 8. Meeting roles models and having transformative experiences shaped her life; and,
WHEREAS, for 50 years, Rachel has provided a lifetime of dedicated service to the Pittsburgh Jewish Community by serving in a variety of professional capacities. Beginning as a teacher in the Early Childhood Department, she now holds the title of Associate Executive Director which comes with oversight of the JCC’s early childhood, youth, fitness/wellness, special needs and camping programs; and,
WHEREAS, amongst her many skills and achievements, Rachel was intuitive at recognizing the changing needs of the Pittsburgh community, the most significant ones being the creation of an after school program in 1979 for children of single and dual parent working families and the second being the opening of the newly constructed Henry Kaufmann Family Park in Monroeville in 1969 with seven JCC colleagues. Both programs still exist today, are thriving and huge assets to the Jewish community. In addition, Rachel served as the Director of James and Rachel Levinson Day Camp for over 30 years, growing the program six-fold under her leadership.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and commend Rachel Marcus for her extraordinary lifelong commitment to the Pittsburgh Jewish Community and congratulates Rachel on her retirement from the Jewish Community Center following 50 years of a singularly visionary and dedicated career; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Sunday, September 25, 2016, to be “RACHEL MARCUS DAY” in the City of Pittsburgh.