WHEREAS it is the intention of the Mayor and Council of the Township of Cherry Hill to focus attention on noteworthy occasions and individuals; and

WHEREAS today, Mayor and Council wish to honor Les Cohen, one of our community’s most beloved and respected leaders, as he celebrates 25 years of service as the Director of the Betty and Milton Katz JCC in Cherry Hill; and

WHEREAS Les began his career as a Teen Camp Director at the Flushing YMHA, then served as Associate Director of the Hartman YMHA, Executive Director of the JCC in Norwalk, Connecticut, and as a national consultant for the JCC Association in New York City; and

WHEREAS Les has received numerous awards and held many leadership positions, serving as past Chairman of his JCC’s Executive Group, Co-President of Camden County United Way Executives Council, Vice-President of the Association of Jewish Communal Professionals and Chairman of the Tri-State Regional Conference; and

WHEREAS under his leadership, the JCC has become the hub of Jewish life in Southern New Jersey, with services for all ages and abilities, including classes older adults, a kosher meal program for the elderly, community-wide programs, the largest Jewish Day Camp in North America, an award-winning early childhood center, a state-of-the-art fitness center and an after-school program for children and teens; and

WHEREAS in addition to his duties at the JCC, Les is the proud father of three children, Jeffrey, Stacy and Jessica, his daughter-in-law, Stacy, and two grandchildren, Sierra and Emery; and

WHEREAS throughout his time at the Katz JCC, Les has been a true friend to the Township of Cherry Hill, and in his own very special way, has helped to make our community a warm and welcoming place to live, learn and play, and we wish him continued success.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHUCK CAHN, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the Township of Cherry Hill in the County of Camden, State of New Jersey, do hereby honor and thank

Les Cohen

for 25 years of service to the Katz JCC, the Jewish community in South Jersey and the Township of Cherry Hill, and do urge all citizens to join with me and Council in thanking Les for his dedication and commitment.