J Associates

The J Associates is a support auxiliary of the Jewish Community Center of St. Louis. Socializing and working together to help those in need builds lifelong friendships, and through these friendships, their work to support programs and events at the J has become a trademark of the J Associates organization. With the dedication and commitment of over 550 members, the J Associates continue to make a difference in the lives of so many.

Part of the mission of this dynamic organization is to raise money, which is then allocated annually to departments at the J. These departments then use the funds for scholarships and programs. Impacting all ages from infants to the elderly, the J Associates have contributed to important programs such as Home Delivered Meals, Theatre Unlimited for adults with special needs, early childhood services, J Day Camps and more.

Beginning in 1985 as a small group of caring women who saw a need for volunteer help at the J gift shop, the J Associates has grown to an organization of more than 500 members who have allocated nearly two million dollars! The J Associates members have a wonderful time, combining social activities and raising money to help others while building camaraderie and making new contacts and friends. Through exciting events such as Dancing in the Loop, Lip Sync Live and Fabulous Feud Live and dynamic speakers, the members of J Associates are a robust group who give back to the St. Louis community.

Bess and Max Broder met at a dance more than 71 years ago at the YMHA, the predecessor of the J. That was the beginning of many decades and three generations of involvement at the J for the Broder and Potashnick families. Activities at the J that were significant to family members included Camp Hawthorn, Camp Sabra, day camps, sports, BBYO and J Associates.

Upon the passing of Bess and Max Broder, their children, Barry, Bruce and Bobbi Potashnick created the Bess and Max Broder J Associates Endowment Fund that is designated to be dispersed to the annual allocations of J Associates. The family felt that J Associates was the best instrument to distribute funds to multiple significant programs throughout the J. The family is proud to be the first and only J Associates Endowment Fund.