VISION: as much as you can get
FUNDS: as my grandmother would say, as much as you need
COMMUNITY PARTNERS: large pluralistic selection
PERSISTENCE: tons
PASSION: never too much
ENERGY: add at the right time
FORTITUDE: lots
HUMOR: wherever you can find
PATIENCE: unending amounts
JEWISH VALUES: to drizzle amply throughout
Measure who is hungry in the community for a new kind of Jewish Community Center. Gather visionary people willing to work. Schedule many meetings, probably at inconvenient times. Add to mix as many friends and connections as will fit around table—use larger space as necessary. Knead ingredients into a strong rising idea. Hire fantastic executive director with boundless energy. Proof concept by sprinkling with new ideas, a little honey, and a lot of luck. Wait for bubbles, confirming it’s alive. Meanwhile, as idea rises, in separate bowl, combine: energetic staff, exciting programming, committed, generous board members, and set aside. Work in additional ingredients: brilliant architect, construction crew, patient neighborhood. Watch carefully. Glaze with inspiration, innovation, values, and culture that span the generations. Share immediately.
—Excerpt from Katja Goldman’s speech given at JCC Manhattan’s annual benefit, May 2012