Agreement has been reached over the merger between JW3, the £50 million community centre, and the London Jewish Cultural Centre, it was announced today.
The two organisations will occupy a single site – at JW3 in Finchley Road, north-west London – from August 1 2015, when LJCC’s building, Ivy House in Golders Green, will close.
Both organisations will continue their current programmes until the end of March next year.
Following that date, many of LJCC's most successful classes and courses will move to JW3.
Ivy House will now be put up for sale with the expectation that it will be sold well before the August 1 closure.
In a joint statement, Michael Marx, chair of LJCC, and JW3 chair Michael Goldstein, said the move would combine “the best elements of both organisations at the purpose-designed JW3 centre”.
They added: “We are confident we can continue to serve the thousands of attendees and students who currently benefit every week from everything that both LJCC and JW3 have to offer.”
Raymond Simonson will be the CEO of the new organisation, while Louise Jacobs will step down as LJCC chief executive and join the board of the merged body as deputy chair.
Mr Simonson said the merger would “create a central hub for the very best in Jewish art, culture and education, with a programme reflecting the diversity of community”.
LJCC would bring an emphasis on academic excellence with its adult education courses, he added.
The merger process had been complex, Mr Simonson said, and he paid tribute to Ms Jacobs’ leadership and forward-thinking in helping to bring it about.
Talks had begun earlier this year. Last month, the JC reported that they were on the verge of collapse over financial difficulties.
The claim was rejected at the time, and Mr Simonson reiterated that at no time had the plans fallen apart.
In his statement, Mr Marx said: “The Trustees of LJCC would like sincerely to acknowledge the financial support of the Clore Duffield Foundation over recent months”.
Dame Vivian Duffield’s charity has been JW3’s main backer, donating some £40 million.
The name of the new organisation has yet to be finalised.
