Jewish Centers Set Goals to Avoid Summer Closure

Children's programs at four Los Angeles Jewish community centers slated for closure this summer could remain open another year if the centers meet strict enrollment and fund-raising goals, organization officials said Wednesday.

Jewish Community Centers of Greater Los Angeles announced plans in December to terminate the after-school, kindergarten and preschool programs on June 30 to make up for a financial shortfall. The sites included North Valley in Granada Hills, Valley Cities in Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake-Los Feliz and Los Angeles' Westside.

On Wednesday, the centers' board of directors announced a business plan, crafted with local community center leaders, to boost enrollment and revenues that could keep the children's program afloat through June 2003.