Families Camp Headlines Lifestyle Local Philly Faces You Should Know Matt Martin, 29, is the youth and family program director at the Kaiserman JCC in Wynnewood. During the summer, he’s busy leading Camp Kef. And when he’s not working, he’s probably watching New York sports teams or reading Stephen King novels, according to phillyjcc.
com. The Rockland County, New York, native and Roxborough resident grew up in the JCC world. That was why he wanted to work at one.
He discussed his motivation with the Jewish Exponent. What was your Jewish life like growing up? My Jewish life growing up revolved mainly around the JCC doing sports programs and at my synagogue Nanuet Hebrew Center in Nanuet, New York. As a child, one of my fondest memories was going to Hebrew school in the morning dressed in my JCC soccer or basketball uniform and heading to the J right after school.
Like every Jewish family, we also celebrated our Judaism through food and holiday dinners. My mom’s brisket and potato kugel was a major part of my childhood experience. I am also proud to have been a part of three JCC Maccabi Games as an athlete during my teenage years.
What made you want to serve the Jewish community professionally by working at the Kaiserman JCC? Working in the Jewish community is something that has been at the forefront of my life with my father working at a JCC in the Bronx, New York, for over 40 years. Getting to see the impact he has been able to make is something that has always inspir.