Plan May Spare Jewish Centers

Children’s programs at four Los Angeles Jewish community centers scheduled for closure this summer could remain open another school 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 are North Valley in Granada Hills, Valley Cities in Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake-Los Feliz and Westside in the Fairfax District.

On Wednesday, however, 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.

“We are very optimistic that the benchmarks are reachable,” said David Novak, a spokesman for the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Los Angeles.

“However, if the milestones are not met,” he added, “it will mean that they are not financially viable and the board will reconsider the situation.”

Under the plan, children’s enrollment applications must be accompanied by a signed agreement and a deposit by March 31.

Applications received between April 1 and May 15 must include a signed agreement and first and last months’ tuition.

In a related move, a board subcommittee is considering negotiating with Temple Beth Shir Shalom in Santa Monica to acquire Bay Cities Jewish Community Center or lease it to the synagogue for children’s programs.

For the centers to remain open, the following enrollment and fund-raising goals must be met:

* North Valley--48 preschoolers and 12 kindergartners enrolled by May 15 and $150,000 raised by July 31.

* Silver Lake-Los Feliz--60 preschoolers and nine kindergartners enrolled and $40,000 raised by May 15.

* Valley Cities--75 preschoolers and $120,000 raised by May 15.

* Westside--75 preschoolers and nine kindergartners enrolled and $50,000 raised by May 15.