Ira F. Back Swim for Life
Endowment Fund
Donate to the Back Fund
To make a tax-deductible contribution to benefit this fund, complete the credit card form at bottom, or send a check made payable to JCF, Inc., please write "Ira F. Back Fund" in the memo, and mail or drop it off to:
JCF, Inc.
1301 Springdale Rd., Suite 200
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Attn: Ira F. Back Fund
For questions about making a donation, please contact us at 856-673-2582 or infojcf@jfedsnj.org. Thank you!
About this Endowment Fund
Ira Franklin Back was born on December 16, 1942 in Camden, NJ. His parents, Mollie z”l and Benjamin z’’l were active members of the Jewish community. As a young child, Ira attended JCC Camp Hilltop then located in a small house behind Camden High School at the top of the hill. Ira’s parents supported the decision in March 1953 to build a new JCC on Route 70 in Cherry Hill. Ira continued his family tradition of JCC membership following his marriage to Gloria in 1969. He served two consecutive terms (1990-96) on the JCC Board and was involved in the planning of the current JCC which opened in1997.
Ira’s involvement in the JCC swim programs started when his oldest son, David z”l, joined the JCC Sharks as a first time swimmer. Ira became increasingly involved with swimming as David and later his younger brother, Steven, continued to participate in swimming leagues and competitive swim programs. Ira’s interest in the North American Maccabi Youth Games began when Cherry Hill sent its first delegation to Chicago in 1988. When the Katz JCC twice hosted the Maccabi games, Ira chaired the swimming events in 1999 and provided his expertise and financial support to the games in 2014.
Ira enjoyed swimming at the JCC but his primary form of exercise was running; an activity he shared with his daughter, Susan. Ira was a strong advocate for staying fit through exercise and was part of the team that organized the JCC Challenge Race at Cooper River Park.
A lifelong member of the JCC, we are honoring Ira’s memory with the Swim for Life Endowment Fund.
Funding Priorities
This endowment fund will provide financial support to Jewish children to enable them to participate in the swimming programs offered through and as determined by the Katz JCC, including the JCC Sharks Swim Team and the South Jersey Maccabi Swim Team, while helping Jewish parents to fulfill the Talmudic commandment to teach their children to swim. Adapted from the Talmud: Kiddushin, 29a (as noted in the photo at left from the Katz JCC's indoor pool.)
Gloria, Susan and Steven Back
For questions about this fund, please contact the JCF at marketingjcf@jfedsnj.org.
Thank you for your support!