Until the winter of 1938, John and his family led a charmed life in the small university town of Würtzburg, Germany. He and his two brothers had a childhood filled with love and laughter. Who could have known what imminent horrors awaited?

Sadly, we know too well what tragedy lay in store for the six million Jewish souls claimed during the Holocaust. And tragically, John’s own family was among those who succumbed to the devastation. After such a joyful upbringing, who could have ever predicted that John would lose everything?

But there was a light at the end of this seemingly unending tunnel. Who could have foretold that, miracle of miracles, John’s life would be spared when so many around him perished during the bombings of Germany?

Who would have known the immense generosity his family would experience when their non-Jewish nanny lied to the authorities to keep John and his brothers alive? And what of the ultimate selflessness by other righteous gentiles who fed and hid them to spare their lives?

Who could have predicted that after all of this, John would go on to start life anew in a new country, using a new language? That not only would this new world provide a safe haven and a great education, but it would even enable John to help found a major Silicon Valley company and become a force in the tech startup world?

And who could have predicted that this man, who had never served on the board of a Jewish organization, would answer a plea from a friend to be part of an exciting new venture for the South Peninsula Jewish community?

That venture, that dream—known as the planning and construction of the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life—now houses the Oshman Family JCC, a place where people of all faiths and backgrounds regularly come together.

Certainly neither you nor I can foretell what the future has in store for us. Each of our lives is a series of relatively unpredictable events that shapes who we are and where we land. Some of us are fortunate enough to be able to think about our own family’s future and the future of our community. Leaving a legacy is a way for our lives to have a lasting, meaningful impact on those who follow.

When John thinks about his legacy, “Grandson” and “Granddaughter” are the first things out of his mouth. John wants to ensure his grandchildren’s future and has made provisions to ensure the things that are important to him will continue to thrive. He is also concerned about providing for organizations, like the OFJCC, that have meaning in his life so that they will continue to grow and have an impact on future generations.

We may not know what the future will bring, but together we can create a truly bright outlook for our community. Who really knows what the future will bring? We don’t. But let’s imagine something vibrant and flourishing and plan for it together.

The OFJCC honors and recognizes those, like John, who choose to leave a legacy. Our Pomegranate Legacy Society recognizes those who have made a provision for a future gift, often through their will or trust, that will help ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the OFJCC.

Written by John with Melissa Garai.

In a world where we’re increasingly consumed by smart phones, video games and social media, encouraging our teens to build meaningful relationships is more important than ever.

Since 1982, JCCs across the country have sent teams of teenagers to participate in a week-long sports competition focused on team bonding and good old-fashioned, face-to-face fun. This past summer, Los Altos locals Denise and Mike Pope sent two of their teens to the JCC Maccabi Games®. It was the second time for their family—two years ago when their daughter, Alli, participated in the games, she was one of only a handful of Silicon Valley participants.

This year, under the leadership of our new Teen Program Director Rebecca Katz (known fondly by teens as just “Katz”), the OFJCC is revamping and reinvigorating all teen programming. Katz successfully built and led a Palo Alto Maccabi delegation; eleven teens and two staff traveled together to (really, really hot!) Dallas, Texas for the 2015 JCC Maccabi Games®.

Among them, Seth Pope, age 14, an expert golfer who spends most days after school practicing his swing at the Los Altos Country Club, remembered how much his sister enjoyed her experience two years ago. When Seth learned that golf would be offered, he was excited to join. After his return, Seth expressed how thrilled he was with the experience: “It was really cool to see the different perspectives of Jews from around the world. I met people from Panama, Australia, Israel and Mexico… and everywhere!”

Denise raved about her kids’ participation: “I think it’s great when your kids get away and experience new things without you. I like that there are friendly kids from all over competing, and the leaders do things to help with social interaction and make it fun for the kids. We weren’t expecting it to be worldwide! It was pretty cool.”

Seth made the team (and his parents) proud by bringing home two gold medals for his golf game. But it seems he absorbed more than just the competitive spirit of these games. Each delegation has the opportunity to award two “Midot” medals to members of their delegations that embody the spirit of the Jewish values infused into the games. The six midot (values) that the JCC Maccabi Games® seek to impart are: tikkun olam (repairing the world), kavod (respect), rina (joy); ga’ava (pride), lev tov (open heartedness) and amiut yehudit (Jewish peoplehood). Seth received one of the two Midot medals brought home by the OFJCC delegation.

Seth says he’ll remember this trip forever. He returned with a new perspective and understanding for the diversity and complexity of the Jewish community around the world. And he wants to go back. He’s even aiming to be a U.S. representative at the next Maccabiah Games which will be held in Israel in 2017.

So, just how has this experience changed life for Seth? Well, when asked if he made any lasting friendships through the experience, he responded, “Definitely! I follow some people [I met] on Instagram.”

Young athletes doing their best may be par for the course but grounding them in Jewish values as JCC Maccabi Games® do is clearly a hole in one for our future!

Read more about the 2015 JCC Maccabi Games® here, or click here to find out more about joining the 2016 delegation.