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JCC to lay off 296 staffers due to impacts of COVID-19

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester is laying off much of its staff due to the impact of COVID-19.

A notice posted through the New York State Labor Department says that the JCC will lay off 296 of the 343 people who were furloughed last March, when their facility and many others had to shut down gyms and other fitness facilities due to the coronavirus.

The 296 staffers have been permanently laid off as of Monday.

The JCC released this statement:

The Louis S. Wolk Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester, Inc. (the "JCC") has determined that it will not be able to return to work the majority of individuals who were previously furloughed by the JCC due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  While we were hopeful that this furlough would be temporary in nature and therefore, not result in a mass layoff, the ongoing restrictions imposed by New York State, in particular those relative to the operation of a fitness center, have now made it impossible for us to avoid such action."

Besides fitness facilities, the JCC provides childcare, has a theater and provides other cultural and community services.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.