The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta located in Dunwoody is shutting down March 13 at 6 p.m. and will remain closed for at least the weekend due to concerns about the coronavirus. Officials will “reevaluate this rapidly evolving situation” on Monday, March 16, according to CEO Jared Powers.
The Weinstein School, The Schiff School, The Sunshine School and the Club J After-School Program are also being closed March 13 at 6 p.m. and will remain closed through at least March 20, Powers said in a statement on the MJCCA website.
All events, programs and practices scheduled for March 14-16 are canceled.
Powers said in his statement that a decision will be made by Monday evening “with our plans moving forward” on the community center. A decision whether to reopen or keep closed the schools will be made by March 20, he said.
Jerry’s Habima Theatre’s March 14-15 performances of “Mamma Mia!” have been postponed.
Bestselling author Harlan Coben has postponed his book tour and his March 18 appearance at the MJCCA to discuss his new thriller, “The Boy From the Woods,” due to concerns about the coronavirus.
Other book events that have been postponed over travel concerns related to the coronavirus include the April 1 talk and signing by Barry Sonnenfeld, author of “Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother: Memoirs of a Neurotic Filmmaker”; and the April 19 book talk by Gigi Levangie, author of “Been There, Married That: A Novel.”
As of [March 13], there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 [the disease caused by the coronavirus] at the Marcus JCC, The Sunshine School or The Schiff School, Powers said.
“We are taking this step because we are listening to health experts who say the best way to keep everyone safe is to practice social distancing. We want to be part of the solution and are committed to keeping our community safe,” he said.
“Our people are the heart and soul of our JCC – and that is why we are so committed to keeping everyone safe and healthy.”