If you go to the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, you will find many staff members have on their computers the simple phrase, “What would Steve think?”

Steve refers to the JCC’s former CEO Steve Rogers, who died suddenly on Jan. 15 at age 64, leaving behind a profound sense of loss among staff and members.

“I met staff people who were there six months who felt like they knew him 30 years,” said JCC Chair Michael Kollender. “This is a true tragic loss of a man who had so much more to give.”

In his last hours, Rogers made a final phone call that exemplified the devotion and caring he had for every member of the community. “The last phone call that Steve made was to a senior about a program at about 9 or 9:30 at night,” said Kollender. “What CEO would make a phone call to check on a senior at that hour?”

A former lawyer who took over as CEO in 2021, Rogers had a vision about turning the JCC into “the town square” for the Jewish community and that is just what he did, said Kollender, immersing himself in every aspect of the institution’s functioning and with every demographic from small children to seniors.

“Steve took on the next phase of his life with such vigor,” he recalled. “He just loved being at the JCC.”

Under his guidance every aspect of JCC life flourished; the pool and gym are full, youth activities are booming and seniors, as demonstrated in that last phone call, took a strong liking to him. Shevet Mezada, the Israeli Scouts, meet on Sunday mornings and are growing and thriving.

Kollender said as an example of Rogers’ vision of being a centralized location for the Jewish community, a commemorative program for the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel drew 4,000-5,000 people.

Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner of Temple Emanu-El in Closter, who officiated at Rogers’ funeral two days after his death, said he has known the former CEO for about 20 years when both he and Rogers began their leadership positions at the synagogue together, he as rabbi and the Rogers as its president.

“He kind of created a new ethic at the temple and continued his involvement past his presidency,” said Rabbi Kirshner. “He stayed very engaged. Many people when they finish their presidency take a step back and exhale. But Steve stayed on councils and committees and you could always count on him as a friend. Whenever somebody asked something of him he was there. He didn’t know how to say no. There was no prerequisite for him giving excellent advice or time to others.”

The rabbi noted that Rogers had the ability to connect with people so much so that, “You always listened not because he was always right, although most of the time he was, but because when he told you something it was always in your best interest even if you didn’t want to hear it.”

And as skilled as Rogers was at giving advice, he was an equally good listener, according to Rabbi Kirshner. “When he spoke he had a big presence,” he said. “He had a really quick and sharp sense of humor. He was the kind of person that once you earned his friendship he was in your corner for ever and ever.”

Rogers had served on the New Jersey-Israel Commission and been on the boards of the Michael Levin Lone Soldier Foundation, the JCC Association, and the New Jersey branch of the Jewish Theological Seminary.

He became president of the JCC in 2021, and when the CEO position opened up several months later, JCC leaders realized they already had their best candidate for the job.

Kollender reflected on Rogers’ long career and their decades-long friendship. “After ending his 30-year law career he took on the next phase with such vigor,” he said. “He just loved being at the JCC and was the best JCC CEO we ever had. The JCC will continue to succeed as a phenomenal institution but it’s a terrible loss.”

Rogers is survived by his wife, Robin; their children, Jason, Alec and Jamie; his brother, Michael; his sister, Ricki; Alec’s wife, Shani; and Jamie’s partner, Andrew Biagorria.

Contributions to the Steve Rogers Memorial Fund can be made on the JCC’s website, www.jccotp.org.

Debra Rubin has had a long career in journalism writing for secular weekly and daily newspapers and Jewish publications. She most recently served as Middlesex/Monmouth bureau chief for the New Jersey Jewish News. She also worked with the media at several nonprofits, including serving as assistant public relations director of HIAS and assistant director of media relations at Yeshiva University.