JCC Association of North America

It was an honor to hear and learn from William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents, during his session, Navigating Politics in an Age of Jew-Hatred, at the JCC executive seminar on antisemitism at Brandeis University. As part of the conversation, he led a thoughtful and important discussion on the key role JCCs play in fostering Jewish community.

This week, 51 senior leaders from 25 JCCs across North America came together at Brandeis University for an Executive Leadership Seminar on Israel and antisemitism. Through expert-led discussions and immersive learning, participants explored the complexities of these critical issues, gaining insights to better support and strengthen their communities. JCC Association is proud to partner with Brandeis and Boundless Israel in equipping leaders with the knowledge and tools to navigate these challenges. Rady JCC Miles Nadal JCC LEVITE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER PJCC - Peninsula Jewish Community Center Silverlake Independent Jewish Community Center Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center Siegel JCC David Posnack JCC The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee JCC Indianapolis Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine The Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore Kaplen JCC on the Palisades JCCs of the Capital Region (Sidney Albert Albany JCC & Schenectady JCC) Louis S. Wolk JCC of Greater Rochester JCC Rockland Harold and Elaine Shames JCC on the Hudson Dayton Jewish Community Center at Jewish Federation Greater Dayton Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo Evelyn Rubenstein JCC of Houston Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center of Milwaukee Read More: https://lnkd.in/e6yNEqKW

"As the end of the year approaches, I begin to think about what programming I want to bring to the JCC Movement for Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAAIM) in February. Annually, JDAAIM offers all those who engage in the work of inclusion at all levels an opportunity to participate in programming about the lived experiences of people with disabilities; gather resources to better include and welcome into our communities people with various differences; and celebrate the role people with disabilities play in our lives and communities. JDAAIM also offers the community a chance to uplift those who stand out as leaders in this important work to bring diverse and engaging opportunities to JCCs and other Jewish organizations." Read more from JCC Association's Sierra Weiss, JCC inclusion specialist and JCC Maccabi? Access Director.

Hear from Stephen Rothschild, CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo, as he shares his take on "Navigating Israel and the Rise of Antisemitism"—an engaging executive seminar hosted by JCC Association of North America, in partnership with Brandeis University and Boundless Israel. ? This week, leaders from 25 JCCs across North America have come together to tackle antisemitism, strengthen connections to Israel, and navigate tough conversations in their communities. Stephen breaks down why this work matters and how JCCs are stepping up.

To mark Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAAIM) in February, the Miles Nadal JCC in Toronto showcased JCC Association's Eight Guiding Principles on Inclusion and the associated images in an exhibit in its Jacobs Gallery. Learn what the artist, Sharoni Sibony, has to say as she reflects on "how we embody our spiritual lives, how illness affects our relationship to community and belonging, and how our communal spaces can be more spiritually centering places of recursive healing, strength, and support," along with "the wide range of amazing initiatives at different JCCs that create access points for people who historically have been excluded and underrepresented in communal spaces."

For 500 days, families have waited. Communities have rallied. The world has watched. The JCC Movement stands in solidarity with the hostages still held in Gaza and with their families who continue to endure unimaginable pain. Across North America, JCCs remain steadfast in their commitment to raising awareness, advocating for their return, and ensuring that these individuals are never forgotten. Leah Garber, senior vice president of JCC Association and director of our Center for Israel Engagement in Jerusalem, reflects on this painful milestone and the unwavering call for their freedom in today's "View From Jerusalem." Read here: https://lnkd.in/ePVpsm6q

Barak Hermann, JCC Association’s incoming CEO, shares his vision for strengthening Jewish communities through pluralism and inclusivity. JCCs serve as vital gathering spaces that bring people together across differences, fostering a sense of belonging for all. Read more about his perspective and leadership approach:

JCC Association is proud and excited to announce Cohort 13 of the Merrin Teen Professional Fellowship! This prestigious fellowship is designed to identify, inspire, and develop the next generation of Jewish teen professionals. Fellows will engage in a year-long program that includes personalized mentorship, intensive leadership training, and hands-on experience within Jewish communal life. With a focus on strengthening skills in areas such as program development, team leadership, and community engagement, this fellowship provides a transformative platform for the future leaders of the Jewish community. We look forward to seeing the incredible impact this talented cohort will have as they embark on this journey! Welcome to the following new Merrin Teen Fellows: Alyssa Engelson, Minnesota Jewish Community Center Justin Greenbaum, Asheville Jewish Community Center Lyndsey Heffern, The Shaw JCC of Akron Dylan Hersalis, Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center Davis Hubbell, Tucson Jewish Community Center Ely London, JCC Camp Chi, JCC Chicago Isabel Lunken, The Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore Liela Majedi, JCC of Dallas Matan Malka, Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County Caroline Mellow, Shalom Austin Jessica Posnock, JCC Association of North America Jamie Seda, Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches Stefanie Shapiro, Camp JCC at the JCC of Greater Raleigh Read More: https://lnkd.in/gybng6WQ

JCC Association, in partnership with Repair the World, is proud to welcome the fourth cohort of the Tzedek Initiative. Mazel tov to the selected 21 JCC professionals from 14 JCCs—representing senior leadership, youth and teen programming, and community engagement—all who are dedicated to advancing Jewish service-learning in their communities. This month, cohort members will gather at JCC Association of North America’s New York office for immersive training and hands-on service. As part of their experience, they will volunteer with Brooklyn Book Bodega, a nonprofit increasing book access for children of all ages in New York City. Participants will learn about literacy inequity and help prepare over 1,000 books for distribution. We look forward to seeing the impact of their work across North America. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eqGBgdv8 Michelle Cage, YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood Lindsey Cotner, Asheville Jewish Community Center Emily Davis, Memphis Jewish Community Center Natali Halberthal, Rady JCC Emma Herr, LEVITE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER Lorenn Kassel, Jewish Community Center of San Francisco Lauren Chapman Kidd, JCC of Dallas Audrey May, Memphis Jewish Community Center J. Meir McCauley, Asheville Jewish Community Center Anne Douglas Miller, Levine JCC Tara Sutker Ohayon, JCC of Dallas Whitney Poole, York JCC Yanina Rabinovich, Paperny Family JCC Adriel Resh, York JCC Emily Russell, Levine JCC Cori SaNogueira, UJA-JCC Greenwich Rachel Scolnic, JCC Of Greater New Haven Brad Spradlin, JCC Chicago Emma Sprecher, YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood Amy Stec, JCC Chicago Randi Zucker, JCC of Central NJ

Last week, more than 150 JCC executives from 93 JCCs across North America gathered at Mifgash 2025: Executive Leadership Forum, JCC Association's signature conference for executive leadership. This year’s Mifgash was hosted in partnership with the The Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts—marking the first time the conference was held on a JCC campus. The impact of this event is already resonating! Here are just a few of the many insightful responses we’ve received about the most valuable parts of Mifgash: ?? "The peer group meetings gave me the opportunity to learn from and challenge those in the room. The conversations were real." ?? "The power of being together and the intentionality of content to meet the moment [were incredibly valuable]." ?? "Being from a small Jewish community, it was truly life-giving to know that I’m not alone and that I have a community of folks who have my back." Thank you to everyone who made this experience so meaningful. Thank you for saying "Hineini"—Here I am, stepping up to lead, to connect, and to strengthen Jewish life. ??Relive the moments through these photos and ask your JCC leadership about their takeaways ?