JCC Association of North America

JCCs from Florida to Calgary, California to Boston, all hopped on the Purim celebration bandwagon this March! Costume parades, bouncy houses, hamantaschen, crafts, face painting, and carnival games filled the day. Most of all, our JCCs overflowed with magic, connection, and belonging—something truly special whenever JCC communities come together! Check out this roundup of Purim events across the JCC Movement: https://lnkd.in/eNdD4_UN JCC Indianapolis Boulder JCC Contra Costa JCC East Valley JCC Shalom Orlando home of the The Roth Family JCC and Federation of Greater Orlando The Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore JCC Greater Boston Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Nevada JCC East Bay JCC Princeton Mercer Bucks and Abrams Camps Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island Kaiserman JCC (Philly J) Kaplen JCC on the Palisades Katz JCC Levin JCC Mandel JCC of Cleveland Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches PJCC - Peninsula Jewish Community Center Paperny Family JCC Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center Sid Jacobson JCC SUFFOLK Y JCC St. Louis Jewish Community Center United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula Weinstein JCC York JCC

Shabbat Shalom!

Excited to kick off the Martin Pear Cohort 3 in-person experience! After three insightful webinars, this dynamic group is diving into deeper conversations on identity, community, and Israel. From icebreakers to field trips and thought-provoking sessions, the journey has just begun!

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: