JCC Association of North America

Thrilled that JCC Association of North America's signature program, JWB Jewish Chaplains Council®, had their annual chaplains training course highlighted today's in eJewishPhilanthropy as their "Pic of the Day!"

“Now, more than ever, we need to provide our younger generations with safe, positive, joyful Jewish experiences where they can explore and strengthen their connection to Jewish community, peoplehood, and Israel. The JCC Maccabi Games®, as one of the largest gatherings of Jewish community in North America, do just that year after year, uniting thousands of teens for a transformative event though sport, service, education, and Jewish values, providing connections and experiences that will last beyond those available in their local communities.” —Samantha Cohen, senior vice president and director of JCC Maccabi. As we remember the 2024 JCC Maccabi Games which ended just two weeks ago, read our press release to recap the Maccabi magic: https://lnkd.in/ePgt7Uuq

24 hours left to register for #JSummit2024! Visit https://lnkd.in/eeeFgvCK to sign up today!

It's the FINAL week to register for #JSummit2024! As JCC leaders, you play a crucial role in shaping the present and future of our Jewish communities. Represent your local JCC at JSummit this September for your chance to be part of the conversation, have your voice heard, and make a real impact on the future of the JCC Movement. Register today, and join us in Chicago! Register Here: https://lnkd.in/e4zDQYxx

Mazel tov to the six JCC professionals selected for the third cohort of Spertus Institute's Leadership Certificate in Combating Antisemitism!⁠ These Jewish leaders will work alongside a team of experts over the next four months which will equip them to respond to antisemitism with knowledge, strength, and skill.⁠ ⁠ Read more about these innovative leaders on the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership website: https://lnkd.in/gaBXpqcU Susan Berman of East Hills, NY Vice President Community Engagement, Sid Jacobson JCC Lael Gray of Foster City, CA Chief Operating Officer, PJCC - Peninsula Jewish Community Center Stephanie Hague of Providence, RI Chief Policy Officer, Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island Jared Mintz of St. James, NY Vice President of Communications, Commonpoint Queens Tara Ohayon of Dallas, TX Assistant Executive Director, JCC of Dallas Dr. Scott Taylor of Fort Lee, NJ Chief Program Officer, YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood

"As JCC professionals, we understand that one antidote to antisemitism is to demonstrate visible, joyful, robust, strong, meaningful, proud and unapologetic connections to Judaism and Zionism." Read the op-ed by Rachel Fish, Ph.D., special advisor to the Brandeis University Presidential Initiative to Counter Antisemitism in Higher Education and co-founder of Boundless, and Daniel Klein, CEO of Jewish Silicon Valley in Jewish Journal.

Across the Jewish world, Jews mourn today, marking Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av and the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. By participating in a 25-hour fast, reading the Book of Lamentations, and observing other acts of mourning, we commemorate a number of disasters that befell us throughout our history. Read today's "View From Jerusalem" by Leah Garber, senior vice president of JCC Association of North America and director of our Center for Israel Engagement in Jerusalem.

eJewish Philanthropy takes a look inside last month's “Navigating Israel and the Rise of Antisemitism” seminar, a partnership between JCC Association, Brandeis University, and Boundless Israel. Rabbi David Kessel, JCC Association's senior vice president and director of Mandel Center for Jewish Education said: “One of the big outcomes was reaffirming our commitment to vibrant, engaged and active, proud Jewish communities. We don’t want to be in the business of fighting antisemitism. We’re in the business of growing and strengthening Jewish life.” Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh Kaplen JCC on the Palisades Brandeis University

Today Ariel Bibas turns 5 years old. Four and a bit of those years were blessed with endless bliss and joy, and the balance, 10 months, have been an enduring hell. This little boy, for a fifth of his life, has been held captive by the cruelest terrorists, while his fate and the fate of his family are unknown. Are they alive? Dead? Does his hair still shine like the sun, filling his parents’ heart with a beautiful orange, or has the light faded away? Orange took on a new meaning this year as the lovely hair color of the Bibas children, Ariel and his little brother, Kfir—and now symbolizes the struggle for their release. https://lnkd.in/et28PWyM

"On the 100th day of the war, I could not believe that the number of days was a three-digit number. On the bicentenary day, I cried for the need to change the prefix once again, refusing to believe that I would now begin each post with a number that starts with a “2,” and today, on the 300th day, I am speechless. The pain overwhelms me and is oppressive and impossible to bear. Despair digs into the heart, deepening its grip, constantly present in every breath." Read today's "View From Jerusalem" by Leah Garber, senior vice president of JCC Association of North America and director of our Center for Israel Engagement in Jerusalem.