Spotlight on Inclusion: The Axelrod Family
Throughout the month of February, we will be sharing blogs from members of our community about their experiences being touched by the J’s inclusive programming. Our first family, Corey and Jennifer Axelrod are parents of two twin boys, Ryder and Jordan, who attend our Early Childhood program at Lake County JCC. Both Corey and Jennifer […] Learn More ›
Closing The Fitness Gap For Teens With Disabilities
As a first-year special education teacher, I’ve seen the true injustice that stems from a lack of information and opportunity when it comes to those with disabilities. It’s a fundamental issue in our society to assume that people with disabilities are not fit for a task before being given the opportunity to try, regardless of […] Learn More ›
We’re Thankful for JCC Chicago
What are you thankful for? It’s a common question asked during this time of the year. As many of us gather around a dinner table to feast on our Thanksgiving favorites, it’s also an opportunity to reflect on what you’re thankful for in your life. After more than a year of navigating a pandemic world, […] Learn More ›
Strengthening Our Camp Community
When I think about what inclusivity can do for a community, I think about the Keshet Avodah Corps at Camp Chi. This program allows older teens and young adults with disabilities to work independently at camp during the summer and learn key-life skills that can help them prepare for the next phase of their lives. […] Learn More ›
Guiding Children Towards Resiliency & Kindness
Social distancing, masks, quarantine, zoom, lockdown – unprecedented times. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, most of us never imagined a world in which these words would become a part of our everyday existence. Now they are common, bordering on cliché and meme-worthy. I often think about a conversation I had with my sister when schools first […] Learn More ›
Celebrating Our Female Leaders
Today is Women’s Equality Day, commemorating the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote nationally on August 18, 1920, and it was signed into law on August 26 of that year. Three years ago, I was appointed President & CEO of JCC Chicago and became the first female to hold the position in […] Learn More ›