Blog
Looking Back. Looking Forward.
As Camp Chi celebrates 100 years of camp in summer 2021, it will also be 50 years since my first summer being a camper. I can still remember learning to canoe properly, karate lessons, Maccabiah games and leaving the dining hall with my ears ringing after meals–so loud with cheering, singing and spirit. My best […] Learn More ›
Grandparents, Please Write Your Stories!
My granddaughter Jessica was the one who inspired me to write my stories. “What was life like when you were a boy, Grandpa Jerry?” she started asking me last year. “What were some favorite games you played with your friends? What did you spend your allowance on? What were your parents and grandparents like?” As […] Learn More ›
Connecting the Divide
Growing up in West Rogers Park every day was a JCC day. The J is where I learned how to swim, took ballet lessons and visited my grandmother in the senior adult center. I went to concerts and dances. I completed leadership training classes, became a lifeguard and got involved in Jewish activism. I went […] Learn More ›
Ode to the Senior Mermaids
For almost 20 years we did aqua, in the Bernard Weinger JCC pool. We kicked and jumped with our noodles. It kept us svelte and cool. Most of us didn’t know each other too well. There was so much to do, and no time to dwell. Jobs and classes and time to baby sit. We could […] Learn More ›
All My Life’s A Circle
Working at camp is not just a job, it really is a lifestyle. If you ask any staff at Camp Chi, they all know that I spend many nights in my office, eventually falling asleep at my desk, waking up with a stiff neck and the imprint of a keyboard on my face. I am […] Learn More ›
The J I’ve Always Wanted to Be Part Of
In early January, long before the Covid-19 pandemic was part of our everyday consciousness, I began to spend a great deal of time reflecting on my career at JCC Chicago. 2020 marks my 25th year as a Jewish communal professional at the J. As the world, the Jewish community as a whole, and JCC Chicago […] Learn More ›