It Started With an Idea
It Started With an Idea
All-In Swim, JCC Chicago’s learn-to-swim and water safety program for children with autism spectrum disorder, was ideated by one aquatics specialist who recognized the typical swim lessons could be modified to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. And from there, All-In Swim launched in 2015. Today, the program teaches 50 children with ASD and […] Learn More ›
BreakAway: An Extraordinary Week
Life is meant for good friends and great adventures. And, sometimes, you have to break out of the ordinary to find both. Enter BreakAway, JCC Chicago’s Spring Break – Away program for Chicago area teens. Two weeks ago, 70 teens from throughout Chicagoland traveled to JCC Camp Chi and the Perlstein Retreat Center for an entirely […] Learn More ›
The Deeper Meaning of Passover
I must admit, as a child, Passover was my least favorite Jewish holiday. As a carb-lover, bagels, noodles, sticky white rice and cereal, were a large part of my diet. Abstaining from those foods was a serious challenge. I was the youngest at our Seder so the mere thought of chanting the four questions in […] Learn More ›
The Power of Asking Questions
Passover Reflection from Alan Sataloff It’s often easy to take our freedom for granted. We go about our busy lives and we don’t often stop and think about the privilege of living in a free country. Next week, when we gather around our Seder tables for Passover, we will reflect on our ancestors’ escape from […] Learn More ›
Passover Chocolate Chip Cookies
Passover is the “big one” in our family. My mom and I start early (even before Purim) talking about who to invite, if we need to include something new in the seder, and, most importantly, what food we will be serving. We go back and forth trying to figure out how many guests will attend […] Learn More ›
How I Found My Path to Doing Good…
Written by Danielle Bohrer At some point in my late 20’s I stopped keeping track of how many babies my friends were having or how many of my peers were graduating from med school. Instead, I started contemplating what my 16 year-old-self would think of me today. Luckily, I didn’t have to dig very deep […] Learn More ›
Showing Up and Standing Strong
On Sunday morning, I awoke from a deep, spring-forward, slumber to the radio on my Sony Dream Machine. Though a little discolored, it has been my trusted alarm- clock since I received it as a Bat Mitzvah gift in 1983. I awoke to the alarming news that more JCCs had received a new wave of […] Learn More ›
The Love of Baseball
My family loves all things baseball. This was not always true. We are not lifelong baseball fans. My son Ethan began playing house baseball when we moved to Northbrook in 2010. Our family immediately found a community of parents, new friends and coaches that provided motivation and opportunity for my son to feel pride and […] Learn More ›
18 Under 18
18 Under 18, a new initiative by Springboard, The Jewish Teen Alliance of Chicago and JUF, honors 18 Chicagoland teens for their leadership and involvement in the Jewish community. We are proud of the JCC Chicago teen leaders who are included on this prestigious list. The seven JCC Chicago teen leaders represent a wide range […] Learn More ›
Camp Chi is My Family’s Tradition
“A place you’ll never forget. A time you’ll always remember.” -Indian Summer, 1993 It was 1980 and big hair, break dancing and friendship bracelets were all the rage. But for me, it was where my JCC camp story began. Unbeknownst to me, it was the beginning of a family legacy and my profession as a […] Learn More ›
Traveling to Israel with Shorashim
The best decision this guest blogger ever made. Written by: Jordan Reich, Shorashim alum We all have our own personal agendas and an idea of what we want to accomplish by a certain age, right? One of the adventures I always wanted to take was an adventure traveling to Israel. Last year, I decided it […] Learn More ›
Seed613 Mentors and Fellows, 2017
We are thrilled to introduce our Seed613 Mentors and Fellows for 2017. Here you can find out more about their diverse backgrounds and passionate drive to make a positive impact on our community. 2017 Mentors Lauri Alpern Lauri Alpern is a leading social entrepreneurship strategist and organizational development advisor. She is principal of Open […] Learn More ›
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go for J Camp Sports
J Camps and sports go together like bagels and cream cheese; it’s hard to imagine one without the other. While campers love playing games, we see the benefits that come from participating in athletics in camp – being active, honing skills, enhancing fitness, making friends and fostering sportsmanship and personal growth. We’re so passionate about the […] Learn More ›
A Vibrant, Connected, Unbreakable Community
A Message from Alan Sataloff, CEO, JCC Chicago The strength and resolve of our Jewish community is being tested yet again. The recent string of threats to Jewish Community Centers nationwide and acts of anti-Semitic vandalism have taken us back to a place many hoped had long passed. Sadly, bigotry and hatred against Jews and […] Learn More ›
One Great Idea CAN Make a Difference
One person can change the world. It’s a cliché everyone has heard time and time again. But I had never believed it, at least not until a recent Sunday. A year ago, I was presented with a task through the Diller Teen Fellows Program. Create a program that will have a positive impact in the […] Learn More ›
3 Apachi Fun Events for City Families
Apachi J Camps in Chicago have three upcoming programs to help you shake off those winter blues and get a taste of summer. These programs are perfect for current camp families, their friends and families who are thinking about attending Apachi J Camps in 2017. Apachi Northside Reunion & Open House Sunday, February 26 Northside […] Learn More ›