COVID, a Letter, and an Unexpected Connection
“Sam, something is going on in Israel.” Those were the first words I heard from one of my best friends on the morning of October 7, 2023. The day before, we met in Boston to see a concert. While it was a short drive from my then-home in Springfield, Massachusetts, my friend traveled from our […]
Fall Break Ideas to Keep Families Active Together
Rain taps the window, backpacks sit untouched by the door, and a restless voice asks what there is to do today. Fall break hands families something rare, which is unscheduled time. It can also leave kids with more energy than a living room can hold. At JCC Indianapolis, that open stretch can become play, movement, […]
Stories, Flavors and Big Ideas: The 2026 Ann Katz Festival
The 28th Annual Ann Katz Festival of Books & Arts returns this fall with authors, filmmakers, artists, food and conversations designed to bring people together. For nearly three decades, the Ann Katz Festival of Books & Arts has brought compelling voices and fresh ideas to Indianapolis. This fall, the tradition continues with a 2026 lineup […]
Youth Programs That Build Lasting Identity
A missed pass on the gym floor, a shy dancer finding their footing, a swimmer building the nerve to cross the pool: moments like these happen every afternoon at JCC Indianapolis, and they add up to something bigger than an activity schedule. Our JCC Indianapolis youth programs mix active learning with Jewish values, shared responsibility, […]
Our Turn to Think Boldly
Earlier this week, I met with one of our JCC Board members and Michael McKillip, Senior Director of Impact and Infrastructure at United Way of Central Indiana, to discuss potential funding opportunities for our facility. Since 2016, our JCC has received more than $500,000 in facility funding from United Way of Central Indiana, made possible […]
Finding Our Way Back
As we prepare for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, to begin tonight at sundown, I have been reflecting on something I’ve noticed throughout the past year. People are coming back to our JCC. For one reason or another, people who were once part of our JCC stepped away. Some moved or entered a different […]
The Future We Can Build Together
As we head into Shabbat, I am incredibly excited to celebrate Rebecca Schalit-Newman’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis. This is wonderful news for Rebecca, for the Federation, and for our entire community. Those who know Rebecca know how deeply she cares about our community. My family experienced that […]
The Psychology Behind Seasonal Transitions
The sun sets a little earlier each week, and the walk to the car after work suddenly feels cooler than it did just days before. Sweaters come out of storage, evening plans shift indoors, and the easy summer rhythm gives way to something else. It’s a small shift, but the kind that can quietly throw […]
Members Don’t Just Belong. They Build.
On Tuesday morning, I walked into the JCC in my bathing suit, ready for work.Since beginning my tenure at the JCC, connecting regularly with members has been incredibly important to me. Last year, I hosted monthly “Sippin’ with Sam” gatherings. This year, I have been joining different JCC programs to spend time with the members […]
Shabbat Shalom from Sam: When the Water Rises
As the floodwaters rose across Greater Indianapolis this past weekend, I found myself scouring news sites and social media, trying to comprehend the damage throughout our community. By Saturday evening, I was overwhelmed by the scale of the destruction. I wanted to help but did not yet know how. Around 7:30 pm, I texted my […]