Everywhere I turn at our JCC lately, I see people building something together. A few weeks ago, I asked many of you to share your stories. What came back was extraordinary: stories of friendship, healing, belonging, growth, tradition, and connection. Again and again, one truth emerged. In moments when life felt fractured or uncertain, people […]

As the petals bloom and the world awakens with new life, there’s no better time than spring to give back to your community. At JCC Indianapolis, we offer a variety of volunteer opportunities that not only contribute to a strong sense of connection but also foster personal growth and development. We believe in the power […]

For the past 18 months, I’ve had the honor of telling stories — stories about our JCC, community, and the people who make it what it is. Some of those stories have been yours. And they’ve stayed with me. But the truth is, I know they are only a small glimpse. Because every single day, […]

As we move toward Shabbat, I’ve been thinking about what it truly means to build community not in the abstract, but in the small, tangible ways we show up for one another. The conversations we have, moments we share, the ways we create something meaningful together, even when the world around us can feel fragmented. […]

As we move toward Shabbat, I’ve been sitting with two emails I received over the past few weeks in response to Friday messages I had written. On the surface, they came from very different perspectives — but together, they tell a powerful story about who we are as a JCC community. One was from a member […]

Our JCC has been engaged in a rigorous and deeply thoughtful strategic planning process, led by Panoramic Strategies, to guide our next chapter. This past Monday evening, our Board of Directors officially adopted the framework for that plan, which is centered around four key pillars that will shape not only what we do, but also […]

Earlier this week, I was preparing to fly back to Massachusetts, where I previously led a JCC. The trip was supposed to be short — less than 24 hours — yet I knew it would be emotionally heavy. In the spring of 2024, a man came to that JCC with a gun and filmed himself […]

Once a week, a group of us — Jewish community leaders — sits around a table. On paper, we run very different organizations.David Sklar spends his days advocating for the Jewish community and building relationships across the civic landscape through the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Indianapolis. Rachel Katz leads Jewish Family Services of Greater Indianapolis, […]

A few weeks ago, I sat down at my desk to catch up on my emails and noticed I had a voicemail. The message was simple: “Please call me. I have a few questions.” Now, when you oversee a building that is open seven days a week from early morning until late at night, “a […]

I can’t recall all the details of the very first spin class I attended — who the instructor was, what music played, etc.  — but I will never forget how I felt when as a 20-something I walked into the spin room of the JCC in my hometown.  I was a little unsure and a […]