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Category: Adult Enrichment

Body, Mind, Heart, Spirit: Finding Balance at the J

Posted on by Dionna Dash

Retirement brought unexpected joys for member, Abby Potash, including a renewed focus on her own well-being. For her, discovering the Pozez JCC was a turning point as she experienced our holistic approach to well-being — enriching the intellectual, physical, and spiritual lives of our members.

Abby says her life began in her 70s. She retired after 23 years of running a volunteer support network at The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, got engaged and then married, and found a welcoming, supportive community here at the J.

It all started about two and a half years ago, when she first moved to North Springfield and was looking for a way to get involved in the community. After discovering the J, she explored many of our program offerings, quickly joining the social impact initiatives that were so reminiscent of the volunteer work she’d built her career on.

Then a few months ago, Abby challenged herself to take a step that truly pushed her out of her comfort zone: she hired a personal trainer from our J-Fit Health Club team.

Thinking about taking the leap, she said, “I hadn’t really exercised for years, and I was hesitant to go back. But the atmosphere at the J is very different from a gym. I didn’t feel self-conscious at all being there and seeing other people my age also working out was very motivational.”

Abby worked with our trainer Risa for a few months leading up to her wedding last September, and has maintained the relationship since, fueled by her wellness goals.

She shared, “I was diagnosed with diabetes, so I needed to exercise more to lower my sugar and I have a 2-year-old granddaughter who I want to be able to carry without a problem. I also wanted to look good for my wedding in September. I finally have the time to take better care of myself and I’m taking advantage of that. Risa did a great job with really giving me confidence and supporting me, when you feel stronger physically, you also feel stronger emotionally. And I felt empowered.”

Abby’s experience exemplifies one of Pozez JCC’s goals: to support all aspects of health holistically, for people of all ages.

To that end, our fitness director, Andrew Klock shared, “We want to continue to focus on developing the whole self. We want to take more of an active effort in creating programming that focuses on mental wellness, active recovery, and everything else that goes into general health like nutrition, stress relief, and sleep habits.”

Outside of personal training, the J has many other fitness offerings, like our indoor and outdoor gyms, basketball/pickleball courts, heated indoor pool, and group classes that welcome and accommodate people of all ages and fitness levels. These options are augmented by specialized classes, like a fall prevention workshop to improve balance for adults, and after school sports programming, to inspire in children a passion for movement and establishing healthy habits.

By pairing her fitness accomplishments with opportunities from the J’s adult enrichment department, Abby keeps her mind sharp and her social calendar full.

“I used to work seven days a week for long hours, and I didn’t have time for anything social at all,” she said. “So being in an environment like the J where I can be with like-minded people and have that comradery is so important to me.”

Often working with the fitness department, our adult enrichment department offers a wide range of programmatic efforts that provide education and social connection for adults — whether they’re middle-aged professionals searching for new hobbies, empty-nesters looking to make more friends in the community, or older adults deciding how to spend their time post-retirement.

“When people get older, they often get lonely,” commented Shari Berman, our adult enrichment director. “Their community shrinks. So giving people that opportunity to stimulate their brain and stimulate their body and stimulate relationships, is so important for their health.”

To emphasize the importance of building community, the J recently hosted an interactive event that brought the community together to watch “Join or Die,” a film that explores the loneliness epidemic and its surprising impact on our well-being. After the screening, a distinguished panel helped shed further light on how connecting with others through social clubs and community involvement can help us thrive. The evening was a reminder of the power of human connection and the importance of building strong, supportive networks.

Abby’s story is a testament to the transformative power of the Pozez JCC. By nurturing the mind, body, and spirit through our diverse array of programs, we foster a vibrant community where individuals of all ages can thrive. From fitness classes and social events to volunteer opportunities and intellectual enrichment, we provide a holistic approach to well-being that enriches lives and strengthens the bonds that connect us all.

Realistic Resolutions in 2025

Posted on by Shari Berman

The start of a new year is traditionally a time for making resolutions. These declarations can be a great motivator for self-improvement – if followed – but often they are too ambitious and unattainable. So, for 2025, let’s think realistically.

The Washington Jewish Week hosted a “resolutions” poll in its final issue of 2024! The choices were: eat healthier; find a new job; save money better; join a gym; and other. When I took the poll on December 31, I chose to ‘eat healthier’ in 2025 – the number 1 choice, followed by ‘other’. Let’s face it – from Halloween to New Year’s there is much to indulge in.

Yet just a couple of weeks ago, the J hosted a program featuring a film screening of “Join or Die” followed by discussion/Q&A with a panel – to address a phenomenon discovered by social scientist Robert Putnam: lack of connection, community  and civic engagement has led to decreased health and wellness and eroding democracy in the United States. Additionally, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy wrote a book called Together in 2020 and issued a Health Advisory giving compelling evidence about the loneliness epidemic. Murthy concluded, “loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health.” His recommendation – human connection – with its healing power.

The J’s program proposed that we take small steps to make (big) change happen, both personally and through grassroots efforts in our community. If we can focus on the ‘doable’ small stuff, perhaps we can stay motivated to enhance our personal lives in these 7 key areas:

1. Health and Wellness

  • Movement/Exercise: Did you know that a sedentary lifestyle is worse than smoking cigarettes? Move more by taking daily walks, starting a new exercise routine, or trying a new sport.
  • Mindfulness & Meditation: Incorporate a few minutes of meditation into your daily routine to reduce stress and improve focus. There are many online apps that can help you achieve this!
  • Healthy Eating: Eat a well-balanced diet; limit your intake of sugar and processed foods. Cook more and eat out less, making better choices at restaurants.

2. Personal Growth

  • Read More: Set a goal to read a ‘x’ number of books this year! Try a new genre or dive into a series. Join a book club and consider audiobooks!
  • Learn a New Skill or Hobby:  Whether it’s a new language, how to crochet, or playing pickleball or Mah Jongg, acquiring a new skill or hobby can be very rewarding. Make time for hobbies that you enjoy and take a class/course to stimulate your brain.

3. Professional Development/Volunteering

  • Career Goals/Networking: Set specific, achievable goals for your professional development (certifications, workshops, new projects, etc.) and connect with professionals in your field. Zoom is a great option for connecting with others!
  • Volunteering: Find opportunities to use your professional knowledge and skills to give back. Choose a meaningful cause to donate your time to and make your community and the world a better place! For ideas for helping your community, visit volunteer.theJ.org.

4. Financial Goals

  • Save and Invest: Create a budget, start saving more, and learn about investing to secure your financial future.
  • Debt Reduction: Plan to pay off any outstanding debts and avoid accumulating new ones.

5. Relationships and Social Life

  • Quality Time: Spend more quality time with family and friends. Consider organizing regular get-togethers or simple meetups. Online calendars can help!
  • New Connections: Join clubs or groups related to your interests to meet new people and expand your social circle.

6. Environment and Community

  • Eco-Friendly Practices: Reduce waste, recycle more, and consider using eco-friendly products.

7. Mental Health

  • Self-Care: Make time for activities that recharge you, whether that’s taking a bath, practicing yoga, listening to music or reading a magazine or book.

Remember, the key is to set tangible and manageable goals and track your progress. Celebrate the small victories on your journey and don’t be too hard on yourself if you backslide (everyone does it at times). Put one foot in front of the other and move forward; every step counts!

The Pozez JCC can be instrumental in helping you achieve improvement in these areas. From our state-of-the-art Fitness Center and its many offerings to a wide variety of adult activities for all ages and stages to opportunities to do mitzvot with Volunteer Services, the J has something for everyone! Check out our January calendar here: Programs, Classes & Events – Pozez JCC to find something to enhance your life. 😊

Wishing you an amazing 2025! 🎉

Global Jewish Peoplehood: Two Wars, Three communities and Chimney Cakes 

Posted on by Zina Segal

Impressions by Jeff Dannick, Matthew Berger and Zina Segal following their trip to Budapest in the frame of the JCC Global program FROM GOOD TO GREAT. 

This past summer, Matthew Berger, a Pozez JCC board member, was excited to learn about the JCC Global program “FROM GOOD TO GREAT.” This program invited JCCs across the USA to partner with JCCs in Ukraine and Israel. Matthew immediately saw the importance of the program: “The last couple of years have changed everything for the Jewish people. First, Russia invaded Ukraine, putting Jews and others at risk. Then, on October 7, 2023, Israel was attacked in the most brutal way. With that backdrop, we knew we had to act. We are only 15.8 million worldwide, and we must support each other.”

Jeff Dannick, who shared Matthew’s commitment to Jewish solidarity, quickly agreed to join the initiative. Understanding the challenges facing Jews worldwide, Jeff believes it’s crucial to support Jewish communities wherever they are. The Pozez JCC board approved the partnership, and in early December, Matthew, Jeff, and Zina Segal—who had a deep background in Russia and Ukraine—traveled to Budapest for the four-day retreat. They returned with new friendships, heavy emotions, and plans for the future.

The “FROM GOOD TO GREAT” program, funded by a grant from the Jewish Federations of North America, aims to strengthen JCCs in Ukraine by facilitating global cooperation with partner JCCs worldwide. Pozez JCC was paired with Hesed Besht (JCC in Khmelnitsky, Ukraine) and a community center in Beit Shemesh, Israel, for this three-year project. Over the retreat, participants met with colleagues from Khmelnitsky, Beit Shemesh, and other global JCCs to learn, build relationships, and discuss plans for future collaboration. 

Zina Segal, Sr. Director of Community Impact and Engagement at Pozez JCC, shared her thoughts: “It was heart-wrenching yet inspiring to be in that part of the world again. I met with old colleagues from Odessa and Ashkelon and provided context about Jewish Life in FSU (Former Soviet Union) to my current colleagues. While the program provided translation in English, Russian, and Hebrew, true partnership requires understanding the deeper context—why, for example, JCCs in Ukraine provide night nurses to the elderly or how a JCC with a $2 million budget supports 400 employees. These were realities I knew well in my own city of St. Petersburg.” 

Matthew was struck by the resilience of their Ukrainian partners. “Despite the war, they run multiple programs for several generations across four community centers with limited resources. Most of their funds go toward serving their community, especially the elderly.” He mentioned speaking with the JCC director from Zaporizhzhia, Inessa Nosenko, who was working to relocate classrooms to her center after a Russian attack destroyed a destroyed a local Jewish day school. “These JCCs are doing incredible work under unimaginable circumstances,” he added.

Jeff also marveled at the strength of both their Ukrainian and Israeli partners. “These communities are in the midst of war, and despite that, or perhaps because of it, they are resolute, adaptive, and creative. They remain warm, friendly, and engaging in ways that are truly inspiring.”

During the retreat, Zina had an interesting conversation with Yael Wolf, a lay leader from Beit Shemesh. “Yael had watched the show Nobody Wants This before attending and asked if the portrayal of American Jewry was accurate. We talked about Jewish identity, Reform and Conservative movements, and my personal experience as a Jewish convert. By the end of the conversation, she was fascinated by the diversity of Jewish expression in the U.S. and wanted to learn more about Jewish life in America and Ukraine.”

Budapest was chosen for its accessibility to participants from Ukraine, Israel, and the U.S. With its rich Jewish history, it was the perfect backdrop for the retreat. Jeff noted, “The Jewish community in Budapest has an incredible history and a promising future. The JCC in Budapest plays a crucial role in that community, and their CEO, Marcell Kenesei, is an inspiring leader.” Jeff fondly recalled his first experience tasting Chimney Cake, a local delicacy, which added a memorable touch to the retreat.

Matthew reflected on his upbringing in the Jewish community in Boston. “I grew up in the Boston area among many Jews, though my family was not religious. My parents grew up in communist Poland, and I had to find my own way to the more organized sector of the Jewish community. It turns out that many people I encountered in Hungary had the same experience: That first post War generation did not always promote their Jewish identity leaving it to my generation to rediscover it. I, for the first time in my 46 years, realized that my story was not unique and can now much better understand my place in the Jewish world.”

Zina shared her emotional experience in Budapest: “The city felt so much like home, it was almost painful. From the classical architecture to the Soviet-era constructions, everything reminded me of Saint Petersburg. On the last night of the program, we had dinner on a boat on the Danube. While we enjoyed the view of the city lit up for Christmas, Ukrainians discussed the Jewish school destroyed in a missile attack, and Israelis talked about the hostage situation. Yet, we also laughed together, planned our next meeting, and held both pain and joy in the same moment. That’s our Jewish superpower.” 

In the year ahead, all 31 participating JCCs from Ukraine, Israel, the U.S., and Latin America will continue collaborating to enhance the capacity and sustainability of war-affected JCCs in Ukraine. Through strategic planning, mentorship, and meaningful educational projects, the program will strengthen Jewish Peoplehood across the globe. Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming programs at Pozez JCC as part of the FROM GOOD TO GREAT initiative. If you’d like to get involved in this partnership, please contact Zina Segal.

Bring your community and everyone benefits!

Posted on by Sarah Braesch

Refer a Friend & Get a Free Month of Membership

If you have ever thought about bringing a friend to the J to show them why you love it here, there is no time like the present.

Maybe you’ve seen the Refer a Friend posters around the building or maybe you’ve seen me pop into one of your group classes to share the offer. I am really excited about this new program to build our community. If you refer a friend (or a family member, or a colleague, or an enemy, or some rando you met at a grocery store) and they join the Pozez JCC, you will get a free month of membership! Whatever you are paying now, you will pay zero membership dues for the month after your friend joins. Simple as that!

This is a win-win-win situation. You get a friend to work out with, or someone who will come play Mah Jongg with you, or attend a great speaker program. Your friend gets to be a part of our welcoming JCC community. The J gets more members! Everybody wins!

“But Sarah!” I can hear you say, “My friend doesn’t want to join until they see the place or can experience our yoga class.” I say to you –  No problem! Come see us in the membership office and we are happy to give you a free day pass for your friend to come in with you. (Make sure you also talk to us about reserving them a spot in that class, so it doesn’t fill up).

We are always happy to give member’s friends a tour. You are welcome to leave them with us or you can tag along and point out all your favorite things about the J.

If you need reasons to convince them to come check us out, here are just a few:

  • Be part of a thriving community: By becoming a member of the JCC they can join a close-knit “family” no matter their age, faith, or background.
  • If health and wellness is important: Maybe they would be interested to know about our sparkling indoor pool, state-of-the-art fitness center with energetic and dedicated personal trainers (and we hear we’re cheaper than Lifetime)
  • Do they have special interests? Perhaps hearing interesting speakers, or attending Jewish family programming, adult day trips, or an affinity group that meets regularly.
  • Maybe they want to give back to the community by engaging in our volunteer programs. Opportunities abound at the J and in the community.
  • You can tell them about

Need more reasons to share? Our inclusion and disability programs, day camps, and Early Childhood Learning Center are cherished by the families. And our Israel programming has helped educate, build unity, and gather the community together during a very difficult year.

I could go on and on, but this is about the referral program. If you refer two families, you’ll get two months of free membership. If five people list you as a reference on five applications, you will get five months free. If you convince 10 people or families to sign up, we’ll probably approach you to work here (LOL), and also, you will get 10 months of membership dues free!

There are of course terms and conditions to receive the free months:

  • You must have an active J-Family or J-Journey monthly membership
  • A new member or family can only use one person as a referral
  • The free month(s) is not retroactive
  • The current member will receive a free month at their current rate and membership level
  • The current member will receive a free month for each membership unit sold (a family membership is one unit)… no limits. We want you to get free months of membership because if your friends sign up it makes us a bigger, happier community and we all win!

If you have any questions, feel free to call or drop by the membership office. We are usually here Monday – Friday from 9:00am-6:00pm and Sundays from 11am–4pm.

Luke and I look forward to meeting your friends and welcoming them to our mishpacha (family)!

Conversation with the Curator

Posted on by Sarah Berry

Four Questions with Samantha Rose Mandeles, photographer of “The Abayudaya: Portrait of an African Jewish Community.”

The Abayudaya, who number about 2,000 souls, are concentrated in a few towns and villages in eastern Uganda and western Kenya. Devout in practice, keeping kosher and observing Shabbat and holy days, the Abayudaya (a word in the local language Luganda meaning “People of Judah”) have been recognized as Jews by Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative and Renewal movements of Judaism.  

Ezra Uganda Assistance, a 501c3 non-profit founded 2016 by Washington area rabbi, teacher, and author Leila Gal Berner, supports the Abayudaya community of Namutumba. EUA board member Samantha Rose Mandeles is a skilled travel photographer. Mandeles took all of these photographs during the two weeks she lived in the village of Namutumba in late 2021, on a mission to hand-carry a Torah donated by Temple Beth El of Hammonton, NJ, which was closing its doors.  

A portion of all sales in this exhibition will go directly to support the Abayudaya living in Namutumba.

“The Abayudaya: Portrait of an African Jewish Community” exhibition closes October 6. Watching people slow their stride through the Bodzin Art Gallery has been a wonderful testament of human-to-human connection. Regardless of how we see these portraits, child to child, parent to parent, Jew to Jew, is a reminder of why cultural exchange is essential. It is a pleasure to share these impactful photographs and Samantha’s responses to my four questions.

Enjoy,
Sarah Berry
Curator, Bodzin Art Gallery 

What came first, your love of travel or your love of photography?

I can’t really separate the two. I love traveling. I have two world maps where I can scratch off every place that I have been. But when I travel, I see everything with a photographic perspective. It’s an artistic habit—I’m always looking at composition, texture, perspective; for unusual and interesting juxtapositions, perhaps things that you wouldn’t expect to see together. And I’m very interested in color and texture—how the different colors and textures are shaping my impressions, how they are contrasting or blending together. As an example, one of my favorite pictures from the exhibition is Mother and Boy in Blue. It’s a photograph that tells a story, but it also attracts me because of the vivid color–the brightness of the cobalt blue shirt contrasting with the rich brown of the mother’s skin, the striped pattern on the boy’s tee contrasting with the florals of the mother’s skirt, the yellow highlights in her hair, and the shine of their plastic chair.

Most of your photos from Uganda are of people. How did you gravitate to this documentary style?

Certainly part of the emphasis on people in my Uganda photos was directly related to my mission of understanding the lives of the people in Namutumba, and bringing images that communicated about them and their lives to a wider audience. But even putting that aside, the most compelling images had to be built on the people—they were beautiful both in their external appearance and in their internal spirit. Who they are as people and as Jews just emanates through them and I wanted to capture that essence in my photography. Their faces were so varied and beautiful, their expressions were so communicative, their clothing was so colorful, it was irresistible. And, the people were the story; without the people, pictures of the place would have been mostly mute. The other thing that makes me smile as I think about it is that these folks really, really wanted to be photographed. They were thrilled to have me snap away freely and they made it just a joy.

What were the high and low points of your visit to Uganda?

The high point was definitely passing the new Torah to the community on the first Shabbat I was with them, and experiencing the Shabbat Torah service they were able to hold for the first time from this Torah. It’s hard to describe in words—so much joy, so much gratitude, so much spiritual energy. Of course, there are no photographs of this special experience, as it was Shabbat when photography is not permitted. The low points mostly were my travel experiences—getting to Uganda aboard multiple airplanes, through multiple airports, shlepping the heavy Torah while wearing an orthopedic boot and trying to convince various airline personnel that I really did have to carry the Torah on board, and no they could not put it in the baggage hold. It was a nightmare.

Do you have any advice to share with aspiring documentary photographers?

Maybe it goes without saying, but the story is really the point in documentary photography. You have to figure out what story you are trying to tell in each photograph—although the larger picture of the collection will only emerge as you go. Don’t look for perfect, look for what fascinates you or moves you or makes you want to cry or laugh. And you don’t need fancy equipment. I shot my photos with an amateur DSLR and my phone camera. If you only have a phone camera, that’s ok. Take a lot of photographs and use them as learning tools so that you build your understanding about composition, focus, and color. Show your stuff to friends and family and ask for feedback; they don’t have to be photography experts either. Most of all, find subject matter that you are really curious to discover. Don’t worry about audience, or about what other people will like, just click away and have a blast.

A Day with the J

Posted on by Michelle Pearlstein

Join us for a day of commUNITY on Sunday, September 22!

Building, supporting, connecting, and enriching this vibrant COMMUNITY is our primary mission here at the J. Our programs and activities are available for all ages and are designed to meet a wide range of interests. There’s something for everyone!   

If you are reading this, you probably already know that at the J, you can learn something new, make new friends, and take time to invest in yourself. You may also know that families appreciate the opportunities we provide to engage with other families via programs throughout Northern Virginia. They also value the warm and caring environments of our Early Childhood Learning Center and our programs for school-age children.   

Spend YOUR day with the J next Sunday and get a taste of it all! 

  1. Open House – 10:00am-1:30pm @ Pozez JCC 

Whether you’re a lifelong local or new to the neighborhood, join us for a fun community-wide event! 

Are you a member? Bring a non-member with you to be entered into a special raffle! 

Interested in becoming a member? Sign up at the event for a special promotion!  

Activities include inflatables, face painting, FREE hotdogs and popcorn, BINGO, volunteer opportunities, fitness demonstrations, a vaccine clinic, tours of the J and our Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC), and more. While this event is free and open to the public, there will be a fee to purchase raffle tickets and Bingo cards. 

  1. Ladies Loving Laughter and Learning/4Ls Lunch Out – 11:00am-1:00pm 

An afternoon of fun and camaraderie for members who connect through the 4Ls Facebook Group 

  1. Apple Picking – 1:00 pm @ Stribling Orchard in Markham, VA 

Apple picking is fun for everyone! Meet at Stribling Orchard – a gorgeous drive west, about an hour from the Pozez JCC. Bring your own picnic blanket or camp chair and look for the Growing Jewish Families sign and banner to find us. 

  1. “A White House Correspondent Remembers: Jewish Experiences and Other Adventures with Six Presidents” Featuring Peter Maer, Veteran Journalist – 2:00pm @ Pozez JCC 

We are thrilled to welcome veteran journalist and local community member Peter Maer to share his personal photos and stories from his many years of encounters with world leaders. 

Whether you spend significant amounts of your time at the J, participate in programs occasionally, or anything in between, we want to thank you for being part of our community and look forward to creating many more memories together this year! 

Highlights from Pozez JCC Summer Camp Experiences

Posted on by Shana Medel

Camp is where children, and in our case, adults, give all kinds of activities a try — archery, painting, ultimate frisbee, woodworking, theatre, and more. And with the freedom to explore comes the opportunity to figure out what they like and who they are. No pressures or expectations.

This summer, while school was out and the sun was up, people of all ages leaned into camp fun at Pozez JCC.

At Camp Achva, Judaism was intentionally boundless, and oftentimes, existing in the great outdoors. Children spent time on the soccer field and around the campfire singing Hebrew songs and learning Israeli dances. Everywhere you looked, they were doing Jewish — and having a good time. 

Children with cancer and their siblings spent their summer at Horizon Day Camp, designed to run on “yes” for those who so often hear “no.” Soccer and dance and playground fun — activities that can harm a fragile body — were all possible again because of adaptive equipment and skilled professionals.

So many memories were made at Camp Kesher, where neurodivergent teens and young adults gained independence, made friends, and had hours of outdoor fun. There were day trips and hands-on activities, including yoga and music.

At Camp Gadol, our space for adults, participants learned Yemenite basket weaving, participated in a scavenger hunt, explored Jewish wisdom on living, made s’mores over a fire, created Havdalah candles from beeswax, packed Shabbat boxes for Jewish hospital patients, and so much more. 

Every one of these camps hold magic and memory. Each is a place of experience, where moments matter in the spaces created. And there is much more to come.

Until next summer!

Aging and Strong, Healthy Joints

Posted on by Jeff Tauriello

At the Pozez JCC, helping our community build heathy bodies, minds, and spirits is a pillar of who we are and what we do. In this blog, I’m focusing on our bodies, in particular healthy joints.

Now’s a good time to focus on your body’s health

The human body is made up of many joints, which allow us to move and function the way we are built to. From an early age, it is important to keep your body consistently physically active, flexible, and strong overall. This helps to prevent natural degeneration in our bones, muscles, and joints as we age. Although starting early is important, it is NEVER too late to start taking care of your body!

What do our Joints do for us?

Our joints (in their optimal state) allow us to perform our daily activities with ease.  When joints are restricted (not in their optimal state), whether from excessive sitting, repetitive motions, stagnation, etc., the body cannot function properly. When one part of the body does not function properly, the entire body becomes affected. Our bodies are like cars, a system that runs well if all parts are functioning properly. A flat tire for a car is like a restricted joint that cannot go through its full range of motion. Think about that for a second… If you keep driving the car with a flat tire, the other parts of the car must work harder to compensate for the flat tire. The same thing goes for your body and the many joints it has.

Why is Joint Health Important?

Our joint health gets more important as we age. Other than chronic pain and other diseases, falls are one of the highest risk factors of aging. Falling becomes more problematic as the muscles start to lose their elasticity, thus decreasing flexibility, strength, and stability within the body. In the J-Fit Health Club, we encourage you to enhance your movement quality and maintain or gain back control of your body.  

For our older population, with the proper guidance, exercise, and nutrition, you can slow down or possibly reverse the degeneration process of your joints. To that end, did you hear!? The J is running several 4-week Fall Prevention sessions running from September through December.  For more information, please email the Fitness Director at Jeff.Tauriello@theJ.org

If you have questions about this topic and want to learn more, stop by the J-Fit Health Club.  Our professional staff will happily assist you and answer any questions you may have.

“Hot Fun in the Summertime”

Posted on by Shari Berman

Summer arrives on Thursday, and it beckons for some good old-fashioned fun. When I think of summertime as a kid, what comes to mind is freedom from homework and studying, hours spent outdoors — often at the pool (and sometimes at the beach!), special times with friends, vacations with family, and going to camp.

Back then, summer break seemed endless, relaxing, and full of limitless possibilities with a very different kind of routine than the school year had. Camp offered sports, games, crafts, excursions, and making new friends over these activities. I have vivid memories from summer camp in the Catskills (a bungalow colony in Monticello) of morning meetings at the flagpole, winning a contest to list the names of all 7 dwarves from Snow White, my brother being carried (wrapped head to toe in tin foil) as the mascot for Color War! As a day camper and eventually a counselor, I remember spending rainy day indoors, free swim time, making lanyard key chains and doing arts & crafts, and ice cream Fridays where mint chocolate chip was the favorite flavor (though not for me — chocolate was mine).

As an adult, I know that summer break is only a mere 9 or 10 weeks long, and boy does it go by quickly. To evoke the nostalgia and sheer joy of those wonderful, carefree summer days of childhood, the J is offering a mini-camp experience for adults: Camp Gadol (camp for ‘big’ people/grownups) is coming August 5-9. It will be a one-week, half-day program, 9:30am-1:30pm with 3-4 activities each day; lunch will be provided. Enjoy fun themes and activities like color war, sling shot archery, singing & dancing, art, games, Shabbat, and more! See the schedule below. Registration information is coming very soon; save the dates now!

CAMP GADOL – SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS AT HEART (aka active adults)

A one-week, half-day camp experience for active adults of all ages!
Monday-Friday, August 5-9, 9:30am-1:30pm

Come experience a bit of nostalgia from that era of carefree days of summer at the J’s Camp for ‘big’ people: Camp Gadol! Each day we will have a different theme and 4 activities; includes lunch.


Day 1: Welcome to Summer Camp!

Enjoy an icebreaker activity and share favorite camp memories with others. Make friendship bracelets, go on a scavenger hunt, and make s’mores over a fire after lunch.

Day 2: The Art of Living

Explore Jewish wisdom about the art of living, make a beautiful mixed media botanical print, play ping pong for prizes, and create a visually pleasing dairy charcuterie board for lunch!

Day 3: Color War

Use color throughout the day: build a Lego creation in your team color, pick up picture-taking skills to enhance your smart phone photos, play sling shot archery, learn about “eating the rainbow” for nutrition and enjoy healthy smoothies!

Day 4: I ♥ Israel

Take a quick trip to Eretz Yisrael and experience Israeli culture with Shaliach Dean Bagdadi. Sip Turkish coffee while acquiring popular Hebrew expressions and cool trivia, learn Yemenite basketweaving, and participate in Israeli Dancing before enjoying a delicious Israeli-style buffet breakfast dish cooked by Dean!

Day 5: Shabbat Happens

Get in the mood for Shabbat! Make Havdalah candles from beeswax, participate in a hands-on service project to help repair the world (Tikkun Olam), sing traditional songs with song leader Shy Ashkenazi, while enjoying bagels and lox with “two cents plain” (seltzer)!

Attend the full week or individual days:
Early Bird Pricing until July 14: Weekly Rate: $180 | Daily Rate: $40                   
Regular Pricing after July 15: Weekly Rate: $220 | Daily Rate: $55
(Registration link to come.)

We hope you’ll spend all or part of the first week in August at Camp Gadol and enjoy some hot fun in the summertime in the airconditioned Pozez JCC!

May: Celebrating JAHM & Commemorating The Yoms

Posted on by Shari Berman

When I turn the calendar page to May, I typically think of beautiful flowers, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day. For Jews, the month of May holds added significance. First, it is Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), and second, it often contains several important days on the Jewish calendar – what we refer to as The Yoms.  

This May, three “Yoms” take place within ten days of each other…Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day),Yom HaZikron (Israel Memorial Day), and Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Independence Day) — between May 5th and May 14th. They are even more relevant and poignant this year because of the attack on October 7thwhich left devasting death, injury, and destruction, a horrific hostage situation, and led to war between Israel and Hamas. Going into its 7th month, the war has led to growing antisemitism in the U.S. and around the world.

Focusing on Yom HaShoah, which began at sundown today (Sunday, May 5th) and will continue through sundown on Monday, we take a moment to recognize the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust by the Nazis and their collaborators, as well as the Jewish resistance that took place in that period. The first official Yom HaShoah commemorations took place in 1951, and the observance of the day was anchored in a law passed by the Israeli Knesset in 1959.

This solemn holiday is marked with observances where names of those who perished in the Holocaust are read, testimonies of Holocaust Survivors are shared, memorial prayers are spoken and special memorial candles – usually yellow candles – are lit. Locally, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington holds an Annual Yom HaShoah Commemoration Program virtually on Zoom. This year’s observance, held this afternoon, was in memory of those lost, in honor of those who survived and their families, andto provide a forum for the community to come together to reflect and strengthen our resolve at a difficult time of unprecedented antisemitism on college campuses. No doubt, it was a meaningful event for many, and reminds us to never forget.

The Adult Department of the Pozez JCC is presenting a virtual educational program in conjunction with Yom HaShoah on Monday, May 6 at 2pm. The program, “Battles Over the Holocaust: Polish-Jewish Memory Wars,” features Dr. Zachary Mazur, Senior Historian at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw. Join us for this complimentary program to learn more about how Jews and Poles have very different recollections of the events that occurred in Poland during WWII. Click here for more details including registration: https://thej.org/event/battles-over-the-holocaust-polish-jewish-memory-wars-featuring-dr-zachary-mazur/

In addition, the J is offering a very special program made possible by a Federation grant:  Zikaron BaSalon (Memories in the Living Room). Families in Northern Virginia are invited to host a meaningful discussion in their homes any weekend during the month of May. Each Zikaron BaSalon gathering will be unique – reflecting diverse perspectives and personal reflections on the Holocaust and its lessons. It is an excellent opportunity to educate family, friends, and neighbors on the Holocaust. For more information, click here.

Judaism teaches us to constantly learn and question, as well as to live an ethical life that is led by our shared values (middot). One value that comes to my mind daily is gratitude (Hakarat HaTov). As I was thinking of a positive way to end this somewhat somber blog, I came across an email from Chai Mitzvah, an organization that promotes Jewish community and learning. Their newsletter, Chai-lites, reminded me that expressing the middah of gratitude does not mean ignoring that there is pain and hardship in the world. It means working hard and making a daily effort to see that along with the difficulty there is good in life and in history that is worth appreciating. So, during Jewish American Heritage Month, let’s celebrate the many accomplishments of Jews in the US and say, “L’Chayim” – to life!