Join in October and receive three (3) FREE 30-minute Personal Training sessions! Terms apply. Learn More.
Calendar Membership
Donate
Membership Calendar
Donate

Category: Family and Youth

Find Your Chosen Family at the J

Posted on by Erica Silverstein

When you don’t have family nearby, holidays can feel more intimidating than joyful. 

I moved to Northern Virginia in April 2016, the week before Passover. We didn’t know anyone Jewish in the area, and as our home was still half full of boxes, we asked a local synagogue to match us with seder hosts. Their hospitality was lovely, but making small talk over matzoh while keeping an eye on a fidgety preschooler and toddler was awkward. I wasn’t keen to repeat the experience for the fall holidays. 

That gave me nearly half a year to find “my people” — new friends to share my holiday table at Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, and Chanukah. But where do you meet people as the parent of small kids when you work from home? The answer turned out to be the J. 

Every afternoon, I drove to the J to pick up my kids, first at the ECLC then at camp. Inevitably, my daughter would refuse to put on her shoes, so we would wait in my son’s preschool classroom until she was willing to put on outerwear. Once summer came, I had to physically extract my son from his beloved counselors on a daily basis, which always took longer than expected. Needless to say, I spent a lot of time at the J! 

Which meant I started to recognize and talk to the “regulars” there. I chatted with other preschool parents when we arrived at the same time to pick up our children, waiting for the kids to shed their Elsa dresses or finish their art projects. I said hi to folks I recognized from our synagogue, and we asked each other what brought us to the J. Conversations turned into play dates and occasionally a Shabbat dinner. 

I also connected with the J’s Growing Jewish Families program. I met one of the ambassadors for coffee, and she told me about area events, such as apple picking and ice cream socials, perfect for meeting other families with young kids. 

I even started talking to strangers! I always crossed paths with this one woman, who was about my age with curly hair just like mine; on more than one occasion, folks at the J confused me for her. I finally had a real conversation with her when we both showed up to a planning meeting for a new women’s Rosh Chodesh group. It turns out she worked for the J and was also an ECLC parent, plus we shared a Boston connection. Her family was one of the first people I invited over to my new house, when my dining room was set for hosting but my living room still had no furniture. 

Thanks to the J, when the holidays rolled around again, I had a new, chosen family to invite to my Rosh Hashanah dinner and Chanukah party. No need for holiday blues or awkward small talk with strangers. 

Whether you’ve moved here for work or to be closer to your grown children, or you’re a longtime resident whose friends and families have moved away, you, too, can find your people at the J. Make a friend at a pickleball or mah jong class, chat with fellow parents at preschool or Chai 5 aftercare pickup, find a workout buddy at the J-Fit gym, or connect with others over volunteer work, art openings, and speaker events. Your holiday table – not to mention your social calendar – may soon fill up. 

Ready to make new friends and discover your chosen family? Check out the J’s calendar of events to find a program that fits your schedule and interests. 

Honoring Coming Out Day: A Guide for Parents

Posted on by Eila Nash

October 11 is National Coming Out Day, a date that represents a complex mix of pride, courage, self-acceptance, fear, and excitement for members of the LGBTQ+ community. For anyone navigating the emotions and conversations surrounding this day, the Pozez JCC remains committed to being a safe and welcoming home for all families and individuals. We encourage you to read our guide for parents as we reaffirm our dedication to providing a truly inclusive space where every member of your family feels seen, supported, and celebrated. 

Navigating the process of coming out can be challenging, and recent data underscores the importance of parental support: As of 2022, 40.9% of LGBTQ+ youth in the United States were out to their parents/guardians, 34.3% were out to their siblings, and only 4.1% were out to their extended family, according to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s survey of 13,000 LGBTQ+ kids (ages 13 – 18).   

Why is each percentage below 50%? Because more than half of the kids that do come out experience negative feedback from their parents and family. Children are afraid of facing rejection from their parents and that makes them reticent to come out. 

Luckily, over half of kids who come out have also experienced positive feedback from their families, with parents and guardians reassuring them that they like them for who they are or speaking positively their LGBTQ+ identity. 

So, what should you do if your child or school-aged family member comes out to you? In honor of National Coming out Day, here is some advice about what to do and what not to do: 

What to Do: 

Tell them you love them no matter what 

This is the best thing to say first, before you say anything else — even if your child’s announcement is hard for you to hear. It is also okay to say you need some time to process but say it gently and only after you’ve let them know you love them. Your child will wonder if you still care for them in the same way, and the wondering is enough to damage your relationship.  

Do your research  

Many resources exist online for parents with LGBTQ+ children. Do some research to learn what your child is experiencing, how to support your child, and how to cope if you are struggling with the change. Even trying to understand is better than nothing.  

Be open-minded 

Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ+, so there is always a possibility that one of your children identifies this way, as well. If you let yourself be open to the idea of having a child in the LGBTQ+ community from the start, acceptance will come more naturally. 

What Not to Do: 

Don’t respond that you wanted grandchildren 

Gay and transgender people can have children! Adoption, IVF and surrogacy are all ways  members of the LGBTQ+ community can have children. Rest assured you may still have biological grandchildren, though you have no guarantee, even with a straight child, that your son or daughter will want children one day. 

Don’t ask when or why they chose to be gay 

Being LGBTQ+ is not a choice. It’s a choice to accept that part of oneself and it’s a choice to come out, but sexuality and gender are intrinsic. Gender identity is not only influenced by psychosocial factors like societal beliefs and innate sense of self, but also biological factors out of someone’s control, such as naturally higher levels of testosterone. Sexuality, similarly, is not something one chooses but something that is a part of you. Consider that you didn’t choose your sexuality, either.  

Don’t pretend they never told you 

Many parents fall into the trap of feeling like they’ve accepted their child’s identity but continue to ask them heteronormative questions. Do not ask your bisexual daughter, “When will you get a boyfriend?” or your transgender son if he wants to go dress shopping for prom. It’s not enough to accept them only in the moment they come out. It may take a conscious effort but be considerate about the things you say and whether or not you are erasing part of their identity with your thoughts and questions.  

These are just a few ways you can make coming out easier for your child. Though it’s incredibly important to accept and love your child no matter what, it can also be challenging for some parents to reimagine their child’s future self.  

My number one recommendation is to start your parenting journey with an open mind. Be curious about your child. Expect the unexpected. You are only in control of your own thoughts and actions, not theirs.  

Love your children — whether they’re gay, straight, bisexual, trans or nonbinary. Love them for who they truly are, and everything else will follow. 

Resources for families of LGBTQ+ individuals: 

To close, remember that providing unconditional love and support is the most powerful tool you have as a parent or guardian. Your efforts to research, learn, and offer positive affirmation can dramatically change your child’s experience for the better. At the Pozez JCC, we are proud to be a warm and welcoming community that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and belonging every day. Whether you are seeking resources, connection, or simply a safe space for your family to gather, know that you are seen, valued, and welcome here exactly as you are.  

Sunrise on Wheels: How Pozez JCC is Bringing Joy and Normalcy to Children Facing Cancer

Posted on by Dionna Dash

At just 7 years old, John has already faced more than most of us can imagine. Since being diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of this year, he has endured seven grueling rounds of chemotherapy. Much of his young life has been spent in hospital rooms, where days blur together and the walls seem to close in.

But then, a knock at the door changes everything.

Sunrise on Wheels, a program brought to our community by the Pozez JCC (the J), rolls in with its rainbow-colored trunk, overflowing with games, crafts, and toys. Suddenly, John’s hospital room isn’t just a place of treatment, it becomes a place of laughter, creativity, and color. It becomes a place where a little boy can be a little boy again.

“During the weekends, there aren’t many activities in the hospital, so when Sunrise on Wheels comes by during the week, it’s a bright spot,” said John’s mom, Jennifer Worthen. “It really helps break up the monotony of being stuck in a hospital room.”

For John, that bright spot often looks like an intense game of Uno or building Lego towers taller than his IV stand. His 9-year-old sister, Claire, loves painting picture frames and birdhouses right beside him. For Claire, Sunrise on Wheels is just as meaningful.

“My daughter really loves joining in on the painting projects and crafts,” Jennifer said. “It means a lot to us because she sometimes feels left out with all the attention on John. Including siblings helps keep the family whole during tough times.”

That’s the heart of Sunrise on Wheels: making sure no one feels left out. This in-hospital extension of the Sunrise Association brings camp-like experiences directly to children with cancer and their families. Thanks to the Pozez JCC’s partnership with Sunrise, staff and volunteers don’t just deliver activities, they deliver hope, companionship, and a sense of normalcy when life feels anything but normal.

“They get so excited the second we walk in the door,” said Kaitlyn Konicki, the J’s Sunrise on Wheels Coordinator. “Some kids have month-long treatment plans, which is a long time to be in the hospital. Knowing they have a special time to look forward to with us brings so much joy.”

Every Monday at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, and every Tuesday at Inova Schar Cancer Center in Fairfax, VA, Sunrise is there, transforming hallways into playgrounds and patient rooms into art studios.

“Tuesdays are one of the busiest days now in the pediatric outpatient infusion clinic because families specifically ask to come then,” Kaitlyn shared. “That kind of enthusiasm from families and hospital staff is pretty magical.”

Sunrise on Wheels embraces all children facing complex medical challenges, from cancer diagnoses to blood disorders to bone marrow transplants. The guiding philosophy is simple but profound: no child is ever turned away.

That philosophy has made all the difference for families like Ula Holland’s. Her daughter, Layla, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in December 2023.

“Layla’s clinic visits can be tough,” Ula said softly. “She often feels nauseous and tired. But after we started visiting Sunrise on Wheels, I noticed a real change. She started talking about the crafts she made and the games she played instead of focusing on her treatment. She loves drawing and arts and crafts the most – painting, creating watercolors, decorating picture frames.”

Layla has a twin sister and a younger brother. With her husband serving in the military, Ula often juggles caregiving alone. For her, Sunrise isn’t just about the crafts, it’s about breathing space.

“I often take a quick break to make phone calls or use the restroom, and I know she’s happy and safe,” she said. “The volunteers aren’t just providing activities, they’re building relationships, remembering Layla’s name, and making her feel seen and special. That warmth means everything.”

Jennifer uses that time to catch up on the two jobs she works.

“I’m still working full time remotely and running a side business,” she explained. “When Sunrise is here, it gives me a break to get work done or take a meeting. It’s a difficult balance, but Sunrise makes those tough days easier.”

Since January 2024, nearly 350 families have experienced that magic through Sunrise on Wheels, families whose children range from infants to young adults in their early 20s. The smiles, laughter, and hugs that fill the hospital halls each week are testaments to the volunteers’ dedication and the partnerships forged with hospital staff.

“It’s challenging but so worth it,” Kaitlyn reflected. “Helping someone forget for a half hour that they’re in a hospital is powerful. Families visibly relax when we come in. Shoulders drop, smiles appear, and there are always hugs. We’re here to give these kids the fun and joy they deserve.”

For children like John and Layla, Sunrise on Wheels doesn’t just brighten hospital days, it restores childhood, even in the hardest moments – a living expression of the J’s mission to build community, create belonging, and bring joy to each and every family.

To learn more or volunteer with the J’s Sunrise on Wheels program, visit thej.org/volunteer/sunrise-on-wheels.

The Last Day at Camp Achva: Where Memories Become Forever

Posted on by Greg Feitel

Camp is more than a season—it’s a community.

There’s something about the last day of Camp Achva that’s impossible to put into words—yet everyone who’s been there can feel it. It’s in the sound of laughter echoing across the field one final time. It’s in the way campers squeeze each other’s hands during a dance, not wanting the moment to end. It’s in the shared understanding that what we’ve built together this summer doesn’t stop when the buses leave or when the last car departs carpool.

Camp is a place to form connections—with yourself, with others, with Judaism, and with Camp Achva itself. These connections stick because they are tied to the memories we make together: the smiles over popsicles on a hot Tuesday afternoon, the cheers as we link paper chains during Maccabiah, or the pride of delivering baked goods our bunk made in cooking. These simple, joyful moments are what transform a summer into something unforgettable.

A Finale Full of Spirit

Each week at Camp Achva closes with two traditions: Ruach, our weekly showcase, and Shabbat. But the final Ruach of the summer feels like something extraordinary. It’s no longer just a showcase—it’s a variety show of everything that makes our camp community shine. Campers and staff step up to share jokes, dances, songs, and even monologues, each performance a glimpse into the creativity, humor, and uniqueness that fills every corner of camp.

And then, as if by magic, the entire camp joins hands in one giant circle to dance to “Od Lo Ahavti Dai.” In that moment, I see the entire summer distilled into pure connection and joy. For me, as Camp Director, it’s the single most inspiring moment of the season. That circle of smiling faces is the memory I hold onto all year long—the one that fuels me as I prepare for another summer of Camp Achva magic.

Living Our Values

Our camp values—Creativity, Humor, Amazement, Curiosity, Connection, and Confidence—aren’t just words we talk about. They’re woven into every experience our

campers have. This summer, one of my favorite moments was Rickety Runway, our first-ever Camp Achva fashion show. Each group “modeled” their staff, dressing them up in costumes designed entirely by campers. Watching the staff strut down the runway with confidence and pride, cheered on by their campers, was a perfect snapshot of the courage and creativity that define our camp.

The Lasting Power of Camp

Camps provide something rare and powerful: a space to connect deeply and authentically. The bonds formed here—between campers, staff, and the community—don’t fade when the summer ends. They live on in stories, in smiles, and in the ways we show up for each other throughout the year.

Camp is more than a season—it’s a community. If you’re part of a conversation where camp comes up, I encourage you to pause and really listen. Chances are, the story you’ll hear will be one that will live in that person’s heart forever.

___________________________________

If you’d like to help ensure that Camp Achva creates lasting memories for years to come, please donate here.

Building Bridges with Broadway

Posted on by Eila Nash

The cast of the Pozez Jewish Community Center Community Theatre program’s  (JCCCT) debut musical is made up almost entirely of teens who aren’t Jewish — which is part of what makes it such a powerful experience.

The production brings together young people from across Northern Virginia to explore identity, community, and culture through the shared experience of theater. Its debut show is “13,” a high-energy, heartfelt musical about a Jewish boy navigating adolescence, friendship, and identity after a cross-country move.

Launched by Eila Nash, the J’s School-Age Services Inclusion and Belonging Coordinator, JCCCT was created to provide a space for teens to positively express their creativity through performances that highlight and demonstrate Jewish themes and values.

“I wanted to create something that was integrated in the community,” Eila said. “Something low-pressure, joyful, and open to high schoolers, regardless of their background.”

What makes this program truly special is how it invites non-Jewish teens into a Jewish space, not just physically, but culturally.

“I always wanted to do ‘13,’” Eila explained. “It’s a Jewish story, written by a Jewish composer, Jason Robert Brown, and I thought, ‘What better way to launch a Jewish theatre program than with a show that celebrates Jewish identity in a way that’s accessible and universal?’”

The plot of “13” follows Evan Goldman, a New York teen preparing for his bar mitzvah who suddenly finds himself in a small Indiana town where no one quite understands what that means. For many of the JCCCT cast members, the character’s journey mirrors their own: learning to understand a culture and community that’s new to them.

That includes 15-year-old Griffin Wagner, who plays both Brett, a jock who goes from being the most popular kid in school to learning some hard lessons about relationships and respect, as well as Rabbi Shapiro, Evan’s main confidant.

“I’ve done a lot of shows,” Griffin said. “But this one has been really different. I didn’t know much about Jewish traditions before this, and playing a rabbi meant learning some Hebrew prayers, which was cool.”

For Griffin, who started acting in middle school, the chance to perform in “13” is about more than stage time. It’s about understanding, empathy, and allyship.

“I’m an ally to the Jewish people,” he said. “Everyone at the J has been really kind and welcoming. At the end of the day, people are just people, and we should all let each other live and be happy.”

He also connected deeply with the show’s message.

“It’s really about staying true to yourself and not letting popularity or other people’s opinions mess with your relationships or values,” he explained. “That’s something I think everyone can relate to.”

For Director Jackie House, a theatre major at George Mason University and a returning counselor at Pozez JCC’s Camp Achva, the show has opened up powerful conversations with the cast.

“Most of us aren’t Jewish, but we’re learning how to honor the culture and the values the show presents, things like family, tradition, and forging your own identity,” Jackie said. “There’s a beautiful lyric that goes, ‘I say I won’t cry, I cry until dawn, and then I move forward.’ It feels like the perfect message right now.”

Eila, who is not Jewish herself but has worked closely with the community for several years, hopes this program can be part of a broader shift as our world grapples with antisemitism and polarization around Jewish identity.

“There’s so much more to Judaism than headlines,” she said. “These kids are seeing that firsthand. They’re learning what a bar mitzvah is, what Hebrew sounds like, what Jewish celebration and coming-of-age look like. And they’re forming really positive associations with a community they may have never encountered otherwise.”

The effort also reflects Eila’s broader work in inclusion and belonging at the J. From neurodivergent campers to LGBTQ+ youth, she’s passionate about creating spaces where everyone feels welcome.

“Theatre is a natural extension of that,” she said. “It’s expressive, it’s collaborative, and it’s where a lot of queer and questioning teens already find themselves.”

It’s also where lifelong memories are made.

“I did theatre all through high school,” Eila added. “Those summer productions were some of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I just wanted to give that to someone else.”

From her dream to the stage, “13” has grown into something more than a musical. It’s a testament to what can happen when a community center truly becomes a community space for everyone.

Buy your tickets for “13,” which will run from Aug. 7-9. 

The Life of the Atelier at the Pozez JCC Early Childhood Learning Center

Posted on by Sarah Vejvoda

The Atelier at the Pozez JCC Early Childhood Learning Center came to life in 2010, during a pivotal moment of transformation. The school was evolving from a traditional play-based preschool into one inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, an educational philosophy rooted in the belief that children are capable, curious, and full of potential. A core part of this philosophy is the presence of an Atelier, a workshop space where children explore and express their thinking through a wide array of materials. Alongside it is the Atelierista, an artist who collaborates with educators and children to support this kind of learning.

At the time, I was both a parent at the preschool and a practicing visual artist, deeply connected to the creative process but entirely unfamiliar with what an Atelier could or should be in an early childhood setting. When Amy Brinko, then the director of the ECLC, asked if I’d be willing to work part-time to help create an Atelier space and work with children and materials, I stepped into the role with equal parts excitement and uncertainty. There was no blueprint—just a cart, a cabinet, and the hope that something meaningful could emerge.

What began in the simplest of forms slowly unfolded into something much more. As materials were introduced into classrooms, it became clear that children were ready to engage with them not as craft supplies, but as tools for expression and discovery. Their responses shaped the path forward. When an unused classroom was later offered as a temporary morning space, the Atelier truly began to take root. Over time, it evolved from a borrowed space to a cornerstone of the school’s identity.

What makes the Atelier unique is not only its materials, but its philosophy. Inspired by the idea of the “hundred languages of children,” the Atelier honors the many ways children express themselves, through movement, mark-making, construction, storytelling, sound, and more. It is a space that values process over product, exploration over instruction. Children are not told what to create. Instead, they are offered provocations: What do you notice? What might happen if…? What do you want to say?

The Atelier is not about art in the traditional sense. It’s about thinking with materials, and using them to wonder, question, communicate, and connect. Children might use clay to represent something they’ve observed in the garden, they might explore shadow and transparency using light and acetate or discover the rhythms of mark-making with charcoal and pastels. In this space, materials become languages, and every child is a communicator.

Over the past 15 years, the Atelier has become a place where the voices of children are visible, and where traces of their ideas linger in the marks left behind. The space is shaped by the children who inhabit it, and in turn, it shapes how they come to see themselves as thinkers, makers, and contributors. Today, the Atelier remains a living, breathing part of the school’s identity. It is a place of wonder and possibility—where children are invited to explore the world and their place within it, one material at a time.

The current exhibit at the Bodzin Art Gallery offers a window into this work, showcasing how the Atelier is not a separate enrichment activity, but an embedded and essential part of the school’s curriculum. The images, documentation, and children’s work on display reflect the way materials support deep thinking, emotional expression, and collaborative inquiry. This exhibit honors the many voices of children and the powerful learning that happens when they are given the time, space, and materials to express themselves fully.

“ARE YOU READY?!” What the First Week of Camp Feels Like as a Director 

Posted on by Greg Feitel

The first week of camp is one of my favorite times of year. 

It’s where all the planning, dreaming, and problem-solving that’s happened behind the scenes for months finally takes shape—in the most beautiful, chaotic, joy-filled way. 

It starts with sound. 

I hear the crackle of walkie-talkies as staff relay updates and ask for help. I hear kids laughing nonstop, Israeli dance music blasting, water coolers being filled, and inflatable slides coming to life. 

But the true signal that Camp Achva has officially begun is when Maayan, our beloved dance specialist, stands before the camp and shouts: 

“Camp Achva, ARE YOU READY?!” 

That’s the sound of summer starting. 

And the sights? They’re endless and full of heart. 

There are water bottles lifted high—our signature move to keep campers hydrated and accounted for. Campers and counselors move through hallways in every shape but a straight line (because this is camp, after all). Red and blue streamers float from the ceilings. Balls fly, kids cheer, and smiles show up by the hundreds. 

There’s nothing quite like watching the energy of our community in motion—200 people moving in coordinated chaos toward friendship, discovery, and fun. It’s incredible. 

But the real magic? It’s watching ideas turn into reality. 

This week, I watched Ruach, our weekly group showcase, come alive in a new way. Sydney and Riley—unit leaders who grew up at Camp Achva—stepped into the role of MCs for the first time. The comedy, the crowd’s energy, the sheer enthusiasm—it was a full-circle moment I’ll never forget. 

I also watched our new specialists take on beloved activities with their own unique spin, reminding me just how lucky we are. Year after year, we keep growing—because the people who choose to work here bring passion and creativity to everything they touch. 

And I see our mission in action, everywhere I turn. 

– A camper using a saw for the first time in woodworking: Connection to new ideas. 
– A group cheering each other on in bonding games: Connection to people. 
– Dancing together at Shabbat: Connection to Judaism. 
– Maayan teaching Hebrew words during Israeli dance: Connection to Israel. 

I saw one of our CITs, just 12 years old, laugh alongside a five-year-old camper while helping them craft a friendship bracelet. That moment held something so big: the next generation of Camp Achva forming right in front of me. 

And me? 

I know camp has truly begun when the last car pulls away from morning carpool. I pause, take a breath, and look around. The carpool music is still playing to an empty driveway. Our staff walks into the building, already working as one. 

And I smile—because I know what’s ahead. 
Because I know we’re building something real. 
Because there is no better feeling in the world. 

Shavuot: More Than Just Cheesecake (Though We Love That Too!)

Posted on by Dina Backer

When I was growing up, Shavuot got left out of Temple celebrations in Religious School because the holiday always fell after Religious School had ended it’s year. It wasn’t until Confirmation that I learned about the holiday and the significance of it. I was one of the Torah readers for our confirmation service. The portion is actually the 10 commandments and I remember the words taking on new meaning.

Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. This was a transformational moment for the Israelites as a Jewish People. Moses receiving the 10 commandments from God on Mt. Sinai made us a cohesive group, with rules and laws and purpose, not just a group wandering in the desert escaping slavery. Accepting the Torah is a big deal—it was for them then, and it still is for us now.

In the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC), the themes we bring out on Shavuot are not new. They are things we talk about and practice all year long. Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Mitzvot (good deeds) are familiar words and actions. The “Book of Ruth,” a traditional Shavuot story, fits in well with our efforts to foster kind and caring friends who help each other. We look for ways to take care of the community around us. The 10 commandments themselves give us lots of room for discussion and conversation with our young friends. For example, we celebrate Shabbat in our classrooms and together, as a school, each week! Commandment 4 – CHECK!

And, of course… Shavuot is known as the Dairy holiday, in reference to Israel being a land that is flowing with milk and honey. Dairy treats are always a favorite. We sometimes even like to make our own ice cream in the classrooms (milk, sugar and a ton of shaking!) This and so many other activities are meaningful memories that are the building blocks of strong Jewish Identities for our kids and our families.

Chag Shavuot Sameach! Wishing you a meaningful holiday filled with ice cream (and maybe a few blitzes and absolutely some cheesecake.)

Reflections from Reggio

Posted on by Hillary Gile

Though in many ways I stumbled upon the Reggio Emilia approach (REA) when searching for both a preschool to enroll my son in and a change in career, I have never encountered a way of learning, and of being, that resonated more. The more that I learned about the approach and philosophy, the more I wanted to learn. The last eight years working as an educator and Pedagogista at the Pozez ECLC have been an ongoing journey of diving into what it means to understand, implement, and practice this approach as translated to our unique context and community. All the while, I desperately wanted to be able to experience first-hand the actual schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. My dream of visiting the infant-toddler centers and preschools there finally came to fruition this past January, thanks to the generosity of the Lisa Landy scholarship. With forty other early childhood professionals from across the country and Israel, I arrived in Reggio to attend a weeklong seminar studying the Reggio Emilia philosophy through a Jewish lens.

One of the aspects of the Reggio Emilia approach that initially drew me to it most was its origin emerging out of WWII as a response to the injustice of war, genocide, and fascism. Fundamentally, this approach to learning, which is rooted in and guided by a set of foundational values and principles, was intended to rebuild and repair the worn-torn fabric of society and support the development of a democratic, moral social structure. The importance of this purpose-driven origin was reaffirmed immediately upon arriving in Reggio, when we were greeted in the Loris Malaguzzi International Center with a gorgeous presentation on the value of peace from the viewpoint of children.

My week in Reggio was spent immersed in a way of relating and learning with young children and adults that in many ways is vastly different from “traditional” educational systems in the United States, which tend to be top-down, one-directional, and one-dimensional in their transmission of knowledge. REA begs us to reflect and think deeply about what it means to be human in this world, to form relationships (with people, things, environment, time), to live in a way that recognizes the humanity in oneself and others, and to seek knowledge and understanding through one’s own lens and experience while being open to listening and learning from that of an other. The Reggio Emilia philosophy is about learning how to learn to be in this world among others in a way that respects and honors the inherent dignity and right of all to life, thought, wellbeing, and joy. During a study session, one of the Pedagogistas shared that in the Reggio Emilia approach, “we know that we are tiny in this very, very big world. What we would really like to be is an example of the capacity for welcoming, for inconclusion. A message of peace, a message of welcoming what is human. Humanity is the right to life. The right to live with nature, with others, with clean air. The right to study. The right of not being subjected to other frameworks of reasoning that are not our own.” Her statement expressed REA as more than just an approach to early childhood, it is an ethos for living.  

 On our final day in Reggio, the president of Reggio Children and Dr. Naama Zoran gave closing remarks, which again deeply reaffirmed my understandings of this approach as critical and peace pedagogy, rooted in social justice activism with the intention of serving as a source of transformative social change towards a more equitable, just, and peaceful society. The president of Reggio Children reiterated that “Education is never neutral, it is always shaped by values of its time”, with the schools of Reggio Emilia serving as evidence of the power of grassroots activism, dialogue, collaboration, democratic values, and social justice. 

In the preparation meetings for our trip, it was shared that it is not what we bring back from Reggio, but how this experience changes us. In her final words, Dr. Naama Zoran said that “we come to Reggio to learn about ourselves, our sense of self and identity, and in this process come to open our eyes, to see beyond the obvious, to seek new points of view, and embrace and learn from children’s curiosity and love for learning.”

I returned to the United States different from the person who left. Going to Reggio indeed changed me, and I am so eternally grateful. 

  

  

My Home Court: Basketball and Belonging at the JCC

Posted on by Greg Feitel

Basketball has been more than just a game to me. Growing up here, I have always considered our JCC my home, and the gymnasium my favorite room.

Not to say that I am good at basketball. Even on my best day, as a kid, I was nowhere near as competent on the court as the people I played with and against in rec leagues here. Nor was I anywhere close to being as good as the players on the Maccabi teams I faced when I traveled to Austin and Phoenix with our Maccabi Teams as a teenager. As an adult though, I come here, to my favorite room, every Sunday to play pick-up basketball because I enjoy the community found on the court and I appreciate that no matter who you are, when you step into the gym on a Sunday, you get to play.

Childhood Memories

As a kid, the JCC was a magical place. I remember being in the gymnasium almost every day playing a lot of basketball afterschool during Before-And-After-School-Enrichment (BASE). Note, it would have been every day, but on Fridays we got to watch a movie! When I think back to those afternoons, I can see the staff throwing basketballs across the gym into the hoop or dribbling around 10 kids to score, or just passing a ball back and forth on the floor with us. It made me feel connected to the group that everyone got to play, no matter our age or skill level. I don’t remember playing for points, keeping score, whether we dribbled or just ran with the ball away from someone else, or even caring what basket we shot at; what mattered was that we were playing and playing together.

As I got older, I got much better at basketball and spent more time in the afternoons during BASE balancing my want to get better at basketball with letting everyone play in the gym. My love of basketball only grew with these experiences.

Teenage Years

I remember as a teenager that basketball at the JCC became a little more competitive when I joined our Maccabi teams. The games were faster, they had stakes, and the friendships were deeper. We spent countless hours practicing, honing our skills, and strategizing for the next big game. Or at least it felt like we did. We had a few practices a week and spent a lot of our free time just goofing off in the gym. However, the destination trip that we took as a part of our Maccabi delegation was always something to look forward to once the camp seasons ended.

During my teenage years, basketball also became a way to cope with the challenges of adolescence. The court was a place where I could escape from the pressures of school and social life. It was a space where I could be myself, where my worries seemed to fade away with each dribble and shot. I spent a lot of weekends here in our gym just shooting, dribbling, and throwing the ball across the gym to see if I could make a full court shot yet.

Adulthood

Returning to our JCC as an adult, I feel that I see the basketball court in its entirety now. It is a place to practice and build skills, it is a place to chase my toddler around in the mornings as he tries to grab the ball, it is a place where the current kids in afterschool go to unwind, it is a part of my weekly workout routine, and it is a major part of my weekend. I find that my ability to play basketball has decreased somewhat from my teenage years, but that my enjoyment of basketball when I do play has increased exponentially. I think it’s because, through all these years, what I still find on the basketball court here is a sense of belonging. It is a place where if you come, you get to play.

Basketball at the JCC has been a constant in my life, a thread that weaves through my childhood, teenage years, and adulthood. It’s more than just a sport; it’s a community, a source of joy, and a lifelong passion. Whether I’m playing in a game, or simply shooting hoops for fun, the JCC basketball court will always be a place where I feel at home.