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

Navigating Cancer, Finding Community: The Sunrise Story

Posted on by Dionna Dash

The world turned upside down the day Eliza, a vibrant three-year-old, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

“It came as a complete surprise and was a very devastating diagnosis,” her mother, Sammi, recalled.

The eight months that followed in 2023 and 2024 were a blur of isolation and relentless treatment, a stark departure from the joyful rhythm of childhood. Preschool was abandoned, playdates vanished, and the word “no” became a constant, heart-wrenching refrain.

Beyond the emotional toll, the family faced a crushing financial burden, medical bills mounting with each procedure. But amidst the darkness, a ray of hope emerged: Sunrise on Wheels. This in-hospital initiative, a partnership between the Pozez JCC and Sunrise Association, transformed Eliza’s treatment days. A rainbow-colored trunk filled with games and a group of volunteers radiating warmth greeted her at every appointment.

“They were just the friendliest people,” Sammi shared.

The volunteers also introduced Sammi to Sunrise Day Camp – Greater Washington, a free, six-week summer haven for children (3 ½ to 16 years old) with cancer and their siblings.

Sammi was initially hesitant to relinquish the constant care she’d provided Eliza for eight months. However, she ultimately decided to give her a chance at normalcy and signed her up for camp. Sammi’s anxiety quickly dissipated as she witnessed the camp’s compassionate and specially trained staff, on-site medical support including a team of nurses supervised by a pediatric oncologist, and the sheer joy radiating from her daughter. With the help of adaptive equipment and skilled professionals, Eliza, a social butterfly, blossomed in the camp’s embrace, swimming, crafting, and playing with newfound vigor.

“Camp was her first introduction back into a group and being around other kids again,” Sammi explained.

Neshmy Zurita shared similar anxieties. Her son Matias, diagnosed with hepatoblastoma in May of 2023, relies on a feeding tube and rarely speaks. Further, his time outside their home had become synonymous with medical procedures, and Neshmy yearned to change that narrative. Sunrise Day Camp offered that change.

“I worried about how he would communicate and how he would do on his own,” Neshmy shared. “It gave me such peace of mind knowing he was in a good, safe, and loving place. I noticed how all the counselors would greet him and how he would go up and hug every single person. Despite being in treatment, he always had energy to go to camp because he wanted to be there so badly.”

For both Sammi and Neshmy, Sunrise Day Camp isn’t just a respite; it is a lifeline. They juggle full-time jobs with the demanding role of full-time caregivers for their children, their lives a constant cycle of appointments and medication schedules.

“Having camp was amazing,” Sammi emphasized. “We could focus on work, knowing she was getting quality care, and without the financial strain.” The camp provided six weeks of crucial support, a much-needed break for the entire family.

Eliza and Matias will return to Sunrise Day Camp – Greater Washington this summer, with Eliza’s younger sister excited to join in the fun next summer. This transformative experience, offered completely free of charge, is only made possible because of grants and generous contributions by our community.

To secure the continuation of these programs – a salvation to our Sunrise families – the J will host its fourth annual SunriseWALKS fundraising event, on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, MD. We hope you will start a team, join a team, or donate to ensure that we are able to continue to provide Sunrise Day Camp, Sunrise on Wheels, and Sunday Fun Days programming free of charge to our camp families throughout the year.

Your support of SunriseWALKS ensures that children like Eliza and Matias can continue to find joy and normalcy amidst their challenging journeys. Join us in turning the tide for these families; every step and every donation at SunriseWALKS brings hope and healing within reach.

Eliza
We walk so they can SOAR!
Matias

Purim: A Holiday of Mitzvot and Merriment

Posted on by Amy Lummer

If there’s a holiday that embraces fun, creativity, and community, it’s Purim! Think of it as the ultimate Jewish costume party—full of meaning. Every year, we celebrate the story of Queen Esther’s bravery by dressing up, giving to others, and, of course, indulging in plenty of hamantaschen or, in Israel, oznei Haman. Ears (oznei) or hats (Taschen)? You decide!

At my house, the costume planning is eclectic. Over the years, my kids have worn everything from Alexander and Eliza Hamilton to a cloud, including a mermaid, a vampire, the Millennium Falcon (epic!), a shirt that said “This is my Human Costume, I am Really a Cat,” and a ladybug. Purim is the one day where the more creative (or unexpected) the costume, the better!

But Purim isn’t just about costumes. It’s also a time to fulfill four special mitzvot (commandments):
👑 Hearing the Megillah – The Book of Esther is read aloud, and every time Haman’s name is mentioned, we drown it out with groggers (or just really loud cheering and stomping!). You can make your own, or use egg shakers and other instruments in your home.
🎁 Giving Mishloach Manot – We exchange festive food packages with friends and family. These little bundles of joy—often filled with hamantaschen, fruit, and treats—spread sweetness and connection.
💰 Giving Tzedakah – Purim reminds us to give to those in need, ensuring everyone can partake in the joy of the holiday.
🍽 Enjoying a Seudah – The Purim feast is a time to gather, eat, and celebrate with family and friends. It’s a meal filled with laughter, gratitude, and (if you’re lucky) an extra round of hamantaschen.

Speaking of hamantaschen, I have to share my favorite recipe! If you’ve never made these triangle-shaped cookies before, this best hamantaschen recipe is the perfect place to start. Whether you go classic with poppy seed filling or get creative – I won last year’s contest at the J with Halvah Brownie – they are a Purim must-have.

We at Growing Jewish Families can’t wait to celebrate with you! Look out for Purim events happening near you, and be sure to stop by in your best costume—we look forward to seeing what you come up with this year!

Chag Purim Sameach!  Happy Purim!

The Transformative Power of Sunrise Day Camp

Posted on by ilana Adler

Sunrise Day Camp—Greater Washington is more than just a camp; it’s a community, a family, and a lifeline for children and families who need it most. As part of the Sunrise Association, a global organization focused on bringing the joy of childhood back to children with cancer and their siblings, we are privileged to offer a place where kids can just be kids—without the weight of their circumstances. Through our summer camps, year-round programs, and in-hospital activities, we provide a safe, supportive space for children ages 3½ to 16, all at no cost to their families.

At Sunrise Day Camp, the fun doesn’t end when the summer is over. We host Sunrise Sundays throughout the year, offering familiar faces and activities that keep the spirit of camp alive and the friendships and connections intact. It’s a time for kids and families to come together, enjoy activities like sports, crafts, and science, and remind them that the magic of Sunrise is with them all year long.

In addition to the camp and monthly outings, I find one of the most heartwarming initiatives to be Sunrise on Wheels. This mobile program brings the magic of camp directly to children undergoing treatment in hospitals across the U.S., from New York to Washington D.C. and beyond. Here in the DMV, you’ll find our staff, volunteers, and tie-dye activity trunk in Inova’s L. J. Murphy Children’s Hospital and Children’s National. Each week, we’re providing a range of fun, interactive activities, from Legos® and virtual reality to arts and crafts, that help children temporarily forget about their treatments and feel the joy of being a kid again.

And it doesn’t stop there! The Wheels Up program takes the camp experience a step further, offering a series of virtual adventures that transport children to exciting places—whether it’s a playground, museum, or animal habitat. These videos are available anytime on YouTube and have touched the lives of children in more than 200 hospitals across the U.S., Canada, Israel, Australia, the U.K., and Ireland. It’s an innovative way to bring smiles to kids from all walks of life, no matter where they are.

Above all, at Sunrise, we believe that every child deserves to experience the wonder of childhood, no matter what they are facing. Through our camps, in-hospital activities, and year-round programs, we strive to create a world where children with cancer can just be kids—where they can laugh, play, and experience joy in a way that feels natural and free.

It has been such a privilege for me to get to know each of the families and to help build our amazing camp! (#itsthebestcamp). It is with mixed emotions that I will soon be leaving the Sunrise Day Camp family to begin a new professional journey. Sunrise Day Camp and the Pozez JCC have meant so much to me, and it has been an incredible experience to work alongside such a dedicated and compassionate team. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this amazing organization. What I will miss most — seeing the joy on the children’s faces, knowing that I played a small role in helping to make a challenging time in the lives of the campers and their families a little brighter.

Although I am moving on to a new role, I plan to continue supporting Sunrise in whatever way I can. One way that I will stay connected is by participating and volunteering for SunriseWALKS, the flagship fundraising event for Sunrise Day Camp – Greater Washington which will take place the morning of Sunday, April 27, 2025 at National Harbor. I encourage each of you to build a team, join a team, and/or donate. As I said in the beginning of this blog, the camp and its year-round programs can be a lifeline for our families. I hope that you will help us raise the critical funds needed to continue providing this program for the children and their families. See you at the WALK!

Seeds of Community: Celebrating Tu B’Shevat

Posted on by Amy Lummer

Forget the candles and cake, the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat celebrates the “Birthday of the Trees” with fruits, nuts, and a deep appreciation for nature. One of the four Jewish New Years in the Hebrew calendar, Tu B’Shevat originally served as a practical marker for farmers in ancient Israel to determine when trees were old enough for harvest. Over time, it has evolved into a Jewish Earth Day, a moment to appreciate and care for the environment. Many people observe the holiday with a Tu B’Shevat Seder, enjoying fruits and nuts mentioned in the Torah while reflecting on the blessings of nature.

In my family, we mark Tu B’Shevat by planting parsley, which we (hopefully!) harvest for Passover. We enjoy the anticipation as we watch the tiny seeds sprout. And then share the awe as they grow into something we can later place on our Seder plate and use in our yummy matzah ball soup. We enjoy this annual tradition that connects us to the Hebrew calendar’s flow from holiday to holiday. The task is a small but meaningful ritual for each of us — that teaches patience and appreciation for both the natural world and Jewish traditions.

At the Pozez JCC, Tu B’Shevat is more than just a holiday—it reflects our values of feeling “Pride” in Judaism, “tikkun olam” (repairing the world), and “Learning.” We encourage families to celebrate in ways that feel meaningful, whether by planting something new, participating in a Tu B’Shevat Seder, or taking action to care for the planet. As we honor this day, we reaffirm our commitment to community, sustainability, and Jewish learning. However you choose to observe Tu B’Shevat, may it be filled with growth, renewal, and appreciation for the world around us.

How do you celebrate Tu B’Shevat? Share on your social media sites!

MLK Jr., Pozez JCC, and the Power of Service

Posted on by Emily Braley

As we celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., we have the chance to reflect on the connection between his teachings on equality, compassion, and the power of service and the Jewish values we embody through service. They align closely with the Jewish tradition of gemilut chasadim (acts of loving kindness), which encourage us to serve others selflessly. When the Volunteer Services team were identifying Jewish values that would inform our social impact work, we wanted to emphasize tangible action to improve the world including the value of tzedakah (giving). Both King’s life and Jewish teachings highlight that we are all responsible for one another, and through collective action, we can build a more just and equitable society.  

It reminds me of the quote from Rabbi Hillel the Elder, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” The quote emphasizes the importance of self-care while also highlighting the responsibility to contribute to something larger than oneself. It’s through everyday acts of kindness and volunteerism that we honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy and continue to work toward a better community for all. 

The Volunteer Services program at the Pozez JCC is a testament to the power of service to create connection, inspire kindness, and strengthen Jewish identity. Our programs combine meaningful action and Jewish learning to transform how individuals engage with our community – and with Judaism itself. We are dedicated to driving meaningful change through our social impact priorities. From advancing disability inclusion to addressing food insecurity and the needs of the unhoused, combatting antisemitism, promoting democracy and social justice, and tackling environmental and climate challenges, we offer volunteer opportunities that empower you to create real impact. 

One such opportunity is coming up on Sunday, January 26th when we are hosting a special event to honor MLK Jr.’s legacy through volunteerism. This event provides opportunities for people of all ages to come together and contribute to meaningful projects and celebrate his messages of service and compassion.   

The program begins at 10am when families with young children are invited to donate new pajamas, to help children and teens in need*, and come together for a fun and engaging performance by magician, Drew Blue Shoes. The show will culminate with an opportunity to write cards for the pajama recipients and sort the pajamas for distribution. Admission includes a pizza lunch to enjoy together! This activity combines fun and purpose, showing our young volunteers the power of giving while having a good time.  

At 11:00 AM, adults are invited to come to the J and choose between two impactful service projects: building garden boxes for our new JCC community garden or making fleece blankets for hospice patients. We will wrap the event by eating and socializing together over lunch at 12:30pm.  

Both programs are about coming together, making an impact, and honoring the spirit of service.  

Through strong community interest and support, and partnerships with area organizations and agencies, the Volunteer Services program crafts opportunities that allow you to make a difference in the areas you’re passionate about. Whether you’re assisting individuals in need, advocating for social change, or fostering inclusion, your time and talents can help build a stronger, more compassionate community. If you’d like more information, please visit volunteer.theJ.org, or contact volunteer@theJ.org. 

*All collected pajamas will be shared with three wonderful organizations: Yad Leah in Israel, Lorton Community Action Center just minutes from the J, and Sunrise on Wheels, which brings joy to children undergoing cancer treatment with camp-like activities held in Children’s National and Inova L. J. Murphy Children’s Hospital.  

Eight Reasons why sending your child to Jewish summer day camp is a gift that keeps on giving

Posted on by Greg Feitel

From spinning dreidels to lighting the menorah, Hanukkah is a time of joyful celebration, family traditions, and connecting to our Jewish heritage. These same values are at the heart of Pozez JCC’s Camp Achva, where children create their own traditions, build lifelong friendships, and deepen their connection to Judaism. This Hanukkah, as we light the candles each night, we’ve illuminated eight reasons why sending your child to Jewish summer day camp is a gift that keeps on giving.

1. Embrace Diversity: Children learn to appreciate and respect individual differences, fostering empathy and understanding towards others with diverse abilities and backgrounds.

2. Build Confidence: Inclusive environments promote a sense of belonging and acceptance, encouraging children to step out of their comfort zones, try new things, and develop self-confidence.

3. Develop Social Skills: Camp Achva provides opportunities to interact with a wide range of peers, improving communication, cooperation, and conflict-resolution skills.

4. Experience Personal Growth: Inclusive settings challenge children to overcome obstacles, adapt to different needs, and discover their own strengths and abilities. In 2025, we are thrilled to announce that we will be installing a community challenge course which will be part low ropes elements and part ninja warrior/parkour elements! We believe the course will enhance our ability to deliver on creating connections, fostering personal growth, and be downright awesome to experience!

5. Cultivate Leadership: By interacting with and supporting campers with diverse needs, children learn to become patient, understanding leaders and advocates for inclusion.

6. Strengthen Jewish Identity: Immersing in Camp Achva’s environment – teaching Jewish values – fosters a strong connection to their heritage through traditions, stories, songs, and Hebrew language.

7. Lifelong Friendships: Camp friendships create bonds built on shared experiences, acceptance, and understanding that can last a lifetime.

8. Fun and Engaging Activities: Camp Achva offers a wide range of activities adapted to all abilities, ensuring everyone can participate and enjoy the classic camp experience.

Camp Achva 2025 registration is open!
Click here to register your child(ren) while space in their age group is still available.

ECLC = Kindness. Compassion. Engagement. Encouragement.

Posted on by Dina Backer

When families come for a tour of our ECLC, parents often remark that the children look so happy. I am always glad to hear this and can confirm that most of the time this is true. I can also share that this doesn’t happen by accident. Carefully planning an environment where children are happy is important. To be successful, we need to look at why the children are happy.   

In our ECLC, our children are happy because they feel safe and loved. They have formed positive relationships with their Educators and with their classmates. Children know that there are people around them who care for them, will protect them and will watch out for their best interest. And, Educators demonstrating care and love to children is contagious. Watching one young friend comfort another young friend with a hug, a pat on the back or a simple ‘are you ok?” is beautiful –and it means we are doing something right! Kindness and compassion are traits we all need to always keep in our pockets.

From these relationships, kids then feel safe to explore the world around them: try a new toy or learn and practice a new skill (have you ever watched a small person figure out how Legos® or bristle blocks fit together? It’s fascinating!). They also feel safe to experiment. What happens if I drop the acorn from the top of the slide? What happens if I mix red and blue paint? What happens if I spin around holding the tulle fabric? Educators are there to help engage and encourage the experiments. Our best learning is done through trial-and-error experiments. 

Of course, we all know that children are not happy all the time (neither are adults for that matter). There are certainly some (ok …many) moments where not everyone is happy.   Children have feelings, emotions, and experiences like the rest of us. Sometimes they are tired, sometimes mad, sometimes feelings get hurt. These are all normal, AND, with the caring and loving environment around them, we get through these feelings together. We can help children figure out what to do with their strong feelings and how to resolve them so that happiness returns.    

It is not as simple as it sounds; it happens over time. It happens as relationships strengthen and it happens as kids grow, day after day surrounded by people who love them!  The world around us can be big and filled with uncertainty. I’m glad that for a while, our kids can be embraced by our ECLC family and feel the love and warmth that we are have to offer.

L’Shalom,

Dina

Celebrating the Jewish High Holidays at ECLC

Posted on by Faith Plavchan

At the Early Childhood Learning Center’s (ECLC) Fairfax location, the fall Jewish High Holidays—Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah—have infused our classrooms and outdoor spaces with joy, exploration, and learning. Guided by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, our educators have designed engaging activities that enable children to connect deeply with these significant traditions.

One particularly memorable experience featured a visit from Ms. Zina, the Senior Director of Community Impact & Engagement at the Pozez JCC. During her visit, she introduced the children to the captivating sounds of the shofar, allowing them to touch and even blow two beautiful shofars. This interactive session helped the children understand the shofar’s importance in heralding the new year, thereby enhancing the celebration of Rosh Hashanah.

Additionally, we explored the customs of Rosh Hashanah through various sensory activities involving apples. The children were presented with a diverse assortment of apples—red, green, large, and small—and encouraged to observe and interact with them. One child remarked, “It smells like honey!” illustrating the joy of shared experiences and the lasting impressions these rituals create. To further enrich their understanding, educators read books about Rosh Hashanah, emphasizing the symbolism of apples and honey.

Food played a prominent role throughout the holidays, with numerous cooking projects that filled our halls with delightful aromas. The children participated in making round challah, honey cake, fruit salad, vegetable soup, apple sauce, and even apple ice cream.

In another enriching activity, Miss Sarah guided the children to the atelier, where they created watercolor paintings reflecting their interpretations of the apples and shofar. As we prepared for Simchat Torah, she introduced a small Torah to several classrooms in the atelier space. The children were captivated as they examined the Hebrew letters under a microscope, uncovering the intricate details of the text. This hands-on exploration not only sparked their curiosity but also allowed them to express their creativity by crafting their own story scrolls.

All our classrooms enjoyed the beautiful weather as we spent time in the sukkah, where we shook the lulav, smelled the etrog, and shared meals together.

The introduction to these holiday traditions has not only enriched our children’s understanding of the High Holidays but has also fostered a sense of belonging and community. At ECLC, we cherish these moments of celebration and learning, nurturing a love for our traditions that will last a lifetime.

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)!

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!