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Category: Inclusion

In Honor of Women’s History Month: A Conversation with Board President-Elect, Dr. LaNitra M. Berger

Posted on by Dionna Dash

Women’s History Month invites us to celebrate women’s achievements and reflect on how women lead, build community, and shape the future. Women like Dr. LaNitra M. Berger.

As associate professor of history and art history and director of African and African American Studies at George Mason University, and now board president-elect of the Pozez JCC, Dr. Berger is a leader with many passions. Her work centers on Black-Jewish relations and allyship, offering powerful lessons about leadership, resilience, and the importance of women’s voices across generations.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we interviewed Dr. Berger about her scholarly work, lifelong connection to the Jewish community, vision for the J at a pivotal moment in its history, and reflections on how the J champions women.

  1. Tell me a bit about your background and what brought you to the J.

I originally got involved with the J when my oldest son was at the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC), but my connection to the Jewish community began long before that. My husband is Jewish, and I’m Christian, but growing up, my mother felt that it was very important to support Jewish people throughout her life because of how they’d supported her growing up in Jim Crow America.

Once I got to college and met more Jewish people, I was able to really understand what that meant. I did find that in places where I was a minority, I tended to connect with other Jewish people and vice versa.

  1. I’d love to hear more about your scholarship.

My scholarship focuses on the Black–Jewish relationship in the arts. I lived in Cape Town in 2004, where I was embedded in the Jewish community while writing Irma Stern and the Racial Paradox of South African Modern Art. That experience allowed me to see both how challenging and how meaningful allyship between Black and Jewish communities can be on a global scale.

I’m currently working on two book projects. One is co-written with Holocaust historian Dr. Laura Auketayeva and examines Jewish refugee scholars who taught at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) during the Civil Rights era. It’s astonishing to see how important Jews were in the most consequential moments of the Civil Rights movement, going undercover to find information to stop segregation. That’s a story that needs to be told.

I’m also writing a solo book about how Black artists have explored Jewish themes while grappling with questions of racial identity in America. I’m really interested in this question because of my commitment to Black and Jewish relations, but I also believe that there are so many lessons that we as a society can take in understanding how to sit with other people’s pain and to sit with their joy, too.

  1. What does it mean to you, as a woman and an intercultural leader, to serve as Board President-Elect of the J?

I’m deeply honored that my colleagues and peers trust my leadership, and I approach this role with humility and excitement. This is a critical moment for the Jewish community, given the trauma following October 7 and the rise in antisemitism.

I have long considered myself a staunch ally of the Jewish community, and I feel this moment deeply because of the parallels with the trauma Black Americans have experienced. Addressing antisemitism and increasing understanding of the Jewish experience are essential for the health of the entire community.

  1. How does the J work to champion women?

The J’s focus on supporting women is one of the reasons I became so involved here. When my son was at the ECLC, I participated in The Mothers’ Circle, a program for non-Jewish women raising Jewish children, which introduced me to Jewish values in family life and connected me with other mothers I’m still close with today.

I also lectured through the Adult Learning Institute, where scholars were encouraged to highlight Jewish women’s stories. That support helped me complete my book on a Jewish South African female artist.

Just as importantly, the J’s leadership reflects the belief that women are equal contributors. Seeing Susan Kristol serve as Board President showed me what thoughtful, capable leadership looks like and made me feel confident about joining the board. The J is intentional about ensuring women feel welcomed, represented, and central to a thriving Jewish community.

  1. What is your vision for the J as Board President?

The J’s focus on young children and families is foundational, and I want to continue strengthening those connections, especially as the J approaches its 50th anniversary.

In addition, my scholarship has shown that the historic Black-Jewish relationship has produced social change, cultural innovation, artistic genius – all of the things that we enjoy in American life. Northern Virginia has a rich history of the Black community and the Jewish community, and I would really like to see that relationship thrive while I’m President.

I’m also committed to ensuring the J is positioned for long-term sustainability – financially, operationally, and structurally. As Northern Virginia continues to grow, I want the J to meet people where they are and help foster meaningful micro-communities that extend beyond the building itself.

  1. How does the J honor women’s history all year long?

Women are underrepresented across many fields, and that inequity can’t be addressed by focusing on one month alone. Supporting an intergenerational community helps change that narrative. Older women, in particular, bring immense wisdom and perspective, and a community like the J that values people at every stage of life helps ensure that women’s contributions are recognized and respected year-round.

As we honor Women’s History Month and look toward the future, the J continues to thrive because of leaders like Dr. Berger and because of the generosity of our donors. Your support ensures that the J remains a place where women lead, families connect, and communities grow stronger together. You can help sustain the J for generations to come with a gift of your own.

What I Notice When Nothing Needs Fixing: A Camp Achva Inclusion Story

Posted on by Greg Feitel

Thursday at 2 PM is an ordinary time at camp, which is exactly why I pay attention to it. Most of camp is movement and noise and momentum. The middle of the day is where things either quietly work or quietly come undone. A time when I can see if our inclusion efforts are working or not. 

This particular Thursday, I sat by the soccer field behind Gesher, watching a group of campers get ready to play. All was quiet, but my senses were heightened. 

I expected this to be the moment when opting out happened. 

Not dramatically. Just the way it usually does. A child drifting away from the activity. Standing off to the side. Not complaining, but not engaging, either. It’s at these times when staff energy splits, attention fractures, and something small gets carried for the rest of the day. 

It didn’t happen. 

The sports specialist explained the game the way they always do. Rules first. Then roles: players, referees, scorekeepers, ballhandlers. Same voice. Same weight. No explanation for why there were options. No emphasis on specific roles. 

I noticed the pause when the kids looked around before choosing. That moment matters. It tells you whether choice is real or performative. 

One child surprised me. I expected them to opt out entirely. Instead, they chose referee. 

They didn’t know the rules of soccer, and that was fine. Knowing the rules isn’t actually the requirement of our camper referees. They’re there with the specialist to help keep things fair. They’re there to support sportsmanship. I knew they could do that part well. What caught me was more than the choice itself. It was what happened over time. 

The child shifted roles as the game went on. Referee for a while. Then goalie. Then cheering while drinking water on the sidelines. Then back again to referee. When the teams became uneven, I watched staff compensate without making it a big deal. When someone who had opted out earlier drifted back onto the field, no one narrated it. The group adjusted. The game continued. Just as it was supposed to. 

What would have felt off to me was emphasis in the wrong place. Too much attention on the rules. Too much cheerleading for opting out. Language that tried to manufacture meaning from actions. Those things didn’t happen either. 

What I was watching wasn’t about a particular child or a particular need. It was about how the camp environment had been designed so that difference didn’t require explanation in the first place. 

This kind of moment doesn’t come from instinct alone. It comes from years of training. From practice. From feedback from parents, campers, and staff. From slowly releasing the assumption that there is one correct way for a child to show up to an activity. 

When you let go of that assumption, something else happens, too. 

Staff are released from the belief that if a child doesn’t participate in a normalized way, they’ve failed. Kids are released from the sense that if they interact with the activity on a different level, they’ve failed. The work becomes less about coercing engagement and more about holding the group together. 

For me, if the entire group had decided they didn’t want to play soccer and wanted to play tag instead, and everyone could be part of that, that would have been fine. What matters isn’t the activity. It’s the collective decision, and the multiple ways to belong inside it.  

In that moment, I felt proud. Proud of the staff. Proud of the kids. Proud of the camp. Proud that this moment was so routine no one else stopped to notice it. Proud that it didn’t feel fragile. Proud that I work in a place, the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia, that supports building inclusive conditions like this and understands what it takes to sustain them. 

I couldn’t stay for the whole block. But I sat long enough to know that what I was watching didn’t need fixing.  

This is what inclusion looks like at Camp Achva day to day. Not as a program, but as a practice. It depends on choices that aren’t always visible. On staffing ratios that allow adults to watch instead of manage. On having enough people in the room that no one has to disappear for the group to function.  

When those conditions are in place, moments like that Thursday at camp feel ordinary.  

When they aren’t, moments like that don’t happen at all. 

5 Ways Pozez JCC Supports Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion

Posted on by Dionna Dash

February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), a time to celebrate differences, amplify voices, and reaffirm our commitment to building a community where everyone belongs. At the J, inclusion is woven into every season of the year, from winter fundraisers to summer camp to year-round social and educational programs.

“Everyone brings their own unique self to come together and make all that we do so special, and to foster a sense of pride in who they are,” says Alison Pasternak, the Inclusion and Disability Program Coordinator at Pozez JCC. “Our inclusion programs are a place where people come to find acceptance, community, friendship, and fun.”

In honor of JDAIM, we’re spotlighting five standout programs the J runs to support people with disabilities in February and beyond. 

1. ReelAbilities Film Festival: Building Bridges Through Storytelling

Each winter, the ReelAbilities Film Festival: Greater Washington, powered by Pozez JCC, uses film and art to raise awareness and celebrate people with disabilities. This year, the film festival is running from Jan. 25 through March 8, with screenings and events across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

ReelAbilities showcases the full range of talent and lived experience within the disability community, pairing award-winning films with interactive programming. Each year during the festival, the J displays the work of an artist with disabilities in the Bodzin Art Gallery.

“The festival connects people who might not otherwise interact with different parts of the disability community,” Alison says. “It really builds a bridge and allows those interactions to occur.”

Through powerful storytelling, ReelAbilities invites audiences to see disability not as a limitation, but as part of the diverse fabric of our community.

2. Going Places!: Building Friendships Through Shared Experiences

Going Places! is a monthly social club that brings neurodiverse teens and adults together to create memories with people with similar lived experiences. 

“Going Places! is a safe haven for me from the dismissive outside world,” says Julia Cooper, who has been a participant for over 10 years. “I’ve gained lots of lasting friendships in this group, and I get excited to hang out with people who understand life with different abilities.”

Through chocolate tastings, theater shows, and other outings, the program is creating lifelong friendships, Alison added. It provides the space for these teens and adults to explore new places and have novel experiences in a supported, welcoming environment.

“Participants come back again and again,” she says. “They’ve made real friendships and keep in touch outside of Going Places! It’s difficult making long-term friendships as an adult, especially as an adult with disabilities. We give them a space to find their people.”

3. Camp Kesher: Summer, Friendship, and Independence

Camp Kesher is a summer day camp for neurodiverse high schoolers, recent graduates, and young adults ages 19-27. Over four weeks — two for teens and two for young adults — campers explore Greater DC through daily field trips, lunches out, and activities that build confidence and independence.

Susan Clay, whose daughter Sara attends the young adult session, calls it a life-changing experience.

“We plan our whole year around it,” she says. “At this age, young adults with disabilities still want to be active and make friends. Without Kesher, those opportunities just don’t exist.”

Alison describes Camp Kesher as a safe, joyful space.

“Campers get to just have fun,” she says. “They learn real-life skills like ordering food at restaurants, but they’re also laughing, exploring, and being themselves. They deserve that.”

4. Social Skills Classes: Laying the Foundation Early

Social Skills Classes at the J support preschool and school-aged children with Level 1 Autism, ADHD, developmental delays, and related social communication challenges. These classes focus on practicing interaction, communication, and friendship-building in a supportive environment.

Mark Shaffer, now 16, started social skills classes at age 9.

“I needed help socializing, making new friends, and maintaining relationships,” Mark says. “In the classes, I learned about my emotions and what calms me down when I’m upset. I always look forward to playing games and going on fun field trips.”

Alison adds that it’s especially rewarding to see participants grow over time, with many transitioning from social skills classes into programs like Going Places! or Camp Kesher.

5. Holiday Bazaar: Celebrating Talent and Creativity

Each winter, the Pozez JCC Holiday Bazaar showcases the artistic talents of individuals with disabilities and/or mental illnesses while raising funds for Inclusion and Disability Services. Local vendors sell handmade baked goods, jewelry, photography, artwork, and more, making it easy to shop with purpose.

“It felt exciting to be part of a community event and see how people responded to my work,” says Hina Sehgal, who sold her handmade jewelry for the first time at last year’s Bazaar. “People kept stopping by my table to compliment my work and ask questions. That made me feel really proud and confident as a creator.”

Another participant, Miles Sanford, has been selling stickers, art prints, cards, and small clay trinkets at the Bazaar since 2018.

“Art is my special interest and a way to communicate with the world when I have trouble communicating,” Miles says. “I’ve met amazing artists that share the same interests as me, and it feels easy talking to people at the Bazaar.”

In addition to raising funds, the Bazaar invites the broader community to view disabilities not as limitations, but as sources of unique perspectives and creative expressions.

How You Can Support Disability Programming at the J

This JDAIM, and all year long, the J remains committed to inclusion, belonging, and meaningful connection. No matter the season, there’s a place for everyone here.

You can support this work by showing up to inclusive community events like the Holiday Bazaar and ReelAbilities, making a gift to initiatives like Going Places! and Camp Kesher, and spreading the word that the J is a welcoming resource for children and young adults looking to connect, socialize, and be valued for who they are.

Magic You Can Measure: The Transformative Impact of Sunrise Day Camp 

Posted on by Melanie Bomberg

When most people think about families facing pediatric cancer, words like joy, magic, or hope rarely come to mind. Yet, these are exactly the experiences children and their families discover at Sunrise Day Camp, a free camp for kids with cancer and their siblings held at Pozez JCC.  

At the end of camp this year, we asked families to reflect on their children’s experiences — and what they shared was powerful.  “Sunrise has created magical moments and experiences from raw and heartbreaking situations,” shared camp mom Lindsay D.  

Her sentiment is not only felt by families but backed by research. Between June and August of 2024, the Sunrise Association partnered with researchers from Tel Aviv University School of Public Health to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of Sunrise Day Camps. The study rigorously measured several core areas of children’s well-being — resilience, quality of life, stress and anxiety, sibling relationships, illness management, well-being, and self-esteem — to see if camp had a positive effect. 

Not only did camp improve resilience and well-being, according to surveys taken before and after the summer, but a third survey conducted 12 weeks after camp showed sustained improvements in key areas (Sunrise Association, 2024). That means that camp continues to enrich the lives of kids with cancer and their siblings long after they say goodbye to their beloved counselors and camp friends. 

While this study did not include our local Sunrise program, our families agree that Sunrise Day Camp improves their lives – especially in three significant areas. Unsurprisingly, their words align with the study’s findings. 

Camp reduces family stress and anxiety 

For families navigating cancer, daily stress can feel overwhelming. Sunrise gives children space to play, explore, and experience normal childhood joys  — and offers parents a rare moment of relief. 

As Ariane G. shared, having her children at Sunrise Day Camp “meant a lot to me, especially during chemo weeks when I could just focus on Daniel and not worry about what my other children were doing at home. Also, during tough weeks with multiple ER visits, it’s nice that my other children are busy at camp instead of worrying about their brother.”  

Not only do parents feel the Sunrise effect, but children carrying the heaviest emotional burdens also feel their stress ease and their spirits lift in the camp environment. 

Summer fun together improves sibling relationships  

Sunrise Day Camp prioritizes creating a space where siblings can be silly, play, and enjoy each other — even when treatment realities feel heavy. Parents say that camp allows their children to bond with each other and feel like kids again. The study highlights that camp meaningfully supports sibling relationships, easing tensions and strengthening family unity. 

This return to normalcy helps siblings reconnect and build stronger bonds, even during the most challenging seasons. 

Sunrise Day Camp builds resilience in campers and their families 

Some families at Sunrise face unimaginable loss, while others are in the midst of grueling treatment. In every situation, Sunrise helps children and siblings build resilience as they navigate hardship. 

The Sunrise Association’s impact study reported that “resilience increased significantly across the board, with children leaving camp more emotionally equipped to handle adversity.” This held true for both diagnosed campers and siblings.  

Sunrise makes long-term connections with its families, who are welcomed back at Sunrise Day Camp year after year — including siblings who continue attending after the loss of a brother or sister. 

“Last year, our eldest son attended while battling brain cancer. Sunrise gave him a place to just be a kid, surrounded by understanding, compassion, and fun,” a camp mom shared. “After his passing last September, it meant the world to us to see his siblings welcomed back with the same warmth and joy he experienced. We cannot thank the camp staff enough for the kindness, energy, and heart they pour into this program. It has brought happiness to our children during both the hardest and most hopeful seasons of our lives, and we will always be grateful.” 

Your support of Sunrise supports the well-being of entire families 

The numbers don’t lie: The magical experiences families describe at Sunrise Day Camp are not only deeply felt but also have a measurable, transformative impact on the well-being of children with cancer and their families. 

Sunrise Day Camp relies on the generosity of our community to offer this amazing service and support to families impacted by pediatric cancer. We do not charge families a single dollar to attend camp. Every moment of joy, every friendship formed, every boost in confidence is made possible because of community members who care.  

Your support will help Sunrise ensure that the magic of camp continues to brighten the lives of children with cancer and their siblings year after year. It costs $6,000 to give one child a full summer of camp and year-round programs — your gift can make that possible. 

Donate now: https://give.thej.org/campaign/637140/donate  

The Road to Connection: How NV Rides steers volunteerism in NoVA Jewish community

Posted on by Dionna Dash

When Mike Perel retired from his career in highway safety research, he didn’t walk away from the road. He simply changed his route. 

Now, instead of studying drivers, he’s behind the wheel himself as a volunteer with the J’s NV Rides program, a volunteer transportation network offering rides, connection, and dignity to older adults who can no longer drive.

As part of the J’s community impact work, NV Rides pairs older adults, mostly in their 70s-80s, with community members willing to give them a lift. Passengers are often driven to doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and grocery stores. The impact of each ride extends far beyond mileage.

“Some of the riders have really fascinating backgrounds,” Mike shares. “One that stands out is a 100-year-old World War II veteran. His story was incredible. And he was just so grateful for a simple ride. Those moments stay with you. They change you.”

The J started NV Rides in 2014, recognizing how many older adults in Northern Virginia were facing mobility challenges. Since then, our network has grown across four counties, powered by hundreds of volunteers who give their time, and their hearts, to others.

In the past fiscal year alone, our volunteers provided 22,284 services (including rides, visits, and deliveries), served 1,105 older adults, and gave 23,230 hours of their time, driving 211,369 miles — the equivalent of circling the Earth more than eight times! We even helped fund 240 taxi rides for clients needing extra support.

We don’t do this work alone. NV Rides thrives through partnerships with incredible local organizations — nonprofits, faith communities, and service groups — like the Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke, which provided more than 2,400 rides last year, averaging over 200 rides each month. Their Executive Director, Beth Kilgore-Robinson, credits us with making that scale possible.

“Without the support from Pozez JCC, we wouldn’t be able to coordinate as many rides as we do,” she says. “It’s a game-changer for a small nonprofit like ours.”

Beth, who often volunteers as a driver herself, emphasizes that a lack of transportation often results in limited access to healthcare.

“By training, I’m a social worker. I’ve seen what happens when someone has basic insurance but no way to get to a doctor or a dentist or even the grocery store,” she explains. “Transportation is a part of healthcare. Without it, people lose access to medical care, socialization, and even basic necessities. NV Rides fills that gap.”

That connection is what drives us, too. 

“It goes way beyond actual driving,” says Zina Segal, our senior director of community impact and engagement. “The rides get seniors to where they need to go. But the connections between riders and drivers are what make this program truly transformative. Volunteers often tell us how much it fills them up, how much it means to be part of something bigger.”

Behind every mile, there’s a web of care and coordination that keeps NV Rides moving. At the J, we provide funding, support, and scheduling software that helps volunteers choose rides that fit their time, distance, and comfort level. This flexibility allows people like Mike and Beth to help when they can and to build real relationships with the people they serve.

“We built our system to empower our volunteers,” says Elena Alergant, our NV Rides manager. “They can drive once a month or five times a week. Some even request the same riders because they’ve become friends. There’s one volunteer who always asks to be paired with a specific older woman, and now they go grocery shopping and have lunch together. It’s beautiful.”

The support that the J provides to partners like the Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke extends far beyond the software.

“Elena is incredibly helpful,” Beth says. “She represented us at a volunteer fair when I couldn’t attend, and when we hosted a dementia training for all our volunteers, Elena arranged for us to use space at the JCC at no cost. We’re truly grateful to Elena and the Pozez JCC for everything they do.”

For Elena, the work is personal.

“When I moved here from Moscow 10 years ago, I didn’t drive,” she says. “I was homebound. It was isolating. And I know how life-changing it is when someone offers you a ride. When I finally got a car, it was like the world opened up. That’s what we’re doing here: we’re opening the world up for older adults again.”

This kind of deeply personal, values-driven work is no accident. In 2022, we began implementing a strategic plan at the J to expand social impact through volunteerism. The philosophy behind it is grounded in tikkun olam, the Jewish principle of “repairing the world.”

This year alone, volunteers of the J’s Volunteer Services logged 3,413 hours.

“Every volunteer opportunity we offer includes space for reflection and learning,” Zina explains. “If someone is volunteering at a food bank, we talk about food insecurity. If they’re driving for NV Rides, we talk about aging, transportation barriers, and dignity. And always, we connect it back to Jewish values, to why this work matters not just to the community, but to the soul.”

For Mike Perel, it all comes back to one powerful truth: losing the ability to drive is one of the most devastating losses an older adult can experience.

“When I was working in highway safety research, I often heard that doctors found it harder to tell patients they had to stop driving than to tell them they had cancer,” he recalls. “That’s how much driving is tied to our independence. The Pozez JCC’s NV Rides program gives people some of that independence back, and I’m grateful I get to be part of it.”

As shared by many of our NV Rides volunteers, it is clear how effortlessly they are able to gift independence to someone in need. The simple act of offering a ride is not just providing transportation, but offering dignity, connection, and a moment of shared community. This generous, low-effort exchange transforms a logistical trip into a profound act of service, proving that the simplest gestures can carry the deepest meaning.

To learn more about giving the gift of mobility and becoming a volunteer driver, visit https://thej.org/volunteer/volunteer-ride-program.

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.

Navigating Connections: Empowering Neurodivergent Individuals to Thrive

Posted on by Caroline Carter

Working with the inclusion and disability community is more than just a job for me—it’s a passion that has shaped my professional life for over 15 years. From the moment I started teaching social skills classes at the Pozez JCC, I knew I had found a space where I could make a genuine impact. My goal has always been to empower individuals to build meaningful connections, but what I’ve discovered is that my students have taught me just as much as I’ve taught them.

A great deal has been written and studied about the importance of social connections for a person’s well-being. However, many Autistic and Neurodivergent people face unique challenges in developing these skills. The nuances of social interaction, such as interpreting nonverbal cues or engaging in small talk, can be intimidating, making it hard to form meaningful relationships with neurotypical peers and thrive in a neurotypical world. For these reasons, the Pozez JCC offers social skills classes to develop and practice these essential life skills.

Social skills classes for children and teens are held weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons throughout the school year. The groups are designed for children and teens ages 3-15 who have been diagnosed with autism, ADHD, or who, for other reasons, have been observed and assessed to benefit from direct instruction to support their social/emotional development. The purpose of these groups is to strengthen fundamental social skills and foster social-emotional learning through active play and recreation. 

The different classes are separated by age. There is also a class just for adolescent girls. Some topics covered in the classes include self-acceptance, self-advocacy, coping with emotions, developing and maintaining friendships, and responding to verbal and non-verbal cues in social situations.

Classes are individualized to meet the needs and interests of the students in each session, and therefore, each class and session is unique. The philosophy of each class is grounded in the CASEL framework, which views social emotional learning as foundational to education and development and suggests it is comprised of 5 core competency areas, including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. Each topic discussed in JCC’s social groups is designed to target one or more of these competency areas. Topics are introduced and reinforced through the use of stories, media examples, and interactive games. Opportunities for kids to build their sense of self and skills related to self-expression through interactive art and play are offered each week.  Additionally, participants are encouraged to apply what they learn each week at home by completing a weekly take-home challenge. Ultimately, it is the goal that every student who comes to social skills classes at the JCC feels that they are safe, welcomed, and belong so that, in this space, they may build confidence and learn specific language and strategies that they can then apply in their lives at school and the wider community. 

Having been involved in the neurodiversity space for over 15 years, I consider teaching these groups one of my most rewarding experiences. There are several students who come back every session and really experience a sense of belonging and community in these groups. I have had parents report that they have seen improvements with their ability to interact positively with their peers at school as well as their abilities to notice and appropriately act and advocate to meet their own needs throughout the school day. As much as I take pride in what I have been able to teach these students, I am constantly humbled by how much they teach me. These students are resilient, intelligent, creative, humorous, and energetic. It is my sincere pleasure to collaborate with them and their families to ensure that they are able to fully convey their many strengths to those fortunate enough to share in their social space. 

Support the Program

The Pozez JCC’s inclusion and disabilities services program provides crucial support to neurodivergent individuals, helping them build essential social skills and find a sense of belonging. Your contribution today will directly support these life-changing opportunities, helping us continue to provide a safe and welcoming space where every individual can feel valued and connected. Donate

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.

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