Archives: Timeline Stories

In 2007, the J brought its first shlicha (emissary from Israel), Shiri Rahamim, to live and work in our community through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Volunteer Shlichut Program, which builds connections between Israel and communities in the US. Sadly, Shiri passed away in 2015 from cancer. In 2016, the program was renamed the Pozez JCC-JAFI Shiri Rahamim Shlichut Program to honor her memory.

The Growing Jewish Families (GJF) program, developed in 2015, is a trusted community resource, organizing Jewish holiday and values-based experiences for families with children through elementary school age, offering dedicated trained staff who provide concierge services that foster micro-communities. GJF is the “umbrella” brand that connects a variety of programs and initiatives designed for this cohort, such as PJ Library, Shalom Baby, J-Family Ambassadors, and more.

The J’s Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC), which serves infants 6 weeks to children 5 years old, is based on the Reggio Emilia learning philosophy. In 2006, a satellite ECLC began operation as a partnership with Beth El Hebrew Congregation at their Alexandria facility.

By the late 1970s, following the overwhelming support of the Fair in the Square, an event held in Old Towne Alexandria that drew more than 5,000 Jews, Northern Virginia’s Jewish community leaders reached consensus that the time had come to move forward to establish the Northern Virginia Jewish Community Center.

In 2019, the Pozez JCC celebrated the opening of the Smith-Kogod Cultural Arts Center.

In March 2020, the newly built J-Fit Health Club opened its doors. The spacious fitness facility includes an indoor fitness center with separate weight and cardio areas, outdoor turf gym, swimming pool, full court gymnasium which also houses full and half-court basketball set-ups and 3 pickleball courts, as well as a cycling studio.

In December 1990, under Executive Director Jeffrey Karatz, the Henry S. Reich building celebrated its grand opening, a community-wide event including a dedication by then-Governor Douglas Wilder. Jeff Karatz later had the NVJCC renamed as the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia to place the emphasis on our roots as a Jewish center for gatherings, education, and community building.

In 2019, philanthropists Norman Pozez and Melinda Bieber enabled the JCC of Northern Virginia to complete its capital campaign by making a significant commitment to the JCC, and in recognition of that commitment, the JCC of Northern Virginia changed its name to the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia.

In 2015 under the leadership of Executive Director Jeff Dannick, the Board authorized a capital campaign to renovate the main building (including lobby, restrooms, entrance canopy, adult lounge, locker rooms, pool, the lower-level fitness center and locker rooms), to repave the parking lot, and to modernize and “green” the HVAC and lighting systems. The project also notably added an additional 3,800 square feet to the west end of the building for a new fitness center, and completely renovated the original “White House” building into the new Smith-Kogod Cultural Arts Center. In addition, the campaign provided seed money for new community outreach initiatives. The campaign raised over $9.5 million. Derek Norton Architect and Scott-Long Construction began work in 2016 and completed most of the renovations in 2019. Renovation of the Chaiken Auditorium includes theater-style seating, new floor, and more.