Join the J in June to receive $109 off enrollment fee! Learn More.
Calendar Membership
Donate
Membership Calendar
Donate

Category: Fitness & Wellness

From Sports to Service: How Tamir Linhart and Golden Boot Soccer Create Community at the J

Posted on by Erica Silverstein

Thirty years ago, Tamir Linhart never imagined that the game of soccer would define his life’s work—or that the Pozez JCC would become a second home. Today, as the founder of Golden Boot Soccer, Tamir isn’t just coaching athletes; he is weaving together the Northern Virginia community through a shared love of the game and a deep-rooted spirit of service.

Tamir, an Israeli, played soccer professionally for Hapoel Tel Aviv, a top Israeli club and was a standout member of his college team at George Mason University. He then scored a position on the Washington Warthogs, a professional indoor soccer team owned by the Washington Wizards and Capitals. As his playing days began to wind down, a simple request to coach a young player sparked a new passion.

That coaching gig led to another, and then another. As winter approached, Tamir faced a hurdle… what would happen to his coaching opportunities if he didn’t find an indoor space to practice? He had an idea.

“I just walked into the JCC and said, ‘Hey, I have tons of kids. I have nowhere to play. Is there any way I can use the gym?” The J opened its doors, and Tamir brought his world with him. Leveraging his own players and leaning on his connections within the Washington professional sports community to market his winter soccer program, 200 kids showed up that first winter! That’s when he realized this was no longer a hobby – it was his future.

Thirty years later, the impact is generational. Golden Boot Soccer has served thousands of kids across Northern Virginia. In a full circle moment, Tamir finds himself coaching children of some of his first players and has hired former participants as coaches.

“The J is very special to me because they are the ones who gave me the opportunity,” Tamir says, his gratitude clear. “I don’t think I’d be where I am today without the J. And that’s one of the main reasons I’m still involved. You want to give back.”

At first, Tamir gave back in small ways, donating occasionally or attending events. But when he was given the opportunity to join the board of the JCC, he didn’t hesitate. “I love the people at the J, so I obviously said yes.”

But just being on the board wasn’t enough, he wanted to find a project that touched the heart. When the J partnered with Sunrise Association to create Sunrise Day Camp – Greater Washington, a fee-free camp for kids with cancer and their siblings, he knew how he could make a difference. Now Tamir is an active member on the boards of both the J and its Sunrise Day Camp, pouring his energy into ensuring these families find the same sense of belonging and joy that the J once gave him.

To Tamir, the JCC is the heartbeat of the community—a place where seniors find connection, Israelis find a slice of home, and young people discover their heritage. Through soccer, he subtly weaves Jewish values like Shmirat HaGuf (taking care of the body) and discipline into every drill.

As an Israeli, Tamir wants to engage the Hebrew-speaking community to be more involved. In his mind, the JCC should be a place where all the small communities within Jewish Northern Virginia come together to be one big community.

Golden Boot soccer programs at the J, it turns out, organically achieve some of these goals.

Playing sports, including soccer, teaches Jewish values to kids in unexpected ways. “Physical health is a big factor in Jewish values,” Tamir says. “Discipline, dedication, believing in a goal — those are all very strong Jewish values.” He also serves as a role model for Jewish kids who may harbor the misperception that Jews aren’t typically good at sports and can’t be professional athletes.

Soccer programs at the J also create a bridge between Jews and non-Jews, and Tamir is happy to educate them all about Jewish tradition and culture and the value of a J membership. “They come up to me and ask me questions about what is this and what is that and why do you do this?” Some families start with soccer, but go on to become members, attending other programs and working out in the J-Fit Health Club.

Reflecting on thirty years of growth, Tamir acknowledges that the work of building a community is never truly finished. “There’s a lot of work to do, but the people are wonderful. I’m just really happy to be part of it.”

A Gym Unlike Any Other

Posted on by Erica Silverstein

Aqua fitness instructor Tracy Rettie has worked in a lot of gyms, and she says none are as personal and friendly as the J-Fit Health Club. 

“At a lot of the larger gyms, you take classes, and you never see the same people,” she says. “At the J, people are very open to interacting and talking to each other.” There’s a sense of community and caring she hasn’t seen in other fitness centers. 

As an instructor, she loves when her clients tell her how much they enjoy her classes and how exercising at the J has changed their lives. Some of them, who have been focused on balance, can now stand on one leg when they put their pants on; others have more endurance for taking walks in their neighborhood. When they come back from the doctor, they report that their blood pressure and other health indicators have improved. She knows how great aqua fitness can be for supporting bone health, but it makes her happy when her clients see tangible results for themselves. 

But what really surprised Tracy about the J is how much its members care about her as a person. When she had to miss classes because of her health, the women from her Aqua Fitness, Morning Plunge, and Aqua Power classes called to check on her and sent cards and gifts. 

“They were so supportive – and I’m just their instructor!” Tracy says. She now returns the favor, texting her regular clients when they don’t show up in class to make sure they’re okay. It’s all part of building community, one interaction at a time. 

Tracy not only teaches classes, but she takes a weekly small group training class with J-Fit trainer, Vince Villanueva. She calls it her “me time” because she’s doing something good for herself. She also admits that having a standing appointment on her calendar helps her stick to her commitment to exercising. 

“I choose to work with Vince because he’s so patient and understanding,” she says. “He’s very flexible in acknowledging my fears and weaknesses and adapting the session to me, but he still pushes me and helps me get through that fear.” She’s a fan of small-group training because it’s less expensive than individual sessions, and participants still get one-on-one attention and personalized coaching.  

She’s often joined in the class by longtime J member Patricia Merhej, and the two have become friends through their shared workouts. Knowing Patricia will be there is an added incentive for Tracy to show up. The class is always more fun when the two can challenge each other and banter while they work out. 

Patricia says that the J is her sanctuary, and it’s where she, too, finds community. She’s also seen the progress her regular workouts have helped her achieve. “When I started at the J, I had low confidence in taking some of the classes and using some of the gym equipment,” she said. But with the support of the J-Fit staff and members, she is comfortable trying new classes, such as boxing – and perhaps someday aqua fitness with Tracy! 

If you’ve been enjoying the J-Fit Health Club’s unique community, but want to take your workout to the next level, January is a great time to take advantage of discounts on individual and group training. And, if you have a friend who hasn’t joined the J yet, the January membership special combines a discounted enrollment fee with three free personal training sessions. 

Feeling hesitant? Swing by the pool for one of Tracy’s classes – she’ll convince you that investing in a trainer is a smart choice for a healthy new year. 

Giving Blood, Saving Lives: A Community Act Rooted in Jewish Values

Posted on by Laura Katzif

Every day, hospitals rely on donated blood to save lives — during surgeries, after accidents, and for patients battling acute and chronic illnesses. While the act of donating blood takes less than an hour, its impact can last a lifetime. When members of a community come together to donate blood, they strengthen not only the healthcare system but also the bonds that hold the community itself together. 

In Jewish tradition, this simple yet powerful act of giving resonates deeply with our most cherished values. At the heart of Jewish ethics is pikuach nefesh or saving a life. The Mishnah teaches, “Whoever saves a single life is considered as if they saved an entire world.”  

Blood donation embodies this teaching in the most literal way. One donation can save up to three lives, transforming an ordinary day into an extraordinary mitzvah. 

Judaism also places great emphasis on chesed or acts of lovingkindness performed without expectation of reward. Blood donation is a pure expression of chesed. Donors rarely meet the recipients of their donation, yet they give freely, motivated by compassion and responsibility for others. This quiet generosity strengthens trust within a community and reminds us that kindness does not always need to be visible to be meaningful. 

Beyond saving lives, blood drives bring people together around a shared purpose. They foster empathy, civic engagement, and awareness of communal needs. Children who see adults donating blood learn powerful lessons about responsibility, courage, and care for others—values that carry forward for generations. 

Donating blood is not dramatic or loud, yet it is profoundly sacred. It reflects the Jewish belief that holiness is found in everyday actions and that each person has the power to make the world better. 

When we roll up our sleeves to donate blood, we live our values. We choose life. We choose kindness. And we strengthen the fabric of our community—one donation at a time. 

Help us exceed our annual site record of 133 units collected by signing up for one or more of our 2026 blood drives in partnership with the American Red Cross: February 27, May 15, August 14, and December 18.  

Sign up here

Hakarat hatov: A Jewish gratitude practice for Thanksgiving

Posted on by Sariel Ende-Alonzo

 As Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded of the power of the Jewish value of hakarat hatov, looking for the good.  When the seasons change and I miss the warmth of summer, hakarat hatov reminds me to see the beauty in the world through the changing colors of the leaves.  When life feels hard, simple things, like my favorite lavender soap or a minute of sun on my face, bring a smile to my face and help me keep a positive attitude. 

Hakarat hatov, like any gratitude or positive-thinking practice, challenges our hard-wired negativity bias as humans who are conditioned to scan our environment for threats. Jewish sages must have understood the need for a regular practice to build our gratitude muscle, and so hakarat hatov is built into Jewish tradition. Every morning, the Modeh Ani prayer reminds us to be grateful, and prayers of gratitude are included in every holiday.   

As simple as it sounds, daily gratitude practices are powerful. I am amazed at the peace and calm that settle over my children and me when we focus on specific things we are grateful for at the end of the day. The practice even sets the stage for better sleep. As a life coach, I witness how my clients shift perspectives after adopting regular gratitude practices and how they find growth and energy when they look for the good. 

As Thanksgiving approaches, what regular gratitude practices can you lean into?  What are you grateful for today, this week, this month, this year? 

This year, I am grateful for the community I have found at Growing Jewish Families and the larger Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia.  As the new J-Family Ambassador Program Manager, I have been uplifted by the passion, values, and hospitality that overflow from the JCC’s staff and programming.   

Growing Jewish Families cultivates community by connecting families raising young children in a Jewish environment in Northern Virginia. The team of J-Family Ambassadors works to build community among young Jewish families by region by bringing gift bags to new parents, connecting with parents over coffee, creating online communities, and hosting family events focused on joyful Jewish learning and socializing. 

If your family has a child up to age 6, one of our J-Family Ambassadors is eager to welcome your growing family into our Jewish community. Here’s how you can get connected: 

 
Don’t have young kids? You can help families connect to their Jewish heritage and our community with your year-end gift to the Pozez Jewish Community Center. Donate here. 

The Jewish Value of Swimming: Life Lessons from the Pool at Pozez JCC

Posted on by Dionna Dash

Swimming might seem like a simple childhood skill, a rite of passage for summer days and poolside fun. But in Jewish tradition, swimming is much deeper. 

The Talmud instructs that a parent must teach their child to swim, placing this life skill alongside other essential teachings, like Torah study and learning a trade. Why? Because the ability to swim can save a life, and in Judaism, preserving life, or Pikuach Nefesh, is among the highest commandments.

This life-saving mindset is at the heart of the J’s Aquatics Department, run by Ivanna Washington. From preschoolers learning to float, to adaptive lessons for children with different needs, to teens building stamina on the developmental swim team, our pool is a place of empowerment.

Rachael Neal, Aquatics Coordinator, sees swimming as a way to build confidence and resilience.

“I teach a lot of the kids that are very nervous about swimming,” she says. “But after a few weeks, they’re going underwater, they’re comfortable. They go from screaming to smiling.”

Rachael teaches group and private swim lessons, including sessions for children in the J’s Early Childhood Learning Center, which mostly focus on basic safety: what to do if you fall in, how to get to the wall, and how to float.

She recalls one student, a 4-year-old girl who once clung to the pool’s edge in fear.

“She used to scream and didn’t want to touch the water,” she explains. “Now she swims to the wall and goes underwater. And when something scares her, I remind her that I’m here to keep her safe.”

That safety-first, child-led approach has made a difference for Michaela and her daughter Maya, who has been taking lessons with Rachael for over six months.

“Maya started out not even wanting to go near the water,” Michaela says. “Now she loves swimming. Just this past Sunday, she dove down to get rings off the pool floor. The J has really respected her timeline and personality.”

For Maya, the experience has gone beyond water safety.

“She’s learning that just because something is hard doesn’t mean it can’t be joyful,” her mother reflects. “The J’s swim lessons teach determination, resilience, and how to enjoy the journey.”

This mix of structure and sensitivity also plays out in the J’s developmental swim team, open to kids ages 6 to 15. This non-competitive program helps young swimmers refine their strokes and build endurance.

“It’s a great way for kids to experience teamwork and improve at their own pace,” Rachael says.

And the J’s aquatics offerings aren’t just for preschoolers and school-age kids. There are infant-parent swim classes that build water comfort and strengthen bonds, and adult group lessons for those learning later in life. The center also offers adaptive swim programs tailored to individuals with disabilities, ensuring every swimmer is met where they are.

Volunteers like Rem Turatbekov, a high school senior who’s headed to Harvard this fall, where he’ll be joining their collegiate diving team, bring additional expertise and heart to the pool deck. As a competitive diver and student, Rem approaches swim instruction with the same thoughtful discipline he uses in his own sport. 

“Diving is very mental,” he explains. “You have to be aware of your body and make constant corrections. And honestly, that mindset helps in school, too. You figure out what you don’t know, and then focus on improving it.”

That idea of continuous, mindful progress informs his teaching philosophy.

“I make sure to teach the kids in a progressive manner,” he says. “Meaning if they’re not able to do something right now, I’ll see what ways I can make sure they’re mentally ready or what drills I can do to make sure they’re physically ready for the skill that they’re going to learn.”

His patient, skill-building approach creates stronger swimmers and more resilient kids, helping them keep their heads above water.

“Hopefully, they remember this sort of teaching for their whole lives,” Rem adds. “That if something seems hard at first, it doesn’t mean they can’t do it, it just means they need the right support and the right steps to get there.”

The J’s aquatics center also plays a vital role beyond recreation and education. The Fairfax County Emergency Medical Services staff regularly trains in the pool to maintain their water rescue certifications, building readiness for real-life emergencies.

“It’s a mutually beneficial relationship,” says Andrew Klock, Director of Fitness. “They train here, but they also relax here. They grab coffee, exercise, connect. It’s a growing partnership.”

Andrew sees the pool as a metaphor for navigating life.

“Our aquatics program gives people the literal tools to swim, but also the figurative ones: discipline, community, resilience. Nobody can swim forever alone. But with support, with lifelines, we float longer.”

Teaching a child to swim isn’t just about paddling to the pool’s edge. It’s about instilling independence, capability, and the strength to face life’s choppy waters. That’s the value that the J brings to every lesson, anchored in the belief that teaching a child to swim is, truly, a mitzvah.

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.

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

Posted on by Dionna Dash

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Realistic Resolutions in 2025

Posted on by Shari Berman

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

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

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

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

1. Health and Wellness

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

2. Personal Growth

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

3. Professional Development/Volunteering

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

4. Financial Goals

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

5. Relationships and Social Life

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

6. Environment and Community

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

7. Mental Health

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

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

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

Wishing you an amazing 2025! 🎉

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!