Finding Light All Year Long: How the Pozez JCC Helps Jewish Families Feel Seen, Connected, and Proud
December can be complicated for many American Jewish families. While lights twinkle at neighbors’ houses and storefronts fill with Christmas trees, Hanukkah, and Jewish identity more broadly, can feel overshadowed. Parents at the J often share that even well-meaning questions like “What’s on your Christmas list?” can leave their children unsure of how to respond.
That’s why, every December, the J steps forward with joyful, welcoming programming that celebrates Jewish identity in ways that feel both proud and affirming.
“Although Hanukkah is a relatively minor holiday, it becomes a major marker of Jewish visibility at this time of year,” says Amy Lummer, Family Engagement & Community Partnerships Director. “We strive to create space where every family feels seen and where Jewish celebrations shine in their own right.”
This year, the J is hosting two large community Hanukkah celebrations, each expected to draw hundreds. Smaller gatherings hosted by Growing Jewish Families (GJF) will offer storytimes, relaxed playdates, and meetups at parks and donut shops.
“All through December, our programs are Hanukkah fun for every age,” Amy says. “Our goal is for every child and parent to feel proud of their heritage and confident that their celebrations are valued within the broader community.”
That sense of belonging doesn’t fade when the menorahs are put away. At the J, December is just the gateway to a year filled with connection. And for many families, that connection begins the moment they arrive in Northern Virginia.
For newcomers, GJF offers a warm landing place. Its J-Family Ambassadors meet families one-on-one, help them navigate local resources, and create easy, low-pressure ways to connect Jewishly through playgroups, holiday events, coffee meetups, and neighborhood gatherings.
For Elisabeth Kopecky, who moved to NoVa last year with a toddler, an infant, and a husband on active military duty, GJF quickly became an essential support network.
“This program just makes it so easy,” she says. “You’d have to try not to be involved. There are so many activities and so many people to meet.”
What started as a search for community became something deeper.
“Tracy, one of the GJF ambassadors, has become one of my closest friends,” she says. “She watched my older son while I was giving birth to my younger one. GJF is very much the center of our support system here.”
The connections have been meaningful not only for Elisabeth but for her children as well, becoming an anchor during a period of transition.
That continuity is part of what makes the J feel like a year-round home. School-Age Services Director Greg Feitel says the J’s programs are intentionally designed to grow with families. Many children begin at the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC), then move into Chai 5 after-school care, participate in Vacation Days programming during school breaks, and sign up for Camp Achva in the summer.
Jewish values are the foundation of all of these programs.
“The philosophical underpinnings of all our programs are 100 percent Jewish,” Greg explains. “It’s not a strict religious practice, but a value system: creating positive associations with Judaism and a welcoming environment for anyone who comes. Our planning process dives into whether each activity creates a more joyful experience or another place for connections.”
Families feel the impact of that intention. Rachel Davis, whose son Sammy is now in first grade, says the J has helped her family build lasting friendships since moving back to NoVa three and a half years ago. Sammy started in ECLC, then continued into GJF programming, Vacation Days, and Camp Achva.
“Last summer was his first at Camp Achva, and we’ll have him back this coming year,” Rachel says. “He had such a blast reconnecting with preschool friends and making new ones.”
The J’s holiday and school-break programs also help Sammy stay connected Jewishly.
“As kids get older, they notice all the Christmas stuff,” Rachel says. “For Jewish kids, being able to celebrate Hanukkah with the community helps them feel involved. It gives them a sense of pride in their Jewish identity.”
She’s also found her own community at the J, connecting with other parents, joining a monthly Mah Jongg group, and watching her husband find his own place through the J’s fitness classes.
“When you’re moving to a new area, finding community is so important,” she says. “The J has been that place for us.”
Much of what families experience at the J is strengthened by community support behind the scenes. A generous donation, matched by community contributions, recently made it possible to renovate the ECLC playground, giving young learners a safer and more engaging outdoor space. GJF and Camp Achva continue to expand thanks to grant funding that supports infrastructure and program enhancement. And across all departments, volunteers play a key role by giving their time to help programs run smoothly and remain accessible.
As camp registration opens in mid-December, the J’s full-circle approach becomes clear. Families may walk through the door because they’re looking for a Hanukkah celebration, but they stay because they’ve found a community where they belong, one that carries them through every season, every transition, and every stage of childhood. The J provides that support in large part because of donors who believe in building a community where Jewish families feel seen, supported, and proud all year long.
Because being Jewish can feel different, especially in December. But at the J, families never have to feel alone.
Interested in helping families feel connected all year long? Consider registering for an upcoming program, volunteering your time, or making a donation that helps our community shine brightly.
