Finding Our Way Back
As we prepare for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, to begin tonight at sundown, I have been reflecting on something I’ve noticed throughout the past year. People are coming back to our JCC. For one reason or another, people who were once part of our JCC stepped away. Some moved or entered a different […]
The Future We Can Build Together
As we head into Shabbat, I am incredibly excited to celebrate Rebecca Schalit-Newman’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis. This is wonderful news for Rebecca, for the Federation, and for our entire community. Those who know Rebecca know how deeply she cares about our community. My family experienced that […]
The Psychology Behind Seasonal Transitions
The sun sets a little earlier each week, and the walk to the car after work suddenly feels cooler than it did just days before. Sweaters come out of storage, evening plans shift indoors, and the easy summer rhythm gives way to something else. It’s a small shift, but the kind that can quietly throw […]
Members Don’t Just Belong. They Build.
On Tuesday morning, I walked into the JCC in my bathing suit, ready for work.Since beginning my tenure at the JCC, connecting regularly with members has been incredibly important to me. Last year, I hosted monthly “Sippin’ with Sam” gatherings. This year, I have been joining different JCC programs to spend time with the members […]
Shabbat Shalom from Sam: When the Water Rises
As the floodwaters rose across Greater Indianapolis this past weekend, I found myself scouring news sites and social media, trying to comprehend the damage throughout our community. By Saturday evening, I was overwhelmed by the scale of the destruction. I wanted to help but did not yet know how. Around 7:30 pm, I texted my […]
The Confidence Boost Hiding in Fall Sports
A child calls for a pass, misses it, then asks for the ball again. That one moment says more about growth than any final score ever could. At JCC Indianapolis, those small choices matter just as much as the big plays. Our youth sports programs give children room to practice courage along with athletic skills, […]
Shabbat Shalom from Sam: A Clear Vision, an Evolving Path
While some weeks bring unmistakable momentum, others offer something quieter but equally useful: perspective. This week fell into the latter category, reminding me that progress is rarely linear. We can be confident about where we are going while recognizing that the steps required to get there may shift as we learn, encounter unexpected turns, and […]
Shabbat Shalom from Sam: From Exclusion to Belonging
One Friday morning a few weeks ago, I walked into my office and found a voicemail from lifelong JCC member David Berman. That voicemail led to a conversation I have continued to think about. When I called him back, it became clear that David was not calling with a concern or a request (though those […]
Back-to-School Routines That Actually Work
The school year brings a new rhythm to family life, and the afternoon hours often carry the biggest shift. JCC Indianapolis shapes back-to-school routines for families throughout Indianapolis, IN. Familiar faces, room to move, and a dependable activity can fit into the week your family already has. Our campus gives kids and parents a place […]
Shabbat Shalom from Sam: A Story I Rarely Tell
This morning, I logged into Facebook and one of those “On This Day” memories caught my attention. It was a picture of me holding my newly earned spin instructor certification, and I couldn’t believe that fourteen years have already passed.Seeing that photo immediately took me back to a chapter of my life that I don’t […]