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Anyone who works at a JCC can tell you it is a wonderfully unique experience. Every day is different and keeps you on your toes in the best possible way. When the JCC Association announced it was putting on the JCC’s of North America Professional Conference this year, the first since before Covid, we were all understandably very excited. Getting together with other JCC professionals from around the country who understand the passion and dedication it takes to work at a non-profit like this is such an amazing opportunity. Unfortunately, to our profound collective disappointment, the conference had to be canceled. That’s when a beautiful thing happened. JCC leaders, including our very own CEO, Ivy Harlev, stepped up and worked together to create regional conferences all across the country, giving even more J staff the opportunity to get together than would have attended the original conference. There were almost 170 J team members at the JCC Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference alone!

If you're one of the many parents who has a full-time job, you're probably familiar with the stress of juggling your work schedule with your child's school schedule. For families in this situation, afterschool programs like Siegel JCC's KidsPlace program provide a place for kids to spend the afternoon hours until their parents are able to pick them up.

In 2018, J staff member Sarah Segestrom died by suicide at the age of 16. The loss of Sarah had a profound impact on our community, with teens, parents, grandparents, and educators seeking support in helping themselves and those they care about through mental health struggles.

5 years ago, Sarah’s journey and memory inspired the creation of the Wellness Summit, a program with goals of opening up honest lines of communication around mental health and reducing the stigma around mental illness. Over the last five years, the Wellness Summit has been a forum for sharing grief, learning about the impact of mental health, and finding ways to cope as a community.

Does the idea of sitting at a desk all day make you feel physically sick? Are you happiest when spending time outside, being active, with other people? Do you enjoy working with a team of supportive, like-minded people? Are you a student looking for a seasonal job that is both enjoyable and will make a good addition to your resume? If the answer to any of those questions is "yes," then a job as a camp counselor might be the right fit for you. As a member of a summer camp staff team at a place like Siegel JCC, you'll get to experience a truly unique opportunity to grow as a leader and a person—while also having the time of your life. 

In the summer of 2021, I quickly learned the power of collective persuasion children possessed.

For parents of adolescents and pre-teens, the question of what to do with your kid over the summer can be a stressful one. Kids at that age are too old for daycare, but too young for a job. And while some older kids are trustworthy and mature enough to be left at home alone, many parents worry that leaving them to their own devices will keep them on their devices all day, every day—not a great way to spend a summer. 
Even as they mature, kids can still benefit from structured, positive activities, time to socialize, and supervision by trusted adults. If you're looking for something that checks all those boxes, summer camps for older kids offer all that and more. Here, we've outlined a few of the benefits of summer camp for teens and adolescents.

This month we celebrate Tu BiShvat, the new year for the trees. Trees, and the idea of sustainability, have always held a special place in the Jewish faith. The Midrash in Vayikra Rabbah teaches that “God planted a garden of trees in Eden. So you, too, when you will enter the land of Israel, planting trees should be your first involvement.” Many have truly taken this teaching to heart. In fact, according to embassies.gov, over 200 million trees now stand in Israel; making it one of the few countries in the world to have more trees now than it did 100 years ago, thanks to the efforts of its people in keeping the land healthy and intact for future generations.

Often, we tend to think of fitness as an individual journey. And that's true, to a certain extent—after all, everyone comes to the gym with different goals, bodies, and abilities. But while an independent workout habit works for some people, it's not the best choice for everyone. Particularly for individuals who struggle with motivation or could use some extra support, group fitness classes provide an effective (and fun!) way to achieve your fitness goals. 

Last week the Siegel JCC, along with our fantastic community, were featured in the podcast, Unorthodox. Listen to interviews with Ivy Harlev, CEO of Siegel JCC, and other members of the community, on the first segment of Across the JEW.S.A. 

We need physical activity to be healthy. It is recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening activities that train every major muscle group on 2 or more days a week. Exercise can come in many forms, including group exercise. Here are 3 benefits of including group exercise classes in your fitness regimen:

Increasingly, stress seems to have become an inseparable part of modern life. Current events (particularly concerns about money and the economy), combined with the demands of work, relationships, and family have all contributed to driving up stress levels around the nation—if not the world. 

Although we experience stress primarily as a feeling, prolonged exposure to negative stress can have major repercussions for our health and well-being. Chronic stress can contribute to health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, headaches, and more. Similarly, the effects of stress on mental health include increased likelihood of depression and anxiety. According to the American Institute of Stress, "We are facing a national mental health crisis that could yield serious health and social consequences for years to come."

Chanukah is fast approaching, and the holiday has taken on a new meaning to me this year. The Festival of Lights is a time to reflect upon acts of human action and courage, a theme brought into sharp focus in October for all of us at the Siegel JCC after witnessing the incredible acts of courage from the people of our local fire departments.

In a society that is increasingly defined by loneliness and isolation, community centers offer an opportunity to connect with others in a family-friendly space. However, in addition to creating a space for meaningful interactions, there's a lot more to community centers than might initially meet the eye. Community centers, particularly Jewish Community Centers (JCCs), are dedicated to creating a sense of belonging and supporting the health and wellness of their members. 

Whether you're thinking about joining or are a new member still trying to get your bearings, here are a few of the benefits you can expect from your Jewish Community Center membership.

Maybe you've hit a plateau in your fitness routine. Maybe you're working toward a specific goal, whether that's losing weight, building muscle, preparing for a competition, or reaching a new personal record. Or perhaps you're trying a new type of exercise, starting a gym habit for the first time, or simply trying to deepen your fitness routine.
If any of the above apply to you, it might be time to look into personal training.

Not all fats are created equal, and too much of the wrong kind can do serious damage to your health. Here, we'll discuss the different types of fats, their benefits and dangers, and where to find them in the wild (er, that is, the supermarket). 

For many people, the process of trying to lose weight feels less like making progress toward a goal and more like an endless (and frustrating) cycle. You try a new diet, and perhaps lose a few pounds. Soon, the restrictions on your food intake lead to constant feelings of hunger and cravings. Perhaps you decide to ease your restrictions, allow yourself a "cheat" day, or become frustrated when your weight loss seems to plateau. Before you know it, you're knee-deep in potato chips and you're consumed with feelings of shame and guilt. You recommit to your diet—and the cycle starts all over again.

Whatever your fitness goals are, at some point you're going to have to reckon with the role that vegetables play in your diet. Whether you're trying to lose weight, bulk up, or simply get healthier, a nutritious diet will be a crucial component of your plans—and vegetables, in turn, are part of a nutritious diet.

Strength training is an important part of any fitness routine. It's essential for building muscle mass, improving endurance, and maintaining a healthy weight. In fact, contrary to what many people might think, researchers have discovered that strength training can be just as or more effective than cardio at helping people lose weight and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition to these, there are a slew of other benefits of strength training that might not seem obvious, such as better mental health, stronger bones, and improved balance. 

Strength training is also an extremely versatile form of exercise that includes bodyweight exercises, resistance training, and weight lifting. Regardless of where you're at in your fitness journey or what your long-term goals are, there are plenty of ways to make strength training work for you. Whether you're just getting started and are feeling a little lost, or whether you're looking to try something new, here's a step-by-step guide to incorporating strength training into your workout routine.

When it comes to cardio, running is one of the best forms of exercise out there. And in addition to helping you maintain a healthy weight, it comes with a host of benefits for your health and well-being, including improved cardiovascular health, better sleep, reduced stress, and a stronger immune system. And, if you're lucky, you might even experience the much-coveted "runner's high"—a rush of endorphins following a period of extended exercise that many people describe as euphoric. 

All that being said, even die-hard runners will be the first to admit that running isn't always fun. In fact, sometimes it's quite the opposite. What's more, if you're new to the sport, it can be difficult or even intimidating to know how to start running. In this article, we'll cover some running basics that will help you develop a healthy—and hopefully even enjoyable!—running habit. 

For a practice that is grounded in mindfulness and non-judgement (theoretically, at least), yoga can be uniquely intimidating. Even just shopping for supplies or researching poses can lead to being inundated with pictures of serene-looking yoga teachers folded into impossibly pretzel-like poses. It's enough to make anyone want to skip their workout for the day. In spite of what Instagram representations of yoga might seem to suggest, however, you don't need to be capable of contortionist-level flexibility or be able to fit into size 0 Lululemon pants to have a rewarding yoga practice. In its true sense, yoga is accessible to everyone, and starting a yoga practice might be easier than you think.

When was the last time you had a bad day at work? Or felt like the kids were driving you to the very brink of your sanity? Or dealt with a stressful situation and felt the familiar flare of anxiety in the back of your brain? 

If you're a human living in the twenty-first century, it's likely that you've experienced any or all of these in the recent past. Given all of the demands and stressors of the modern world, it's important to have habits and strategies that support good mental health. And while coping habits such as seeking out comfort food, indulging in an extra drink in the evening, or relaxing in front of the TV are often easy, they might not be the most effective (or the healthiest) choices. Keep reading to learn some of the benefits of an often-looked activity that can have astonishing rewards for your mental health: exercise. 

Ahh, summer. Between the warm weather, the long days, and the opportunities for family vacations and activities, what's not to love?

If you're a parent, however, it's likely that the prospect of summer is the source of some anxiety for you, too. In addition to looking forward to swimming and time outdoors, you might also be wondering, what am I going to do with my kids? This is especially true for parents who have jobs and need to find childcare when schools are out of session. 

For parents who find themselves in this situation, summer camps for kids can be an attractive alternative to hiring a babysitter or signing kids up for daycare. In addition to keeping your kids safe and cared for, there are a slew of benefits of summer camp—both for your kids, and for you!

Most of us are aware that we should exercise. However, there's a big difference between knowing that we should do something and actually mustering up the motivation to do it. If you're one of the people who feel a vague obligation to go to the gym but have trouble actually following through on that goal, rest assured that you're not alone. 

As COVID-19 stretches on through winter, our bodies are slowing down, holing up, and forgetting that we actually need to move. With physical-distancing protocols and lock-down mandates in play, people have been challenged with finding alternative ways to working out. And as remote work and learning continues to dominate our routines into January, the cold weather adds another layer of challenges as we all try and stay physically heathy. The following is a list of exercises/strategies you can gift yourself, and some you don’t even have to get out of your chair for!

An update for Camp JCC families from Camp Director Carrie Kee

We are excited to announce that our very own Ivy Harlev, CEO, has been recognized as one of the 2020 Women in Business by DelwareToday/Delaware Business Times.

Women in Business recognizes leading ladies, across various industries, who demonstrate excellence, go above and beyond the call of duty, are committed to the community, and make a significant impact. As we're sure you know, Ivy's leadership has made a mark on our center and our community! 

The incomparable Ruth Siegel, one of our J's namesakes, is turning 100 years old on Thursday, November 26th!

Below, enjoy some photos of Ruth at the J over the years, read her story, and write a greeting to Ruth on her online birthday message board. 

This Thanksgiving, we're feeling particularly grateful for the opportunity to celebrate someone so dear to our community. 

An update for Camp JCC families from Camp Director Carrie Kee

We are continuing to monitor the developing situation regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please see below for updates on Camp JCC for Summer 2020.

We are continuing to monitor the developing situation regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please see below for updates.