Author name: Riley Crow

As I was preparing to begin my very first position at the JCC back in 2016, our esteemed former colleague Rachel Marcus ended a tour of the Squirrel Hill facility by bringing me into the Kaufmann Dance Studio, where the Gesher program participants were gathered. She paused, pointed gently toward the room, and said, “Forget

This past Sunday, November 9, was one of those days that perfectly captured what makes the JCC such an integral part of our community. Within a 4-hour block, our buildings (and even our virtual space) were filled with moments that spanned the full range of life – what we often refer to as the continuum

This week’s edition of JCC State of Mind was written by Maggie Feinstein, Director, 10.27 Healing Partnership This week there were over ten events throughout Pittsburgh that invited each of us to learn about one another, share a meal together, or face some difficult questions in order to understand and care for each other better

This week’s edition of JCC State of Mind was written by Rabbi Hindy Finman, Senior Director of Jewish Life This past year, JCC Association of North America partnered with the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies to offer JCC staff the opportunity to take Makhloket Matters – an eight-week course on approaching conflict and difficult conversations through a Jewish lens. 

Each year on Yom Kippur, we gather at the JCC as a community to engage in conversations that connect timeless Jewish wisdom to the most pressing issues of our day. This year’s program, From Division to Renewal: A Conversation on Forgiveness and Democracy, invited us to explore how the themes of reflection, forgiveness, and renewal might

The Jewish New Year invites us to pause and reflect – to take stock of where we have been and to imagine who we might yet become. At our 130th Annual Meeting, I spoke about momentum: how our JCC is no longer just envisioning the future but actively building it. This sacred season reminds us that

This week’s JCC State of Mind is President & CEO, Jason Kunzman’s closing remarks from our 130th Annual Meeting, which took place on September 10, 2025. Our final order of business tonight is to recognize and thank our outgoing Board Chair, Scott Seewald. Scott is, in every sense, a JCC lifer. His connection to this

The Talmud teaches us that among a parent’s most important responsibilities is to teach their child how to swim. This teaching is not just about water safety; it is about equipping the next generation with the skills they need to navigate life’s currents, to find confidence, and to thrive. For 67 remarkable years, Al Rose

This past week has been filled with energy, intention, and anticipation across our JCC.  On Monday morning, we opened the doors of our Early Childhood Development Center to welcome children and families in both Squirrel Hill and the South Hills for the new school year. The joy, curiosity, and laughter of our youngest learners reminded us once

One of the great privileges of serving as a member of the JCC’s Leadership Team is the opportunity to learn from every corner of our community. And through it all, I’ve come to believe that everything I need to know to be an effective leader, I’ve learned from our own Early Childhood Development Center. This

From sunrise songs to evening’s rest, our campers truly lived their best summer yet. Whether at Emma Kaufmann Camp’s wooded shore, J&R Day Camp’s fields of laughter, South Hills Day Camp’s energy and play, or in the bright glow of Performing Arts Camp’s stage lights, each day was filled with joy and discovery. Our Specialty

With immense pride and gratitude, we celebrate the incredible accomplishment of hosting the 2025 JCC Maccabi Campus Games here in Pittsburgh. After a 28-year hiatus, this unforgettable experience was made possible through the unwavering passion, commitment and support of our partners, donors, volunteers and the extraordinary JCC staff—each of whom played a vital role in

This week, we marked National Camp Kindness Day, a special moment during the summer when our day camps pause to intentionally celebrate the Sheva Lenses of B’Tzelem Elokin (dignity and potential) Hit’orerut (gratitude and amazement), and Tikkun Olam (responsibility). At the JCC, kindness is more than just a theme of the day—it’s the foundation of everything we strive for during the