June 26, 2020 As I walked into the office just after 7:30, I was greeted by music coming from the patio outside of Levinson Hall. What did I see? Creativity and a new way to do spinning in a socially distanced way. Two creative spinning classes got another 20 people back to the JCC this […]
To the Dance Seniors of The JCC School of Dance The lights go out….and your heart is about to beat out of your chest. You have been dancing since you could walk but still you get those butterflies before going on stage. The suspense builds and you wait for the music. The lights come up,
Congratulations to Our Dance Graduates! Read More »
The death of George Floyd and the protests across America that followed have been a sobering reminder of how deep our society’s wounds really are. As I reflect on this tragedy, I am reminded just why we created the Center for Loving Kindness three years ago and the enduring Jewish values universally applicable to love
Neighbor is a moral concept. Read More »
June 2, 2020 Once again, far too quickly, frequently and painfully, the curtains covering systemic racism have been pulled back and we see that which is too painful to look at and acknowledge. The inequitable impact of COVID19 on low income communities and communities of Color is painful enough. And yet there is more. The
I am on an Anxiety Roller Coaster Read More »
The JCC Pittsburgh Center For Loving Kindness was founded in August 2017 in response to the violent, racist and anti-Semitic march in Charlottesville Virginia. We gathered our interfaith and interracial community on the anniversary of the August 1963 March of Washington to make a declaration. More than 200 spiritual leaders signed it. We believe the events
A Message from the Center for Loving Kindness Read More »
June 2020 It could be you! That’s right. Don’t look to the right or the left, in front of you or behind you for someone else to stand UP and make a difference. You have the ability to be an UPstander in your own right. It really is quite simple. Take the East End Cooperative
It Could Be You! You have an UPstander inside of you Read More »
Mindful Monday Coloring Projects to Help You Enjoy the Moment August 31: Houses Houses to color pdf August 24: Guitar Guitar to Color pdf August 17: Flamingos Flamingos to color pdf August 10: Sunflower Sunflower to color pdf August 3: Feather Feather to color pdf July 27: Abstract Design Abstract Design to color pdf July
You may remember the blog, Jen’s Fitness Journey: #GymMotivation. We’re delighted that Jen is starting this new blog, “Virtually Fit.” Enjoy! June 5, 2020 “Exercise should be regarded as a tribute to the heart” -Gene Tunney Somehow, it’s June. The impossibly fickle months of March and April have wrapped up, May has started and finished.
Stress is definitely a fact of life for all of us lately and for now, there is no end in sight. We may not be able to do anything about the source of our stress, but we can find ways to lower it. Try some of these ideas: Manage your time by making lists each
Can you avoid stress? Read More »
I just finished editing our church’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. It has taken me awhile to complete it because I keep receiving one email and text after another canceling events and engagements. Our church members’ responses range from extreme denial (“It’s a hoax”) to extreme concern. At this point no one is panicked –
Practicing Kindness and Social Distancing Read More »
The Heinz Endowment’s President Grant Oliphant shared some heartening thoughts about the power of community that we want to reiterate. We would like to thank him for his compassionate leadership in this difficult time. You can read his entire blog post here. “It is important for us all to remember that this moment will pass.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve watched anti-Asian sentiment spike not just around the country as China fights to contain the coronavirus on the other side of the world, but right here in Pittsburgh, in the city I call home. The panic about a sudden, deadly virus can be understood and even expected. But this
Coronavirus Has Not Reached Pittsburgh, but Fear and Racism are Spreading Read More »
First, a confession: I am a news junkie, a Twitter addict and a political wonk. It comes from my years of working in TV news in Washington, DC. It used to be part of my job. Now it’s just part of me. I left DC and moved home to Pittsburgh for many reasons. One being
Campaigns, Civility and Conversation Read More »
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” As we celebrate the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his dream that every person be
We are still dreaming. Let's ensure every person is counted Read More »
Behavior experts say that it takes about 1 month to form new habits, and many people try to create (or break) habits at the start of each year. With the right attitude and focus, you can stick to your New Year’s resolutions and achieve long-term success. Here are just a few tips to help you
31 Days to Unbreakable Resolutions Read More »
Although I have only been in Pittsburgh for two years, I have come to identify with and take pride in being a Pittsburgher. When I first arrived in Pittsburgh, I was overwhelmed by the sense of community and openness as a new resident and college student. I am a Master’s in Social Work student at
Reflecting on World Kindness Day and Planning for February’s Random Acts of Kindness Day Read More »
As we celebrate the 8 nights of Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, we usually like to consider the meaning of this holiday. There are a lot of different Chanukah stories out there, and many interpretations of why we celebrate for eight days. One thing we believe is that Chanukah commemorates the rededication
A Chanukah Greeting: "Be the Shamash" Read More »
With colder weather upon us and shorter periods of light outside, I’ve found myself thinking about the long winter ahead and what kinds of things I’ll do with my kids in the evening and during the weekends. That line of thinking often gets me lost in the Bermuda triangle of internet surfing and so I’m
Young children and the stresses of the long winter ahead Read More »
Labor Day – Monday, Sept. 1: Fitness Centers Open 8 am-2 pm; Family Park Open 11 am-7 pm