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JCC State of Mind – December 20, 2024

Posted by David May-Stein, Division Director, Children, Youth & Family and JCC Day Camps / Director, J&R Day Camp on December 20, 2024

This JCC State of Mind is written by David May-Stein, Division Director, Children, Youth & Family and JCC Day Camps / Director, J&R Day Camp Shalom Chaverim (friends)! I recently had the pleasure of attending the Jewish Camp Summit in Chicago sponsored by the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) and JCamp 180, an initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF), with our day and overnight year-round camping teams. The summit included an additional mini conference specifically …

Whole Health Insights: 8 Healthy Ways for 8 Healthy Days

Posted by JCC Fitness Team on December 20, 2024

As the Festival of Lights approaches, the JCC Fitness Team is thrilled to bring you 8 Healthy Ways for 8 Healthy Days! This joyful challenge is designed to help you take a breather during this busy season, recharge your energy, and embrace the spirit of Chanukah in a fun and meaningful way. No stress, no extra pressure—just a few small steps to give yourself the gift …

JCC State of Mind – December 13, 2024

Posted by Jason Kunzman, President & CEO on December 13, 2024

At the heart of our Jewish identity lies the belief in Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh—all Jews are responsible for one another. This value is beautifully exemplified in the Partnership2Gether (P2G) program, a cornerstone initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh that connects our Pittsburgh community with the people of Karmiel and Misgav in Israel and with members of the Jewish community in Warsaw, Poland. P2G is more than …

Whole Health Insights: Stress Eating Through the Holidays? Time to Break the Cycle.

Posted by Carolyn Kontos, Wellness and Nutrition Coach on December 10, 2024

The holiday season is a magical time filled with joy, connection, and… stress eating! Between gift shopping, social events and that never-ending mountain of year-end work deadlines, it’s no wonder that stress levels skyrocket during these "festive" months. If you've ever found yourself reaching for cookies, candy, or just about anything in your line of sight during the holidays, you’re in good company. And there's …

JCC State of Mind – December 6, 2024

Posted by Jason Kunzman, President & CEO on December 6, 2024

Heroes in Jewish tradition play a significant role, embodying values, inspiring faith, and serving as moral exemplars. Unlike many cultures where heroes are celebrated for their physical prowess or conquests, Jewish heroes are often admired for their righteousness, wisdom, and commitment to G-d and the community. Jewish heroes serve as reminders of the power of faith, the importance of moral integrity, and the potential for …

Whole Health Insights: What’s Your Body Composition? The importance of looking beyond the scale

Posted by Carolyn Kontos, Wellness and Nutrition Coach on December 3, 2024

Most of us know our weight. But how many of us know our body’s balance of lean muscle, fat, and bone? Body composition is a far more meaningful measure of health and fitness, yet it’s the measurement that most people avoid. Admittedly, I was one of those avoiders! When I first faced the idea of measuring my body composition, I was hesitant. Did I really want …

JCC State of Mind – November 29, 2024

Posted by Liza Baron, Director, Early Childhood Development on November 29, 2024

This week’s message is written by Liza Baron, Director, Early Childhood Development As with most holidays, there are traditions associated with Thanksgiving. Things like eating turkey, playing football and gathering with family and loved ones are a few that come to mind for me. This is a space I enjoy being in, and I look forward to it each year. Educators working in Early Childhood at the JCC are …

Whole Health Insights: Make Someone Happy This Thanksgiving

Posted by Carolyn Kontos, Wellness and Nutrition Coach on November 26, 2024

This Thanksgiving holiday, I'm sure everyone is waiting for the wellness coach to lecture about healthy eating. Don't worry, I am not going to warn you to avoid the pumpkin pie. (Good luck with that one.) But before we all dive into the turkey and debates, let’s take a moment to think about gratitude in action. After all, isn't that what Thanksgiving is about? I love …

JCC State of Mind – November 22, 2024

Posted by Jason Kunzman, President & CEO on November 22, 2024

According to a Jewish midrash (Mechilta d’Rabbi Yishmael 14:22), when the Israelites stood at the banks of the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army closing in, and while Moses was praying to G-d for help, Nachshon decided to take matters into his own hands and leapt into the sea. G-d then said to Moses something to the effect of, “Stop praying already! Look at what your …

Whole Health Insights: Where is Your Attention?

Posted by Admin on November 19, 2024

Pop Quiz- How many tabs are open on your device right now? Let me paint a picture for you: You sit down at your desk, ready to tackle a big project. Within minutes, you’ve checked email, replied to a random chat message, glanced at your phone, scrolled through a news feed, and—wait, what was I doing again? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Research has …

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