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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 …

JCC State of Mind – November 15, 2024

Posted by Jason Kunzman, President & CEO on November 15, 2024

As members of this vibrant JCC community, each of us plays an integral role in creating the warmth, support, and connection that we all treasure. During times of change, growth, or even challenge, there’s a question we can ask ourselves that holds profound meaning and power: “How can I/we help?” Earlier this week, I saw firsthand how JCC staff asked this very question and the …

Whole Health Insights: Habits- It takes more than willpower to shake them!

Posted by Carolyn Kontos, Wellness and Nutrition Coach on November 12, 2024

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve said "Knowing what to do and doing it are two different things!”... And, one thing that gets in the way of "doing" are habits. Habits and routines are powerful forces that we fall back on, particularly when we are tired or stressed. Take me, for example. I know checking my phone and email first thing every morning …

JCC State of Mind – November 8, 2024

Posted by Jason Kunzman, President & CEO on November 8, 2024

Last night, along with a number of JCC colleagues, I had the honor and privilege of attending the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition’s (SHUC) Treasure Awards Dinner. It was an evening filled with inspiration, warmth and a profound sense of community. The ceremony highlighted the exceptional dedication and service of three individuals working tirelessly to make Squirrel Hill a more vibrant, inclusive and thriving neighborhood as well as …

Whole Health Insights: Parents, You Don’t Need to Be Perfect with Your Kids’ Nutrition

Posted by Carolyn Kontos, Wellness and Nutrition Coach on November 5, 2024

On the heels of Halloween, with a mound of leftover candy in my kitchen, I thought "let’s dive into the world of kids’ nutrition!” It's been a long time since I thought about planning kid-friendly meals, so I started by doing a little research. In my pursuit, I stumbled upon a recent study revealing that 62% of kids' breakfasts exceed the Daily Guidelines for added sugar. …

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