This JCC State of Mind was written by Rachael Speck, Chief Program & Innovation Officer

The new year brings with it a sense of reflection, and the opportunity for new beginnings and resolutions. It’s a time to reflect on what we’ve achieved, envision what we hope to accomplish and consider the future we want to build. At the JCC, it’s our time to focus on strengthening the community we nurture and continue our efforts with growing our organization in ways that ensure a vibrant, engaged Jewish community for years to come.

Throughout the past year, our JCC leadership team and Board of Directors embraced that opportunity. We engaged in a visioning process that allowed us to redefine what’s possible. “Redefining what’s possible” has become our guiding mantra as we move into 2025 and beyond. This philosophy drives us to explore new ideas and innovative strategies that meet the evolving needs of our community and foster deep community engagement.

As I look back on the past year, and the ten years in which I’ve had the privilege of working with the JCC, I am proud of the many new ideas and initiatives that have taken shape. Some of our highlights include the expansion of the AgeWell program in the South Hills, which engaged 931 members this year through daily activities, classes and lunch – including a New Year’s Eve party held on Tuesday (pictures below!). Our Center for Loving Kindness led an impactful educational program on the opioid crisis, with the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam being our call to action as we explored our role as an organization and as community members in helping to address this emerging challenge. Nine of our Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) educators are participating in the Pittsburgh cohort of ElevatED, a groundbreaking initiative aimed to transform the field of early childhood Jewish education through recruitment, training and mentorship. We also fully launched the JCC app, which has enhanced our members’ experience through innovative technology. In our commitment to keeping our members happy, healthy and whole, we also expanded our mindfulness and wellness offerings through our recovery room and in partnership with Awaken Pittsburgh. These initiatives, along with many others, helped us end 2024 with an all-time high record of JCC members in Squirrel Hill!

And we’re just getting started. We already have exciting plans underway to further enhance and expand our programs and services, including new pickleball instruction for intermediate and advanced players, college admissions services for teens and their families through The Second Floor, new small group personal training for older adults at our South Hills location, and improvements to reinvest in Family Park that will allow us to maximize this treasured community asset and better serve our J&R campers. And of course, we can’t wait to host the inaugural Maccabi Campus Games this summer.

We are looking forward to all that the new year has to offer and promise continual dedication to innovative programming and community engagement. I am proud to work alongside a team of professionals committed to redefining what’s possible in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Wishing you and your family a Shabbat Shalom and a happy, healthy New Year!

Rachael