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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. …

JCC State of Mind – November 1, 2024

Posted by Jason Kunzman, President & CEO on November 1, 2024

Ever since our humble beginnings in Pittsburgh’s Hill District at the turn of the 20th century, in addition to supporting Jewish immigrants adjust to their lives in America, the JCC has supported the legal rights and duties of U.S. citizens, from access to education and healthcare to equal protection under the law and the right to vote. In fact, one of the first classes provided by what eventually …

Whole Health Insights: Intermittent Fasting – What is it and why has been getting so much attention?

Posted by Carolyn Kontos, Wellness and Nutrition Coach on October 29, 2024

Every other day, it seems like there’s a new article about intermittent fasting or you come across someone else giving it a try. The idea behind intermittent fasting is simple: by shrinking the window in which we eat, we can potentially tap into our fat stores for energy more efficiently and lose weight. While there isn’t a ton of large-scale research on the full benefits and …

JCC State of Mind – October 23, 2024

Posted by Jason Kunzman, JCC President and CEO on October 23, 2024

This week’s JCC State of Mind is written by Rabbi Hindy Finman, Senior Director of Jewish Life It’s normal to feel a loss of hope and direction when there is so much heaviness in our hearts and in our communities. I learned early on that my rabbinic responsibility is to honor and respect people where they are on their personal journey; to acknowledge the pain and …

Whole Health Insights: Sleep and Rest – The Unsung Heroes of Health

Posted by Carolyn Kontos, Wellness and Nutrition Coach on October 22, 2024

Over the past few weeks, I’ve shared some tips on what to eat as we age. As it turns out, when we eat is just as important as what we eat. Who knew, right? Sleep and rest are actually the unsung heroes of health—especially if you want to maintain weight and alleviate those aches that seem to appear out of nowhere. I used to think skipping sleep …

JCC State of Mind – October 16, 2024

Posted by Sherree Hall and Chris Herman on October 16, 2024

This week's JCC State of Mind is written by Sherree Hall, Senior Director of Operations, and Chris Herman, Facility Manager The Jewish holiday of Sukkot begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 16. Sukkot celebrates the harvest season and during this holiday, many Jewish people observe and celebrate by eating, relaxing and even sleeping outdoors in a sukkah - a temporary, hut-like dwelling structure. In the Torah, the …

Whole Health Insights: Fat – Setting the Record Straight

Posted by Carolyn Kontos, Wellness and Nutrition Coach on October 16, 2024

Fat - Setting the Record Straight Fat has gotten a bad rap, and it’s no one’s fault. For years, we were told fat was the enemy, especially with its links to chronic disease. The truth is that most people in the US consume too much fat and specifically, the unhealthy kinds. While very well-intended, the response was a tidal wave of advice: “Cut the fat!” It’s a nice …

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