This past week brought us the first snow of the season, and with it, the kind of joy that only a Pittsburgh winter can deliver. There is something uniquely heartwarming about watching children in our Early Childhood Development Center and in our school-aged programs press their faces to the windows, rush outside in their boots and snowsuits to catch flakes on their mittens, and marvel at the transformation of the world around them. Moments like these remind me how special it is to work in a place where we get to witness and share in the pure wonder and delight of childhood every day.
That same spirit of joy and connection was alive last week, when one of our JCC Maccabi Campus Games Co-Chairs, Linda Simon, along with Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh (RIF), distributed children’s books collected through the JCC Cares program, a community service project and centerpiece of Jewish programming at the Maccabi Games last summer. On November 25, Linda and staff from RIF visited Pittsburgh Weil PreK–5 to read to students and hand out books collected by teens this summer. Linda’s time with the students was a beautiful example of how the energy and impact of the Games extend far beyond just one week in August, continuing to inspire learning, creativity, and community all year long.
As we step into this winter season together, may we hold onto the magic of these small but meaningful moments and continue to share warmth and wonder with those around us.
Wishing you and your families a Shabbat shalom,
Jason