Blog

As a child, I attended a number of different summer camps. My parents and I were on something of a quest to find the perfect summer camp for me, and all of them offered many benefits to me.

The MJCC isn’t just a gym or a workplace for me; it’s a second home. It was at the J, while I sweated it out in Zumba class, that my twin daughters first experienced the Center’s welcoming embrace...

This month is a big anniversary for me! I have worked at the MJCC and PJA for 20 years! These days most people don't stay at a job for that long, but for me, I love it. I've been thinking about why I love working here and three big points stand out. 

I think it’s safe to say that no one in the Portland metro area got 2024 off to quite the start that we might have hoped. But now that we can’t get our exercise speed-skating down the streets anymore and the pools are warm, clean, and inviting again, it’s time to get our winter workout on!

The statistics are grim. A widely cited survey result shows that as few as 9% of New Year’s resolutions are actually achieved. Even more discouraging, 23% of people quit in the first week and over 40% quit by the end of January.

The onset of the war in Israel has led to a traumatic and stressful time in our Jewish community and similar communities around the nation and the world. One of the most important things that we can do during such challenging times is to gather together in person.

I spend a lot of time thinking about old buildings. First and foremost, this is because the MJCC is an old building that requires lots of TLC. Built in 1971, the building has undergone several renovations, most significantly in 2006. 

Nineteen years ago, I accepted the job to work at the MJCC in marketing and design. After approximately 75 program guides, 19 day camp brochures, and countless weekly emails, I have experienced a tremendous amount of change and growth.

Jackson and Nina. George and Albert. Crixus and Aubrey. Maeve and Ziva. Amaya, Ella and Dot. Louie and Payton. Clark, Lowell and Simon. Liana and Sylvie.* What do all of these names have in common? They are just some of the lucky children of current MJCC staff members.