From Drop-In Childcare to High School Graduation, Growing Up at the MJCC

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 during drop-in childcare. Soon, they were pirouetting in ballet class and scaling the rock wall with fearless grins. The pools became their training ground, transforming them from giggling toddlers to confident Stingrays competing with fierce determination.

The J wasn't just a place for activities; it fostered a sense of belonging. The staff knew their names and even their preferred afternoon snack at the cafe, a regular destination after PJA dismissal. Even as they transitioned to the rigors of high school down the street, the J remained a constant. They'd invite friends along for weekend swims or weight training sessions. One daughter, following my teenage footsteps, became a regular at the 313 chapter meetings of the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization. And the other had her first job as a Day Camp counselor right in this very building.

Just like it had been for me, the J offered my daughters a safe space to explore their Jewish identity. Within its walls, they celebrated holidays, proudly became Bat Mitzvahs, and discovered a love for sports and fitness. Most importantly, they found their Jewish home here. As an unaffiliated family, the J has been the cornerstone of our Jewish connection for almost eighteen years.

As we celebrate our twins' upcoming 18th birthday and high school graduation, it's a time to reflect on the people and places that have helped shape them. The MJCC undoubtedly played a pivotal role, and it will continue to be here for them on college breaks, summers, and beyond. 

Picture: Lisa's daughters, celebrating their B'not Mitzvah at the MJCC in 2019