JCC Expands Family Programming Options for Fall

The Bernard Weinger Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Northbrook will launch an expanded lineup of programs this fall, providing the community with new family-friendly programs and services for all ages.

“We’re excited to be taking a fresh look at how to best serve the community,” said JCC Chief Operating Officer Susan Abrams. “We took the opportunity to talk with the community, and responded with phenomenal new classes andprograms.”

Enhanced programming was designed to meet community need and bring people together for learning, fitness and fun. Local residents and current participants were surveyed and engaged in focus groups, in order to determine interest areas and scheduling preferences. A range of new classes and programs were created, including additional opportunities for younger children, teenagers and several new options for older adults to stay active and connected. New programmatic partnerships were created to offer the highest-quality programming in one convenient location. These partnerships include:

• Soul2Sole Dance, Inc.®, engaging dance instruction for ages three to adult, 
• American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) for young soccer enthusiasts, 
• Coolanu Israel Basketball Camp with Tamir Goodman, premier coach and former NCAA and professional player, 
• BodyPump™, weight-based group-fitness program to music, 
• Tae Kwon Do instruction from Connelly’s Academy, 
• Mad Science® Junior, unique, educational, and entertaining hands-on science experiences for children, 
• Silver Sneakers®, an innovative health, exercise and wellness program that helps older adults live healthy, active lifestyles, 
• JCC Chicago & Volunteer Expeditions, service opportunities in Chicago focusing on social justice, OASIS, programs and classes that support lifelong learning, healthy lifestyles and volunteer engagement for older adults, and Have A Bashery birthday parties.

Expanded teen programming includes a new American Red Cross babysitter course, in addition to American Red Cross lifeguard instruction and all-ages swim lessons, a teen service learning trip to New Orleans with JCC Chicago & Volunteer Expeditions and JCC Maccabi, an Olympic-style athletic competition for teens held with other JCCs around the country.

JCC Chicago’s popular theater program, the Young Actors Ensemble, will now be offered in Northbrook, with classes forages three to eighteen. Teens can also apply to work as counselors at JCC Day Camps or at JCC Camp Chi overnightcamp.

The new programs at Bernard Weinger JCC build upon a strong foundation of quality programming already in place in theareas of aquatics, youth sports & leagues, children & family specialty programming, holiday celebrations and other learning experiences that enhance Jewish life for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Mainstays at the Northbrook community center include a robust early childhood program and day camp, After School programs, and school-holiday Vacation Days. The state-of-the art facility features a six-lane, 25-yard, indoor pool with an observation area, a workout center including exercise equipment, free weights, barbells, and exercise balls, a 7000 sq. ft. gymnasium,classrooms, dance studios, two outdoor playgrounds, outdoor sports fields and a full-service teaching kitchen.

A new fall program guide and schedule has been mailed to local residents and will also be available at the Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook. Program registration is already open for all ages. No membership is required. For mor einformation, visit gojcc.org/bw or call 847.763.3661.

JCC Chicago is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring a strong and vibrant Jewish life and community forgenerations to come. Bringing Jewish values to life to more than 24,000 participants, more than 1.4 million times eachyear, JCC Chicago touches, engages and connects all segments of the Jewish community at all ages and at all stages of life.

"Like" Northbrook Patch on Facebook to see future community updates in your news feed.