Here at the Gordon JCC, we are uniquely positioned to have many opportunities for fresh starts. We have the Jewish New Year on the 1st of Tishrei, the Gregorian Calendar New Year on January 1st, our Annual Meeting where we welcome new folks on our Board of Directors, and of course, each year brings a new program guide! This year, our guide has gone digital. It can be found on our website homepage at nashvillejcc.org. This is my Letter from the Director, included in the guide, in case you missed it.
In the short time that I have had the privilege of serving as Executive Director of the J, I have been able to see just how vibrant and lively our community is and the value we bring to building Jewish life here in Nashville.
After some extensive work, we have exciting and fresh new equipment for both our indoor and outdoor pools. Inside, we had a brand-new HVAC system installed to minimize sound as well as making sure the floors stay dry. We also reimagined the deck by building more storage, and revitalized the look by investing in new equipment and a fresh acid wash of the plaster to make it shine.
Outside, we are excited to have replaced our filtration system with a brand new and very effective filter. This update was a long time coming and will help keep the pool clean and operating for years to come. We have so many committed swimmers year-round, from our Tigersharks swim team to water aerobics, lap swimmers and everything in between, we love our aquatics community and appreciate their patience as we made these necessary renovations.
Along with the fresh and new, we are also bringing back some of the great larger community programming that brings so many folks together and provides unique experiences for members and non-members alike.
We will have a fresh new lineup of music, and fresh Kosher Nashville Hot Chicken at this year’s Nashville Kosher Hot Chicken and JAM Fest, Sunday, November 3 right at the J. Our Nashville Jewish Film Festival is incorporating interactive community events with each viewing, happening from mid-October through November at a few different locations including the J, AMC Bellevue 12, and the Belcourt Theatre.
Every day at the J there are so many programs you can join. Whether its participating in Mah Jong, our TGIT program for older adults, viewing our monthly changing art galleries, fitness classes, pickleball, basketball, or more, there are so many ways to stay active at the J.
You will be thrilled to learn more about our new Pilates classes in the new Pilates studio, as well as a bevy of different art class offerings which will take place in our gorgeous Madeline Parch Arts & Crafts Center.
Children of all ages have opportunities to grow and build friendships year-round with JCC programming as well. The excellent Gordon JCC Early Childhood Learning Center has a brand-new playground and has been soaring under the leadership of new Director Elizabeth-Lee Gertonson, and Assistant Director Michele Dills.
Kids can now have a camp experience all year round too with the newly named Camp Davis Clubhouse, formerly known as Planet Kid. Camp Davis Clubhouse has taken the great momentum and ruach from a fun summer at Camp Davis and is keeping the fun alive all year long. For teens, a growing BBYO program that offers chapter programming on a regular basis, and convention opportunities to connect with other Jewish teens in the region throughout the schoolyear.
We have such a special community here at the Gordon JCC. I am so appreciative of our professional staff for all the hard work they put in to make this a warm and welcoming place, and to you, our members, who fill the halls with a great spirit and vibrancy. Building community is a team sport, and I love being on the team with each and every one of you.
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