Meet the Rochmans! The family has participated in all levels of JCC youth programs, from early childhood education (ECE) to ASC (afterschool care) and camp to youth sports, and parents Brad and Stacey use JCC fitness facilities, too. Read more about how they celebrate Chanukah inside this issue and at JCCindy.org/blog. Volume 29, Issue 12
DECEMBER 2024
KISLEV 5785
In October and November, ECE held an internal fundraiser through Nothing Bundt Cakes (open only to ECE families because there are only so many hundreds of bundt cakes a few JCC staff members can pack!) and raised $1,225! The Twos room won the classroom competition, selling 98 of the 436 units, comprised of 352 bundt cakes and 84 bundtini boxes.
• Pottery: Tue, Dec 17 | 4:30 pm | $36 / $28 JCC Members | 6–12 yrs
• Tennis: Multiple options per week, beginning in Jan | 3–18 yrs
• Swim lessons: Multiple options per week, beginning in Jan | 6 mo–12 yrs
• tNBA: Thu–Fri, Jan 2–3 | 10 am–1 pm | 1 day $55, both days $95
• Karate: Tue, Jan 7–Mar 18 | $198 / $154 JCC Members | 4–13 yrs
• JumpBunch Ninja/Soccer: Thu, beginning in Jan | Prices online | 2–8 yrs
• Fencing: Sat, Jan 11–Mar 22 | 3–4 pm | $259
• Dance: Mon, Jan 13–May 12 | $196 / $168 JCC Members | 3–8 yrs
tNBA tnbaindiana.leagueapps.com/camps; others JCCindy.org/programs.
Applications for counselors to have the best summer ever at CampJCC go live on JCCindy.org/careers in January! Ages 16+.
Drop-off (8 – 9:30 am) and pick-up (last hour of the day) in the Kraft Youth Wing
A 2024-25 ASC Health Form is required of every participant Pack every day: lunch, swimsuit, towel, water bottle Register at JCCindy.org/school-holidays-day-camps
Day at the Maccabi Monday Day at the STEM Day
Day at the Movie Monday Day at the Winter Wonderland
at the Disney Day Day at the Kickin' in the New Year Day at the Board Game Day Day at the Science Day presents
*please note early closures
Day at the Pokemon Day
Plus, save the date for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Mon, Jan 20!
Dec 21 | 4–10 pm $40 (+$25/each add’l child) Members $60 (+$35/each add’l child) Nonmembers
(FOR PARENTS' EYES ONLY: Chanukah starts the evening of December 25! Need to sneak away for some last-minute gifts? Now's your chance!)
Join JCC Youth Programs and Hooverwood Living to light the community menorah in Celebration Plaza on the second night of Chanukah!
Thu, Dec 26 | 5 pm | Outside JCC Door #3
BBYO is the leading pluralistic movement to involve Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences.
Playing dreidel at last year's Chanukah
The squads at last year's basketball tournament
Join BBYO at a Chanukah party on Dec 13 and at a basketball tournament in January!
To learn more about or join BBYO, contact Ethan at 317-532-5996 or ecohen@JCCindy.org.
Varied weekdays, Jan–May | $105 / $90 J Members Deepen your understanding of classical, jazz, and world music and build lasting connections with fellow music enthusiasts! Attend pre-concert classes and then concerts themselves.
More info/registration at JCCindy.org/events
July 27-Aug 1 in Tucson, AZ, be one of 15 from Indy to compete in an Olympic-style competition for Jewish teens in baseball, basketball (3x3 or 5x5), flag football, volleyball, dance, golf, soccer, ping pong, tennis, or swimming, or report on it!
Learn more and sign up for more info on the Maccabi Games at JCCindy.org/teen-programs.
Stacey and Brad Rochman grew up in other areas of the country but were JCC preschool kids themselves in their respective hometowns. Once they moved to Indianapolis and had their first daughter, Juliana, in 2018, they knew they would find a warm home at the Indy JCC. Now they have two more kids, twins Brooke and Cameron, and they are all avid members here. Juliana is an ECE (early childhood education) graduate and Brooke and Cameron are currently enrolled; they all love the variety of things they get to do at the J such as JumpBunch, ballet, swimming, and holiday celebrations. When asked about her favorite thing to do at CampJCC in the summer, Juliana said, “I like to do lots of stuff. They do a hot dog cookout on Fridays for lunch.” She also loves how in the summer, she gets to see all her old friends that she met here years ago.
The entire Rochman family is at the J pretty much every day, whether it be for camp/school, drop-off and pick-up, or otherwise using the facilities. While discussing her favorite JCC memories, Stacey said, “We’ve gone to all the Earth Day celebrations. That’s a lot of fun. I use the gym at least twice a week. I love coming in the summer for the pool. The kids all love it so much.” For Brad, the J is special because “everything that you need is all consolidated into one location, and it makes it easy to not have to shuttle the kids to two or three different places. If they all want to do different things, you can do it all here.”
Enrolling their kids somewhere where Jewish education was a part of the curriculum was very important for the Rochman parents. It allows their kids to celebrate Chanukah and other holidays both at school and at home. Stacey and Brad’s Chanukah traditions haven’t really changed much from when they were kids to now: “It’s pretty similar for me,” Brad said. “That’s a lot of what you pick up growing up is the traditions, and you carry those on when you have your own kids and your own family.”
Some of those traditions include:
• The first night is always for matching Chanukah pajamas. All the kids get the same PJs and “then probably wear them another seven nights in a row,” Brad said.
• Latkes (potato pancakes) are a staple during the Chanukah season. The Rochmans put their own spin on the dish, inspired by Brad's Texas roots, by making steak and latkes. They also don’t discriminate about what latkes are paired with. They’ll have sour cream as well as apple sauce on the table, so you can use one, both, or just have them plain!
• After their meal and lighting the menorah, it’s every young kid’s favorite part, gift opening! Everyone gets to pick out a gift, and then they all open it together.
• They decorate Chanukah cookies every year, which the kids love because they get to make a mess and eat the frosting.
• Seeing loved ones is one of the best parts of the holiday season. Stacey said, “We don’t have family in town, so sometimes family comes to visit. And sometimes, if not, we all FaceTime each other.”
On behalf of the JCC Board of Directors and staff, thank you for making the JCC a part of your life. We remain committed to making the JCC “The Place to Be” for you. Our goal is always to exceed your expectations, and we work each and every day to continually improve your experience here.
The JCC regularly reviews rates for all membership categories and may make adjustments when necessary (the last rate change occurred in January 2022). Effective January 1, 2025, there will be a 3% increase in your monthly membership dues. Before any discounts (scholarship, EFT, etc.), this is a maximum of $3 more per month.
The rate increase breaks down across the main JCC monthly membership categories as follows:
Young
$65
$52
$35
$54
$36
The new rate ensures that the JCC continues to maintain our facilities, provide quality programs and services and retain the best staff.
The cost of business continues to climb every year and the JCC works diligently and consistently to operate efficiently and control costs. In addition, we vigorously apply for grants and sponsorships as well as solicit donations to help hold off a rate increase.
We truly value you and thank you for being a part of our JCC community. We appreciate your understanding for our need to adjust membership rates and thank you for your continued support.
Refer a New Member Dec 15–Jan 31, Get 50% Off Your Next Month's Dues!
New members who join the J between Dec 15–Jan 31 won't pay the usual $99 join fee, but why should they reap all the rewards? If you are a monthly paying member and you refer a friend (make sure to have them mention your name upon sign-up), you'll get 50% off your next month's membership dues!
Registration is LIVE as of Nov 27 for Classes Beginning in January!
Thank you for your patience as the Marcia and Bruce Sklare JFIT Studio construction was completed to the highest standard. Everything is ready for the scheduled full launch beginning January 2025!
Beginning Nov 27, check out the full breakdown of all three JFIT tracks (low-impact Thrive, mid-level Strive and hardcore Drive), see a full list of classes and descriptions, and register for the Thrive and Drive classes you're most excited about on the JCC website. Strive classes begin Jan 1; Thrive and Drive classes begin Jan 13.
Find everything JFIT at JCCindy.org/jfit-fitness-studio
Tai Chi for Posture and Balance Sun, Dec 15 | 12:30–1:30 pm | Pescovitz Dance Studio.
Ride On '25: Cycling with Laurel Wed, Jan 1 | 9:30–10:30 am | Register at JCCindy.org/programs
Whether gathering or on vacation, you'll be prepared
Lifeguard Instructor Course (Age 16+): Sat–Sun, Dec 28–29 | 8 am–6 pm | $345
Lifeguard Instructor Review Course (Age 16+): Sun, Dec 15 | 7:30 am–5 pm | $165
Sign up at JCCindy.org/red-cross-training-classes
Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED/First Aid (Age 14+): Sat, Dec 14 or Sun, Dec 22 | 9–11:30 am | $75
Lifeguarding Full Course (Age 15+): Sat–Sun, Dec 21–22 | 7 am–7 pm | $265
Lifeguarding Review Course (Age 15+): Sat, Dec 14 | 7:30 am–6 pm | $165
6701 Hoover Road
Indianapolis IN 46260-4198
317-251-9467 | JCCindy.org
@JCCIndianapolis
Mon–Thu: 6 am–8 pm
Fri: 6 am–6 pm
Sat–Sun: 7 am–6 pm
Admin, Early Childhood
Mon–Fri: 8 am–5 pm
Visit JCCindy.org/jcc-hours for other upcoming closings
Tue, Dec 24: Christmas Eve Building close 5 pm, Admin/ECE/ASC Close 3 pm
Wed, Dec 25: Christmas/Chanukah 1st night Building 9 am–5 pm (no Gr. Ex)
Admin/ECE/ASC Closed
Tue, Dec 31: New Year's Eve Building close at 5 pm
Wed, Jan 1: New Year's Day Building 9 am–5 pm
Admin/ECE/ASC Closed
As of November 25, the J Cares Turkey Drive raised $9,700 to put toward gift cards to help 200+ families through 13 Central Indiana organizations enjoy a Thanksgiving meal! Thank you to all 75 donors for assisting these neighbors in need.
