Faces of JCA Rachel Sandler

L'DOR V'DOR

FAMILY, EDUCATION, AND SENIOR LIVING

FACES OF THE JCA: RACHEL SANDLER

By Beth Milograno Berry, Jewish Community Alliance

As the Jewish Educator at the Jewish Community Alliance (JCA), Rachel Sandler creates programming within our community as it relates to our Jewish traditions, heritage and holidays.

After 16 years of teaching elementary school, Rachel joined the JCA in March of 2020, just two weeks before the coronavirus pandemic closed our doors. Amid shutdowns and new safety protocols, Rachel quickly shifted her programs to virtual platforms and continued to engage and educate our community throughout the uncertainties of the pandemic.

Why is it fulfilling to create Jewish and Family programs for our community?

One of my favorite things about the JCA is being able to connect my Jewish heritage with my profession. I love planning the programs for our community members and especially enjoy working with our Israeli Community Shaliach, Stav Brenner.

How do these programs make a difference in the greater Jacksonville community?

The Jewish education programs at the JCA enhance the lives of Jewish and non-Jewish people to learn more about Judaism and Israel. Stav’s experiences and knowledge about Israel enrich the lives of families within our community.

What are you looking forward to at the JCA in the next few months?

If you are interested in joining Rachel for the JCA’s Jewish and Family programs, please contact the registrar’s office at (904) 730-2100 ext. 228 or visit jcajax.org to learn more about our Jewish classes and programs.

Aside from the Yiddish, Hebrew and Jewish Yoga classes scheduled at the JCA this fall, I am looking forward to our Cultural Arts Festival in November. Collaborating with the festival committee is a new part of my job and I am very excited about the events we have planned this year. We have a great lineup of Jewish authors, artists and films planned for the entire community.

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