A Year of Changes: Facility Improvements Enhance JCC Programming state-of-the-art equipment! Upstairs, we installed our new Executive Director Golf Simulator room, which kept This has been a year of change for many of our members physically the JCC. And unlike past changes, active and social during the winter months, and remains available this year’s have primarily been upgrades and improvements to our for use by members on nights and weekends. Down the hall, we physical facility. As the central address for the Jewish community, have completed our new Trexler Media Center, and we will soon we have strived to make our install a Sensory Room thanks to 65-year-old space bright and grant funding from LVHN. Behind welcoming and add features that the building, we have added the will be useful to our members and Toff Family Pavilion, creating an community. outdoor classroom space for our If you’ve been to the JCC young learners. In the basement, recently, you likely noticed one change immediately upon entering. we have converted the old Men’s Locker Room, which had been We have refreshed the exterior closed for 2020, into our new landscaping, removing overgrown Family Changing Area. This hedges and planting new ones. As beautiful space now features five you enter the lobby, you almost private changing rooms for parents surely noticed the new flooring and children, a private family that was updated for the first time restroom, and three privacy shower in our building’s history, and immediately makes our space seem stalls. In the coming months, we will more spacious and inviting. Further into our building, we have replaced also undertake a new Outdoor Adventure Pavilion for camp carpeting in the administrative funded in part by the Harold offices, and all of the 40-year-old blinds on the main floor and upper Grinspoon Foundation’s JCamp180 level facing the 22nd St. side of the program, a new low ropes course and upgraded archery range building. What a difference! supported by grants from the You don’t have to walk far to IronPigs Charities, lobby security see the next set of upgrades. In upgrades made possible by state the Kline Auditorium, we have grant funding, and an LED lighting upgraded the sound board and conversion project for the entire speakers (some of the equipment campus to lower our energy was original to the building!). We consumption. It has been a busy also installed stage lights, which year indeed and our board and staff had been missing for decades, have worked tirelessly to ensure to illuminate the front portion of that our facility still feels as new as the stage. Soon, we will also be replacing the stage curtains. In the it did in 1958 when it opened. And if you haven’t been to the kitchen adjacent to the auditorium, JCC recently, we hope you’ll come we have taken delivery of new by soon for a tour and see the many refrigerators, warming ovens, and vibrant spaces and programs that a stove. The Kline Auditorium is are thriving. ready to host your next event with
Eric Lightman
Discover New Interest and Meet New Friends After-School With JLounge Rachel Doyle
Youth and Camp Director
Summer is off to a fantastic start. School is winding down and camp is on everyone’s minds. However, the fun doesn’t stop at camp. At the end of the camp season, many families are searching for extracurricular activities to keep their kids active. The JCC is the hub for all your child’s after-school
18 JUNE 2023 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY
needs. The JLounge after-school program runs throughout the school year and includes homework help, healthy kosher-style snacks, games, indoor and outdoor recreation opportunities, crafts, and more led by our team of caring and dedicated counselors. Transportation is also provided from many area schools to the JCC. While here at the J, kids can enjoy multiple enrichment programs
like chess club, messy art, brick masters, music lessons, various sports clubs, and swimming. In addition to regular after-school care, on days when there is no school we offer full-day Vacation Camp! Each Vacation Camp resembles a mini summer camp day featuring all your summer favorites including swimming, seasonal activities, baking, arts, sports, and other fun games and programming.
All with the summer day camp spirit the JCC is known for. All of these amazing programs coupled with our summer camp experience offer year-round fun, unique activities, and enrichment opportunities all in a safe and caring environment that the whole community can enjoy. To learn more about the JCC’s after-school enrichments and JLounge program, visit lvjcc.org/JLounge.
