Jewish community centers are agencies that offer a wide variety of cultural, educational, recreational, and social activities for Jews of all ages. Some Jewish community centers are called Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Associations, or YM-YWHA’s.
Jewish community centers—often called JCC’s—offer informal programs in such areas as arts and crafts, dance, drama, health, literature, music, and Jewish culture and education. Activities include camping and such sports as basketball, racquetball, swimming, and volleyball. The centers also offer group discussions and lectures, and special programs for people with disabilities. The activities are directed by social workers and by specialists in the arts, child education, adult Jewish education, and health and physical education.
Centers in the United States and Canada are affiliated with JCC Association (formerly called the Jewish Welfare Board). JCC Association provides the centers with published program materials, professional guidance in program planning, and technical advice on administration, building construction, and operation of camps. JCC Association also recruits and places social workers, health and physical-education instructors, Jewish education specialists, and cultural arts workers for the centers.
Jewish community centers trace their origin to 1854, when the first Young Men’s Hebrew Association was established. The first Young Women’s Hebrew Association was founded in 1888.
