We've created this blog to give everyone a chance to share something special that they've experienced at the JCC. Let us know what you think makes our JCC community so special, and tell us about you special memories at the JCC. Please email me your story, and I'll post it for you: lael@jcc-asheville.org.

Thanks! - Lael

Once she finished preschool my daughter perceived the popular Shalom Preschool songs about peace as babyish. I tried to explain that the songs are sung by Jews of all ages everywhere, and that they can make us all feel good. She just couldn't get past that association with her younger years. 

 

A couple of years went by, and I put her in Camp Ruach. Imagine how happy I am that she now wants to sing these songs for all of us and teach us the new ones she's learned! I feel so great about what Camp Ruach did for her Jewish identity. 

 

Camp Ruach Parent, 2012

My daughter had an amazing week at Camp Ruach.  She has always loved Camp Ruach and it is for one major reason.  The JCC makes her feel like part of the family, part of the team and really builds relationships. 

The fact that you all come up with small ways to honor each child’s success is huge in building self esteem.  She related each and every day in detail about all the cool things she participated in.  From the singing, cooking, horse painting! (Love that!) And water Olympics…she felt secure and happy.

We have experienced many of the top day camps around Asheville.  No one else builds spirit the way the JCC does!  Way to go!

Honor Moor

This summer, I asked my son Jonah, 10, what kind of volunteering he would like to do.  He said it was his “lifelong dream to read books to little kids.”  (He is a little dramatic.)

So, off we went to the JCC, where Jonah spent a couple of hours surrounded by two-year-olds, helping out in a classroom at the Shalom Children’s Center.  When I came to pick him up, one of the little boys was sitting on his lap and both he and Jonah were smiling widely.  Jonah asked if he could come back the rest of the week.

In the car, on the way home, he said, “Something about those kids makes my heart want to go back.”

That is one of our family’s JCC stories. Another one is my daughter, who has had the privilege for two summers to work as an assistant camp counselor at Camp Ruach.  This experience has filled her with pride, benefitting her in a myriad of other ways.

We are grateful for these opportunities and more, as we enjoy being a part of the family at the J.

- Pam J. Hecht

We loved the Gefilte Fish.  It was a great experience.  Hands down the swim meets were the most fun of all the swim meets our kids have ever been to. Laid back, low key, all positive reinforcement, everyone happy.  It was all I wanted from a swim team this summer, and suited our purposes (and schedules and wallet) perfectly.  We will be back next summer.

Sarah Thornburg

Recently, my husband and I were talking with our two boys over dinner about our upcoming summer vacation and the topic of "memories" came up. Our boys are 7 and 9 years old so to help illustrate this concept we provided some examples and asked them to recount some memories of their own - this conversation diverged into a storytelling account of our earliest childhood memories. My oldest son who is a Shalom pre-school graduate recounted what he believed to he his earliest memory of sitting with his class at Shabbat and witnessing an incident where someone accidentally knocked one of the lit Shabbat candles off the table.  The pre-school teacher, thinking quickly, caught the candle just before it hit the floor keeping the candle lit!

I was taken aback first by my son's detailed description and his observation that the teacher had "saved" Shabbat by catching the candle; but I also paused at the revelation that my son will carry this early childhood memory with him for the rest of his life (along with many more I hope). My husband and I have reflected upon this several times since our son first shared this story and we are so grateful that this memory includes a connection to our son's Jewish heritage and that the setting of this memory was at the JCC and included the people who had cared and nurtured him in these early years. It makes us value the JCC and our community all the more - a special thanks to all.

Affectionately,

Shannon Tuch

 

I love the pool, managed to get there yesterday, in-between two neighborhood meeting, for one hour of delicious coolness. The energy at the pool is healthy, alive, and openly expressive. Feels wonderful, I made a great investment to join JCC for the Summer,

- Joe Barrett

I wanted to send you a quick note and let you know HOW MUCH FUN we had at our Pool Party last week! The kids were literally out of their minds with excitement and had an absolute blast!  The parents also enjoyed the opportunity to get to know one another and meet the children that would be a part of their child’s life for the next year. I can’t thank you enough for all of your help and your flexibility with the time/guests/etc.  I gave the JCC “props” every chance that I got…and made sure that everyone knew that the JCC’s generosity and donation to the March of Dimes made the pool party possible!

THANKS!!

- April S. Conner

I wanted to mention to how wonderful your Aquatics Coordinator is.  My kids, on the way to their first swimming lesson, were not happy.  They did not want to go and didn’t understand why we were making them take lessons.  Thanks to Amy, their attitude towards the lessons and swimming changed.  After the first day, not only were they happy, but they were eager to go to swimming lessons.  Amy has a wonderful way of interacting with kids, and I think that made my kids happy to swim.

- Eric Levy

Last week I had the good fortune to be able to volunteer with the JCC to deliver Hanukkah meals to some folks who were in need. Judy and Jeremiah were wonderful and made it very easy. The packages were delivered and a Happy Hanukkah was enabled for the first night. Then on Sunday the JCC held a most delightful Hanukkah meal and menorah lighting. What a joy. Many thanks to the other Judy, Natalie, the Rabbis, the wonderful staff, the caterer and all the attendees who were joyous and loving. The way Hanukkah is meant to be.

Regards,
Elizabeth LaBar

I just wanted to let you know how pleased our family is that we have become part of the larger Just Kids family.  Our son is participating in the Just Kids Program in the five year old room. His teachers are excellent. I never worry. I know that he is safe, cared for, and learning new and wonderful things every single day. The staff are caring and genuine folks who have the kid's best interests at heart. But beyond that, they are happy people who are happy doing what they do best. Who could ask for more? What a wonderful and loving environment you all have created. We are so lucky to be part of the JCC and Just Kids community, wish we had found it earlier.

- Eva Chazo

I had expressed my appreciation to Sherrill for what she has done for my daughter and wanted to pass this along to you as well.

When my daughter was at her other daycare she learned a ton, academically, and I was happy with the care. What I did notice increasingly happening,were, meltdowns as soon as we were in the car. She was a pent up ball of anxiety, frustration and stress. There were a couple hours of letting her release all of this, followed by a slow decline in her happiness overall. Since being at the JCC, she is back to her carefree, light hearted, fun, happy self. I pick her up, she gets in the car, and we have the best conversations and all the meltdowns have stopped. She is excited every morning to get to school. I have seen her transform back to a positive little 3 year old, with a new interest in exploring and learning about the world around her.

Thank you ALL so much!!!

Amy White
Alpine Photography Inc

I want you to know that my child who was christened in the Catholic church is in love with Judaism. She loves to sing the prayers and explain to me what she learns about your faith. It makes me happy to watch her grow in her faith in God.

- April Suttles