Tucson JCC

06/02/2026

Say hello 👋 to Natasha Rosenstein, one of our floor associates and dance and gymnastics coach We’re excited to share a bit about her in this week’s !⁣ 🤩🌟

Q: Tell us about your role here at the Tucson J!
A: I work two different jobs here at the J! I help manage the fitness center as well as coach students ages 3-13 in dance and gymnastics! My dance background is rooted in ballet, and I have been dancing since I was 3, and professionally since I was 10. I enjoy supporting all members with their exercise and lifestyle goals!

Q: Tucson must-see or do?
A: If you are looking for an oasis in the desert, go to the El Rio Preserve!

Q: If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be and why?
A: I would want to learn all the languages (Russian, Romanian, Yiddish) my ancestors spoke to keep their cultures and memories alive.

Q: What does community mean to you?
A: Community means having mini-families I can always return to. I have moved around a lot, and they make me feel appreciated, seen, and welcome when I go back to visit!

Thanks, Natasha! Make sure to say hello the next time you are in the Fitness Center!

06/01/2026

“To be yourself is truly a revolutionary act.”

— Lena Waithe

Happy Pride Month from the Tucson J! 🏳️‍🌈 Every month, we are proud to celebrate and support authenticity, diversity, and love — everyone belongs at the J!

05/31/2026

Swipe through ➡️ to discover what’s coming up at the !⁣⁣⁣

👉 For more information + to register, go to tucsonjcc.org!

05/31/2026

Today is the LAST DAY to make the most of our summer SALE on membership! Unlock a world of fitness, community, and growth when you spend the summer at the J! ☀️

👏 Join NOW through May 31 and get half off the join fee + half off first month's dues*! 👏

With endless options for every family, summer at the J is pool splashes, court camaraderie, sunny smiles, and lasting friendships. 🏊😊💪

Build a wellness routine that excites you, try out a sport to keep moving, experience the adventure of Camp J, get inspired in an arts and culture program, or beat the heat with our state-of-the-art amenities.

Stay cool and connected all season long at the J! Join today! 😆

*Sale applies to 6 and 12-month memberships. Half off applies to the first full month.

👉 Join today here: https://tucsonjcc.org/join/

05/30/2026

Shabbat Shalom! ✡️ Ma Nishma? Sharing the JOY of the J: This week's Torah portion, Nasso, teaches that hearing the Divine voice is not about where God is, rather whether or not we have positioned ourselves to listen—meaning, wisdom, and connection emerge when we make ourselves present and attentive. Our hope is that the Tucson J is a place where people can come to "tune in." 🎧

The opening days of camp are filled with a different kind of noise: laughter, nervous introductions, Shabbat songs, and the energy of children discovering a new community and trying new things. 👏 But beneath all that activity lies something quieter and more lasting. Summer camp offers a powerful setting for the kind of listening we are taught about in Nasso. Removed from the routines of everyday life, camp creates space for children to discover new strengths, build meaningful friendships, develop a deeper sense of belonging, and come closer to themselves and one another. 🤝 As we welcomed the first days of camp and over 350 campers this week, we are proud to be a place where these discoveries unfold and are honored to be part of it.🌟

With Cass Johnson, Director of Camp + Youth, at the helm, this first week of camp was full of time in the pool, theater with our new Shlichim (emissary) Yuval, pickleball, cooking, water games, Shabbat with Tyler and Zach on the guitar, and so much more. ☀️🎸🏓 We are excited for the summer ahead and grateful for the community of parents who send their children to spend this important time with us!

Off campus, Todd Rockoff, President + CEO traveled to Austin to speak at the farewell celebration honoring Rabbi Daniel Septimus for his years of leadership as President + CEO of Shalom Austin. 🎙️ As Rabbi Septimus transitions to become the Jewish Community Centers of North America (JCCs)'s inaugural Executive Director of the Center of Jewish Peoplehood, the occasion was a reminder that the work of building Jewish community extends far beyond any one city or institution. We are proud to celebrate leaders who strengthen the bonds that connect Jewish communities across North America and wish Rabbi Septimus every success in this exciting new chapter. ✨

From the joyful beginnings of summer camp to the relationships and stories that connect Jewish communities across North America, this week reminded us that belonging is built through presence, attention, and shared purpose. May we carry that spirit into Shabbat and the week ahead. 🎉

05/29/2026

At the J, our Early Childhood Education community is not just with you, it's for you. 🤝 😊 Our passionate lead teachers have a 100% retention rate, and many of them have become incredible parent advocates as well, demonstrating just how interconnected our community is!

Take it from one of our wonderful 🤩 ECE teachers, Andrea Sanchez, whose daughter is also a student in our program:

“I love what being at the J does for my child. At the J, she learns new things, socializes with other kids, and feels safe. I know I can't teach her everything she’s learning here, so having a place where the teachers truly care means everything to me. I feel comfortable, supported, and I’m so grateful for what the J has done for my child and our family.”

👉 Have a child 6 weeks to pre-K age? Click the link in our bio to learn more about our award-winning preschool!

05/28/2026

As Jewish American Heritage Month comes to a close, our friends at want to recognize some of the incredible Jewish-American individuals across history who have contributed greatly to culture, music, and literature.

Some include:
🌎 George Gershwin
🌎 Stan Lee
🌎 Ezra Jack Keats
🌎 Barbra Streisand
🌎 Iris Apfel

Let us know in the comments below— what Jewish-American figure do you most admire?

👉 Find books, videos, and other resources about these incredible people and more here: https://pjlibrary.org/beyond-books/pjblog/may-2026/influential-jewish-american-musicians,-writers,-ar

05/27/2026

Our wonderful Director of Arts + Culture, Chloe Loos, recently sat down with Rabbi Ravi Alpert for an interesting conversation about the rediscovery of her heritage following the events of October 7th. 🎙️

Watch the full podcast here:

Get more from Horizontal Media on Patreon. Conversations and commentary grounded in Covenantal Judaism. Support Horizontal Media and get exclusive access to their work.

05/27/2026

Last week, we wrapped up JCare for the school year. Our kids celebrated by baking cupcakes and reflecting on their favorite parts of JCare! 🧁 School is officially out, but it's never too early to start thinking about after school activities for the fall. ✨

What is JCare? 📚
The Tucson J’s afterschool program for kids in grades K-5, JCare, provides an intentional afterschool experience where all children discover, learn, and grow through activities such as art, cooking, and homework help. 🌱

What to Expect:
🌟Expert-led enrichment activities in arts, sciences, and sports
🌟Homework help
🌟Fun physical activity and outdoor play
🌟Social action projects around inclusivity, kindness, and community
🌟Integrated Jewish values and holiday celebrations
🌟Healthy snacks

For the 2026-2027 school year, JCare runs from August 3, 2026, through May 25, 2027, from 2-6pm. Plus, transportation is provided for a variety of schools! 👏

👉 Learn more about JCare here: https://tucsonjcc.org/programs-events/j-care-after-school/

05/27/2026

Emotional awareness, responsibility, and exploration are just a few of the teachings our Early Childhood Education curriculum instills to ensure kindergarten readiness for our students. Read our most recent article below to see how our curriculum centers around developing lifelong learners. 📚🌟

In the Tucson J's Early Childhood Education program, our curriculum centers around developing lifelong learners in every student — from preschool to kindergarten and beyond.