J Blog

It was 45 years ago that my mom, Henrietta Bell, started the Nite Owls program. My sister was in her teens when my mom realized she would need a peer group for social activities to meet her developmental differences as she aged. This was in 1964.

Jewish tradition is deeply rooted in welcoming the stranger. Our Torah teaches: "You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt (Exodus 23:9).”

June 20 is World Refugee Day, and the J is proud to be a part of our #HoustonStrong community, coming together to assist families seeking resources and comfort at detention centers in McAllen, Texas at the U.S.-Mexico border. 

On June 24-July 1 we will be hosting an event to participate with other JCCs to connect to and cycle along with the Jewish community in Krakow.  We will be hosting two book end cycle classes of 55 minutes to mark the occasion as well as times to use the spin studio on your own to complete your own 55 mile ride all week to honor the JCC Krakow. 

We are grad students from UH, writing as part of a community healing through storytelling initiative. We will be offering free workshops centered on telling the story of Meyerland--your stories of Meyerland, tracing your experiences from your first arrival through the storm and to the present day. Community members can share their storm stories and learn how to help their neighbors share their storm stories, as well as their own unique perspectives on this unique neighborhood. The process is both a healing act and a mode of community documentation, a chance for those affected by the storm to shape their neighborhood’s story.

On Thursday mornings at 5:30 AM or 6:05 AM, come to the Fitness Center to take our new class, Express HIIT. 

What is HIIT?

HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training. Basically, work your booty off in intervals for maximum benefit. We will work in bursts of energy and short bursts of rest for a short amount of time.

This type of work out is well suited for all fitness levels and modifications, and you are expected to work 80-90% of your max. The workouts are efficient because you burn a high amount of calories in a short amount of time. 

Ceramics is a fulfilling hobby. There are endless components that test one’s skills. 

Starting with wedging, the process of making the clay supple, there are unlimited techniques to learn. Whether you like hand building or use the wheel, it’s a challenge that takes practice. 

Until this fall, my preference was building all sorts of items on the wheel. The tactile sensation of working the clay on the wheel and the visual affirmation when your product is complete is an amazing feeling. Bowls, mugs, colanders to serve berries, plates, even made a lemon squeezer...the projects are infinite.  

The Splash 'n Dash, benefiting Justins TRIumph Over GAN, an organization that raises funds and awareness for Giant Axonal Neuropathy (GAN), was held on Sunday, May 6 at the J. The event was organized for kids aged 7-15:  7-10 year olds swim 100m and run 1/2 mile, and 11-15 year olds swim 200m and run one mile. 

The J hosted the event, race packet pick up and provided lifeguards. One very determined child and his mother shared their experience with us: 

Summer is almost here and with the Outdoor Pool now open weekends, it’s time to think about preparing your child to pass the swim test.  All swimmers under the age of 18 must pass the test, which allows them to use any area of any pool past the 3 ft. depth marker rope line. 

It’s fairly common for kids to have the jitters about passing the swim test, especially if they haven’t been in a pool since last summer. 

To help our young swimmers build their confidence and review the skills needed to pass the test, we’re offering a NEW Swim Test Class beginning May 22. The class will be offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4:15 PM—4:45 PM or from 4:45 PM—5:15 PM for four sessions. 

This Memorial Day our Fitness Center will host an outdoor Murph Challenge and an indoor circuit workout for all who want to participate.

In honor of Memorial Day, athletes across the world complete a “Murph” to honor our service men and women.

The workout itself is designed to honor a specific lieutenant named Lt. Michael P. Murphy. He put himself into the line of fire to save his team and call for back up.

The Golden Girls Plus One Tap Ensemble is an exciting and versatile senior tap dance group based at the J. We perform throughout the city for various community events, retirement centers and just about anywhere we have a space and surface that accommodates our tap dance shoes! 

The group, formerly named the Golden Girl Tappers, has been together since June 1999 when they took a beginning tap class from Margorie Swiss at the Tracy Gee Community Center.  One year after they started the tap lessons, the group began performing and eventually moved to the J where they still practice every Monday afternoon.