As summer begins to wind down and families prepare for the transition into fall, the Weinstein JCC is entering the new season with excitement, momentum, and deep gratitude for its community. Adding to the energy is a fresh wave of recognition from the 2025 Richmond magazine Best & Worst issue, hitting newsstands this August.

Thousands of Richmonders cast their votes, and the results reflect what so many already know: the Weinstein JCC continues to be a cornerstone of connection, care, and excellence. This year, the JCC was named Best Preschool Education, Best After-School Care Program, and Best Children’s Summer Camp Program. The community also recognized the JCC’s fitness facilities as one of the Top Three Membership Gyms in the city—a nod to its robust wellness offerings and commitment to inclusive, whole-person health.

“We’re proud to be seen not just as a facility, but as a real community,” says Michael Blanchard, Senior Director of Marketing and Member Experience. “People come here for preschool, fitness, camp—but what keeps them coming back is the sense of belonging. That’s what truly sets us apart.”

These awards come during a dynamic time of transformation. Thanks to the success of an over $11 million capital campaign, the Weinstein JCC is unveiling a series of improvements designed to enhance member experience across generations.

This fall, families will return to refreshed preschool classrooms, revitalized after-school spaces, and a completely reimagined fitness and aquatics wing, featuring two updated saltwater pools, expanded group fitness studios, and more flexible wellness spaces.

The JCC also welcomes Brad Finkel, its new CEO, whose 25+ years of leadership within the JCC movement bring fresh vision, energy, and deep dedication to community-building.

Preschool Reopens with Purpose: Child-Led, Nature-Based Learning

Among the most celebrated programs at the J is its award-winning Preschool, reopening for a new school year on August 18. Nationally accredited by NAEYC and guided by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, the program focuses on child-led exploration, nurturing a deep sense of curiosity, empathy, and self-expression.

One of the Preschool’s defining features is its certification as a Nature Explore® outdoor classroom site. These immersive outdoor playscapes—carefully designed to inspire wonder—offer children daily opportunities to connect with nature as part of their learning.

“Children make meaning through their senses,” says Donna Peters, Early Childhood Director. “Whether it's the sound of leaves underfoot, the scent of challah baking, or the rhythm of Hebrew songs at circle time, the experiences here help children develop a deep sense of self, community, and tradition.”

Rooted in Jewish values such as Shomrei Adamah (guardianship of the Earth) and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), the preschool encourages a relationship with nature that enhances emotional regulation, motor development, creative thinking, and spiritual grounding.

Limited spaces remain for children ages 2–5. For enrollment information, families are encouraged to contact Caroline Clark at cclark@weinsteinjcc.org.

Upcoming Fall Programs and Registration

The JCC program staff has been hard at work all summer putting together exciting new programs, classes, and events for the entire community. A sneak peek of the highly anticipated Fall Activity Guide will be available online at weinsteinjcc.org on Monday, August 4, with classes opening for member priority registration on Monday, August 11 at 9 a.m., and then to the public on Monday, August 18. If you’re not already a JCC member, consider joining today to receive discounts and early access.

Blood Drive and Community Impact

Beyond its educational and wellness programming, the JCC continues to serve the wider Richmond community through meaningful acts of service. On June 30, it hosted a successful blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross, collecting 25 units of blood during a week of high national need.

With the goal of doing even more, the JCC will hold its next drive on August 29, with an increased target of 28 units. The date coincides with Happiness Happens Month, a fitting occasion to inspire joy through the mitzvah of saving lives.

To schedule your appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter code WJCC.

Art, Grief, and Healing: A New Exhibit Opened July 27

In a deeply moving new cultural arts offering, the Weinstein JCC presents What Hands Can Do, a multi-sensory art installation that opened July 27 in the Sara D. November Gallery. The exhibit, created by Pinina Morgan, Jewish Life and Israel Engagement Manager, was born out of her journey to Israel in December 2024—just months after the October 7 attacks—as part of a JCCA and iCenter delegation.

Blending photography, personal narratives, poetry, sound installations, and interactive sculpture, the exhibit invites visitors to physically and emotionally engage with themes of trauma, resilience, and hope.

“This exhibit grew out of what I witnessed in Israel—profound trauma, yes, but also extraordinary resilience,” says Morgan. “It’s about how creation—through our hands, our voices, our actions—can be a powerful response to helplessness. Through art, we move from silence into healing.”

Key components include memorial sculptures inspired by the Nova Music Festival site, a wrapped yellow piano honoring hostage and pianist Alon Ohel, and an interactive “home” structure where participants can tie yellow ribbons bearing messages of longing and hope.

The exhibit is free and open to the community and will be available during the Center’s normal hours of operation.

Morgan’s intention is to create a shared space for healing and reflection, while honoring the lives lost and the strength of those who continue on.

Fall into Wellness: A Renewed Fitness Experience

With its beautifully updated facilities and vibrant community energy, the JCC’s newly renovated fitness center is poised to become an even more essential destination for health and wellness this fall.

In addition to classic group exercise options, members can explore specialty offerings, including Tai Chi, Qigong, Strength & Tone for Women, and specialized yoga programs. These additions reflect a growing focus on holistic fitness, mindfulness, and movement across all ages and

For those looking to build physical confidence and real-world safety skills, the Weinstein JCC is offering an eight-week Krav Maga course beginning September 11. Open to participants ages 12 and up, the class will meet Thursdays from 12:15–1:15 p.m., running through November 6. The cost is $180 for members and $210 for nonmembers.

Krav Maga, a self-defense system developed for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), blends practical techniques from multiple martial arts disciplines to help individuals stay safe and respond effectively in threatening situations.

The course will be taught by the expert team at Winning Warrior Krav Maga, led by Mark Winn, a veteran instructor with over 25 years of experience and certifications in Krav Maga, Karate, Kung Fu, and multiple strength and conditioning systems.

Participants will learn how to react with clarity and precision, improve situational awareness, and build strength and resilience—all within a safe, disciplined, and empowering environment.

More Than a Center—A Community

Whether through early childhood discovery, adult fitness, artistic reflection, or communal acts of service, the Weinstein JCC continues to bring its mission to life: building a welcoming, inclusive community rooted in Jewish values, where every person—from preschoolers to seniors—feels they belong and can thrive.

To explore membership options, schedule a tour, or learn more about everything the J has to offer, visit weinsteinjcc.org.