Mother’s Day offers us the opportunity to celebrate the invaluable care and nurturing that mothers provide, recognizing that love and guidance show up in many different forms. The work we do at JCCA makes us especially appreciative of the many expressions of affection...
On a cloudy Wednesday in May, JCCA’s residential staff met on our beautiful, 160-acre Pleasantville campus for the first in-person Staff Appreciation Day since the COVID-19 pandemic began. After grabbing lunch orders from two food trucks parked outside, the staff...
Dear Friends, In challenging times, it is easy to get numb to our situation and feel helpless. We get stuck in the moment, when really, we should be digging in the depths of our heart to bring out the true leader that lies within us. As the Passover holiday approaches...
On April 8, 1822, a group of Jewish Americans met to found New York City’s first Jewish charitable organization, the Hebrew Benevolent Society. With $300 ($6,600 in today’s dollars) collected, these Jews, who had arrived from England and Holland in the 17th and...
As March is Women’s History Month, we are highlighting two pioneering women from JCCA’s past—Mary Boretz and Julia Goldman—who made significant contributions to child welfare. Mary Boretz As a child in the early 20th century, Mary Boretz had first-hand...
As we begin to welcome volunteers back to Campus, we wanted to share some "no-touch" game and activity ideas for safe, socially-distanced group fun! Activities: Simon SaysWe all know how to play this one! Head’s upThe kids love it, and it’s silly and sweet. Download...
As we approach another Jewish new year, many of us look toward feelings of hope and renewal—and the sound of the shofar, the ram's horn trumpet sounded on Rosh Hashanah during prayer service. One of the teens in JCCA’s Kesher program recently asked if there’s a way to...
In May, JCCA talked with Jill Mullings a Parent Advocate and Outreach Coordinator for the Family Resource Center. Our conversation touched on her history with JCCA and why she was inspired to take on this role. It has been edited for clarity and length. What is...
Almost every year, the children on JCCA’s Pleasantville campus host a special dinner to show volunteers just how much they are valued. Unfortunately, the dinner is one of many special events our young people have had to miss during the pandemic. But they still wanted...
To recognize National Child Abuse Month, JCCA sat down with Danielle Capra, LMSW, a social worker at the Center for Healing. We discussed the impact of childhood sexual abuse on victims, treating trauma, and a positive moment with a client. Our conversation has been...