The JNext Philanthropic Group has donated innovative enhancements to promote healthy childhood development.

From left: Amanda Katzman, Joshua Feldman, Naomi Scheinerman. Courtesy photo

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The Mandell Jewish Community Center unveiled the new JNext Activity Center in the Family Room Parenting Center on April 28, 2022, which was made possible thanks to the generosity of its JNext donors. The JNext Activity Center is filled with unique, cutting-edge, innovative and open-ended activities, equipment, and teaching tools which promote healthy childhood development.

JNext, which was established in 2021, consists of new generations of JCC members who come together to raise funds and awareness for the causes they are passionate about, and to contribute new energy to the future of the Mandell JCC community. This philanthropic group identified family programming as a key area of impact, and responded to an overwhelming request to provide enhancements to the Family Room Parenting Center. Following months of research and planning, the JNext Activity Center was introduced to the community.

“The Family Room is such a special space at the JCC where parents can spend quality time with their young children and create new friendships with other families,” says Amanda Katzman, JNext Co-Chair. “The Family Room holds an important place in my heart, as I know how much my children enjoy this intimate space. This may be a small room at the J, but its impact on our community is enormous and we wanted to recognize its influence by creating the JNext Activity Center.”

The new additions to the Family Room include a magnet wall, light table, and a Library Story Driven Block Play Package.

The family room at the JCC has been dedicated as the JNext Activity Center, following the donation of funds for enhancements. Courtesy photo

The activities are all age and developmentally appropriate for young children and foster critical thinking while encouraging hands on learning through play and experimentation.

“Philanthropy is a significant part of JNext, but it’s also about determining the future direction of the JCC,” says Joshua Feldman, JNext Co-Chair. “The gifts made to the Family Room are not just an investment in this area of the JCC, but a contribution to the legacy of our community.”

Parents and caregivers do not have to be members of the JCC to use the Family Room Parenting Center, which offers parent/child interactive classes, enrichment classes, holiday programing and parent workshops.

For more information on the Family Room and Parenting Center and the new JNext Activity Center visit www.mandelljcc.org/familyroom.

The family room at the JCC has been dedicated as the JNext Activity Center, following the donation of funds for enhancements. Courtesy photo

The family room at the JCC has been dedicated as the JNext Activity Center, following the donation of funds for enhancements. Courtesy photo

The family room at the JCC has been dedicated as the JNext Activity Center, following the donation of funds for enhancements. Courtesy photo

The family room at the JCC has been dedicated as the JNext Activity Center, following the donation of funds for enhancements. Courtesy photo

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