Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
We are a community that values and celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Everyone Is Welcome
One of our core values at JCC Greater Boston is Belonging, which we connect to the Hebrew term B’Tzelem Elohim: That Everyone Was Created in the Image of God. To that end, it is our mission to welcome and treat everyone with dignity, kindness, and respect. Whether you are a JCC member or just visiting, we want you to feel at home and connected to our community.
JCC Pride
Embracing the remarkable diversity within the Jewish community, we are dedicated to supporting and affirming all identities within our community through inclusive programs all year round. We joyfully celebrate LGBTQ+ families, and we are committed to fostering a culture of belonging in every space we create.
Upcoming LGBTQ+ Events
View All LGBTQ+ EventsSpring Music and Movement (16-20 yrs) – Sundays [Adaptive Class]
Fuel your creativity with movement, music, and mindfulness! This class provides a multisensory environment and playful blend…
JCC PFLAG Support Group – May
JCC Greater Boston is proud to offer a monthly virtual support group for parents and caregivers of trans, non-binary, and…
Accessibility
To ensure that everyone can fully utilize our facilities, we offer a range of accessibility features and accommodations at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC, such as:
- Elevator access to all levels across the campus.
- Wheelchair-friendly private changing rooms.
- Spacious, renovated fitness center, with a lift between levels.
- We’ve designed our fitness center to ensure ease of movement.
- Pool chair lift indoors, allowing individuals with mobility challenges to more easily participate in water activities.
- Outdoor pool with a zero-entry design.
Adaptive Swim Lessons
Our dedicated and diverse team of swim instructors has worked with swimmers of all ages and disabilities, creating personalized lessons for everyone who dives into our pool. All instructors are trained in the Swim Angelfish® methodology with borrowed elements from our Lenny Krazelburg Swim Academy program, meeting students where they’re at and helping them develop their swimming abilities in a comfortable setting.
Interested in learning more about the program? View our Dates and Rates and email adaptedswim@jccgb.org to get started. We can’t wait to get your swimmer started on the path to success!
Hours
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: 2–6pm
- Saturdays and Sundays: 8:30am–2pm
Adaptive & Inclusive Programs
We offer specialized, inclusive classes, events, and programs, including recreational activities, educational programs, and social events. Our goal is to provide an inclusive environment for all members of our community to learn, grow, and engage with their peers. We are dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to the same high-quality experiences.
- We’re here to help! Want to participate in an inclusive program but don’t know where to start? Let us know which programs you’re interested in, and whether you have any questions, and we’ll be in touch to discuss next steps.
The following programs are designed with an adaptive and/or inclusive component to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate:
Meet the Team
LGBTQ+ Family Connector
Samantha Doucet
LGBTQ+ Family Connector
Samantha is a dedicated LGBTQ+ family connector in the JCC’s family engagement and Jewish life department. She is dedicated to fostering connections within the queer Jewish community and has extensive experience in creating programs and opportunities for families, youth, and adults who identify as LGBTQ+ or gender-expansive.
With her background as an educator and clinical social worker, including experience in the New York City public school system and various community-based non-profits, Samantha brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Feminist, Gender, & Sexuality Studies and French Studies from Wesleyan University, a Master’s degree in Education from Brooklyn College, and a Master’s of Social Work from Hunter College.
Samantha is an active member of the LGBTQ+ community and lives in Metro North with her wife, two children, two cats, and dog. She is committed to promoting inclusivity and providing support for the LGBTQ+ community through her work and personal life.
Coordinator, Inclusion & Support Services
Elissa Edwards
Coordinator, Inclusion & Support Services
Meet Elissa! As our coordinator of inclusion and support services, she is responsible for ensuring that individuals of all backgrounds and abilities can access and enjoy everything JCC Greater Boston has to offer. Elissa has been working at the JCC since 2010, when she began as a swim instructor at Camp Grossman (she is now a co-director of our waterfront there!), where she ignited her passion for this line of work. Before joining the JCC, Elissa worked as a special education teacher in Virginia and Massachusetts. She holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in special education from James Madison University.
Get In Touch
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
333 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459
617.558.6577
inclusion@jccgb.org
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