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
Upcoming LGBTQ+ Events
View All LGBTQ+ EventsPJ Library Passover Story Time: Freedom Tales
Celebrate Passover with stories of freedom! This event will include stories with diverse cultural and family representations…
Queer Homes & Liberation: Creative Workshop
Throughout Jewish and Queer history, themes of liberation and home have been ubiquitous and dynamic. In the LGBTQ+…
Drag Make-Up WERKshop
Find your look for Boston Pride! Join Jewish drag artist Jean Sequins for a WERKshop on the art of drag make-up. Learn the…
PJ Library Queer Family Kickball – Arlington
Come together with other LGBTQ+ families for the timeless schoolyard favorite: Kickball! We'll spend the afternoon in…
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 & 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:
Personal Training
Get Results With Personal Training No matter your age or ability, we’re here to help you crush it! Whether…
Swim Lessons
Lessons for Everyone and Every Level! Open to the community, our lessons make a splash for children and…
Parkinson’s Wellness
Empowering Our Parkinson’s Community We are dedicated to supporting both adults living with…
Camp Grossman
JCC Greater Boston's traditional Jewish day camp for kids entering Pre-K to 10th grade, featuring lakefront…
Upcoming Inclusive and Adaptive Events
Explore All UpcomingMetrowest Social Group
A social group for adults with disabilities that plans community outings. Previous outings included: going to plays, movies,…
Chess Challengers for All (Inclusive Class)
This smaller-sized class is designed for eager chess players that benefit from additional supports. This class moves at a…
Music and Movement (Adaptive Class)
Fuel your creativity with movement, music, and mindfulness! This class provides a multisensory environment and playful blend…
Music Performance (Adaptive Class)
Enjoy karaoke? Love to sing and/or dance? Show off your inner super star as you learn about music performance! Participants…
L’Chaim Social Group
A social group for adults with disabilities that proudly honors their Jewish heritage! The group celebrates Jewish holidays,…
Friends Drop In (FDI)
A social group for adults with disabilities that meets in the Brookline area. Friends Drop In (FDI) members create…
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.
Contact Us
Have any questions? Just fill out this form and our team will take it from there.