JoinDonate

Browse Programs by age

Ages 0-2 Ages 3-5 Ages 6-12 Ages 13-17 Ages 18+ Seniors (65+)

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.

Boy running into the water at Camp Grossman.

Everyone Is Welcome

At JCC Greater Boston, we are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of gender expression or identity. We believe that everyone deserves a space where they feel safe, respected, and comfortable.

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. We design our inclusive programs in Boston with accessibility and diversity in mind, spanning from specialized children's classes to adult performances and events.

We offer multiple gender-inclusive bathrooms and changing rooms throughout our facilities, as well as an ADA-compliant gender-inclusive bathroom to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities. We designed these spaces to accommodate the diverse needs of our community and reflect our dedication to inclusivity and equity.

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.

Learn More

Upcoming LGBTQ+ Events

View All LGBTQ+ Events

Accessibility 

All JCC Greater Boston programs are open to everyone, and we strive to provide accommodations for all programs. If you or your loved one requires accommodations or support services to participate in a JCC Greater Boston event, class, or program, or if you have any concerns or questions, please contact inclusion@jccgb.org. Some accommodations require time to arrange. Please contact us with a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice.

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 & outdoors.
  • Outdoor pool with a zero-entry design.

Adaptive Swim

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.

Adaptive Swim Page

 

Sensory Swim Hour

Saturdays | 3–4pm

We are excited to offer Sensory Swim Accommodations for individuals and their families who register for our Saturday Sensory Swim Hour! This specialized program in partnership with Autism Welcoming creates a comfortable and supportive environment, allowing participants to enjoy a relaxing swim experience at our indoor pool tailored to their unique sensory needs at no cost to you.

Sensory Swim Page
JCC Greater Boston's indoor pool.

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:

Upcoming Events

‏‏‎ ‎

Meet the Team

headshot of Ellysheva Bunge-Zeira.

Ellysheva Bunge-Zeira

Inclusion Director

Ellysheva Bunge-Zeira joined JCC Greater Boston as the Director of Inclusion in 2026. Prior to joining the JCC she was the Director of Training & Consulting at Disability Policy Consortium. She is a seasoned accessibility and inclusion professional with over a decade of experience in developing inclusive practice, training, program design, and providing accommodation supports. She often calls herself an accessibility evangelist and is passionate about the ongoing work of making organizations holistically accessible and inclusive. Ellysheva is a member of the disability community and lives in Medford with her husband and son.

Samantha Doucet Headshot.

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.

Elijah Cohen-Gordon

LGBTQ+ Event Implementer

Elijah (he/they) is the LGBTQ+ Event Implementer at the JCC of Greater Boston. He is passionate about the intersection of identity and history, and how it can best be applied to pursue social justice in today’s world. Here at the JCC, he is dedicated to creating engaging programming that serves members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies at all ages.

He holds a bachelor's degree in history from Clark University and a certificate in Emerging Trends in Jewish Education from Hebrew College. Currently, he is enrolled at Brandeis University in their Hornstein program for a master's in Jewish Professional Leadership.

A proud queer trans man, Elijah lives in MetroWest with his fiancée Rachel and their two cats. In his free time, he enjoys learning and listening to all kinds of music.

Get In Touch

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
333 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459
617.558.6557
inclusion@jccgb.org

Youth & Family Girl in a crowd at Camp Grossman.

Camp Grossman
Grades K–10
June 29–August 21
9th Week Program: August 24–28
Transportation from 30+ Towns

JCC Greater Boston's traditional outdoor day camp in Dover for kids entering Kindergarten to 10th grade, featuring...

View Details

We use cookies to improve your browsing experience on our website. By closing this banner or interacting with our site, you acknowledge and agree to our Privacy Policy