About the J

   

The David Posnack Jewish Community Center is located in the heart of southwest Broward County.  Here at the "J", we are dedicated to making a difference in peoples' lives on a daily basis.  From infant to senior, year round, the "J" is a place that offers endless possibilities for you and your family to grow.  You can choose from a wide variety of programs, services and amenities that will enhance your sense of community, culture, education, enrichment, fitness and so much more.

If you're looking for sports and recreational activities, you can enjoy any of our amenities including a state-of-the-art fitness center, aquatics, basketball, tennis, racquetball/handball, dance, yoga, indoor running/walking track, martial arts, batting cages, personal and group training and so much more.  If you're looking for cultural arts and education, attend any of our annual special events such as the Diane & Barry Wilen Jewish Book Festival, Jewish Film Festival and Jewish Music Festival.  And if you have little ones in your family, our Susan and Saul Singer Early Childhood Learning Center is a Gold Seal Award recipient for the highest quality in childcare programs.  You can feel confident that your child will thrive and learn in a safe and loving environment. 

We welcome people of all ages, faiths and cultures to join our center. 

Ask us how you can become a member today! Schedule a tour.

Board of Directors
A Message from the Board Chair

I am writing to thank you for your support and to address you for the first time as the Board Chair of the David Posnack JCC.

Challenging times remind us of the necessity of community. These are truly challenging times and every day, the current situation underscores the need for connectivity, support, help, understanding, friendship and love.  Those are the true elements of community – and the foundation of the David Posnack JCC. Even from a distance, we have achieved the seemingly impossible – staying together, staying strong, staying in each other’s lives.   

I have been deeply involved in the DPJCC for many years, as board member, vice chair of children and family services, and as secretary.  I’ve been on just about every committee imaginable.  And I am proud to say that my husband and I were the first recipients of the Legend and Leaders Award.

Now, as I take on this leadership role, in the most exceptional circumstances, I understand there will difficult times, but our commitment to each other and our community is unwavering.   My philosophy will be to lead with intention and purpose, and to always be strategic and goal oriented. 

As you know, through the wide array of programs and activities, the DPJCC touches the lives of thousands throughout our community.  Our unique Jewish, social and humanitarian programs bridge so many gaps, and create extraordinary bonds to everyone who participates.   We bring Jewish traditions, knowledge and warmth to children, teens, adults and seniors through our preschool and afterschool, adult education, holiday programs, summer camps, senior clubs and so much more.

We also change the lives of thousands in and beyond the Jewish community through our extensive social programs; providing food to the elderly, housing for those in need and holiday gifts to underprivileged children.

What does that mean today, in 2020?

The prophet Micah wrote, “Resilience is not about overcoming but becoming”. 

What is that we are becoming?

We are becoming stronger.  We are becoming more unified by our pledge to help each other.   We are becoming more powerful by the programs that are meaningful and make an impact.   We are becoming more important to the residents of our community as we realize how fragile life is and how precious each day is.

And we are becoming better, because we are learning from and with each other on how to grow, how to sustain, how to support and how to improve our lives together.

My goal in the coming two years is to develop our membership and to expand our footprint.   Our recent partnership of the Baer Preschool at Temple Bat Yam is an example of how we can increase our reach.  There are many opportunities where the J can do this. 

It is not a cliché to say that the DPJCC is more than just buildings and campuses; we are truly a home away from home, a means to deepen the bonds that connect us.  If we do not enrich each other’s lives, we have failed.

No one could have ever imagined we would be living through a pandemic.   But here it is and this too shall pass (Gamze ya avor).   With so much time to reflect, this situation has caused me to think about the post Second temple period.  When the second temple was destroyed, Jews made the transition from being Israelites to Jews.  But something more incredible happened – and it is relevant right now. Suddenly, they didn’t have their temple to go to.  And the rabbis wondered how they could maintain a Jewish practice and community in the absence of that temple.  And yet they did.  They set-up centers of study and they did what Jews do best – they argued about everything.  Debated.  Discussed. Questioned.  And discussed some more.  They kept Judaism – and the community – going thru ethics, intention and elevated thought.  Judaism is about elevating our awareness and our attention in every moment. 

And so it is with us.  We are cautiously and strategically re-opening and meeting at our community center. Even if you are not ready to walk into our doors, we are still working for you.  Fortunately, your leadership is not arguing (too much!) but working together and planning with our staff and board about creative and innovative ways to stay connected, to nourish your spirit and stimulate your mind. Technology, while sometimes a curse, has provided us with lots of opportunity to connect.  We never take for granted how important the J is to your daily lives. We're here for you, even if that can't be in person at this time.

We are blessed with an executive leadership team, board and staff that embody the essential qualities that can turn ideas into action – creativity, entrepreneurial spirits, dedication, willingness to work hard and that one rare quality – eagerness to listen.  We want to hear from you, listen to your thoughts, hear your ideas.   Whether we are living through the pandemic, or life returns to some semblance of normal, we want to work together. 

I sincerely thank all of the dynamic people on my new team, the past leadership and am honored to take on this awesome role. 

They inspire me – and all of you inspire me.  You matter. You are important. And we are grateful that you’re part of this JCC community.  You have exceptional qualities and you perform extraordinary deeds for your fellow human beings in this great Jewish community.  One characteristic you all share is courage.  Your energy, enthusiasm, passion, devotion, commitment and drive will keep our doors to our Jewish center open and we will continue to thrive. 

Yes, these two years will be different. We can let the days pass us by, or we can do our best to make it impactful, interesting and enriching. It’s up to us to decide if we’ll be focused on missing everything we can’t do — or if we’ll take advantage of the opportunity to make special memories and new traditions. So let’s roll up our sleeves, call a friend to meet you at the J, join you for a virtual cultural arts program, celebrate our youth, get stronger in one of our fitness classes, and let’s unite, grow and build our beloved Jewish Community Center.  Every single Jewish person in this community must and needs to be a member of our Jewish Community Center which is necessary for our survival and re-growth.  When you do come through our doors, though things may look a little different, know that the outstanding care and love that is our hallmark awaits you. 

I look forward to hearing from you, working with you and serving you to the very best of my ability.  Be healthy. Be strong.  Be engaged.  Be a donor.  And keep on enriching lives and connecting people. 

Heather Gilbert