The JCC’s primary purpose is to strengthen Jewish life and is built upon these principles: • Creating a Jewish identity is a unique and individual life-long process. • Respecting and supporting diverse Jewish opinions, beliefs, and practices are essential for strong and enduring Jewish communities. • Interaction between diverse groups of Jews is critical for the well-being and future of the Jewish people. • Jewish living and learning sit at the heart of the JCC. • Israel is an eternal birthright of the Jewish people, linking us to our past and to Jews around the world today. • Strong Jewish communities benefit, and benefit from, their larger communities.
serves as a convener, connector and relationship builder. Each of the six principles addresses an important aspect of the JCC Movement’s ideology, including the creation of Jewish identity, the variety of Jewish experience, the hard work of pluralism, the centrality of Jewish living and learning, the eternal role of Israel, and the commitment to both the Jewish, as well as the larger community in which we live. Together, they paint a picture of “the good Jewish life” as envisioned by the JCC Movement, a world in which, “…more than ever, Jewish wisdom is valued; differences are
respected; communities are built; creativity is encouraged, and aspirations are realized in exciting and powerful new ways.” For some JCCs, the SOP merely describes what they’ve long been doing. For others, the SOP will serve as a screen for analyzing strategic decisions. In both cases, the SOP will help the JCC Movement recognize its own strength as an essential resource for strengthening the North American Jewish community in the 21st century. For more information about implementing the SOP at your JCC, contact David Ackerman at dackerman@jcca.org.
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