Meet (most of) the ladies from the January-February session of JFIT Lift: Women on Weights with Heather! Erin, Susan, Sanna and Barbara all appreciate the physical and mental strength they've built through this new class. Read more of their story inside this issue or at JCCindy.org/blog.
2025
ADAR 5785
Volume 30, Issue 3
Discount is for JCC members only (those signing up for a membership on Mar 2 will have their join fee waived!). Traditional day camp and/or pre- and post-camp; discount does not apply to tennis camp, equestrian camp or trip weeks. Non-member registration opens Sun, Mar 9.
• Yom HaMishpacha (Family Day): Sun, Mar 2 | 11 am–3 pm | FREE!
• Tennis and swim lessons: Multiple options per week
• Tae kwon do: Mon/Wed, Mar 17–Jun 18 | 6:30–8 pm
Ages 7+ | $338 / $260 JCC Members
• Pottery: Tue, Mar 25 | 4:30 pm | $36 / $28 JCC Members
Ages 6–12 | Make a dinosaur and volcano!
• JumpBunch Ninja: Thu, Apr 3–May 22 | $160 / $128 JCC Members
Ages 2–4 5–5:30 pm, ages 5–7 5:30–6 pm
• JumpBunch Soccer: Thu, Apr 3–May 22 | 6–6:45 pm
Ages 5–8 | $176 / $144 JCC Members
The JFIT studio schedule is getting a boost for March! Seven NEW classes are being added; some will be free and some will be paid six-week sessions beginning March 17, but from March 3–14, ALL JFIT classes will be free so members can pop in and try them out! All fitness levels are welcome to all classes; look for terms like "low impact" or "high intensity" in the description or color coding legend on the Group Ex schedule to indicate the type of class. The new classes include ($ indicates the class will eventually be paid):
• Strength & Stability | Tue 10 am and Thu 11 am with Melanie. Designed for active older adults but open to all, this low impact class features light resistance, body weight exercises and controlled movements.
• Tai Chi Flow | Tue 11:15 am–Noon with Tracy. Intermediate Tai Chi Flow introduces new concepts and provides regular, gently flowing practice for experienced Tai Chi for Health participants.
• Cardio Strength Fusion | Wed/Fri 9:30–10:30 am beg. Mar 12 with Ellyn. This high-energy class combines dynamic cardio movements with strength-based stations and interval training.
• $ Men's Health Workshop | Thu 6 pm with Juleeus or Sun 11 am with Seamus. This structured six-week program uses science-backed training to increase muscle growth, bone density and overall performance.
• Bosu Balance and Strength | Sat 10–10:45 am with Debbie. Using the BOSU Balance Trainer, you’ll engage your core, improve balance and build strength through cardio, functional movements and resistance exercise.
• Burn and Tone | Sat 2–2:45 pm with Debbie. This high-energy class combines cardio intervals with targeted strength exercises using bodyweight, resistance bands, and light weights.
• $ Tai Chi Rehab | Sun 12:45–1:30 pm with Tracy. This gentle, restorative class is tailored for individuals recovering from conditions such as stroke, heart disease, injury, surgery, chronic pain, or anxiety.
Returning JFIT Studio classes include JFIT HIIT, $ JFIT Lift: Women on Weights, Cardio Kickboxing, Core on the Floor, $ Metabolic Conditioning for Diabetes and $ Strong Steps (Parkinson's-focused).
New classes and class sessions are being added to other JCC fitness spaces in March too!
• A new session of Beginning Tai Chi starts Wed Mar 5, 12:45–1:30 pm with Tracy in the Pescovitz Dance Studio.
• A new session of $ Adaptive Cycling begins Sun Mar 23, 1–1:45 pm with Debbie in the Weiner Cycling Studio.
• Instructor Melanie is back at the J! Along with Strength & Stability above, she's teaching Zumba (Tue, 11 am) in the Pescovitz Dance Studio and Aqua Zumba (Tue/Thu, Noon–12:45 pm) in the Backer Therapy Pool.
• $ Pilates Sculpt (Tue, Noon–1 pm) with Ellyn is coming to the Group Ex Studio in the Mordoh Fitness Center beginning Mar 11. This dynamic class blends classic Pilates exercises with strength-based movements using weights, bands, rings, balls and more. Some familiarity with basic Pilates movements is recommended but not a requirement.
See classes and register/reserve your spot at JCCindy.org/schedules or app
JFIT Lift: Women on Weights participants Barbara, Susan, Sanna and Erin have been JCC members for vastly different amounts of time: Barbara and family have been part of the J for 30+ years, Susan is back after a hiatus, Sanna just joined a few years ago, and Erin and family have been members for about 15 years (her son is even a former employee). And beyond that, Women on Weights isn't the only JCC exercise class they have taken part in. Barbara has taken dance classes, Susan goes to SilverSneakers ("I brought a friend because I thought I was doing her a favor. Wrong! It turned out to be a gift to me,") and does Pilates Reformer, Sanna is a yoga/Pilates regular, and among other things Erin learned to properly breaststroke at the J so she could swim in a triathlon. But while Barbara, Susan, Sanna and Erin all came to the JCC and Women on Weights in different ways, they have found a "community within a community" with each other and instructor Heather. "What I like most about the class is doing it with the group," Sanna said. "I wish we could do it every day, because when I'm out on my own it's less fun. It's like group therapy!" And that's exactly the point, according to Heather. "It's really nice to see everyone cheer each other on, encourage each other to do more, help each other with decisions on weight amount and form."
The women had all been interested in weightlifting (on doctors' recommendations, to build up bone density, or for reasons as simple as "I want to be strong,") but wanted to make sure they had a good instructor who could keep an eye on their form to help avoid injury. So when this class appeared on the Marcia and Bruce Sklare JFIT Studio schedule, they knew it would be the perfect fit, and were absolutely proven right. "I'm amazed at how much better my arms look," Barbara said. "Four sessions (out of six) in and I could already see a difference in the contours of my arms." And their praise for Heather was effusive: "I can't say enough good things about Heather," Erin said. "I've learned a lot about what exercises to do in what sequence. It's been fabulous; I think she's fantastic." Susan chimed in, "I feel safe with Heather."
Standing nearby listening to the conversation, Heather was visibly moved by the kind words. "Women's health is super important to me. I love to watch women lift weights, see the confidence you have and how strong you're getting," she said. "It's so fun to me to watch you come in and find camaraderie and see how you keep showing up for yourselves and for each other every week. One of my favorite parts of the week is planning what we're going to do and being here working with you."
Teens: There's still time to sign up to head to Tucson Jul 27–Aug 1 with the J's JCC Maccabi Games delegation! Participate in 14u/17u boys' baseball, 14u/17u boys' basketball (3v3 or 5v5), 17u girls' 5v5 basketball, 14u/17u dance, 17u co-ed flag football, golf, tennis, swimming, 14u/17u girls' or boys' soccer, table tennis, 17u girls' volleyball or as a star reporter and meet other Jewish teen athletes and journalists from around the country and the world while doing so.
Fill out the form on JCCindy.org/maccabi-sign-up and Ethan Cohen, JCC Assistant Director of Youth Engagement and Special Events, will get back to you with more information.
BBYO is the leading pluralistic movement to involve Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences.
BBYO is hosting Rush Week from Mon, Mar 3–Sun, Mar 9, and a parent get-together on Tue, Mar 11! For more details including times and locations, follow BBYO on Instagram at @indianapolisbbyo.
Join the Welcome Desk Team!
The JCC is HIRING Welcome Desk staff to interact with members and guests as their first stop inside the facility! One of the positions is available immediately, for part-time work during closing shifts Thursday through Sunday. Another position is upcoming for the summer season to assist during one of the JCC's busier times as summer members and others visiting the water park enjoy JCC amenities (on-the-spot interviews will be held at the JCC job fair on Sun, Mar 9; see back cover for details).
Learn more and apply at JCCindy.org/careers
• Time to Dance Again Israeli Dancer Reception and Recital Sun, Mar 2 | 3 pm reception, 4 pm recital | FREE Sderot, near the border between Gaza and Israel, has been affected by trauma for many years because of the tension of living under constant threat of missiles. Adi Gewurtz and Eirad Ben Gal from the Sderot Adama Movement Center use dance as a way to process post-traumatic stress and will perform an original piece exploring themes of trauma and recovery in the aftermath of October 7. Plus, during the pre-recital reception, contribute to a mosaic that will go to Sderot. Presented thanks to the support of Glick Philanthropies and the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis.
• Housing Injustice Summit with Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana Tue, Mar 11 (exhibit at JCC beginning early Mar) | 6–7:30 pm | FREE Learn the history of redlining in Indianapolis through traveling exhibition Unwelcomed and a presentation and panel discussion moderated by Jewish Family Services' Clinical Director Julie Sondhelm about housing injustice in Indianapolis today. Homeowners and renters alike can learn about their rights and engage with service providers like Grassroot Projects, Helping Veterans and Families (HVAF), Trinity Haven, Indiana Youth Group (IYG), Jewish Family Services, Southeast Community Services, Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center and Patchwork Indy.
• A Masticated Morphology of Extractive Extinction Gallery Reception Wed, Mar 19 | 5:30–7 pm | FREE
Mixed-media artist Alex Moore, Program Manager for Exhibitions at the Indy Art Center and associate faculty member at Herron School of Art & Design at Indiana University – Indianapolis (where he received his MFA in visual art), has laid acrylic mycelia networks and animal bones, plant tendrils and weathered landscapes, and single-use creatures and melting plastics in his works through paint and texture to form a world between worlds of rot and resurrection.
More info/registration at JCCindy.org/events
6701 Hoover Road
Indianapolis IN 46260-4198
317-251-9467 | JCCindy.org
@JCCIndianapolis
Building
Mon–Thu: 6 am–8 pm
Fri: 6 am–6 pm
Sat–Sun: 7 am–6 pm
Admin, Early Childhood
Thu, Mar 13: Fast of Esther Regular Hours Fri, Mar 14: Purim Regular Hours
Mon–Fri: 8 am–5 pm Visit JCCindy.org/jcc-hours for other upcoming closings
