Mandel JCC in Palm Beach Gardens Responds to Evolving Community Trends

Community center expands fitness classes space & offerings, updates center hours

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (May 4, 2018) --- The Mandel JCC has just completed its fiscal year planning and a thorough assessment of community needs and facilities usage. The Palm Beach Gardens community has expressed the following top priorities: group fitness classes, special needs programming, summer day camp, early childhood school, after-school programs, bridge, and cultural arts.

To meet these needs while investing in the highest priority programs, the Mandel JCC is responding with the following strategic implementations: effective July 1st, the Palm Beach Gardens location will convert its fitness center to a group exercise studio to create nearly 2,000 additional square feet of space and accommodate 25-30 more participants per class. The fitness class schedule is available here.

Also noting the diminished facility usage after 7 pm weekdays and on the weekends, beginning June 1st the Palm Beach Gardens facility will close on Saturdays, and effective July 1, will close on Sundays. The JCC will still be available for private birthday party and other facility rentals.

“Our group exercise class participation has more than doubled since our inception almost 6 years ago,” said Vicki Roitman, Mandel JCC President and CEO. “We know that group fitness has become increasingly popular and the JCC is eager to accommodate this trend. We have listened and are directing our focus and resources to the vast majority of community members on the days and times they want and need us.”

“Our group exercise class participation has more than doubled since our inception almost 6 years ago,” said Vicki Roitman, Mandel JCC President and CEO. “We know that group fitness has become increasingly popular and the JCC is eager to accommodate this trend. We have listened and are directing our focus and resources to the vast majority of community members on the days and times they want and need us.”

Some of the JCC’s most popular programs and services include the early childhood learning center for ages three months through VPK, an after-school program, cultural arts, a bridge program, and summer camp. In 2017, the Mandel JCC demonstrated it is the hub of Jewish life in Palm Beach Gardens connecting with over 10,000 Jewish children, families, and adults through programs of this variety.

“I’m excited about what all of this will ultimately mean for this community,” said Jonathan Caplan, Mandel JCC member. “The JCC is at the heart of the Jewish community and I love knowing that they are keeping up with a changing world. At the end of the day, the JCC provides me a connection to Jewish life and builds a sense of community that you can’t get elsewhere. And that to me is priceless.”

The mission of the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches is to build community and enhance connection to Jewish life. The Mandel JCC is a partner agency of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.