By Annette Pinder

The JCC is not just a fitness center. It is a vibrant destination, where no one is left out – starting with kids as young as nine months. There are in-person and virtual fitness classes, on-demand videos, and personal training, a wellness and cooking class, massage and physical therapy, a Parkinson’s boxing program, and diabetes education. Swim in the indoor pool during cooler months or in the outdoor pool in summer enjoying group and private swim lessons, the Storm Swim Club, and Red Cross certification.

For families, there’s Preschool and Kids Place, a babysitting course, the School of Dance, and more. School of Dance offers 10-week class sessions starting in October. And if you’re just finding out about this now, don’t worry. If you miss a class, you can make it up! Starting with kids ages 3 and 4 to adults, there’s ballet, musical theatre jazz, hip-hop, tap, contemporary, and more. As a person who loves to dance, I’m looking forward to the contemporary dance class on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

You can also enjoy a vibrant array of workshops, from reading stories aloud, to a New Yorker magazine discussion group, current events, famous speakers, play readings, and Friday fit-chats. As if there couldn’t be more, the JCC is holding COVID-19 vaccination clinics. And don’t miss the upcoming offerings from the JRT. The season’s first play is Photograph 51, the true story of scientist Rosalind Franklin, and her quest to map the DNA molecule, running from October 21 to November 14.

The JCC is growing and invites you for a visit in a safe environment that adheres to CDC recommended protocols. Keep up with what’s happening and learn more, or register for something fun at jccbuffalo.org. I’ll see you there!