JCC to partially open physical spaces | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

JCC to partially open physical spaces

MILWAUKEE — The Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center is reopening some programs and services in physical spaces.

As part of a phased approach, the JCC will begin offering onsite fitness, aquatics, early childhood education, and youth summer programming in spaces through- out its statewide footprint, according to the JCC.

“Relying on the decision-making metrics that have guided us through our response to this community health moment, we have identified two key priorities in deciding which programs will be able to return to the spaces and places of the JCC,” said JCC President & Chief Executive Officer Mark Shapiro. “We remain focused on re- turning to safe, sustainable service in our core impact areas, and we are committed to empowering our families to ‘return to work’ and stabilize our community.”

In partnership with government leaders and field experts, the JCC reports it is prepared to safely welcome members to physical spaces for the following services:

  • Self-directed fitness floor usage
    • Whitefish Bay — June 1
  • Scheduled open/lap swim
    • Whitefish Bay — June 1
  • Early childhood education
    • Whitefish Bay & Mequon — June 8
  • Comprehensive youth summer care
    • Fredonia — June 29
  • Food pantry
    • Milwaukee — ongoing

“We know there remain a lot of questions and we do not yet have all the answers. We believe it’s important to share this update with our community today and ac- knowledge that there is still more work to do and understanding to gather,” added Shapiro. “Respecting the diversity of those we serve – and the unique needs our communities may have – many of our programs and services will continue to thrive in our ‘Beyond A Building’ online & social efforts, while some of our services return to our ‘Spaces and Places’.”

Updates on how to register for fitness use, enroll in early education programs, participate in youth summer programs, and other details on return expectations and policies will be announced.

Whitefish Bay facility

Socially distant, capacity-mindful open fitness will be available for JCC members starting June 1, 2020, at the Whitefish Bay facility, according to the JCC.

Cardio and strength equipment will be spaced to ensure the healthiest environment, accord- ing to the JCC. The JCC intends to use spaces beyond the fitness floor, including the group fitness studios, the Pilates studio, and the Marcus Gymnasium to help accomplish this.

An area has been designated for stretching at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center gymnasium in Whitefish Bay, with taped off one-person areas for social distancing 

The plan is to be open weekdays from 5:00 a.m. – 7 p.m., with weekend hours of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The JCC will pause building access daily for a prescheduled one-hour thorough cleaning and disinfecting.

Members will be asked to reserve access to the fitness facility in one-hour increments. Locker room facilities will remain closed at this time.

Equipment will be cleaned between use, with certain items re- moved from service until ready.

The large pool of the Peck Aquatic Center in Whitefish Bay will be open for reserved lap swim only. The small pool will remain closed.

There will be no open gym or scheduled recreation programming.

Youth activities

Enrollment-limited early childhood education services will be available for actively enrolled Gan Ami families at both Whitefish Bay and Mequon lo- cations starting June 8. Enrollment priority will be given to health care workers and employees at essential services. Children will be escorted to and from the family’s vehicles at the designated drop off and pick up times by Gan Ami staff.

Enrollment in the youth summer program, designed for school-aged children, will be available soon, according to the JCC. Enrollment will be offered in two-week sessions, with a total of four sessions available to the community.

A comprehensive youth sum- mer program will be available, hosted at the Albert & Ann De- shur JCC Rainbow Day Camp in Fredonia beginning June 29.

Youth participants will be grouped by age and will remain with their groups — and in their unique space on the Rainbow Day Campgrounds — through- out their day and session.