Growth + Progress at the J: Summer 2026 Development Update ⋆ JCC Tucson

Growth + Progress at the J: Summer 2026 Development Update

May 28, 2026

Dear Chevre (Friends),

The first half of 2026 has been filled with tremendous energy, momentum, and purpose. From packed fitness classes and thriving youth programs to meaningful Jewish engagement opportunities, the Tucson J is a place where our community grows, connects, and thrives together.

Across campus, we saw community members of all ages deepen their connection to the J. Families gathered to celebrate Jewish holidays and traditions, teens stepped into leadership opportunities, older adults found support and belonging through Healthy Aging programming, and participants in Disability Program Services continued building confidence, independence, and community through innovative vocational and enrichment opportunities.

With each season, we see the spirit of partnership and collaboration shine, fueling our mission and building our community. Through relationships with partner organizations, grants, volunteers, donors, and community leaders, we were able to deepen and expand wellness programs, create impactful learning experiences across departments, and continue strengthening the Tucson J as a welcoming home for all.

We are especially grateful to the generous donors who supported our work through the Arizona State Tax Credit program, helping provide vital scholarships for Early Childhood Education, Camp J, and the JCare afterschool program so that more children and families can access our award-winning childcare regardless of financial circumstances. As we dive into summer, the excitement and enthusiasm we are seeing from returning campers, staff, families, and participants across departments speaks to the deep sense of belonging that defines the Tucson J experience.

Early this year, we launched a new 5-year Strategic Plan, Kadimah B’Yacha—Forward Together. The plan is designed to propel the J forward by investing in new marketing capabilities; driving growth in our programming for school-age youth; revitalizing our fitness and wellness and sports and recreation offerings to meet the evolving interests of active adults; enhancing the J’s role as the heart of Jewish Tucson and a place where all Jews feel welcome and find connection; developing a stronger and more agile technology infrastructure, and exploring campus enhancements.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to fostering Jewish joy, wellness, inclusion, and lifelong learning in every corner of our organization. None of this meaningful work would be possible without the generosity and support of our community. Thank you for believing in the Tucson J and for helping us continue to build a stronger, more connected future together.

With gratitude,

Fran Katz,
Chief Development Officer

The Tucson J entered 2026 welcoming new members, supporting vibrant community engagement opportunities, and continuing to strengthen the J as a gathering place for wellness, connection, and Jewish life. While winter is often a quieter season in Tucson, the J remained active and energized with programming and services for community members of all ages. From welcoming new members to strategic partnerships and facility usage, the J continues to evolve to meet the needs of our growing community. Additionally, this quarter we are proud to share developments including:

launching two membership campaigns in December and May, resulting in 128 new member units, expanding membership and community
strengthening community partnerships and facility usage opportunities through collaborations with organizations like the YMCA and the Tucson Sugar Skulls Dance Team.
resurfacing the Sarver Tennis Center Courts, replacing the carpet in the locker rooms, and refreshing the cardio equipment in the gym (including the addition of a Plyo Set we’ve never had before!)
welcoming nearly 200 people to the Annual Celebration in May, where we elected new board members, celebrated staff and leadership award-winners, reflected on the work we did in 2025 (including shining a spotlight on the JCC Maccabi Games + Access), and enjoyed a conversation between special guest Zach Bodner (CEO of the Oshman Family JCC, author of Why Do Jewish, and founder of the Z3 Conference) and Tucson J President + CEO, Todd Rockoff.

At the Tucson J, wellness is about much more than exercise—it is about creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to thrive physically, socially, and emotionally. The first quarter of the year is traditionally one of the busiest seasons for Fitness + Wellness programming and this year was no different! This season brought exciting developments across aquatics, sports leagues, Healthy Aging initiatives, and specialized training programs, while continued grant support and volunteer leadership strengthened our ability to serve the community in impactful ways. Highlights from the quarter include:

hosting Lunch and Learn programs for the Parkinson’s community in partnership with sponsors including AbbVie and Medtronic.
welcoming 125 registrants across four Aging and Social Connections sessions, with strong ongoing participation and positive community
receiving a grant from the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) to support participant fees, screenings, and instructor costs for the J Parkinson Program from May 2026 through April 2027; and receiving a grant from the Sephardic Foundation on Aging for a collaborative dementia-friendly community initiative involving Jewish organizations throughout Tucson.
celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Month by honoring three dedicated Healthy Aging volunteers who collectively contributed more than 2,000 hours to the Movement/Arts Immersion Program.
launching the Spring Co-ed Volleyball season with 34 participants and continued enthusiasm for future league offerings later in the year.
serving 65 athletes across 10 teams in the Men’s Spring Basketball League and preparing for the return of the 3v3 league.
welcoming participants to Youth Basketball programs including Lil Ballers, Mighty Mites, and All-Stars, while PeeWee Sports programs continued to trend upward in enrollment.
growing the Tucson Jays basketball program to 12 participants, while athletes and families raised $1,300 through a car wash mitzvah project to support scholarships for teammates.
launching Elite Basketball Private Lessons and Yoga for Athletes with seasoned coach Inti Salinas.
bringing back Massage Therapy through the JWellness
hosting Olympic gold medalist and Maccabi athlete Jason Lezak for a special aquatics event attended by 46 swimmers and community members, inspiring Stingrays Swim Team athletes ahead of championship season.
closing out Stingrays meet season with numerous personal bests and top finishes across all age groups.
serving 138 registrants in JRays Swim School lessons since March 1, when the season began.
wrapping up the inaugural season for the Tucson J NICA Youth Mountain Biking team after competing in five races throughout the season.

Jewish life at the Tucson J was vibrant and deeply felt this season, bringing people together through film, learning, holiday celebrations, and shared experiences rooted in connection and community. From the success of the Tucson J International Film Festival to hands-on PJ Library programs, Community Shabbat, and new adult learning opportunities, community members of all ages found meaningful ways to engage with Jewish culture, tradition, and one another. This quarter, we focused on:

celebrating the 35th Tucson J International Film Festival, which welcomed approximately 946 unique attendees, issued 2,868 tickets, and scanned in more than 2,300 guests throughout the festival.
welcoming Rina Fox as Chair of the Jewish Life + Engagement Committee, helping guide new and existing initiatives connected to Jewish learning, joy, and community engagement.
partnering with PJ Library, PJ Our Way, and the Northwest Tucson Jewish community to celebrate Tu Bishvat at Tohono Chul with hands-on family activities, learning opportunities, and take-home seder kits.
welcoming nearly 450 participants to Community Shabbat services and approximately 370 guests to dinner in partnership with local synagogues and Jewish organizations.
adding a new Tot Shabbat experience to Community Shabbat programming for families with children.
hosting 120 adults for a special conversation with author Mimi Nichter about her memoir, Hostage: A Memoir of Terrorism, Trauma, and Resilience.
supporting AEPi’s Charity Basketball event at the Tucson J, creating additional opportunities for college student engagement and philanthropy.
signing a contract with the Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, paving the way for expanded adult Jewish education offerings beginning in Fall 2026.
partnering with the Tucson Torah Center Women’s Division to host a Hamantaschen Bake for more than 120 women and children.
fostering Jewish Peoplehood as we honored Yom HaShoa, Yom HaAtzmaut, and Yom HaZikaron with hundreds of community members united in shared stories.
celebrating Shavuot with 130 community members at our annual Tikkun Leil program in partnership with Jewish communal partners and
expanding Jewish engagement programming for participants in J-Care, Early Childhood Education, and Disability Program Services through partnerships and collaborative learning opportunities.
growing Spanish and Hebrew language class participation and seeing continued high participation in mah jongg club and classes.
preparing for continued PJ Library growth and engagement opportunities, including sending Jennifer Lorch Selco, Director of Jewish Life + Engagement, and Suzette Jofroy, PJ Library Parent Connector, to the international PJ Library conference.

Children and teens continue to find belonging, leadership, creativity, and joyful learning experiences at the Tucson J. From Early Childhood Education, to JCare, Camp J, Parents Night Out, School Days Out, and BBYO, our Children + Youth programs foster confidence and connection at every age and stage. This season brought strong Camp J enrollment, meaningful Jewish experiences across programs, and exciting preparations for another impactful summer ahead. Highlights from the quarter include:

celebrating Jewish holidays, Martin Luther King Day, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot throughout Early Childhood Education classrooms with hands-on activities, staff performances, and community gatherings.
promoting literacy with guest readers, a book fair, and our annual Book Character parade during Love of Reading month.
building community at the end-of-year Family Shabbat Picnic and honoring our future leaders at Pre-K graduation.
surpassing previous Camp J enrollment numbers, reaching 493 unique campers as of May 26.
onboarding returning leaders Alma as Assistant Camp Director and Kassandra as Camp Office Manager in preparation for summer programming, plus more than 30 returning staff for Summer 2026.
welcoming two Camp Schlichim (ambassadors) from Israel for summer 2026, one of whom is leading a new theater chugim (speciality) for
relaunching the Homework Help block within the JCare after school program, supporting an average of 10 students daily, and planning for a new Learning Lab tutoring option in the fall.
learning, playing, and growing with 461 kids for several weeks of Spring Break School Days Out and five super-fun Parents Night Outs (including two that sold out!)
launching a successful new BBYO term with expanded Rush Week programming, additional events, and a joint AZA and BBG Shabbat.
participating in the fourth and final year of meaningful Better Together programs, which brought BBYO and residents from Handmaker Home for the Aging for intergenerational initiatives.
sending four Tucson teens to the BBYO International Convention, where they joined thousands of Jewish teens representing more than 60 countries
preparing for this summer’s JCC Maccabi Games in Toronto with team building outings including going to the Tucson Village Farm’s ropes course together.

At the J, Disability Program Services continues to redefine what belonging looks like by creating opportunities for independence, social connection, and creativity. This quarter brought exciting growth in vocational programming, volunteerism, culinary education, and family engagement, while participants continued building meaningful relationships both at the J and throughout the Tucson community. Recent developments in Disability Program Services include:

increasing average attendance hours in the day
launching the second Sprouts Foundation-supported Cooking Club session, providing participants with healthy cooking experiences, adaptive kitchen equipment, and accessible recipes to recreate at
preparing a DPS Cooking Club recipe book to share with families at the conclusion of the grant cycle.
honoring Black History Month through educational experiences including a visit to the African American Museum of Southern Arizona.
continuing diverse and educational field trips for day program participants including visits to the Tucson Museum of Art, Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center, Garden Kitchen, Bet Shalom, Casas Adobes Rehabilitation Center, and Tucson Village Farm.
completing 30 hours of volunteer service at La Madera Park, resulting in permanent recognition through a community plaque.
participating in the Early Childhood Education Passover story.
attending the Wheelchair Basketball National Championships at McKale Center and tabling at the University of Arizona’s first Disability Resource
opening a second J Shop location in the J’s front entryway featuring a custom-designed accessible coffee cart funded through a grant.
hosting two DPS Family Nights at the Tucson J, bringing together families, staff, board members, and community partners to strengthen relationships and connection across departments.
tabling at the U of A’s first Disability Resource Fair during the games outside of McKale.
developing and getting grant funding for a new Pathways to Employment vocational program. The program is designed for all eligible DDD members of any skill level and ability to access employment options in such a way that takes into account the Member’s preferences and goals, and supports them to obtain Competitive Integrated Options available in this service will help the Member learn the skills necessary to increase the likelihood of employment.