Fitness and Aquatics

We take a comprehensive body and mind approach with all of our programs. Our fitness and wellness team has degrees, certifications and expertise in a broad scope of areas including physical therapy, exercise science, sports medicine, nutrition and dietetics, water sports, exercise physiology and sports injury, safety and recovery.

 You may be interested in:

  • Pickleball classes, clinics and leagues
  • Arthritis, core and HIIT shallow water group exercise classes
  • Personal training
  • RecoveryZone with advanced restorative equipment
  • Yoga, Pilates, Tai chi, Pure strength, Pop Zumba Low impact cardio and weights and more

Learning and Conversations

Our hands-on classes help spark your inner self and engage your mind. No matter your age or experience, discover new interests and hobbies through art classes, card and tile games, book clubs and Israeli dance. If you enjoy dialogue about current events and historical context, we have a variety of classes that will engage your mind and expand your views.

Men’s Club

The J’s Men’s Club offers an opportunity to connect with peers and discuss a variety of interesting and topical issues. Participants socialize, share ideas and listen to guest speakers. Most members are retired, have a wide variety of hobbies and are active volunteers in the community.

U.S. Masters Swim

This program is for dedicated, adult swimmers who want to experience an intense workout while advancing your swimming technique and skills. Level 1 Master Coach Laura Wright provides instruction and workouts tailored to each swimmer's individual ability. The goal is for you to become a more efficient and advanced swimmer.

Jewish Education

The J brings people of all ages together with activities that bridge the generation gap. From holiday celebrations to challah-making workshops we encourage the community to share experiences that unite the young and the young at heart. Our engaging adult programs include art classes, news and current events discussions, lectures, book club gatherings and classes on Judaism that explore Jewish history, life cycle events and Torah study.

Healthy Aging

The J offers active adults ages 60 and over a wide range of opportunities to stay active, engage their brains with creative, intellectual and fun classes, and support community connections and healthy living. Open to all, courses and events include arts and culture, literature, nutrition, current events, fitness and more.

Cleveland Jewish FilmFest

Watch a diverse, international selection of dramas, documentaries, shorts and TV series that explore, educate, entertain and provoke discussion on the Jewish and Israeli experiences. From dramatic to humorous, we screen powerful and award-winning films for all movie lovers.

Featured Classes

Fitness, Adult

01/06/2025 - 01/27/2025

This course will teach safe practices to protect yourself in dangerous situations and promote confidence in your abilities to defend yourself.

In this hands-on class, with partner drilling, you will learn: Boxing techniques focusing on proper stance, striking and movement, how to protect yourself in the event of an attack, getting away from grabs/holds, effective striking techniques from kick-boxing and boxing, how to keep a threat at a safe distance, and safe practices for dangerous situations.

Arts and Ideas, Adult

01/21/2025 - 02/04/2025

Learn the easy-to-understand card game of canasta.

Canasta is a card game in the rummy family that uses two decks of cards and four jokers. Come learn this easy-to-understand yet challenging game, which has a renewed interest with people of all ages.

Jewish Life

11/07/2024 - 04/10/2025

A multi-section course exploring Jewish holidays, history and values.

Explore Jewish observance of holidays and life-cycle events, major periods in Jewish history and significant Jewish concepts through lectures, engaging text study and meaningful dialogue. The class is taught in four sections with a different rabbinic instructor for each section. - Section 1: The Story of the Calendar • Thursdays, Nov 7 – Dec 12, 2024 - Section 2: The Story of Belief & Sacred Text • Thursdays, Dec 19 – Jan 23, 2025 - Section 3: Our Story in the World • Thursdays, Jan 30 – Mar 6, 2025 - Section 4: The Story of Celebration • Tuesdays, Mar 11 – Apr 10, 2025

Arts and Ideas, Adult

02/03/2025 - 03/24/2025

This class explores the current events and issues of the day.

Join us each week as we discuss the major news events taking place and gain a deeper understanding of these issues. Join historian and educator Terry Pollack for lively sharing and group interaction as we follow and try to comprehend the unfolding events in the news each week.

Arts and Ideas, Adult

02/07/2025 - 03/28/2025

Learn the social game of Mah Jongg and participate in open play.

Mah Jongg matches one’s playing pieces, called tiles, to a set of possible hands. It is a very social game played around a table with four players. Those new to the game will learn the basic rules of play, strategies, tips, switching hands and more. Not a beginner? Just come to play! All are welcome. Instruction is available Feb. 6-27. Open play will be in effect after that date.

Jewish Life, Adult

03/08/2025 - 03/08/2025

A festive Purim celebration for adults with music, dancing and costume contest.

Join us for a festive Purim celebration for adults, complete with music, dancing, appetizers and a costume contest. Together we will enjoy a musical set from Israeli DJ Isaac DaBom.

Jewish Life

01/03/2025 - 01/03/2025

A renewal and spiritual growth session with Torah study.

Join Cantor Sarah Sager for a meaningful monthly Rosh Chodesh Gathering at The J. Rosh Chodesh is the start of a new Jewish month and a time for renewal, goal setting and spiritual growth. Cantor Sager will lead engaging sessions of Torah study accompanied by guided reflections.

Jewish Life, Adult

02/28/2025 - 02/28/2025

A meaningful gathering to start the new Jewish month with Torah study and guided reflections.

Join Cantor Sarah Sager for a meaningful monthly Rosh Chodesh Gathering at the Mandel JCC. Rosh Chodesh is the start of a new Jewish month, and a time for renewal, goal setting and spiritual growth. Cantor Sager will lead engaging sessions of Torah study accompanied by guided reflections.

Jewish Life, Adult

03/28/2025 - 03/28/2025

A meaningful gathering to start the new Jewish month with Torah study and guided reflections.

Join Cantor Sarah Sager for a meaningful monthly Rosh Chodesh Gathering at the Mandel JCC. Rosh Chodesh is the start of a new Jewish month, and a time for renewal, goal setting and spiritual growth. Cantor Sager will lead engaging sessions of Torah study accompanied by guided reflections.

Jewish Life, Adult

01/31/2025 - 01/31/2025

A meaningful gathering to start the new Jewish month with Torah study and guided reflections.

Join Cantor Sarah Sager for a meaningful monthly Rosh Chodesh Gathering at The Mandel JCC. Rosh Chodesh is the start of a new Jewish month, and a time for renewal, goal setting and spiritual growth. Cantor Sager will lead engaging sessions of Torah study accompanied by guided reflections.

Arts and Ideas, Adult

02/11/2025 - 02/11/2025

A free community gathering to share soup and conversation.

Join us for a cozy bowl of soup and the chance to engage in lively conversation. Meet members of your community and make new friends while staying warm. If you’d like, bring an article that intrigues you or poses a question you’ve been pondering to spark the discussion.

Arts and Ideas, Adult

02/18/2025 - 02/18/2025

A free community gathering to share soup and conversation.

Join us for a cozy bowl of soup and the chance to engage in lively conversation. Meet members of your community and make new friends while staying warm. If you’d like, bring an article that intrigues you or poses a question you’ve been pondering to spark the discussion.

Arts and Ideas, Adult

02/25/2025 - 02/25/2025

A free community gathering to share soup and conversation.

Join us for a cozy bowl of soup and the chance to engage in lively conversation. Meet members of your community and make new friends while staying warm. If you’d like, bring an article that intrigues you or poses a question you’ve been pondering to spark the discussion.

Arts and Ideas, Adult

02/04/2025 - 02/04/2025

A free community gathering to share soup and conversation.

Join us for a cozy bowl of soup and the chance to engage in lively conversation. Meet members of your community and make new friends while staying warm. If you’d like, bring an article that intrigues you or poses a question you’ve been pondering to spark the discussion.

Arts and Ideas, Adult

01/14/2025 - 01/14/2025

A free community gathering to share soup and conversation.

Join us for a cozy bowl of soup and the chance to engage in lively conversation. Meet members of your community and make new friends while staying warm. If you’d like, bring an article that intrigues you or poses a question you’ve been pondering to spark the discussion.

Arts and Ideas, Adult

01/21/2025 - 01/21/2025

A free community gathering to share soup and conversation.

Join us for a cozy bowl of soup and the chance to engage in lively conversation. Meet members of your community and make new friends while staying warm. If you’d like, bring an article that intrigues you or poses a question you’ve been pondering to spark the discussion.

Arts and Ideas, Adult

01/28/2025 - 01/28/2025

A free community gathering to share soup and conversation.

Join us for a cozy bowl of soup and the chance to engage in lively conversation. Meet members of your community and make new friends while staying warm. If you’d like, bring an article that intrigues you or poses a question you’ve been pondering to spark the discussion.

Arts and Ideas, Adult

01/14/2025 - 02/04/2025

A series of classes exploring the influence of slaves on shaping American history.

In this four-class series, presidential historian Steve Schecter will explore the incredible and often overlooked influence that slaves had on shaping American history. We will discuss their pivotal role in shaping the lives and decisions of some of our nation?s most influential figures, ultimately leaving an unforgettable mark on the fabric of our nation. Topics include George Washington's Three Favorite Enslaved; Thomas Jefferson and the Hemings Family; How the War Changed Lincoln; and A Partial Biography of Frederick Douglass.

Fitness, Adult

01/06/2025 - 02/17/2025

A six-week program for adults interested in losing weight and feeling better.

The J's annual Weight Loss Challenge is for members ages 18 and over who want to firm up their body, lose weight and feel better overall. Participants get six weeks of continuous motivation and support from Rich Zatta, director of fitness, plus special group fitness classes and guidance from a University Hospital dietician. Participants will have access to an Expresso Bike Challenge and personal training special offers. Cash prizes are awarded to men and women who lose the highest percentage of weight.

Adult Programming Leadership