Adult Programs
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
12/02/2024 - 12/23/2024
A hands-on class that teaches safe practices for participants to defend themselves.
This course will teach safe practices to protect yourself in dangerous situations and promote confidence in your abilities to defend yourself. The curriculum includes boxing and kickboxing techniques focusing on proper stance, striking and movement. This is a hands-on learning experience with partner drilling. The instructor has over 15 years of boxing and kickboxing training and in-ring experience. He has trained and trained with professional MMA fighters, boxers, kick boxers and UFC fighters.
Arts and Ideas
11/25/2024 - 11/25/2024
A free class for adults to learn tips for dealing with fear and stress.
Fear can greatly affect our brains. Learn how our body and brain perceive and react to fearful situations. We will also discuss practical tips for dealing with everyday fears and stressors so that we can learn to control our fear response and brain function when we are afraid. Class offered in person and virtual via Zoom.
Arts and Ideas, Adult
11/20/2024 - 11/20/2024
An adult arts class using paint for creative expressiveness.
This class is the perfect opportunity for an outlet for artistic self-expression using paint as the medium. The instructor will give each student individual instruction for creating their unique painting. This class is ideal for anyone interested in painting or creative expression.
Arts and Ideas, Adult
12/16/2024 - 12/16/2024
A free class for adults to exercise their brain to improve brain health,
Engage your brain in this fast-paced, mind aerobics class purposefully designed to rev up various aspects of your brain while promoting lifelong learning. Leave this course with the understanding of the three fundamentals needed to make an exercise an appropriate "brain workout."
Arts and Ideas, Adult
11/22/2024 - 11/22/2024
A free class for adults to exercise their brain to improve brain health.
Engage your brain in this fast-paced, mind aerobics class purposefully designed to rev up various aspects of your brain while promoting lifelong learning. Leave this course with the understanding of the three fundamentals needed to make an exercise an appropriate "brain workout."
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
Aquatics
12/01/2024 - 12/31/2024
A high-level workout for dedicated swimmers. Meets Tuesday 6:30 - 7:45 pm and Saturday 9 - 10 am.
If you are Interested in a more effective aquatic workout, the Mandel JCC's Masters Swimming Program is for you. This program is for dedicated, adult swimmers who want to experience an intense workout while advancing your swimming technique and skills. Coach Laura Wright will provide instruction and workouts tailored to each swimmer's individual ability. The goal is for you to become a more efficient and advanced swimmer. Meets Tuesday 6:30 - 7:45 pm and Saturday 9 - 10 am.
Arts and Ideas, Adult
12/09/2024 - 12/09/2024
An adult class focused on the 2024 election results.
This class will discuss the 2024 election results and what they mean moving forward.
Jewish Life
12/06/2024 - 12/06/2024
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
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.
Arts and Ideas, Adult
12/11/2024 - 12/11/2024
A free class for adults to learn how gift-giving impacts memory and brain health.
This program will explore a simple brain-healthy concept that you can readily gift your loved ones this holiday season: the present of your presence. In this session, we explore the tradition and history of holiday gifts and how gift-giving impacts social connections, memory and brain health.
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
11/21/2024 - 11/21/2024
An adult nutrition class that educates participants about healthy food choices.
Have you ever felt like it was a struggle to feel full? Many foods available in the grocery store are manufactured calories. An internationally recognized expert in health and wellness will discuss the differences between real food and manufactured calories, and how to choose food that will make you feel full and nourished. We’ll review guidelines that explain the difference and learn about the role of color in a nourishing diet.
Adult Programming Leadership
Jill Rembrandt
Sr. Director of Jewish Life, Arts & Culture and Healthy Aging
216-593-6254
Julia DiBaggio
Healthy Aging Manager
216-831-0700 ext. 1014
Sarah Jaffe Kasdan
Director of Jewish Life and Culture
216-593-6288
Kate Toohig
Director of Wellness and Engagement
216-593-6265
Rich Zatta
Director of Fitness
216-593-6298