September 25, 2026
Chag Sukkot Sameach
Dear Friends,
Sukkot is a holiday about gathering.
We leave the permanence of our homes and enter the sukkah. A space that is temporary. A reminder of our vulnerability. And yet, it becomes a place of joy because we fill it with family, friends, and neighbors.
Sukkot reminds us that what makes a place strong is not simply its walls. It is the relationships we build inside them.
This is what we mean when we say, Everyone Belongs Here.
Many of you participated in our recent community membership survey. Thank you to the 477 members and participants who took the time to share your experiences with us.
There is much to learn and appreciate in what we heard. Nearly one-third of you, our members, have been part of the Alpert JCC for more than 11 years. 92% say you are likely to continue your membership into the future. And 65% have said that you have made new friendships through the Alpert JCC.
That matters to us. It shows that the community we are building together matters to you.
Your comments tell the same story. The recurring themes were: Community. Connection. Friendship. Belonging. You described the Alpert JCC as a place to connect with other Jews and celebrate Jewish life. One person simply wrote, “I love coming to the building and knowing I belong here.”
That sense of belonging begins early. And it is especially visible in our Alpert JCC Preschool.
Over Rosh Hashanah, our children learned about the Jewish New Year. Apples and honey. The sound of the shofar. But also something deeper: that our traditions connect us to one another and across generations.
Our survey shows the impact. 84% of preschool respondents said the Alpert JCC Preschool helps them feel connected to other families. And nearly 89% feel confident that preschool is preparing their child for what comes next.
One parent described our program as creating a strong sense of community and involvement, rather than simply being the place their child goes to school.
Perhaps that is a lesson we can take from the sukkah. We build the space. But people create the belonging.
So, if the Alpert JCC has become a place of connection for you or your family, tell someone. Invite a friend. Bring a neighbor. Encourage someone you care about to join us and become part of our community.
And if you are in the building during Sukkot, stop by our sukkah in the Lipeles Family Courtyard. Take a moment to sit and reflect. Make sure you bring someone with you because there is always room for one more person in our sukkah.
Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom
Erik Ludwig, PhD
Chief Executive Officer