ProCon invitation, Global Projects Gaining Momentum and more
- JCC Global
- Jul 6
- 4 min read
JCC Global will lead a select overseas delegation to the JCCs of North America Professional Conference- ProCon, October 27-29, 2025, Minneapolis, Minnesota
The focus of ProCon 2025 is on professional enrichment and networking with specific Peer Communities. For example, Program Directors, Youth Directors, Arts and Culture, Jewish Life, Finance and more.
It is an opportunity to learn, share and reflect with peers from all over North America. For more information on overseas delegation, click here. To apply, please write to info@jccglobal.org
Global Projects Gain Momentum
Even during these challenging times in Ukraine and Israel, at JCC Global, we remain fully committed to nurturing global partnerships and strengthening the JCC Global From Good to Great network.
Recent highlights:
JCC Global - Our Roots - We launched the joint project in partnership with Hesed Besht Khmelnitsky JCC in Ukraine, the Beit Shemesh Community Centers Network in Israel, and the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia in the United States. The project brings together 30 families, 10 from each JCC, to explore their heritage and cultural roots. Each family is connected with two others from different countries, creating meaningful cross-cultural relationships.
JCC Global - Speak & Connect - Teens from the NOEK JCC in Mykolayiv, Ukraine, the Siegel JCC in Delaware, USA, and the Rishon LeZion East Community Center in Israel recently held their first joint Zoom session. As part of the project, they are co-creating video stories that reflect teenage life in their respective countries, while deepening the bond between their communities.
JCC Global - Global Teens Connect - Jewish teens from the Beit Grand JCC in Odesa, Ukraine, the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC in Bridgewater, New Jersey, USA, and the Migvanim Ramat Hasharon Community Centers in Israel met for their second virtual session. The group continued their exploration of Jewish identity through cross-cultural dialogue and shared personal experiences of growing up Jewish in different parts of the world. In a few days, the Bridgewater JCC will graciously host a small teen delegation from Odesa and Ramat Hasharon for a two-week day camp, with local families providing accommodation
JCC Global - Taste of Tradition - Grandparents and grandchildren from four JCCs came together on Zoom for a heartwarming session: JCC Halom Kyiv, Ukraine, Merage JCC of Orange County, USA, Centro Deportivo Israelita – CDI, Mexico, and the Kfar Yona Community Center, Israel. Participants shared beloved family dishes and recipes passed down through generations. The project will continue with participants researching their culinary family history and collaboratively creating an international cookbook, while strengthening intergenerational connections.
JCC Global Mentoring for Success
The Mentoring for Success initiative continues with engaging sessions tailored to the unique needs of each partnership.
The teams from Hesed Hana (Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine), Mandel JCC (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida), and JCC Budapest Bálint Ház (Hungary) took part in a workshop led by Hadas Nir, CEO of the Diller program, focusing on best practices for cross cultural educational work.
The partnership between Mazal Tov JCC (Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine), OHA MACABI (Buenos Aires, Argentina), and JCC East Bay (Berkeley, California) participated in a LinkedIn training session to enhance their digital networking skills.
JCC Global Fellows from Hesed Nefesh (Poltava, Ukraine), Hesed Haim (Sumy, Ukraine), and the Pardesia Community Center (Israel) took part in a filmmaking workshop to help them share their stories creatively and effectively.
More than 170 JCC Global leaders attended a zoom gathering on June 17
In response to the war with Iran, JCC Global organized a special zoom gathering to stand in solidarity with Israel’s community centers.
While hundreds of missiles targeted Israel, Community Centers continued their vital work - supporting civilians and maintaining essential programs under fire.
Over 170 participants from 14 countries joined the session, including leaders from Argentina, Canada, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Tal Baseches, CEO of the Israel Association of Community Centers spoke about the mobilization of community centers across the country. David Wax, Chair of JCC Association of North America shared his message of care and support with Israel.
Alongside updates from Israel, we also heard about the ongoing war in Ukraine and how our partners there continue to carry out meaningful community work despite the immense challenges.
Participants expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to connect, share, and uplift one another. As some participants shared:
“It was a ray of light during these dark times.”
“JCC Global is truly impressive. What a wonderful, diverse group of people coming together to support one another and keep communities strong.”
Even in the face of adversity, our bonds grow stronger. Thanks to those who joined and stood with us.
Budapest Conference for Israeli Communities in Europe, June 6-8, 2025
Smadar Bar-Akiva, JCC Global Executive Director was invited to present at the conference for Leaders of Israeli Communities in Europe.
A recent JPR Study estimates that 100,000 Israelis are living in Europe today, out of 630,000 Israelis living outside of Israel. In response to this growing phenomenon, Mosaic United and WZO Irgoon and Connection with Israelis Abroad Department sponsored a conference for 70 leaders of Israeli communities from across Europe. The gathering focused on community building training sessions and networking. Together with ECJC, JCC Global is looking to foster sustainable relationships between the established local Jewish communities and the Israeli/Jewish immigrant groups for the benefit of all.
Mazal Tov! 20 years to KEDEM Jacobs JCC in Chisinau, Moldova!
In early June, the Jewish community of Moldova celebrated the 20th anniversary of KEDEM Jacobs JCC, marking two decades of transformative impact on Jewish life in the region.
The milestone celebration brought together national leaders, diplomats, international partners, and the supporters, culminating in the prestigious Order of Honour awarded by the President of Moldova and presented by the Prime Minister. A particularly meaningful moment was the presence of Dr. Irwin Jacobs, the visionary philanthropist whose generosity made KEDEM's creation and growth possible. It was an opportunity to thank long time partners: JDC – The Joint, JCC Global, the Agency for Interethnic Relations of Moldova, and Hesed Yehuda.