Joy, Chaos, and Showing Up

As the Director of Family Engagement and Partnerships at JCC Brooklyn, and more importantly, as a mother of three, my life often feels like a beautiful blend of joy and chaos - not to mention my oldest is approaching the tween years and now slams doors, that’s new! This March, our blog theme, "Joy, Chaos and Showing Up," resonates deeply with me, especially as we navigate a world that often feels heavy. For my own family, an interfaith household where my husband is culturally Mexican Catholic and I am Jewish, celebration isn't just an activity, it's the very fabric of our inclusion and connection. We embrace all our holidays with enthusiasm, finding profound joy in every tradition. Dia de los Muertos and Rosh Hashanah have a permanent seat at our metaphorical table.

In these challenging times, it's easy to dismiss joy as frivolous. But I believe, now more than ever, that joy is not a luxury: it is a necessity. It's a powerful act of resilience. At JCC Brooklyn, we strive to create spaces where kids can simply be kids, where laughter is loud, and spirits are lifted. This is where joy truly expands, especially as we look towards our summer camps.

A perfect example of this philosophy in action was our recent Purim celebration, co-sponsored with Hannah Senesh Community Day School. It was an incredible day, drawing over 150 families! We intentionally made it messy, loud, and wonderfully joyful. Imagine bouncy houses, cooking stations, henna art, and a Megillah preview, and all buzzing with energy. But it wasn't just about celebration, it was also about showing up for our community. We packed Purim goodies to send to homeless shelters, weaving service seamlessly into our festivities.

This event also served as a vibrant preview of our JCC Brooklyn Summer Day Camp, bringing that summer energy and promise of expanding joy directly to the Purim celebration. My personal stance, and that of JCC Brooklyn, is clear: joy matters more than you think. It's a vital counterweight to the world's weight, a space where inclusion thrives, and where we can all find strength in celebration and community. We are committed to owning this stance publicly, taking this bet through Purim and into the summer, to expand joy wherever we can. Come join us! Come bounce on the air jumper, swim in the pool, give your children the gift of summer, the sunshine of the year and the years to come.

With Deep Care and Community- in partnership always, your mom on the run;
Anna Castañeda Rojas Keller
Director of Family Engagement and Partnerships