There is a reoccurring theme when you speak with the “Canasta Ladies” about the JCC – it’s that the JCC is their “second home”. The reason they feel this way is because of the welcoming and comfortable feeling they get when they are at the JCC. Carol Ballow, Judy Gross, Linda Roskein and Dot Rudolph meet at the JCC every week to play Canasta, a game they first learned to play at the JCC. These four women originally became connected to the JCC in very different ways.

Linda worked at the Welcome Center when the JCC first opened in January, 2000. She and Carol became co-workers when they worked together in babysitting. Carol went on to work in the infant room in the Blaustein Early Childhood Center, and Dot got connected to the JCC through Carol, who is her sister! Judy is a long-standing member of the JCC and has been serving on our Board of Directors for the past 15 years. She remembers in the early days walking by the babysitting room, and always receiving a friendly “Good Morning” greeting from Carol and Linda. Judy’s children attended JCC Camp Ruach (at the time, Camp Talamini) and worked there as counselors before the JCC was even built. Even when Judy and her husband, Larry moved from Bridgewater, it was important to remain close and connected to the JCC.

According to Carol, there is a wide-range of activities offered here and “you can always find something to do at the JCC, whatever your interests are.”

Linda is a frequent participant in JCC Adult programming, participating in fitness classes, going on trips and attending lectures with other friends she has made here. Linda says exercise is important to her overall health, and that there are so many interesting and stimulating programs at the J. “The JCC fulfills me is so many ways – intellectually, physically, and provides friendships. It’s been a key aspect of my life, and has provided so much support.”

Judy says, “The JCC has been an instrumental, beneficial wonderful part of our lives. It’s been our second home.” For these four women, their friendship and the JCC that brought them together is about a lot more than just a card game!