In this expert Q&A, Jason Kunzman, the president and CEO of JCC of Greater Pittsburgh, discusses how his community center navigates societal divides and acts as a uniting force.
Kunzman shares how community centers can provide unifying spaces, proactive responses to community challenges, intentional inclusivity and more.
Enjoy!
Key Takeaways
Community Centers as Unifying Spaces
The JCC of Greater Pittsburgh demonstrates how community centers can be powerful platforms for bridging divides. By creating “brave spaces” for dialogue, the organization actively works to combat polarization and foster understanding across different communities. Their Center for Loving Kindness and Civic Engagement, launched in 2017, exemplifies this approach by bringing together diverse groups through interfaith initiatives, community service projects, and open conversations.
Youth Engagement and Value Cultivation
The JCC places significant emphasis on engaging youth as a critical strategy for long-term community building. Through programs like J Serve and their summer camp initiatives, they teach young people the importance of community service, social responsibility, and values like tikkun olam (repairing the world). By instilling these principles early, they’re creating a generation more equipped to address social divisions and promote unity.
Proactive Response to Community Challenges
In the face of difficult circumstances, such as the 2018 synagogue attack and tensions following October 7, the JCC chose to lean into community healing rather than retreat. They’ve developed innovative programs like the REACH speakers bureau, which uses survivors’ stories to educate about anti-Semitism and combat hate. Their approach demonstrates how community centers can transform tragedy into an opportunity for education and resilience.
Intentional Inclusivity and Transparent Values
The JCC has made inclusivity a core part of its organizational identity. They’ve developed a clear inclusion policy visible throughout their facilities, explicitly stating they are open to everyone regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. This transparency helps create a welcoming environment and sets clear expectations for community engagement.
Redefining Success in Difficult Conversations
Jason Kunzman offers a nuanced approach to addressing divisive issues. Instead of viewing conversations as competitions to be won, he emphasizes the importance of mutual understanding. Success is redefined not as changing minds, but as creating spaces where different perspectives can be heard and respected. This approach requires vulnerability, humility, and a commitment to maintaining communication channels even during challenging times. These takeaways illustrate how community centers like the JCC can be more than just recreational spaces – they can be critical infrastructure for social cohesion, understanding, and collective growth.
