JCC Association of North America and the Tampa JCCs and Federation are expanding an effort to connect Parkinson’s programs with research opportunities to 10 additional JCCs across the United States.
Supported by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), the initiative will help more people learn about Parkinson’s research and the Parkinson’s Precision Medicine Initiative (PPMI). MJFF’s global research study focused on understanding Parkinson’s biology to drive new treatments.
“This initiative reflects the innovation and leadership that exist within the JCC Movement and our shared Jewish responsibility to respond to the issues that matter most to supporting people in our communities,” said Barak Hermann, the president and CEO of JCC Association of North America, in a press release. “JCCs have a unique opportunity to bring people together across differences, create meaningful connections, and turn Jewish values into action in the communities where we live. This initiative also demonstrates the power of the JCC network. By bringing trusted partners, local knowledge, and national expertise together, JCCs can create impact that enhances people’s quality of life. We’re grateful to the Tampa JCCs and Federation for bringing this work forward and to MJFF for its support of this important effort.”
The work is particularly relevant to Jewish communities because certain genetic variants associated with Parkinson’s disease are more common among people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. PPMI is offering free genetic testing for Parkinson’s-related genetic variants to all people with the disease. People with and without Parkinson’s can contribute to the study at www.myppmi.org/jcca.
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“People are more likely to engage in research when they can learn about it through communities and organizations they already know and trust,” said Maggie Kuhl, the MJFF VP of patient engagement. “We’re grateful to work with more JCC partners — building on our longstanding partnership with the Tampa JCCs and Federation and the strong network enabled through the JCC Association of North America — to help more individuals understand how they can learn more about their own biology and contribute to cures through PPMI.”
Developed over nearly a decade, the Tampa JCCs and Federation’s Parkinson’s Program serves more than 200 people each week through over 20 classes and has reached more than 1,000 people annually.
The program has demonstrated the potential of a JCC-based approach to creating community around Parkinson’s and connecting people with wellness resources and information. Its ongoing relationship with MJFF served as the catalyst for this initiative.
“We sincerely appreciate this funding from The Michael J. Fox Foundation, and we are honored that the special relationship we have cultivated over the years with MJFF is now translating into broader engagement with the JCC Movement. I can’t wait to see the collective impact our JCCs will have when working together to support this landmark research,” said Gary Gould, the CEO of the Tampa JCCs and Federation and co-founder of its Parkinson’s Program.
The participating JCCs will draw on their existing programs and community relationships to build awareness of PPMI, meeting people where they already are in wellness programs, community events, educational programs and trusted local communications channels. Working together with JCC Association and the Tampa JCCs and Federation, the participating JCCs will share resources, experiences, and approaches throughout the initiative, creating a model for community-based engagement around Parkinson’s research across the JCC Movement.
The 10 JCCs selected to participate in the initiative are:
- Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC in Oceanside, New York.
- JCC Greater Boston in Newton, Massachusetts.
- JCC of Greater Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut.
- Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan in New York City.
- Michael-Ann Russell JCC in North Miami Beach, Florida.
- Minnesota JCC in St. Paul, Minnesota.
- Sandra and Leon Levine JCC in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Staenberg-Loup JCC in Denver, Colorado.
- Tucson JCC in Tucson, Arizona.
These JCCs join the Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC in Tampa, Florida. to implement the initiative. The initiative runs through April 30, 2027, with a public implementation phase beginning in November. Representatives from each participating JCC attended an in-person orientation in Tampa in October.
