Our Mission
The JCC is a human service organization offering a varied program that is largely Jewish in nature. It is committed to enhancing the quality of family life and promoting the physical, intellectual and spiritual wellness of the individual. It provides health-related activities and cultural and educational programs that reflect the Jewish heritage.

Although primarily a membership organization, the JCC also delivers services to the community at large, including populations at risk. Through its wide array of programs, the JCC pursues its mission of strengthening the individual, family and community.

* Currently, there are more than 5,600 members of the JCC representing approximately 2,400 households in 74 individual ZIP codes. With locations in east, northeast and northwest Columbus, the JCC is committed to continuing to play a significant role in community life in Central Ohio.

* Each year, over 150,000 people come through our doors to vote, donate blood, receive health screenings and immunizations, take classes, attend lectures, shows, and exhibits and play sports.

* Each year, nearly 2,000 people of all ages and fitness levels use the JCC fitness facilities weekly to maintain their health and well-being.

* Nearly 700 children and youth swam, played and learned at JCC summer camps this year and many of those children will spend every summer of their growing-up years at the JCC.

* More than 450 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years attend Early Childhood Programs at the JCC's three sites across Columbus, where they begin to form their Jewish identities.

* The JCC serves 16,000 freshly prepared Kosher lunches each year to active seniors adults and provides intellectually stimulating programming and events for those that attend the daily lunches. For many, this is their only hot meal of the day.

* Over 250 students from 15 nations are learning English as a Second or Other Language at the JCC; 273 new Americans are attending classes at the JCC in preparation for becoming U.S. Citizens.

JCC History
The JCC has served Columbus' Jewish community since 1913, when Joseph Schonthal provided meeting rooms to all segments of the Jewish community at 355 South Washington Avenue. In 1918, Schonthal expanded his vision by purchasing a building on Rich Street, which he named the Schonthal Center. The United Jewish Fund earmarked funds to build a Jewish Community Center in 1935, and a groundbreaking was held in 1949.

The passing of the years brought additional milestones: our day camp site at Hoover Reservoir was aquired as a gift from Millard Cummins in 1965 and an outdoor swimming pool complex opened in 1966. The groundbreaking for the JCC's current site was held in May of 1981, and the doors to the newly constructed Center opened in 1983.