The Boston Globe officially resolved rumors that the Stoughton Striar JCC will become a YMCA in March. The Striar JCC press release cites changing demographics and lack of community support. However, the J lost their way long ago, and this transition to a community-model based YMCA really comes as no shock.
Jewish Community Centers were originally developed as alternatives to Y's and country clubs, many of whom did not allow Jews in to their organizations. By the time the Striar J was built in the 1980's, old attitudes had clearly shifted. While designed to serve the spiritual and social needs of the Jewish South Shore, the J quickly become a glorified community center.
When it made the decision to remain open on the Jewish Sabbath and relaxed the kosher rules a bit, they managed to lose a good portion of their membership base. The powers that be decided to toss 6,000 years of Jewish customs in order to become a competitor to Golds Gym. Calling it the Jewish Community Center is kind of like meeting a guy named Green - you're puzzled as to whether or not it's actually Jewish.
A huge portion of today's Striar JCC members are not Jewish. Personally I think we've come a long way if non-Jews in a town like Stoughton can passionately support a Jewish Community Center. I'm absolutely tickled blue and white by the fact that non-Jewish parents are ok with the fact that their children are attending a pre-school or daycare that preaches on Jewish lifestyles and values. I hope that the Y continues the tradition of diversity and inclusion.
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Would you send your child to a pre-school that teaches based on Buddhist lifestyles and values?
I think if the Y plans to practice diversity and inclusion they should either entirely avoid teaching based on any lifestyle and value - from Atheism to Zoroastrian. Or teach every single value - which seems time consuming when Pre-K's mostly exist to teach children socialization skills.
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