Our History

100 Years Strong & Growing

For over 100 years, the Bender JCC of Greater Washington has been committed to a single mission: promoting and creating Jewish continuity, identity, and community in an atmosphere of warmth and meaning. That mission has been at the heart of all of our programs since our creation in 1913 and incorporation in 1923.

Diverse and vibrant, the Bender JCC community and Bender JCC membership is open to everyone of all religions, backgrounds, and walks of life, with comprehensive programs, facilities, and services that offer a natural gateway to Jewish life. The Bender JCC is an active member of the JCC Association, a network of more than 200 JCCs across North America, has received numerous awards for its innovative programming, and is nationally recognized for inclusionary programming for children, teens, and adults with disabilities, including the award-winning Camp JCC.

The Bender JCC is one of largest local beneficiary agencies of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, and is a non-sectarian 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (TIN 53-0205921) providing programs and services for all in our community.

100 Years with the jcca

We are proud to be a part of the Jewish Community Center Association of North America. This year, the JCCA celebrates 100 years! For 100 years, our community has undergone enormous change, overcome major challenges, rolled with the punches and come through with knowledge, experience and assurance.

At least that’s how we, the JCCA, are thinking about the Centennial Celebration of the JCC Movement. This is our moment, one we can point to with pride about where we came from, who we are and where we are going as a network of Jewish Community Centers serving diverse communities and needs across this wide continent.

The brilliance of the JCC Movement is that it encompasses so many — from every walk of Jewish life, as well as all those who just want to be a part of our communities.

FY2017 Annual Report

Click here for a printable PDF of the FY2017 Annual Report

FY2016 Annual Report

Click here for a printable PDF of the FY2016 Annual report

FY2015 Annual Report

Click here for a printable PDF of the FY2015 Annual Report.