Inspiring Connections
The Bender JCC inspires our members to make genuine and meaningful connections – with their community and neighbors, interests and passions, and themselves – so each of us can live an active, fulfilling, and joyful life.
Everyone is Welcome
Jewish culture, tradition and values have anchored our community for generations – but you don’t need to be Jewish to join the Bender JCC! We welcome our members “as they are” and celebrate them for “who they are” by creating space where everyone feels they belong.
The Bender JCC embraces and welcomes the diversity of our community and encourages everyone to seek meaning and fulfillment by participating in our rich programming inspired by our Jewish heritage. We open our doors to everyone, including people of all abilities, backgrounds, identities, religions, sexual orientations, and interfaith couples and families.
Our Campus
Located in Rockville, Maryland at the heart of Montgomery County, the Bender JCC has been a vibrant part of the Greater Washington community for over 50 years. Our accessible, adaptive, inclusive, and modern campus is constantly evolving to meet the diverse needs of our growing members. From our climbing tower, fitness center, and pools to our art gallery and performing arts venue, the Bender JCC’s campus features the modern amenities and facilities you’ll need to connect with friends, pursue your passions, and make our community uniquely your own.
Our History
First founded in 1913 and incorporated in 1923, the Bender JCC of Greater Washington’s legacy of diverse, inclusive, and vibrant community engagement spans over 110 years.
The Washington D.C. Jewish community came together in a shared vision that resulted in the incorporation of five Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Association campuses into a single a Jewish Community Center to provide social and recreation programs not otherwise available. Programming soon expanded to include education, arts and culture
The first JCC building was located on 16th Street, at the heart of Washington D.C.’s Jewish community and served as a regional “Center” for Jewish life for Jews across the Greater Washington area including Montgomery County and Northern Virginia.
Throughout the 1960s, many Jewish families living in Washington D.C. began to move to areas like Bethesda, Rockville, and Silver Spring. As our community’s needs changed, so did the Jewish Community Center. The vision of Charles E. Smith led to the community’s bold decision to move the JCC’s building from the heart of downtown D.C. to Rockville, our current location which we share with the Hebrew Home and Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA) as part of the Charles E. Smith Life Communities.
The JCC celebrated its 100th anniversary and launched a Centennial Capital Campaign.
We officially changed our name to the Bender JCC of Greater Washington in honor of the Sondra and Howard Bender family’s incredible generosity towards and unwavering support of our community.
For over a century, the Bender JCC of Greater Washington has passionately celebrated Jewish identities and promoted the continuity of Jewish community. The Bender JCC has been a natural gateway to Jewish community and life for generations of Greater Washington’s Jewish families, while proudly welcoming our neighbors of all abilities, backgrounds identities, and religions. backgrounds, and walks of life, with comprehensive programs, facilities, and services.
The Bender JCC is an active and proud member of the JCC Association of North America (JCCA) – a network of more than 200 JCCs across the continent. Through numerous awards and recognitions, the JCCA has honored both the Bender JCC’s innovative programming, and Lessans Camp JCC’s inclusive programming for people with disabilities.
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.
Our People
The Bender JCC is an all-inclusive community – from the people we serve to the programs we offer – rooted in Jewish values. The Bender JCC connects people through high-quality programs for all ages, backgrounds, abilities and interests. It is a place for growing, learning and friendship. It is a place where you belong.
Our Places and Spaces
For four decades, the Bender JCC has been serving the Washington community with an innovative campus that continues to grow to meet the evolving needs of a diverse, growing community.
