Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center - Bridgewater, New Jersey

Gretta S.

The teachers and caretakers realllllly care about our daughter and it is VERY clear to see! They also do a lot more activities than other daycares like splash pad, taking them for walks, and painting. The room being large is great for nap times as well as eating times. The teachers are on board with our approach to our daughter feeding herself. The teachers don't just shove a pacifier in her mouth (like our previous daycare did), nor do they just put her in the crib for her to nap when they (teachers) need a break. There are also a lot more 'play areas' in the infant room and mobiles, play mats, ball pit, just a lotttt more toy options. I can say this with full confidence because our daughter was at two daycares simultaneously when JCC only had one day available and we could see the difference between the two on the days she spent at JCC and days she spent elsewhere (and both were comparable in price). I don't think it was the teachers fault at the other place, they just seemed very overworked. So I believe things like more toys, more play stations, bigger room, and of course having additional help from the younger kids makes a BIG difference and I hope that never changes at the JCC!!!

Noelle L.

My husband and 14-year-old daughter just finished their 1st supersprint triathlon at the JCC.

PROS:
- For anyone who wants to dip their feet into triathlons, this experience is fantastic. There were elementary school kids, seasoned triathletes, and grandmothers who learned to swim 3 months ago so they could do this with their sons (congratulations again Debbie!!!). It's almost inspirational, and the energy of the whole place was more than my girl and husband could ask for.
- JCC's staff and volunteers made this such a joy. From the director Jessica who gave hugs and greeted us with a big wave and smile. To the kind volunteer Norman who explained the sequence and checked in with us during and after the race to make sure we were okay. And to the volunteers at the end of the race that made sure everyone got a big family photo at the huge finish arch.
- Overall, this experience is well run by welcoming people.
- The pool is salt water, clean, and warm.

CONS:
- If you are a novice and want to get that complete 400m swim and 10k bike of a supersprint, you probably won't be able to complete it given the time restraints the facility naturally has to put in place. Because you're using top of the line stationary bikes instead of bringing your own and biking outside -- so they have to time limit everyone (5 min swim and 15 min bike for supersprint) or else there would be a line to get onto a bike if people are slow (like me). But I imagine that any indoor triathlon has to have this protocol -- so we'll take it!

Please keep offering this great experience JCC Bridgewater -- at least 6 of us in our family are going to be signing up for 2025!

Brenda D.

During the past five years my family and I have been members here at the jcc - the staff here have been amazingly supportive warm and welcoming- we have had open communication and especially love working with Sarah pollock chief experience officer who attended to us as not only members of the community as well as extended family. Thank you for all that you do Sarah . We will miss you we are relocating and it will be sad to leave.

LA M.

Why I L❤️VE JCC
Very friendly and supportive environment. Welcoming and helpful staff, equipment options are extensive even boxing…Miki Silver Sneakers exercise classes to motivational music are super fun workouts!!! If you want a safe space to do your exercise thing…this is it❣️🥳🎊🏋🏻‍♀️🏋🏽‍♂️🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️🏊🧘🏻‍♀️🧘🏾‍♂️

Hai Y.

We usually have enjoyed ourselves in this JCC facility, and one of my boys even joined its summer camp of 2021. We take our children (two boys) here to swim regularly. Facility staff are friendly in general. However recently we had two encounters that made us uncomfortable.

First time, it took place a few weeks back. My old son (7 yr-old) used a lane that was reserved but he didn't know. This particular swimming instructor, with a pony tail, told him to leave w/o too much an explanation and with a long face. We just complied, even though we felt that she could have said it to a boy more nicely (I had used the wrong lane myself, and was treated in a more reasonable manner).

Second time, it happened today (10/30/21), the same lady told my boy not to spit the water (he had a mouth of water, which is inevitable at swimming, what do you expect? Swallow it?), also in a very impatient and hash way, and kept staring at us as if trying to pick any "wrongdoings". A discrimination can almost certainly be detected and it almost certain that she targeted us (my boys didn't go to her lane, just played in their own public lane). To be fair, I was not present when the 2nd incident occurred, my wife told me about it afterwards.

As paid members of this facility, we are expecting at least reasonable service if it's not superb. I am not a sensitive person and seldom made any complaints, but since this involved my children, I'd like to bring this to the attention and awareness of the management, and appreciate it if something can be done to make the future experience more enjoyable.

Farhâd K.

My family and I have been members for over 10 years and use the exercise programs all the time. I especially enjoy coaching by Jay Kellogg. His classes are at noon time on Wednesdays. We do need more people to join this great class. You will see a big difference in your fitness and well being having exercised in this class.

Michelle S.

I can not say enough good things about the fitness center/classes at the JCC! The dedication of the trainers and staff helped me lose over 20 lbs last year and I started taking classes I never thought I could get through. With Body Pump, Body Combat, Long and Lean, CxWorx, and the gym equipment...I was able to transform myself.

I am happier now, made lots of new friends, but most of all I trusted others who wanted me to succeed. I reached for a goal and got there. I am doing my first 5K in April 2013 and so proud of myself for wanting to do it. Thank you to people who believed in me to challenge myself and make change happen.

Miriam K.

The JCC is a very special place, directed and staffed by very special people. From the moment one steps through the doors and is greeted by every single staff member with smiles and warmth; the friendship, camaraderie and kindness reverberating throughout the building is palpable.
My son's Bar Mitzvah, as well as my daughter's Bat Mitzvah was held in the beautiful party room. Thanks to the JCC we had two wonderful events that we will remember forever as truly joyous and memorable occasions!
I highly recommend going to the JCC for all your party needs!
Thank you JCC!!