Andrea Cronson
40 Faces of the J
I’ve been taking the same exercise class at the JCC for 28 years. The time never changes but the teachers do. With each new instructor come different weights, postures, pacing, and fellow participants. Through it all, one thing has stayed the same: I feel completely at home in my routine.
Because I’m so comfortable there, it’s easy for me to notice new faces in the hallways or the locker rooms. Sometimes I wonder what it must feel like to walk into our gym for the very first time, a gym with “Jewish” in its name and signs marking Jewish holidays and traditions. If you’re new, that might feel a little unfamiliar… maybe even a bit intimidating.
That’s one reason I’m so grateful that our JCC community is truly a melting pot. I love that people from all backgrounds choose to come here. The fact that people join a gym that proudly carries the word “Jewish” in its name says something really meaningful about the kind of community we are.
I’m also old enough to remember a time when inclusion wasn’t always the norm. Growing up in Greensboro, I remember when Jews weren’t welcome in certain golf clubs. I’ve never forgotten that. It reminds me how important it is that people feel welcomed wherever they go.
One of the nicest things about being at the gym is the conversations. When you take a minute to talk with people, you hear all kinds of life stories—who’s getting married, who might be going through a tough illness, or just what’s happening in their lives. Everyone has a story, and sometimes they just need someone to listen.
For me, hospitality at the gym is very simple. When I see someone I don’t recognize—whether it’s a new instructor, another member, or a staff person I try to say hello or introduce myself. Sometimes it’s nothing more than a smile and a quick greeting. But small gestures can mean a lot.
A smile or a hello says something simple but powerful: I see you. You belong here. And honestly, it makes my own day better too. Maybe that’s a little selfish but I like moving through the world feeling connected to the people around me. The easiest way to create that feeling is to offer it first.
I don’t know what other people are thinking when they walk through those doors. But these are the thoughts that cross my mind. And they’re why I believe a simple smile and hello can help make our gym—and our community—feel like home for everyone.
