Me & My Dad Out On the Town

March 12, 2010 | 26 Adar, 5770

Recently, one of JCC Chicago's Me & My Dad groups contacted Stuart Gold, the marketing manager of the Costco in Glenview, to see if Costco does tours for children. The Glenview location had never done a tour, but Mr. Gold was intrigued by the request. When he learned it would be for a JCC Me and My Dad group, he shared that he had once participated in a JCC Me and My Dad group with his now 27 years old daughter! Of course he agreed, and JCC arranged a tour. The dads thought it would be a fun night and, prior to the event, exchanged lots of emails about their favorite Costco experiences. On the evening of the program, the group met Mr. Gold's assistant, Vivian, who gave them a great behind-the-scene tour, sharing lots of Costco trivia. The girls had so much fun. They saw the new kosher product area, and met Ira, the manager of electronics, who talked to the girls about how, when he was in grade school, he remembers bringing Matzah Pizza for lunch during Passover. Some things don't change. Costco really went out of their way for JCC and even prepared goody bags for each girl. Mr. Gold followed up with a phone call to make sure everything worked out. He agreed to schedule other tours for Me and My Dad groups.

During the tour, a female customer stopped the group to share how good it made her feel to see happy dads and their daughters commented having a great time together. She asked what organization they were with. They responded with great pride, "JCC Chicago!" Currently JCC Chicago has over 220 families enrolled in the Me and My Dad program. This year we launched our first group in the Evanston/Skokie area and it is co-ed!!

May your home be filled with warmth and the laughter of happy children.
Shabbat Shalom!

For information how you can join JCC Chicago's
Me and My Dad program, click here.

What is Me and My Dad?

Me and My Dad is a special program that strengthens father/child relationships through involvement in creative and meaningful Jewish experiences. Me and My Dad is guided by JCC staff and participating fathers. Me and My Dad participants enjoy special outings, Jewish holiday programs, exciting craft projects and fabulous overnighters.

For more program information, please contact Susan Ellenby, Coordinator of Family Programs, at 224.406.9223 ; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

What does JCC provide?

JCC provides the “game plan” and dads and kids provide the creative “play.” Each group is assigned a JCC staff liaison. This staff liaison provides a number of functions to support the Me and My Dad groups, including providing suggestions and program ideas, guidance and assistance at meetings, keeping participants informed with regard to upcoming JCC or Me and My Dad events and more.

Who can join Me and My Dad?

Me and My Dad is for children entering kindergarten and up in the fall and their fathers. You can either select on your own or choose to be placed in a group that is geographically desirable and age appropriate.

How often does Me and My Dad meet?

Groups meet monthly. The members of each group determine meeting nights.