JCC Voices

In this episode of JCC Voices, JCC of Greater Pittsburgh President and CEO Jason Kunzman sits down with YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh President and CEO Amy Kienle to discuss Unity in Community.They reflect on Curious Conversations, their summer camp collaboration and how curiosity can help people listen across differences, build stronger relationships and combat hate.JCC Voices is presented by Guardian Storage.

How can young athletes stay fueled, hydrated and ready to perform without making nutrition overly complicated?JCC wellness coach Carolyn Kontos sits down with Dr. Jason Edsall, Dean of Chatham University’s College of Health Sciences, to separate sports nutrition facts from internet hype. They discuss hydration, sports drinks, protein, recovery, sleep and why good nutrition does not have to be perfect.

JCC of Greater Pittsburgh President & CEO Jason Kunzman sits down with University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Joan Gabel for a conversation about leadership, community, and collaboration. They reflect on the partnership that brought the 2025 JCC Maccabi Campus Games to Pitt, the first event of its kind on a college campus, and discuss the shared challenges and opportunities that come with leading organizations, bringing people together, and turning big ideas into reality.

GLP-1 medications are transforming the conversation around weight loss and wellness—but they're only part of the story. In this episode of JCC Voices, JCC Wellness & Nutrition Coach Carolyn Kontos is joined by Dr. Jonathan Bonnet and Dr. Mike Parkinson to discuss who GLP-1s are for, what patients should know, and why nutrition, movement, strength, and healthy habits remain the foundation of long-term wellness.

In this episode of JCC Voices, host Yisrael Klitsner sits down with Ahmed Fouad Al Khatib and Brig. Gen. (Res.) Nitzan Nuriel for a candid conversation on some of the most complex issues facing Israelis and Palestinians today. Together, they explore:

• The legacy of the Oslo Accords and Gaza disengagement
• Hamas's rise to power and missed opportunities for Palestinian governance
• Israeli security concerns and lessons from October 7
• Palestinian agency, accountability, and self-determination
• The role of leadership, institutions, and state-building
• Trauma, PTSD, and the human cost of conflict
• Polarization and the challenge of holding multiple truths
• Israeli and Palestinian diaspora perspectives
• Building bridges across communities and narratives
• Paths toward coexistence, dialogue, and mutual understanding

A thoughtful discussion on history, responsibility, identity, and the difficult conversations necessary for a better future.

Join bestselling cookbook author Adeena Sussman and award-winning chef Mike Solomonov for a conversation about Israeli cuisine, storytelling, and connection. They discuss their recent tour, Mike’s experience showing Adeena his hometown, and how food creates meaningful bridges between people and communities. The episode also explores their connection to the JCC and the role it plays in fostering culture, identity, and belonging.

In this episode of JCC Voices, Fara Marcus, Chief Marketing and Development Officer at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, joins series moderator Yisrael Klitsner for a conversation about the JCC’s approach to Israel engagement and meaningful community dialogue.

Klitsner, a fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute and former advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, shares insights from his work in Israel and the Jewish community while discussing the vision behind Come Curious, Leave Wiser, an initiative created by Klitsner, Marcus, and JCC CEO Jason Kunzman.

Together, they explore how curiosity, conversation, and connection can help build deeper understanding and stronger community around Israel and Jewish identity.

To learn more about the Come Curious, Leave Wiser series, join the next session, Israel’s Geopolitical Outlook, on Monday, June 16. The JCC’s Israel Engagement Series invites participants to go beyond the headlines through dialogue, multiple perspectives, and meaningful community discussion.

Learn more and register here!