Celebrate With Us!
Join us as we celebrate a century of community, culture, and connection.
Throughout 2026, we’ll host special programs, gatherings, and community events across the Center, celebrating our history and bringing our Centennial to life. Opportunities to participate and celebrate will be announced regularly. Check back for updates.
Centennial Gala
The centerpiece of our 100th anniversary year is the Centennial Gala, a special evening bringing together community leaders, longtime supporters, new voices, and friends of the Center to recognize 100 years at the heart of Jewish Washington and to celebrate the programs, people, and impact of the Edlavitch DCJCC.
On May 19, we will honor Ginny and Irwin Edlavitch with the Centennial Impact Award and Jill and Robert Granader with the 2026 Lee G. Rubenstein Outstanding Leadership Award. Both couples’ extraordinary leadership and generosity have shaped and sustained the Center across generations. We will also celebrate the Second Century Leaders: emerging leaders stepping up to ensure the JCC’s strength and relevance for the next 100 years. This effort is spearheaded by our Second Century Leadership Host Committee Chairs Max Sandler, Morgan Genderson, Eva Davis, Jonathan Edelman, and Brad Lackey.
The evening will also feature a dynamic conversation with New York Times bestselling author Jake Cohen and legendary cookbook author Joan Nathan, exploring how food and storytelling connect Jewish life across time. Following the program, Joan and Jake’s food will be served during a festive reception.
Join us for this once-in-a-century community celebration!