100 Years of Jewish DC, Told by the People Who Lived It
As part of our Centennial year, we’re collecting and sharing the personal stories that have shaped the EDCJCC and Jewish life in Washington, DC for a full century.
For 100 years, the EDCJCC has been a gathering place for Jewish life in all its forms. This oral history project captures that living history through the voices of our community- members, staff, partners, and friends who have walked through our doors, built relationships here, and helped define what Jewish DC looks like across generations.
These stories are joyful, intimate, and deeply human. Together, they reflect the multifaceted nature of our community and preserve it for the next 100 years.
Why Oral History
Oral history allows us to capture more than dates and milestones. It preserves memory, emotion, and perspective, the everyday moments that don’t always make it into official records but matter just as much. By listening to one another, we honor the past while making space for the present.
We love the JCC and are so lucky to be part of this wonderful, warm and giving community.
This project is ongoing and community-driven. Whether your connection to the EDCJCC spans decades or just a few days, your story is part of our shared history.
How We’re Collecting Stories
In late 2025, we piloted in-person story collection through a listening booth at the EDCJCC. These early recordings helped shape the direction of the project and showed what’s possible when our community shares in their own words.
Now, we’re opening digital submissions so more voices, memories, photos, and videos can be shared from anywhere.
You can explore stories already collected or contribute your own to the growing collection.