Throughout the semester in my Social Health and Diversity course, my fellow students and I have explored many different types of privileged and subordinate groups. Our teacher asked us to write down three subordinate groups that we aren’t apart of to be allies to; our teacher then took our list to organize us into ally groups. When our subordinate group was chosen, we were to be 100% allies to our assigned group. My group was assigned non-Christian religions. As an ally to non-Christian we are to give meaningful service, support, and defend their beliefs and way of life. As a group we decided to give service at the Jewish Community Center. I was very surprised by what the center was like, who the majority of the patrons are, the employees, and how I was treated as a volunteer. My experience was very different from my expectations.
What did I expect the Jewish Community Center (JCC) and my experience there would be like? I expected the JCC to be a humble center that was a safe haven for the Jewish community. A place where anyone is welcome, run by volunteers, and funded by the government or private donors. I was very surprised to see when I pulled into the parking lot a country club like feel. There were many very expensive cars and the grounds were very well kept. At the front receptionists desk there is a coded hand print reader for access and security. I thought that it was very high tech for a community center, but I guess they have had problems in the past to justify embassy like security. The hallways have modern design, tennis courts, state of the art exercise equipment, swimming pool, basketball courts, locker rooms with Luxury Soaps, balcony and conference rooms for parties, children’s play and learning areas, and in my opinion an overpriced café. My anticipation to help a humble community center was smashed in the dirt as I ignorantly viewed this center being dedicated to the Jewish community but not for the Jewish community. There is a Jewish Holocaust memorial connecting the outside of the building to the inside built near the entryway. I think it is a very peaceful and beautiful tribute to the Jewish people that were forced to endure such terrible hardships.
After getting in contact with a member of the maintenance team, I received my assignments and got to work. I power washed exercise floor mats that had been used for the center’s spin bikes. The rest of my hours were spent pulling weeds to keep the grounds looking nice. The men and women that are in charge of keeping the building and grounds looking nice are very nice people and were great to work with. Even when they didn’t fully understand why we were there and thought we were there on court order to pay our dues from past mistakes. Most volunteers that are there to work have committed a crime and are sent by the justice system. One employee named Chester answered all of our questions. We learned that only 12% of the center’s members are of the Jewish faith, and the rest of the members live within the Salt Lake community. A Jewish man who bought the golf course grounds and built the center originally started the center. He also informed us how much the members pay monthly; the numbers are suited for the wealthier community. As I was weeding and eating lunch I observed the members as they would come and go and immediately passed false general judgment that all the members are yuppie careless people. I even saw a couple that are my close friends. When I said “hi” to them, they asked if I was a janitor. In defense I told them that I was just volunteering for a class project. I was so ashamed of myself that I would be so above being a janitor. I was wasting so much time passing unfair judgment; I didn’t realize that I am the one at fault. I decided to negative my negative thinking and just do what I was there to do, serve. While working in the parking lot I met so many nice people that didn’t care if I was a volunteer or a janitor. They just appreciated the good work I was performing.
Throughout my work I realized the purpose of the center and I was glad that I had been working hard all day. I knew that even if it was swarmed with a richer non-Jewish community, the center is for the Jewish community. It is there as a tribute to the Jewish community and their ancestors. It is a center for the Jewish community to live their way of life and for others to learn more about that lifestyle. In my opinion the weed less flowerbeds seemed to look that much prettier after I had a change of heart.
As I was finishing for the day a frantic activity coordinator named Kiki grabbed me, asked me who I was, then asked if I could help her. I said, “yes” realizing that she was in great need of an extra hand. She was assisting the organization and planning of a wedding party. The bride wanted the once requested dance floor removed. To relieve everyone’s stress I helped a maintenance worker named Kevin quickly remove the floor. We saved the day and the wedding. I am glad that I was able to learn more about the JCC, help weed and improve the look of the grounds, and help save the wedding party. I want to spend more time helping my community and less time judging those within my community.
