Our History
Serving the Omaha Community Since 1925
Since we first opened our doors in 1926, we’ve been a place where people can connect, belong, and grow.
Our original 20th & Dodge Street location was built to address the needs of the local Jewish population. The facility included an auditorium, gymnasium with running track, tile swimming pool, showers, steam baths, handball courts, meeting rooms, library, and modern kitchen.
The JCC remained at this location for decades. As Omaha’s population moved west, the need to relocate the center became obvious. In 1967, a new committee of community leaders gathered with the goal of finding a new location. After much consideration, it was decided that a property off of 132nd street would be the best fit. The committee believed the property would fulfill the present needs of the JCC and also allow for future expansion.
On November 2nd, 1972, a ground-breaking ceremony was held for the construction of the 132nd Street facility. The building was complete and open to the public by April of 1974. The new campus housed a 105,000 sq. ft. facility that included a gymnasium, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, meeting rooms, theater, fine art gallery, offices, kitchen, playground and ample green space.
As anticipated, facilities on campus expanded as demand grew. In 1998 a campaign was announced to renovate the Jewish Community Center. The new expansion would include construction of the Phil Sokolof Health & Fitness Center, the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center and new front entrance. By June of 2000, all construction was complete.
Today, the JCC remains one of the premiere facilities in all of Omaha. The Phil Sokolof Health & Fitness Center was refreshed with new furnishings and equipment in 2017 and the rest of our 150,000 sq. ft. facility also underwent a major renovation soon after. In 2020 we also updated our name to the Staenberg Omaha JCC. Our beautiful facility now includes the following spaces.
• Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater
• Baker Family Leisure Pool
• Benjamin & Anna E. Wiesman Family Reception Room
• Eisenberg Art Gallery
• Goldstein Family Aquatic Center
• Linda K. & Nelson Gordman Black Box Theater
• Marlene & Marty Staenberg Arts and Education Corridor
• Milton Mendel & Marsha Kleinberg Jewish Omaha Heritage Center
• Newman Family Men’s Health Spa
• Pennie Z. Davis Early Learning Center
• Phil Sokolof Fitness Center
• Schlessinger Family Lobby
• Shirley & Leonard Goldstein Community Engagement Venue
• Simon Family Performing Arts Academy
• Walter & Helena Tichauer Institute for Holocaust Education Learning Center
• Alan J. Levine Athletic Facility
We are proud to be a part of the Omaha community. Everyone, regardless of race, faith, or national origin, is welcome on our campus. We remain driven by same the Jewish values that have guided us from the beginning.
We believe in the power of community.
We believe in taking care of each other.
We believe that you belong here.
Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus
The Staenberg Kooper Fellman campus is home to more than just the Jewish Community Center. It houses several additional agencies and organizations that also work to serve the community. Most of these agencies fall underneath the umbrella of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, a registered 501(c)(3) organization that is located on campus.
Jewish Federation of Omaha Supported Agencies on Campus
• The Jewish Community Center
• Jewish Social Services: The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Senior Outreach
• Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)
• Institute for Holocaust Education
• The Jewish Press
• Nebraska Jewish Historical Society
We proudly share our campus with three additional 501(c)(3) organizations that do not fall under the Jewish Federation of Omaha umbrella. These organizations include:
• Friedel Jewish Academy
• Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith International (BBI)
• Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation
Our Mission
The mission of the Jewish Community Center of Omaha is to create a positive Jewish environment in which to build, strengthen, and preserve Jewish identity and traditions. The JCC reaches out to the Jewish community and provides its members with a unique opportunity to associate through a variety of social, cultural, recreational, educational and physical fitness programs, activities, and services.
Health & Well-Being
To provide facilities and programs that promote physical, social and emotional well-being.
Community
To provide belonging, connectedness, and inclusiveness through programs and partnerships.
Education
To provide the opportunity for personal growth and life-long learning.
Judaism
To incorporate traditional Jewish morals and values to successfully meet our mission.