Finding Inspiration and Connection at ProCon 2025
Last week, our Camp, Youth & Family Engagement Manager Stefanie Shapiro attended ProCon as part of her experience in the Merrin Teen Professionals Fellowship. Stefanie shares the lessons she learned during the conference, which is hosted by the JCC Association of North America (JCCA).
Cohort 13 of the Merrin Teen Professionals Fellowship.
Did you know that the “Cotton-Eyed Joe” dance looks different depending on where you are in the country? That’s just one of the many fun things I discovered last week at JCC A’s Professional Conference (ProCon) in Minneapolis!
As part of the Merrin Teen Professionals Fellowship, I joined eleven other JCC professionals from across North America for a week of learning and connection. Before and after the main conference, our cohort gathered to explore leadership through a Jewish lens, discussing communication, integrity, and adaptability. We also examinined what it means to model those traits for the teens we serve.
We had the opportunity to meet with past Merrin fellows and seasoned leaders within the JCC movement who shared lessons from their careers, including what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how to guide teens with purpose and care. A highlight was hearing from Barak Hermann, the new President and CEO of the JCC Association, about his inspiring vision for the future of the JCC movement and the vital role that youth and teens play in shaping it.
Once ProCon officially began, more than 600 professionals from JCCs across the country came together to learn, share, and celebrate. In the camp professionals’ peer community, we swapped success stories, brainstormed creative solutions, and discussed strategies to prevent burnout while ensuring the future of Jewish day camping remains bright and meaningful.
I also participated in an intensive workshop, “Lead Like a Pro: Supervision Skills for Real Life at the JCC,” where we dove into what makes a great supervisor. We talked about coaching and motivating staff, giving feedback effectively, having tough conversations with empathy, and fostering a culture of accountability and growth.
Beyond the sessions, ProCon was filled with moments of joy and connection, from singing with artist-in-residence Rick Recht to dancing at the “JCC Block Party.” Each experience reminded me why I love being part of this community of passionate Jewish professionals.
This week reignited my sense of purpose and gave me new tools and ideas to bring back to Raleigh. I’m excited to strengthen the programs and relationships we’re building at the Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh. We are helping local youth, teens, and families to feel inspired, connected, and proud to be part of a vibrant Jewish community right here at home.