Bender JCC of Greater Washington

- 6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD 20852

For residents across Montgomery County and the broader Greater Washington region of Maryland, the Bender JCC of Greater Washington stands as a vibrant hub of community life, wellness, and cultural enrichment. More than just a traditional fitness center, this organization serves as a comprehensive community center, a dedicated space for Jewish life and culture, an accredited early childhood center, and a premier destination for youth and adult programs. Its mission is to foster community in a warm and inclusive environment, celebrating Jewish life and values while welcoming the diversity of the community, including people of all backgrounds, religions, abilities, and identities.

The facilities are designed to support a holistic approach to health and community engagement, offering everything from a state-of-the-art fitness complex and year-round aquatics to diverse cultural arts and extensive programs for children, teens, and active seniors. The Bender JCC has become a respected cornerstone in the Rockville area, providing residents with opportunities for personal growth, meaningful connection, and joyful experiences at every stage of life. Its strong commitment to inclusivity, highlighted by its designation as an LGBTQ+ friendly and Transgender safespace, ensures it is a welcoming place for everyone in Maryland.

The Bender JCC is conveniently located in Rockville, Maryland, making it easily accessible for families and individuals throughout the Greater Washington area. The physical address is 6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. Its location is often cited by members as a major convenience, given the proximity to surrounding food, social, and shopping venues, allowing for easy integration into a daily routine.

The center is dedicated to ensuring a positive and seamless experience for all members and visitors, with ample on-site and free parking available in a dedicated lot. In line with its commitment to inclusion, the facility is highly accessible, offering several features to accommodate individuals with mobility needs:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance for easy access to all main areas.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot with designated spaces.
• Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities, including gender-neutral restrooms.
• Wheelchair accessible seating in performance and gathering spaces.

This focus on accessibility extends to the entire campus, which includes the Paul S. Berger Sportsplex, a fully accessible outdoor athletics venue, and specialized inclusive programs like the J Circle for adults with disabilities and the Lessans Camp JCC inclusion program.

The Bender JCC offers a remarkably diverse portfolio of services that cover health, education, arts, and community life, solidifying its role as a multi-purpose center for the Maryland community.

Key services and programs include:

• Wellness and Fitness: Access to the 40,000 sq ft Weinberg Health and Fitness Center, offering a cardio studio, strength studio, cycle studio, and two dedicated group exercise studios for programs like Aerobics, Zumba, and other Group Exercise Classes. This also includes personal training and nutrition consulting.
• Aquatics Programs: Year-round access to heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools within the Herman Aquatics Center. Offerings include general swimming, Aquatics group exercise, swim lessons (for baby, children, and adult levels), and specialized Aquatic Physical Therapy provided through a partnership with an on-site physical therapy provider.
• Youth and Family Engagement: A comprehensive After School Program, the renowned Lessans Camp JCC (a fully inclusive Kids' summer camp program), the Bender Early Childhood Center (Preschool), and classes/activities good for kids and kid-friendly activities, including birthday party options.
• Arts and Culture: Hosting community events and cultural programs in state-of-the-art facilities like the Kreeger Auditorium (250+ seating) and the Goldman Art Gallery. The center provides dedicated art studio space and often runs literary and film festivals.
• Adult and Senior Programs: A variety of Adult Programs, including classes, games (like Mah Jongg and Bridge), the Coming of Age in Maryland (CoA) active older adults program, the Selma Sweetbaum Senior Nutrition lunch program, and the Men's Club for seniors.
• Community and Jewish Life: Programs that foster Jewish life, holiday celebrations, Hebrew language classes, and various community events and volunteer opportunities for all ages.
• Sports and Recreation: Utilization of the gymnasium, racquetball/squash courts, and the Paul S. Berger Sportsplex for Recreational sports, including basketball courts, futsal, and pickleball.

What truly sets the Bender JCC of Greater Washington apart in the Maryland community is the scope and quality of its integrated offerings, making it a powerful resource for comprehensive family wellness and community connection.

The main highlights of the center are:

• Year-Round Heated Pools: Unlike many facilities that offer seasonal pools, the JCC provides both heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools accessible all year, supporting consistent aquatics, swim classes, and therapy.
• Extensive Fitness Amenities: The 40,000 sq ft Weinberg Health and Fitness Center is one of Greater Washington’s finest, featuring specialized studios, a vast array of modern equipment, and luxurious adult locker rooms with saunas and steam rooms.
• Commitment to Inclusion: The facility is officially LGBTQ+ friendly and designated as a Transgender safespace. Furthermore, its celebrated Lessans Camp JCC provides a nationally recognized inclusion program for campers of all abilities.
• Health and Wellness Expertise: Beyond general fitness, the center offers specialized services like Personal Training, Nutrition Consulting, and Aquatic Physical Therapy (via partner organizations), catering to complex health and rehabilitation needs.
• Convenient and Flexible Access: The facility offers on-site services, accepts a wide range of payment methods including Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC mobile payments, and provides free, ample on-site parking.
• Premier Event Venue: With spaces like the Kreeger Auditorium and large community halls, it is a convenient and well-equipped location to host a wide range of community events, film festivals, and private functions.

For more information on memberships, program registration, or facility rentals, residents of the Maryland and Greater Washington area can contact the Bender JCC using the details below. Their membership and guest services team can also schedule a tour for prospective members.

Address: 6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD 20852, USA

Phone: (301) 881-0100

Mobile Phone: +1 301-881-0100

Choosing the Bender JCC of Greater Washington is choosing a comprehensive lifestyle center that deeply invests in the physical and communal well-being of the Maryland region. It is worth choosing for families because of its unmatched range of services under one roof—from a highly rated early childhood center and fully inclusive summer camp to adult Hebrew classes and senior nutrition programs. Unlike specialized gyms or recreational facilities, the JCC provides a truly multi-generational environment where every member of the family, from infant to senior, has a place to grow, exercise, learn, and connect.

The commitment to wellness is evident in the state-of-the-art 40,000 sq ft fitness facility and year-round aquatics, which allow for consistent health and fitness routines regardless of the weather. For those prioritizing an inclusive and welcoming environment, the JCC’s public stance as an LGBTQ+ friendly and Transgender safespace, coupled with robust inclusion programming for those with disabilities, makes it a rare and valuable community asset. While member feedback occasionally highlights administrative issues, the vast majority of comments praise the quality of the facilities, the exceptional staff, and the strong sense of community and connection that the JCC successfully anchors in the busy landscape of Rockville, Maryland. It is a genuine community home for health, culture, and connection.

Bender JCC of Greater Washington

6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD 20852, USA