What is the Parkinson’s Connection

Since 2018, the Parkinson’s Connection at the Katz JCC has offered classes, special events, and wellness groups to help people with Parkinson’s and their families live well with Parkinson’s. Our dedicated staff of coaches work every day to ensure that none of our members fight PD alone.

We are a truly unique program offering free as well as paid class offerings that can be accessed in-person at the Katz JCC and virtually over Zoom (some are even offered both ways simultaneously). We offer inclusive classes that are adaptable to a wide range of fitness levels so that those at nearly any level of Parkinson’s can participate. And most importantly, we are providing those services EVERY DAY, with live classes offered six days a week and a virtual library accessible 24/7.

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In-Person Parkinson's Connection Programs

We are pleased to offer many in-person programs to improve your fitness and function, as well as your overall quality of life, including:

Parkinson’s Programs

The Richard M. Klein Center for Wellness is the hub for all your movement and wellness needs for living with Parkinson’s Disease. When you live with Parkinson’s Disease, exercise is not only healthy but vital in maintaining balance, mobility, gait, tremor, flexibility, grip strength and motor coordination.

Rock Steady Boxing

“I’m really hooked on boxing and movement being used to combat Parkinson’s. This type of exercise should be strongly recommended by MD’s to their Neuro patients.

My wife has noticed a positive change in attitude since starting the program. I’ve noticed that I’m taking on the dreaded motor symptom problems (pain, shaking, muscle locking, poor walking to name a few) with hard work and humor.

Thanks for making exercise for Parkinson’s patients very tough and challenging. We need it. But most of all, thanks for making it FUN.”

- Rock Steady Boxing participant

Virtual Parkinson's Connection Programs

Special Event

See All Events

FAQs for Parkinson’s Connection Virtual Programs

No. While Katz JCC full facility members do enjoy a discount on some of our classes, you do NOT have to be a JCC member or Jewish to participate.

To register as a member, please reach out to our program coordinator, Megan Matis at mmatis@jfedsnj.org or by calling (856) 424-24444 extension 1151. She can provide you with further details about class dates and times and even schedule a personal tour for you to see the facility in person. You can also schedule an assessment with our head coach to determine which classes best suit your needs.

Assessments are one-hour appointments to meet, one-on-one with our program’s head coach, Melanie Montana, MSW. During this appointment, Melanie briefly assesses basic mobility, balance, and strength, as well as discusses your personal journey with PD, specific challenges you want to address and symptoms you would like to target. After this, she will give you personalized recommendations for classes that best fit your needs. We also use this first meeting as a chance to connect you with local resources you benefit from, such as transportation, medication assistance programs, educational resources, speech pathologists, physical and occupational therapists, etc. Please note that anyone wishing to participate in Rock Steady Boxing or Rock Steady Fitness classes must complete an assessment before beginning classes.

Yes, that is currently the plan. We plan to have both on site and virtual programming moving forward.

At this time, there are 12 live classes and we are building a library of classes for access at your own convenience. We hope to have it up and running within a month with a nice selection of boxing, dance, drums, meditation, introduction videos and tutorials.

Yes! We have four free classes funded by the that run each week and two support groups you may participate in free of charge thanks to generous grants from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and the Jewish Women’s Foundation.

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In observance of Yom Kippur, the JCC will close at 3:00pm on Friday, October 11th, and will be closed on Saturday, October 12th. We will reopen at 7:00am on Sunday, October 13th.