Today, nearly 400 Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) across North America welcome more than 1.5 million people each week, engaging a diverse community in programs that enrich lives and strengthen bonds.
As a JCC, the impact you make every day is priceless. You bring people of all ages and backgrounds together, create a sense of belonging, and offer programs that support physical, mental, and emotional well-being. But what makes JCCs truly unique is how deeply they are rooted in family, culture, and shared values.
Parents bring their kids to swim lessons, teens join basketball leagues, and older adults find a sense of community in group fitness classes. Families pass down traditions, celebrate milestones, and build lifelong friendships—all within your walls.
That’s why you need tools that don’t just manage schedules but strengthen connections and make every experience more seamless.
Your staff is already doing incredible work—helping members, running programs, and making sure everything runs smoothly. But with so much happening every day, keeping everything organized is no small task. Managing class sign-ups, handling waitlists, tracking attendance, and ensuring that members have a seamless experience takes an incredible team effort.
And even the most dedicated staff deserve tools that make their jobs easier. A smart booking system does just that.
One app to bring it all together.
✅ Make it easy for members to book classes, programs, and facilities—all in one place.
✅ Give staff instant access to schedules, waitlists, and member info—so they’re always prepared.
✅ Keep everything in sync, in real-time—so no one is left wondering about last-minute updates.
✅ Free up your team’s time—so they can focus on what matters: serving your community.
Your team is already doing amazing work—now you can give them the tools to do it even better, with less hassle.
In this blog, we’ll dive into how booking software can help you run your JCC fitness center more smoothly. Whether it’s making sign-ups easier, improving communication, or cutting down on no-shows, the right system can lighten the load and help you keep your community strong.
1. Making Class and Facility Booking Easier for Members
Nothing should stand in the way of a great member experience at your JCC. Whether someone wants to join a group fitness class, reserve a basketball court, or schedule a personal training session, booking should be simple, quick, and stress-free.
Your staff, too, shouldn’t have to spend their time manually managing every request, or paperwork, or fixing double-booked slots. That way, your members feel more in control, more engaged, and more likely to keep coming back. And your staff gets more time to focus on delivering amazing experiences. A simple, centralized booking system gives your staff the tools to keep everything running smoothly without extra stress. ⬇️
- Book Anytime, Anywhere: Life is busy, and your members shouldn’t have to wait until your office hours to manage their schedules. With 24/7 access to bookings through a mobile or web app, they can sign up whenever it’s convenient—whether it’s during lunch, before bed, or on the way to work.
- Automatic Waitlist Management: Popular classes fill up fast, but that doesn’t mean members have to miss out. With automatic waitlist management, members can join a waitlist and receive a notification as soon as a spot opens up. This means more participation, less frustration, and no extra work for your staff.
- No More Overbooking: Overbooked classes and double-booked spaces can be frustrating for both staff and members. A smart booking system keeps track of capacities and availability in real-time, so no one gets left out, and your team doesn’t have to manage last-minute scheduling conflicts.
2. Supporting Families with Multi-Member Booking Features
JCCs have always been a place where families come together. Parents sign up their kids for swim lessons, grandparents join group fitness classes, and teens find their spot in after-school programs. With the right JCC booking software, you can make it easier for both staff and members to manage busy schedules, register for programs, and keep things running smoothly.
- All-in-One Family Accounts: Parents shouldn’t have to go through a complicated process just to sign up their kids for activities. With a family-friendly system, they can manage bookings for their kids, themselves, and even older family members from a single account.
- Automatic Reminders: Between school, work, and extracurriculars, it’s easy to forget a class. Automated notifications and reminders help families stay on top of upcoming sessions, registration deadlines, and even last-minute openings, so they never miss out.
- Flexible Payment Options: Members can handle payments directly through the app, saving your staff hours of desk time. Offer flexible pricing, subscriptions, one-time events, or family discounts—and even sell programs and services to non-members, making it easy for more people to engage.
Your JCC is already a home away from home for so many families. The right booking system helps them spend less time dealing with logistics and more time enjoying everything your community has to offer.
3. Helping Instructors and Staff Stay on Track
Your instructors and staff are the heart of your JCC gym’s fitness programs. They’re the ones motivating members, leading classes, and creating an uplifting environment every day. But keeping track of schedules, handling last-minute changes, and staying in sync with members can be a lot to manage—especially when everything is spread across different systems.
With the right JCC booking software, your team and instructors have one central place to access their check class schedules, make updates, see who’s signed up, manage waitlists, and communicate effortlessly with the members. ⬇️
- Instant Access to Schedules: Instructors can view their class schedules, mark attendance, and manage roasters in real time. This means they always know exactly where and when to be, without having to search through emails or printed calendars.
- Real-Time Calendar Updates: If an instructor can’t make it to class, the system makes it simple to find a replacement. It instantly shows available substitutes, lets you assign a new instructor, and updates the schedule for everyone—so members and staff stay in the loop.
- Built-in Messaging Tools: Need to remind members about a class? Instructors and staff can send messages directly through the app, keeping communication easy and organized. Whether it’s a time change, a class update, or a friendly check-in, everything stays connected.
- Simple Instructor Sub & Payroll: If an instructor can’t make it to class, the system makes it simple to find a replacement. It instantly shows available substitutes, lets you assign a new instructor, and updates the schedule for everyone—so members and staff stay in the loop. Plus, with SHC’s flexible payroll settings, any pay adjustments for substitute instructors are automatically accounted for, ensuring a smooth process for both staff and instructors.
A well-run schedule helps your team focus on delivering meaningful experiences, deepening connections, and making sure every class is a great one.
4. Keeping Group Fitness and Aquatics Programs Flowing Smoothly
JCCs offer a wide variety of high-demand programs, from swim lessons to yoga and HIIT classes. With so many members eager to participate, making sure everything runs without a hitch is key. The right booking software helps you keep things in sync so your team can focus on creating great experiences rather than juggling sign-ups and schedules.
- Easy Attendance Tracking: Instructors can check members in with a quick tap, eliminating the need for paper lists and manual updates. Plus, attendance records help your team see which classes are thriving and which might need adjustments.
- No More Scheduling Mix-Ups: JCC Booking software automatically prevents double bookings, so you never have two classes trying to use the same room or pool lane at the same time. It also helps with instructor scheduling by ensuring they don’t get overbooked or assigned to multiple classes at once.
- Personalized Booking: Everyone has different preferences—some members only want morning classes, some have a favorite instructor, and some need classes that fit around their kids’ schedules. A booking system lets members filter options by time, instructor, and class type, making it easy to find the best fit without frustration.
With a system that keeps everything connected, your JCC gym can run its fitness and aquatics programs with ease, ensuring members get the best experience every time they walk through your doors.
5. Boosting Member Engagement and Retention
When members feel excited about their fitness journey, they show up. And when showing up is easy, they keep coming back. Your JCC already offers a welcoming space, but the right software can help make every interaction smoother, more personal, and more engaging—so members stay involved in the long run.
- Communication That Feels Personal: Not every member needs the same information at the same time.
With smart marketing and built-in communication tools, you can send targeted announcements, schedule changes, or special promotions via email, text, or app notifications—making sure members get the right information at the right time.
New members can also receive customized onboarding messages, guiding them through class options, membership perks, and upcoming events, so they feel supported from day one.
- Build a stronger community: JCCs are built on the power of community. Your software can help bring that same energy into the digital space. Interest-based groups, in-app feeds, and direct messaging make it easier for members to connect outside of classes.
Whether it’s a group for parents in family fitness programs, a feed where members share wellness tips, or a quick DM to coordinate a workout session, these small interactions strengthen relationships and build long-term engagement.
Plus, you can share updates, announcements, and event details instantly—keeping everyone in the loop and involved.
How to Choose the Right Booking Software for Your JCC?
Not all booking software is built with community-driven spaces like JCCs in mind.
Think about everything your JCC offers: swim lessons that require skill-based grouping, fitness classes with priority registration for certain members, personal training with family package options, summer camps, and community events with tiered pricing for members and guests. A standard booking system may not be able to manage all that in one place.
Your software should make it easy for staff to manage programs, easy for members to sign up, and easy for your JCC to amplify the community impact.
Here are five key questions to ask when choosing the right booking software for your JCC:
📌 Does it bring all your tools into one place?
Your JCC runs a whole lot of different programs—fitness classes, swim lessons, cultural events, child care programs, and more. The right booking software should cut down on scattered systems and bring everything into one easy-to-use platform.
- Instead of juggling separate platforms for scheduling, payments, attendance, and communications, look for an all-in-one solution.
- Integrated software means fewer logins, fewer errors, and a smoother experience for both staff and members.
- Ask: Can this software handle class bookings, memberships, purchases, and reporting all in one place?
Does it help streamline member bookings and overall experience?
- JCCs often have multiple facilities, from fitness centers to pools and courts. Managing member bookings should be seamless.
- Look for software that makes booking quick and simple—reserving a class or joining a waitlist should take seconds. Staff and members should also be able to mark attendance through the app or kiosk for a smooth check-in process.
- A strong system will also automatically notify waitlisted members when a spot opens up, keeping classes full and members engaged.
- Ask if the system can manage guest passes, family memberships, etc.
📌 Does it strengthen your community?
- JCCs thrive on personal connections. Your software should help you keep members engaged with features like in-app messaging, event notifications, and personalized class recommendations.
- Look for options that support family memberships, guest passes, and loyalty programs to keep members coming back.
- A system that fosters communication between members and staff can make a big impact on retention and satisfaction.
📌 Does it help you stay connected with your members?
A good JCC software should come with built-in communication tools like:
- Personalized push notifications to keep members updated on class changes, special events, and exclusive offers.
- Community feeds where members can interact, share updates, and engage with your JCC beyond their workouts.
- Interest-based groups and direct messaging to help members connect with like-minded individuals.
Does it offer strong customer support?
- Your JCC runs on a tight schedule, and tech issues shouldn’t slow you down.
- Choose a provider that offers responsive customer support, preferably with live chat, phone, and email options.
- Look for onboarding assistance and training resources to help staff get comfortable with the system.
✅ SHC Checks All the Boxes for Your JCC
Our members embraced the SHC app, which has been a major win for the Atlantic Club. From our younger members to our active seniors, they appreciate its simplicity and ease of use.
– Kevin McHugh
Chief Operating Officer, The Atlantic Club
Finding the right booking software for your JCC is all about making sure it fits your needs—helping your team, improving the member experience, and strengthening your community. SHC does exactly that.
✔ Built Specifically for JCCs – Designed with community centers in mind, so it supports the way you run programs, engage members, and build connections.
✔ One platform for everything – Manage fitness classes, events, and facility bookings in one place. No need to juggle multiple systems.
✔ A seamless member experience – Easy online booking, personalized schedules, and automated waitlists keep things smooth for members and staff.
✔ Marketing and engagement tools – Share updates, promote upcoming programs, and send targeted campaigns via email, text, and in-app notifications to drive attendance and retention.
✔ Supports your JCC’s growth – Revenue fuels your JCC’s ability to serve and expand. With SHC, members can easily pay for classes, cultural events, and memberships directly through the app, fully integrated with your billing system or third-party providers.
✔ Reliable support when you need it – Friendly, knowledgeable experts who understand JCCs are always ready to help.
Your impact is what matters most, and we’re here to support the mission that drives you every day. SHC supports you in your mission with one powerful app to simplify operations, amplify community impact, and elevate the member experience.
Book a discovery call today and see how SHC can help your JCC further the impact!
