Mandel Jewish Community Center

The JCC is an overwhelmingly horrible gym and an atrocious overall recreational facility for many reasons. To start off, the staff is what ruins any integrity of this institution. As a side note, the majority of the staff is very polite and kind, constantly helping out when possible. However, the people at the front desk are an entirely different story. They’re incomprehensibly rude, constantly exhibiting a passive-aggressive tone and acting extraordinarily petty; They always try to flake their way out of honoring guest passes and get real snappy when you forget your card. Also, it’s blatantly obvious this institution tries to squeeze as much many as possible out of every member; From cutting corners cost wise to constantly renting out gym space for an extra buck, this place doesn't even try to make their money-making antics discreet. For example, the balls provided at their basketball courts are horribly inadequate for their use; They’re either deflated, partially ripped or both. Another flaw of this institution is their locker rooms. Old men will constantly walk around the locker room fully naked without any regard of self-decency. As a 16-year-old male, fully naked old men isn’t a pleasurable sight. Even worse, the locker rooms aren’t kept clean; The showers are filthy at best and, even if I could use the sauna or steam room, their very sight and smell is repulsive.

Staff is rude, which ruins the experience. Overpriced monthly for memberships individuals.

JCC has become less affordable for full time working people. The best choice of classes are offered during work hours, but evening and weekend schedule is half empty, or the choice of instructors for the weekend classes is not as good. The cleanliness of the showers is quite questionable. The suggestions from the members are usually ignored. JCC used to be much better in all the aspects, but not anymore.

Good gym - open for those who are not Jewish too. Seriously considering leaving because of the music they play. Every night is 90's night. And while I do appreciate the occasional throw back music, hearing "The Macaerna" every time I workout is driving me insane ☹️

Warning: Racism or Prejudicial Bias. I don't want to write this review, but I must to help those who may be considering this gym. I have gone to the JCC on and off for several years. Some years I use the 7 day guest pass they send out, other years I purchase their monthly services. Nevertheless, I have always obeyed their rules. This past summer, I went to initiate a trial membership. These memberships are issued each year to local residents, and may be used so long as you have not purchased a membership in the past 12 months. The sole purpose of the trial membership is to induce more business by allowing temporary access to their facilities. When I came to initiate the trial membership, I was questioned in the most disrespectful of manners. I am a law student who comes to Cleveland primarily during the summer time. Sometimes for a few days, others for the whole summer. The previous summer, I had purchased a full membership for the entire duration of the summer. However, this time around I admit that I only had the intention of using the trial as I had been displeased with my prior membership. I was displeased for several reasons: 1. lack of people my age (23 years); 2. the repulsive smell in the locker rooms; 3. the amount of elderly people who walk around the locker and bathrooms naked; and 4. the unaccommodating nature of some of the staff. So, for these reasons, I decided to abstain from the JCC for over a year. But, I was too trusting in believing that the facilities may have changed over the duration of my absence, so I returned for a trial membership. Upon my return, the blonde woman at the front desk made inappropriate remarks to me. (At the front desk, there is a blonde woman, a brunette woman appearing older, and usually a security guard). The blonde woman first questioned where I lived. I immediately took offense, as this question was irrelevant considering that I received the free trial membership offer in the mail. Thus indicating to me that my residence was sufficiently local. She then proceeded to look at my history, after which she claimed that I had used several trial memberships. To this point, she may have been correct had she not selectively chosen to ignore the fact that I had also purchased several official memberships over the years as well. She then proceeded to question where I graduated from high school. Her ignorance and offensive tone almost blinded me with rage, as I am a Beachwood Alumni, Beachwood the very city in which the JCC is located. Even after providing her satisfactory answers to all of her questions, she seemed hesitant to issue me a free trial. As if her meager 7 days of free trial meant anything as I soon discovered that none of the displeasing elements of that existed in past had been changed. Typical of an institution such as this, they cater to the needs of their "people" whilst shunning the acceptance of others. I have half a mind to make a ruckus and demand some sort of compensation from this paltry institution. And be warned that any apology they make online is not genuine because they apologize in the same manner to all that they have offended. Only tangible action on their behalf will assuage my contempt for this pit of institutionalized bias and racism. One would think that after the horrors they suffered at the hands of Hitler, they would shun racism. As the ultimate conclusion of racism is the very essence of Hitler's dream. Shame on the JCC and that devilish blonde who made me so conscience of my race and displacement,