Stay-Warm Secret: Swimming At The East Midwood Jewish Center

Neighbor Murray Lantner, a dad to two young kids in the area and board member at the East Midwood Jewish Center (1625 Ocean Avenue between Avenues K and L), suggested neighbors might like to know that the EMJC is a fun, warm place for families to swim locally during the winter months.

“Nearly every time we take our two little girls, ages 2 and 4, for a late afternoon/early evening swim, I’m delighted and amazed that we are in a good sized (60’ by 25’) indoor heated pool by ourselves and occasionally with a small handful of others,” he says. “It is a real treat, especially now that it gets dark early and it’s cold outside.”

Murray says since the pool is often nearly empty, it feels “like a well-kept secret.” He says it’s a nice alternative to scheduled kids’ classes that require advance signups and tend to have more limited space.

“Swim classes are offered at the Center,” he says, “but they may only fill up at the last minute, if they do fill at all. Beyond swim classes, there are currently many additional hours when the pool is open for family swims, adult lap swims and the pool can even be rented for private parties.”

And in addition to warm family fun in the winter, Murray says, there are ulterior motives for stopping by.

“Another reward is that pools seem to really suck the energy out of kids; very good for getting the little buggers to sleep! Sometimes my wife or I ditch the kids and go for solo lap swims as well.

“All in all,” he says “it’s a great, under-utilized asset to our community.”

Passes ($15-90) are available for individuals and families, as well as for a number of visits or unlimited monthly visits. Now that the secret is out, you can learn more at EMJC online.

Photo by Murray Lantner