The Tampa Bay JCCs and Federation Parkinson's Program
Your donation helps to fund our Parkinson's program
which provides a comprehensive assortment of
evidence-based resources for people with Parkinson's and their families.
Parkinson’s Family Day at the J
Where health, support, and community come together.
Sunday, April 6
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Shanna & Bryan Glazer JCC
522 N. Howard Ave Tampa, FL 33606
Explore a variety of tailored fitness classes and activities that help improve mobility, balance, and overall well-being. Whether you're living with Parkinson's, a care partner, or just looking for ways to stay active and healthy, we’ve got something for everyone!
Cost: FREE and open to the public, lunch included.
Philip Shayman Lunch & Learn
HOME CARE VS. HOME HEALTH
Wednesday April 16, 2025
12:00 p.m.
Learn about:
- Medical and non-medical coverage
- Service payment options
JCC on the Cohn Campus
13009 Community Campus Dr., Tampa 33625
Free for members.
RSVP By Phone 813.291.2253 or email Pnina Levermore
New Evening Exercise Class!
Designed for working individuals with a busy schedule
POWER HOUR: Strength & Agility for Parkinson’s
Monday Evenings @ 6:00 PM
Shanna & Bryan Glazer JCC
522 N. Howard Ave., Tampa
Power Hour is a higher-intensity exercise class designed specifically for individuals with Parkinson's who are ready to challenge their physical limits. This energetic, athletic workout combines strength training, cardiovascular exercises, and agility drills to improve mobility, endurance, and overall fitness. This evening class provides an engaging and supportive environment to help you feel strong and empowered. Modifications are provided to suit individual needs.
Team Name: JCC PD Pals
Moving Day Tampa Bay
Parkinson's Foundation Moving Day 2025
Al Lopez Park - 4810 N Himes Ave, Tampa, FL 33614
Saturday, May 3rd
The Parkinson's Foundation Moving Day Walk is a fun, inspiring fundraising event that unites families, friends and communities in the fight against Parkinson's disease. Held in cities across the United States, it is the first grassroots campaign that spotlights the disease on a national level and gives you the chance to speak out in your own community.
RSVP By Phone 813.291.2253 or email Pnina Levermore
THANK YOU TO OUR PARKINSON'S PROGRAM SUPPORTERS
From exercise to education, support groups to social events, the Tampa JCCs and Federation's Parkinson’s Program provides opportunities to improve the quality of life for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and their families.
For those who are not able to attend in person, we are pleased to offer most of our Tampa JCCs and Federation Parkinson's Program activites virtually as well as in person.
To learn more or register for the Tampa JCCs and Federation Parkinson’s Program, please contact Pnina Levermore, Director, Active Adults & Parkinson's Program, at 813-291-2253 or pnina.levermore@jewishtampa.com.
$20/month or $100/6months
The Tampa JCCs & Federation's Parkinson’s Program is a partnership between the Tampa JCCs & Federation, the University of South Florida Health Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, and Tampa General Hospital. Currently, more than 400 participants with Parkinson’s disease, caregivers and families in the Tampa Bay area engage with the Program each year.
The Tampa JCCs & Federation's Parkinson's Program offers a wide variety of programs for people with Parkinson’s disease and their families, including:
- Exercise classes led by Parkinson’s-trained fitness instructors to improve participants’ physical condition through aerobic activity, strength training, balance and stretch.
- Support groups, led by a licensed clinical social worker, tailored individually to patients and care partners to enhance coping skills, reduce feelings of isolation and anxiety, and provide opportunities for participants to express themselves.
- Voice Therapy & Tremble Clefs, led by a speech pathologist, addresses voice projection, breathing and posture.
- Fine Motor Skills & Handwriting workshop to focus on brain, facial, eye and fine motor control.
- Lunch & Learn education events provide helpful practical information from subject-matter experts.
- Weekly Brain Games to flex memory, strategy, and attentiveness.
- Social events and holiday celebrations to build connection and community, relieving isolation that can lead to depression and anxiety.
Parkinson's Fitness Classes
Weekly LSVT BIG for LIFE
Thursdays, 12:00 PM (SBG – in person only)
Led by Tampa General Hospital BIG for LIFE certified physical/occupational therapists. BIG for LIFE includes 7 BIG Maximal Daily Exercises, practice of functional movements & activities, walking BIG!, and other fun exercises with a focus on the amplitude of movements.
Rock Steady Boxing
Mondays, 1:30 PM (SBG – in person only)
Tuesdays, 1:00 PM (Cohn – in person only)
Tuesdays, 1:30 PM (SBG – in person only)
Wednesdays, 10:00 AM (Virtual)
Wednesdays, 11:00 AM (Cohn – in person only)
Fridays, 1:30 PM (SBG – in person only)
A fun activity that focuses on building strength in the core. Rock Steady Boxing conditions for agility, speed, endurance, and hand-eye coordination.
Let’s Move with Jerry Simon
Mondays, 11:00 AM / Jerry Simon
(Cohn + Virtual)
Just the right amount of challenge with weights, bands, and stretching
Voice Therapy for Parkinson's (VTP) and Tremble Clefs led by Cory O'Brien (Certified Speech Therapist)
Pre-registration Required.
Mondays 3:00 PM (Cohn + Virtual)
Wednesdays 3:00 PM (Virtual)
Targets improving the strength of the vocal mechanism to allow for a strong, clear voice. VTP is based on vocal exercises that have proven to be effective for those experiencing voice/speech changes due to Parkinson’s.
Tremble Clefs is a therapeutic singing program that successfully addresses a critical symptom of Parkinson's –communication.
Tai Chi with Charlie Zayas
Fridays, 2:30 PM (Cohn + Virtual)
Tai Chi has been shown to be one of the most effective exercises for improving balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease by using gentle, flowing movements with the breath to improve balance, strength, flexibility, coordination, and motor control. Tai Chi calms all the systems of the body, targeting the nervous system, which helps relieve stress, anxiety and depression.
Yoga for Parkinson's with Michelle Hubbard
Wednesdays, 2:00 PM (SBG + Virtual)
Introduction to breath awareness techniques and mindful meditation to reduce stress and encourage relaxation.
Parkinson's Cycling - Spinning with Yvette Rubenzer
Thursdays, 1:00 PM
(Cohn – in person only)
Thursdays, 1:00 PM
(SBG – in person only)
Riding an indoor, stationary bicycle has been shown to reduce Parkinson's motor symptoms by as much as 35%. That’s a good reason to hop on a bike and go for a spin.
Thoughtful Breathing & Meditation with Linda Klug
Tuesdays, 2:30 PM
(SBG + Virtual)
Introduction to breath awareness techniques and mindful meditation to reduce stress and encourage relaxation.
Power Hour - Strength & Agility
A higher-intensity exercise class designed specifically for individuals with Parkinson’s who are ready to push their physical limits. This energetic, athletic workout combines strength training, cardiovascular exercises, and agility drills to improve mobility, endurance, and overall fitness. Modifications are provided to suit individual needs.
Lunch & Learns, Social Mixers and Educational Events
These offerings provide supportive social interaction and help give participants a sense of community and belonging. Partnered with classes geared specifically to their needs and taught by Parkinson’s trained staff, this creates a unique atmosphere not found anywhere else.
Support Groups - (virtual)
All support groups meet every other week
Licensed Clinical Social Worker,
Mindy Bursten.
Care Partner Support Group
Every other Monday 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Patient Support Group #1
Monday 10:00 – 11:00 AM every other week
Patient Support Group #2
Monday 12:30 – 1:30 PM every other week
Patient Support Group for the Newly Diagnosed
Friday 11:15 AM every other week
Growth Support Group
Friday 10:00 – 11:15 AM every other week
Support groups allow participants to develop peer support and exchange information with others struggling with similar challenges.
In group meetings, participants confront difficulties, share thoughts and feelings, as well as resources.
In our Parkinson’s support groups, we aim to develop self-efficacy and provide the opportunities for emotional adaptation. We provide a safe space where peers may express themselves, their struggles and triumphs, and have the opportunity to help other by sharing their own experiences.
Joining a support group is a great way to obtain further resources by hearing the experiences of others.
Other Parkinson's Resources at the JCC
ART LOOKING:
The cognitive power of art (virtual)
Led by facilitators from the Tampa Museum of Art
First Tuesday of the month, 11:00 AM
Art looking can affect brain wave patterns and the nervous system, raise serotonin levels, and enhance brain function. Tampa Museum of Art educators lead participants through the exhibit and discuss the artwork. Docents utilize guided looking techniques to inspire conversation and reflection amongst the participants. Participants will enjoy the therapeutic benefits of having conversations about art and learn from each other.
Brain Games: Jeopardy, Word Find, etc.
Thursdays, 10:15 AM (Virtual)
A fun morning of games and puzzles to engage the brain and sharpen the mind.
Fine Motor Skills & Handwriting Workshop with Cathy Daumen
Fridays, 10:30 AM (Virtual)
Helps reinforce the brain signals to improve eye and hand coordination.
This is a 3-step approach: exercising the large arm/hand muscles, working with the fine motor skills, and exercises to improve handwriting.
All 3 areas need to work together for success.
The Tampa JCCs & Federation's Parkinson's Program Schedule 2024-2025
All activities are in-person; also virtual if indicated with a  |
Shanna & Bryan Glazer JCC in South Tampa
522 N. Howard Avenue Tampa, FL 33606
JCC on the Cohn Campus in Citrus Park
13009 Community Campus Drive, Tampa, FL 33625
Virtual
Only
| Mondays | 1:30 PM | Rock Steady Boxing* |
| Mondays | 6:00 PM | Power Hour |
| Tuesdays | 1:30 PM | Rock Steady Boxing* |
| Tuesdays | 2:30 PM | Meditation |
| Wednesdays | 2:00 PM | Yoga for Parkinson's |
| Thursdays | 12:00 PM | LSVT BIG for LIFE |
| Thursdays | 1:00 PM | Parkinson’s Cycling |
| Fridays | 1:30 PM | Rock Steady Boxing* |
| Mondays | 11:00 AM | Let's Move |
| Mondays | 3:00 PM | Tremble Clefs/VTP Δ |
| Tuesdays | 1:00 PM | Rock Steady Boxing* |
| Wednesdays | 11:00 AM |
Rock Steady Boxing* |
| Thursdays | 1:00 PM | Parkinson's Cycling |
| Fridays | 2:30 PM | Tai Chi |
*Rock Steady Boxing classes are an affiliate program of Rock Steady Boxing, Inc.
**Support groups are biweekly.
Δ Voice Therapy for Parkinson's is a 10-week series.
|
Mondays |
Various times | Patient and Care Partners Support Groups** |
| Tuesdays (1st Tuesday of the month) |
11:00 AM | Art Viewing |
| Thursdays | 10:15 AM | Brain Games |
| Fridays | 10:30 AM | Fine Motor Skills |
|
Fridays |
Various times | Patient and Care Partners Support Groups** |
Parkinson's Program in Action
Parkinson's Symposium
Congressman Gus Bilirakis at the Tampa JCCs & Federation Parkinson's Symposium.
TJCC&F Parkinson's Program on Spectrum News
