Our History
Minnesota JCC Today
The Minnesota JCC is a vibrant hub of cultural, recreational, educational, and social activities serving individuals and families in the Twin Cities. Committed to promoting Jewish values and fostering community, the Minnesota JCC offers programs and events for people of all ages and backgrounds. With two vibrant campuses in St. Paul and St. Louis Park, we offer transformative experiences for individuals and families at every stage of life.
Origins of the St. Paul JCC
The St. Paul JCC traces its roots to the early 1900s, when Jewish immigrants first identified the need for a Jewish community center. The Jewish Education Center opened in 1930 on Holly Avenue and was renamed the Jewish Community Center of St. Paul in 1948. After relocating from its original building in the 1950s, the community raised funds for the Highland House JCC in 1956, followed by a final move to the current location on St. Paul Avenue in 1964. The St. Paul JCC merged with the Sabes JCC on January 1, 2021, and became the Minnesota JCC.
Origins of the Minneapolis JCC
The Sabes JCC began on the North Side as the Emmanuel Cohen Center, created to support a growing Jewish community. As families moved to the suburbs, leaders pursued a new home, leading to the 1959 incorporation of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Minneapolis and the closure of the Cohen Center. The current St. Louis Park site was purchased in 1964, and the Jay and Rose Phillips Building was dedicated there in 1969. The Sabes Center merged with the St. Paul JCC on January 1, 2021, and became the Minnesota JCC.
Origins of Camp Butwin
Established in 1958, Camp Butwin is a day camp that spans 88 scenic wooded acres along the shores of Lake O’Brien in Eagan. Camp Butwin offers a range of activities for kids in grades K-8, including daily swimming (in a pool!), canoeing, fishing, a ropes course, horseback riding, outdoor skills, sports, and arts & crafts.
