Community pulls together in aftermath of JCC drowning

The Osher Marin Jewish Community Center may reopen its pool to campers Monday after a two-week closure following the drowning of 6-year-old Natasha Lujan-Isaacs.

The pool, which has remained open to the public, was originally set to reopen to campers last Monday, but after intense deliberation, JCC officials decided to postpone it at least another week.

"It's only prudent when something as terrible as this happens," said Wendy Lapides, the JCC's spokesperson. Since the drowning, "we've been reevaluating and looking at every procedure to prevent it from happening again."

The reopening will only be for campers in third grade and above. It is pending the hiring of an additional lifeguard and an aquatics specialist.

The pool will not be reopened to younger campers for at least a week or two afer that.

All kids' swimming levels will be tested by the specialist.

Natasha, who lived in San Francisco, died June 28 after being found at the bottom of the Olympic-size swimming pool during the first week of Haverim summer camp. Two certified lifeguards, seven camp counselors and 45 children were in or near the pool at the time.

Memorial services were held for Natasha at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre on July 3 and Congregation Kol Shofar in Tiburon, where her grandmother is a member, on July 5.

Ron Mogel, executive director of the JCC, described the drowning as "the most painful thing I've ever experienced" both personally and professionally.

"The whole JCC family here is in mourning," he said. "We're sitting shiva in our hearts."

But, he added, "as painful as it is for all of us, it pales in comparison to what [Natasha's] parents and family are going through."

Both Mogel and Lapides declined to release the names of Natasha's family, citing privacy reasons.

While some parents have withdrawn their children from camp as a result of the drowning, "for the most part families have stayed," said Mogel, noting that this is the first time a drowning has occurred at the JCC.

He extended his thanks to the Jewish community for its "incredible responsiveness" to the needs of those touched by the tragedy.

"The community has come together to be as supportive as possible," he said. "It has been remarkable."

The S.F.-based Jewish Family and Children's Services, for instance, has provided counseling to campers, their parents, JCC staff and others in the JCC community, said Amy Rassen, JFCS associate executive director.

"We were called pretty much as soon as the little girl was rushed to the hospital," she said. "We immediately dispatched clinical staff trained...at helping people in crisis who have experienced a tragedy or are effected by one."

The JCC has also received calls of support, said Mogel, from camps Tawonga and Newman, the Peninsula JCC, Marin congregations Rodef Sholom and Kol Shofar, Brandeis Hillel Day School and the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation, to name a few.

In addition to counseling, JFCS staff have been observing campers, as well as those in the early childhood education program, "because some of them have siblings who were there [during the drowning] or are talking about it."

Counselors have seen a wide array of reactions from children to the drowning, according to Rassen. For instance, many kids who were in the pool at the time "are saying they actually weren't in the pool." And some kids, as well as parents, are concerned as to "whether or not they're safe."

Since children generally act out their fears, Rassen expects to see "pushing and aggressiveness acted out through play when the pool reopens. Some kids might not say or show anything at first and then eventually drowning and resuscitation games may emerge."

As a result, a special effort has been made to prepare lifeguards, camp counselors and parents.

"Many of the counselors, who are young adults, are experiencing the pain of all this," Rassen added. "They are suffering emotional turmoil and questioning their skills."

Meanwhile, the JFCS clinicians have also been giving advice to parents on how to talk to their children about death, and encouraging them to "normalize swimming as something fun."

Letters of sympathy can be sent to Natasha's family care of the Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael, 94903.

A memorial fund was started at Westamerica Bank with a contribution from the bank's board of directors. Contributions can be made to the Family Fund of Natasha Lujan-Isaacs, care of Westamerica Bank, 1108 5th Ave., San Rafael, 94901.