[4] In 1852, twenty-one Washingtonian Jews established the Washington Hebrew Congregation, and in 1863, after an Act of Congress that certified the Jewish community's right to own property, they purchased a church at 8th and H Streets, NW, and after renovations, opened it as the city's first synagogue.

Later, with the outbreak of World War I, the influx of military and government officials included many Jews, and "the need for a larger community center in the capital city was evident.

"[5] After a five-year campaign to raise money, on May 3, 1925, following the war, the ground-breaking ceremony was held for the Jewish Community Center at its present location, at 16th and Q, NW.

[8] Abe Pollin, now known for his role in the world of Washington, D.C., sports, recalls that the JCC "was where all the camaraderie took place", including the time in the steam room, or the games of squash, handball, and table tennis in the men-only health club.

Among the many activities was even an annual "Queen Esther Beauty Contest", with pictures of the finalists featured in the pages of The Washington Post.

[8] In 1939, thanks to a gift from Washington Post owners Eugene and Agnes Meyer, a new wing was added to the center, to house a library and an expanded health club.

The new facility included a squash court, and three handball courts—and a massage room that was staffed by Seventh-day Adventists, who observe Saturday as the Sabbath, similar to Jewish practice.

The literary series, "Authors Out Loud", brings in authors to sign and discuss their latest works, and many other special events, including prose and poetry readings and special lectures, often co-sponsored with other area organizations, provide opportunities to explore and learn about developments in Jewish magazines, the internet, and writing in Hebrew and Yiddish.

Past exhibits have featured artists such as Ben Shahn, Andy Warhol, Jules Feiffer, Leonard Baskin, Godfrey Frankel, Helen Levitt, Yefim Ladyzhensky, Siona Benjamin and Mindy Weisel.

The Center's "Open University" offers both one-time special events, including speakers and films, and ongoing classes and study groups.

In addition to special and ongoing activities at the Center, the EDCJCC also sponsors trips to destinations in the United States and around the world, under the heading of "JCC Travel".

In the Jewish spirit of tikkun olam, repairing, mending, and transforming the world, the Center sponsors many programs where both members and non-members can volunteer their time and energy to help others.

"December 25th Day of Service" involves more than 1000 men and women of all ages and all religious backgrounds, working together to serve meals to the homeless, to entertain seniors and children, to renovate and paint shelters, and even to donate blood.