Meet Pallu Shah.
“You can always count on Pallu,” says Pam Feinstein, one of the many friends Pallu Shah has made in the SJCC’s fitness classes.
Pallu Shah is a longtime member of the J, having joined back in 2007 when she moved from Minnesota to Washington. Almost 20 years later, she is not only a vital member of the Aqua Fit group but also a friendly and familiar face in the community.
When Pallu first moved to Seattle, she was looking for fitness classes and a community. She found both at the J. At first, she wondered whether she would fit in because she wasn’t Jewish She quickly realized she had nothing to worry about.
“I never felt like I was out of place,” Pallu said.
The community welcomed her with open arms, immediately putting her at ease. As she participated in workout classes in and outside of the pool, she made friends with other members and instructors, creating a reliable community for herself in her new home.
When the pandemic hit, Pallu was determined to keep the Aqua Fit group together. She created an email list, which now includes more than 100 people, to keep communication lines open and spirits up.
Pallu is forever grateful for the warm welcome she received when she first joined and now makes a point to pay it forward. She is often the first to meet and welcome newcomers to the Aqua Fit group. Through the email list, she helps everyone stay connected by organizing monthly get-togethers, celebrating birthdays, and making sure everyone feels included.
From an unsure new member to a pillar of the J community, Pallu has become someone her fellow Aqua Fit members can always rely on, even stepping in to teach classes when needed. Nearly 20 years after finding a welcoming community at the J, she is now helping create that same sense of belonging for others.
Pallu looks forward to coming to the J and spending time with friends—a source of joy and connection that enriches her life in many ways.
