Under Construction... A Moving Experience

      Under Construction…a Moving Experience is the theme for the 2001 East Valley JCC Annual Spring fundraiser. On May 12, 2001 at 7:30pm jump in your pick-up and head on over to the JCC at 1965 E. Hermosa, in Tempe for food, fun, Casino Night and a Silent Auction. We need your help to "lay the foundation" as we "forge" ahead to a new location.
      The "blueprints" call for you to arrive ready to "construct" a great time with the help of good friends. This isn't a "barn-raising" but it is a chance to dress down in your favorite "builder's attire. **White T-Shirt and tool belt optional. Pizzazz Entertainment will be there to amplify and electrify the crows with their music.
      When the "lunch whistle" blows sit down for some delectable hors d'oevres or hunker down at the dessert buffet. Of course you may be too busy to hear the whistle as you enjoy "Casino Night." and the wonderful silent auction. This is your chance to get Momma "a new pair of shoes" or at least an opportunity at some great items.
      Building family…building friendships...building a community. We've been doing it for years. Now we're "Under Construction...a Moving Experience."
     For a printable invitation and reservation form, please click here.

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Model Seder at the JCC

      The annual JCC School/Day School model seder will be held on Thursday, April 5 at 10:15 am. Rabbi Bonnie Koppell, from Temple Beth Sholom in Chandler, will officiate.
      Along with holiday songs and a recounting of the story of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt, school children and their guests will sample traditional foods found at seders. Parsley, lettuce, matzah, hard-boiled eggs, charoset, radishes, macaroons and grape juice fill out the "menu".
      The seder will include an explanation of all the symbolic foods and their own special blessings sung in Hebrew, the four question, welcoming Eliahu (Elijah, the prophet), the ten plagues and more. After closing the seder with the singing the Hatikvah (the national anthem of Israel), some lucky child will be rewarded for finding the afikoman hidden in the JCC lobby.

AROUND THE CENTER

Good-bye to Jill

     Our longtime Office Manager, Jill Rice, is leaving the East Valley JCC to pursue other career opportunities. We appreciate the wonderful job Jill has performed for the JCC these past eleven years as a valued member of the Center staff. We hope to see Jill, Sarah and Audra often and wish Jill the very best of luck in her career goals. She will certainly be missed by us all!

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And A Good Time Was Had By All

      Thanks to chairman Howard Paley, Gillian Whitney, Roy Birnbaum and Karen Sankman and the many, many volunteers who manned booths, sold hamentashen, tickets, hot dogs and falafel, gave out prizes did face-painting, took care of the goldfish and performed all the jobs needed to be done for the annual community Purim Carnival sponsored by Temple Emanuel, Temple Beth Sholom and the East Valley JCC.
      Between four and five hundred people attended the Carnival many in costume and had a very merry time. Each year this event gets better and better thanks to the efforts of many and particularly Howard Paley. The Purim Carnival is truly a community effort.

King Ahasuerus (teacher Hadassah Baldinger) proposes to the lovely Queen Esther (teacher Janet Weiss) during the JCC School Purim Shpiel.

Auniessa Burns—aka Queen Esther—during the Purim Shpiel at the JCC School.

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On the Calendar

Seniors' Terrific Tuesdays

Tuesday, April 3 at 10:30am - Flo Eskstein, Editor of the Jewish News, whose topic will be "Journalism in Jewish Context."

Tuesday, April 10 at 10:30am - Dr. Steven Ehrlich discusses "Holistic Health, Meditation and Healing Wisdom".

Tuesday, April 17 at 10:30am - Alice Finn Gartell, Attorney for the Teacher's Union, will present "Workers Issues" Jewish tradition for fair treatment.

Tuesday, April 24 at 10:30am - our favorite movie critic, Julian Reveles, whose mind stimulating talk will be on the subject of "Film Noir". Then maybe some lunch afterwards.

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Tributes

To Jonathon and Karen Andell
In honor of the birth of their son Jared
From Cynthia and Allen Benedict
The Board and Staff of the JCC
Ena, Peter and Jordan Brown
Linda and Richard Rickel

To Dr. Alan Singer
In honor of Jared Daniel Andell's Bris

To David and Sonia Weinstein
In honor of the birth of your son, Trey
From the Board and Staff of the JCC

Building Relocation Fund

Teodoro and Susana Brat

John and Barbara Hanigsberg
In memory of Morris Schwadron

Ron and Bernita Pies

Helen Rollins
Aaron and Heidi Bernstein
In honor of Jake, Sydney & Ethan's grandparents, Myron & Gayle Bernstein, Arthur & Francine Applebaum

SCHOOL • YOUTH • CAMP

Way to Go

      JCC Early Childhood Director, Cynthia Benedict, was recently advised that JCC programs for children 6 weeks-2nd grade have achieved accreditation by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. The Academy is the accreditation division of the NAWYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children).
      Accreditation is awarded to early childhood programs which undergo a rigorous period of intense self-study, program evaluation and improvement and a validation visit by NAEYC representatives. This is the third consecutive accreditation for Centercare and twos through kindergarten classes and the first for the JCC Day School. Accreditation is valid for three years and self-study for re-accreditation must begin during the second year of each accreditation period.
      Staff are to be commended for the high degree of compliance with strict NAEYC standards for early childhood programs and for providing a secure, stimulating, nurturing atmosphere where children can learn and grow.

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Youth Clubs

Chocolate Lovers Dream Come True!!

Join us this month as we have our very own Chocolate Seder! Our Seder will take place on Tuesday April 10th from 6:30 - 8:00pm at the East Valley JCC. The cost is $2.00 per person. Please RSVP Lisa at (480) 897-0588.

Daddy / Mommy & Me

      FORE! This month we are all off to Fiddlesticks for a round of Miniature Golf. Sunday April 22nd at 10:00am is the big day and time. The cost is just $3.00 per person. One free child under 5 years old is free with one paying adult. We must have a minimum of 10 paying people. Call Lisa at (480) 897-0588 to RSVP.

Open House

      The annual Spring Open House for the JCC Schools will be held on Monday, April 23. The evening's program will feature a pizza dinner beginning at 5:45pm, the yearly raffle of individual class quilts and visits to the beautifully decorated classrooms. Children will have an opportunity to "show off" their work to their families. Parents may also visit the classroom their child will be in next fall for a "preview".

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Camp/Rock Show Reunion

      Something special is in the works for the evening of July 19; the night of the JCC Camp's annual Rock Show.
      A reunion committee chaired by Shari Davis and comprised of JCC staff and campers is planning a variety of fun activities.
      Although the Rock Show did not become the highlight of the summer until later on, the JCC Camp had its first summer of fun for local kids in 1973. Since that time, hundreds of campers have enjoyed cooking, swimming, field trips, special vents, themes and overnighters.
      The Rock Show had it's origins at Thew School, then the summer camp's "home." Tables were pushed together in a classroom to form a stage and talented campers, counselors and junior counselors entertained each other with songs featuring popular music of the day, dance and general "shtick". As word of its fame spread, the Rock Show became a summer phenomenon, housed at ever larger venues and featuring professional lighting, a smoke machine and speaker system. Many Rock Shows have been recorded on video for posterity by resident camera man, Glenn Davis.
      The summer's reunion will feature the return of Wolfman and his Cub, vintage Rock Show film footage and other surprises. We are looking for anyone who ever attended JCC/JOT camp to join us on Thursday, July 19 for this year's Rock Show. Please call Camp Director, Lisa Edson at (480) 897-0588 for more information.
      Please help us get the word about the reunion to all former campers still in the Valley or living in other cities. Call us with names and addresses and we'll send a personal invitation. Help us make this the best summer ever, see old friends and enjoy a nostalgic trip back in time when things were simple and life was good.

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Register Now!!

      The summer of 2001 is upon us and the excitement of cam is just around the corner. Lisa Edson and Neal LoNigro are back, along with many other staffers and we are planning a great camp program. We are looking forward to seeing all those familiar faces and anticipate meeting new campers and making new friends.
      There are many special events and field trips for you to enjoy. They include Sunsplash, Big Surf, Phoenix Rock Gym, Polar Ice, AZ Science Center and much, much more!
      Our away trips this summer include camping at the Grand Canyon, a Jeep tour through the Sedona Red Rocks, a California resident camp in Malibu, amusement parks and an overnight trip to Tucson for the 3rd and 4th graders.
      The fun begins June 4 and ends on August 10. Call the JCC, or pick-up a camp brochure from our front office. The number is (480) 897-0588.

We look forward to seeing you soon!!

Lisa and Neal
Co-Camp Directors