The Centerfold

December 2005

Happy Hanukkah from the
Board & Staff of the Barness Family East Valley JCC
And A Healthy, Happy New Year!

EVJCC Changes Name to Honor Donor

The EVJCC will be renamed in honor of the Barness Family who contributed $600,000 to the new Chandler facility. This is the largest gift given by the Doron and Ron Barness Foundation and is the single largest gift received to date for the capital campaign. While the Barnesses are not members of the EVJCC, they are community philanthropists who "feel a strong connection to the Jewish people wherever they are located" and realize the extremely important purpose of the EVJCC. Look for the Barness Family name to be added to our new sign.


From the New Director...

It is hard to believe that after accepting this position 3 months ago I am finally moving to Phoenix to begin my position as the next Executive Director of the Barness Family East Valley JCC.

Let me start by saying how thankful I am for the opportunity to be joining the East Valley family at such a great time in our history. I can only hope to share with you how excited I am to begin working with such an energetic Board, dedicated staff and wonderful membership to make our JCC one of the best in the country. I am also extremely thankful that during my transition period I will be able to rely on Ilene Blau and her years of experience to help guide me when I have questions or need information.

As I start to get settled you will begin to see me in the lobby, hallways, classrooms, and meeting spaces greeting people. It is my goal to meet every member of our center within the first 90 days of my arrival. I am eager to take a little bit of time and get to know each one of you and find out what your interests are, what you love about the center, and what improvements you would like to see us strive for. Please don't hesitate to call (480-897-0588), e-mail (teppers@evjcc.org) or stop by if you have something that you would like to share with me either positive or negative. I want to wish each one of you and your families a wonderful and joyous Chanukah and hope to see you over latkes at our Family Chanukah party on December 22nd from 5:30-7:30.

Annual East Valley Community Hanukkah Party

Thursday, December 22, 2005
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Celebrate the Festival of Lights in the JCC Family Tradition! EVERYONE IS WELCOME! PLEASE JOIN US!!

Come join us for our annual community family Chanukah party on Thursday, December 22nd from 5:30-7:30 at the Barness Family East Valley JCC. The party will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 and include activities for the whole family. During this fantastic evening we will enjoy some old favorites like dreidal spinning, cookie decorating, a menorah lighting by the EVJCC children, and of course latkes. We will also be adding some new activities to this year's party to help bring in the Chanukah spirit and celebrate our new building. For more information or to rsvp contact Lisa Edson at 480-897-0588.

  • Cookie Decorating
  • Games
  • Face Painting
  • Dreidel Spinning
  • Latke supper
  • Dreidel Cake
  • Menorah Lighting
  • Entertainment
  • JCC Children Singing

$2.50 per person / $8.00 per family Members
$3.50 per person / $10.00 per family Non-Members

New Members

  • Paula Angert
  • Mordechai and Miriam Baill
  • Ann Baumrind
  • Kevin and Robin Bibb
  • Angel Cecere
  • Leon and Dov Chartarifsky
  • Aaron and Joy Dolin
  • Sidney Dubitsky
  • Douglas and Karen Fortunato
  • Richard and Evelyn Fox
  • Eric & Heather Freireich
  • Jeff and Anne Hoodin
  • Jolynn Stewart and Rob Humphrey
  • Allan and Charlene Kersch
  • Robin Labani
  • Adam and Christina LaZare
  • Dennis and Gail Paperman
  • Eddie and Deborah Reid
  • Jack and Reva Rzepnik
  • Moshe and Michele Shabat
  • Boris and Irene Shmukler
  • Bob and Sheila Wagner
  • Eric and Cheri Wallin
  • Frank and Becky Weinberg
  • Burrell and Julie Wolk

AROUND THE CENTER

Adult Education

Second Semester Classes!

With Aaron Scholar from Bureau of Jewish Education. Classes held January 5 – February 16, 2006.

  • Thursday mornings:
  • 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (Maimonides)
  • 10:40 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. Ethics of Our Fathers

EVJCC Members $35 / Non-Members $45
Tuition costs applies to two classes.
Call BJE directly to enroll at 480-634-8050.


Casino Night

More than 200 party goers gathered at the Pollack Ranch for the 3rd Annual JCC Casino Night. Not only is this event a special night to raise funds for the JCC, but it is a chance for community members to play, shop, eat, gamble and dance and just have a great evening together!

A big thank you to Chairmen Jodi Berke, Jon Marks and to Daryl Edson and to all the individuals who donated to the class baskets, who so beautifully created and decorated the baskets, and to all who helped secure auction items. A huge thank you to Meg Gabay for all she did to organize the event and of course to Cheryl and Michael Pollack who hosted the event and provided the musical entertainment. What a great band!

December Men's Club

Men's Health Issues
Dr. Ed Pearlstein & Dr. Mark Karlovsky

December 18th
9:30 a.m.
Bagels & Lox Breakfast
RSVP to (480) 897-0588 or info@evjcc.org

Community Blood Drive

Thursday, December 29

East Valley JCC
Multi-Purpose Room
908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler

Call (480) 897-0588 for more information.

Terrific Tuesdays for Seniors

Tuesday, December 6th @ 10:30 a.m. - An educational talk by Dana Boaron, the newly appointed Director of the Israel Center of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. She will discuss the current situation as it exists in Israel today. Please join us for this important program.

Tuesday, December 13th @ 10:30 a.m. - The topic of the Phoenix Art Museum for today will be Frank Lloyd Wright. Docent Melvin Dailey's slide presentation and talk will touch upon Mr. Wright's buildings as well as his private life and relationships. We will learn much about this often misunderstood genius.

Tuesday, December 20th @ 10:30 a.m. - Please join us. Our early Chanukah party with latkes and music by Bernie STein on the piano along with his accompanist. Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 27th @11:30 a.m. - NOTE THE TIME CHANGE for our annual New Year's luncheon at a restaurant of your choice. Let us end the year 2005 and look forward to 2006 with good health for all.

Book Club

Empress Orchid
By Anchee Min

Monday, December 19th
7:00 p.m.

Dinner at Hong Kong Buffet
4909 E. Chandler Blvd.
RSVP to Joan at 480-940-9770

What's Cooking?

Monday, January 16, 2006
6:00 p.m. at the EVJCC
$25 JCC members / $30 non-members
Pre-Paid Reservations required by January 11th

Bring in the New Year with some exciting new foods!

  • Vanilla Roulade with seasonal fruit preserve filling and creme anglaise sauce
  • Liqueur soaked berries in chocolate cups
  • Creme Brulee (it will not fully set up given the time)
  • Apple Galette (free form French Tart)

Third in a series of classes presented at the EVJCC. Class is limited to 20 participants. Call Meg at (480) 897-0588 to register.


Co-Ed Adult Softball

Please join the East Valley JCC for our 2nd friendly, non-competitive game of Co-Ed Adult Softball. We will have a 7th inning stretch (played in the 3rd inning!) featuring your children! Bring your children, a blanket, chairs and of course your ball, bat & glove. Don't forget the water to drink.

  • DAY: Sunday, December 11th
  • PLACE: Erie Elementary School (Just South of the JCC on Alma School)
  • TIME: 2:30pm
  • COST: Free!
  • RSVP: Please call Lisa (480) 897-0588 by Friday, Dec 9th.

SCHOOL • YOUTH • CAMP

Early Childhood

Reading Readiness Education

On Thursday, December 8th, the ECC department will host a parent education program dealing with reading readiness. Although designed for parents of 4-6 year olds, we encourage all of you with preschoolers to attend as well.

The program will be presented by Heidi Tripp (BA, Psychology; MAEd06). There is no charge, but please RSVP to Diane at 480-897-0588 by December 7 so we can make appropriate plans.


Hooray!

Our preschool / kindergarten enrollment is 103! More than last year or the year before. We are so excited and we are still getting calls and giving tours every week.

One of our two's classes is completely full except for a couple of add days for children already enrolled. Other classes have only 1-2 openings for full time students.

What wonderful news after only three months in our new facility. Thanks so much for your referrals and support!

Youth Programs

Family Fun Day

This month we are combining our Mommy & Me, Daddy & Me and Youth Club programs to make a Family Fun Day! We will meet at Polar Ice on Sunday, December 18th from 12:30 – 3:30pm. The cost for this afternoon of fun is $8.00 per person (This includes admission and skate rental.) Please RSVP Lisa (480) 897-0588 by Friday, December 16th.


Parents Night Out

Here's your chance to spend an evening away from your children and leave the babysitting up to the JCC! We provide the staff, snacks and fun while you go out for a night on the town! Join us Saturday, December 17, 2005 at the EVJCC from 6-11 p.m.

Your cost is $3.50 per hour per child and a $5.00 Non-refundable deposit per child is required to reserve a space (This will be deducted from your total cost). Parents must supply diapers and formula for those children requiring them. To sign up or for more information call or see Lisa.


Winter Camp

Come celebrate the winter break with the East Valley Jewish Community Center. We are having 10 awesome days of winter camp. You can register by the day or week.

Camp hours are 9:00am – 4:00pm with extended daycare hours from 6:30 – 9:00am and 4:00 – 6:00pm.

WEEK ONE

  • Mon, Dec 26th – Happy Hanukkah – Come play the Dreidel game and celebrate the 1st day of Hanukkah.
  • Tues, Dec 27th – A Day Of Fun – Join us for a fun day of crafts, games and a whole lot of fun! 1st - 8th graders are off bowling for a few hours. Space is limited today.
  • Wed, Dec 28th – Sand Magic – Come make and take a sand art painting from Sand Magic, plus play games and have fun!
  • Thurs, Dec 29th – Comedy Central – Join us for a day of laughs & jokes told by you! Stand-up comedian, Janice Gennevois (our own Drama teacher) will be on hand to teach some tricks of the trades! Our campers will perform at 3:30! All are welcome!
  • Fri, Dec 30th – Out With The Old...In With The New – Join us for our annual New Years Party – a day early!

WEEK TWO

  • Mon, Jan 2nd – Fear Factor – Have you ever wanted to eat eyeballs, taste brains or eat worms... then you will want to join us today for this fearful day!
  • Tues, Jan 3rd – Spring Into Action – It's our annual sports day! Wear your tennis shoes and get ready to have some fun! 1st – 8th graders are off to Game On in the afternoon. Space is limited today.
  • Wed, Jan 4th – Winter Wonderland – SNOW DAY! We will have 4 tons of snow here for you to play in and make snowmen. Wear your warm clothes, jacket, gloves, etc...but don't forget to bring dry clothes (even socks, shoes & underwear!) to change into!
  • Thurs, Jan 5th – B-I-N-G-O – I-24, B-6, N-38...get ready for a fun day of bingo! We're even going to attempt to make our own bingo cards!
  • Fri, Jan 6th – Fossilized – It's a day of bubbling potions, slimy goo and spectacular chemical magic!

Early Registration: Sign up before Dec. 16th
$24.00 / Day or $112.00 / Week for JCC Members ~
$27.00 / Day or $127.00 / Week for Non-Members.

Late Registration: After Dec. 16th
$26.00 / Day or $124.00 / Week for JCC Members ~
$29.00 / Day or $139.00 / Week

Extended daycare fees are $3.90 / hour for both members and non-members. Call Lisa at (480) 897-0588 for more information.

December Closures

School Closed / Camp Offered
Monday, December 26 through Friday, December 30