January 2003
Cultural Art Series
Modern Israel: From Herzl To Present
Join Dr. Michael Rubinoff, a specialist in Modern Jewish history and a member of the faculties at ASU and the University of Phoenix for three informative evenings. He will introduce his audience to a survey of Modern Israel's history from the time of Theodor Herzl to the present. All programs will begin at 7:00 p.m., Monday, January 20, 2003.Part I: The Idea of a Jewish State - Monday, January 20th
For 2,000 years, Jews throughout the world awaited their redemption. Suddenly, in the middle of the 19th century, the moment was ripe for just such a discussion of the Jews re-establishing themselves in Eretz Yisrael. This discussion will focus on the Jewish condition in Herzl's time and why the long sought dream of independent statehood proved to be an irresistible magnet for so many Jews.
Part II: Britain, the Zionists, and Birth of Israel - Wednesday, February 19th
With the end of World War I, the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine was mandated. As Jews returned, conflict immediately broke out with the local Arabs. This session deals with Britain's struggle to maintain peace in the region throughout the creation of Israel by the United Nations.
Part III: Israel, Arabs and Peace—1948-2003 - Wednesday, March 19th
Israel's birth was accompanied by an immediate attack from the Arab world. A series of struggles are chronicled between the new nation of Israel and the consequences we see to this very date.
Series tickets $25/$15; individual tickets $12/$8
R.S.V.P. 480-897-0588
Lunch & Learn Series: The Big Ten
What you always wanted to know about the Ten Commandments and what your Hebrew teacher didn't tell you, will be the topic of a series beginning on January 10 for three consecutive Friday mornings. Scheduled from 10a.m. - Noon, the in-depth study of the Ten Commandments will be presented by Harold Falk. Open to all community members, a light lunch will follow each class. A $3.00 per person donation is requested. Please R.S.V.P. at 897-0588.Preschool and Kindergarten Registration
by doing something wonderful for your child!
Registration for the 2003-04 school year will commence on Monday, February 3. The first two weeks are reserved for children currently enrolled in the JCC School and their siblings as well as children in the Toddler Room who will be eligible for our Two's classes in August. Open registration will begin on February 17th.
Although some of our classes were small this year, we are optimistic about number projections for 2003-04. With almost seven months in the new facility, we have heard many positive comments from our parents and staff.
Please call Cynthia at the "J" if you have questions about registration for the 2003-04 school year.
Lucky Strikes
East Valley JCC's Annual
Super Bowl-A-Thon
Saturday, February 8, 2003 @ 6:30 p.m.
Kyrene Lanes
6225 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ
$8.00 per person
Includes 2 games plus shoes
Social at Nello's Following
Pre-paid reservations by
Thursday, February 6th.
This fun, annual event doubles as a social evening while raising money for improvements at the JCC. Bowling ability is not a pre-requisite and yes! Friends can bowl with you. Awards are given at Nello's as we gather for pizza after bowling. Call Meg for registration information at 480-897-0588.
Parent's Night Out - Feb. 8th
Drop your kids at the JCC for a fun night out while bowling or just having dinner and taking in a movie. A $5.00 per child, pre-paid deposit is due by February 5. Call Lisa at the JCC at 480-897-0588.AROUND THE CENTER
Seniors' Terrific Tuesdays
Our Seniors group continues in January with new and interesting programs. Join us, bring along a friend, and enjoy!!Tuesday, January 7th at 10:30 a.m. Karen Bryan from the ASU School of Music will present a lecture and video portraying the role of opera in Italian society.
Tuesday, January 14th at 10:30 a.m. "Quakery in Medicine" will be the topic for today, discussion by ASU School of Psychology professor, Doctor Barry Leshowitz.
Tuesday, January 21st at 10:30 a.m. Our docent of the month, Nancy Millman will show us the South of France through an artist's eyes.
Tuesday, January 28th at 10:30 a.m. Meet at the JCC at 10:30 a.m. sharp! We will car pool to the Pollack Real Estate Building at 1139 W. Baseline Road in Mesa, where we will tour a museum of consumer items from the past, a trip down memory lane. Followed by a lunch at a nearby restaurant.
East Valley Happening
Rick Recht, a vibrant young Jewish songwriter and entertainer returns to the East Valley Sunday, January 26 at 7 p.m., after performing a successful concert performance two years ago. Rick's music will please members of the whole family, a real treat for all. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. The performance will be at Temple Emanuel. Call the Temple office for ticket information at 480-838-1414.Book Club
"Year of Wonder" by Geraldine Brooks
Monday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by Diana Jacobson
Call the JCC to RSVP and for directions.
Personal Growth Seminar: Feeling at Home in Your Body
Tuesday, January 14 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.Your body often gives you signals such as aches, pains, headaches, hunger, fatigue, interrupted sleep or sleeplessness which can be translated into emotional as well as physical reasons. Even excess weight can unconsciously affect behavior. This workshop, entitled Feeling at Home in Your Body will explore the interconnectiveness between your mind and body and will guide individuals toward greater health: physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Jan Cmeyla has over thirty years experience in various aspects of education within the field of mental health. Jan develops and facilities seminars and workshops in areas of personal growth and development. In addition, she has co-authored and published a self-help book and is currently working on authoring a second book. This free seminar is open to the community.
Playgroup
The Early Childhood Department at the JCC is eager to start a "playgroup" for parents and children between the ages of 6-15 months of age.This informal group would meet at the JCC once a month to develop friendships, introduce newcomers to the JCC and provide opportunities for socialization. We would like to hear from any interested parties regarding expectations, choice of day and time, ideas for programming and likelihood of regular participation.
When we obtain a minimum number of participants (6 regulars) we can get started. Please call Cynthia at 480-897-0588.
"Hanukkah Howard" Does It Again
Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped make the JCC's Annual Hanukkah Party such a great success. A big thank you to Amy Bley for making the latke batter and for cooking all day and to Howard Paley for chairing the event. Additionally Howard and Sharon Paley brought a wonderful Elvis impersonator to entertain the guests, the kitchen staff comprised of Jodi Brumble, Shari Davis, Judy Greenwood, Michael and Andrea Waxman, Sharon and Dawn Paley, David Cukier, Jonathon Andell and David Wattel, did an awesome job cutting, frying and serving. Thanks to Deena Cukier for tickling the ivories, to George Goffman for collecting the cash, and to Ron Mysel for bringing his portable rock climbing mountain for the kids to enjoy.We appreciate all the parents on the Early Childhood Committee who supervised the games and thank our great staff, Cynthia, Lisa and Sharon for all their help in making this annual party fun for our JCC families.
SCHOOL • YOUTH • CAMP
Youth Groups
Mom's & Dad's, let your 4th - 8th Graders be the "Hit of the Party" at their next B'nai Mitzvah, school dance or social gathering! Sunday January 12th is a Sunday not to forget! Todd Bristol of Interactive Entertainment will be at the East Valley JCC from 2:30 - 4:00pm to help familiarize and perfect all the latest and most popular dances..."It's Tricky", "Car Wash", "Staying Alive", "Jim & Coconut", "Macarena", & "Electric Slide", etc, etc!The cost is only $5.00 per person. Please RSVP Lisa at (480) 897-0588 or E-mail tcjccyouth@aol.com. Don't be left with 2 left feet!
Mitzvah of the Month
Tikkun Olan, Repairing the Earth, is our school mitzvah for the month of January. This coincides nicely with the observance of Tu B'Shevat, the birthday of the trees, on January 18.Our students will be planting seeds and bulbs, learning about how trees and other growing things help mankind, discussing waste and the concept of conservation and recycling. A lovely seder (a ceremonial meal) is planned to enhance the Tu B'Shevat experience. Children and staff will sample a variety of fruits; those with seeds or pits, fruits with edible and inedible skin, both purple and white grape juice.
Families will have the opportunity to purchase trees for Israel, through the Jewish National Fund, to be planted in the new Bible Forest. This mitzvah will help our children to learn about the importance of caring for our environment and provides a direct link to the land and people of Israel.
Kindness to Animals
On Monday, December 16, staff and children from the JCC Kindergarten and Dayschool delivered numerous bags of dog and cat food, litter, doggie treats, blankets and pillowcases to the Arizona Humane Society's Dobbins Road Campus. They were treated to a tour of the wonderful facility and saw many irresistible dogs and cats.Collection of the above items and their delivery was in conjunction with December mitzvah, Tza'ar Ba'alay, Caring for Animals. Children, staff and parent drivers returned to the JCC enthusiastic about the project and the field trip and feeling good about helping our animal friends.
Mommy & Me Making Memories
Join us on Tuesday Jan 21st from 6:30 - 8:30pm for a fun filled night of Scrap booking! Relive your memories again as you and your child(ren) make a memory book that will last a life time. You supply the photo album, pictures and personal memories and we'll supply the rest (stickers, die cut, 8 1/2 x 11" paper, and professional help - our own Tammi Wyman)!All you need to do to join in the fun is decide on the theme for your Memory Book, pay Lisa $8.00 and RSVP no later than Jan 14th (this is to allow Tammi time to pick up all the "goodies" needed for your Memory Book).
Tu B'Shevat Fun-Raiser
Celebrate Tu B'Shevat Wednesday, January 15th with the Day School at Sweet Tomatoes on McClintock and Southern, between 5-8 pm. The proceeds for the event will be 20% of the pre-tax sales receipts for food and beverages. Don't forget to pick up a flyer at the JCC! Call Sharon for more info at 897-0588.Open House for the Day School
We are very excited to invite all parents in the East Valley with children Pre-Kindergarten age through fifth grade to the Day School Open House. The Open House will be held Tuesday, January 21st - Thursday, January 23rd from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The Open House is designed for parents to spend time in the classrooms with the students and teachers. We will also be having two Q&A sessions with the teachers Thursday night January 23rd from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday morning January 26th 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Please encourage friends and family to visit our wonderful school and see how our students thrive in their environment.Registration for Day School classes will begin February 3rd. A fifth grade will be added for the 2003-04 school year. Parents are encouraged to register early to facilitate proper planning for next Fall.