BUILDING OUR LEGACY

By Michael Waxman
EVJCC Building Chairman

It is my pleasure to be able to write the first of our monthly updates regarding the EVJCC's Capital Campaign and building update. This is one of the most exciting times in the JCC's 32+ year history, to finally have a home we can call our own. As of the end of 2004, the former Osco has been cleared out and an empty shell is ready to be built. We are working with the City of Chandler to have our plans approved in the next few weeks and then we will begin construction. Our plan is still on track to move in during the late summer and begin the 2005 school year in our new space.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the generous support from past and present members of the JCC, as well as friends of the East Valley Jewish Community. Our Capital Campaign has raised nearly $1.5 million to date, and each month we will print a list of campaign participants that have made pledges during the past 30 days. This issue includes all pledges received since the campaign was kicked off at the end of October.

We would like to recognize those pledges and contributions made so far in this campaign:

Jonathon and Karen Andell Allen and Cynthia Benedict Ben and Kendra Benedict Alan and Ilene Blau Aaron and Kim Blau Marvin and Barbara Chassin Dr. Jay and Joyce Cooper Chris and Ellen Forte Ira J. and Barbara J. Hintzen-Gaines Chuck and Alice Gartell George and Deborah Goffman Joe and Helen Goldblatt Todd and Kacey Gregson George and Diana Jacobson Jesse and Janet Klein

Jon and Kathy Marks Ken and Yael Mesa Chuck and Julia Miessner Howard and Sharon Paley Louis and Betty Paul Jeff and Jodi Phister Richard and Linda Rickel Dr. Herbert and Lynne Rigberg Dr. Leon and Lynn Rigberg Jay and Adele Scherotter Kirk and Marsha Speicher Michael and Andrea Waxman Barry and Barbara Zemel Fred and Lois Zeidman

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Lucky Strikes

East Valley JCC's Annual
Super Bowl-A-Thon

Saturday, January 29, 2005
6:00 p.m. at Kyrene Lanes
6225 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler

$8.50 per person
Includes 2 games plus shoes
Social function & awards
following bowling.

Sign up to participate in the annual East Valley JCC Bowl-A-Thon! This fun event is as much a social event as a fundraiser for the Center. Bowling skill is NOT a prerequisite, nor is it a necessary for couples to both participate. Cheerleaders are definitely welcome! Form your own team of four or we will place you with new friends. Prizes are awarded in a variety of categories. Join your JCC friends for a great time and an opportunity to raise needed dollars for the Center. Pledge sheets and more information are available at the JCC front desk.

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"Dreams in the Golden Country"

The East Valley JCC and Or Adam Congregation present "Dreams in the Golden Country." A special performance of this beautiful intergenerational play by the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company will be held Sunday, January 16, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. at New School for the Arts, located at 1215 E. Apache Blvd. (between Rural & McClintock), in Tempe.

The play tells the story of Zipporah Feldman and her family--Russian Jewish immigrants in America at the turn of the last century.

In the space of one hour, theater-goers will be immersed in the Jewish immigrant experience, including cultural shock, historical events, and the emergence of labor unions. Although based on a children's series, the play tackles mature themes that will satisfy adults and leave children ages ten and up with many questions about Jewish immigrant life.

Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children, and can be purchased at the door or in advance at the East Valley JCC at 480-897-0588. In Honor of this special performance, on January 14th, 15th and 16th enjoy a meal at Chompie's in Chandler, and a percentage of each meal will be donated to the East Valley JCC!

AROUND THE CENTER

Seniors Terrific Tuesdays

Join us, bring along a friend, and enjoy! Ring in a New Year and a New Season in full swing with stimulating programs and interesting speakers.

Tuesday, January 4th at 10:30 a.m. - We welcome our always interesting "favorite," Louis Rhodes. He will discuss, among other things, "After the Election - the Next Four Years." A timely topic considering the inauguration of the President this month.

Tuesday, January 11th at 10:30 a.m. - For the first program of the new year from the Phoenix Art Museum, Docent Ann Wall will present, "Behind the scenes of a Masterpiece."

Tuesday, January 18th at 10:30 a.m. - Attorney Alice Finn Gartell will speak about "Discrimination and Harassment" in our present day society. A subject that efforts us all.

Tuesday, January 25th at 10:30 a.m. - The artist, "Mary Cassatt, Rebel with a Cause" will be the topic of the Phoenix Art Museum Docent Kitty McGaffic.

Hanukkah 2004

Hanukkah is always a happy time of year at the JCC and this year was no exception. Our annual Hanukkah party had all the important ingredients for a successful and wonderful holiday celebration and it was! A huge thank you to Sonja Trontz, event Chairperson, and Kacey Gregson for spearheading the volunteer efforts. It takes lots of people to prepare food for the nearly 300 dinners served. Among those brave and oily volunteers who cooked and served and cleaned up were Meta Rosen, Amy Bley, Leah Zilberman, Eileen Bayer, Janet Weiss, Hadassah Baldinger, Elissa Cooper, Jodi Berke, Lesha Carlson, Maureen Curtis, Tim Weber, Michael Waxman, Cynthia Benedict, George Goffman, Howard Paley, Reznikoff AZA and Tovah BBG.

Rabbi Bonnie Koppell lit the holiday candles and Amira Kaczur led the pre-K and Kindergarten children in Hanuakkah songs. Thanks to everyone who attended and all those slippery volunteers who helped us sooo much!

Learn How to Make Fused Glass at the EVJCC

Class meets Tuesdays,
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
February 1 through February 22
With Glass Artist Bobby Harr

You will create 6-8 pieces of beautiful fused glass work. Tiles, pins, jewelry, mezuzahs, and more!

This beginning class will take you through all the basic knowledge needed to start making fused and slumped glass on your own. It will cover safety, tools and equipment, types of glass, cutting glass, the basic warm glass process, thermal shock, annealing, etching and many more topics. You will be able to create pieces from a wide spectrum of colors and textures of glass, including dichroic. All of the necessary materials and tools will be supplied. Book and special starter kits will be available for purchase at a discounted price throughout the class.

Mr. Harr's work has been shown in over 140 Galleries and shops across the U.S. and Canada, including the Jewish museum in New York. He has taught over 200 students. He is also the co-founder of J.A.V.A. - Jewish Artists of the Valley, an Association, the local Jewish artists group.

Call Ilene at 480-897-0588 for registration. Cost is $125 per person.

Tributes

• To Paul and Amira Kaczur, in memory of Paul's mother, Lynn Kaczur, from Alan and Ilene Blau and from George and Diana Jacobson.
  
  
• To Daryl and Lisa Edson, from Steven and Jodi Stein.
  
  
• To Michael and Bonnie Sperling, in memory of Rose Sperling, from Alan and Ilene Blau and from friends at the JCC Senior's Club.
  

SCHOOL • YOUTH • CAMP

Early Childhood

2004-05 School Open House

Registration for the 2005-06 school year will begin on Tuesday, February 1. All registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis when submitted with a registration form and the May, 2006 deposit. This will guarantee a space in one of the our classes for the schedule indicated on the form. The first two weeks of registration are reserved for children already enrolled in our school, their siblings and children in the Toddler Room who are age eligible.

Two year olds need not be toilet trained to attend preschool. However, this is a requirement to enroll in our threes classes.

Early registration affords the best opportunity to obtain the schedule of your choice in one of our classes at the East Valley JCC's brand new home. Call Cynthia or Diane at 480-897-0588 for additional information or to be placed on our registration list.

East Valley JCC Day School

The East Valley JCC Day School held a mitzvah project, adopt-a-family drive for Hanukkah. They adopted two families with a total of 10 children, and collected enough for each child to have a complete eight nights of Hanukkah gifts. Thank you to all those who picked a dreidel off the wall, and donated to the cause. It was truly a miracle the Day School students delivered!

Youth

Parents Night Out

Parents Night Out is back! This is 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! This Parents Night Out is in conjunction with our annual Bowl-A-Thon. What better way to spend the evening - drop your kids off at the JCC then go bowling? If you can't make the Bowl-A-Thon you can still take advantage of our Parents Night Out!

WHEN:	Saturday January 29th
WHERE:	East Valley JCC
TIME:	5:30 - 11:00 pm
COST:	$3.25 per hour per child

A $5.00 Non-refundable deposit per child is required to reserve a space. Parents must supply diapers and formula for those children requiring them. To sign up or for more information call or see Lisa.

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Youth Clubs

How many strikes can you bowl in a row? Let's try your luck as this month Club 12, Club 34 and Teens & Tweens are off to AMF Tempe Village Lanes for a night of Bowling on Tuesday January 18th from 6:30-8:00pm. We will bowl 2 to 3 games (depending on time!). The cost for this great night is only $7.00 per person, and this includes your shoes! Please RSVP Lisa no later than Friday January 14th.

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Mommy & Me Making Memories

Join us on Sunday Jan 23rd from 1:00 pm - 4:00pm for a fun filled afternoon of Scrapbooking! Relive your memories again as you and your child(ren) make scrapbooking pages that will last a life time. You supply the photo album, pictures and personal memories and we'll supply the rest (stickers, die cut, paper, and professional help - our own Tammi Wyman)!

All you need to do to join in the fun is decide on the theme, pay Lisa $12.00 and RSVP no later than Jan 14th (this is to allow Tammi time to pick up all the "goodies" needed for your Memory Book). Everyone will also put together a family page. We must have a minimum of 7 (mom + child) groups.