Passover Seder

On Wednesday, March 27th, the JCC School will hold its annual model seder for Passover. Rabbi Andrew Straus from Temple Emanuel will officiate.

Preschool and kindergarten students will be joined by their families for this important occasion. Special guests at this years seder will be Neil Guiliano, mayor of Tempe and Ben Arredondo, Tempe City Council member.

The seder will recount the story of Moses and the exodus from Egypt, holiday songs, blessings and of course, food.

Happy Passover!

The Board and Staff of the
East Valley Jewish Community Center
wish you all a Happy Passover.

JCC Move Update

The JCC's Planning Committee have been very active in arranging the move to our interim location at 1515 S. Indian Bend (Broadway & Price). The relocation to our new 22,500 square foot building will take place between late May and mid June.

There is certainly much to do in the months ahead. A number of modifications will be needed to accommodate the Center's programs and services and to insure that all the necessary elements are in place for our licensing requirements. Some cosmetic work such as painting and landscaping needs to be accomplished along with major projects such as the installation of a fenced playground and grassed play area along with upgrading the kitchen facilities.

Volunteers and money are welcome and needed. The Planning Committee will be communicating specific items and volunteer opportunities available through the coming weeks. Your connections with the community for donated or discounted goods and services can really make a difference. Donations to the relocation fund and help with packing and basic schlepping are also greatly appreciated.

This move is a great opportunity for all of us who believe in the importance of having a JCC in our community to come together to have some fun, make some history and accomplish another step in the journey to realize our goal of building a new permanent facility.

School Library Planned

Thanks to the additional space at our "new" facility, plans are in the works to establish a library for the use of our preschool, kindergarten and day school students as well as adults. Donations of new or gently used books are being accepted at the JCC and have already started coming in. A bookplate has been designed for placement in all new books received and will bear the name of the donor.

Books with Jewish themes are particularly desirable, but any books of fiction, fact or leveled readers for children of any age will be gratefully received. A donation letter for tax purposes is available upon request. For information, call Cynthia at 480-897-0588.

Commemoration of Yom Hashoah

A commemoration of Yom Hashoah will take place on April 8th at 7pm at Temple Beth Sholom. Yom Hashoah is the day of remembrance on which Jews around the world pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and to the anti-Nazi resistance fighters. This annual event is jointly sponsored by Temple Beth Sholom Temple Emanuel, and the East Valley Jewish Community Center. The event is free of charge. Everyone is welcome to join us.

For information, please contact Deena Cukier at 966-0089.

Jewish Cultural Art Series

Wednesday, March 6th, 7 pm

Please join Dr. Michael Rubinoff, a specialist in American Jewish History for Part II of the Jewish Immigration Series, "The Landsmann Arrive: Russian Jews and the Making of America." Two million Jews fled to the U. S. between 1881 and 1921. American Jewry in the 20th century was totally changed. Culturally, they impacted virtually every type of endeavor in the new country from government to science, from art to literature and from entertainment to education. Today the descendents of these immigrants have created the largest Jewish community in history.

Men's Club

Sunday, March 24th
Paul Rubin - New Times Reporter
9:30am
$6.50 bagels and lox breakfast
RSVP eastvalleyjcc@aol.com
or call 480-897-0588

AROUND THE CENTER

Fundraiser a Fun Time

Forty-five bowlers and their fans converged upon the Mesa Brunswick Lanes to raise money for the JCC during the annual JCC bowl-a-thon. Proceeds from the fundraiser will help purchase some needed classroom equipment at the new location. High series male and high game male winners were Dave Wattel and Allen Benedict. High series female and high game female went to Lisa Edson and Erica Lewis. The Blau and Krell families were the top prizewinners for money raised. New this year is a permanent plaque engraved with the name of the team with the highest points, which will be on permanent display. The team, which included Jill Barenbaum, Vicki Krell, Dave Wattel, Michael Waxman and Jay Robinette, won the highest scoring distinction. Thanks to Jill Barenbaum, chair of the event, for a fun time bowling for bucks and to Nello's for an after bowling celebration.

What's Cooking?

Save the date! Tuesday, April 9th at 7 pm. A chef from Lewis Stevens Distinctive Catering will demonstrate some "Sweet Endings" - Favorite dessert recipes you can learn to make at home. Chef will demonstrate Cr�me Brulee, Bananas Foster and more. Recipes and tasting included. Class fee $12.00 Please RSVP by April 5 to the JCC at 480-897-0588.

Terrific Tuesdays for Seniors

The new season is in full swing with stimulating programs and interesting speakers. Join us! All are welcome. You need not be a JCC member to attend—come along and bring a friend! The meetings start at 10 a.m. Come early for coffee and conversation.

Tuesday, March 5th - 10:30 a.m. Bernie Domsky will be our guest speaker for today. His topic will cover the American Jewish participation and contribution in defense of our country, from Colonial times to the present.

Tuesday, March 12th - 11:00 a.m. We will not be having a regular meeting today. We will be viewing the extensive art collection of Eddie Basha at the corporate headquarters at 11 a.m. and from there will lunch at a nearby restaurant. Call the JCC for more info at 480-897-0588.

Tuesday, March 19th - 10:30 a.m. A speaker from the Phoenix chapter of A.D.L. will bring us up to date on the latest issues they face as an organization.

Tuesday, March 26th - 10:30 a.m. We will be having a pot luck "Passover" brunch and entertainment by Katy Brien, song and dance artist.

Your Child's Nutrition

Is your child a picky eater? Do you worry about your child's' nutrition? Come to the JCC at 7pm on March 21st and find solutions to all your food dilemmas.

Barbara Herber, a Community Health Nurse from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health will discuss the Food Pyramid Guide and how to deliver nutritious meals that will keep your kids healthy and happy.

Please RSVP to Cynthia or Diane by March 18th. There is no charge for this program.

Meet the Staff

Sigal Ekhaus joined our staff in January of this year. She was born is Israel and moved to California in 1990 where she lived until last November when she moved to Arizona. She now lives in Chandler with her husband, two young sons, and their dog. Sigal says her interests include camping, gambling, reading and scary movies.

While living in California she earned her associates degree in Early Childhood Education. Her interest in this field show in her work with out toddlers. We are very happy to have Sigal and her family with us.

Tributes

General Fund

To Ilene Blau and family in loving memory of Rochelle Halperin from:
Robert and Shereen Miller
JCC Senior Group
Donald & Maira Zanrosso
Lois Rubin
Michael, Robin & Shelli Getz

Relocation Fund

In loving memory of Jack, Rochelle, Howard and Ruth Halperin from:
Michael and Roslyn Halperin

In loving memory of Ruth Halperin from:
Saul & Salene Jacobs
Martin & Lois Lichtblau
Jack & Lucila Runkels

In loving memory of Lyle Welcher from:
Alan & Ilene Blau

Welcome New Members

Jonathan & Keelan Bodow
Beth Bielsker
Nancy Allocca
Sean & Sharon Baartmans
Eric McCune & Sonia Colina
Paul & Judy Oden
Ray Stern & Amy Silverman

Pre-School Wish List

Play kitchen furniture
Doll stroller/high chair
Housekeeping toys; mop, broom, vacuum
Play cash register
Large cardboard blocks
Child size armchairs/beanbag chairs

SCHOOL • YOUTH • CAMP

Day School

The school year is moving swiftly. It's hard to believe Pesach is almost here! On Monday, March 25, the Day School will have a unique walk-thru Seder. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Our school Board has approved a revised calendar and progress reports that will be utilized in the 2002-2003 school year. We welcome any community members who are interested in joining the school Board. Your input is valuable and would be greatly appreciated.

WE NEED YOUR HELP...The Day School has embarked on a wonderful fundraising campaign to raise money specifically tagged for books and teacher enrichment materials. It is truly the easiest fundraiser to participate in. All that is required from you is to simply register your credit card and we will automatically receive rebates from thousands of merchants you regularly use. You may register at www.schoolpop.com or fax the registration form (available at the JCC). It's that simple. "You're going to buy stuff anyway...make it count!"

My family joins me in wishing the JCC Family a Zisen Pesach.

Youth Clubs

Join us this month as we hold our 2nd annual Chocolate Passover Seder. Our Seder will take place on Tuesday March 26th from 6:30-8:00pm at the JCC. The cost is $5.00 per person. Please RSVP Lisa at (480) 897-0588 by Monday March 25th.

Daddy & Me

This month we're off to try our luck at bowling! So ALL you Dad's out there call Lisa to sign up!
WHEN: Sunday March 24th
TIME: 3:30-5:00 pm
WHERE: Brunswick Mesa Lanes
COST: $12 for Dad + 1 child, $6 for each additional child

Tea and Tales

On Thursday, March 7, preschool and kindergarten moms will join their children for a morning at school. Special activities, stories and snacks have been planned by school staff to make this a memorable event. Moms will have an opportunity to join their children in coloring, drawing, painting, Lego and blocks play, parachute games and more and to see, first hand, what a great school we have at the JCC.

Preschool and Kindergarten

2002-2003 School Registration
Registration for the 2002-2003 school year is in full swing at the JCC School. Some classes are filling rapidly and waiting lists have been established. A variety of openings are still available in certain age groups. Early registration will afford the best choice of days. Call Cynthia at 480-897-0588 for information.

Spring Camp

Spring Camp is just around the corner! Sign up to enjoy all the fun, arts & crafts, sports and so much more!
Camp dates are March 11 - March 15.
Camp hours are 9:00am - 4:00pm.
Daycare hours are 7:00 - 9:00am and 4:00 - 6:00pm.
Spring Camp is for children ages 3 (potty trained) thru 6th grade.
Enroll by the day or for the whole week.

Daily themes are:

3/11 - Crafty As Can Be, You Can't Catch Me! ~ We'll be making arts & crafts and playing sports!
3/12 - Sand Mania ~ Our day will be filled with sand...sand art, sand sports, sand, sand, sand!
3/13 - I'm Flying! ~ Join us as we make, fly and of course pretend to be airplanes!
3/14 - Do The Dot! ~ Dot Art, Twister, Balls, etc! We'll be doing and playing with anything that resembles a dot!
3/15 - Flower Power ~ Join us as we do things that remind us of spring and the 60's! Flower power whistles, keychains, beaded flowers, just to name a few!

Call Lisa (480) 897-0588 for more details.

Summer Fun is Coming!

The excitement of summer and camp is just around the corner! And this summer promises to be just as fun as last summer! Our theme this summer is "On the Road Again". We can't wait to see all our "old time" campers and meet new campers too! And, we're looking forward to being in our new facility, but all the traditional activities and events will remain the same.... Sunsplash, Polar Ice, Az Science Center, our annual Rock Show, swimming, away trips for the 3rd & 4th graders and the 5th thru 8th graders and the list goes on!

We're excited to be adding 2 new camps/ programs this summer. The 9th grade CIT program promises to be a fun, learning hands-on experience. And, the OA Travel Camp for 13 - 15 year olds, under the directorship of Neal LoNigro, has 6 awesome trips planned. Camp dates are June 3rd - August 9th.

Be on the lookout for our camp brochure around the middle of March.

Summer Stock 2002

You know what they say, "three's a charm" and Summer Stock is back with an exciting new production of the classic Pinocchio. Summer Stock is an after camp theatrical experience that offers a unique, non-competitive ensemble for children entering Kindergarten thru 8th grade. Julie & Mitch Solomon are directing again, and if you were there for last summer's "Snow White" and Summer Stock's debut with "The Wizard of Oz" you know that this will be an incredible experience with acting, dancing, singing, sets, lights, costumes and that special East Valley JCC twist. It should be another summer of great fun rehearsing, creating and performing.

Placement auditions will be held on Thursday, June 20th starting at 3pm. Bring your imagination, your loudest voice and get ready to have some fun! Rehearsals begin Monday June 24 and are held on Mondays & Thursdays (additional Wednesday rehearsals for selected roles) from 3:00 - 5:00pm. Two performances of Pinocchio will be held on Sunday August 4th. Cost is $165 per child (10% 2nd child discount). Call Lisa for more information. Enrollment in the JCC Summer Camp is not a requirement.

Call Lisa for more information.