Cruising the Mediterranean

All in favor of sailing to exotic, faraway lands,
indulging in delectable cuisine,
and meeting delightful new friends...
say "Aye, Aye Captain!"

Climb aboard the SS JCC on November 16th, 2002 as we chart a gourmet course for adventure at this year's East Valley JCC Progressive Dinner Fundraiser - "Cruising the Mediterranean".

Those of you who have participated in past progressive dinners know that this exciting event offers a great opportunity to socialize with other JCC members, as guests travel from house to house making new friends and feasting on mouthwatering culinary delights.

The evening's cruise itinerary begins with an enchanting shore excursion to Blair and Lonnie Dworkin's home, where Progressive Dinner participants will enjoy a delicious array of Middle Eastern appetizers and wonderful surprise entertainment. Guests will then randomly select a map that will direct them to a second host home for a sumptuous, intimate Mediterranean dinner entrée for 8 to 10 people. (Yes, couples travel together!) After visiting many exciting ports of call, our ship will dock and all participants will reconvene for a spectacular dessert buffet on the Promenade Deck at the home of Andrea and Michael Waxman.

Cost for "Cruising the Mediterranean" is $25.00 per person. Reservations must be made by November 11th. The JCC will also be offering Parents Night Out babysitting services for this event. Cost will be $3.00/hr per child ($2.00/hr for siblings). A $5.00 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a space.

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Veteran's Day Mini Camp

Monday November 11th
2 Camps - 3's - K, & 1st - 6th Grade

Let's go on a search and seek mission! That's right, we're having a scavenger hunt! Children from all school are welcome!

The 3's - Kindergarten will be on the lookout for "Gold" and US Flags, baking a flag cake, making arts & crafts projects and having fun. Don't forget the sack lunch for your child!

The 1st - 6th grade's scavenger hunt will take place at the Zoo and Arizona Mills Mall. You can either send a sack lunch or money for them to buy lunch at the mall.

Camp is from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Extended daycare is available from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. The cost is $25.00 for JCC Members and $35.00 Non-Members for camp and the cost for extended daycare is $3.30 an hour.

Sign up today! Space is limited! Payment is required to reserve your spot! Call Lisa at (480) 897-0588.

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Happy Hanukkah

Community Hanukkah Party at the JCC! Monday, December 2nd. Latke dinner, games, cookie decorating, crafts and more! Participate in our Menorah lighting! Details to follow.

AROUND THE CENTER

Seniors' Terrific Tuesdays

Tuesday, November 5th at 10:30 a.m. - Sam Coopersmith, an attorney who will discuss Arizona politics and its impact on the citizens.

Tuesday, November 12th at 10:30 a.m. - Second in our series of "A Docent A Month," Judith Washor will present "You Are Invited," so please come!

Tuesday, November 19th at 10:30 a.m. - We welcome one of our favorite guests, Rabbi Andrew Straus of Temple Emanuel. The program will be an exploration of "Psalms" and their effect on our every day life.

Tuesday, November 26th at 10:30 a.m. - Our speaker for today, Ed Everroad teaches a film course at Scottsdale Community College. His topic, "Film History," and its participants.

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How Does Your Garden Grow?

Thanks to all the fabulous families who "adopted" a shrub during our Sukkot Picnic/Dedication. The courtyard now has over 100 shrubs planted thanks to the generosity of our JCC friends and families. May we all continue to grow and thrive in our new location. Thanks again to Maira Zanrosso and Jodi Stoken for spearheading this project.
"Adopt A Shrub" donors for this month:
Sharon & Sean Baartmans
Rabbi & Karen Straus
Abbie Gregg
James & Amy Bley
Lindy & Betty Paul

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Winter Camp

December 23, 2002 - January 3, 2003

Winter camp is just around the corner! We will have 2 fabulous weeks planned for your child's enjoyment! Don't forget about our annual Crafts day, Sports day, and of course you can't forget about our SNOW DAY - 4 tons of ice-cold snow! Be on the lookout for more information.

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Tributes

Mazel Tov from Allen & Ilene Blau to the following:
George Jacobson on his new position
David Benedict on his promotion
Aaron Blau on his new job

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Lois Zeidman, from the TCJCC Board of Directors.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Jodi Stein, from the TCJCC Board of Directors.

Jonathon & Karen Andell, sons Justin & Jared, in loving memory of our daughter and sister, Rachel Lorraine Andell.

To Phyllis Tragethon, the mother of Richelle Auge for a speedy recovery from the TC JCC Staff.

David & Paula Turkon, on the loss of Paula's grandmother, Edith Abraham, from the TCJCC Staff.

To Jodi & Alan Stoken on the loss of Jodi's uncle from Bruce & Debby Lubitz.

To Mike Horne on the death of his father, from the TCJCC Staff.

Relocation Fund

Chuck & Alice Finn Gartell

Welcome New Members

Jerry & Meg Levinson
Arthur & Martha Harrison
Hector & Marsha Rotmistrovsky

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Art Around Us

Tuesday, November 12, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Phoenix Art Museum docent, Judith Washor will present the world's greatest artists from Deurer to Warhol and explain how they inspired artists throughout the ages. For all interested adult art lovers. Nominal admission fee.

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Spend & Save Programs

Now, pretty much wherever you go to buy your groceries, the JCC can benefit from your purchases. Safeway, Basha's, Albertsons and Fry's all have programs that will earn the JCC money!

BASHA'S - "THANKS A MILLION"
Basha's "Thanks A Million" program will earn the JCC 1% of all monies spent there until January 31, 2003.
      What you need to do: Link your "Thank You" card to our school by giving the cashier our 5 digit ID number. You will only have to do this once. Our ID number is: 29217. Then, every time you shop at Basha's and use your "Thank You" card, 1% of every dollar you spend will come to us. How easy is that?! Basha's allows up to three organizations to be linked to your card, so if you have already linked to another organization, you may still add the JCC.

ALBERTSONS - "COMMUNITY PARTNERS"
Albertsons "Community Partners" program has the potential of earning the JCC 2 to 5% of all sales.
      What you need to do: Because Albertsons does not have a savings card like Basha's or Fry's, you will need to obtain a "Community Partners Card" from the JCC office. Whenever you make a purchase from Albertsons, have the cashier swipe your "Community Partners Card". The amount of Albertsons contribution is calculated on a sliding scale. Buy lots!

SAFEWAY - "e-SCRIP"
Safeway's "e-Scrip" program works in the same fashion as Basha's "Thanks A Million". The JCC will receive 1 to 3%, depending on the amount spent.
      What you need to do: In our office, we have a "Grocery Club Card Sign-Up" form. Please fill out this form and return it to the front office, as soon as possible. Once your Safeway card number is entered into the system, you will start earning the JCC money for every carton of milk or loaf of bread you buy. You may also request a Safeway Card on this form if you don't already have one. You are allowed three different links on your card. If you have already linked to another organization, you may still add the JCC.

FRY'S (GELT) CERTIFICATES
This has been an on-going project here at the JCC for many years. So long in fact, that some people may have forgotten all about it!
      What you need to do: Purchase "Fry's gelt" in our front office.. The "gelt" may be used at any and all Fry's stores. For $20 you will received A $20 of certificate, but keep in mind that the JCC buys certificates at a discount. The JCC carries $10, $20, $25, and $50 denominations, used just like cash, you receive cash back for change. As you can see, no matter what grocery store you shop at, the JCC has the potential to profit! These are all easy programs to enroll in and to use on a regular basis. Ask your friends, relatives, and neighbors to enroll also, the more the merrier.

Happy shopping and remember that each little bit helps!

SCHOOL • YOUTH • CAMP

ECE UPDATES FOR NOVEMBER

Feeding the Hungry

During the month of November, the JCC Early Childhood Department will be collecting "food for the holidays." All food items will be donated to St. Mary's Food Bank.

The need for food is an ongoing concern, but particularly at holiday time, local agencies feed hundreds of hungry people. It is a mitzvah for us to do our part to help at this or any time of the year. If you would like to donate non-perishable food items for this cause, you may drop them off at the JCC until November 18th.

Caring for the Animals

Beginning the 18th of November, children at the JCC School will be collecting items on the wish list of the Arizona Humane Society. These items include:

• Dog & Puppy Food
• Cat & Kitten Food
• Clean & Gently Used Towels & Blankets
• Pillowcases
• Fuzzy toilet seat covers (to use as cat beds)

Collection will continue until December 13th. After which the older children will deliver the items to the Humane Society's new Campus of Compassion.

We encourage you to drop off any of the items listed above between November 18th & December 13th. You will be doing the mitzvah, TZA'AR BA'ALAY, Caring for Animals. Questions? Call Cynthia or Diane at 480-897-0588.

November Reminders

Holiday gift giving time is now almost upon us! Though the JCC will not be having its annual Book/Craft Fair this year, we will have a few opportunities for you to get some of your gift purchases completed.

On Tuesday, November 5, Discovery Toys will have a table set up, selling their fabulous toys. The JCC will be receiving a percentage of all sales. Toy pamphlets will be available in our front office soon.

Silhouettes

Also, on Tuesday, November 5, Judith Housel, the "Silhouette Lady" will be here capturing your child's likeness with her scissors (see samples on the front bulletin board). You may remember her from past years. Judith is a very talented artist and you will be amazed with her work.

Since so many of our families have two working parents, we will be glad to have your child's silhouette done during the school day. We will keep them in the office where they can be picked up at the end of the day.

The cost for a silhouette is $12/child and $6/addition silhouette of the same child. If you would like a silhouette of your child (she does babies too, or older siblings and adults from a profile picture), please fill out and return the form below with the correct payment. What a great Hanukkah gift!

Professional Development

Seventeen members of the Early Childhood staff recently attended the annual VSAEYC Conference in Phoenix. It was the largest staff contingent ever. Representing the school were Cynthia Benedict, Amira Kaczur, Hadassah Baldinger, Eileen Bayer, Sharon Bayer, Ruth Gotschall, Linda Pearlman, Nicole Elley and Janet Weiss. Attending from our infant/toddler program were Brenda Wyman, Alicia Gloria, Graciela Munguia, Liora Levy, Sigal Ekhaus, Elisa Lopes, Margaret Yingling and Lois Sussman.

A keynote speech focusing on infant/toddler brain development was followed by two sessions which included choices of art, science, illness prevention, physical education, playground design and more.

The staff are to be congratulated for their commitment to professional growth which will benefit all our children.

It's Not Too Late

It's still not too late to donate your gently used "discards" for the Early Childhood Department garage sale. We are especially in need of infant and toddler clothing, tools, kitchenware and small electrics. Most items may be brought to the JCC up until November 18th.
Arrangements to deliver large items (furniture) to the sale site may be made by calling Diane Umeda at 480-897-0588.

DAY SCHOOL NEWS...

Day School Volunteer Update

I would like to thank Carol Meyers for all her efforts in recruiting volunteers for the Day School. We have six parents who have volunteered for 38 volunteer positions. This is a wonderful beginning to school involvement. Volunteer information will be helpful in a variety of ways:

• To assist the teachers so they will know which parents want to be involved with what;
• In program planning;
• In determining fundraising activities.

Please take a moment to see if there are ways that you might contribute some time to the Day School.

Open House

On Sunday, November 24th from 2:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m., the TCJCC Day School will be hosting an "Open House" to welcome interested families to meet our faculty, talk with Day School students, and tour the school. The Greater Arizona Puppet Theatre will be presenting "Hanukah Show" for our entertainment; there will be a Pretzel Bonanza where the students will create their own Judaica out of fresh pretzel dough; create a Hanukah centerpiece for your families table out of arts & crafts, and listen to the beautiful sounds of our talented Day School choir as they give an enchanting performance.

Kippot Policy

At the September Day School Committee meeting, a kippot policy was adopted by the School Committee. On October 21st we instituted this policy so that all of the Day School boys will wear a kippa the entire day. We encourage the children to wear their own kippot, but have kippot available for any boy or girl who chooses to wear one supplied by the school. We will be ordering new kippot soon with the East Valley JCC Day School logo.

YOUTH / PARENT ACTIVITIES

Parents Night Out

Parents Night Out is back! For those of you who have no idea what Parents Night Out is let me tell you! 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 Progressive Dinner. What better way to spend the evening (drop your kids off at the JCC then go from house to house to house eating all the way!)? You can still take advantage of our Parents Night Out even if you can't make the Progressive Dinner. Here are all the details!

WHEN:	Saturday November 16th
WHERE:	East Valley JCC, 1521 S Indian Bend Rd, Tempe 85281
TIME:	6:00 pm - Midnight
COST:	$3.00 per hour for first child $2.00 per hour for each additional sibling

A $5.00 Non-refundable deposit (This will be deducted from your total cost) 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.

Mommy & Me

Just in time for the holidays! Moms, Grandma's, Aunt's, etc, let's make a bear! We will be at Build-a-Bear in Chandler Fashion Center on Sunday November 17th at 3:00pm. The cost is $10.00 for every bear you make. (We must have a minimum of 6 bears being made.) Your bear will come home with you with a Birth Certificate and a ribbon tied around its neck or ear. Clothing and other accessories will be available for purchase at the Build-a-Bear store. Stop by or call Lisa to reserve your spot!

Youth Clubs

Come spend an evening at the JCC making Hanukkah gifts for your friends and family (and of course keep some for yourself too!) On Thursday November 14th from 6:30 - 8:00pm we will have a variety of goodies for you to create (picture frames, silk pictures, necklaces, etc)! We will have cookies and snacks to munch on so we'll be able to keep our mouths just as busy as our hands! See Lisa to sign up!