November 2003
PRESCHOOL
On Friday, November 21, the JCC Preschool will welcome grandparents to share Kabbalat Shabbat with their grandchildren at the weekly service. In addition to sharing in the traditional snack of challah and juice, guests will participate in Shabbat blessings and songs the children sing every week to prepare for the Sabbath. This is a wonderful experience for children and grandparents alike.THANKSGIVING AT THE J
Wednesday, November 26, will find children and staff of the JCC Preschool celebrating at the Annual Thanksgiving Feast. Children learn special holiday songs and create decorations for their classrooms and the dining tables. As we retell the story of the pilgrims and their difficult early months in this country, the plenty, which was enjoyed later on, reminds all of us how fortunate we are. Best wishes to all of you for a happy holiday.MEN'S CLUB
The Men's Club at the East Valley JCC is a group that meets one Sunday morning a month, featuring a variety of speakers from sports broadcasters, to political analysts, to literary specialists. Everyone is welcome, and we are always looking for new friends to join us! A bagel & lox breakfast is served at 9:30, and the lectures begin about 10 a.m. If you are interested in getting on this mailing list, please call Ilene at the JCC at 897-0588. This month's speaker is Professor Norman Levine, with a lecture entitled, "The Renaissance of Jewish Life in Berlin." In 1983-84, and again in 1987-88 I was a Senior Fulbright Research Scholar and conducted a year of research in Berlin on each occasion. Since then I visited Berlin repeatedly, and this summer spent 6 weeks there. Based on my experiences over all these years I will speak on the rebirth of Jewry in Berlin, and all of Germany: the growth of the Jewish population, Jewish newspapers, community associations, Holocaust Memorials, and the education of German youth about the Holocaust, as well as the attitude of the German Government toward Jews.Sunday, Dec. 14 @ 9:30 a.m.
RSVP to the JCC at 480-897-0588
Encourage Kids,
Build Confidence,
Make New Friends!
If you do not normally participate in our camp or youth programs, now is the time. This is a great place for your children to interact, learn and meet other kids their ages, without the pressure of school.
VETERAN'S DAY MINI CAMP
Please join us for our Veteran's Day Mini Camp on Tuesday November 11th. We have 2 camps to choose from: 3's - Kindergarten & 1st - 8th grade. This Veteran's Day Camp plan on bouncing the day away! That's right, the JCC will have 2 moon bounces here for our entertainment! Not only will we enjoy all the usual fun activities such as sports and arts & crafts, but we will also spend time jumping in the moon bounces!Camp is from 9:00am - 4:00pm. Extended daycare is available from 7:00 - 9:00am and 4:00 - 6:00pm. The cost is $25.00 for JCC Members and $35.00 Non-Members for camp and the cost for extended daycare is $3.50 an hour. Sign up today! Space is limited! Payment is required to reserve your spot! Call Lisa at (480) 897-0588.
WINTER CAMP
Winter camp is just around the corner - December 22nd-January 2nd (closed Dec. 25th & Jan.1st). We will have 8 fabulous days planned for your child's enjoyment! Don't forget about our annual 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.YOUTH CLUBS
Welcome to "The Bounce Zone"! This month we are off to The Bounce Zone located in Gilbert for an evening of Moon Bounces, Giant Slides, Obstacle Courses and Super Big Boxing Gloves!We must have a minimum of 10 people to hold this event.
When: Tuesday November 25th
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Cost: $7.50 per person
Call Lisa at (480) 897-0588 for more information.
AROUND THE CENTER
SENIORS' TERRIFIC TUESDAYS
Join us, bring a friend, and enjoy!! All East Valley residents are welcome. Membership in the JCC is not a requirement for attendance. $1.50 for JCC Members / $2.00 for non-Members. Please Join Us! Refreshments will be served.Tuesday, November 4th at 10:30 a.m. Harold Falk returns with new brain-teasing lessons in Judaism 101.
Tuesday, November 11th at 10:30 a.m. "Ladies Fashions", the Phoenix Art Museum program for today presented by docent JUDY NOWAK. See the evolution of fashion from 1900-1940.
Tuesday, November 18th at 10:30 a.m. "Where are we going, and are we there yet?" ROGER BALL, Public Information Officer for Maricopa County Department of Transportation will update us on proposed plans design and construction of new roads and mass transport for the valley.
Tuesday, November 25th at 10:30 a.m. NANCY HURLEY, Phoenix Art Museum docent whose program will be, "Who Is Your Muse?" Learn loads of tidbits from personal lives! Sounds intriguing - please join us.
Fall 2003: Jewish Cultural Arts Series
The Idea of Love: A History
"What is this thing called Love?"Professor Norman Levine, author of the book, "The Discoveries of Love: Paganism," will lecture on the evolution of the concept of love in western civilization from the Hebrews to the Contemporary world. Co-sponsored with Miriam Hadassah, the three-part lecture series will be held at the East Valley JCC at 7:00 p.m.. on selected Wednesdays.
November 12 - The Greco-Roman World
November 19 - The Hebrew Concept of Love
December 3 - From the Pope to Pornography
Cost per Lecture: JCC/Hadassah/Seniors, $6; Non-Member, $8.
Cost For Entire Series: JCC/Hadassah/Seniors, $15; Non-Member, $21.
"Reassessing Jews in American Life"
Join Dr. Michael Rubinoff for the second lecture in this exciting series. Lecture II - American Jewish Literature and Film, held Tuesday, November 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the East Valley JCC. This lecture focuses on how Jews have been portrayed in contemporary literature and film.Cost per Lecture: $12; Seniors, $8
Monthly Book Club
"Secret Life of Bee's"
By Sue Monk Kidd
Hosted by Lisa Wright
Monday, November 24 at 7:00 p.m.
RSVP to 480-838-5871
Art All Around Us
Two great outreach presentations from the Phoenix Art Museum in conjunction with the TCJCC Adult Education Department are scheduled for November. On November 11 at 10:30 a.m., docent Judy Nowak will present "Ladies Fashions 1900-1940." This talk will explore the socio-economic and cultural factors that influenced ladies fashions. Ms. Nowak will demonstrate how fashion evolved from a way to flaunt wealth, to a way to celebrate new freedoms for women and finally as an escape from economic recession and depression. On November 25 at 10:30 a.m., docent Nancy Hurley, will present, "Who is Your Muse?" This talk centers around thirteen artists from Botticelli to Wegman, focusing on whom or what inspired them. There will be loads of tidbits on their personal lives! Refreshments.SCHOOL • YOUTH • CAMP
Book Sale
It's time to clear off those shelves and stacks of books you've read this past year. The November Used Book Sale benefits the Early Childhood programs at the JCC. Contemporary adult hardback and paperback books as well children's literature are most in demand. Ask book lovers you know if they have any tax deductible contributions they might care to donate. Don't forget to do a little browsing yourself during our annual book sale!Direct Your Tax Dollars
A unique opportunity allows Arizona residents to contribute to Jewish Day Schools. The East Valley JCC Day School as well as other valley Jewish Day Schools have formed a non-profit corporation which allows tax payers to contribute up to $625 to a School Tuition Organization (STO) which will be credited dollar for dollar against Arizona payer's state income tax. The statue was conceived to provide funds for day school education scholarships.The East Valley JCC kindergarten program as well as the JCC Day School will be the direct beneficiaries of the statute. Your contribution to the scholarship fund simply reduces your tax liability by the amount you contribute up to $625. What a tremendous opportunity to direct your tax dollars toward Jewish Day School education.
Rummage Sale
The world's greatest garage sale will be held at Diane Umeda's home on November 21 & 22 (Friday and Saturday); this event is usually the Early Childhood Department's most productive fundraiser of the year.Your donations are the foundation for the success of this event. Furniture, adult and children's clothing, baby toys and furniture, house wares, small electrics, art & décor items, any gently used items will be appreciated. You may drop them off at the JCC or arrange with Diane to bring them directly to her home. This especially applies to large pieces of furniture. We will gladly supply a donation letter for tax purposes.
Questions? Call Diane at 897-0588 for information.
The Pied Piper Comes to the "J" in December!
Please join the East Valley JCC and Creative Zone (a teen acting troupe that is part of the Mesa Arts Center) on Tuesday December 9th at 7:00pm at the East Valley JCC as they perform their version of "The Pied Piper." This teen troupe (ages 13-16) not only does the acting, but they were also in charge of rewriting some of the original script to "create original characters with unique dialogue and motivated action." It's sure to be an hour of fun entertainment for the low low price of $1.00 per adult and .50 per child! RSVP to Lisa Today!Thanks, IBM.
Thanks to IBM, the Kindergarten and First Grade class has three new Young Explorer Computer Systems in their rooms. A proposal was submitted by the TCJCC to the Valley of the Sun United Way Corporate Giving Program requesting the donation. Awards were recently made to the selected agencies at the Phoenix office. The United Way additionally, made arrangements with ASU computer science students to install the new computers and provide any instructional assistance.What a Night!
More than 225 party-goers attended the TCJCC Casino Night "Bet On Our Future," held at the Pollack's ranch. Saturday, October 25th and what a night it was! Gaming, looking around, eating, looking around, drinking, raffles, looking around, music, silent auction, looking around, magic, raffles, schmoozing with new & old friends and some more looking around!A big thank you to volunteers -- Richard Rickel, Dave Wattel, David Pinkwasser, Harold Falk, Rachel and Ken Gordon, Alan Blau, Howard Charnofsky, Lois Rubin, Jill Barenbaum, Lorraine Swartz, Shari Davis, Robin Getz, Andrea Falk, Kim & Aaron Blau, Lisa and Daryl Edson, Courtney Weintraub, Eric Hizme, Jon Marks, and Meg Gabay, and to everyone who helped make this event such a success. A special thanks to Blair Dworkin for designing the outstanding invitations and to Glenn Davis for his photography. We wish to express our deepest appreciation to our hosts, Cheryl and Michael Pollack for their generosity and gracious hospitality and to all the community members who supported this event.
Mitzvah Day
The 7th Annual Mitzvah Day is Sunday, November 16. Organized locally by the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, this day is dedicated to projects that help in the community in different ways. The East Valley JCC is a collection point for holiday gifts for children who are less fortunate. Please bring in unwrapped, new gifts to the TJCC during the week of November 10-14.Shopping for the Holidays?
Mom's & Dad's, do you need to get away from your children for a few hours so you can buy their holiday gifts? Well, the East Valley JCC has come to your rescue! On Sunday December 7th from 1:00-5:00pm you may drop your child(ren) off at the JCC and spend the afternoon shopping! This is on a reservation basis only and we must have a minimum of 10 kids to make this happen. The cost is just $10.00 per child for the afternoon. Please see either Lisa or Meg to sign up!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! Here are all the details!WHEN: Saturday November 15th
WHERE: East Valley JCC, 1521 S. Indian Bend Rd., Tempe 85281
TIME: 6 pm - 11 pm
COST: $3 per hour per child
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.