EVJCC Blog
Mindful Monday: Know How to Pivot
By Wayne "Dr. B" Benenson, Ph.D. Woody Allen famously joked, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” At every stage of life we make plans, set out where we want to go, and imagine what it would be like when we have “arrived.” But things...
Mindful Monday: To Be Hopeful in Bad Times
By Wayne "Dr. B" Benenson, Ph.D. “To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this...
Volunteer Spotlight: Shulamit Resendez
We truly appreciate our volunteers and we want you to know how wonderful they are so we plan to feature some of them in the weeks to come. This month's volunteer is Shulamit Resendez, who is the Early Learning Center's Parent Ambassador Chair. How long have you...
Learning readiness begins in your calm place
By Wayne "Dr. B" Benenson, Ph.D. One of the first things an effective teacher does before any lesson happens is to determine a student's readiness for learning. There are so many potential obstacles to consider: a student's ability to pay attention, whether the...
Volunteer spotlight: Louise Moskowitz
We truly appreciate our volunteers and we want you to know how wonderful they are so we plan to feature some of them in the weeks to come. Our first featured volunteer is Louise Moskowitz, who delivers our JBox kosher meals to individuals and families in the East...
EVJCC launches new ‘Doing Jewish’ grants program for teens
Applications are now available for the East Valley JCC’s Doing Jewish Youth Grants, a new grants program for Jewish students in grades 7-12 who live in the Greater Phoenix area. “Judaism is about doing,” says Rabbi Michael Beyo, EVJCC CEO. “It’s about how we live our...
Mindful meditation
Wayne "Dr. B" Benenson, Ph.D. Mindfulness is a superpower where you intentionally focus your attention instead of having it tossed about by racing thoughts or runaway emotions. It also allows you to choose your mindset and shift how you relate to an experience with...
Early Learning Center launches campaign for playground renovation
The Early Learning Center at the East Valley JCC has launched a Playground Project to renovate the playground and we need your help! The project includes new shade structures, new playground equipment, new grass, a new patio/sukkah cover and a new fence. The total...
When stuck on shrill, take a chill pill
Although this is billed as the season to be jolly, it's all too easy to become a holiday harpy. How can mindfulness help? This month's blog is about a healthier way to respond when everything in your path goes sideways. This is for those moments when you feel cornered...