EVJCC Blog
Summer camp extended to Aug. 14
With Gov. Doug Ducey's executive order that schools won't resume until Aug. 17 due to the increase of COVID-19 numbers, the East Valley JCC has extended summer camp until Aug. 14. The weekly price for Camp Rimon Gadol, for grades K-9, will remain the same: $210/week...
June 14 concert to celebrate resilience, resistance and hope
The Center for Holocaust Education and Human Dignity of the East Valley JCC is honored to be one of more than 100 organizations worldwide participating in a live-stream concert this weekend that commemorates the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 77th...
A celebration of dairy
The two-day holiday of Shavuot, which begins on the evening of Thursday, May 28 this year, is a harvest festival that also celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Shavuot, or the "Feast of Weeks," is celebrated seven weeks after Passover and traditions...
A Mother’s Day menu
For those who want to try preparing a home-cooked brunch for Mother's Day, Chef Melinda has prepared a menu for the special day: Israeli Couscous Salad, Roasted Beet Salad, Blintz Souffle, Quiche and Limonana Frozen Mint Lemonade. These recipes can also work for...
CARES Act adds new deduction that can help nonprofits
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a new law that went into effect in March, is a $2 trillion economic stimulus package legislated to provide immediate relief for all taxpayers, including nonprofits. One aspect of this new law is a new...
‘Unorthdox Uncovered’ is EVJCC’s first international event
If we had to name one silver lining in everyone staying home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it would be that people are finding ways to stay connected and involved in their community. This past weekend, the East Valley JCC held our first-ever event open to anyone in...
Chef Melinda’s Passover Matzah Granola
Are you looking for another option for breakfast during Passover when you tire of Matzah Brei? Here's a recipe from Chef Melinda McNeil, which she made with assistance from her 4-year-old sous chef. Yield: 6 cups Ingredients 6 sheets matzoh (2 ½ c crushed)¾ c sliced...
Blau family shares J.O.T. Chicken recipe
Back in the 1980s, the Jewish Organization of Tempe (J.O.T.), which was the predecessor of the East Valley JCC, published a cookbook. Aaron Blau, board chair of the EVJCC, shared the following recipe, which has become a family favorite for Passover. (Pictured above is...
Matzah Brittle
When you start craving sweets during Passover, here's a recipe from Chef Melinda McNeil that should please any sweet tooth. Ingredients 4-6 sheets matzah 6 oz (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter 1 c packed brown sugar ½ tsp vanilla pinch salt ¾ c chocolate chips ¾ c sliced...