Exclusive updates for our donors and supporters from your MJCC Volume 1.0 - September 2012
MJCC membership number reaches historic high! With more than 1,500 memberships – representing more than 4,000 individuals – MJCC memberships are at an alltime high. But we have room for more! Please encourage your friends and family to join the J and take advantage of all we have to offer – fitness, swimming, health and wellness and Jewish programming for all ages.
Happy Holidays from our Board and Executive Director
As we begin the High Holy Days, we reflect on the community support that strengthens and makes possible all that we do at the MJCC. This newsletter is one way for us to share with you the magic that occurs here at the MJCC every day, thanks to your support.
photo by: Oolite Photography
Not a member yet? Don’t delay! Call or email Matt Sasser at 503.535.3603 or msasser@oregonjcc.org and mention this newsletter for a special offer.
Last year, our community contributed $480,000 to the MJCC, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s generous support of $115,000 for operations. We are also sustained by Federation’s additional support of $220,000 for mortgage payments and a most generous contribution of $100,000 from Arlene Schnitzer to pay down the mortgage. Todah rabbah – thank you – for your generous and enduring support. Our community’s support makes possible a wide array of cultural and educational programs. Please join us this fall for Rosh Hashana and Sukkot programs, Shabbat, Melton Core, Jewish Book Month, a lecture on Iran and so many other choices. We hope that you will also join us in remembering those less fortunate with a donation to our apples and honey drive, in partnership with the Sunshine Food Pantry, Oregon’s only kosher food pantry. With warmest wishes for a sweet New Year,
DONATE TO THE MJCC! Edy Dorsen Board President
Lisa Horowitz Executive Director
Gifts of every size are welcome and appreciated!
Donate online! www.oregonjcc.org/support
In the Loop...
Friends of the Center Dinner Honors Jerry Sadis, raises more than $120,000
We had a magical evening honoring long-time board member and former board president Jerry Sadis last spring. Thank you to our many generous donors and sponsors.
KUDOS TO THE STINGRAYS SWIM TEAM!
Their Aquathons this year and last raised $8,000 to fund our pool’s new fun float, which is due to arrive any day now!
MJCC Board of Directors Jordan D. Schnitzer - Chairman Edith Dorsen - Board President Jerry Sadis - Executive Vice President Stacy Barna Barry Benson Brian Carleton Eric Kodesch Shirlee Lenske Ellen Lippman Mark S. Meyer Bob Philip Gayle Schnitzer Romain Steve Rosenberg Alison Rosenfeld Jay Zidell
J
FIND YOURSELF AT THE
More than 300 campers enjoyed MJCC summer camp this year
Shhhh... not everyone knows yet!
Well, you can tell people once you read this, but we wanted you to be among the first to know…
Dan Alon, Munich Olympic athlete, to visit MJCC on October 18
What makes the MJCC day camp different? Our campers learn to swim as part of the camp day and celebrate Shabbat on Fridays. We have adult counselors, many of whom are teachers. We offer extended hours specially designed with the needs of working parents in mind. Also, thanks to our generous camp sponsors, we were able to offer “camperships” so that everyone could attend MJCC summer camp: • • • • • • • • • •
Albertsons Kenneth S. Antell Frank and Lee Berne Alice Crompton Juan Young Trust Sadie and Henry Levenick Herman and Andrea Marenstein Northwest Control Co. Pacific Office Automation Portland Timbers Community Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation • Keith Proctor • Sterling Bank
In 1972, Dan Alon was at the Munich Olympics as a fencer representing Israel when terrorists attacked the Israeli dormitories. Dan escaped, although 11 other Israeli athletes and coaches did not. Please join us to hear Dan speak about his new memoir. This blockbuster event will feature other Olympic athletes as well and we are expecting a standing-room-only crowd. We are delighted to host this event, sponsored by Chabad of Oregon. Spaces are very limited. To reserve a spot, please go to www.chabadoregon.com/danalon. Here at the MJCC we held a moment of silence in memory of the Munich victims at the time of the 2012 opening ceremony in London. We are honored to host Dan Alon.
Keeping our beautiful facility up-to-date New Year Clean-Up
As the Jewish New Year approaches, we are putting our best face forward. We’ve refreshed both pools with new paint (and fresh water!) and painted and rejuvenated our vestibule entry. We will be refinishing the gymnasium floor.
www.oregonjcc.org/daycamp
The Greening of the J
Roof repairs, upgrades heating/air conditioning upgrades, a new boiler and water metering system - add them all up for energy savings!
Carol Mangan, Oregon President of Sterling Bank and Laura Pisaneschi, Oregon Vice President of Sterling Bank, present the Bank’s sponsorship check to Executive Director Lisa Horowitz and Chief Financial Officer Beth Germain.
Security First
Earlier this year, we changed to the leading international security company Securitas. Please stop and say hello to our new guards: Kayla, Diamon and Burke.
Better Together
We love to partner with other agencies, both Jewish and non-Jewish. This is one of the many ways we steward our community’s resources to achieve the maximum programming for the minimum investment. Here is a sample of our partnership efforts. For more info: visit www.oregonjcc.org/event_calendar
We are delighted to offer Melton at the J starting this fall. Choose from Core Melton Rhythms of Jewish Living, Purposes of Jewish Living, Ethics of Jewish Living and Dramas of Jewish Living Through the Ages or a wide range of
Spotlight Courses.
One Book, One Community Chapter One: An Exploration Mother’s Circle (for nonJewish and recently-Jewish mothers raising Jewish children) informational meeting. Sun., Sept. 23, 9:30 am
My Father’s Paradise In celebration of Jewish Book Month. Presented by: MJCC, Hadassah, Jewish Theatre Collaborative.
Monday, Nov. 5, 7:00 pm www.oregonjcc.org/onebook
Build the Sukkah BBYO, the premier Jewish teen leadership program, meets at the MJCC.
Sept. 30, 2012 12:00 - 2:00 pm with storytelling provided by PJ Library and snacks by PJA. The Oys and Joys of Childbirth and Parenting
The Oys and Joys of Childbirth and Parenting
A New and Expectant Parent Workshop Series This communal Jewish childbirth, adoption and early parenting education program will cover an array of topics related to welcoming and raising a child from the Jewish perspective. Learn about all the programs and services our community has to offer and make connections. Speakers include: Caron Blau Rothstein, MA/MSW PJ Library/Jewish Federation Mohel Rabbi Tzvi Fischer, Portland Kollel Corinne Spiegel, M.S. Spec. Ed., JFCS Infant First Aid and CPR Certified Instructor, MJCC
Wed., Oct. 17, 24 and Nov 7 7:00 to 8:30 In partnership with JFCS Kollel PJ Library the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland Wednesdays, Oct. 17, 24, Nov. 7 7:00 - 8:30 pm $36/family for series. Code: CG107 $50/family for series with CPR training on Nov. 14. Code: CG108
Drawing from Photographs with Srule Brachman, Ed.S
Mondays Oct. 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5 7:15 - 9:15 pm
Register at www.oregonjcc.org
We are grateful to the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and our community for their support of the MJCC.
A Course for Women who are Jews-by-Choice with Congregation Shaarie Torah. Free. Starts Nov. 29, 7:00 pm
Super Sunday Community Action Day! Federation’s Super Sunday will return to the MJCC campus after many years, in a new format that will include community service opportunities as well as a concert by renowned Jewish rocker, Rick Recht. Sunday, Nov. 18 9:30 am to 8:30 pm Supported by
www.jewishportland.org
MJCC • 6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219 • 503.244.0111 • www.oregonjcc.org