Fitness Success
INSIDE
November - December 2014 / Cheshvan – Kislev 5775
New Senior Services Staff
Youth Theatre’s Teen production of Honk Jr. More on page 8.
jccstl.org
Israeli shlicha Joins J
Maccabi Returns jccstl.org
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From the Rabbi... A Jewish Thanksgiving
Rabbi Brad Horwitz
I often tell my school aged children that you can never say “please” or “thank you” too much. It doesn’t get too old and no one will ever fault you for giving thanks and showing appreciation. Actually, the more sense of appreciation and thanks one gives, the better. There is no better time to reinforce this message for ourselves and our children than Thanksgiving.
These values associated with Thanksgiving are also core Jewish values. Actually, there is a blessing for almost everything in the Jewish tradition to express our gratitude. Before and after eating food, there a blessing thanking God for bringing forth bread from the earth and providing a world that will sustain us and satiate us through the food we eat. When we see wonders of nature there is a blessing that exists to thank God and show appreciation for the beauty of our world. We say blessings to mark special occasions such as when we buy new things or have a new experience. When a loved one dies, we say a special prayer called kaddish to honor their memory and to affirm life. The list of blessings go on and on. One of the prayers in our daily liturgy reads, “We thank You (God) and praise You morning, noon and night for Your miracles which daily attend us and for Your wondrous kindness.” Some might not consider the daily occurrence of the sun rising and setting or the seasons or the air we breathe to be miraculous, but my guess is that most of us do not think about these things on a regular basis. All of these Jewish blessings and prayers are designed and provided to us by the rabbis in our tradition so that we don’t take our lives for granted. Actually, the rabbis tell us that we should attempt to say one hundred blessings each day. So, as Americans sit around the table enjoying Turkey, pumpkin pie and all the other traditional Thanksgiving foods, I encourage us all to not miss this special time to show our thanks and appreciation for many things. Make a list of top ten things of which your family is appreciative. Go around the table and give the opportunity for everyone to share their thoughts. Do a community service project for someone who is as not blessed as you may be. Whatever works best for you, just don’t forget to express your thanks. Ken yehi ratzon. So may it be God’s will!,
Rabbi Brad Horwitz
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Contents 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 11 12 15 16 17 18 19 19 20 24
Rabbi Brad Theodore Bikel at JBF Fitness Opportunities Fitness Success Cultural Arts Youth Theatre Youth J Welcomes Shlicha Fitness Lighten Up 2015 Maccabi is Back Youth Hoops NIshmah Seniors Board of Directors Tributes Looking Ahead
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Youth Theatre
Fitness
OUR MISSION
The St. Louis Jewish Community Center is an interactive multigenerational gathering place which imparts Jewish values; promotes individual physical and spiritual growth; creates a caring responsible community and supports those in need; encourages an appreciation for our Jewish identity, history and cultural heritage through effective and innovative education, programming and services; fosters connection, Jewish continuity and creates Jewish memories… in an inclusive and welcoming environment.
JEWISH BOOK FESTIVAL
Fiddler Legend Headlines Jewish Book Festival Theo Bikel Appears as 36th Annual Keynote Author
Theodore Bikel will grace the stage at the 36th annual St. Louis Jewish Book Festival on the occasion of his 90th birthday year, a year in which he expanded his autobiography and stars in a new film, Theodore Bikel: In the Shoes of Sholom Aleichem. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof, in which Theo has performed the role of Tevye more than 2,000 times! To define versatility is to capture the essence of Theo Bikel: the actor on stage, screen and television; the folksinger and guitarist; the author, lecturer and raconteur; and the activist and arts advocate. Bikel’s career is illuminated by superior stage, screen and television portrayals. In London, he won acclaim playing the Russian Colonel in The Love Of Four Colonels, and on Broadway his roster of memorable performances includes Tonight In Samarkand, The Rope Dancers, The Lark and the original Broadway production of The Sound Of Music in which he created the role of Baron von Trapp. Bikel’s accomplished screen roles include The Defiant Ones (for which he received an Academy Award nomination), The African Queen, My Fair Lady, and The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming. Bikel’s television career in the United States spans some 35 years with roles in Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Law and Order, Murder She Wrote, Star Trek: The Next Generation and many others.
Theodore Bikel
‘Retiring’ - within that word is ‘tiring,’ and I’m not tired. I don’t believe in retirement, really. Theodore Bikel
Born in 1924 in Vienna, Theo Bikel was thirteen when he and his parents left Austria for Palestine. Bikel is fluent in Hebrew, Yiddish and German, with a respectable command of English and French. He has recorded 20 record albums, mostly for the Elektra label, and co-founded of the Newport Folk Festival. Don’t Miss This Living Legend! See additional authors appearing on page 7
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Signature Small Group Training Fitness
Fitness for Everybody = No Excuses Body Transformations Inspire It’s time to switch things up! You’ve been looking at the same scenery, lifting the same weights, and pressing the same buttons on your treadmill. It’s time to explore how to freshen up your workout – the J is the right place at the right time. The J has more options than you may realize to charge up your workouts and get your blood pumping. The holidays are right around the corner – are you ready? If you haven’t picked up the most recent J Program Guide, there are nine pages of fitnessrelated programs. We have more than 32 certified personal trainers to guide you, motivate you and get in your face if necessary to set and achieve fitness goals. These dedicated professionals lead a plethora of classes, train individual and small groups and instruct specialty training. Beyond the fitness center, another 50 plus instructors will encourage and inspire you in group exercise classes. There’s no end!
Getting Started
All J members are entitled to an annual fitness and wellness checkup. In this case it’s a Fitness Consultation done by one of our certified trainers. If you’re already oriented with the fitness center, then use it for body measurements comparisons and advice on where to take your fitness goals. Members are entitled to one free consultation a year, schedule yours today.
See a Difference in Six Weeks
Transforming your body isn’t easy. Joining a group of likeminded people, all with similar goals, led by a trainer, makes the transformation much more achievable. Six-Week Body Transformation groups have been sprouting up all over both J locations and there’s room for more. Bride-to-be and J member Meredith Tate decided this route may work in preparation for her wedding. She got the results she wanted and so much more!
Tate recalls deciding to join the program to lose some weight for her upcoming nuptials. “I wasn’t sure what to expect – but I definitely wasn’t expecting to make friends and lose eight whole inches from my body in only six weeks. The 6 Week program kept me on a strict workout schedule (which I need, as follow-through isn’t always my strongest attribute), and it definitely paid off.” She continued, “During the program, my now-husband frequently commented that I appeared to have more energy during the day. Multiple people at my wedding, whom I hadn’t seen since before starting the program, commented on my weight loss, and the muscle tone I gained in my arms. I enjoyed the people, the program, and the results so much, that I decided to sign up for the next round and keep going, even though my wedding is over.” Small group workouts, like the 6 Week program, are perfect for those looking for a push. They offer a dedicated personal trainer, peer motivation, tracking of body measurements, fitness and diet tips and three workouts a week over the course of six weeks. The other bonus is the low cost per session of receiving 18 training sessions, with a trainer – it can’t be beat! Jeniffer Owens, another 6 Week participant credits the program for changing her life. “I started the 6 Week Body Transformation program at my heaviest weight and my lowest confidence level.” Owens reveals. “I couldn’t do a lunge, squat, or even 10 full sit-ups. At 33, exercise had never been a part of my life and food had been the center of it which showed on my 5’4” frame. Learning about healthier food choices, keeping a food journal, and committing to my weekly workouts has resulted in me losing over 30 inches and 30 pounds!” [Personal trainers] Jason Davis and Malinda Walker have been amazing! This program is not only challenging but it’s also very supportive and gives you the tools to change your life!” Groups are forming and ongoing at both J locations. Don’t put off until tomorrow when you want to make a change today. New groups begin soon.
Specialty Groups Explode on the Scene
Signature Training consists of specialty groups that meet once a week. Programs impose demanding effort, but provide outstanding results. There are several variations of classes to choose from, so you can decide what works best for you. Monthly registration is encouraged so you can see results and form bonds with fellow participants, but a one-class experience is welcome.
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Fitness
Signature Small Groups (Fox Bldg) No Boys Allowed: Women’s Strength & Conditioning – pretty much exactly as it sounds Tread & Shred – create the runner you’ve always wanted to be, focusing on running form, ability, plyomentrics and strength exercises Insanity® Plus – intense cardio and conditioning program targeting the whole body Golf Fitness – a new program geared toward core stability, strength straining and muscle memory used for golf
Signature Small Groups (SFC) Box Your BEST – cardio and strength driven class using boxing training methods and techniques TRX & Battle Rope Boot Camp – challenging workouts primarily using TRX suspension straps and similar fitness equipment
Also available: Suspension Training, Rise & Sweat Boot Camp, IMPACT (Outdoor) Boot Camp & Box Your Best Jr. TRX & Battle Rope Boot Camp and Suspension Training instructor Valerie Silberman loves watching her participants gain strength, sometime without even realizing it. “Activities in class can be easily modified to provide hardcore intense training, a moderate challenge or an introductory full body workout! It is a smart, highly effective exercise tool which always has a focus on the body’s core.”
J.A.M.M.A. Fitness – cardio intense workout using several self-defense methods, designed to develop speed, power, balance, agility, core strength and more
continued on page 14
Motivation + Attitude = Confidence Shines with Results and Gratitude Ongoing Commitment Craig Goldford’s Success Story Positive Fitness Journey One of the most common reasons that has been Realized adults turn to fitness in mid-life is a desire to recapture a modicum of youthfulness and energy. Often it is simply to improve health and well-being. These two important aspects, coupled with a longing to once again incorporate a dedication to fitness from earlier in life, are what propelled Craig Goldford into taking a most important step in his journey toward wellness. Craig grew up at the J. From participating in racquetball and basketball games as a teen to working in the cafes, he has wonderful memories of his time spent here. The only problem was a 35-year hiatus, during which time Craig admits to having become a “couch potato.” While his wife and children are avid exercisers continued on page 14
Bad gym experiences and lack of direction led Kay and Jesse Stansberry to the doors of the J in Feb. 2012. It’s unfortunate when gyms fail to realize the potential their members hold. But to the good fortune of both the J and Kay (and Jesse), Kay has not only dipped into her untapped potential, she has grabbed on with both hands and revitalized her life. Kay took advantage immediately of the free fitness consultation all members are entitled to the day after joining, meeting with personal trainer Joe Ryan. She had never worked with a trainer before, but felt it was important to get professional help as she looked to start a positive fitness journey. “I wasn’t sure what to expect when I starting working with Joe. At first I just wanted to make it through our sessions without passing out or throwing up,” Kay recalls. “I was surprised how quickly my fitness [levels] improved and that I was able to do more intense and demanding exercises.” continued on page 15 jccstl.org
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Cultural Arts
NJT Vets Young and Old Star in Diary of Anne Frank “Chai” Season Offers Life Affirming Shows All Season
New Jewish Theatre 18th Season Becoming Dr. Ruth by Mark St. Germain 12/4-12/21
Imagining Madoff by Deb Margolin 1/22-2/8
Sight Unseen by Donald Margulies 3/12-3/29
My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, a Musical David Hein & Irene Sankoff 5/7-5/31
For complete descriptions and ticket information visit newjewishtheatre.org or call 314-442-3283. Full season brochures are also available at both J locations.
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The New Jewish Theatre (NJT) opened its 2014-15 “Chai” season with its first ever production of the iconic play The Diary of Anne Frank. In the previous 17 seasons we have never before presented this play with its very large cast and scenic demands. But with our chai season of life-affirming theatre, it is fitting that we opened with a play that expresses feelings of hope and inspiration even in the darkest hours. The play featured NJT Artistic Associate and St. Louis professional theatre legend, Bobby Miller who played the role of Otto Frank. Bobby returned to the stage after a 20 year hiatus with the 2008 NJT production of The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife. Since then, he hasn’t looked back. He has worked for most of the St. Louis local theatres, either as actor or director and has received many awards and accolades for his work. As Artistic Associate for NJT, Bobby either directs or acts in one or two productions most every season. He was last on stage for NJT in the record breaking Bobby Miller production of Old Jews Telling Jokes. Up next for Bobby for NJT, he will appear with his lifelong friend Wayne Solomon in an on-stage reunion (first time on stage together in more than 25 years) in Imagining Madoff. In March he will direct the Donald Margulies play, Sight Unseen. In addition to the Frank family, there was another family who hid with them in the hopes attic, the Van Daans. Their son Peter and Anne became very close, sharing secrets, hopes and dreams. The role of Peter in our production was portrayed by Leo Ramsey. Leo is an incredibly talented 17-year-old. He has attended the Grand Center Arts Academy and has hopes of continuing a career in theatre. You may have seen Leo on stage for NJT as one of the young boys in Way to Heaven in 2012 and again as one of the two young brothers in Lost in Yonkers. In addition, Leo counts among his credits work with Shakespeare Festival St. Louis this summer in their productions of Henry IV and Henry V. He has also appeared in many of their educational shows. As a member of the Muny Kids and Teens, Leo has appeared on the Muny stage Leo Ramsey as a member of the Youth Chorus in many productions since 2008. When he makes it big, you can say you saw him on the NJT stage! Becoming Dr. Ruth will be next to take the NJT stage, opening December 4. Tickets are available at newjewishtheatre.org or 314-442-3283. By purchasing a prorated season subscription, you can save money and have unlimited ticket exchange privileges. Subscriptions are available through the box office, or by calling 314-4423283.
Cultural Arts
2014 Jewish Book Festival at a Glance For book descriptions and a complete schedule, pick up a brochure at either J location or visit stljewishbookfestival.org Date Author 11/2 Theodore Bikel Barbara Isenberg 11/4 Linda Fairstein Andrew Gross Joel Hoffman Cindy Chupack Geralyn Lucas Lynn Sherr 11/5 Judith Fein Mark Stein Hesh Kestin Hank Phillippi Ryan 11/6 Cynthia Frohlichstein Michael Kahn Howard Levinson 11/7 Carmel Chiswick 11/10 David Greene Josh Fattal Steven Pressman 11/11 Lauren Grodstein Alyson Richman Michael Garlin Annabelle Gurwitch Dr. Dina Rose Dr. Logan Levkoff 11/12 Carl Hoffman Rose Levy Beranbaum Al Clark Myron Holtzman Kostya Kennedy 11/13 Mitchell Bard Tracey Davis 11/16 Mathew Klickstein
Title Theo: An Autobiography Tradition! Terminal City Everything to Lose The Bible’s Cutting Room Floor: The Holy Scriptures Missing from Your Bible The Longest Date: Life as a Wife Then Came Life: Living with Courage, Spirit, and Gratitude After Breast Cancer Sally Ride: America’s First Woman in Space The Spoon from Minkowitz: A Bittersweet Roots Journey to Ancestral Lands American Panic: A History of Who Scares Us and Why The Lie Truth Be Told The Peanut Butter Birthday Party Face Value: A Rachel Gold Mystery The Tapping Judaism in Transition: How Economic Choices Shape Religious Tradition Midnight in Siberia: A Train Journey Into the Heart of Russia A Sliver of Light: Three Americans Imprisoned in Iran 50 Children: One Ordinary American Couple’s Extraordinary Rescue Mission into the Heart of Nazi Germany The Explanation for Everything The Garden of Letters Powerful Questions to Help You Move Forward in Your Life I SEE YOU MADE AN EFFORT: Compliments, Indignities, and Survival Stories from the Edge of 50 It’s Not About the Broccoli: Three Habits to Teach Your Kids for a Lifetime of Healthy Eating Got Teens? The Doctor Moms’ Guide to Sexuality, Social Media and Other Adolescent Realities Savage Harvest: A Tale of Cannibals, Colonialism, and Michael Rockefeller’s Tragic Quest for Primitive Art The Baking Bible Called Out But Safe: A Baseball Umpire’s Journey Cardinals of Cooperstown, Second Edition Pete Rose: An American Dilemma Death to the Infidels: Radical Islam’s War Against the Jews Sammy Davis Jr.: A Personal Journey with My Father SLIMED! An Oral History of Nickelodeon’s Golden Age
Lynn Sherr
David Greene
Dr. Dina Rose
Al Clark
Authors are subject to change without notice. jccstl.org
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Youth
Abigail Karandjeff Loves the Challenge of Theatre Teens Tackle Shakespeare with Twelfth Night From an early age, Abigail Karandjeff took to the stage and grabbed the spotlight. This fall Abigail will appear in her seventh J Youth Theatre production, this time tackling Shakespeare in Twelfth Night. No stranger to the stage, she began performing while in first grade and is currently in eighth grade. Abigail is excited to take on the character of Olivia. She says, “Olivia is sassy. She knows what she wants and doesn’t take no for an answer.” Her favorite role at the J so far has been playing Golda from Fiddler on the Roof Jr. She has also appeared in productions at STAGES, along with other J productions of Riddikulus (a musical spoof of Harry Potter), Hairspray, Free to Be and others. Beyond the stage, Abigail enjoys singing, honing her voice with lessons through Webster University, playing viola, hanging out with friends and maintaining a solid foundation by working hard in school. Her character in Twelfth Night is Olivia, a wealthy countess who has every intention of mourning her brother’s recent death for seven years. That is, until she meets Cesario, who is actually Viola – a young woman disguised as a boy. As Cesario, Viola enters the service of Duke Orsino. The Duke falls in love with Olivia, Olivia falls for Cesario (who is actually Viola) and Viola (who pretends to be Cesario) falls in love with the Duke. As Shakeperean love triangles go, Twelfth Night takes it to a new level. Come and see the play to see how it’s all sorted out.
Your Entertainment Awaits You! Come watch our young J actors shine! Teen Theatre (6th-9h Grade) Twelfth Night Thu, Dec 4 – 7pm Sun, Dec 7 – 3:30pm $10 in advance / $12 at the door Theatre Chaverim (3rd-6th Grade) There’s a Monster in my Closet! Thu, Dec 18 – 7pm Sun, Dec 21 – 3:30pm $8 in advance / $10 at the door All shows at the Staenberg Family Complex in Creve Coeur Mirowitz Performing Arts Center
Abigail is looking forward to working on Twelfth Night to both get a chance to be with her friends and watch everyone create and develop their characters. After researching the intricacies of the character, she is up to the challenge and very excited to play Olivia. Abigail considers this group not only her fellow actors, but also some of her closest friends. Laura Enstall, Youth Theatre Coordinator, has seen this group of young actors grow since rehearsals started. “Teen Theatre is a really amazing group of students who support one another and love theatre,” she says. “Watching Abigail, along with the rest of the cast come together is great and gets you excited about the production. I know the amount of hard work that all the kids put into the performance and to see it all come together is just a blast.” See Twelfth Night You can see Abigail, along with her eighteen castmates, in Twelfth Night on December 4 at 7:00pm and December 7 at 3:30pm at the Staenberg Family Complex (SFC) – Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at the SFC Box Office, by calling 314-442-3175 or online at brownpapertickets.com
Get your tickets today at the SFC Box Office, call 314-442-3175, at brownpapertickets.com or at the door. Abigail in Romeo & Juliet
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Abigail (far right) in Fiddler on the Roof, jr.
YOUTH
New Camp Director Leads a Summer of Memories J Day Camps has a new leader. Camp Director Brad Chotiner, affectionately known as “Chots,” reflects on the success of his first St. Louis J Day Camp. From flagpole to Shabbat and ruach (spirit) to friendships, camp was a blast!
A Note from Chots
At the beginning of the summer I mentioned to several people that one of my favorite things about my job is that I still get to go to camp at my age – after all, camp is a lot of fun! I continue to thanks everyone involved for making my first summer as director a fantastic experience. My favorite part of each day happens first thing in the morning at flagpole (where campers gather to start their day). At the end of our flagpole rituals the campers would all break into “This Land is Your Land,” and it always put a smile on my face. The rest of the day kept the smile there. My favorite part of each week was Shabbat, with songs and dances, flying Challah, tons of ruach and that awesome feeling of community that only camp creates. I had so many cool experiences this summer…working with a great staff, meeting so many smiling campers and their families, watching friendships blossom, helping kids learn new skills and most of all just having a lot of fun with everyone. As you take a look at these pictures take some time and think about some of your favorite moments from your summers as a kid. Did they involve a day camp? You can give your child the same opportunity to create these memories at the J. We have already started planning for the summer of 2015. Have a wonderful school year and we’ll see everyone at a J Day Camp soon!
R e g i s t e r f o r C A M P
T O D A Y !
Why Sabra? • • • • •
Campers discover their strengths through activities, friendships and community We have the best staff in the land! Our fabulous Director, Terri Grossman, will be spending her 8th summer as Director (and 20th year at camp!) Your child will be regularly encouraged to try new things by our awesome staff As a parent, you will get personalized attention in a timely manner!
Contact: Kim Holtzman-Sloan, 314-442-3151 or kim@campsabra.com campsabra.com facebook.com/campsabra
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jewish community life
Celebrate Hands-on Hanukkah with the J
Free, Family-Friendly Hanukkah Fun
The J’s Helene Mirowitz Family Center is one of ten communities in the United States to participate in the Jewish Outreach Institute’s Public Space Judaism program, “Hands-on Hanukkah.” This program seeks to
Beginning December 16, families all over the world will begin the eight night celebration of Hanukkah. This joyous festival brings families together and looks at faith liberty. The faith in the candles lasting eight days and freedom and liberty to be allowed to worship freely and practice whatever religion you desire, something on the very forefront in today’s world. Beyond the deeper meanings, Hanukkah allows for creativity and imagination. It offers children the opportunity to create and embellish the holiday, whether making menorahs, playing the dreidel game or helping in the kitchen with delicious latkes! These are a few ideas to make your Hanukkah more fun and memorable for everyone. Put your own twists on them and create new family traditions.
create an entry point to Judaism by finding less engaged, unaffiliated or intermarried Jewish families this season and offering a low-barrier holiday program which takes place in a public space. Through training sessions and financial assistance, the J is able to implement their successful national, interactive program that reaches out to people where they shop in the weeks before Hanukkah. According to the Jewish Outreach Institute, “Offering free samples and fun activities, this hands-on program is a great way for families with young children to experience the holiday of Hanukkah and learn about their local Jewish community.” Barnes and Noble at Ladue Crossing will host the St. Louis event on Sunday, December 14 from 10-11:30am. Activities will include music, photos, dreidel spin-off, a register-to-win gift basket, Shalom Sesame coloring sheets and more. All families are welcome to this free event. The J’s Early Childhood Center will also be hosting their annual book fair that day in the store, and offering free gift wrapping and other activities. The J is excited to be chosen to bring this national program to our St. Louis Jewish community and hope that you’ll come out and join in the fun. Program is co-sponsored with PJ Library.
Create Your Own Menorah
There are several ways to make an original “work of art” menorah. You can gather toilet paper and paper towel cardboard rolls or search online for menorah kits that may include clay and other materials. You can then paint them and add your own personal touch.
Draw a Handprint Menorah
This is something fun for little children. Have them cross their hands while laying them on a piece of paper, overlapping the picky finger, then trace around the nine all the fingers. With the overlapping pinkies, you have nine slots. Now color, use tissue paper or anything you want to make them look beautiful!
Dreidel Fun
Hold a family dreidel tournament. After lighting the candles, you can see who can spin the dreidel the longest or in the craziest way (upside down, with their eyes closed, in a small area, etc.) Look online for dreidel coloring pages. Let the kids decorate the fridge with coloring sheets from all the themes of Hanukkah. You can also create your own dreidel using a milk carton, tape, pencil, paper and tape (full directions are online).
Storytelling
Gather the family in the glow of the lit menorah and re-tell the story of Hanukkah or share other Hanukkah tales. You may like to read Latkes, Latkes Good to Eat by Naomi Howland (Clarion), When Mindy Saved Hanukkah by Eric Kimmel (Scholastic), or The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate by Janice Cohn (Albert Whitman & Company). Source: http://www.familyeducation.com/ (search Hanukkah)
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jewish community life
New Initiative To Focus On Israelis Living In St. Louis St. Louis has welcomed a new shlicha from Israel through a new partnership between community organizations aiming Ela Bokobza to work with Israelis living in St. Louis and The Jewish Agency of Israel. So far, the shlicha is enjoying her new surroundings.
“Currently, we have Israelis who are engaged or belong to congregations or the J but we feel like there are a lot of others out there who are not,” Horwitz said. “Ela is someone who can work with them to connect them with the life of the Jewish community.” Bokobza’s role is also unique for having that focus. She said that of the 300 shlichot from the Jewish Agency around the world, St. Louis is the only one she knows of where the job is primarily designed to connect local
“I have had not even one single day that I’m not invited to a family’s [home] — either Israeli or American — for dinner,” said Ela Bokobza, a native of Meitar in southern Israel. But the 26-year-old is doing far more than breaking the ice at local tables. She’s also breaking new ground for shlichot. Her stay in St. Louis, funded mostly by a grant from the local Jewish Federation, is part of a new vision for the role, which translates roughly to emissary. Bokobza isn’t just bringing Israel to Americans but is also helping to bring the United States closer to Israelis living in this country. “Most shlichim are generally focused on working with the American Jewish community and teaching them about Israel,” said Rabbi Brad Horwitz, director of the Helene Mirowitz Center of Jewish Community Life at the J. “Her mission is primarily going to be working with local Israelis living in St. Louis and trying to find ways to connect them to the Jewish community here.” Bokobza’s position is set to last at least a year and she will work with the J and two other institutions – Bais Abraham Congregation and the local chapter of Tzofim, the Israeli Scouts organization. Horwitz said that connecting local Israelis to American Jewish institutions is an important goal for the J but it hasn’t always had a high level of success. Bokobza is the first full-time staff member dedicated to that effort.
Ela Bokobza (front row, far right) with the local chapter of Tzofim, the Israeli Scouts organization.
Ela (right) with Ilnait Michelson, volunteer leader of the local Tzofim chapter.
Israelis to resources in their communities. It was a big part of the reason she chose the Gateway City. “I was interested in doing a shlichot from the Jewish Agency because I believe that the Jewish world and the Jewish community in North America have a strong and supportive relationship with each other,” said the Bar-Ilan University graduate. “I believe that people want to be part of something which is bigger than themselves. The Jewish community and Israel can help each other to reach their goals.”
Bokobza, who has completed her service in the Israeli army, studied criminology in school and spent time helping at-risk youth in her homeland. Horwitz said she was interviewed for the position with several other candidates via Skype. He noted that her personable nature, knowledge and passion made her the right person for the job. “We’re always looking for opportunities to reach out to members of the Jewish community in new and interesting ways. The Israeli community is one that we’ve always tried to engage,” he said noting that Bokobza will also help out at next year’s J summer camp. “When this opportunity presented itself to do that in a more sophisticated and enriched way, we were really excited.” The other participating organizations are happy about it, too. Ilanit Michelson, head of the St. Louis chapter of Tzofim, said Bokobza is already working with camp counselors for her Israeli Scouts organization where she has developed a strong rapport with everyone. Rabbi Hyim Shafner said that Bokobza will be working with his congregation’s Sunday school, which is geared toward Israeli children living in the area. The rabbi noted that he first saw the potential for a shlicha when he witnessed interactions between students at the school and the shlichim family from Torah MiTzion. “What I noticed over the last year was that the Israelis were very connected to the school but they weren’t connected to the synagogue as much,” Shafner said. “The Israeli parents said, ‘You know, we really need an Israeli who is working at the school helping us to create programming for Israelis to connect to the synagogue and Jewish life.’” By David Baugher, Special to the Jewish Light Article was edited for space and reprinted with permission of the St. Louis Jewish Light
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Fitness
Discover MELT Fitness and Rejuvenate
The J recently introduced the MELT Method as a new fitness alternative. MELTing helps relieve the effects of stress, rehydrates the body’s connective tissue and has a cumulative effect on reducing chronic pain. It is a proactive approach to maintaining a healthy, pain-free, active lifestyle. There are several opportunities for you to MELT at the J! J members Saundra and Bill Peck experienced MELT and felt an immediate impact. “Thanks to you, [instructor] Robin [Bach], for your detailed explanations and expert instructions performed within our small “hands-on” training group; we are both experiencing a new-found awareness of our bodies. It is exciting to learn techniques that will rehydrate our connective tissues to help reduce pain, balance metabolism, and strengthen core and flexibility. It’s definitely a valuable class for us!” said the Pecks. MELT utilizes a specialized foam roller and various sized treatment ball, which also vary in degree of rigidness. These primary tools, along with others, brings your body to a more ideal state by directly enhancing body awareness, rehydrating connective tissue, and decreasing stuck stress that accumulates from daily living. The first time you MELT, you can see and feel a difference – and over time, you can transform how your body looks and feels.
Meet the Trainer: Julie Vasalik Offering a Hand Inspires Trainer
Julie Vasalik
Chicago native Julie Vasalik moved to St. Louis in August 2013 and began at the J’s Fox Building a few months later. She saw the J as an excellent training facility that can meet the needs of its members and the community. It has allowed her to develop professionally, and create specialty programs (she’s beginning a Golf fitness program) and expand her knowledge. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Eastern Illinois University and recently returned to Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) for a Master’s degree focused on Dietetics.
Julie feels people need to “try to use personal training as an educational tool. They should build on [their] personal knowledge of health and wellness.” She continues, “The knowledge from training helps you set and achieve goals. It allows you to figure out what worked for you and what didn’t. Every person is unique in their own way.” Prior to her training certification, Julie worked as an exercise specialist in a hospital fitness facility, which offered traditional personal training. She would onboard new clients who may be entering a fitness center for the first time. Often entering with a life altering diagnosis, Julie would introduce clients to fitness. Eventually, she got certified as a trainer, and was now equipped to further assist and educate her now-clients into the world of health and wellness. Now at the J for over six months, Julie has settled in. She enjoys bringing along new clients and those rehabbing. She loves sharing her knowledge and is comfortable working with a variety clients seeking many different objectives (weight loss, strength training, rehab, etc.). She enjoys the challenge of preparing and planning a wellness map to help all of her clients achieve their goals. For beginners, Julie simply states, “Start slow. Try a few things at a time. You shouldn’t overwhelm yourself with everything at once – that can lead to discouragement. And when in doubt, ask questions.” The J offers Julie, and all trainers, a lot of options. “There is open space for functional training and intervals as well as an abundance of strength training equipment. The J has a lot of equipment to keep workouts fresh and new on a regular basis.” When she’s away from the fitness center, Julie can be found playing volleyball or softball. She also reads to keep up on the latest in fitness and nutritional trends and studies.
cont. far right, pg. 13
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November - December 2014
If you would like to meet with a personal trainer or schedule a free fitness consultation, contact the fitness center at 314-442-3159 (Creve Coeur) or 314-442-3439 (Chesterfield).
FITNESs
Thoughtful Actions = No Regrets “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did.”
Cathleen Kronemer
Mark Twain led an exemplary life indeed, which no doubt inspired him to share these words with the world so many years ago. This phrase bespeaks of a man who strove to die with no regrets. How satisfying it must be to have acted from a position of full engagement, refusing to back down in the face of uncertainty.
cont. from pg. 12 “MELT has taught me how to get out of pain on my own through hand and food treatments. The first time I took a class I had a huge knot in my upper back, and the foot treatment got it out! I recently went on vacation where I was cramped up in the car. The treatments loosened, relaxed, and reenergized me,” says MELT participant Katie Feise.
Without a doubt, each of us has had the experience of pondering an action, debating it within our hearts, sometimes reeling from the clash between mind and soul, only to back out in the eleventh hour. What is it, exactly, that gives us pause, causing us to arrest out potential development in some crucial way? Often we find ourselves operating from a position of fear, convincing ourselves that we are unprepared for the challenge that may lie ahead. Now that the kids are back in school, I invite you to reflect upon your own past: take that trip down memory lane, and open your mind’s eye to all that you have accomplished. Ideally you will discover many events that fill you with a sense of joy, instill within you the confidence that you chose properly for the time and circumstances at hand. Now, pause once more as you reflect on those missed opportunities, and how choosing differently at those particular moments may have dramatically altered your life’s course. What do you see? What might you like to be seeing instead? The quote above presented itself in my life three years ago, in a slide show presented by one of the many universities we were touring with our daughter. The quote was on the very first slide, and it grabbed my attention. What if Jillian doesn’t choose this university? Might she be disappointed twenty years from now? This of course is what the Admissions Dept. wanted us to take away from the session. In this particular instance, we will never know. I believe that young people tend to flourish wherever they are planted when it comes to quality institutions of higher learning, as is the case with our daughter, who attends a completely different campus from the one mentioned above. Still, I find myself pondering this notion often, especially when she experiences various challenges at her chosen university. What decisions had I made in my life that, twenty years hence, have left me disappointed? Can we somehow protect our children from this fate? The truth of the matter is this: we may never know whether decisions we make and actions we take are indeed the best ones for us, or whether we will reflect on missed opportunities with disappointment years from now. One thing is true, however, and should be a steadfast rule in each of our lives, one worth passing down to the next generation: if we choose with our hearts and brains fully engaged, and perfectly entwined with each other, we are bound to lead lives rich in fulfillment, leaving us content and free of regrets. By Cathleen Kronemer, NSCA-CPT, Certified Health Coach
The connective tissue is the flexible framework that stabilizes, connects, and separates all structures of the human body. It is what provides our body architectural stability. This tissue adapts to our posture and movements, which is both good and bad.
If your stability system is off, you may move inefficiently too. Your body simply adjusts to reserve energy. This means slower metabolism and increased weight gain, which slowly cause low grade inflammation. MELT will help your body sustain its ability to morph and adapt in a positive way. For more information or to get involved in MELT Method classes, contact Malinda Walker at SFC at 314-442-3176 or mwalker@jccstl.org and Andy Hayes at Fox at 314-442-3147 or ahayes@jccstl.org Some of this information was acquired from meltmethod.com
jccstl.org
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FITNESs
continued from page 5
Consider MELTing into Fitness
The MELT Method looks to rehydrate the body’s connective tissue, assisting in reducing chronic pain using specialized foam rollers and various sized treatment balls. The first time you MELT, you can see and feel a difference – and over time, you will begin to transform how your body looks and feels. For more on the MELT Method, see page 12.
Consider the Possibilities
This is but a sampling of the buffet of fitness opportunities you can find at the J. Beyond what’s listed, try Reformer Pilates, Personal Training – individual or with a friend, Cycling, Aquatic fitness or one of more than 200 group exercise classes. Challenge yourself to engage in at least three new fitness experiences each month through the end of January. You’ll find you’re capable of more than you imagined and your body will thank you for it. You may even make a new friend or two along the way! Schedules are available for all programs in the fitness centers at both J locations. To get involved in the fitness programs listed and any of the many others available, contact the fitness center SFC: 314-442-3159 or Fox: 314-442-3439.
Get ready to Lighten Up in 2015 Lighten Up, version 2015, is back for another exciting year and ready to motivate. Lighten Up is a four-person, eight-week team weight loss challenge. The Lighten Up Weight Loss Challenge kicks off on January 4, 2015. Registration begins December 1 with a minimal $40 participation fee.There will be weekly weigh-ins and body circumference measurements to hold you and your team accountable. Exclusive Lighten Up personal training and group specials will be available to keep you on the right track. 2014 participant Russ Cottle thrived in the team format. “Working as a team was the best part from my perspective. I travel a lot with work so it is difficult to always eat healthy and workout. Because I had this team commitment it helped me stay focused on the task at hand. Personally this is the best shape I have been in since college. Glad to participate. It was awesome.” Get ready to change your life. Registration starts soon!
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November - December 2014
continued from page 5 and proponents of healthy meal plans, he found himself to be lacking on both fronts. After much contemplation, along with serious discussions among friends and family, the Personal Trainer Nancy Itzkowitz with J decision was made to success story Craig Goldford once again become a member of the J. Craig also decided that utilizing the fitness center would not be nearly as productive as hiring a professional to guide him on this path. Fearful of reinjuring his already tenuous back, Craig sought out the expertise of personal trainer Nancy Itzkowitz. A client’s limitations are just as important as his goals when creating a successful workout program, and Nancy turned out to be a perfect fit for Craig’s needs. She carefully designed a plan to strengthen his core and increase cardio activity, while being mindful of protecting his back. Nancy found Craig to be very open-minded and success-oriented, always willing to try new ways of working his body. Soon, this previously inactive grandfather found himself at the gym five to six times every week! Craig’s goals at the onset of his training were, in his words, “quite simple.” Seeking overall well-being, including weight loss and core strength, Craig also strove to forge a strong exercise ethic and to make this a permanent lifestyle change. Under Nancy’s tutelage, with her compassionate ability to encourage, share knowledge and demonstrate an understanding of his needs, Craig now feels he has accomplished infinitely more than he had expected. After several months he has begun to see changes in his physique as well as his lifestyle, all while growing stronger and improving his endurance. What lies on the horizon for this Success Story member? Craig hopes to cultivate a clearer understanding of the connection between exercise and healthy food choices. He also would like to reduce the need for blood pressure and cholesterol medication as he moves toward a place of better health. Having made the decision to continue his one-on-one work with his truly dedicated trainer, the possibilities are endless for this highly motivated and re-energized gentleman! By Cathleen Kronemer, NSCA-CPT, Certified Health Coach
FITNESs
continued from page 5 “When Kay and I first sat down together, we discussed her short and long term fitness goals, as well as her rest and eating habits. We performed a variety of assessments, such as posture, strength and endurance, flexibility, body measurements and body mass.” Ryan said, “All the preliminary work helps get clients and trainers on the same page and lets us keep track of all the wonderful progress taking place.”
“Kay always has such a great attitude towards her fitness program – even on the very few occasions she may not be having a good day. She’s is always positive about each and every challenge I present to her,” Ryan says. “From sports conditioning, power lifting and plyometrics to speed and agility, full body strength, “Starting at the J has or core and flexibility exercises – she changed my life. Not only rocks it!”
do I feel and look better,
“Joe keeps the I’m more confident in all training different and we have fun which aspects of my life.” is not something I expected, but makes it much easier to get to the gym. Overall, training with Joe has exceeded my expectations.” She has continued the practice when she trains individually as well. “I try to vary my workouts to keep them interesting, challenge myself and avoid injury.” “I never thought I would enjoy weight training, but weighted squats and the bench press are two of my favorites. Joe is very good at pushing me past the limits I put on myself.”
Kay began her journey, as she puts it, with very attainable goals. She wanted to just get to the gym three times a week for an hour and be able to perform 20 pushups. With her husband Jesse on board and making his own commitment, she easily met these goals. Her current fitness regimen is much more ambitious. She regularly makes it to the gym five or six days a week, usually with Jesse. Her activities may include kettlebell classes, swimming, cardio work, and of course weight training – either with Ryan, with Jesse or with workout partner Jessica Fout. After nearly a year of sessions with Ryan solo, Kay and new friend Fout decided a little peer motivation might be a great way to continue. Thusly, earlier this year, Kay and Fout began semiprivate sessions with Ryan. The ladies were brought together by the J - developing their friendship through seeing each other frequently in the fitness center and even playing a session of rec volleyball on the same team. “I met Kay not long after I joined the J.” remembers Fout. “My weekly workouts with them are a great checkpoint to stay on top of my fitness goals. Having Kay as a workout partner is great, she is inspiring and motivates me to push harder with each workout. We have built a great friendship that expands beyond the fitness center. “ Kay speaks highly of Ryan who keeps their workouts varied. Working out with Fout allows for a bit more creativity due to there being a pair of clients. A few of the non-traditional challenges, include sparring, running the stairwell in a variety of methods and even heading outside for an obstacle course workout.
Her husband Jesse has succeeded in his own right. He’s lost nearly 100 pounds since the couple joined and increased his muscle mass exponentially. Together they feed off each other’s drive for even more continued motivation. This motivation and desire keep Kay ascending to new heights. Her accomplishments to date include dropping more than 50 pounds, 20 of which she shed since joining the J. She claims half-jokingly it would be even more, but Joe keeps adding (just the right amount of) muscle mass, so she’s okay with it. She has also dropped four dress sizes and is more confident in all aspects of her life. She has made new friends and looks and feels better than ever. As for the future, Kay has no plans on stopping. She continues to goals, both long and short term, and you can her determination to meet them all. She’s looking forward to running her first 5K, and can’t wait participate in some of the local themed-runs, such as the Warrior Dash. She is also looking to overcome some challenges in the fitness center – including an unassisted pull up, squat 200 pounds and bench press 150 – don’t bet against her!
Kay and Jesse Stansberry jccstl.org
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Sports, Rec & Aquatics
The J Welcomes the 2016 JCC Maccabi Games® Back to St. Louis
Visit Milwaukee with St. Louis Maccabi in 2015 Team and Individual Delegation Tryouts in December
The J has welcomed hundreds of teens as host of the JCC Maccabi Games® three times – 1993, 1996 and 2003. It has been announced that a fourth St. Louis version of the Games is coming - in 2016. Hundreds of athletes and coaches will descend on venues all over St. Louis, including a few events at the J, between July 31 – August 4, 2016.
After a one year hiatus, a group of teens (ages 13-16) and volunteer coaches will head to Milwaukee next August for the 2015 Maccabi Games®. Nearly 70 athletes and 20 coaches will head north for competition, friendships and acts of Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) and represent St. Louis from Sunday, August 2 – Friday, August 7.
“I am thrilled that we will be bringing the JCC Maccabi Games back to St. Louis,” said Lynn Wittels, president and CEO of the J.
The 2015 St. Louis Delegation tryout schedule is below. There is also a mandatory parents meeting to learn the ins and outs of becoming a participant. To be eligible, athletes must be Jewish teens between ages 13 and 16 by July 31, 2015.
The Games began in 1982 and have offered more than 100,000 Jewish teens a unique social, cultural, and life shaping experience. They serve a larger purpose than athletic competition, promoting community involvement, teamwork and Jewish pride. “This will be an amazing experience for everyone. It takes hundreds of dedicated people working together to make the Games so exceptional.” says Fanchon Auman, St. Louis Games Director and Director of Sports, Recreation and Aquatics at the J. In addition to St. Louis, Columbus, Ohio and Stanford, Conn. will serve as host cities in 2016. Wittels said she expects between 1,200 and 1,300 teenagers to compete in St. Louis. Competition during the Games is for teens, between the ages 13 to 16. Both team and will individual sports are available, and include basketball, flag football, soccer, lacrosse, softball, volleyball and baseball, bowling, tennis, track, competitive dance, golf and swimming.
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November - December 2014
Beginning in 1982, the JCC Maccabi Games have been offering teens the opportunity to connect with others from around the world. Athletes often come from Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Great Britain and as far away Israel. Connections take place beyond the field of competition as athletes are given time to bond during extra-curricular activities including hang time (exactly as it sounds), community service, housing with volunteer hosts and more.
All athletes must pre-register to tryout. You can find additional information and registration forms available to download at jccstl.com/maccabi. For questions, contact: Fanchon Auman, 314-442-3420, fauman@jccstl.org 2015 JCC Maccabi Sports Options Boy’s and Girls’ Basketball Soccer Coed Flag Football Baseball Girls’ Volleyball Inline Hockey Tryout Information Marilyn Fox Building (Chesterfield) Sunday, December 7, 2014 Additional tryouts may be scheduled as needed.
Tennis Swimming Competitive Dance Golf Track and Field Tryout Schedule* 4-5pm: Soccer & Girls’ Volleyball 5-6pm: Basketball, Dance & Swimming 6-7pm: Baseball & Flag Football
*Inline Hockey, Golf, Tennis and Track & Field Teens and parents must pre-register and attend one of the informational meetings. Informational Parent Meeting Marilyn Fox Building (Chesterfield) Sunday, December 7, 2014 4:30-5:30pm
Sports, Rec & Aquatics
Basketball Offers Benefits Far Beyond Competition Youth Basketball in 2014 at the J felt like a swish nothing but net! Beginning with practices in the fall of 2013 and the 2014 regular season, more than 1,100 youth basketball players took to the courts between J locations. As the Mac and Jeanette Brown Youth Basketball Program continues to flourish, it has also maintained its excellence. Players can get involved beginning at three years old all the way through high school. There is truly an opportunity for everyone to get in the game! Sports, Recreation and Aquatics Associate Director Natalie Lesko, who currently manages several of the leagues relishes the challenge of the continually expanding program. It’s great to welcome in the younger kids and watch them develop and grow and continue through the leagues,” she says. “I’ve developed several friendships with the volunteer coaches, who without them, the league wouldn’t be able to maintain such a high standard. The values we try to impart on the players and coaches make the league really stand out.” Lesko is in large part responsible for the explosion of the High School League. Kids who may not make their own high school teams or who have other interests, but want to keep playing have discovered a niche – right here at the J. “Players from ninth through twelfth grade can keep playing with their friends in a fun and competitive atmosphere without the commitment of playing for their school.” Lesko continues, “We are able to group the high school teams by age and ability which makes for very good competitive balance and keeps teams coming back. It’s been great watching rivalries form and it should only get better.” Leagues for smaller competitors are also in abundance as. Beginning at age three, kids are encouraged to take to the court to learn the basics, with their parents. Start Smart Basketball is a nationally accredited program designed to help children transition into training leagues and gauge their interest as they are exposed to the ins and outs of the game. From the Start Smart program, players progress into Training Leagues, then the Mac and Jeanette Brown Youth Basketball Program, which are the Kindergarten-8th grade levels, and finally the previously mentioned High School League. “Last winter we had more than 100 teams in the kindergarten through eighth grade leagues alone, which was an all-time high,” Lesko recalls. “The Mac and Jeanette Brown program really is second to none in the area. Coaches and players grow and flourish in our leagues over several years, not just in basketball, but more importantly in life. This includes everything from sportsmanship and teamwork to fitness and building friendships.” To get involved in the best youth basketball program in the area, visit jccstl.org for more information or to register online.
5K & 10K Run and Kids’ Triathlon Highlight Labor Day The J hosted the 37th Annual Labor Day Run on September 1 as close to 300 runners took to the streets for one of the toughest and hilliest 10K & 5K courses in the area. Upon completion, younger athletes took to the J’s Millstone Campus competing in the 8th Annual Kids’ Triathlon. More than 150 kids participated in the event – the largest of its kind in St. Louis. Congratulations to all of the participants who did a fantastic job! Here’s a look at some of the top finishers.
Labor Day Run Male 10K: Robert Friedman Female 10K: Christine Williams-Mrotek Male Masters (40+) 10K: Greg Krogen Female Masters (40+) 10K: Debbie Kerber Male 5K: Brent Petzoldt Female 5K: Lynne Collins Male Masters (40+) 5K: Thomas Huling Female Masters (40+) 5K: Callaway Zuccarello Kids’ Triathlon Short Course Male (ages 5-6): Michael Strong Female (ages 5-6): Audrey Reis Middle Course Male (ages 7-10): Mason Mayer Female (ages 7-10): Kendall Connors Long Course Male (ages 11-14): Caleb Siegel Female (ages 11-14): Julia Bader Special thanks to our sponsors: Logan College Show Me Cables Brown Smith and Wallace, LLC Optimal Performing Center Dynamic Vending jccstl.org
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nishmah
Seniors
What is Jewish about Breast Cancer?
You may have read about Angelina Jolie’s preventive double mastectomy, but did you realize this news affects our Jewish community in more prevalent numbers than the general community? Today‘s geneticists have identified genetic markers for 19+ genetic diseases which are more common in the Jewish community. 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jews carries a BRCA gene mutation, nearly 10 times the rate of the general population, making Jewish families significantly more susceptible to hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Women who carry mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 have up to an 80% risk of developing breast cancer and up to a 45% risk of developing ovarian cancer. Men can also carry and pass these gene mutations on to their family, and also have increased cancer risks. In order to address this issue, Nishmah; The St. Louis Jewish Women’s Project has joined forces with Sharsheret, Hebrew for “chain,” a national not-for-profit organization supporting young women and their families, of all Jewish backgrounds, facing breast, ovarian and other related cancers. In St. Louis, the local Sharsheret Support is working to encourage the Jewish community to look at their family history of cancer and to be proactive about their health. Nishmah is thrilled to have hired Ann Fingerhood, BSN, RN, MHA as the new Sharsheret Supports Coordinator. Ann is a lifelong member of the J and brings valuable nursing expertise and business experience to her new position. She will help build awareness and offer support to survivors, women who have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, as well as those that are at increased genetic risk.
Get Involved
Sharsheret Supports is seeking volunteer “ambassadors” to help us get the word out to congregations and organizations in the local St. Louis Jewish community so they can understand the increased hereditary risk for Ashkenazi Jews. Other programs in planning stages include a monthly educational/support group which we hope to begin in January and creation of a buddy system to connect recently diagnosed women with other breast cancer survivors in the community. If you are interested in more information or to get involved, please contact Ann Fingerhood at 314-442-3266 or Sharsheretsupports@jccstl.org
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November - December 2014
Senior Programs Coordinator Joins Kitchen J Staff The Kitchen J recently welcomed Terri Ferguson, BSW, as the new Coordinator for Senior Programs. Ferguson will coordinate and implement activities and events at the senior meal site located at Covenant Place. She will explore new opportunities to meet the needs of the Terri Ferguson senior adults as well as to evaluate and improve upon existing programming. She also has many years of experience working in the field of aging, most recently working with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. As a state worker, she worked as an investigator of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of the elderly and the developmentally disabled. “I joined the J with the intention of expanding the senior adult programming so that it resonants with the diversity of Covenant Place residents. I look forward to working with the various departments of the J in order to assess and provide services that the senior community will find both beneficial and relevant,” Ferguson says. Prior to her work with the Department of Health and Senior Services, Ferguson worked for 10 years doing Social Research for the University of Michigan and the Research Triangle Institute. She was responsible for running social studies for nine different research programs during this time. The studies ranged from working with the elderly, doing assessments with children all over the country (to determine what skills they would need in the future to be successful in all aspects of school) and working in prisons (to determine what types of services prisoners would need in order to be successful upon reentering society). For information about senior meals and activities following dinner, contact Terri at tferguson@jccstl.org
Special after-dinner events at the Kitchen J Meal Site include live music, shown here with the Brothers Lazaroff and belly dancing.
Seniors
Adult Day Center Welcomes New Activities Director
Terri Mines
Theresa (Terri) Mines recently joined the staff of the Adult Day Center at the J as new the Activity Director. A native of Creve Coeur, Terri received her B. S. in Recreation with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from Central Missouri State University (Warrensburg). After an opportunity in the Kansas City area, she returned to St Louis for an internship and never left. She is a welcome addition to the J staff. Her many years of experience working in the field of geriatrics in the community will prove to be an invaluable asset for the Adult Day Center.
Early in her career, Terri was fortunate to work in a variety of health care settings. This includes St. John’s Mercy and St. Mary’s Medical Centers, Surrey Place, Villa Gesu with The School Sisters of Notre Dame, Delmar Gardens and Lutheran Senior Services. While working with the School Sisters of Notre Dame she observed and worked with participants of an Alzheimer’s research study. This revealed information that it is vital to stimulate one’s brain frequently – in other words, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” “Since the late 1980s I have established creative and innovative therapeutic recreation techniques to meet the needs of individuals with cognitive impairment,” she recalls. “Being a part of that study reinforced to me that there is great value in therapeutic recreation activities.” Her experiences allowed her to begin collaborating with the St. Louis chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, including becoming part of their speaker’s bureau. She has often taken a lead role in informing and offering advice to many staff and family members on proper approaches and techniques in caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Her work with the Alzheimer’s Association also brought the J to her attention. “The Alzheimer’s Association is where I learned the J had a well-respected Adult Day Center. I am pleased that I am now affiliated with such a high quality program. I look forward to working at the J.” The staff and families of the Adult Day Center certainly look forward to working with Terri! The Adult Day Center at the J provides a full day of structured activities, meals, nursing care and therapies for individuals who need these supports. For more information about the program, contact Anna Zelinske, Adult Day Center Director, at azelinske@jccstl.org
We gratefully acknowledge the ongoing involvement and support of our JCC Board of Directors. Chair Monte L. Sandler Vice Chair Mark A. Cantor Vice Chair Thom E. Kuhn Vice Chair Jane T. Rubin Vice Chair Stacy B. Siwak Treasurer Felicia M. Malter Assistant Treasurer Eli M. Abeles Secretary Mark Gellman Assistant Secretary Steven L. Goldenberg Board Members Cynthia L. Albin Marc H. Alper Rob E. Bertman Bruce J. Berwald Laurie J. Berwald Laurie H. Chod Robert Denlow Mike Ferman Ted Flom Kitty Gross Howard T. Handelman W. Ted Isaacs David R. Kaiser Mark C. Kodner Debbie K. Lefton Howard N. Lesser April S. Levison I. Richard Levy Alice M. Ludmer Neil A. Marglous Brenda U. Pereles Judy K. Rosenthal Eileen Schechter Judith R. Scissors Lori D. Sheinbein Sue Silverstein Julie B. Stern Scott M. Stern Harvey H. Wallace Cindy Wallach Marc Wallis Greg Yawitz Lifetime Board Members Harvey M. Brown* Jonathan J. Deutsch* Charles C. Eisenkramer* Marlyn Essman* Marilyn Fox* Harris Frank* Paul J. Gallant* Harvey S. Gershenson* Harvey Gerstein* Howard Hearsh* Frank A. Jacobs* Helene Mirowitz Martin E. Oberman* Lenore R. Pepper* Sanford E. Pomerantz* Jerome Raskas* Todd Siwak* Michael H. Staenberg* Morris H. Sterneck* Marvin S. Wool *Past Presidents jccstl.org
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Tributes We gratefully acknowledge contributions to the JCC Tribute Funds. Tributes given as a memorial or to honor a loved one, special achievement, or occasion extend the generosity of the donor by supporting vital programs and services. Following are the contributions received between January 1, 2014 and September 30, 2014. VISIT WWW.JCCSTL.ORG TO SEND A TRIBUTE ONLINE ADULT DAY CENTER In honor of Fredal “Fritzy” Cohen from: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Paradowski In honor of the special birthday of Richard Baron from: Ms. Ellyn Rosenblum In honor of the speedy recovery of Rabbi Howard Kaplansky from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In memory of Alvin Sachar from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels CAMP SABRA CAPITAL CAMPAIGN In memory of Don Mann from: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Stern CAPITAL AND ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN In honor of Steve Rosenzweig receiving the JProStl Pillar Award from: Elliot Rosenzweig D. SAMUEL & MILDRED WISE SENIOR ADULT TRANSPORTATION FUND In memory of Hermia Steiner from: Mr. and Mrs. Ben Liepe from: Mr. and Mrs. John Shuchart from: Ms. Anne Shapiro In memory of Newman “Butzie” Bernstein from: Mr. and Mrs. Jay Bowyer from: Mr. and Mrs. Steven Osman from: Ms. Anne Shapiro from: Ms. Ruth Lynford FOX YOUTH SPORTS In honor of the birth of Emmett James Horan from: Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rosenzweig MEN’S HEALTH CLUB In honor of the special birthday of Ronald Lending from: Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Spitzer In honor of the speedy recovery of Larry Hartstein from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In memory of Dr. Albert Salit from: Mrs. Dorothy Reimer In memory of Harold Kravin from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman from: Mrs. Shirley Weiss In memory of Ronny Protzel from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman MERLE & RICHARD LINKEMER CAMP SABRA SCHOLARSHIP FUND In honor of the speedy recovery of Ben and Gloria Gelber from: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Linkemer In memory of Teddy Friedman from: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Linkemer MICKEY ROSEN MEMORIAL CAMP SABRA SCHOLARSHIP FUND In honor of Neil Marglous being honored by the Jewish Light as an Unsung Hero from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In honor of the special birthday of Harvey Lehrer from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman from: Mr. and Mrs. Neil Marglous from: Mrs. Louise Rovak In memory of Michael Aaron Worth from: Mr. and Mrs. Ted Kraizer NISHMAH PROGRAM In honor of Debbie Polinsky receiving the Emerging Leader Award from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In honor of the birth of Chana Lai’a Pearl from: Mr. and Mrs. William Livingston In honor of the marriage of Ronit Sherwin and David Komerofsky from: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lincoff In memory of David Kipnis from: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gallant from: Ms. Sara Winkelman November - December 2014 20
“As my parents planted for me before I was born, so we plant for our children.” -Talmud In memory of the mother of Marcia Lisker from: Ms. Sara Winkelman In memory of the mother of Shelley Dean from: Dr. Bruce S. Frank and Ms. Enid Weisberg-Frank from: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wolkowitz from: Mr. and Mrs. William Livingston NORMAN S. KARTY MEMORIAL FUND In honor of the 18th Birthday of Taylor Mary Karty from: Mrs. Rochelle Karty In honor of the birthday of Marcia Broddon from: Mrs. Rochelle Karty In honor of the speedy recovery of Marie McCloskey from: Mrs. Rochelle Karty ADULT SPORTS In honor of Irving Londy’s induction into the St. Louis Jewish Sports Hall of Fame from: Ms. Joan Newman THE MICHAEL H. STAENBERG FACILITIES FUND In honor of the bat mitzvah of the daughter of Ted and Judy Isaacs from: Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rosenzweig In honor of the Special Birthday of Michael Staenberg from: Mr. and Mrs. Ira Rosenberg In memory of Mahlon Rubin from: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Staenberg In memory of Mary Ryan from: Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Shimony THE NANCY AND AL SIWAK FUND In honor of the marriage of Matt & Emily and Michael & Stephanie from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman THEATRE UNLIMITED In memory of Carole Tribula from: Ms. Nira Asher-Geller DAVID I. & CECILE ALTON EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOLARSHIP FUND In honor of the birth of Dylan Rose Olt from: Mr. and Mrs. Norman Selner In memory of Sam Alton from: Mrs. Sheila Siegel ESTHER B. & HENRY J. BARIS CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of Art Poger from: Mr. and Mrs. Keith Grosz BESS & MAX BRODER J ASSOCIATES FUND In honor of the 40th Wedding Anniversary of Larry and Bobbi Potashnick from: Mr. and Mrs. Peter Frank MAC & JEANETTE BROWN YOUTH SPORTS FUND In honor of Grace’s Bat Mitzvah from: Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Siwak In honor of Josh Horwitz receiving the Mac Brown Award from: Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Siwak In honor of Sherri Frank Weintrop receiving the 2014 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award from Lion of Judah from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In honor of Steve Rosenzweig receiving the JProStl Pillar Award from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In honor of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Barb and Dan Bindler from: Mr. Mahlon Rubin In honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Daniel Fredman from: Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Siwak In honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Max Deutsch from: Mrs. Abbey Small In honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Claire Gellman from: Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Siwak from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In honor of the birth of Dovid Silverman from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In honor of the birth of Drew Benjamin Bauer from: Mr. and Mrs. Marc Oberman In honor of the birth of Vivienne Katherine Thorson from: Mr. and Mrs. Marc Oberman In honor of the birthday of Harriet Lipnick from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In honor of the recovery of Rabbi Carnie Rose from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown
In honor of the special anniversary of Jan and Bob Hardcastle from: Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Pomerantz In honor of the special birthday of Paul Parry from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In honor of the special birthday of Ruth Kessler from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In honor of the speedy recovery of Harvey Gerstein from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In honor of the speedy recovery of Marty Oberman from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In honor of the speedy recovery of Merle Silverstein from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In honor of the wedding of Emily and Phil Schneider from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In memory of Al Melman from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Alvin Sachar from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Anita Mallen from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Anne Feld Wolfson from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Bev Tober from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Bobbie Kohn from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Carolyn Jacobs from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In memory of Dan Bluestone from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of David Sherman, Jr. from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Doris Jean Stern from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Estelle Ranger from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In memory of Harold Kravin from: Sanford and Brooke Ungar from: Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Rosengarten In memory of Herman Gellman from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Ina Sachar from: Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Siwak In memory of Irv Pernikoff from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Kenneth Kent from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Letty Lefkowitz from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Lois Schaeffer from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Mahlon Rubin from: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Eisenkramer from: Mr. and Mrs. David Halpern from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels from: Mr. and Mrs. Lee Platke from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman from: Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Abeles from: Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Pomerantz from: Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rosenzweig from: Mr. Oscar Goldberg from: Mrs. Evelyn Koshner In memory of Mel Dunkelman from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Newman “Butzie” Bernstein from: Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Bertish from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Norman Katz from: Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Chelist In memory of Norman London from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown In memory of Richard Sher from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown JAMES M. BUSCH CAMP FUND In memory of Barry Tilson from: Ziman Realty Partners from: Dr. and Mrs. Steven Klayman from: Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Abeles from: Mr. and Mrs. Art Thompson from: Mr. and Mrs. Barry Golsen from: Mr. and Mrs. Doran Young from: Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Young from: Mr. and Mrs. Keith Rinehart from: Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kramer from: Mr. and Mrs. Phil Dean from: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rosenfeld
Tributes from: Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Abeles from: Mr. and Mrs. Steve Stanley from: Mr. Josh Rinkov from: Mr. Walter Stern from: Mrs. Cindy Harper from: Mrs. Rosemary Cooper from: Ms. Blanche Young from: Ms. Carol Miller from: Ms. Diane Edwards from: Ms. Kimberly Levinson CAMP SABRA SCHOLARSHIP FUND In honor of Ilana and Goldie Krashin from: Mr. & Mrs. Eli M. Abeles In honor of Ilana Libby Krashin from: Dr. and Mrs. David Berwald from: Mr. and Mrs. Ariel Stein In honor of the 18th birthday of Jonah Elyachar from: Mr. and Mrs. Adam Elyachar In honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Max Deutsch from: Mr. and Mrs. Alan Binder In honor of the bat mitzvah of Bella Neuman from: Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rosenzweig In memory of Anne Feld Wolfson from: Mr. and Mrs. Alan Ludmer from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In memory of Helen Gross from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In memory of Ilana Libby Krashin from: Mr. and Mrs. Alan Wolff from: Mr. and Mrs. Dale Steinback In memory of Mahlon Rubin from: Mr. and Mrs. James Fernandez In memory of Michael Aaron Worth from: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cook from: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lang from: Mr. and Mrs. Lee Kline from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman from: Mr. and Mrs. R. Randal Aaranson from: Mrs. Deborah Hankin from: Mrs. Elyse Feinstein from: Mrs. Kristi Gallup from: Mrs. Lori Wishne from: Mrs. Rhonda Oberman from: Ms. Ann Fingerhood from: Ms. Nancy Matusofsky from: Ms. Susanna Garfein from: Rabbi Amy Feder In memory of Teddy Friedman from: Mr. and Mrs. Jason Glazer from: Mr. and Mrs. Lee Mendelson ZOLA CARP FUND FOR CHILDREN In memory of Dr. Robert Cohen from: Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Carp STAENBERG EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER FUND In honor of Michael Staenberg from: Ms. Cheryl Adelstein In honor of the birth of Dylan Rose Olt from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In honor of the marriage of the son of Robin Levin from: Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Abeles In honor of the new grandchild of Harvey Wallace and Madeleine Elkins from: Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rosenzweig In memory of Edward Zaltsman from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels from: Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rosenzweig In memory of Judy Goldman from: Mr. and Mrs. Terry Cohen MARLYN ESSMAN CULTURAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN In memory of Leonard Growe from: Mr. and Mrs. Alyn Essman SHELLY FISHER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND In honor of the special birthday of Rita Levis from: Mrs. Beverly Tober from: Mrs. Sue Fisher In memory of Greg Eveloff from: Mrs. Sue Fisher In memory of Mel Dunkelman from: Mrs. Sue Fisher In memory of Morty Bearman from: Mrs. Sue Fisher from: Mrs. Wendy Oteham
In memory of Ralph Lowenbaum, III from: Mrs. Wendy Oteham In memory of Sy Bailis from: Mrs. Sue Fisher THE FITNESS CENTER In memory of Mary Ryan from: Mr. David Lotsoff In memory of the grandmother of James Pedersen from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels SAM & MARILYN FOX AND EDWIN & LENORE PEPPER FRIENDSHIP SCHOLARSHIP FUND In honor of Chris Chadwick and her successful career as leader of Focus from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In honor of Diane Sullivan and Brown Shoe Company’s 100th Anniversary on the New York Stock Exchange from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In honor of Judy Kramer receiving the Hadassah Leadership Award from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In honor of Lenore Pepper from: Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Abeles In honor of Lenore Pepper receiving the Hatebreakers Heroes Award from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In honor of Marilyn and Sam Fox from: Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Pepper In honor of Marilyn Fox receiving the Community Leader Lifetime Achievement Award from NCCJ from: Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Kraus from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In honor of Sherri Frank Weintrop receiving the 2014 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award from Lion of Judah from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In honor of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Dr. Sally and Dr. Bennett Shaywitz from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In honor of the 90th birthday of Judge William Webster from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In honor of the birth of Samuell de Potter from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In honor of the return to good health of Jean Cavender from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In honor of the special birthday of Lenore Pepper from: Ms. Ilene Osherow In honor of the special birthday of Marilyn Fox from: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Staenberg from: Dr. and Mrs. Robert Lefton from: Dr. and Mrs. William Friedman from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown from: Mr. and Mrs. Jay Henges from: Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Kraus from: Mr. and Mrs. Julian Seeherman from: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kodner from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman from: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Newmark from: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gallant from: Mr. and Mrs. Sandor Korein from: Mr. Oscar Goldberg from: Mr. Roy Pfautch from: Ms. Marylen Mann from: The Honorable John C. Danforth and Mrs. Sally Danforth In honor of the special birthday of Sam Fox from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In honor of the speedy recovery of Bill Coad from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In honor of the speedy recovery of Ellen Safran from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In honor of the speedy recovery of Murray Weidenbaum from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In honor of the speedy recovery of Norman Holmes from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In honor of the speedy recovery of Sidney Dickstein from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In honor of Tim Danis and the launching of Risk Consulting Partners from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In honor of Wendy Rosenblum from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Al Melman from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox
In memory of Art Poger from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Bill Cornelius from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Brenda Skinner from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of D.J. Fischer from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of David Sherman, Jr. from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Dr. Saul Silvermintz from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of George Weber III from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Henry Alexander Fernandez from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Jim Burkemper from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Jody Diane Seigel Miller from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Lionel Kaiser from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Lucille Bommarito from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Marilyn Beck from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Mary Warner Mack from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Melvyn Estrin from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Milton Levin from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Myrtle Spirtas from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Pat MacVeagh from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Robert A. Evens from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Robert Stupp from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Sherri Druck from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Sidney Dickstein from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox from: Mr. Oscar Goldberg In memory of the brother of Antoinette Dieleman from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of the father of Elisheva Heit from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of the father of Hubert Wewer from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox In memory of Walter G. Stern from: Ambassador and Mrs. Sam Fox from: Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Fox MILTON FRANK CAMP OF THE ARTS FUND In honor of the birth of Samantha Allison from: Mr. and Mrs. John Morrison In memory of David Frank from: Mr. and Mrs. Marc Flanders In memory of Marc Rainen from: Mr. and Mrs. John Morrison GROSSMAN IRON & STEEL COMPANY MEYER A. GOLDER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND In honor of Lenore Pepper receiving the Hatebreakers Heroes Award from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In honor of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Barb and Dan Bindler from: Dr. and Mrs. Edward Cohen from: Dr. and Mrs. Robert Maisel from: Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Glazier from: Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Pepper from: Mr. and Mrs. Gary Lazaroff from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown from: Mr. and Mrs. James Fogle from: Mr. and Mrs. James Hirschfield from: Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Rubin from: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Temkin from: Mr. and Mrs. Martin Feit from: Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Pomerantz from: Mrs. Susan Knopf In honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Eric Yalowitz, grandson of Larry and Liz Linkon from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Blair Dubinsky from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler jccstl.org
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Tributes In honor of the birthday of Marcia Broddon from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In honor of the recovery of Audrey Gershenson from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In honor of the recovery of Rabbi Carnie Rose from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In honor of the special birthday of Barbara Sarbach from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In honor of the special birthday of David Boxer from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In honor of the special birthday of Marilyn Fox from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In honor of the special birthday of Sandy MacLean from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In honor of the speedy recovery of Dr. Chuck Mannis from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In honor of the speedy recovery of Gayle Bassin from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In honor of the speedy recovery of Merle Silverstein from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In honor of the speedy recovery of Stan Dveris from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In honor of the speedy recovery of Stuart Zimmerman from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In memory of Anita Mallen from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In memory of Carol Winston from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In memory of David Frank from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In memory of Dr. Martin Bergmann from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In memory of Dr. Robert Cohen from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In memory of Estelle Ranger from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In memory of Frieda Handelman from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In memory of Greg Eveloff from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In memory of Ina Sachar from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In memory of Mahlon Rubin from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In memory of Martin Goldberg from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler In memory of Teddy Friedman from: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bindler SCOTT & BRUCE GOLDSTEIN CAMP SABRA SCHOLARSHIP FUND In honor of the birthday of Irv Goldstein from: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Goldstein In honor of the speedy recovery of Pat Hartz from: Mr. Irving Goldstein In memory of Bernard Barken from: Lohr Distributing Company from: PC Logistics, Inc. from: Buckingham Asset Management LLC from: Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Bay from: Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Adreon from: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Goldstein from: Mr. and Mrs. Phil Bolian from: Mr. Irvin Davis from: Mr. Irving Goldstein from: Mr. Julian Mathes from: Mrs. Margery Goldberg from: Ms. Alice Goodman from: Ms. Betsy Mehlman from: Ms. Constance Lohr from: Ms. Laura Staley and Mr. Steven Goldstein In memory of Bev Tober from: Mr. Irving Goldstein In memory of Connie Fry from: Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Spitzer from: Mr. and Mrs. Steve Mathes from: Mr. Irving Goldstein from: Mr. Julian Mathes from: Mrs. Bettie Gershman from: Mrs. Betty Spitzer from: Ms. Alice Goodman from: Ms. Joyce Miceli In memory of Jim Goodman from: Ms. Suzanne Lasky In memory of Simon Toder from: Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Glazer
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November - December 2014
In memory of Stanley Schwartz from: Mr. Irving Goldstein RUTH & GUS GORNEK HEALTH CLUB FUND In memory of the mother and mother-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Winkel from: Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Musen FAYE & JOHN GREENBERG GARDEN FUND In honor of Maureen and Bob Greenberg from: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Linkemer BRUCE & TODD HARRIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of Irv Pernikoff from: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Harris In memory of Joe Lurie from: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Harris In memory of Todd Harris from: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mariam SIDNEY HOLTZMAN CAMP SABRA SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of Bev Tober from: Mr. and Mrs. Troy Pohlman In memory of Herb Greenberg from: Mr. and Mrs. Troy Pohlman In memory of Ina Rainey from: Mr. and Mrs. Troy Pohlman In memory of Jim Goodman from: Mr. and Mrs. Troy Pohlman In memory of Kenneth Kent from: Mr. and Mrs. Troy Pohlman In memory of Rob Harris from: Mr. and Mrs. Troy Pohlman In memory of Ronnie Iken from: Mr. and Mrs. Troy Pohlman In memory of Semon Frelich from: Ms. Nanette Holtzman In memory of Sylvia Holtzman from: Mr. and Mrs. Troy Pohlman In memory of Walter G. Stern from: Mr. and Mrs. Troy Pohlman J ASSOCIATES In honor of Jill Mannis chairing the J Associates Dancing in the Loop from: Dr. and Mrs. Charles Mannis In honor of Lenore Pepper receiving the Woman of Worth 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from: Ms. Marylen Mann In honor of Diane Katzman competing in Dancing in the Loop from: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Staenberg In honor of Larry Samuels competiting in Dancing in the Loop from: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Staenberg In honor of Lenore Pepper winning Dancing in the Loop from: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Staenberg In honor of Lorraine Robin becoming a Mitzvah Star from: Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Mielziner from: Ms. Lauren Mielziner In honor of Mark Cantor competiting in Dancing in the Loop from: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Staenberg In honor of Ronnie Light competiting in Dancing in the Loop from: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Staenberg In memory of Estelle Ranger from: Ms. Nancy Siteman JEWISH BOOK FESTIVAL FUND In honor of Judi Scissors receiving the Richard S. Weiss Presidents’ Award from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In memory of Rosalee Askuvich from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels MARTIN KODNER JCC MACCABI SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD ENDOWMENT FUND In honor of the birth of Brooklyn Elle Fuller from: Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Ruben In honor of the special birthday of Debbie Kaminer from: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kodner In honor of the special birthday of Dr. David Katzman from: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kodner In honor of the special birthday of Gianna Jacobson from: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kodner In memory of Bev Tober from: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kodner
In memory of Eleanor Foster from: Gallery of the Masters, Inc. In memory of Estelle Ranger from: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kodner In memory of Kathryne Sheldon from: Gallery of the Masters, Inc. In memory of Leonard Growe from: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kodner In memory of Lionel Kaiser from: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kodner In memory of Mahlon Rubin from: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kodner In memory of Melvin Mednikow from: Gallery of the Masters, Inc. In memory of Morty Bearman from: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kodner In memory of Walter G. Stern from: Gallery of the Masters, Inc. from: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kodner BERNARD & MYRTLE KORNBLUM FUND In honor of Marcia Evers Levy from: Mrs. Carole A. Simon In memory of Alvin Sachar from: Mrs. Carole A. Simon In memory of Betty Roth and David Frank from: Mrs. Carole A. Simon In memory of Elaine Koplar from: Mrs. Carole A. Simon In memory of Linda Skrainka from: Mrs. Carole A. Simon In memory of Myrtle Spirtas from: Mrs. Carole A. Simon In memory of Ronnie Iken from: Mrs. Carole A. Simon SIDNEY KRAMER MEMORIAL SENIOR ADULT FUND In honor of the special birthday of Morton Miller from: Mrs. Norma Neff JOY & FRED LEVIN DAY CARE FUND In honor of Marilyn Lipman from: Dr. and Mrs. Fred Levin In honor of the birthday of Nadine Wallenstein from: Dr. and Mrs. Fred Levin In memory of Marian Lipschultz from: Dr. and Mrs. Fred Levin In memory of Patty, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Grosberg from: Dr. and Mrs. Fred Levin THE LEVITT FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of Barbara Katz from: Mr. Jack Levitt In memory of Laurence Spungen from: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Levitt DR. HERBERT A. MAZUR CHILDREN’S FUND In honor of the special birthday of Elaine Kaufman from: Mrs. Naomi Silvermintz In honor of the special birthday of Lillian Hendin from: Mrs. Naomi Silvermintz In honor of the speedy recovery of Bert Talcoff from: Mrs. Naomi Silvermintz In honor of the speedy recovery of Dr. Marvin Levin from: Mrs. Naomi Silvermintz In honor of the speedy recovery of Dr. Morris Joftus from: Mrs. Naomi Silvermintz In honor of the Wedding Anniversary of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Kausman from: Mrs. Naomi Silvermintz In memory of Dr. Martin Bergmann from: Mrs. Naomi Silvermintz In memory of Dr. Saul Silvermintz from: Mrs. Rona Witkoff In memory of Leonard Growe from: Mrs. Naomi Silvermintz In memory of Myrtle Spirtas from: Mrs. Naomi Silvermintz In memory of Ruth Hendin from: Mrs. Naomi Silvermintz WILMA & ROSWELL MESSING, JR., CULTURAL ARTS AND EDUCATION PROGRAM FUND In honor of the birthday of Zelda Sparks from: Mrs. Audrey Berns In memory of David Sherman, Jr. from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In memory of Dolly Sitzer from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In memory of Myrtle Spirtas from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels
Tributes HELENE MIROWITZ CENTER OF JEWISH COMMUNITY LIFE In honor of the 100th Birthday of Ethel Schwartz from: Mr. Alan B. Raymond and Ms. Myra S. Rosenthal In honor of the marriage of the grandson of Helene Mirowitz from: Mrs. Dorothy Maer In honor of the speedy recovery of Charles Eisenkramer from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In memory of Art Poger from: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gallant In memory of Bobbie Kohn from: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gallant from: Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Abeles In memory of Dan Bluestone from: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gallant In memory of the brother of Del Goldenhersh from: Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Abeles In memory of the grandmother of Rabbi Brad Horwitz from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In memory of the mother of Karen Berry Elbert from: Mr. and Mrs. Gary Growe RADINE MOTCHAN BBYO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of Letty Lefkowitz from: Mr. and Mrs. Steve Schwartz GERTRUDE NEUMAN DAY CARE FUND In memory of Kenneth Kent from: Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Roselman In memory of Lee J. Ladinsky from: Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Roselman from: Mr. and Mrs. Marc Alper In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Kohn from: Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Roselman In memory of the mother of Marie Koffman from: Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Spears NEW JEWISH THEATRE In memory of Judy Goldman from: Mr. and Mrs. William Sitzer SOL PLATTNER CHESS PROGRAM FUND In honor of the 45th Wedding Anniversary of Maury and Roberta Goldfeder from: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schneider In honor of the special birthday of Linda Yatkeman from: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Auger from: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schneider from: Mr. and Mrs. Larry Poger from: Mr. and Mrs. Larry Trochtenberg from: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Platzer from: Mrs. Arlene Caplan from: Mrs. Carla Weintraub from: Mrs. Martha Reichman from: Mrs. Nancy Bernstein from: Mrs. Rochelle Popkin from: Mrs. Sharon Barnholtz from: Mrs. Suzie Fuchs from: Ms. Joan Siwak from: Ms. Marcia King from: Ms. Marilyn Reznik from: Ms. Roberta Johnson In memory of Arthur Guller from: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schneider In memory of Ralph Kalish from: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schneider MORRIS & BIRDIE POTASHNICK CAMP SABRA SCHOLARSHIP FUND In honor of Marshall Lerman receiving his medical degree from: Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Katzif In honor of the 50th Birthday of Doug Schukar from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Potashnick In honor of the birth of twin grandsons Alek and Asher to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Heller from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Potashnick HARRY S. QUICKSILVER FUND In honor of the birthday of Betty Schneider from: Mrs. Bernice Mange In honor of the birthday of Jane Griffith from: Mrs. Bernice Mange RHODA & AL RABEN CAMP SABRA SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of Edwin Foster from: Ms. Nancy Raben Allen
In memory of Hinda Stone from: Ms. Nancy Raben Allen MAURICE RICH YOUTH MACCABI SCHOLARSHIP FUND In honor of Stuart and Marie Block from: Mr. and Mrs. Barry Gross In memory of Ben Bronson from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In memory of Estelle Ranger from: Mr. and Mrs. Barry Gross In memory of Leonard Growe from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels JACOB & FRIEDA SANDWEISS JUDAICA FUND In memory of Flossie Biernbaum from: Mr. Stanley Sandweiss ADULT SERVICES AND NUTRITION DEPARTMENT In honor of Sandy Jaffe being honored as an Unsung Hero by the Jewish Light from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman In honor of the 95th birthday of Manny Finkelstein from: Mr. and Mrs. Barry Krell In memory of Jerome Lewin from: Mrs. Susan Perez and Mrs. Joyce Weinstein ADULT SERVICES NUTRTION PROGRAM In honor of Alice Ludmer from: Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Abeles In memory of Manny Finkelstein from: Mr. and Mrs. Barry Krell SENIOR OLYMPICS FUND In memory of Jerry Legow from: Mr. and Mrs. Edward Chod MOLLIE SHER DAY CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND In honor of Cameron Anthony Koester’s graduation from high school from: Mr. Sheldon Landau In memory of Anne Feld Wolfson from: Mr. Steve Skutch In memory of Richard Sher from: Brian Heath Teper Charitable Trust from: Dr. and Mrs. Gary Ratkin from: Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hortmann from: Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Abeles from: Mr. and Mrs. Barry Chod from: Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Brown from: Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Edwards from: Mr. and Mrs. David Sentnor from: Mr. and Mrs. Edward Chod from: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Keller from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Fine from: Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Hieken from: Mr. and Mrs. Jerrold Comensky from: Mr. and Mrs. Joel Allen from: Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Clifford from: Mr. and Mrs. Larry Buffen from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Amitin from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Deutsch from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels from: Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Frankel from: Mr. and Mrs. Marty Oberman from: Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Rosengarten from: Mr. and Mrs. Max Shapiro from: Mr. and Mrs. Neal Neuman from: Mr. and Mrs. Norman Davis from: Mr. and Mrs. Norman Shore from: Mr. and Mrs. Philip Mendlow from: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Aurbach from: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cohen from: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Radinsky from: Mr. and Mrs. Stan Shanker from: Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Glickman from: Mr. and Mrs. William Becker from: Mr. and Ms. Jeffrey Kopolow from: Mr. Phil Sher and Ms. Judy R. Rustige-Sher from: Mr. Sheldon Landau from: Mrs. Joy Sterneck from: Mrs. Michele Sher from: Mrs. Susan Bosse from: Ms. Carol Faintich from: Ms. Charlotte Rosenblum from: Ms. Jillian Goldfarb from: Ms. Lauren Haberman from: Ms. Leona Klayman from: Ms. Marjorie Gold from: Ms. Victoria Crouppen
EARL & JAYNE SILVER SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of the mother and mother-in-law of Julie and Donald Turken from: Mr. and Mrs. Lenny Kohn HAROLD SPIEGELGLASS CAMP SHALOM SCHOLARSHIP FUND In honor of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Barb and Dan Bindler from: Mr. and Mrs. Melford Spiegelglass In honor of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Lyndon and Alix Marin from: Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Glazier In honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Blair Dubinsky from: Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Pomerantz In honor of the special birthday of Norman Hausfater from: Mr. and Mrs. Melford Spiegelglass In memory of Art Poger from: Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Glazier SPORTS, RECREATION & AQUATICS DEPARTMENT In memory of Lionel Kaiser from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels from: Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rosenzweig THE AL & CHARLOTTE TAMSKY VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION FUND In memory of Stanley and Estelle Hoffman from: Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Tamsky from: Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Tamsky from: Mr. and Ms. Leonard Tamsky from: Mrs. Arleen Bernstein JCC TRIBUTE FUND In honor of Judi Scissors receiving the Richard S. Weiss Presidents’ Award from: Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rosenzweig In honor of the birth of Zoe Ann Beigle from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In honor of The Kid’s Triathalon from: Mr. John McCarthy In honor of the speedy recovery of Earl Salsman from: Mr. and Mrs. David Shoub In honor of the speedy recovery of Harvey Gerstein from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In honor of the speedy recovery of Marvin Wool from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In honor of the speedy recovery of Mike Ferman from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In memory of Arthur Guller from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In memory of Barbara Katz from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In memory of Bob Recht from: Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Goodman In memory of Dr. Albert Salit from: Mr. and Mrs. Scott Kranzberg from: Mrs. Evie Wood In memory of Frieda Handelman from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels from: Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rosenzweig In memory of Harold Kravin from: Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Rubinstein In memory of Lionel Kaiser from: Midwest Business Appraisal, Inc. In memory of Ralph Lowenbaum, III from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In memory of the father and brother of Charla Hutkins from: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hutkins In memory of the father of Mona Green from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In memory of the grandfather of Ann Kolodner from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels In memory of the uncle of Eli Abeles from: Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rosenzweig In memory of Theodore Smith from: Mr. Matthew Sturm In memory of Walter G. Stern from: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Eisenkramer from: Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Myer III from: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wittels from: Mr. Stephen Loeb and Mrs. Rochelle Weiss from: Mrs. Elizabeth Freeman
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Solar Panel Installations Add to J’s “Array” of Sustainability Efforts It was always part of the plan for the Staenberg Family Complex to incorporate “green” or sustainable products and practices during its construction and in all aspects of its operation. From our water-efficient landscaping to the water-conserving sink and toilet fixtures, from the biodegradable food paper products to our robust paper/plastic/glass recycling program, from energy-efficient lighting to the energy saving sensors in nearly every space at the J, care for our environment and resources are top of mind. Recently, we added to our list of sustainable practices by installing three, 25kw solar arrays – two at the SFC and one at the Fox Building. Solar electric systems are a good investment financially, but are equally appealing from an environmental perspective: CO2 emissions avoided in one year: CO2 emissions avoided in a lifetime: Equivalent of miles NOT driven in one year: Equivalent to trees planted:
171,912 pounds* 4,020,096 pounds 3,750,000 279 ACRES
*It helps to think of CO2 as gas trapped inside a balloon. Filling a balloon with one pound of CO2 would swell the balloon to about the size of one of those rubber exercise balls that have become so popular lately. The balloon would be about two and a half feet across. You could hug it, but it wouldn’t make you healthier. Solar panel arrays installed at the Marilyn Fox Building (top) and the Staenberg Family Complex (bottom)
Each day the average American fills up about 57 of these balloons. Now imagine all of those balloons rising up every day from 310 million Americans. You can see how, day after day, year after year, they’d fill up the sky. Source: National Resource Defense Council.
Looking ahead…A partial look at upcoming activities and events at the J! NOVEMBER 1 3-16
Party Zone (SFC)
36th Annual Jewish Book Festival
4,10, 14,26 9 15 19 23 24
Vacation Days Girls Got Game! Party Zone (Fox) Mezuzah Making A Night at the Races
6-Week Body Transformation begins
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Happy Thanksgiving!
DECEMBER 4 & 7
Teen Theatre – Twelfth Night
4-21 NJT - Becoming Dr. Ruth 6 Party Zone (SFC) 7 & 14 Maccabi
ONGOING • Signature Specialty Fitness • J-Fit Fitness Programs • Playgroups & Open Play • BBYO for teens
Tryouts
• Adult Day Center at the J
13 JBL Basketball & 14 Tournament
• Early Childhood Center
&
14 Hands-on Hanukkah 14 Snowman Swim Camp 18 Youth Theatre – There’s 21 a Monster in My Closet!
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19 Red Cross Life Guard Certification Party Zone (Fox)
Winter Break Camp begins
• Swim Academy • Covenant Place Senior Meal Site • Home Delivery Meal Program • Volunteer Opportunities Most Fitness programs are ongoing and can be joined anytime. Current schedules are available in the fitness centers. For locations, times and contact information, visit jccstl.org
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Soccer Performance Winter Break Camp
23 Chag HaBanot – Festival of the Daughters 25
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Family Gym & Swim
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