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BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER DOWNTOWN • NYC

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THE WALLS ARE UP! And

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IMAGE:RAYOGRAM

that's not all. The electrical is in. The fire alarm, telephone, security cameras and even the plumbing. The HVAC goes in next. And we are on target to move into our community home for the new school year. We've created seven classrooms, a cafe/lounge, an office suite and a larger gathering space. It's time to talk about the activities, programs, events and other possibilities that are going to fill the space. The possibilities at JCP are unlimited!

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EDITOR

A great Jewish pastime, schmoozing. It happens in cafes, on the street, in living rooms, in offices, in taxis, in the shvitz. It happens in person, on the phone, in text messaging, on the blackberry, and in chat rooms. And now, it’s happening at JCP, in our way.

DARREN LEVINE MANAGING EDITOR

JANE RYAN BECK PUBLISHED BY

JEWISH COMMUNITY PROJECT DOWNTOWN DESIGN

RAYOGRAM (rayogram.com) PHOTOGRAPHS

NOAH DAVID SMITH CONTRIBUTORS:

TALI KURT-GALAI is a regular contributor to Yehidot Achronot, an Israeli Daily. She lives in Battery Park with her family. She wrote about celebrating Hannukah as an Israeli in New York (p11).

NATHALIE RUBENS is the chair of the JCP Tikkun Olam — "Repairing Our World" committee (p6) .

STEPHANIE PASTOR is a parent in the JCP Preschool and an avid yogi (p8).

ON THE COVER:

shmuse is taking schmoozing to a new level. It’s part schmooze, part muse, thus redefining the historic pastime of schmoozing. shmuse is a journal/magazine/ brochure/guide/calendar/ in one and tells the JCP story of Jewish and community life growing downtown.

JCP is more than an organization that offers great classes and programs for people of all ages.

JCP offers people the opportunity to explore and think about Judaism in new ways and to grow together in community.

The goal of this inaugural issue is to present a new chapter in the life of JCP and to highlight some of the people that are helping make it happen. Future issues of shmuse will be theme based and comment, critique, praise, observe, examine, celebrate, and help us think about the fabric of community life downtown and new ways to bring people together.

Be in touch and enjoy.

The Butler Pastor Family photographed

by Noah David Smith.

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* the views of the contributors to Shmuse do not necessarily represent those of JCP or its Board of Directors.

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From Eldridge to Duane Streets MODELS OF JEWISH LIFE THEN AND NOW Darren Levine

merchants from Recife, Brazil landed on shores of New Amsterdam (New York). Over the next 300 years, nearly 2 million Jews passed through Lower Manhattan. For short and long periods of time, Hester, Essex, and Grand were the streets Today, Jewish identity they called home. They spoke is more complex. People Yiddish, Ladino, and Arabic.

seamlessly flow between many communities with whom they identify in multiple ways.

They ate at Katz’s deli, Kossar’s Bialys, Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery and Guss’ Pickles.

Theirs was a little village – an era when the tailor, the butcher, and the cobbler knew their name. But that era along Eldridge Street has ended making way for a new one.

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IMAGE:LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, PRINTS & PHOTOGRAPHS DIVISION, FSA/OWI COLLECTION

THE FIRST JEWS DOWNTOWN ARRIVED in 1654 when 23 Sephardic

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Today, Jewish identity is more complex. People seamlessly flow between many communities with whom they identify in multiple ways. The morning coffee, work, college friends, home, cultural experiences, kid’s school, kid’s activities, yoga, volunteer groups, Internet, and religious activities are just some of the "pod" communities that we revolve in, around, and simultane-

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ously, between.

For Jewish life to be relevant and meaningful, Jewish organizations need to exist within the seams of these multiple communities. In a different era, synagogues and community centers may have served as the only source for Jewish life. Today, one can access Jewish life from a computer terminal or "handheld". I do not believe it's “Jewish” that people are longing for, rather it’s a shared experience of personal meaning where one can safely and comfortably explore how Judaism is relevant to them, on their terms.

The successful Jewish organizations of the next generation will invent themselves as flexible and open hybrids of what currently exists. Google and Apple have shown that bringing people out of their offices into shared communal spaces for human interaction makes them more effective, happier and dedicated employees. I believe in a similar creative approach to bringing people together in new Jewish contexts that will speak to a generation of those looking for a place to call their own, on their own terms, where people know their name. Darren Levine is executive director of JCP.

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Genuine Learning

PARENTS & EDUCATORS WORKING TOGETHER Sharon Shorofsky Mack

THE JOY AND EXCITEMENT WE FEEL upon a child’s birth, coupled

JCP PRESCHOOL

The JCP Preschool provides a warm and nurturing environment in which the uniqueness of each child is supported. We foster an environment of flexibility within structure to facilitate each child’s exploration and discovery and work closely with parents to form a partnership of trust.

Jewish appreciation and experiences are integral to the program.

SEE PAGE 15

BRIDGE PROGRAM

Children engage in a variety of activities including music, art, free play, group activities and snack. Jewish cultural, holiday and Shabbat experiences are fully integrated into the program.

Children attend the class with a parent or caregiver and separation is initiated mid year.

SEE PAGE 15

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with the acknowledgement of enormous responsibility, provides the backdrop for lifelong parenting. Life becomes a constant balance of magical moments and practical challenges in a lifelong quest to understand our children, their gifts as well as their quirks. It is a profound journey best appreciated with ample humor.

In addition to humor, parents need partners - people who share their passionate feelings while offering new insights into their children. True educators share a parent's respect for each child and recognize his or her potential. True partnerships create spaces for children to thrive where magical moments happen and, most importantly, are recognized. Magical moments happen when a child feels empathy for a new friend, when a child discovers he or she can do “it” themselves, when a teacher notices a telling gesture, when a child has Teachers and parents an idea they never had before or set goals together, when the whole school sings a providing the scaffolding holiday song together. to help children reach In a joyful and respectfor the next step while ful environment, children are also providing security able to truly learn. Teachers for the inevitable fall. and parents set goals together, providing the scaffolding to help children reach for the next step while also providing security for inevitable falls. They work together to find the natural “access points” or places that are easiest to enter a child’s world. Usually these lie in the child’s own strengths; their natural sociability, their natural affinity for animals, their love of ideas or their desire to create complex structures. The entry point varies for each child, but every child has many. Through their strengths

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we can reach them and help them grow. Our job is to help children recognize their own natural access points and extend their innate means of understanding the world to areas that are more challenging for them.

By encouraging children’s curiosity and teaching them to notice questions as well as answers, parents and educators help them grow to become truly able, knowledgeable and strong human beings. By listening well we can truly hear children and hopefully help them hear themselves. As they understand and believe in their own abilities they can appreciate both what they know and what they want to know. Even the youngest children can be inspired by their own questions and ideas. As they grow, children become a part of their own learning and become real problem solvers.

In truly creating an optimal learning environment, everyone involved is part of the mosaic and magical moments happen at every level. Through respect and appreciation for individuals and community an entire community can thrive. Sharon Shorofsky Mack

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DANNY, AVIVA, BONNIE AND SHIRA EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH ECC STUDENTS.

is the Director of the Early Childhood Center at JCP

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Every Little Bit Counts

TIKKUN OLAM - REPAIRING ‘OUR’ WORLD Nathalie Rubens

NYC MITZVAH CORPS

Jr. and High School students get community service credit by doing good deeds in a Jewish context. This group alternates monthly for study and social action to instill the lifelong value of doing mitzvot.

SEE PAGE 16

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magazines, television programs, kids’ schoolwork, everyone is raising consciousness about the environment. So, for a few weeks we do our part. We may make an effort to buy organic or use public transportation more often, maybe lend a hand in a community garden, or even (gasp!) give up using paper towels in our home.

Same again at Thanksgiving. We are reminded of what we should not take for granted and donate food or clothing to those in greater need than us. In the end, however, many ideas and good intentions are abandoned and we go on with the all-consuming details of our lives.

Tikkun Olam, Hebrew for “repairing the world”, happens to be a core ethic of Judaism and a universal value. Yet the idea of fixing what’s wrong with the world is overwhelming, and we can’t help but think that anything we do will hardly make a mark.

Maybe this is why our resoluWhile repairing the tions are so fleeting. If, despite world is a tremendous my greatest efforts, I can’t fix it, undertaking from any what’s the point? perspective, focusing I surveyed a few friends who on "our" world is an make regular time for commuexcellent place to start. nity service: “It genuinely makes me feel good, it’s a great way to demonstrate a commitment to others (including the environment) and improve their quality of life, and it’s a wonderful lesson for our kids.” Another said, “I am passionate about performing simple acts of kindness that benefit those around me.”

Working toward a global cause, or at least one that extends beyond our daily chore list, feels right. It reminds us that our family is part of something much larger.

Why then can’t we find the time to participate more consis-

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WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE. IT’S April and along comes Earth Day. In

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tently? Why is it so difficult to integrate community service and social action into the daily fabric of our lives? How can we make these fleeting resolutions a more permanent part of our lives and thereby make a more permanent contribution to the lives of others?

I take these questions seriously and am working with JCP to make sure that our collective community is doing its part.

When JCP opens the new building at 146 Duane Street, there

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will be a donation of the month box in the entrance to teach our children the value of tikkun olam while helping others.

Whatever your reason for involvement in tikkun olam, it is essential to remember that even though it feels as if we can never do enough, every little bit counts. While repairing the world is a tremendous undertaking from any perspective, focusing on “our” world (however you choose to define it: your block, Tribeca, Downtown Manhattan, New York, America, the Earth), is an excellent place to start. Nathalie Rubens is the chair of the JCP TIKKUN OLAM – REPAIR-

EMBRACING AND TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORLD AROUND US

ING OUR WORLD committee.

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Spirituality Starts At Home HOME IS WHERE THE CHILDREN ARE Stephanie Pastor

WE WANT TO RAISE OUR CHILDREN with a strong spiritual founda-

SHAL-OM YOGA KARMA KIDS

Ages: 3 and 4 years Karma Kids Yoga is a fun, creative approach to yoga that helps in the development of children’s bodies. The use of animated poses and basic stretching exercises promote strength, flexibility, coordination and body awareness.

SEE PAGE 15

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tion. As parents, this raises so many questions for us. How do we cultivate in our children a love and faithful spirit? How do we help them develop a relationship with the Eternal that feels comfortable, natural, non-judgemental and secure? How do we help them experience a love of Judaism? How can we enable our children to establish a relationship with their own spirits that will sustain and nurture them throughout their lives?

Our children are intensely affected by our choices, our depth and conviction. Our children get the best of us when we take care of our individual spirits.

Raising a spiritual family, or creating any spiritual effect on another begins within oneself. Experiencing our own spirit enables our children to experience theirs. This is what truly enables the deepest connection to one another in our own family.

It’s amazing to watch how seamlessly our four year old daughter, Zahava will intimately How can we enable connect to us when we are truly our children to establish in the moment. a relationship with Tapping into Shabbat each their own spirits that week is a mosaic of spirituality will sustain and for our family. Etan prepares nurture them for Shabbat each week with an throughout their lives?

East meets West hydrotherapy cleansing ritual. He begins at the downtown Russian bath house for a deep physical steam and then proceeds to the ancient Mikvah on the Lower East Side for the spiritual cleanse.

He then takes Zahava on a wild stroller ride to the White Street synagogue every Friday evening. Zahava brings a weekly gift to their homeless friend Dennis, who carefully places his gift on his loaded shopping cart/house. Etan and Zahava then roll

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to the Rescue Mission to give them the tzedaka (charity) money that we collect at home during the week. We usually have a myriad of guests over for Friday night Shabbat freestyle dinners that include people from all walks of life – from performance artists to Chassidish homeboys.

It takes heroic effort to carve out time each day to be in an environment that might enable a taste of the spiritual self. And the obligation to do so feels paramount – knowing that we can't offer our children a ventilated, thriving, healthy spiritual life if our own spirits aren’t invigorated and awake.

Etan refers to it as constantly pressing your own internal REFRESH button.

Something as simple as staying present in the moment is a challenging spiritual act. Then doing anything with our children - an art project, sitting on a bench or even changing a diaper is a whole new experience. It’s the difference between something feeling like a chore or a gift of love. Stephanie Pastor is a parent in the JCP

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ETAN BUTLER, STEPHANIE PASTOR WITH CHILDREN ZAHAVA, GAL, AND LEV.

Preschool and an avid yogi.

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Join Jacob Stein and Uri (his Israeli puppet) as they take your children on a journey through Hebrew music.

Combining Israeli children’s songs with contemporary American Hebrew-learning songs, the class will be a fun way for your child to become familiar with the sounds of Hebrew.

SEE PAGE 15

HEAD-TO-TOE HEBREW

Sing, move, and bring Hebrew alive through this high energy class.

Your child will master a broad range of Modern Hebrew vocabulary through participation in physically invigorating games and activities. Once we’ve warmed up our bodies and vocal cords, we will shift gears for a song session filled with Hebrew and other Jewish themed tunes.

Think physical education meets Jewish summer camp!

SEE PAGE 16

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LET’S SING IN HEBREW

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LIVING IN ISRAEL, I WENT TO MY PARENTS’ HOME FOR HOLIDAY MEALS WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT. NOW THAT I AM IN AMERICA, THERE IS A NEED FOR A JEWISH COMMUNITY, SPECIFICALLY, SO MY CHILDREN

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JCP Programs OUR VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF think hard about

how best to serve the community. What meet STEPHANIE

does it take to create a vibrant, dynamic, and relevant Jewish community for our downtown neighbors? How do we nourish a love for Jewish tradition in our children while still valuing diversity, modernity and a respect for all religious cultures and backgrounds?

Whether it be our preschool, our signature Bim Bom class, our holiday programs or our Shabbat potlucks, the purpose of JCP is to bring people togeth-

Stephanie Amarnick, Senior Programs Manager

er to explore, learn and celebrate. And

Stephanie moved to New York

with the reality of a neighborhood home,

City three years ago from Philadelphia after graduating from Temple University with a Marketing and Business Administration degree.

the possibilities of what can happen at JCP from this point forward are limited only by our creative bounds.

Stephanie lives in Brooklyn and spends her free time dancing, doing yoga and visiting her niece and nephew in Philadelphia.

Stephanie@jcpdowntown.org

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TO REGISTER FOR PROGRAMS

CALL: 212-334-3522 VISIT: JCPDOWNTOWN.ORG

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@ a @ a Glance PARENTING

4-5 YEARS OLD

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Parenting Preschoolers

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Shabbat Live

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Weekly Infant Connections

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Holiday Workshops w/Bonnie

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Infant/Child CPR and First Aid

GRADES K-2

BIRTH TO 2

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Head-To-Toe Hebrew

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Bim Bom MusicFest

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Kid-Shmooze in the Kitchen

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Easy Baby

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Mini-Gym Walking 1’s

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JCPlay

2-3 YEARS OLD

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Bim Bom MusicFest

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Junior Chefs

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Let’s Sing in Hebrew

GRADES 3-5

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Art at Work: Exploring Judaism through the Visual Arts

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A Hebrew Havurah (group): Hebrew Reading and Spiritual Explorations

ADULT JEWISH LEARNING

•

3-4 YEARS OLD

Judaism 101: What, Why, and How Jews do Jewish

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Animal Manimals

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“Shmuse: The Conversation”

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Dazzling Discoveries

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Women's Rosh Chodesh Group

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Shal-om Yoga

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Abraham Joshua Heschel

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Culinary Arts

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The Art of the Story

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Holiday Workshops w/Bonnie

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meet SHARON

Early Childhood Center CLASSES AND PROGRAMS

Unless otherwise noted, all classes take place at JCP, 146 Duane Street

The ECC serves children 0-5 and their families. From our Preschool, to our Bridge Program, to our classes, extracurricular activities, and workshops, our programs emphasize Jewish culture, exploration and discovery. Parenting programs provide opportunities for parents to share experiences and learn about child development in a supportive environment.

Sharon Shorofsky Mack Director, Early Childhood Center Sharon Shorofsky Mack graduated from Barnard College and went on to earn a Masters Degree in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She was the Founding Director of the Brotherhood Synagogue Nursery School in Manhattan and has worked in the field of education for over fifteen years.

Sharon's background also includes preschool teaching as well as admissions work in preschools, independent schools and higher education.

Sharon and her husband Alex have three children and live in Manhattan.

Sharon@jcpdowntown.org

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PARENTING PRESCHOOLERS

Parenting group for parents of Preschool age children. Group meets to discuss topics of interest including teaching sharing, how to discipline without getting your buttons pushed, potty training and more.

Led by Parent Educator, Isabel Schein, LCSW 5 Thursdays: 10/18, 11/1, 11/15, 12/6, 12/20 9:00 -10:00 AM $150

WEEKLY INFANT CONNECTIONS

For Parents with Newborn babies An informal drop-in group for parents and their babies to share the joys and challenges of parenting. This group addresses topics of interest including newborn behavior, infant development and tips to support yourself as a new parent.

Led by parenting experts and developmental therapists on a rotating basis, Isabel Schein, LCSW, Dr. Vicki Porges, and others.

Every Thursday beginning October 11th 11:00 AM -12:00 PM $20 per session or semester pass $150

BIM BOM MUSICFEST

Ages: Up to 3 years * Join Jacob Stein and his puppets for Jewish music from around the globe.

Grab a shaker, meet new friends and take home a challah.

Fridays: 10/12-12/14 not 11/23 9:30, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM at JCP in Tribeca.

3:45 PM in the West Village $270

EASY BABY

Ages: Babies, Newborn to Pre-crawling* Any baby can become an easy baby.

Learn about your baby’s development in a small group setting while engaging in fun and enhancing activities including baby massage, baby yoga and pilates, communication games, baby signing, motor play and more. Led

by Developmental Therapist, Janessa Rick, PT Wednesdays: 9/26, 10/10, 11/14 & 12/12 1:00 – 1:45 PM $140

INFANT/CHILD CPR AND FIRST AID

Be Prepared: Infant and Child CPR and Pediatric First Aid This 3-hour workshop trains in CPR, rescue breathing, Heimlich first aid.

Please dress comfortably. For parents, caregivers, and friends.

Tuesday, October 16th, November 13th 6:00 – 9:00 PM $75 per person

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MINI-GYM WALKING 1’S

Ages: 14-20 months * Walk, tumble, roll and climb in this fun and active skill building class. Help guide your child through the wonder of developmental learning with sensorymotor, language and cognitive play, activities and games.

Mondays: 9/24-12/17 9:30 – 10:15 AM $360

JCPLAY

Ages: 16 to 24 months* An enjoyable weekly group time for toddlers and their grown-ups. Includes circle time, stories, snack and free play for children.

Wednesdays: 10/10-12/19 9:30 -11:00 AM $385

JUNIOR CHEFS

Ages: 2 and 3 years old * Mix, measure, squish and bake in this hands on cooking class for children.

Learn to make healthy snacks with all of your favorite ingredients and then share them with friends.

Tuesdays: 9/25-12/18 9:30 – 10:15 AM $365

LET’S SING IN HEBREW

Ages: 2 and 3 years * Join Jacob Stein and Uri (his Israeli puppet) as they take your children on a journey through Hebrew music.

Combining Israeli children’s songs with contemporary American Hebrewlearning songs, the class will be a fun way for your child to become familiar with the sounds of Hebrew.

Wednesdays: 10/10-12/19 12:00 – 12:45 PM $310

ANIMAL MANIMALS

Ages: 3 and 4 years Learn about animals from pets, to zoo animals, to animals in the outback. No matter what animal or circumstance, if you have a special affinity for things soft and cuddly, or creepy and crawly this is the class for you. Each week the children learn about a different animal, its behaviors and the environment in which it thrives. Class includes drawings, music and movement.

Mondays: 9/24-12/17 1:00 – 1:45 PM $360

DAZZLING DISCOVERIES

Ages: 3 and 4 years Dazzling Discoveries is an interactive, hands-on science course. Through craft projects and discussions, children uncover the science hidden in their dayto-day world. While erupting volcanos, creating a science circus, digging for dinosaur bones, designing a kazoo and much more, they will learn about weather, outer space, and animal habitats.

Mondays: 9/24-12/17 2:00 – 3:00 PM $420 This program is made possible by The American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, www.weizmannusa.org.

SHAL-OM YOGA KARMA KIDS

Ages: 3 and 4 years Karma Kids Yoga is a fun, creative approach to yoga that helps in the development of children’s bodies.

The use of animated poses and basic stretching exercises promote strength, flexibility, coordination and body awareness.

Tuesdays: 10/9-12/18 2:00 -2:45 PM $320

CULINARY ARTS

Ages: 3 and 4 years Have you ever tasted a pomegranate?

Do you know what a tortilla is? Learn about customs and holidays through cooking and tasting of different foods from various geographic areas. This is a hands on culinary adventure in learning techniques, such as peeling, melting and folding, as well as an exploration of taste, touch and smell, so bring your appetite!

Thursdays: 10/11-12/20 2:00 – 2:45 PM $300

THE ART OF THE STORY

Ages: 3 and 4 years Children explore storytelling with Jacob Stein, through art, music and drama.

Each week the class will focus on a new story. Children experiment with different methods for approaching storytelling themselves: puppetry, acting, song, and visual art.

Wednesdays: 10/10-12/19 1:00 – 1:45PM $310

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PRESCHOOL INFORMATION JCP PRESCHOOL

The JCP Preschool provides a warm and nurturing environment in which the uniqueness of each child is supported.

We foster an environment of flexibility within structure to facilitate each child’s exploration and discovery and work closely with parents to form a partnership of trust.

Jewish appreciation and experiences are integral to the program.

Ages 2.4 - Pre-K

BRIDGE PROGRAM

Children engage in a variety of activities including music, art, free play, group activities and snack. Jewish cultural, holiday and Shabbat experiences are fully integrated into the program. Children attend the class with a parent or caregiver and separation is initiated mid year.

Ages 22 months – 2 years, five months ADMISSION INQUIRIES FOR 2008-2009 BEGIN SEPTEMBER 2007 Please call our

office to schedule an information session.

ECC OFFICE: 212-334-3533 ecc@jcpdowntown.org The Jewish Community Project of Lower Manhattan Nursery School (JCP-ECC) admits students of any race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other schooladministered programs.

HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS WITH BONNIE!

Ages: 3-6 Fun, educational, and experiential hands-on workshops to explore the Jewish holidays . . .your way. Using art, song, and other creative arts we will learn about the most significant moments on the Jewish calendar.

Selected Tuesdays: 4:00-5:00 PM High Holidays, September 11th Hanukkah, December 4th Tu BSh’vat, January 22nd Purim, March 18th Passover, April 15th Shavuot, June 3rd Cost: $25 per class or $125 for 6 class passport

* denotes classes requiring parent or caregiver

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Elementary, Junior & High School

JCP programs for school aged children help to nourish their Jewish educational and social identities.

All classes take place at JCP, 146 Duane Street

From extracurricular programs SHABBAT ALIVE

Ages: 4 and 5 years Jump on board our interactive exploration of the Shabbat experience! We share a variety of activities designed to inspire your child's senses and build awareness of traditional elements, blessings, and concepts. Weekly components will vary, and may include story telling, movement, cooking, and art; Lighting candles, singing, and snacking on challah with grape juice are delightful weekly rituals!

Thursdays: 10/11-12/20 3:45 – 4:45 PM $325

KID-SHMOOZE IN THE KITCHEN

Grades: Kindergarten-2nd Explore the ingredients of Jewish history, holidays and communities around the globe through the food we eat. Did you ever think that a child could retain more of Jewish knowledge by eating it up? At the end of the semester, each student will take home a mini-cookbook composed of the weekly recipes.

Tuesdays: 9/25-12/18 3:45 - 4:45 PM $365

HEAD-TO-TOE HEBREW

Grades: Kindergarten-2nd Sing, move, and bring Hebrew alive through this high energy class. Your child will master a broad range of Modern Hebrew vocabulary through participation in physically invigorating games and activities. Once we’ve warmed up our bodies and vocal cords, we will shift gears for a song session filled with Hebrew and other Jewish themed tunes.

Think physical education meets Jewish summer camp!

Wednesdays: 9/26-12/19 3:45-5:15 PM $385

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ART AT WORK: EXPLORING JUDAISM THROUGH THE VISUAL ARTS Grades: 3rd-5th Chagall, Michelangelo, DaVinci.... We follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s greatest artists, using Biblical stories as our inspiration to create exciting works of visual art. Participants will have an opportunity to work with various materials such as charcoal, pastels, paints and collage. Classes will include both time for discussion and for hands-on projects. The class will culminate with an art show at JCP. Mondays: 9/24-12/17 3:45-5:15 PM $420

A HEBREW HAVURAH (GROUP): HEBREW READING AND SPIRITUAL EXPLORATIONS

Grades: 3rd-5th This class offers a thoughtful, progressive and stimulating approach to reading Hebrew and exploring Jewish prayer.

Each session is composed of two parts. The day begins with havurah, a community-building group session.

Through music, stories, discussions and games, we explore the many Jewish ideas of prayer, God and spirituality.

Following 30 minutes of group time, participants will be divided, based on experience, into small groups for semiprivate Hebrew tutoring. You and your child will be amazed and proud of how quickly and enthusiastically they master basic Hebrew reading.

Wednesdays: 9/26-12/19 3:45-5:15 PM $385 No previous knowledge of Hebrew required. Participants will be expected to complete ~30 minutes of Hebrew computer work at home between each weekly session. Materials provided.

to weekly classes in Jewish culture, spirituality, and Hebrew, the philosophy is to offer many access points to our children to learn, explore, and celebrate their interests and passions.

THIRD THURSDAYS

Ages 6-10 Ever want to build a robot? See the projection room of a movie theater?

Construct Lego dragons? We do all this and more. It’s just a fun night on the town for kids! Pizza, new friends and local adventures.

Thursdays, October 18th, November 15th and December 6th 6:00-7:30 PM $25

SATURDAY NIGHT MOVIE MADNESS FOR KIDS

Ages 6-10.

Movies and Dinner at JCP for youth Supervised by JCP Youth Team. Special screenings of age appropriate fun films for kids. (aka: drop your kids off in a safe environment and head out to dinner for yourselves) October 6, Nov 3, Dec 8 6:30-9:00 PM $20

NYC MITZVAH CORPS

Jr. and High School students get community service credit by doing good deeds in a Jewish context. This group alternates monthly for study and social action to instill the lifelong value of doing mitzvot.

Contact RabbiErica@jcpdowntown.org for questions, dates, and an application.

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Adult Jewish Learning Unless otherwise noted, all classes take place at JCP, 146 Duane Street

ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHEL: THE MAN, HIS THOUGHT, HIS SPIRIT

AJ Heschel, rabbi, professor, social activist, author had a profound influence on the way we think about religion and spirituality today. This seminar will examine the many facets of his attitude and feeling toward God, modern culture, prayer, Jewish religious practice, interfaith dialogue, his understanding of evil, and what impelled him to march with Martin Luther King, Jr. and speak out against the War in Vietnam.

Dennis Shulman is a clinical psychologistpsychoanalyst and a rabbi. As a psychologist, Dr. Shulman is in private practice in Bergen County, NJ. As a rabbi, Rabbi Shulman is the spiritual leader at Chavurah Beth Shalom in Alpine, NJ. He lectures natioinally and is featured on the PBS series, “The World of Abnormal Psychology.” He is also the author of, The Genius of Genesis: A psychoanalyst and rabbi examines the first book of the bible.

Tuesdays, 7:00 PM Sept 25, Oct 9, Nov 6, Nov 20, Dec 4, Dec 18, Jan 15, Jan 29, Feb 12, Feb 26 $350

JUDAISM 101: WHAT, WHY, AND HOW JEWS DO JEWISH Explore Judaism from an adult's perspective for those curious to know more. Led by Rabbi Erica Greenbaum Oct 16 “Jewish Holidays” Oct 30 “The History and Practice of Shabbat” Nov 13 “What and who defines Jew?” Nov 27 “Jewish Values” Dec 11 “Jewish Spirituality” Tuesdays, 7:45-9:15 PM $90 for the series or $20 per class Rabbi Erica Greenbaum is the JCP Director of Jewish Life

RAISING YOUR INTERFAITH CHILD IN A COMPLEX RELIGIOUS WORLD AT THE HOLIDAYS

“I’m Jewish, you’re Christian, and we want both traditions in the home.” The good news is that it’s possible yet the holidays can present complex factors for ourselves and for our children. This discussion will be led by Lynne Jones, CSW. Tuesday, Dec 4, 8:00 PM

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“THE SHMUSE FACTOR”

meet ERICA

Introducing “The Shmuse Factor” A monthly dialogue on art, music, books, politics, religion and culture with the voices who are creating it. Part shmooze, part muse. The 2007-08 guest line-up will be announced in Sept, 2007. A live web-cast stream of “Shmuse – the conversation” will be available at www.jcpdowntown.org Wednesdays, October 24th, Nov 28th 8:00 PM (following neighborhood night) Free

WOMEN’S ROSH CHODESH GROUP

Take some time to yourself each month to mark the rhythm of the Jewish year by joining downtown's monthly Rosh Chodesh gathering for women. Take part in a reflective program to learn about the meaning associated with each month's Jewish holiday and Shabbat celebration and think about practical ways to incorporate these holidays into your family's celebration of Jewish life.

Study, reflection and creative ritual will all be a part of our monthly gatherings with Dasee Berkowitz (limited to 15 participants.)

Dasee Berkowitz, holds an MA in Jewish Education from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She brings years of experience in creating programming for Rosh Chodesh groups, holiday and life cycle celebrations. Most recently she served as co-chair for Limmud NY 2007.

Monday evenings, 8:00-9:30 PM Sept 10, Oct 8, Nov 5, Dec 3, Jan 7, Feb 4, March 3, April 7, May 5 $280

COMMUNITY IN CONVERSATION: BAR AND BAT MITZVAH

Celebrating a Bar or Bat Mitzvah can be one of the most significant moments in the life of a Jewish person. Age 13 is when a Jewish child is seen as an adult in the eyes of the Jewish community.

We will explore the options you have for training, preparing, and celebrating this moment in time. With Rabbi Erica Greenbaum, Rabbi Jonathan Glass, Dasee Berkowitz, and Darren Levine.

Wednesday, October 24 7:30 PM

Rabbi Erica Greenbaum, Director of Jewish Life Erica is ordained as a rabbi and has received a Masters in Religious Education from Hebrew Union College.

She brings to JCP years of experience serving the Jewish community as an educator, youth leader, rabbinic intern and hospital chaplain. Most recently Erica has worked at Congregation Rodeph Sholom and the Miller High School Honors Program. She has also served as a Kavod Tzedakah Fellow since 2003. Erica is a native New Yorker.

RabbiErica@jcpdowntown.org

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meet DARREN

Community & Holiday EVENTS AND GATHERINGS

Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at JCP, 146 Duane Street

FIRST FRIDAYS

Please join in a casual Shabbat Community Dinner in our community home on the ďŹ rst Friday of the month. For Individuals, families and couples, all are welcome.

September 7th, October 5th, November 2nd, and December 7th 6-7:30 PM Cost: $10 individual/$25 family 146 Duane Street

COMMUNITY SHABBAT POTLUCK DINNERS

Celebrate Shabbat with your family and friends every month this fall. This is a wonderful way to spend some relaxing, end of week time with old friends and new. Join us as we greet the Sabbath with songs, stories and blessings at this monthly event for downtown families. This event is free! Please contribute a non-meat, nut and peanut free dish.

October 19th & November 15th 5:30pm - 8:00pm Community members’ homes

Darren Levine Executive Director Darren is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz and holds rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College in New York.

From camps, to college campuses, to youth groups, to synagogues, Darren has been organizing Jewish communities for over 15 years.

He has worked with Russian, Ethiopian and Ugandan Jews and lived in Israel from 1996-

NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT

An open invitation for the entire downtown community to eat and meet for dinner at the end of the day.

Wednesdays, October 24th & November 28th 6-7:30PM Cost: $10 individual/$25 family

DOWNTOWN HANUKKAH BASH AT PS 234

Art, music, menorah projects, and fun for the entire family. Come light the candles as a downtown community with all the downtown partners: JCP, Synagogue for the Arts, Tribeca Hebrew, and Battery Park Synagogue.

Dec 9 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM PS 234 (Corner of Chambers and Greenwich) Cost: $45 Family/$15 Adult/$10 Child

APPLE PICKING

Escape the city with new friends and neighbors for an apple picking adventure at a New Jersey Apple Farm. Pick for yourselves and for the hungry of New York City. A percentage of the apples collected will be donated to a local soup kitchen.

Sunday, September 30th. 9:00 AM -3:00 PM

1999. He is currently working on a doctorate in pastoral psychology with an emphasis on the family. Darren and his wife Julia live downtown with their son Emmett.

Darren@jcpdowntown.org

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THE JEWISH COMMUNITY PROJECT

HIGH HOLY DAYS

Open Doors, Open Hearts, Open Minds. JCP joins with Gesher to bring downtown an Egalitarian worship service rooted in Reform and Conservative practices. All services held at the New York Art Academy, 111 Franklin Street.

Seating limited. For complete information and tickets, visit our website, www.jcpdowntown.org Rosh Hashanah, Sept 13, 9:30 Baby sitting drop off ages birth – 6 10:00 Services begin 12:30 Community Luncheon at the Plaza at SFTA, 49 White Street 2:30 Community Tashlich at the Hudson River Yom Kippur Evening, Sept 21 7:30 PM Kol Nidre Services

DOWNTOWN serves families and

individuals living in Tribeca, SoHo,West Village, Battery Park, and the Financial District. Through JCP programs, the preschool, gatherings, and holiday celebrations, JCP is defining what it means to create a downtown community life that

Yom Kippur Day, Sept 22 9:30 Baby sitting drop off ages birth – 6 10:00 Services begin 12:30 Afternoon learning options and discussions 5:00 Yizkor Service of Memory 6:00 Neila, Havdalah, Closing service of Yom Kippur

SHABBAT AT 146

is rich in values, culture, and tradition.

JCP believes a new model is needed

meet ALEX

Relax with friends and family and take a musical based spiritual journey on the first weekend of each month.

that places a vibrant

heart of a village where programs nourish people

Shabbat Downtown 10:00 AM Shabbat music and liturgy, family education, followed by a bagel brunch

at all stages of their life.

JCP encourages

Sunset Saturday Havdalah* 4:30 PM Shabbat music, family education, and nosh at the end of Shabbat (every other month*)

individuals and families to explore their identity and to deepen relationships with the community through educational, social and artistic Alex Kogan Administrator Alex comes to JCP from a background in not-for-profit administration in the Russian Jewish community. Alex is

programs. Our philosophy encourages members to have a strong sense of personal ownership of

currently studying psychology

their Jewish identity and

and he enjoys playing music

JCP offers the tools to

and writing poetry.

Alex@jcpdowntown.org

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in this generation

communal space at the

First Fridays 6:00 PM Shabbat music and dinner

Dates: Sept 7/8 Oct 5/6* Nov 2/3 Dec 7/8* Jan 4/5 Feb1/2* Mar 7/8 Apr 4/5* May 2/3

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make the journey.

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Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur

(Sept. 12 & 13) (Sept. 21 & 22)

Following last year's wonderful and successful high holidays, we are opening our services to the neighborhood community share in a soulful and meaningful experience.

Featuring Amichai Lau-Lavie's Storahtelling and special musical talent, includes a family dinner on Rosh Hashanah eve.

67 Hudson St. (1 Jay St.) NYC 10013 tel: 212.608.7120 fax: 212-608-7053

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD AND MARKETPLACE

see www.tribecahebrew.org for details - or call 212-608-7120

SAVE THE DATE! October 20-28, 2007 8 days of Concerts throughout New York

Don’t miss the “single largest Jewish music festival of its kind in North American, if not world history.” - Jewish Week

www.oyhoo.com

Sunday, September 9, 2007 Riverside Park @ 72nd Street Noon to 9 PM: FREE for all www.oyhoo.com

NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT Wednesdays, October 24th & November 28th An open invitation for the entire downtown community to eat and meet for dinner at the end of the day.

6-7:30PM $10 individual/$25 family

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COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD AND MARKETPLACE

                    

    

�������������������������������� �������������������������������� ������������������������������������� ������������������������������ ��������������������������� ������������������� ������������������������������� ���������������������������������� �������������������������������������

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HIGH HOLY DAYS

Open Doors, Open Hearts, Open Minds. JCP joins with Gesher to bring downtown an Egalitarian worship service rooted in Reform and Conservative practices. All services held at the New York Art Academy, 111 Franklin Street.

Seating limited. For complete information and tickets, visit our website, www.jcpdowntown.org

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COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD AND MARKETPLACE

        

ROSH HASHANAH, SEPT 13 9:30 10:00 12:30 2:30

Babysitting drop off ages birth – 6 Services begin Community Luncheon at the Plaza at SFTA, 49 White Street Community Tashlich at the Hudson River

YOM KIPPUR EVENING, SEPT 21 7:30

Kol Nidre Services

YOM KIPPUR DAY, SEPT 22 9:30 10:00 12:30 5:00 6:00

Babysitting drop off ages birth – 6 Services begin Afternoon learning options and discussions Yizkor Service of Memory Neila, Havdalah, Closing service of Yom Kippur

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SUMMER/FALL 2007

SHMUSING WITH

Victoria Feder JCP CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT YOU’RE THE CO-FOUNDER. WHY DID YOU START JCP?

When I moved to Tribeca twelve years ago, my father wrote me a three page letter expressing his concern that I was moving to an area without significant Jewish life for my growing family. I replied that I saw an opportunity to have an impact on an area, to create something new, as opposed to simply being a participant in an established community that wasn’t as meaningful or relevant to my husband and me.

HOW DID JCP BEGIN?

Back in 2002, I was President of Synagogue for the Arts. I got together with Iris Richman of Downtown Synagogue and soon thereafter with Norman Kleiman of Battery Park Synagogue to dream up a cultural organization that would meet the needs of Jews living downtown but not going to synagogue. The three synagogues plus other downtown residents formed the initial board to kick off what became JCP. ARE THOSE SYNAGOGUES STILL INVOLVED?

Yes, and as members of our greater downtown Jewish community, I hope they remain involved. (Although Downtown Synagogue has closed). JCP currently co-sponsors the Hannukah and Purim community celebrations with them and with Tribeca Hebrew.

And we work together as partners in other areas as well.

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WWW.JCPDOWNTOWN.ORG

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WHEN DID THESE COMMUNITY EVENTS START?

I think we had the first Purim Carnival in my apartment in 2003 with The Educational Alliance, another downtown Jewish organizational partner. About 15 families came.

WHEN DID THE PRESCHOOL OPEN?

The first Preschool and Bridge classes began in the Fall of 2005.

Seventeen pioneering families took a leap of faith and agreed to start the preschool without the opportunity to see a space or meet a teacher. But we were very clear about the quality of the program that we were building. So these families made a commitment to build a Jewish program in the neighborhood. As a result, we have the high quality, expanding school that we have today.

WHEN DID JCP HIRE SHARON AS THE PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR?

I started talking to her in June of 2004. Sharon Shorofsky Mack and I went to school together. Twenty years later, she’s a high-profile and well respected Director in the city and we were starting JCP’s Early Childhood Center. I reached out to her to help construct a plan for developing a new program, to be my advisor. Over the next few months it became clear that this might be an opportunity for Sharon. The timing was right.

IT SEEMS THAT JCP IS BUILT MOSTLY ON REACHING OUT - HUMAN CONNECTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS?

Sharon is just one example. Twelve years ago, I knew only a few Jewish families in the neighborhood. Today, there is a growing Jewish community here and I run into JCP people all the time.

It’s exciting and exhilarating to be part of it.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN OUTSIDE OF JCP?

Yoga every Friday morning. It’s my sanity. I should go more often. I also cherish my weekend time with my family. My four children and my husband ground me and are an important part of my identity.

YOU LIKE YOGA?

I have a lot of energy. Can you imagine me if I didn’t do yoga once a week?

DID YOU ENVISION JCP AS IT IS TODAY BACK IN 2002?

I and a few others believed that something needed to be created downtown. I could not have possibly imagined what it has become. I’m thrilled with what it is accomplishing, the community and the spirit it has created. It’s a labor of love.

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SUMMER/FALL 2007

RABBI ERICA GREENBAUM:

Re-Imagining Jewish Education IT IS A NEW ERA IN JEWISH EDUCATION. New visions. New ideas. New aspirations. New leaders. And it looks wonderfully different than the system many of us grew up with. Today’s cutting edge programs are exciting and engaging.

Children are actually enjoying Jewish education and mastering important content because it speaks to them, on their terms.

The goal of education is to stimulate the mind and to touch the heart. Teachers should seek to transform student's livesinspiring them to go out and change the world for the better.

How do we achieve these goals? The passive model of teachers lecturing in front of classrooms, trying to pour information into the brains of their pupils, has been replaced with interactive modes of learning inspired by the latest educational research.

The goal of education is to stimulate the mind and touch the heart.

These new models honor the individuality of our students and offer multiple pathways to access material. (How could we ever have thought that a textbook and a chalkboard could do justice to the treasures of our

tradition?) Gone too is the practice of segregating students by grade and marching them through a repetitive curriculum in which holidays and the lifecycle are revisited year after year with little new material added.

Children are full of passion, curiosity, and creativity and the JCP approach nourishes and challenges each individual's desire for knowledge. In this model children learn with friends of all ages, sometimes even becoming the teachers themselves. They are empowered to select classes that match their own emerging passions and to experiment in unfamiliar waters.

By connecting a community of learners with passionate teachers who live their Jewish values, we ensure that our children learn from the subject matter presented in a particular class and from the menschlekeit of their peers and mentors. They see with their own eyes how Judaism can be applied beyond the four walls of the classroom.

Art, music, cooking, dance, singing, sports, language leaning, crafting, conversing, and the list goes on. These are the classes we need to offer. Judaism is there to give the activity meaning and to connect ourselves to a long tradition that has something to say about music, art, and movement.

Rabbi Erica Greenbaum is the Director of Jewish Life at JCP.

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5/18/07 6:07:50 PM

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7:00 pm Abraham Joshua Heschel

3 AND 4 YEARS

2:00-3:00 pm Dazzling Discoveries

FEBRUARY 28 2007 JCP BENEFIT

SAVE THE DATE:

CALL: 212-334-3522

8:00-9:30 pm Women’s Rosh Chodesh Group

3RD TO 5TH GRADE

3:45-5:15 pm Art At Work: Exploring Judaism Through the Visual Arts 6:00-9:00 pm Infant/Child CPR & First Aid (monthly)

6:00-7:30 pm Third Thursdays for Ages 6-10 (monthly)

K - 2ND GRADE

6:00 pm Shabbat music & dinner (first friday of each month)

3:45 pm (West Village) Bim Bom Musicfest

12:30 pm Bim Bom Musicfest

11:00 am Bim Bom Musicfest

UP TO 3 YEARS

9:30 am Bim Bom Musicfest

6:30-9:00 pm Saturday Night Movie Madness for Ages 6-10 (monthly)

4:30 pm Sunset Saturday Havdalah Shabbat music, family education & nosh at the end of Shabbat (every other month)

10:00 am Shabbat Downtown music & liturgy, family education, bagel brunch (monthly)

WWW.JCPDOWNTOWN.ORG

6:00-7pm Neighborhood Night: An open invitation for the entire downtown community to eat and meet (monthly)

3RD - 5TH GRADE

3:45-5:15 pm A Hebew Havurah: Hebrew Reading & Spiritual Explorations

K - 2ND GRADE

3:45-4:45 pm Kid-Shmooze in the Kitchen

4 AND 5 YEARS

3 AND 4 YEARS

3:45-5:15 pm Head-To-Toe Hebrew

3:45-4:45 pm Shabbat Alive

3 AND 4 YEARS

2:00-2:45 pm Culinary Arts

BABIES

PARENTS W/NEWBORN

11:00-12:00 am Weekly Infant Connections

9:00-10:00 am Parenting Preschoolers

1:00-1:45 pm The Art of the Story

BABIES - PRE-CRAWLING

1:00-1:45 pm Easy Baby

2 AND 3 YEARS

12:00-12:45 pm Let’s Sing in Hebrew

16-24 MONTHS

9:30-11:00 am JCPLAY

Preschool in session

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TO REGISTER

for more details 7:45-9:15 pm Judaism 101: What, Why, And How Jews Do Jewish

2:00-2:45 pm Shal-om Yoga Karma Kids

1:00-1:45 pm Animals Manimals

16-24 MONTHS

2 AND 3 YEARS

14-20 MONTHS

See pages 12-19

9:30 - 10:15 am Junior Chefs

Preschool in session

9:30-10:15 am Mini-Gym Walking 1’s

Preschool in session

Preschool in session

Preschool in session

saturday

September apple picking

friday

thursday

wednesday

monday

sunday

tuesday

call 212-334-3522 visit jcpdowntown.org

a typical week at JCP

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CONTACT JCP:

Darren Levine Executive Director darren@jcpdowntown.org Sharon Shorofsky Mack Director Early Childhood Center sharon@jcpdowntown.org Rabbi Erica Greenbaum Director of Jewish Life rabbierica@jcpdowntown.org Stephanie Amarnick Senior Programs Manager stephanie@jcpdowntown.org Alex Kogan Administrator alex@jcpdowntown.org

JCP RECIEVES FUNDING FROM:

JLN/Steinhardt Foundation Lindenbaum Family Foundation Russell Berrie Foundation Samuel Bronfman Foundation American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science Dazzling Discoveries is made possible by The American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science: www.weizmann-usa.org.

www.jcpdowntown.org 212-334-3522

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