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You're the best!

Wow! 305 of you have chosen to keep your membership active in April. The staff of the JCC greatly appreciate your ongoing support. Thank you!

We also recognize that many of you are feeling uneasy about your own financial future. As an organization and as your neighbors, we're feeling it, too; so if you don't feel you can contribute your membership dues while we're shut down, we do understand. Your account is automatically frozen as of April 1 and is only re-activated if you opt in to unfreeze.

Either way, we love having you in our JCC community.

Meanwhile, all of your program directors offer you pleasant diversions below. And if the imposed isolation starts to nibble at your sanity, please consider the comforting recommendations provided by Joanne Greene in this issue—just under the coffee cup.

Thursday, March 26, 2020. Issue #4
Cultural Arts & Trips
James Sokol Director of Adult Learning and Living
With so many people feeling blue, I would like to bring more color into your life. So, let me take you on a trip to India to explore the Holi Festival.

The most vibrant of all Hindu celebrations. this Festival of Colors marks the end of winter and the welcoming of spring.

To watch a 9-minute documentary/travel-log about Holi created by a young Australian couple, click here .

For an interesting article & overview about the festival, click here.

Want to learn more? For details, related legends, songs, even recipes, click here.
Jewish Peoplehood
Heidi Sanders , Director of the Taube Center for Jewish Peoplehood
As the world's oldest continuously operating Yiddish theater company, National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene is a cultural treasure. Their recent production of Fiddler on the Roof was hailed as “a richer, deeper interpretation” by The Wall Street Journal and “a mitzvah” by Time Out New York. It's a New York Times Critics’ Pick, Fiddler on the Roof  “strikes a deep emotional chord” and “offers a kind of authenticity no other American Fiddler ever has.”

Explore Folksbiene's new online performance series , with live-streamed theater, discussions with cast members, and more.
Jewish Engagement
Joanne Greene ,
Director of Jewish Engagement
 Maintaining your favorite routines and rituals can really make a difference in your mental state right now. That’s because we humans find comfort in actions and even small gestures that have provided comfort in the past.
Lighting Shabbat candles, even if it's something that you're not accustomed to doing, may feel very special right now. Consider any routine that brings you joy. I'm starting my day with an indulgent latte and sitting in front of the fire—even in the middle of a week day—with my Kindle.

Turns out that the Hebrew word for quarantine is bidud, the same root as the Hebrew word for lonely. Sheltering in place can be lonely, yet spending time alone can also provide fertile ground for spiritual growth.

While many Jewish prayers require a gathering of ten people, our Rabbis tell us that, when confined to home, we can pray alone at the same time as the community.

Go to www.rodefsholom.org ; www.kolshofar.org or www.jewishnovato.com for specific information about ways to connect during the Covid-19 crisis.

Moments of Joy, Learning & Laughter!

James Sokol and Danielle Vierra
of the Kurland Center for Adult Learning & Living
bring you a happy newsletter to brighten your day.

Click below and ask James to add you to his newsletter list!
Health & Fitness
Heather Skoda , JCC General Manager

Check out the Health & Fitness Facebook page. It's now being regularly updated with great online classes and new, fun fitness challenges!
Performing Arts
Linda Bolt , Director, Kanbar Center for Performing Arts
A Video Message
Just for the Osher Marin JCC Community

From our good friend and fabulous musician Danny Click, a little of his magical guitar playing and and a few words just for us at the Osher Marin JCC.
Have you heard?
The JCC staff have been calling members just to connect and ensure their well-being.

It's so good to talk with you directly. Take care.
“Thank you so much for the call. You made my day.  I feel so blessed to be a member of the JCC all these years. I would much rather go there than to the doctor!!"
—Lawrie S.
Camp & Youth
Brittany Mahalik
 Director of Camp & Youth Programs


Try this camp-favorite recipe!
 We encourage y'all to get in the kitchen and bake something great! We would love to see what you all come up with. Take a picture and upload to Facebook and tag us: marinjcccampkehillah

Happy Baking!
Ingredients:
  • 1 Cup of mashed ripe banana
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1/3 cup of oil (flavorless)
  • ¼ cup of milk (any dairy or non-dairy milk will work)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 ¼ all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • Fairy dust (sprinkles) for decoration
  • Dash of salt
  • Optional:
  • ½ cup chocolate chips
  • ¼ tsp of ginger
  • ¼ tsp of nutmeg
  • ½ chopped nuts

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Sift together dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices
  3. In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients: banana, sugar, oil, milk and vanilla.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet, a little at a time. NOTE: be careful not to over mix as it will get gummy and tough
  5. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts
  6. Pour into cupcake tins evenly, filling to about ¾ of the way to the top
  7. Sprinkle “fairy dust”
  8. Bake for 22-24 minutes, rotating the pans halfway. As they get close to done, they should brown on top and bounce back to the touch. Check with a toothpick.
Early Childhood Education
Tamar Lai
Director of Early Childhood Education
With the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone across the globe is in the process of figuring out how to adapt in order to curb the spread of this virus.
HiMama has compiled these resources with the feedback and support from the childcare community to help childcare centers, teachers, and families make the most of these uncertain times, and to continue providing great care for our kiddos with awesome at-home activities.
These easy activities will help to keep your child entertained, while promoting learning outcomes across developmental domains.
Adult Learning & Living
Danielle Vierra, Adult Learning and Living
Let’s go for a trip from the San Francisco Bay to The Gold Country!

Many of you may be missing our Seniors' Excursions. Whether you've never joined us or are a regular guest, let’s get going!
We may not know when we will be back on track, but in anticipation of upcoming outings, let’s take this opportunity to check in on the best of the Bay Area.

It's spring and that brings to mind the beautiful sunny gardens and that can only mean Filoli. This historic home and its gardens are familiar to many and it's in bloom! You'll enjoy a look through the estate's beautiful website. Perhaps it'll whet your appetite for a visit with the JCC—as soon as we can!
And did you know that the builders of Filoli were early owners of the Empire Mine in Grass Valley, California? This was a stop on a Senior Sojourn in 2018. Let’s revisit soon!
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Membership
A heartfelt thank-you to all of you who have chosen to keep your membership active during this shutdown. The staff appreciates your generosity.

To keep your account active, please click the green button below, type your name, press "send," and your account will NOT be frozen on April 1. You are helping us stay financially afloat as we prepare to reopen.

Stay well, Friends.

Expect Issue #5 on Tuesday, March 31.