Tuesday, April 28, 2020. Issue 13.


On the eve of Israeli Independence Day, most of us find ourselves begrudgingly sheltered at home and less free than we'd wish. Perhaps we can comfort ourselves knowing that a lengthy quarantine at home pales in comparison to the centuries through which many of our ancestors were denied a home.

Happy 72nd Birthday, Israel.
We're glad to have a home.
Jewish Engagement
ISRAELI INDEPENDENCE DAY
Yom Ha'atsmaut
11AM, Wednesday, April 29
On Yom HaZikaron, the Israeli flag on Mount Herzl flies at half-mast. The following morning, the flag goes to the top of the pole to signal the start of Yom Ha’atsmaut, Israeli Independence Day. Without the sacrifice of soldiers, there would be no independent Jewish state.
It’s a day of parades, picnics, and performances, culminating with the awarding of the “Israel Prize," honoring those who’ve made extraordinary contributions in their field or to Israeli culture.

This year, you can join celebrity guests, world leaders, and others around the world in a free, one-hour online program focused on the theme “What Israel Means to Me. What Israel Means to Us.”
In the meantime, share your thoughts, wishes and memories of Israel on FB, Instagram, or Twitter using the hashtag #IsraelToMe.
Development
I've always been a person who looks for the silver lining. During these difficult times a huge silver lining for me has been being able to connect with so many of our donors.
 
My favorite part of the day is making phone calls to check in and see how everyone is doing. We have connected with over 300 donors to date and the response has been wonderful! People have very generously shared with me how they are dealing with new challenges. The stories I have heard have gone straight into my heart—especially how a silver lining for so many has been being able to participate in the Virtual J.
 
The doors of our building may be closed but our mission remains the same: sustaining Jewish culture, enriching lives, and building community. 

It is a privilege to be able to serve our community and keep us all connected.
Jewish Peoplehood
REMINDER: MEET THE AUTHOR
Growing Up Below Sea Level: A Kibbutz Childhood
Wednesday, April 29 @ 1PM
Free but pre-registration is required

Join us tomorrow for a special lunchtime author talk with local author, social worker, and former Osher Marin JCC Director of Community Education, Rachel Biale. Growing Up Below Sea Level: A Kibbutz Childhood, tells the quintessential story of Israel in the most intimate terms. Biale's memoir is organized into 26 stories that span her childhood from her earliest memories at age three to her departure from Israel to America at age twenty.
Let's celebrate Israel!
Wednesday, April 29
8:30AM - 3:00PM PST

We are just over a month into the Bay Area's shelter in place, and I, for one, am looking to combat some serious cabin fever. This week, I'm jumping at the chance to do some dancing...with a bunch of like-minded strangers: the Global Celebration of Israel's Independence Day features a dance party with Matisyahu, and appearances by Reuven Rivlin (President of Israel), Shira Haas (star of Netflix's Unorthodox), The Brothers Platt, Adeena Sussman (author, Sababa cookbook) and more. The day begins at 8am (we've got to get up early to keep up with Israel!) and culminates with the Jewish Federations of North America's Worldwide Celebration of Israel's Independence Day at 11am (PST) and dancing from 12-2:30pm (PST). Hope to see you there; remember, movement is good for the soul!
Adult Learning & Living
Learn to use Zoom with our help—for free.

Take a look at our Zoom Learning webpage for our custom training manuals and registration information for our Beginner and new Intermediate Zoom Learning meetings.

For details, get the free step-by-step manuals and information about our free online practice sessions. You'll want to sign up.
Cultural Arts & Trips
DESTINATION
Chiang Rai, Thailand

Let me take you to Southeast Asia to witness the creation of a modern wonder! Eclectic Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat envisioned, designed, and is in the process of constructing and personally funding a magnificent Buddhist temple with an unusual contemporary twist. With construction having started in 1997 on the site of an old, dilapidated temple, Wat Rong Khun (also known as the White Temple) will be part of a much larger complex to include a pagoda, a monastery, and several other halls. Thus, no end date is in sight.
Throughout, the artist juxtaposes traditional Buddhist themes and modern influences, including murals of Mickey Mouse, Superman, Kung Fu Panda and Michael Jackson—all add to the intrigue and surprise.

See it here.
For a longer visit, plus an interview with its creator:
Performing Arts
A Feel-Good Song Worth Another Listen.
If you’re a fan of Kermit the Frog and his killer performance in The Muppet Movie, you must hold a special place in your heart for The Rainbow Connection. This song was written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher as the first number in The Muppet Movie by Jim Henson.
From an interview with Paul Williams: "Kermit is like ‘every frog.’ He’s the Jimmy Stewart of frogs. So how do we show that he’s a thinking frog, and that he has an introspective soul, and all that good stuff? We looked at his environment, and his environment is water and air… and light. And it just seemed like it would be a place where he would see a rainbow. But we also wanted to show that he would be on this spiritual path, examining life, and the meaning of life.”

The Rainbow Connection was nominated for an Academy Award, and Kermit performed the song at the ceremony that year.
Camp & Youth
A CAMP KEHILLAH FAVORITE
Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
Now you can download Dr. Seuss' The Lorax Read & Play children's book app and learn how to take care of our planet, because you know what we say at camp?

Every day is Earth Day!
In addition to the full audio book, the app also includes nine different mini-games like Memory Match, Jigsaw Puzzle, Word Search, Sequence, and more!⁣

Also check out the Treasury collection which includes 55 Dr. Seuss books in one single app.⁣ 
Early Childhood Education
Rainbow Pasta Recipe

  1. Boil any type of pasta.
  2. Once cooked, run cold water over pasta and pat dry.
  3. Divide pasta into Ziploc bags.
  4. Add food coloring to pasta and a few drops of vegetable oil to help set the color.
  5. Seal the bags, then let your child help mix the color by shaking the bags.
  6. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  7. Rinse each color of pasta in cold water to remove the excess coloring and pat dry.
You're ready to play!
Put pasta in a bin and let your child explore. For older children, add tongs or chopsticks to really get those fingers moving and strengthen those muscles!

Store pasta for up to one week in the fridge. Or eat it.
Health & Fitness
Thank you for all the feedback about how much you are enjoying our Live Group Fitness classes!

Some of you have been asking if we can tape the classes and the answer is YES, we can! And, YES, we have been!

Go to marinjcc.org/virtualworkouts and scroll half way down the page to see our library of pre-recorded classes. They are highlighted in green.

We add more every week because our goal as always is to keep you inspired, moving in a positive way, and feeling connected to a community that misses you.

www.marinjcc.org/ virtualworkouts
Tikkun Marin Spotlight
As part of the Tikkun Marin Community Service Initiative, we introduce you to the first of many local organizations we will highlight. They inspire us and support our community, and they are looking for more volunteers to assist them.

Jewish Family and Children's Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, and Sonoma Counties is one of the oldest and largest human service institutions in the United States.
How the JFCS makes an impact

Meet Lee. He used to be an architect. Now he lives alone and has advanced Parkinson’s disease. The other day, Lee called to thank JFCS for connecting him with Ellen, a JFCS Safe-At-Home volunteer. Every day, Ellen calls Lee, patiently listens to him, and looks out for him.

These 30-minute conversations have been especially meaningful. Lee's speech has become slurred due to his Parkinson's symptoms, and it is very difficult for him to verbally communicate with others. The empathy Ellen has shown Lee has touched his heart and brightened his life during a dark time.
Lee is also one of thousands of older adults who received a special Passover Care Package delivered by JFCS volunteers, and he receives groceries from the JFCS Food Bank every week.
If you or someone you care about needs help,
call JFCS at 415-449-3700

Volunteer grocery shoppers and food runners are still needed!
Apply at  www.jfcs.org/volunteer .


Stay well, Friends. We miss you.

Expect Issue #14 on Thursday, April 30th. Past issues are online .
Starting next week, we will publish just once a week on Tuesdays.