The November Edition Includes:

Family Health and Wellness Fair photos, Mah Jongg Tournament photos,

Meet Marty Hall and Cara Lisco, Giving Tuesday, Hanukkah Candle Giveaway,

Macabbi 2024 Registration, Youth and Adult Basketball,

Readers Club, Men's Club, Holiday Boutique

Letter From Jeff Rubin

Executive Director, Valley JCC

Spread Kindness and Support This November

As we approach the holiday season, we are reminded of the importance of kindness and supporting those organizations that make a positive impact in our community. At Valley JCC, we have been dedicated to creating meaningful programs and events that bring joy, education, and connection to individuals of all ages.

We deeply appreciate your continued support as we strive to make a difference in people's lives. Your generosity has been instrumental in enabling us to organize exceptional programs throughout the year. However, our success is dependent on the collective efforts of our community - which includes you!

As 2023 draws to a close, we kindly ask for your year-end donation to help us continue providing these invaluable services. Your contribution will directly support the various programs and events that bring happiness and enrichment to our community members.

By donating today, you become an integral part of our mission. Together, we can create a stronger, more compassionate community that thrives on kindness and support.

To make your donation or learn more about our programs, please visit our website, www.valleyjcc.org or contact our dedicated team directly at (818) 360-2211. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated by all those who benefit from Valley JCC's offerings.

Thank you for your unwavering support. We are grateful for your generosity and belief in what we do. Together, let's continue spreading kindness and making a positive impact on those around us.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Jeff

Mah Jongg Tournament A Success!

A successful Mah Jongg Tournament was held on Sunday, October 15th at The Village in Northridge.

Ellen Cohen, TITLE, who handled all the arrangements for the day, reported that there were 80 players who participated and enjoyed the experience. There was a waiting list of players who wished to play but didn't register in time.

Valley JCC thanks The Village at Northridge for providing the space, breakfast and lunch for the event. We are grateful to Judi and Bill Nachenberg, Mah Jongg gurus, who facilitated the tournament.

"We will definitely repeat the Mah Jongg Tournament next year", says Ellen, "so sign up quickly when you get the registration notice."

Letter From Ollie Haas

President, Board of Directors

Dear Valley JCC Members,

Originally, in the 1600’s, Thanksgiving Day celebrated the harvest of the past year. Fast forward to 2023, and families and friends gather and express their gratefulness for many types of blessings that occurred during the preceding year. Gratitude can range from good health, career and business success, family rites of passage, children and grandchildren’s accomplishments, to hopes and prayers for world peace.

Centerpieces on Thanksgiving dinner tables often reflect gratefulness. An example is a Gratitude Tree formed from actual tree branches or artificial material. Guests of all ages write their thoughts on colorful paper leaves cut from construction paper. The leaves and messages are then attached to the centerpiece tree for all to read and enjoy. Another centerpiece features an overflowing wicker cornucopia filled with gourds, fruit, nuts, and colorful leaves.

As I reflect on this past year serving with Valley JCC, I’m thankful for the community of friends that we have created, and the meaningful activities and events we have provided for all age groups and interests in the community at large. From our annual Wine & Cheese Garden Party, to the special “Evening With John Paul Thornton” featuring his personal artwork exhibit, to our Maccabi participation in Israel and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to our many local basketball leagues for youth and adults, and including our free Matzo and Hanukkah Candle Giveaways. 

Please join me in being appreciative and grateful for what we have created as a Valley JCC community, and for the friends we have made while we plan events throughout the year. May many blessings and good experiences in life come your way, during this Thanksgiving holiday, and every day! Wishing a meaningful Thanksgiving holiday to you and yours.

With warmest regards,

Ollie

Valley JCC President

Meet:

Marty Hall

New Member, Board of Directors

A warm welcome to our newest Board of Directors member, Marty Hall!

Marty was born in Los Angeles and when he was two years old, his parents moved to the City of Ventura, where he spent his youth. Marty attended Buena High School, followed by Ventura College and San Diego State University, where he graduated with a degree in Recreation Administration.

During his high school years, Marty applied his recreation education by working for the City of Ventura, the Conejo Parks and Recreation Department, and the City of Moorpark.

The year 2008 was a year of change for Marty. He interviewed for a position with the City of Calabasas, met Jeff Rubin, who became a lifelong friend, and became a facility supervisor at Juan Bautista de Anza park, Calabasas. A few years later, Marty became Deputy Director of Community Services, where he served until his retirement in 2022. Marty was a leader in the growth of the department. He worked on establishing the Calabasas Senior Center, a new dog park, play equipment at various city parks, and rebuilding Grape Arbor Park after the Woolsey fire.

Marty has taken an interest in Valley JCC and has attended the annual Wine & Cheese Garden Party. He has been a strong supporter of our events, including “An Evening With John Paul Thornton” where he arranged for matching funds from Amgen Inc.

Marty enjoys traveling throughout the United States, and truly values the time he spends with his daughter and her horse Sam. They travel the region for horse competitions, especially the National Reined Cow Horse Association shows. A recent new member to the equine family is Junior, Sam’s colt.

“I look forward to meeting everyone at Valley JCC, serving on the Board of Directors, and bringing my experience in recreation and education to help reach our goals,” states Marty.

Marty lives in Camarillo with his wife, daughter, two dogs and a cat. The two horses are boarded nearby.

Welcome!

Still Traveling: Scotland’s Great Glen

Four Mondays, October 30, November 6, 13 & 20

11am-12:15pm (PT) on Zoom

Save! Register before October 28th for “Early Bird” pricing!

For details & tickets, click here.

A Musical Voyage: Italy, Poland, Germany

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

1-2pm (PT) on Zoom

Save! Get “Early Bird” pricing; purchase before Oct 30th.

For details & tickets, click here.

Exploring Broadway: Behind-the-Scenes

Four Thursdays, November 2, 9, 16 & 30 (no discussion on 11/23)

1-2:15pm on Zoom

Save! Get “Early Bird” ticket prices; register before Oct 31st!

For details & tickets, click here.

Exploring Music:

Bach to the Beatles – Part I

Three Tuesdays, November 7, 14 & 21

1-2:15pm (PT) on Zoom

Save! Get “Early Bird” ticket prices; register before Nov 5th!

For details & tickets, click here.

Meet:

Cara Lisco

Cara Lisco was introduced to JCC early in life when she went to the local JCC for pre-school. Growing up in the borough Tenefly, New Jersey, a suburb of New York City, she considers the pre-school experience the reason she was inspired and drawn to the philosophy of Waldorf education as a career choice later in life.

After attending the Tenefly public schools, Cara attended Harvard University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree, and continued her education at Stanford Law School where she received her Juris Doctor. While at Stanford, Cara focused on Lawyering for Social Change and served as President of Women at Stanford Law School.

After graduation, Cara conducted a variety of federal court civil rights litigation cases and worked with a number of non-profit and advocacy groups on shared litigation goals. She served as Vice-President of Dispute Resolution Services for SquareTrade Inc. an American extended warranty service provider for consumer electronics and appliances. She also created the world’s largest international dispute resolution service.

Currently serving as Director of Advancement and Operations at Highland Hall, a Waldorf school in Northridge, Cara explains, “I choose Waldorf education because it is the best preparation for the skills and capacities children will need in their future.” She embraces community and often brings in diverse groups to the campus to help build and support a strong, directed community. Cara emphasizes that bringing about change through education can help create a better future.

A meeting between Cara and Valley JCC’s Executive Director Jeff Rubin, resulted in a collaboration for the use of Highland Hall’s basketball courts for the Wayne Youth Basketball League games. Valley JCC and the athletes sincerely appreciate the use of the professional sports space. 

Speaking of sports, Cara recently earned her black belt in Tai Kwon Do.

Basketball

The Wayne League

by

Jason Moser

As November begins, we are starting playoffs in both our youth and adult basketball leagues.

I usually tend to focus on numbers but as I reflect this fall, I am more excited about the partnerships we are forming in the community. Without these connections, we simply could not house all of our youth and adult teams.

I would like to mention the following gyms in our portfolio; Emek Hebrew Academy,

de Toledo High School, El Camino Charter, Highland Hall, AE Wright Middle School, Lindero Middle School, West Ranch High School, Christ Community Church School, and Viewpoint School. Without these gymnasiums, we could not have expanded to over 100 teams in such a short timeframe. These partnerships ensure that we can provide a fun and competitive environment from Santa Clarita, through the San Fernando Valley, and into the Conejo Valley.

We are also growing our Little Dribblers seven and under basketball clinics with coach Kiki and will hopefully have a winter camp over the holiday break. November is the month of Thanksgiving and I am very thankful for these relationships we are developing to give both youth and adults an opportunity to get some exercise and spend time with friends and family during these challenging times.



Please join us - Shalom!

Wayne Girls Basketball

Girls league playing Sundays at A. E. Wright Middle School

Valley JCC sports leagues are named

in memory of beloved former

Executive Director Jerry Wayne

Thanksgiving Trivia to Share at the Dinner Table

1. Are pumpkin technically a fruit or a vegetable? Answer: Fruit
2. According to Guinness World Records, how much does the world’s largest pumpkin pie weigh? Answer: Made in 2010, 3,699 pounds
3. Which U.S. president was the first to officially pardon a turkey? Answer: in 1989, George H.W. Bush
4. True or false: The Pilgrims referred to themselves as “Pilgrims”. Answer: False. They called themselves “Separatists”.
5. When was the first Thanksgiving feast held? Answer: November 1621
6. What was on the menu of the first Thanksgiving? Answer: venison, goose, duck, fish, and porridge or bread made from corn
7. What do Marilyn Monroe, Meryl Streep, Matt Damon and Taylor Swift all have in common? Answer: According to the New England Historic Genealogical Society, they’re all descendants of passengers or crew on the Mayflower
8. True of False: Pilgrim Monument is located at Plymouth Rock. Answer: False. Pilgrim Monument I s located in Provincetown, Massachusetts

Thanksgiving Table

Centerpiece

From Better Homes & Gardens,

a centerpiece that transforms any flower arrangement into a colorful centerpiece.

You can use flowers from the garden or a floral arrangement purchased at the market.

Hollow out a pumpkin, or use a ceramic pumpkin, and fill it with soaked floral foam. Press the flower stems into the foam and add sprigs of decorative foliage.

bhg.com

Book Recommendation

The Bird Hotel

by

Joyce Maynard

After a childhood filled with heartbreak, Irene, a talented artist, finds herself in a small Central American village where she checks into a beautiful but decaying lakefront hotel called La Llorona at the base of a volcano. 

The Bird Hotel tells the story of this young American who, after suffering tragedy, restores and runs La Llorona. Along the way we meet a rich assortment of characters who live in the village or come to stay at the hotel. With a mystery at its center and filled with warmth, drama, romance, humor, pop culture, and a little magic realism, The Bird Hotel has all the hallmarks of a Joyce Maynard novel that have made her a a leading voice of her generation 

The Bird Hotel is a big, sweeping story spanning four decades, offering lyricism as well as whimsy. While the world New York Times bestselling author Joyce Maynard brings to life on the page is rendered from her imagination, it’s one informed by the more than twenty years of which she has spent a significant amount of her time in a small Mayan indigenous village in Guatemala. 

www.goodreads.com

From Today's Montessori...

Valley JCC Men's Club

Meet and socialize

with other 55+ men in the Valley!

Past outings include special tours of Santa Anita Park, Jet Propulsion Laboratories in Pasadena, experiences at Dodger Stadium, the Getty Museum, and Axe Throwing at Lumberjack's in Northridge.

The Men's Club meets the first Monday of the month

unless there is a national or religious holiday.

The Men’s Club will meet on

Monday, November 6^th

Bob’s Big Boy, 8876 Corbin Ave. at 6:00 pm. 

Please RSVP to me and let me know 

whether or not you will be able to attend

I hope to see all of you Monday,  November 6th!!!

 ...Steve Levine

For more information, contact steve@valleyjcc.org or call 818-360-2211

Valley JCC is looking forward to engaging in continuous outreach in the community.

Stay tuned for details...

Fundraising Opportunity

On Your Birthday!

"How To" Use Ralphs To Benefit Valley JCC

1. Go to: www.ralphs.com
2. Click on "Sign in" to the right of the search box. (If you don't have an online account, click on "Register")
3. Click on your name to the right of the search box at the top
4. You will now be on your Account Summary page
5. Scroll down to "Community Contributions" and click on "Enroll"
6. Complete the online form and Click on "Save"
7. Enter organization number SK677 and click on the "Search" button
8. "Valley Jewish Community Center" will be displayed. Click "Enroll"
9. You will see a confirmation at the top of the Account Summary page
10. A percentage of your purchases will be donated to Valley JCC