We hope you enjoy reading about our Classes, Clubs,

Maccabi Games 2022, Visit to JCC Krakow, and October Wine & Cheese event 

Letter From Jeff Rubin

Executive Director, Valley JCC

We all make decisions in life … some good, some bad, some challenging, some out of fear, some at the spur of the moment, and some after a lot of thought. And don’t forget, some decisions are made for us. All of these decisions and resulting experiences help shape the person we eventually become. 

In a previous article, I spoke about the concept of perseverance through sports. As many of you have now learned about me, I love sports! I grew up playing baseball, basketball and football, and fondly remember my summer days on the field or in the gym from the time I got up until the time I went to bed. I learned so much, made many friends and had so many experiences “all over the chart”. An adage from the program, Wide World of Sports and popularized by the show’s host Jim McKay, said, “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat”. Growing up in the Valley and playing sports year-round as I did, everyone knew everyone and although we were competitive, at the end of the day, win or lose, we were all friends. 

Given the success our delegation experienced at the recent Maccabi Games in San Diego, I want to express how proud I am of the way our athletes handled both winning and losing. “Win with grace and lose with dignity” is a quote I will never forget, and our athletes certainly embodied it. I couldn’t have been more proud of them, the way they treated each other and especially how they treated players and coaches from the opposing teams. 

This brings me back to decisions and perseverance through sports. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and spend time with so many of our players’ parents while in San Diego. To me, this is what it’s all about! That’s why I chose a very worthwhile profession that encompasses making a difference in the community. 

The Goalie Who Didn't Give Up!

Our first soccer game of the tournament did not go at all as planned. We went up against an older, stronger, and quicker team from Philadelphia, and got beaten soundly, 7-1. Our boys could have called it quits right then and there, but they rallied around each other, supported one another, and continued to work towards their ultimate goal of winning it all. We came right back that afternoon and beat a team from Dallas 7-2 to get in the win column. Assembling a team is never easy, and our coaches did an outstanding job. Often, players end up in a position that they haven’t played before or rarely played. This was never more true than our goalkeeper! He hadn’t played the position in a very long time. In addition, he felt out of place since many players already knew one another and he felt he had let the team down after game one. Talking with his parents, I learned that he wanted to go home and was unhappy that his parents forced him to do the Maccabi Games in the first place. So, the decision to participate was made by his parents. He felt he didn’t fit in.

And then, things quickly changed! The entire team rallied around this player, bonds were formed, and he quickly felt a part of the team. Win by win his confidence grew, relationships formed, trust was built, and his smile grew wider and wider. We finished the round-robin tournament as the number four seed. To get to the gold medal game, we would have to beat the undefeated and number one seed from Philadelphia that had already crushed us 7-1. In what I can only describe as one of the best youth soccer games I have ever seen, our boys came out strong and our goalie, who is in the games because his parents forced him to participate, made amazing save after amazing save. The crowd was electric from start to finish and our boys handed the undefeated team from Philadelphia their first loss with a score of 4-3, catapulting us into the gold medal game against Dallas. 

The gold medal game looked very much like our first game of the tournament, and we found ourselves down 4-1 at halftime. The boys looked tired, a bit slow, and our goalie, who was forced by his parents to participate, gave up a few easy goals. Their heads were down, and they had that defeated look on their faces. As we all know, soccer is a game with two halves. I don’t know what coach Oren said to the team at halftime, but they came out and quickly scored to make the deficit 4-2. Then it was 4-3, then we tied it at 4, then our goalie made a great save and we moved the ball down the field and scored to take the lead 5-4 and never looked back, scoring one more goal to seal a 6-4 victory and take home the GOLD MEDAL. Can you guess who took home the award for outstanding player? That’s right! Our goalie who was forced by his parents to participate in the games. 

Get involved, today. 



Thank You,

Jeff

Meet Ali Novak

Assistant Delegation Head, Maccabi Games 2022

Alexandra (Ali) Novak first connected with JCC’s Maccabi Games when she was 13 years old. Growing up in Agoura Hills, she played basketball and her brother played baseball for the Games. That early experience impacted her life and Ali has been volunteering for the Maccabi Games for years. As Assistant Delegation Head this year, she traveled to San Diego, and guided the athletes through the competition. 

“Maccabi has been extremely important to me”, Ali says, “and has provided an opportunity to make friends, meet students from other schools, experience host families, and to travel the world.” She always arranges her work vacation so that she is available for the summer games.

Ali is the Director of Athletics at YULA High School in Los Angeles. She earned her BA from San Diego State University in Psychology and Communications and her MS from Indiana University in Sports Management/Athletic Administration. The majority of her career was spent in collegiate and professional athletics working for UCLA, LA Clippers, San Francisco 49ers and LAFC. Ali is also an adjunct professor at Indiana University teaching online classes in Sports Management. She believes in creating greater school spirit towards athletics and implementing the idea of person before player, and where “we” makes, “me” stronger, is very important.

Thank you, Ali, for all you did during the San Diego Maccabi Games.

Message From Ollie Haas,

Valley JCC President, Board of Directors

As we continue our re-entry to the world after the pandemic, socializing and re-joining our community is more important than ever. Sometimes it’s awkward, like when we don’t know if we should shake hands, hug, or just wave to our friends and colleagues when we meet. 

Recently, socializing, laughter and great conversation were “on the menu” when several Valley JCC members and friends gathered at Famous Label’s Deli in Tarzana for a fundraising opportunity. We enjoyed each other’s company and great delicatessen food. Another chance to gather as a group will be on Sunday, October 23rd for our annual “Wine, Cheese & Autumn Leaves” social event. Hosted by one of our active members, a beautiful garden setting lends itself to reuniting with long-time friends and meeting new people.

Valley JCC is all about community. Our programming is directed to youth, adults and seniors, providing many opportunities to enjoy being with others. In addition to our continuing virtual classes, we are now scheduling in person classes, giving everyone another chance to learn and mingle with others. The in person class September 21st will be The David Labkovski Project: “A Conversation With An Artist Through His Body of Work”. There is more information in this newsletter, along with a link to register for the class, which will be held at Temple Aliyah.

When you’re ready to leave your home more often and get together with friends in the community, Valley JCC offers many ways for you to participate, including sports, Readers Club, Men’s Club, adult and youth basketball, Table Tennis Club, MahJongg, Current Events Discussion Group, and many, many classes.

Best wishes,

Ollie Haas

Basketball

The Jerry Wayne League

by

Jason Moser



Fall basketball is starting up for both youth and adults the week of September 12th. 

We are excited to add more gymnasiums to our portfolio. We now feature adult leagues in Calabasas at A.C. Stelle Middle School, A.E. Wright Middle School, and Viewpoint School. We are in Agoura at Lindero Canyon Middle School, West Hills at de Toledo High School, Sherman Oaks at Emek Hebrew Academy, and in Santa Clarita at West Ranch High School. 

Our youth leagues have expanded from just one location at Emek Hebrew Academy to both A.C. Stelle and A.E. Wright Middle Schools in Calabasas. We also have access to de Toledo High School in West Hills, if needed.

Information about Sunday youth basketball clinics with Eclipse Basketball coming soon.

 As our leagues continue to grow, we will continue to add gyms in various locations to accommodate demand. We still have available spots for teams so please sign up soon and have a great season!

Join us!

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.

September Meeting

Tuesday, September 6th at 6:00PM

(Changed to Tuesday because Monday is Labor Day)

Millie's Restaurant

168940 Vanowen Street

Van Nuys, CA 91405

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Steve Levine at: sandnl@verizon.net

The Men's Club meets the first Monday of the month, unless there is

a national or religious holiday.

Stay tuned for the next activity...

We are planning trips for October and November

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

Save the Date!

"Wine, Cheese & Autumn Leaves"

Sunday, October 23rd

3:00p.m. - 5:30p.m.

Rosh Hashanah

Baklava with Honey and Cardamom Recipe

You won't miss refined sugar or butter with this sweet treat featuring cinnamon and cardamom-spiced nuts covered with honey syrup.

CLICK HERE for recipe

Enjoy!

...myjewishlearing.com

Book Suggestion

The Violin Conspiracy

by Brendan Slocumb

A mystery about a Black classical musician whose family heirloom violin is stolen on the eve of the most prestigious classical music competition in the world. 

Ray McMillian loves playing the violin more than anything, and nothing will stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a professional musician. Not his mother, who thinks he should get a real job, not the fact that he can't afford a high-caliber violin, not the racism inherent in the classical music world. And when he makes the startling discovery that his great-grandfather's fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius, his star begins to rise.

Then with the international Tchaikovsky Competition—the Olympics of classical music—fast approaching, his prized family heirloom is stolen. Ray is determined to get it back. But now his family and the descendants of the man who once enslaved Ray's great-grandfather are each claiming that the violin belongs to them. With the odds stacked against him and the pressure mounting, will Ray ever see his beloved violin again?

…Goodreads.com

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