The April Edition Includes:

Register For A Great Event: Sunday, May 5, 2024, "Blintzes & Burritos Brunch",

Meet: Daniel Tenenbaum, Breed Street Shul; Meet: Josh Karalnick; Macabbi 2024; Youth and Adult Basketball; Readers Club; Men's Club April Meeting and Excursion

Letter From Jeff Rubin

Executive Director, Valley JCC

BRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER THROUGH ART

In these challenging and ever-changing times, it is more important than ever to find ways to bring communities together. One powerful avenue to achieve this is through the universal language of art. Whether it be painting, music, dance, or any other art form, the power of art to inspire, heal, and unite people is undeniable.

Please join us for our Annual Program on Sunday, May 5^th at the Rose Goldwater Community Center – "Blintzes and Burritos Brunch" – Connecting The Jewish and Latino Communities Through Art. Register at https://www.valleyjcc.org/celebration.  

Let’s explore how art can bridge divides, foster connections, and promote a sense of belonging within our communities:

Art has always played a central role in human history, transcending borders and cultural differences. It has the unique ability to communicate emotions, stories, and perspectives without the need for words. Through art, we can express our innermost feelings, cultures, and identities. By embracing various art forms, we open doors for

understanding and appreciation among diverse groups of people.

One way art brings communities together is by contributing to the creative and shared spaces, public art installations, such as sculptures, murals, or community gardens serve as catalysts for meaningful interactions and conversations. They provide opportunities for individuals of different backgrounds to gather, admire the artwork, and engage in dialogue. These shared spaces become meeting points where cultural exchange can take place, helping to bridge any societal divisions and promote unity.

Collaboration art projects also offer a unique opportunity for communities to work together toward a common goal. Murals, for example, can be a collective effort involving artists of various ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. By participating in such projects, individuals not only develop their artistic abilities but also form connections with others. This shared experience can foster a sense of belonging, pride, and unity within the community.

Art can also serve as a powerful tool for social justice and activism. Through their creations, artists often shed light on social issues, challenging the status quo and stimulating important conversations. By sharing their work, artists bring attention to topics that might otherwise go unnoticed, encouraging individuals to reconsider their perspectives and take action. This collective response to societal challenges strengthens the community’s spirit and resolve to make positive change together.



Furthermore, art programs in schools and community centers can be transformative in fostering connections and nurturing creativity. By providing access to art education, we unlock the potential of individuals who may have otherwise been overlooked. Art programs create safe spaces where individuals can develop their artistic skills, build self-confidence, and express themselves freely. As a result, these initiatives empower individuals to engage with their communities, find common ground, and celebrate their unique talents.

Art has the power to bring communities together, foster connections, and promote a sense of belonging. Through shared spaces, collaborative projects, social activism, and art education, we can harness the transformative power of art to create vibrant, inclusive, and united communities.

On May 5^th, we connect the Jewish and Latino communities through art. Our lineup is truly exceptional! The esteemed Art Historian, John Paul Thornton, will be delighting us with another enthralling art history lesson. And brace yourselves for the insightful session by Dan Tenenbaum from Breed Street Shul, who will be unveiling the rich history of their building and all the exciting renovations currently underway. 

Best regards,

Jeff

To Register for "Blintzes and Burritos Brunch" CLICK HERE or go to: WWW.VALLEYJCC.ORG/CELEBRATION

Daniel Tenenbaum,

Vice-Chair, Breed Street Shul

Daniel Tenenbaum, Vice Chair of Breed Street Shul Project, has devoted both his professional career and volunteer involvement in helping the community in several meaningful ways.

Born in Montreal, Daniel attended Jewish Day School, where he became proficient in several languages: English, French, Hebrew, and Yiddish. He came to the United States in 1990, to attend Harvard Business School. Following graduation, Daniel moved to the Los Angeles area.

As founding principal of Pacific Crest Realty, Daniel oversees all activities including the acquisition and management of multifamily housing in Southern California. He spends much of his time being involved in civic activities. In addition to his involvement with Breed Street Shul, he was the past Vice-Chair for the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles Board of Commissioners, and for more than six years was overseeing the Section 8 rent subsidy program and all public housing in the city. 

Daniel is a past Chair of the Jewish Venture Philanthropy Fund, an entrepreneurial giving circle that has donated over $2 million to deserving non-profits. He was also a member of the Board of the Milken Community Schools, and on the board of transportation advocate group, Move LA. 

Daniel lives in Pacific Palisades, and has two daughters, ages 18 and 20, who both attended Milken schools.

We welcome Daniel and look forward to his participation in our May 5th “Blintzes and Burritos Brunch” program, when he will facilitate a presentation of photos and a heartfelt video describing the Breed Street Shul’s historic past.

Letter From Ollie Haas

President, Board of Directors



Dear Valley JCC Members and Friends,

Among the varied and plentiful programs that Valley JCC (VJCC) offers is a special class called Table Tennis for Seniors. We began this program approximately 10 years ago.

This was an outgrowth of a study done in Japan. It was evident from the study that people playing table tennis (also known as ping pong) preserve far better mental ability, even in their older age, as compared to non-ping pong players. These findings suggest that playing table tennis can prevent or delay senile dementia.

The study cited found that older adults who played table tennis regularly had better cardiovascular fitness and endurance than those who did not play. Table Tennis also helps improve balance and coordination, thus reducing the risk of falls. Our program includes a qualified, trained coach. We offer the program once a week for 90 minutes. (Equipment, paddles and balls, are provided.)

Also offered at VJCC, are many other programs that have cognitive, physical, emotional and social benefits to improve our lives such as; Mah Jong, Canasta, Bridge classes, art lectures, book club, weight loss classes, and the Jerry Wayne Basketball League.

For further information on classes and programs, as well as opportunities to volunteer and to donate to the Valley JCC, see our website: valleyjcc.org

or call Ellen at (818) 360-2211.

• Also important, the Center’s biggest fundraiser of the year is coming up Sunday, May 5, 2024 from 11am to 2pm. “The Blintzes and Burritos Brunch” promises to be a day of fun, food, entertainment, education and charity. Please sign up online at our website, valleyjcc.org to guarantee a seat at the table. If you’re unable to attend, any and all donations will be gratefully accepted at the website too.Hope to see you there!

Happy Passover to you and all your dear family and friends!

CHAG PESACH SAMEACH! 

Ollie

Valley JCC President

Fundraiser at The Stand, Encino

Several Valley JCC members enjoying a lunch fundraiser at The Stand in Encino.

Seated on the patio are: Suzanne Victor, Ron Victor, Susan Menkes, Stephanie DuCaine, Wendy Fishman, Amanda Prosin, Donna Haas, and Phyllis Levy. Photographer: Andy Levy.

Meet: Josh Karalnick,

The Loot Basketball League

Josh Karalnick, founder of The Loot Basketball League, was born and raised in Tarzana, in the San Fernando Valley. He attended St. Joseph The Worker School, followed by Taft High School. Coming full circle, Josh now teaches 4th grade at St. Joseph The Worker school.

Always interested in sports, Josh started playing basketball at age 10. By 12 years old, when his younger brother started shooting hoops, he began coaching basketball teams. After playing in many leagues, Josh developed a corporate league at the Pacific Lodge Boys Home in Woodland Hills. Following that experience, Josh formed his own league, The Loot Basketball League, in 2018. He didn’t see the high quality adult league that he envisioned, so he started his own.

What sets The Loot apart from other leagues, is their social media presence, professional appearance, they livestream each game, are very well organized, and have a talented graphic artist for flyers and additional materials. “The Loot is the most competitive high-end league in the area”, according to Josh. Teams play all over the San Fernando and Conejo Valleys, from Thousand Oaks to Santa Clarita.

When not organizing and attending league basketball games, Josh enjoys playing basketball, the outdoors, cycling and vintage cars. He lives in Valencia with his wife and 4-year old daughter.

Music & Morsels: Theme & Variations

Wednesday, April 3, 2023

1-2pm (PT) n Zoom

Save! Get “Early Bird” pricing; purchase before April 1st.

For details & tickets, click here.

Exploring Music: The Greatest Satirical Songs

Two Thursdays, April 4 & 18

1-2pm (PT) on Zoom

Save! Register by April 2nd for “Early Bird” pricing!

For details & tickets, click here.

Art & Artists: The Art of Passover

Mondays, April 8

11am-12pm (PT) on Zoom

Save! Register by April 6th for “Early Bird” pricing!

For details & tickets, click here.

Art & Artists: The Art of Israel

Mondays, April 15

11am-12pm (PT) on Zoom

Save! Register by April 13th for “Early Bird” pricing!

For details & tickets, click here.

Basketball

The Wayne League

by

Jason Moser

Spring is here! And, with spring comes growth. Not just the flowers and trees, but our basketball league is also growing.

Just when we thought we couldn't get any larger, we acquired two additional gyms in our portfolio. Birmingham High School in Lake Balboa was gracious enough to give us two evenings a week; and Valley Beth Shalom in Encino has opened its doors to us on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings.

This brings our total number of gyms in the community up to 13. We are now able to host up to 140 adult teams 70 youth games weekly. Remarkably, we have a waiting list in both youth and adult in most divisions. With the Valley Beth Shalom addition, we now can offer 6U and 8U youth divisions and have created a brand new Brass division for the 45+ adults and players with less than high school experience.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the partners that have led to our massive growth. Valley Stars basketball academy Left Coast Wave, Gametymers, and Eclipse basketball have been essential in our growth in the youth market. And, with The Loot Basketball League partnering with the Jerry Wayne League, Valley JCC will have over 120 adult teams four times a year in 12 divisions including the aforementioned Brass 45+, a very competitive 35+ as well as a women's division on Sundays.

Now that these leagues are huge and self sustaining, we are going to start focusing on other sports to offer the community!

Please join us - Shalom!

Valley JCC sports leagues are named

in memory of beloved former

Executive Director Jerry Wayne

New Weight Loss Classes starting in April

Norwegian Fjords & Arctic Circle Cruise

Aug. 25-(Sept. 6), 2025

This beautiful journey north highlighted with special activities, sumptuous meals, and exciting excursions is sure to fill quickly. Our allotment of staterooms is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve yours soon!

For a cruise overview, click below.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cultural-arts-trip-norwegian-fjords-arctic-circle-cruise-tickets-842119651547

For details & pricing, contact James at jsokol@marinjcc.org

Passover and Easter

Both celebrate spring and hope, though there are major differences between them

Although both holidays are purposely scheduled to occur in the Spring, and both emphasize history and hope, there are differences, too.

Passover is communal, while Easter is individual. While both festivals are about delivery from a state of despair, be it slavery or sin, Passover heralds the birth of the Jewish people as a force for good in the community of nations. In contrast, Easter assures the individual Christian life eternal. Passover summons Jews collectively into the world to repair it; Easter proffers a way out of a world beyond repair.

In both festivals, nature and history converge with a resounding message of hope. The renewal of nature that comes with spring amplifies the promise of redemption embedded in the historical events being commemorated. To each faith community, God’s presence manifests itself in two key ways, in nature and through history.

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/easter-and-passover/

Coconut-Macaroon Sundaes

by Martha Stewart

These macaroons can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to a week. Top them with your favorite fruit if raspberries are unavailable.

For Ingredients and Directions, go to:



https://www.marthastewart.com/339189/coconut-macaroon-sundaes?utm_source=emailshare&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shareurlbuttons

Book Recommendation

Apples Never Fall

by

Liane Moriarty

From Liane Moriarty, the bestselling author of Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers,comes Apples Never Fall, a novel that looks at marriage, siblings, and how the people we love the most can hurt us the deepest.

The Delaney family love one another dearly. It's just that sometimes they want to murder each other . If your mother was missing, would you tell the police? Even if the most obvious suspect was your father? This is the dilemma facing the four grown Delaney siblings.

The Delaneys are fixtures in their community. The parents, Stan and Joy, are the envy of all of their friends. They’re killers on the tennis court, and off it their chemistry is palpable. But after fifty years of marriage, they’ve finally sold their famed tennis academy and are ready to start what should be the golden years of their lives. So why are Stan and Joy so miserable?

The four Delaney children―Amy, Logan, Troy, and Brooke―were tennis stars in their own right, yet as their father will tell you, none of them had what it took to go all the way. But that’s okay, now that they’re all successful grown-ups and there is the wonderful possibility of grandchildren on the horizon.

One night a stranger named Savannah knocks on Stan and Joy’s door, bleeding after a fight with her boyfriend. The Delaneys are more than happy to give her the small kindness she sorely needs. If only that was all she wanted.

Later, when Joy goes missing, and Savannah is nowhere to be found, the police question the one person who remains: Stan. But for someone who claims to be innocent, he, like many spouses, seems to have a lot to hide. Two of the Delaney children think their father is innocent, two are not so sure―but as the two sides square off against each other in perhaps their biggest match ever, all of the Delaneys will start to reexamine their shared family history in a very new light.

https://www.amazon.com/Apples-Never-Fall-Liane-Moriarty/dp/1250220254

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.

April Excursion

The Men's Club will take a tour of So-Fi Stadium

Wednesday, April 3rd at 1:00pm

This is a 2-hour tour with parking included.

The fee is $50.65 ( senior discount + service fees).



if interested, please RSVP as soon as possible.

Please send payment to Shel Wolfe by March 25th

Either check or Zelle is fine

April Men's Club Meeting

Monday, April 1st, 6:00pm

Millie's Restaurant & Bakery

16840 Vanowen Street (at Balboa) in Van Nuys

PLEASE RSVP so that I can have a head count:

steve@valleyjcc.org

Please let me know whether or not you're attending

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