The September Edition Includes:

Li'l Dribblers Basketball, Family Health and Wellness Fair, Meet Laura Reardon,

Youth and Adult Basketball, Mah Jongg Tournament, Readers Club,

Men's Club, Holiday Boutique

Letter From Jeff Rubin

Executive Director, Valley JCC

The month of September offers many new beginnings: Schools are back in session after the long summer break; Labor Day signals the start of the new harvest; the fall equinox marks the beginning of autumn; and Rosh Hashanah celebrates the Jewish New Year. 

Valley JCC’s Mission has always been to provide a home for social, educational and recreational programs for families and individuals. While expressing Jewish values and giving back to the community, our programs and events are open to everyone. Our Vision continues to serve as a second home for the community. We’re a JCC for all. 

This month, in order to include some of our youngest participants, we have created “Li’l Dribblers”, a basketball experience for boys and girls ages 5-8 years. Beginning in September, they will learn basic skills and agility taught by professional coaches. Partnering with Valley Stars Basketball Academy, the players will have fun while learning. Starting October 1st, we will have new soccer and football clinics, continuing our partnership with Eclipse Sports. We will also offer full day sports camps for the days that LVUSD is closed throughout the year.

In October, we are hosting a Family Health and Wellness Fair. Sponsored by UCLA Health, the event will promote information and resources for young children through senior adults. We continue to offer cultural programs, art history presentations, Readers Club, Men’s Club, Table Tennis, Mah Jongg, a Mah Jongg Tournament, Bridge, Current Events, and youth and men’s basketball.

What would you like Valley JCC to be? What other classes, events, or offerings would you like us to include in our programming?

Thank You,

Jeff

Letter From Ollie Haas

President, Board of Directors

Dear Valley JCC Members,

As we approach the special time of Rosh Hashanah, I want to extend my warmest wishes to each and every one of you. This holiday marks not only the beginning of the Jewish New Year, but also a time of reflection, renewal, and connection with our faith and community.

Rosh Hashanah is a chance for us to come together, whether in person or in spirit, to contemplate the past year's journey and to set intentions for the year ahead. It's a time to seek forgiveness, offer forgiveness, and to embrace the opportunity for personal growth and positive change.

During this season especially, we seek a sense of togetherness while we navigate the challenges of the world around us. I hope we all find comfort and inspiration in the shared traditions and values that bind us.

As we prepare to welcome the Jewish New Year, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support of our JCC community. Your presence has enriched our Center, and we invite you to continue this journey together by renewing your membership for the upcoming year.

If you're already a member, we sincerely thank you for your commitment.

If you're not yet a member, we extend a warm invitation for you to join us.

By becoming a member or renewing your membership, you're investing in a place where you can find meaningful connections, and a supportive community. Your involvement is invaluable to us, and we look forward to journeying together in the coming year.

Renewing your membership is easy. Simply visit our website: http://www.valleyjcc.org/membership or contact our office at (818) 360-2211 to complete the process.

May the sweetness of apples dipped in honey, the resonant notes of the shofar, and the warmth of family and friends bring a sense of joy to your celebrations. Let us embrace the blessings of this season and carry its messages of reflection, renewal, and connection with us throughout the coming year.

L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu – May you be inscribed for a good year!

Warm regards,

Ollie

Valley JCC President

Save the Dates!

John Paul Thornton

will continue to present art history classes with an emphasis on Jewish artists and Jewish history.

Please mark your calendars with the following class dates for 2023 - 2024:

October 11

January 10

February 21

All classes will be virtual on Zoom and take place on

Wednesdays, from 6:00-7:30pm.

See you then!

Family Health and Wellness Fair

by Daniel Sagal

Valley JCC and UCLA Health are proud to present the 1st Annual Family Health and Wellness Fair on Sunday, October 15th, 8:00am to 1:00pm. I’ve been working with members of Valley JCC’s Fundraising Committee to select the vendors and plan the details of the event. We appreciate UCLA Health, our title sponsor, for bringing so much expertise to the Fair. 

The goal of the Family Health and Wellness Fair is to provide information and resources for all ages of family members, from young children to teens, young adults, middle adulthood and seniors. Attendees will be able to learn about nutrition, fitness, dance classes, medical organzations, and sports. Those attending the Fair will receive many informational materials so they can follow up on resources that will support good health.

Please mark you calendars for Sunday, October 15th and join us at Encino Farmers Market, 17400 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys. 

Meet: Laura Reardon

Laura Reardon has had a busy summer! 

As Valley JCC’s Swim Coach, she traveled to the JCC Maccabi Games in both Israel and Fort Lauderdale. The 4-member swim team returned from Israel with 40 medals and the Fort Lauderdale girls’ swim team returned with 9 medals. “I’m so proud of the swim team and the effort and enthusiasm they brought to the Maccabi Games,” says Laura. The Maccabi Games are not new to Laura; she has been participating for 13 years. 

Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Laura attended Granda Hills High School and Pierce College, where she became a Physical Therapy Assistant. She continued her studies at CSUN in the Physical Therapy program. Throughout high school and college, Laura was a competitive swimmer.

Continuing her education, Laura received her Los Angeles City and County Life Guard Certification, and now trains new life guards under the Red Cross Life Guard Training Program. She has been associated with the Red Cross since she was 17 years old. She is also a qualified EMT and Paramedic. For the past 15 years, she has been teaching swimming at de Toledo High School. 

Laura lives in Woodland Hills with her husband, and has two adult sons and three grandchildren.

Exploring Music: Falling into the Classics

Tuesday, September 5

1-2:15pm (PT) 

on Zoom

Save! Get “Early Bird” ticket prices; register before Sept 3rd!

For details & tickets, click here.

Still Traveling: Jewish Argentina

Two Mondays, September 11 & 18

11am-12:30pm (PT) on Zoom

For details & tickets, click here.

Exploring Broadway: Behind-the-Scenes w/Stars of David

Four Thursdays, September 7, 14, 21, & 28

1-2:15pm (PT), 2-3:15pm on Zoom

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

For details & tickets, click here.

Music & Morsels: French & Latin American Connections

Wednesday, September 6

1-2pm (PT) on Zoom

Save! Get “Early Bird” pricing before Sept 4th.

For details & tickets, click here.

Art & Artists: The Art of the High Holidays

Tuesday, September 12

11am-12pm (PT) 

on Zoom

Save! Register by Sept 10th for “Early Bird” pricing!

For details & tickets, click here.

Exploring Music: The Big Band Experience – Part I

Three Tuesdays, September 12, 19 & 26

1-2:15pm (PT) on Zoom

Save! Get “Early Bird” ticket prices; register before Sept 10th!

For details & tickets, click here.

Art & Artists: The Art of Sukkot

Tuesday, September 26

11am-12pm (PT) on Zoom

Save! Register by Sept 24th for “Early Bird” pricing!

For details & tickets, click here.

Basketball

The Wayne League

by

Jason Moser

Fall has arrived and with school back in session our fall basketball numbers have rebounded. This is likely to be our biggest session to date!

We have added an 8U division, two tiers of girls teams, and we have partnered up with Valley Stars and coach Kiki Esparza to offer clinics and training for kids in the 5-8 year old range. Our LI'l Dribblers Basketball Academy is for boys and girls ages 5-8 years. Go to: www.valleyjcc.org/dribblers to learn more and register.

Our adult basketball league may slightly drop with NFL season kicking off, but we still anticipate more than 90 teams. Through hard work, partnerships with local gyms, and the addition of professional coaches and trainers, this fall is going to be a slam dunk!

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

Rosh Hashanah

Friday, September 15 (sunset) to

Sunday, September 17

Yom Kippur

Sunday, September 24 (sunset) to

Monday, September 25

Why The Ancient Pomegranate

Is A Jewish Symbol

1. The Pomegranate is one of the seven species of Israel, along with wheat, barley, grapes, figs, olives and dates
2. Pomegranates traditionally symbolize fertility and love
3. Pomegranates decorate many torah scrolls
4. They are part of the Sephardic Rosh Hashanah Seder
5. It is often the "New Fruit" on the second night of Rosh Hashanah
6. Pomegranate seeds are associated with the 613 Mitzvot or Commandments
7. The fruit is frequently mentioned in Jewish texts
8. Pictures of pomegranates are often found on ancient coins

www.myjewishlearning.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:

Monday, September 11th, 6:00pm

(moved to 2nd Monday due to Labor Day)

Millie's Restaurant & Bakery

16840 Vanowen Street

Van Nuys, CA 91406

(Near Balboa)

Stay tuned for the next activity...

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

Honey-Almond Lace Cookies

When we gather around the table for Rosh Hashana, we know that dipping apples in honey symbolizes the promise of a sweet new year. It's a time-honored combination that, for many Jews, harks back to the days of Hebrew school, or to a time when their own kids were huddled around the table.

This year, in honor of the first of the High Holy Days, revel in the sweetness of the coming Jewish new year with festive, honey-laced treats that are blissfully sweet and celebratory.

These delicate yet crispy Honey-Almond Lace Cookies can be served after dinner with a platter of fruit for an easygoing holiday dessert. A flourless batter of honey, brown sugar, butter and sliced almonds gives these treats their distinctive thin, holey disposition.

For list of ingredients and Directions, go to:



https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aida-mollenkamp/honey-almond-lace-cookies-recipe-1948922

Book Recommendation

The Covenant of Water

by

Abraham Verghese

A stunning and magisterial new epic of love, faith, and medicine, set in Kerala and following three generations of a family seeking the answers to a strange secret.

Spanning the years 1900 to 1977, The Covenant of Water is set in Kerala, on South India’s Malabar Coast, and follows three generations of a family that suffers a peculiar affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning—and in Kerala, water is everywhere.

The family is part of a Christian community that traces itself to the time of the apostles, but times are shifting, and the matriarch of this family, known as Big Ammachi—literally “Big Mother”—will witness unthinkable changes at home and at large over the span of her extraordinary life. All of Verghese’s great gifts are on display in this new work: there are astonishing scenes of medical ingenuity, fantastic moments of humor, a surprising and deeply moving story, and characters imbued with the essence of life.

A shimmering evocation of a lost India and of the passage of time itself, The Covenant of Water is a hymn to progress in medicine and to human understanding, and a humbling testament to the hardships undergone by past generations for the sake of those alive today. It is one of the most masterful literary novels published in recent years.

www.goodreads.com

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