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Ouch.
By now you've probably read
CEO Judy's email conveying the sad news. Most JCC staff have been put on furlough or had their hours greatly reduced. With the closure and the automatic freezing of everyone's memberships, the financial impact forces deep cutbacks.

Good News
Many of you have chosen to " unfreeze " your membership accounts despite the closure. Your support in this very difficult time helps us pay for staff members' medical benefits through June. Thank you.

More Good News
A small crew remains to bring you thoughtful content, amusements, encouragement, and information by way of this Virtual JCC—because just as we must distance ourselves, we are certain we need each other more than ever.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Issue #5
Health & Fitness
Heather Skoda , JCC General Manager

Virtual Health
& Fitness

We have a new resource for pent-up homebodies who miss the gym, a web page with all of our home-grown workouts and group classes recorded or presented live by your favorite instructors and personal trainers.
Just because you're home,
you don't have to
lose progress.
Performing Arts
Linda Bolt,
 Director, Kanbar Center for Performing Arts
Ed Asner
made us a video!

 Ed Asner had been scheduled to perform his one-man show for us at the JCC on 3/14. And then...well, you know. So the show was postponed. Not "cancelled." He'll be back. Just stay tuned for the new date. Meanwhile, enjoy this mega-star's message to little ol' us.
Even without a script, he's funny, warm, maybe a bit mischievous, and so lovable.
Development


Masha Shifs ,
Director of Development
What a pleasure it is to share with you an article from J Weekly featuring our longtime JCC member and donor, Hilda Namm.

Even at 94, Hilda has been coming to our JCC several times a week for aquatics, exercise, performances, and senior movies. We're so glad that J Weekly recognizes this special lady and tells her important life story.

We hope to welcome Hilda and all of our members back to our Center as soon as we are able!

As a non-profit, our donors truly are the backbone of our Center, and we need your support now more than ever. If you possibly can, please make a gift today to support our staff and our mission.
Cultural Arts & Trips
James Sokol, Director of Adult Learning and Living
With the arrival of spring, I can think of no better place to take you than to the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens . When I lead trips there, guests are left speechless by its beauty and vastness.

About 45-minutes from Amsterdam by car, Keukenhof (pronounced “KOO-ken-hoff”) opens for only eight weeks per year during which the roughly seven million (yes, million!) bulbs bloom into breathtaking floral fireworks. With the theme of “A World of Colors,” this year is the Garden’s 71st show.

Though currently closed, we can visit the gardens virtually.
To watch the garden evolve this spring, see the official website and scroll down to “news” near the bottom.
Jewish Peoplehood
Heidi Sanders , Director of the Taube Center for Jewish Peoplehood
Nefesh Mountain is an American Bluegrass and Old-Time band with Jewish heritage, tradition, and perspective.

Their unexpected and beautiful musical fusion is at once familiar and innovative with influences ranging from Bluegrass, Old-Time, Celtic, and Jazz.

In response to our shelter in place, the band is streaming a series of concerts entitled Songs of Love and Healing on Facebook Live.

Check out their most recent concert over the weekend. It's a mid-week mood-lifter, if ever there were one.
Have you heard?
A few of our JCC members have volunteered to donate their April membership dues to help staff members retain their medical benefits.
“I am continuing my support because the JCC is a vital asset to our community and has been generous to me.”
— Mark G.
Jewish Engagement

Joanne Greene ,
Director of Jewish Engagement
Genuine Passover. Virtual Seder.

We make plans and God laughs. Or God/the universe gives us an actual plague to bring new meaning to the Festival of Passover.

We are living in a horror show of biblical proportion. Yet, amid all the spiraling numbers and brutal images, there’s a story of kindness, generosity and heroic action around every bend.

We commit to survival. Our inner strength has been building for generations. Many of us are moved to become our best selves, to give, because giving of ourselves is the only thing we can do right now.

The other night, I sang a made-up song about Mr. Pumpkinhead with my four-year-old great niece on FaceTime. My ninety-six-year-old friend shared how, since the outbreak, she can see the cloud formations more clearly. Would I have had either of these moments of connection if we weren’t sheltering-in-place? Maybe. But very possibly not.

When our world is suddenly shattered, or at the very least curtailed, our tendency is to want to make things better. How can we fix it? We can start with ourselves. To thrive in a time of uncertainty, focus on what is certain - nature, family, enough food, the ability to exercise, or at least walk around.

Soon, we will be sending out an email with ideas for creating a meaningful Passover Seder this year, while sheltering in place. Stay tuned!
Free Live Zoom Class

The American Jewish Family
Wednesday, April 1 @ 1-2:30pm

 This is a riveting class taught by Professor Elaine Leeder with warmth, humor, and scholarship. Join us for a presentation and lively discussion covering the changing norms and gender roles within the contemporary Jewish family. This class will explore the importance of the Jewish mother and the evolving definition of masculinity in the Jewish community.
Adult Learning & Living

Danielle Vierra,
Adult Learning and Living
As we all settle into our new situation, financial uncertainty has become a common concern. That's why I recommend an opportunity to learn about the pandemic and how it is impacting global economics—and presumably our own investments

Log in to this webinar to learn from our very own Marin-based National Economics Education Delegation.
NEED Executive Director, Jon Haveman, will introduce Scott L. Baier, Chair of the Clemson Department of Economics, who will lead a discussion of the potential impact of the Coronavirus on the U.S. economy. Dr. Baier, a frequent speaker on the U.S. economy, will discuss how he sees the coronavirus affecting the economy while highlighting particularly vulnerable industries and workers.

Following a 30-minute presentation, Drs. Baier and Haveman will take questions from the audience.

Even if you are not familiar with Zoom, this is a great opportunity to learn. And it's free!

April 2, 2020
3:00 - 4:30pm


Sample Slides

Early Childhood Education
Tamar Lai,
Director of Early Childhood Education

What you cannot imagine,
you cannot do.

Now imagine astronauts on the International Space Station reading stories to the children of Earth—as the world rotates below!

Imagine no more.
It’s Story Time from Space!

Camp & Youth
Brittany Mahalik,
 Director of Camp & Youth Programs
This week we bring back some of our beloved camp veterans: Stephanie Rodriguez and Lizie Doyle. They’re wondering if you would like to head over to the doughnut shop with them?
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Membership
A heartfelt thank-you to all who have been able to keep your membership accounts active during this shutdown.

For the rest of you: Feel no guilt! We understand.
However, if you do wish to keep your account active,
it's easy. Just send an email to:


and tell us to keep your account active/unfrozen/open.

Stay well, Friends.
We miss you.

Expect Issue #6 on Thursday, April 2nd.