Valley JCC Newsletter - November 2022 | |
The November edition includes:
John Paul Thornton's "Chagall: The Meaning of Spiritual Art",
Fall Basketball & Soccer Clinics, Winter Basketball League, Men's Club, Readers Club, Meet Oren Ravid & Kathleen Sterling, Holiday Boutique
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Letter From Jeff Rubin
Executive Director, Valley JCC
As I sit down to write this message for November, we have just held such a wonderful event for the Community! Our second annual Wine and Cheese Garden Party took place at the beautiful home of Stephanie and Noel DuCaine on Sunday, October 23rd. The weather was just outstanding for an outdoor party and all those in attendance were treated to magnificent charcuterie boards, desserts, wine, and wonderful conversation. It was an opportunity to get together with friends and meet new ones as well.
Thank you to the Fundraising Committee for all your hard work putting this event together: Stephanie DuCaine, Sheri Bloom, Jack Bloom, Debbie Du Val, Wendy Fishman, Michael Fishman, Elaine Fox, Donna Haas, Phyllis Levy, Andy Levy, Susan Menkes, and Suzanne Victor.
We at Valley JCC, are in such a different place now than we were one year ago when I spoke at the same event. My speech then was about chances, and how taking chances in life can be so beneficial to help us grow personally and professionally.
Today, is all about community and building together. Each and every person is just as important as the next. We need everyone … teamwork makes the dream work.
Today - we have a preschool that is running at full capacity and has a waiting list.
Today - we can offer in-person programming.
Today - we have an adult basketball league.
Today - we have community classes with some drawing over 100 people at a time.
Today - we have youth basketball leagues, camps, and clinics.
Today - we have partnerships with several temples and assisted living facilities.
Today - we have medal-winning Maccabi participants who will travel to Israel to compete next July.
Please get involved in any way you can. Whether it’s participating in a program, becoming a member, renewing your membership, signing up for our many fundraising opportunities, sponsoring a program, or making a donation.
Today we have hope - help spread the word!
Thank You,
Jeff
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We went to a garden party...
and enjoyed being with old friends and meeting new ones...
Thanks to Stephanie DuCaine for offering her beautiful home and garden!
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Message From Ollie Haas,
Valley JCC President, Board of Directors
The colorful flyer for our recent Wine & Cheese Garden Party included the words: “Join friends old and new”. And, that’s exactly what happened!
While we all admired the beautiful flowers and vines, giant oak trees, and running stream - we reunited with long-time friends and made some new ones. We enjoyed the delicious offerings from the charcuterie boards, fruit and veggie platters, wine, cakes, brownies and cookies.
As the Pandemic seems to be more in control, we are more and more comfortable when gathering together for Valley JCC in-person events, classes and/or clubs. Of course, we continue to offer Zoom presentations - either way, we can enjoy seeing friends and acquaintances from the past, being introduced to new ones and learning new things.
Friendship is an integral part of life. Research from the Mayo Clinic states that good friends are good for your health. They can increase your sense of belonging and purpose, boost your happiness and reduce your stress. Friends can help improve your self-confidence and self-worth. Valley JCC is an organization that provides activities and events where friendships can develop and flourish. For example, our recent Self-Defense For The Soul class, taught participants how to defend themselves in difficult situations. Learning and practicing those steps, increases self-confidence, even if you don’t ever have to utilize the techniques (hopefully, you never will!) .
Playing Mah Jongg or Table Tennis, having dinner with the Men’s Club, sharing in a discussion with the Readers Club, all provide opportunities to form and maintain friendships. Our athletes in both the youth and adult Jerry Wayne Basketball Leagues learn sportsmanship along with jump shots and layups. They have the opportunity to make lasting friendships with teammates.
I hope you’ll look over the many choices on our website: www.valleyjcc.org and join us at an upcoming activity, class or event.
Happy Thanksgiving!
“Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow
Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead
Walk beside me… just be my friend”
― Albert Camus
Best wishes,
Ollie Haas
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Self-Defense For The Soul
This Valley JCC in-person class was held at The Village at NorthRidge
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Self-Defense For The Soul taught students the important tools to defend yourself. | |
Jean Morrison, instructor and 5th Degree Black Belt. | |
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Attendees practice techniques they can use even when under a surprise attack.
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Meet: Oren Ravid
Member, Board of Directors, Valley JCC
“I’m a local guy, through and through,” explained Oren Ravid, while I was interviewing him for this profile article. Oren grew up in Northridge, and with his family, attended Temple Ahavat Shalom. He went to Granada Hills High School.
Back in Northridge, Oren attended California State University at Northridge (CSUN) where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Finance and Information Systems. Then, a quick drive over the hill, and Oren attended UCLA Anderson. He excelled, was in the Honor Society, and graduated with an Executive Masters of Business Administration (MBA).
Oren serves as First Vice President, Capital Markets, at AmeriHome Mortgage Company, where he manages the firm's strategic initiatives. He and his wife Esther live in Woodland Hills with their three young children ages 2, 6, and 8 years old.
A few years ago, when it was time to enroll their oldest child in pre-school, Oren and Esther decided upon Today’s Montessori. Currently, the two oldest children have graduated from TM, and the youngest daughter attends the school. Oren and Esther found the pre-school a great way to meet other families with younger children.
The positive relationship with Today’s Montessori led Oren to become interested and active in Valley JCC. Soon, he was asked to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. During his leisure time, Oren enjoys gardening and coaching his son’s soccer team.
Valley JCC thanks you for all you do for our organization and the community!
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Spotlight on:
Kathleen Sterling, Publisher, Valley News Group
Kathleen Sterling is an award-winning journalist and publisher of five community weeklies in the west San Fernando Valley – Warner Center News, Valley Vantage, Calabasas Enterprise, North Valley News and Encino Enterprise.
She founded the Warner Center News in 1982 at the age of 22, always adhering to community journalism and a focus on all local news. After meeting her husband Rodger Sterling in 1985, together they published the Las Virgenes Enterprise and bought the Valley Vantage, and ran all three papers together for 25 years until his death in 2009. She and her daughter Katie then started the Encino Enterprise in 2019.
“Community newspapers are important as a vehicle to inform, educate and inspire local residents and businesses. Our role is to be an integral part of the community we serve, therefore we are very involved in supporting our local nonprofits,” Kathleen explained.
Kathleen grew up in Woodland Hills and attended Louisville High School. Always dedicated to community service, she is a former Ticktocker for National Charity League, served as Panhellenic President at USC and was on the University’s Curriculum Committee. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude and received USC’s Order of the Laurel Award, the university’s highest award for women. Sterling received her MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management in 1983. She was a Girl Scout leader, and was co-chair for Louisville High School’s annual Quest auction. Currently she sits on USC’s Reunion Committee.
She is an active community member and has sat on the boards of the Valley Cultural Center, Louisville High School, Pacific Lodge Boys Home, the Heart Run & Walk and American Heart Association. Kathleen has volunteered for Haven Hills, Valley Women’s Center, Valley Interfaith Council, West Valley Food Pantry, Guadalupe Center, Angel’s Way Maternity Home, Woodland Hills Rotary, St. Mel Church and Calabasas Rotary.
For 10 years Kathleen was co-chair of the Heart Run & Walk, which raised over $1.5 million for the American Heart Association. When the Heart Association pulled out, Sterling and friends created the From the Heart Run to continue the event and give money to local deserving charities.
One of her favorite causes pre-pandemic was the grass-roots program “Pass the Turkey” which she co-founded in 2004. Pass the Turkey collected free turkeys given away at local markets and delivers them to residential charities for Thanksgiving dinner and the Calabasas Rotary for their annual Thanksgiving dinner for seniors.
A six-time nominee for the Fernando Award, Kathleen is the recipient of the Promenade Mall “Woman of the Year” award, the Rose Goldwater Community Service Award, the Joseph Staller Award, the Technology Corridor “Top 100” Award, the Valley Community Legal Foundation’s Presidents Award, the Valley Women’s Center 2006 Community Award and the first ever Sterling Award from the Valley Alliance for the Arts. She has been named to the San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s “Valley 200” two years running. She also received the national C. Everett Coop Media Award for Best Health Series in a community newspaper.
Through the five newspapers, Kathleen supports almost every nonprofit in the valley, donating both ad space and editorial to promote their programs and events.
Valley JCC is honored to have an ongoing professional relationship with Kathleen and Valley News Group, and appreciates the respect she shows our nonprofit by including
our information in the local editions.
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Valley JCC Fall Brochure
Classes and Events
September - December 2022
Classes, Clubs, Excursions, Sports, Lunches and Dinners
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For larger view of
FALL BROCHURE and to REGISTER for classes
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Upcoming Classes for November 2022
Check out our November classes and click on the link to sign up!
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Songs & Stories: A Tribute to Sammy Cahn
Wednesday, November 9
1-2pm (PT) on Zoom
Save! Order before Nov 7th for “Early Bird” pricing!
For details & tickets, click here.
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Basketball
The Wayne League
by
Jason Moser
We are heading into playoffs in both our youth and adult leagues. Final numbers are in, and we more than doubled the amount of teams we had this past summer for youth leagues. In addition, we have 58 teams in 8 divisions in the adult leagues.
Our leagues have grown throughout the year and we anticipate a big winter season as basketball is the most popular indoor sport.
We still have available spots for teams so please sign up soon and have a great season!
Join us!
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Playing at A.E. Wright gym | |
Wayne Girls Basketball
Girls league playing Sundays at A. E. Wright Middle School
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Valley JCC sports leagues are named
in memory of beloved former
Executive Director Jerry Wayne
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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.
There will not be a November Meeting
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 November
For more information, contact sandnl@verizon.net call 818-360-2211
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Valley JCC NOVEMBER Calendar
Check Out November Classes & Events!
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW LARGER SIZE NOVEMBER CALENDAR ONLINE | |
Mah Jongg
at The Village at NorthRidge
Join in and have fun on
Mah Jongg Game Day
Mondays
10:00am to 2:30pm
Location:
The Village at NorthRidge
9222 Corbin Avenue, Northridge
Bring your lunch!
Fee: $6 per session; no charge for VJCC members
Register at: http://www.valleyjcc.org/mahj
For more information, contact Judi at Judi@mahjonggfunla.com
or call: (818) 764-6240
To become a member of the Valley Jewish Community Center
Go To: www.valleyjcc.org/membership
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Current Events
Discussion Group
Join Our Current Events Discussion Group!
$6 participation fee
No charge for Valley JCC members
Meets the first & third Tuesday
of each month
Register for upcoming sessions HERE
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Happy Birthday!
November
Doreen Aberson
Marci Arnold
David Cohen
Miriam Diskin
Fred Fisher
Claudia Grosz
Sandee Libby
Stuart Markman
Meredith Mitnick
Christine Paris
Adam Paris
Daniel Sagal
We Wish You Good Health & Happiness!
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Thanksgiving Fun Facts
Here are some fun facts about Thanksgiving
to share around the dinner table.
- The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 over a three day harvest festival. It included 50 Pilgrims, 90 Wampanoag Indians, and lasted three days. It is believed by historians that only five women were present.
- Turkey wasn’t on the menu at the first Thanksgiving. Venison, duck, goose, oysters, lobster, eel, and fish were likely served, alongside pumpkins and cranberries (but not pumpkin pie or cranberry sauce!).
- Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday on October 3, 1863. Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman who wrote “Mary Had A Little Lamb,” convinced Lincoln to make Thanksgiving a national holiday after writing letters for 17 years.
- The history of U.S. presidents pardoning turkeys is patchy. Harry Truman is often credited with being the first president to pardon a turkey, but that’s not quite true. He was the first to receive a ceremonial turkey from the National Turkey Federation – and he had it for dinner. John F. Kennedy was the first to let a Thanksgiving turkey go, followed by Richard Nixon who sent his turkey to a petting zoo. George H.W. Bush is the president who formalized the turkey pardoning tradition in 1989.
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There are four towns in the United States named “Turkey.” They can be found in Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina.
- The average number of calories consumed on Thanksgiving is 4,500.
- The tradition of football on Thanksgiving began in 1876 with a game between Yale and Princeton. The first NFL games were played on Thanksgiving in 1920.
- More than 54 million Americans are expected to travel during the Thanksgiving holiday this year. That’s up 4.8% from last year.
https://worldstrides.com/blog/2016/11/9-fun-facts-about-thanksgiving/
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November Recipe
Candied Sweet Potato Pancakes
Try these light, fluffy pancakes, flecked with orange zest and studded with crunchy walnuts
CLICK HERE for recipe
Enjoy!
...www.foodandwine.com
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Valley JCC Holiday Boutique
Sunday, December 4th
10:00am - 3:00pm
The Village at NorthRidge
Meet Leslie Dinstman
Back by popular demand, Valley JCC's annual Holiday Boutique is being coordinated again this year by Leslie Dinstman. She has collected exciting and affordable gift items from about fifteen vendors. "There is something for everyone in the family," says Leslie.
Here are just some of the vendors:
Jewelry - costume to fine gold and silver necklaces, bracelets, earrings
Handmade creative clocks
Tote Bags
Chimes
Decorative Bottles
Tupperware
Girl's Pj's
Luminaries
Decorative Walking Canes
Handmade Greeting Cards
Leslie enjoys the beautiful setting of The Village at NorthRidge
with plenty of parking for guests.
When you attend the Holiday Boutique, be sure to come by and say hello to Leslie!
If you are interested in becoming a vendor
please contact Leslie Dinstman at: Leslie806@aol.com
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Book Suggestion
Horse
by
Geraldine Brooks
A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history
Kentucky, 1850.
An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation erupts in civil war, an itinerant young artist who has made his name on paintings of the racehorse takes up arms for the Union. On a perilous night, he reunites with the stallion and his groom, very far from the glamor of any racetrack.
New York City, 1954. Martha Jackson, a gallery owner celebrated for taking risks on edgy contemporary painters, becomes obsessed with a nineteenth-century equestrian oil painting of mysterious provenance.
Washington, DC, 2019. Jess, a Smithsonian scientist from Australia, and Theo, a Nigerian-American art historian, find themselves unexpectedly connected through their shared interest in the horse--one studying the stallion's bones for clues to his power and endurance, the other uncovering the lost history of the unsung Black horsemen who were critical to his racing success.
Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred Lexington, Horse is a novel of art and science, love and obsession, and our unfinished reckoning with racism.
...www.goodreads.com
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Valley JCC is looking forward to engaging in ongoing outreach in the community.
Stay tuned for details...
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Fundraising Opportunity
On Your Birthday!
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"How To" Use Amazon Smile...
- Go to the AmazonSmile website: www.https://smile.amazon.com/charity
- Sign-in using your existing Amazon Account Name and Password
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Select your charity: Valley Jewish Community Center
- Start shopping
- Every time you shop on Amazon from now on, begin at: Smile.Amazon.com and sign in. The sign-in spot is located in the upper right-hand corner
- A percentage of each purchase goes to Valley JCC. Everything helps!
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"How To" Use Ralphs To Benefit Valley JCC
- Go to: www.ralphs.com
- Click on "Sign in" to the right of the search box. (If you don't have an online account, click on "Register")
- Click on your name to the right of the search box at the top
- You will now be on your Account Summary page
- Scroll down to "Community Contributions" and click on "Enroll"
- Complete the online form and Click on "Save"
- Enter organization number SK677 and click on the "Search" button
- "Valley Jewish Community Center" will be displayed. Click "Enroll"
- You will see a confirmation at the top of the Account Summary page
- A percentage of your purchases will be donated to Valley JCC
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See Your Message
or
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In Valley JCC's Monthly Newsletter
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Join Us at Valley Jewish Community Center...
Become A Member!
Join today to support Valley JCC and be an active member of our community!
Membership gains you access and discounts to JCC programs. Tuition at
Today's Montessori includes membership to Valley JCC.
CLICK HERE to fill out the Membership Form
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