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Jewish Culture and Learning
Sheila Sturmer, Director, 472-3300 x351 Email:  sturmers@jccmw.org           About the Director
 

  Partnership 2000

  Adult Learning

  Jewish Family Learning Center

  The Arts

  Resources & Referrals

  Jewish Family Guide

Families seeking Jewish identity building and education have an excellent resource at the J. The Jewish Culture and Learning Department offers a wide variety of classes, workshops and forums for everyone from young families to older adults. These programs include collaborations with Israel and strive to expand the knowledge and understanding of Judaism through ongoing learning. The department also serves as a Jewish resource for the community.
 

Russian Speaking Jews!
Are you a Russian speaking Jew living in Westchester? Add your contact information to the list of over 75 names in the JCC’s database of Russian speaking Jews. Join others for social/cultural programs at the JCC, made possible by a grant from Center Without Walls, a joint initiative of COJECO (Council of Jewish Émigré Community Organizations) and UJA Federation of New York.

For further information: Sheila Sturmer at sturmers@jccmw.org  472-3300, x351.

 

Me'ah at the JCC
An Adult Learning Program of Hebrew College

A program of Hebrew College, Newton Centre, Massachusetts. Text study. Active questioning. Community building. Personal enrichment. Welcome to Me’ah, an intensive two-year adult Jewish learning experience, which approaches Jewish history and Jewish thought through an intelligent and sophisticated conversation with core texts. No previous knowledge required. Conducted in English. 20 sessions
Tuesdays, 7-9:45pm
Email Sheila Sturmer at sturmers@jccmw.org for dates /cost.
 

Me'ah Graduate Class at the JCC
Open to graduates of the Me'ah two year program
Information/Questions:  Contact Sheila Sturmer at 472-3300, x351 or sturmers@jccmw.org



Partnership 2000 – The Israel / Westchester Connection

For the past six years, the JCC of Mid-Westchester has had the privilege of working with Ginot Ha’ir, (a Matnas -Jewish Community Center) in Jerusalem and the JCC on the Hudson on an exciting intercultural project through a grant, Partnership 2000, funded by UJA Federation, New York and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

These three agencies produced an art exhibit “Histakfuyot” and a cookbook “Cook Your Story” for the first phase of the grant. “Spider” - Teens Making Connections Through Music has been the focus these last two years. In 2006, project Inspiration Israel commenced in which
teachers and camp directors from the U.S. and Jerusalem will develop a curriculum about Israel and the U.S. to be used with their "twinned" schools/community centers/camps. With each of these projects, Americans and Israelis have come to know each other, appreciate their cultural differences, explore their Judaism and form ties across thousands of miles. Each of the projects has been a unique and special experience.

As part of the grant’s community initiative, Inspiration Israel – A Jewish Journey, was developed. Sheila Sturmer of the JCC of

Mid-Westchester, Lois Green of the JCC on the Hudson, and Irene Lustgarten of the Board of Jewish Education traveled to Israel in

May 2006 to begin discussions on guidelines for the “twinning” process between Jewish educators in Israel and Westchester. In

December 2006, a delegation made up of teachers from synagogues, JCC schools and camp directors, along with the JCC of Mid-Westchester, JCC on the Hudson and BJE administrators, went to Jerusalem for a week-long conference. They met their “twins,” visited Israeli schools and developed parallel courses/lessons for their students. They expanded the understanding and knowledge of each other through this very successful conference.
 

In December of 2007 an Israeli delegation of teachers came to Westchester for a conference which included visiting their twin schools and other Jewish schools in Westchester. The Israeli and American teachers also had learning sessions at the Board of Jewish Education and the Jewish Theological Seminary.

 

In December of 2008, delegates from the JCC of Mid- Westchester and JCC on the Hudson will travel to Israel for a week long conference celebrating Jewish educators and education and to construct a joint Israel/American curriculum.

 

 

Inspiration Israel 2006

The JCC Mid Westchester and the JCC on the Hudson and Ginot HA'ir, a community center in Jerusalem, have been working together for 5 years on various projects funded by a grant from UJA New York and the Jewish Agency for Israel helping to build bridges between America and Israel. The new community tract of the grant, called Inspiration Israel, will engage Jewish day schools, synagogue schools and JCC’s to teach parallel courses to their students and to expand the understanding and knowledge of each other.

Sheila Sturmer, Jewish Programming Director, Julie Dorfman, Early Childhood Director, Deirdre Altman, Early Childhood Assistant Director and Lisa Schissel, Camp Director, all from the JCC of Mid-Westchester, along with the Director of the Westchester Board of Jewish Education, staff from the JCC on the Hudson, and a number of synagogue educators/camp directors left for Israel on December 2, 2006 for a week-long visit as part of this year's 'Inspiration Israel" project.

In Israel, they will meet with teachers and camp directors in Jerusalem and staff of Ginot Ha'ir to develop a curriculum about Israel and the US to be used with their "twinned" schools/community centers/camps. In 2007 the Israeli participants will come to Westchester to continue the project mission.


Adult Learning

Hebrew Reading Crash Course
Don’t know how to read Hebrew? Need to brush up? Sign up for this class and learn to read the prayer book. A cooperative
program with National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP).
Av Rivel, Instructor
6 Thursdays, October 16 - November 20   FREE
7:00 – 8:30pm

One Day Hebrew Review
For those who already read Hebrew, albeit slowly, and recognize all or most of the letters. A cooperative program with NJOP.
Av Rivel, Instructor
Sunday, January 25  FREE
12:30-3:00pm

Hebrew Conversation/ULPAN
Beginner/Knowledge of Hebrew alphabet needed.
Balfura Held, Instructor
Ms. Held has a BA from Hebrew University and an MA from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She is a popular teacher of Hebrew Language and Literature. Advance registration requested.
10 Tuesdays
October 28 - January 20

7:00 - 8:30pm
$240 plus materials fee
Call Sheila at x351 for more information.

Yiddish
Watch for programs relating to Yiddish.

Israeli Folk Dancing
Learn the latest dances and old favorites. Instruction, requests and open session. A great way to exercise and have fun!
Uri Aqua, Instructor
Ongoing, Tuesdays
September 9 - June 30
$11 single session
7:45-10:00pm

Third Tuesdays NEW!
This series offers diverse programs for the inquisitive mind! Third Tuesday morning of the month, generally 10:30amnoon.
  • JEWISH MEDITATION – A morning of calm and connection Join us for the first series in our new Third Tuesdays program. Learn to use traditional Jewish meditation practices in this three-part series to deepen your spirituality and your connection to yourself and others. No prior meditation experience required. Attend a single session or all three.

A cooperative program with Westchester Jewish Community Services’ Partners In Caring and a grant from UJA Federation.

Ruth Rosenblum, LCSW, psychotherapist and focusing trainer. Ruth has led popular Jewish meditation classes throughout Westchester.

Tuesdays 10:30 -11:45am
Three sessions: 11/18, 11/25, 12/2 FREE


An Introduction to Judaism for Adults Derekh Torah:  The Way of Torah

A basic course for:
• Jews looking for a deeper connection with their heritage
• Non- Jews considering conversion or an understanding of Judaism while remaining within their own faiths
• People who want to explore Judaism and define its place in their lives

Derekh Torah is offered cooperatively by the JCC and the Westchester Board of Rabbis, an organization of congregational
rabbis representing the four major branches of Judaism.

Call Sheila Sturmer x351 for further information.

 

Jewish Family Learning Center 

Family Workshops
Kids 3 years and up and their families
A cooperative program with Chabad Lubavitch of Westchester
Rabbi Velvl Butman, Director

September 21 Shofar Factory*
Make your very own shofar from a real ram's horn.
1:30-2:30pm
March 25 Matzoh Factory*
Make matzoh and have it baked at this workshop
1:30-2:30pm
Fee:  $12 per shofar/matzoh maker (Observers Free)
*Pre registration suggested
December 21 Grand Community Menorah Lighting  
December 25 Chanukah Festival at the J.  Watch for details.  

Jewish Holiday Celebrations for Special Needs Children and their Families (MATAN)
If you’re interested in receiving information about dates, times, etc. for Jewish Holiday Celebrations for special needs children,
email
deena@matankids.org along with your name/address/ phone and ages of your child/children. For more information on
Matan programs for special needs children, call x345 or visit SNAAC.
 

The Arts

Jewish Films (Part of the Milstein Film Series)
Check out the Vivian Milstein 2008-09 Film Series – Films That Got Away – offered at our very own Bendheim Performing Arts Center. For more information on upcoming schedules, visit us online at www.thebendheim.org.  All viewings are followed by an open dialogue with our host/moderator Michael DiGennaro, Ph.D.

 

Matinees (Bendheim Peforming Arts Center)
Check our website at www.thebendheim.org for the 2008-09 performance schedule.


Resources and Referrals

Jewish Holiday Info/Factoid Booklets 
History, customs, rituals, arts and crafts, songs, recipes and more…
Available in the main lobby prior to holidays throughout the year.



Lobby Shabbat
Join with our Nursery classes to welcome Shabbat with candle lighting, kiddush, challah and songs.
Fridays, 11:00am/Main Lobby


Jacs Chavarah
JACS is a support group for Jewish Alcoholic and Chemically Dependant individuals, their family and friends. AA, NA, ALONON,
unaffiliated welcome.

Call Sheila Sturmer, x351, for information and about JACS Teen Groups.

 

About the Director, Sheila Sturmer
A former New York City teacher and JCC Day Camp Director, Sheila has headed up Jewish programming at the JCC for more than 20 years, providing the community with a range of stimulating educational and cultural programs. She is active in the Jewish community beyond the JCC, and is a member of the JCCA Jewish Educators’ Forum and member of the Westchester BJE (Board of Jewish Education) Advisory Committee.