UPCOMING EVENTS
For details on any of the following events, or to purchase tickets, visit our website.
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5th Annual Macher's Golf Tournament
Monday, August 24
Gilad Shalit Community Event
Wednesday,
August 26, 7 pm
Fall Open House
Sunday, August 30
Near and Far Exhibit Opening Reception
in the Tychman Shapiro Gallery
Thursday,
September 10,
5-7 pm
Luck is No Accident Workshop, part of Embracing Change Series
Tuesday,
September 15,
6:30-8 pm
Rosh Hashanah
September 19 & 20
Happy New Year!
Live from New York's 92nd Street Y™ Presents: Paul Krugman
Tuesday,
September 22, 7 pm
Yom Kippur
Monday,
September 28
Live from New York's 92nd Street Y™ Presents: Maria Bartiromo
Thursday,
October 1, 7 pm
Sukkot
October 3 & 4
Arts and Bridges Hallway Exhibit Event: The History of Jewish and Muslim Art in Iraq
Thursday,
October 15,
6-8:30 pm
Mandalas from the Otiyot (Letters): Workshop with Wisconsin artist Shirah Rachel Apple
Sunday,
October 18,
9 am-noon
Dr. Charles Small Lecture on Genocidal Anti-semitism in a Time of Silence Wednesday,
October 21, 7 pm
Arts and Bridges Hallway Exhibit Event: Family Engagement Night
Thursday,
October 22,
6-8:30 pm
Biloxi Blues Opening Night
Saturday,
October 24
Live from New York's 92nd Street Y™ Presents: Alan Dershowitz vs. Dennis Prager Thursday,
October 29, 7 pm
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notes from stuart
Dear Members and Friends,
I hope everyone is having a fun and rewarding summer. It is hard to believe that our summer camp is almost over and in one month kids will be back in school and summer will be behind us. This has been a rewarding summer for the Sabes JCC. Our campers are having an amazing time taking part in great camp programs and being enriched by our staff and Israeli Shlichim. Our Health & Wellness offerings continue to expand with the addition of a Pilates Studio, nutrition programs and expanded group fitness and personal training options. We have also served over 30 children with special needs through our inclusive camp program.
This summer our membership has continued to grow even in these challenging times and we are very proud of the Whole Health Plan we rolled out to help those who have recently lost their jobs due to the recession. During the summer we have been able to provide many children with invaluable preschool and camp experiences through our scholarship programs. We have also provided a growing number of individuals and families with scholarships towards their memberships to enable them to stay healthy, recreate and find balance in their lives. Thank you to the generous donors who have made giving these scholarships possible.
None of these experiences would be possible without the support of our members and the community. We need all of your support to continue our programs, services and community outreach. A great way to belong and support the JCC is through our new sustaining membership program (formerly the annual fund). Dollars raised through your sustaining membership help provide the greatly needed gap funding to cover some of our operational costs as well as to provide these scholarships and special programs. Sustaining memberships are tax deductible and can be set up as a monthly debit from your checking account or credit card. This is an easy way to help out your neighbors, your community and your center. Become a sustaining member today - for you, the community and for our future. Watch for information coming soon or go to our website for more information.
This newsletter features some special sneak peaks into the very programs you participate in and generously support. Please enjoy and have a happy and healthy New Year!
B'Shalom,
Stuart Wachs,
Chief Executive Officer
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campers give back to the community at tikkun olami
Many fun activities come to mind when thinking of summer days - lounging at the pool, snacking on popsicles, going to the park or even selling lemonade on the corner. While these are all great ways to spend your summer, a group of campers attending our Tikkun Olami summer camp are spending their days performing acts of G'milut Chasidim (loving kindness) AND having fun while doing so.
Tikkun Olami is a play on the concept of Tikkun Olam, which in Hebrew translates to "repair the world," and these campers are taking steps to do just that. We created this program focused on community service for campers who have attended the Camp Olami day camp for years and were looking to return but with an added element. "It's never too early to make a difference in someone's life and give back to the community, and that is exactly what this group of campers is doing," explained camp director Danya Kornblum. "The campers and staff are taking this program far beyond what I thought it would become - it's truly amazing to watch them work together to contribute to their community."
During the summer, campers run a book drive, food drive and clothing drive, where all of the items they gather are donated to local agencies. Other projects include planting a camp garden, writing letters to soldiers and volunteering. In a particularly meaningful project, the campers volunteered for Feed My Starving Children, a non-profit organization committed to feeding starving children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple; children and adults hand-pack meals formulated specially for starving children, and they ship the meals to more than 60 countries around the world. Tikkun Olami campers had the opportunity to fill bags with vitamin fortified flavoring, veggies, soy protein, and rice. Each time campers filled a perfect bag of 400 grams they celebrated with congratulatory cheers. After an hour and a half, they had filled approximately 50 boxes each with 36 bags inside, which totaled enough food to feed 31 kids for an entire year. After fulfilling the Mitzvah of Hazan et HaKol (feeding everyone), campers rode back to camp where they showed off the latest Tikkun Olami fashion...hair nets! "It's been awesome to see all of the campers really embrace the idea of community service and get excited about helping out others," said Stephanie Feakes, program director.
The Tikkun Olami program was open to campers entering grades 4 to 6, who, in addition to the service aspect, also take advantage of other Camp Olami staples such as overnights, field trips and swimming. It is the service aspect, though, that makes these campers feel like they are making an impact on the community. Camper Angelica Sirotin said "without Tikkun Olami we wouldn't be able to help people." Tikkun Olami offers this unique experience to pre-Bar and Bat Mitzvah age campers, and provides them the avenue to learn more about community needs and realize that it is not all hard work - but fun too. "Before I started camp I didn't realize that helping the world would be so much fun, but it was really fun doing it with my friends" said camper Leah Wachs. |
fitness surveys:
tell us how we're doing
Please complete these quick, 5-minute surveys so we can
better service your needs. Click the links below to take the survey online. For
your convenience, paper copies of the survey will be available at the Fitness
desk check in.
Health, Wellness and Aquatics General Survey
Group Exercise Survey
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the VOICE of russian-speaking jews
By Lyudmyla Petrenko, Community Organizer and Programmer
I met her at the end of May. She had brown hair, deep blue eyes, and very confident posture. I immediately thought of my English teacher back in Ukraine. Later, I learned Vera was an English teacher as well. Vera was the first Booth Manor resident I met. The warmth in her voice and kind words welcomed me to the Minneapolis Russian-speaking Jewish community.
"My name is Lyudmyla Petrenko and I am a new Community Organizer and Programmer from the Sabes Jewish Community Center (JCC) and Jewish Community Action (JCA)," I introduced myself in Russian.
"I am so glad you are here. We need you!" Vera sincerely expressed.
After this short introduction, I knew I would enjoy working with the elderly Russian-speaking immigrants residing in Minneapolis' downtown high-rises. The main objectives of my position are to engage Jewish Russian-speakers in the life of the larger Jewish community, encourage voicing their opinions about social and political issues, foster leadership, and conduct recreational, educational, and religious events.
 Recently the Former Soviet Union (FSU) program name was changed to VOICE: Community Building Initiative. The residents feel that the name better reflects the purpose of our program. By participating in different events, community organizing and leadership development, they are able to express their communal voice and enrich their lives.
In the last two months, older Russian-speaking Jews participated in four major events. The events were organized with the help of Booth Manor and Nicollet Towers leaders.
During the introductory event at the Booth Manor, over a cup of tea, Russian-speaking residents shared their life stories, which mostly focused on the memories of the WWII, anti-Semitism, and immigration to the USA.
The next time we met, Booth Manor and Nicollet Towers residents enjoyed learning about Shabbat and eating challah with Rabbi Berkovitch. "Rabbi told us a lot about Jewish holidays and why we celebrate them. This is important to us because we want to know our history, heritage, and culture," shared Faina G. after the Rabbi's visit. Religious events allow the residents to uncover their Jewish identity and learn what they were forbidden to know during the Soviet era.
Music is a creative outlet many Russians use to express their feelings, struggles, and happy moments. On July 8, more than 40 people from Booth Manor and Nicollet Towers gathered to listen to Russian folk and bard songs. Igor Dadashev, a new immigrant from Russia - who is also a film director, poet and a composer - was happy to share his songs with his compatriots. "Igor's songs were really good. Very deep and emotional lyrics," stated Vladimir P. After the concert, the audience members engaged in an intellectual discussion about music, culture, and Igor's home town, Magadan, in Far East Russia.
Many members of VOICE do not get to participate in outdoor trips, so we collaborated with the JCC's Adult Program on a Lake Minnetonka Cruise. It was a blast - Booth Manor and Nicollet Towers residents enjoyed the scenic views of the lake, playing games, and eating lunch in the park. The event was artfully captured by a volunteer photographer, Kamil Dadashev. After the trip, residents were in a great mood - the bus was filled with the beautiful melody of Russian songs. Faina G. had a wonderful time, "Fabulous event! I love water and warm conversations. This trip gave us a chance to remember, meet old friends and enjoy our time together."
Events organized by the Sabes JCC and JCA, and with the support of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, allow members of VOICE to engage in the community life, share their thoughts and build relationships with their fellow Jewish members. Most of you will get a glimpse into the older Russian-speaking immigrants' lives next year, when Igor Dadashev, a filmmaker from Russia, will finish the movie about our dear residents. Igor believes that "this film will allow our descendants to hear the VOICE of the senior generation - a generation that survived the bloodiest war in the history of mankind, a generation which deserves the most sincere love, gratitude and respect!"
Click here for photos from the recent VOICE Lake Minnetonka outing.
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boot camp journal
By Mary Jensen, JCC Chief Financial Officer
It's February 2009 and I've just bought two pairs of the largest size pants I've ever worn. I refuse to buy more!
I've also just been told that the best way to improve my time management skills is to take enough time for myself to keep myself healthy - mentally, physically and spiritually. I've heard this before, but for some reason this time I am more receptive...could be those size XX pants that I'm wearing.
In any event, after four years of working at the JCC with a wonderful fitness center steps down the hall I decide to take action! I meet with one of our personal trainers, Blakely Peterson, for the first time. The center offers two foundation sessions with a personal trainer free with membership. During my first session with Blakely, we talk about where I am at currently, what I want to accomplish, my current lack of a workout program (or any exercise at all) and none-too-good nutrition. In my second session, Blakely takes me through some exercises in the fitness center (a one hour session) and I am convinced that this is something I can do. Blakely's approach is not to use a lot of the machines, but to develop a workout program that a person can do on their own. We do use some of the machines and equipment, but what I find is that even when I am away at my cabin I can use what I have available and keep up with my workouts as long as I have the motivation.
Blakely says:
I focus on the use of the body weight exercises through natural movements and exercises. Although I add in some equipment during workouts, I am trying to teach my clients creative ways to move again; like we once moved as kids. I want to see people get into the best shape of their life with whole body, natural movements in a fun and dynamic setting that inspires, motivates and builds self-esteem.
This sounds good to me, so I make the commitment to do two sessions a week with Blakely for a long enough period of time to get a routine established.
Week 1 - I do a brief warm-up for about 5 minutes on the treadmill. Then it's some work with the medicine ball to continue the warm-up, followed by some basic push (knee push-ups), pull (body rows), squat (box squat), jump (rope or box) and twist exercises. These are the core areas that Blakely tries to incorporate into her workouts. I usually end each workout with a short circuit - a series of several exercises done in multiple repetitions without breaks.
Week 2 - We continue along with some of the exercises I learned last week, adding others and adding weight to some and repetitions to others.
Week 3 - The exercises are starting to push me - a great challenge - and I can feel myself developing stamina and strength. I am doing some assisted chin-ups, working with the bars (push-ups and rows) and starting to work on more variety in the exercises. I am learning a lot of things that I can do on my own.
This continues for about two months and we decide to measure for the second time and I am amazed. I've been weighing myself periodically and have not noticed too much of a drop in weight - but when Blakely does the measurements I've lost an inch and a half off my waist, an inch and a half off my hips and another inch off each thigh. My biceps have stayed the same, but I can see actual muscles forming.
Most importantly, those size XX pants no longer fit because they are too BIG and I am back into clothes that I was wearing a year ago. I am stronger, sleeping better and actually feel more motivated than I've felt in a long time.
 Some of my coworkers start noticing these changes, and since the JCC offers group personal training we decide to approach Blakely about putting together a group. There are four or five us on a regular basis (and I might add most of these women are about 15 to 20 years younger than me...).
We show up for our first session and despite my advanced age I am able to keep up with most of the other women! It is a challenge though - as it's a half hour intense workout and we are really pushed by Blakely. We meet in the fitness center to pick up equipment, but weather permitting most of our workouts are outdoors. We generally do a circuit of exercises for the half hour without a lot of resting in between.
Blakely says:
High Intensity Interval Training or HIIT combines cardio and strength training in one short workout. Cardio HIIT training can be defined as low to moderate intervals alternated with high intensity intervals.
Instead of training at one intensity level your entire workout, you are sporadically going from low to moderate to high intensity levels using both aerobic (with O2) and anaerobic (without O2) respiration. High Intensity Interval Training can be done in less than 20 to 30 minutes, and can accelerate the fat burning process. You get results quicker and develop a lean, strong body.
One of my coworkers is now wearing sleeveless tops for the first time since her wedding in 2004. What's great about Blakely is that she works with us and incorporates exercises in our group workout that target the areas we want to change. She offers recommendations to us on ways to improve our nutrition and change our eating habits. But she's a tough task master!
Blakely says:
For a lot of people starting off their health journey, they believe that showing up to the gym is the most important thing they can do rather than balancing what they eat with their workout. Nutrition plays a HUGE role in reaching goals and seeing the results you so desire. I tell my clients that 80% of 'being fit" is what they are eating, and other 20% is working out. Workouts are important, but people should also fuel their bodies with whole foods and ingredients. We start this journey where you are at. Once you have a habitual exercise schedule you can then focus your energy on a nutritional lifestyle changes.
I do have to say that as time has gone on and the younger women are improving, it's not as easy as it once was to keep up - but what is great is that Blakely will offer slightly different exercises to me if I need them and always tells us to stop when we're feeling any pain. What I love about the group sessions is that they push me. And I also love the camaraderie with my coworkers - and getting to know them better. Right now there are three group workouts a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
What's even more interesting is that when I have to miss a workout, I actually MISS it. And, there is something about making the commitment, showing up and actually doing the workout that has mysteriously transferred itself to my actual time management. My office is more organized and even outside of the office I am managing to do more.
This is a program I can stick with for a long time...and some of the pants I am wearing now are getting loose! If a workout program or personal training are things you've been "thinking about" I would highly recommend taking action based on my experience. It's a wonderful challenge and you will see the benefits in more than just your body after only a short time. Hope to see you in the gym soon!
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golf for scholarship
We will hold our 5th Annual Machers Golf Tournament on Monday, August 24 at Oak Ridge Country Club. New this year - all proceeds from this year's tournament will support scholarships that are provided by the Sabes JCC to community members, which include families in our Early Childhood Center, our senior programming participants, fitness club members, summer camp participants, and our community of special need individuals. Tournament will include prizes, including the opportunity to win a 2009 Mustang Convertible for the first lucky golfer to get a hole-in-one on the 16th hole.
Also new this year is the Scholarship Raffle. Raffle tickets are just $25. The Grand Prize is a fabulous week at the Scottsdale Camelback Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, from December 11-18, 2009, valued at $1,575, plus a $500 travel voucher, donated by Kraus Anderson Construction and the Sabes JCC. Second prize is 2 Timberwolves tickets, valued at $250 and donated by Paragon Solutions Group. Third prize is a gift certificate to It Takes the Cake for 10 Challahs, valued at $50, and donated by It Takes the Cake. Participants need not be present at the golf tournament to win the raffle prizes.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For details on the tournament and raffle, visit our website.
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pilates studio grand opening
The new Pilates Studio at the Sabes JCC opened Wednesday,
July 22 with free demos, meet-and-greets with instructors, refreshments and
more. Classes with the new Pilates Reformers begin August 10, with class
options available Monday through Friday. For more information, click here to download our new Pilates brochure.
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day in the life of an ecc pre-schooler
By
Christine Levin, ECC Interim Director
Boker tov! When I get to school in the morning I'm hungry so
I'm happy the Breakfast Room is open. I say "bye" to my mom while Jeanne gets
me cereal & yogurt. After breakfast I get to play on the playground with my
friends. I love climbing on the jungle gym. I am excited to try the new climber
the ECC Boosters got for the school. The big twisty slide is my favorite and I
slide down it three times!
My teacher takes some of us to check on the squash plants
& sunflowers we planted in the garden this summer. My teacher says the
garden is for everyone in our community. That means we all take care of it and
share it. I like that. We do avodah and pick up litter around the garden. I
tell my mom it's a mitzvah to take care of the earth.
It's Circle Time! We sing our welcome song and I smile when
everyone sings my name. We look at the calendar and practice counting up to
today's date. Today is a swimming day, but first we get free play time. I play
restaurant in the house corner. My friend and I take turns being the guest and
the server. Order up! Some of my friends
are squishing and rolling out play dough. Others are building a blocker tower
together. Boy is it tall - good teamwork friends! The teachers have jars of
yellow, red, and blue paint and we mix them to make orange, green, and purple. My
teacher said she'll put our paintings up in the room so we all can see them.
Snack time. We are learning about the letter C this week so
we have cucumbers and crackers for snack. I wonder what we'll have for letter D
snack next week?
Time to swim. We walk down to the pool where our swim
teachers, Sandy & Chris, are ready for us. First we have lessons in the big
pool. I practice putting my face in the water and kicking. Sandy says I'm getting to swim like a fish! After
lessons we get to ply in the kiddie pool with the mushroom fountain. It's fun
to splash!
Back to our classroom to change and have lunch. Our helper,
Shaina, brings my hot lunch today - cheese quesadillas & salsa. Yum!
It's almost time to go home; we have just enough time for a
story. Before I go I check my mailbox. Hey! The ECC Bike Fair is next week.
I'll be sure to bring my bike and helmet.
My teacher gives me a hug goodbye and reminds me it's
Shabbat tomorrow. I'll bring in money for our classroom's tzedekah box. Soon
we'll decide together where to donate the money. Last time we gave it to the
food shelf.
Friday will bring blessings, challah &
juice, and Shabbat songs with Laurie. But now, time for a nap!
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summer splash in pictures
After a cloudy weekend, the sun came out just in time for
this year's fun and well-attended Summer Splash event on Sunday, July 19. Kids
enjoyed an inflatable obstacle course and touring the St. Louis Park Fire
Department's truck before jumping into the bustling pool. DJs from KIDSDANCE
led the group in trivia contests, great line dances and a cannon ball
competition off the diving board. With face painting, log rolling and some hot
dogs and burgers on the grill, it was a fun time for the whole family. Thank
you to all of our members, friends and neighbors who came out for this great
event!
Click here to see Summer Splash photos.
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