IN THE NEWS
ICYMI: JCC Launches Coronavirus Recovery Program Last week, we launched our COVID-19 Connect to Recovery program to serve as a one-stop shop for Staten Islanders in need of help with coronavirus relief resources. Read all about it here. - Congratulations Bella Smorgonskaya! Congratulations to our own Bella Smorgonskaya for receiving the Spirit of Change Award at the Wagner College Chai Society's Virtual Community Mitzvah Awards! Bella, the Director of Cultural Arts at the JCC, highlights Jewish culture and brings enriching programs to all of our members—and we are lucky to have her! Congratulations again to Bella and to all of the other honorees! Read more about the Community Mitzvah Awards here. - A Special Message for Shavuot JCC Association put together this special message in honor of Shavuot, which begins tonight at sundown. Check it out here! - Resource Navigator Program We are excited to be chosen to be part of the City’s Resource Navigator program to assist those who have tested positive for COVID-19. You can see the Mayor’s announcement and learn more here. WELLNESS 100 Days of Summer Fitness Challenge May 31 - September 7 We're partnering with JCCs across the continent to get fit together this summer! Go head-to-head with other participants in your favorite form of exercise. Whether you’re into strength training, running, group exercise, swimming, or something else, you’ll have a chance to test your mettle. The #JCCSummerFitChallenge begins on May 31st and ends on Labor Day, September 7. Make sure you’re part of the action. Anyone 13 years old or older can compete. Each participant must have a unique email address.
New for 2020 — Family Division! Families will be encouraged to track their activity time each day. One family member (who also can compete as an individual using the same email address) will enter the family’s total daily activity time. Sign up for the #JCCSummerFitChallenge by emailing Justine Bergen at fitnessSpa@sijcc.com. - Mental Health Month When you are going through something difficult, it is often easy to feel as though you are experiencing it alone—especially during this time of social distancing. As this video points out, it's important to remember that you aren't alone in your feelings! Talking to a friend or family member over the phone or on Zoom is a great way to stay connected and not feel so alone. Remember, there are a variety of mental health resources available in NYC:
- Ongoing Wellness Classes We have several virtual wellness classes throughout the week! From exercise to nutrition to medical care questions and more, there's sure to be a class to help you stay well and stay connected during this time! Please see the following updated class information: Eat Well, Live Well: Nutrition Education with Lisa: Mondays, 2pm Health cooking class with pantry staples and easy-to-use everyday gadgets Join us on Zoom here Meeting ID: 914 380 9061 Password: wellness1 Positive Pulse with Lisa: Tuesdays, 1pm Each week, Lisa will demonstrate easy at-home exercises using things around the house Join us on Zoom here Meeting ID: 914 380 9061 Password: wellness1 Q&A with Dr. Bloomfield: Tuesdays, 1pm During these trying times you may have experienced long wait times to see or even speak with your Health care Provider. We have brought one to you! Come chat with Dr. Dennis Bloomfield every Tuesday about your health care needs. He specializes in Cardiology and is willing and ready to talk about all of your health care concerns! Join us on Zoom here Meeting ID: 863 7476 1590 Password: Wellness Listen to Your Heart, Online with Lisa & Dr. Bloomfield: Thursdays, 1pm Dr. Dennis Bloomfield is here to discuss the Risk of Heart Disease & Heart-Healthy Habits. At the end of each lecture he will open up the floor to any of you who have specific questions pertaining to your current health situations. Join us on Zoom here. Meeting ID: 914 380 9061 Password: wellness1 Check out our website for a full schedule of all of our virtual wellness programming! SPORTS At-Home Cardio Tennis Game: Tap Out Try out this fun tennis game you can play at home! All you need is a ball, a racquet, a wall you can hit on, and a few household objects. It's a great way to get your feet moving and work on your reaction time! - Free Esports Tournaments Do you love gaming? Try out these free games for teens ages 13-18! Compete with friends and make new ones, from around the corner and around the world. Maccabi USA has partnered with Lost Tribe Esports to present free tournaments
- Sports Camps Did you know that we offer four different sports camps in the summer? We have soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and aquatics programs! Not only will your child improve their skills, but sports will teach your child how to be a good teammate, the value of hard work, and the power of a positive attitude! Learn more here! ARTS AND CULTURE May Book Club Meeting Our second virtual Book Club meeting last week was a great success! Our members enjoyed an insightful discussion of Anna Quindlen's Miller's Valley but most of all, they enjoyed seeing each other and connecting over Zoom! We're so glad that our Book Club is staying connected even though we can't be together in person right now. We hope you'll join us for our June Book Club meeting! Stay tuned for more details! - Fun with Our Friends from IlluminArt Productions! Sing and dance along to “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” from Broadway’s Hello Dolly as Ms. Meghan teaches you how to perform this classic number! - Link up with a phone buddy Let's fight loneliness together! During these difficult times, it's important for us to stay connected. Are you interested in having a phone buddy? Please let us know if you would like to be the one making or receiving calls, and we will match you up with someone who fits your needs! For more information, contact Sigalit Grego at sgrego@sijcc.com - Ongoing Cultural Arts Classes We miss all of our enriching Cultural Arts classes, but we are so excited to be able to offer some of them virtually! Check out our website for a full schedule of all of our virtual programming! MUSIC Music Trivia Challenge Check your answer to our latest trivia question: In barely 36 years, this 18th century Austrian composer produced a flood of symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and operas still celebrated for their classical perfection. Yet, he was buried in an unmarked pauper’s grave. Who was he? He was... Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). A child-prodigy, Mozart more than fulfilled his youthful promise. In his short life, he produced more than a hundred works that represent a mastery of classical style in perfect balance with lyric expression. Yet, despite his fame and prolific output, Mozart had no steady patron and he increasingly struggled to support his family. The family’s financial circumstances were so poor that after his death, probably from uremia, Mozart was buried in a common pauper’s grave that no one bothered to mark as his final resting place. - A Unique Duet... Check out From the Top's Peter Dugan in a special piano "duet" of Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro"! Thanks to some clever editing, Dugan seemingly plays the piece with his double! CAMP The Weekly Schmooze: Looking Forward to Fourth of July Festivities Earlier this week, we celebrated Memorial Day and reflected on those brave Americans who have given our lives for our freedom. As we approach summer, we are looking ahead to our Fourth of July celebration—one of our favorite days at camp! Year after year, we look forward to a special day where we celebrate with activities that foster a sense of appreciation and love for our country. Some of our past activities for Independence Day have included "appearances" by former presidents Washington and Lincoln, hot dog barbecues, picnics and field games, patriotic decorations, and making American flag cookies and festive craft projects. The day always incorporates a ceremony that includes counselors and campers singing the National Anthem together and the raising of the American flag at the camp flagpole. The Fourth of July is such a special day to come together and celebrate the USA! We can't wait to raise the red, white, and blue together again at camp soon! - We hope you will consider registering for camp again this year, as we intend to have another wonderful summer. Registration is ongoing at camp.sijcc.org. As we adjust to the shifting landscape of this crisis, we will inform you about any changes to our programming. In the event that we have to make the heartbreaking decision not to open camp in 2020, you will receive a full refund. SUNRISE EVENTS With summer right around the corner, we are sure you are thinking about the status of Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island. To keep our campers safe, we will hold our camp virtually this summer! We are excited to be able to deliver our Sunrise magic to our campers at home. To do that, we need your help! SunriseWALKS-Staten Island—our biggest fundraiser for Sunrise—is going VIRTUAL! We hope you will join us on Sunday, June 28 at 10 am for a fun virtual celebration that will help us create another amazing summer for our campers! You can register for our virtual SunriseWALKS here. KIDS AND FAMILIES Hour of Code Want to learn the basics of computer coding and program fun games? Try an Hour of Code! There are hundreds of free coding activities featuring various characters and games for every grade level and interest! SOCIAL SERVICES COVID-19 Connect to Recovery Do you need help accessing social services related to COVID-19 relief? We recently launched our COVID-19 Connect to Recovery program, a one-stop shop for Staten Islanders to access social services that will help them recover from the effects of the current crisis. Read more about this new program and get information on accessing these social services here! - Bereavement Support Group Tuesdays, beginning May 26, 10am-11:30am If you are interested in joining this 6-week online Bereavement Support Group, contact Sandy Haft, LMSW, at shaft@sijcc.com or 718-475-5274. - Special Enrollment Period for Health Insurance New York State announced a Special Enrollment Period for individuals who may have lost their health insurance as a result of their employment ending due to Coronavirus. If enrollment in Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health Marketplace is completed, individuals will have coverage effective April 1, 2020. Enrollment into Medicaid, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus is open year-round. Consumers can apply for coverage through JCC NYSOH Navigators by phone at 718.981.1400 or 718-475-5271. COMMUNITY EVENTS IlluminArt Productions Presents...Empowering Voices: The Virtual Edition Saturday, May 30, 8pm Enjoy a virtual concert from the comfort of your own home with this musical revue from our friends at IlluminArt Productions! Check out a special sneak peak here and tune in on YouTube on May 30! Sponsored by the Avis Foundation for Temple Israel of Staten Island. - Combating Anti-Semitism Coronavirus has unfortunately led to a serious spike in anti-Semitic activity on social media and is impacting local Jewish communities. Dedicated experts and researchers at the Simon Wiesenthal Center are working around the clock to find, expose, and combat anti-Semitism and hate. We cannot afford to allow such hate to go unchallenged. Please partner with the SWC by reporting anti-Semitic or other coronavirus-related hate activity online or impacting your community by contacting the Simon Wiesenthal Center at SWCNY@Wiesenthal.com. - CovidWatcher Survey UJA-Federation of New York has partnered with Columbia University, which is conducting a survey to track COVID-19’s impact on New York City neighborhoods in real time, filling in critical gaps in knowledge of the virus to better understand the needs across our communities. Ultimately, CovidWatcher will enable public officials, policymakers, and medical institutions better coordinate their response and target resources during the pandemic and the critical period that will follow. The survey is intended for everyone to fill out, regardless of symptoms or concerns about exposure. The ultimate goal is for every New Yorker to complete this survey. You can complete the survey here. If you have any questions, please contact CovidWatcher@columbia.edu. - U.S. Census 2020 If you haven’t filled out the census yet, now is the time to do it! It is vital that we are ALL counted to secure funding for housing, transportation, schools, and other services we rely on. It takes less than 10 minutes and is confidential. You can fill it out by mail, online or by calling (844) 330-2020. - Be sure to check out these additional programs from our friends at other Jewish organizations around the country! The Women of SHTISEL: Monday, June 1, 11am Their heads covered by wigs and scarves, the ultra-Orthodox women of Geula were invisible to outsiders...until Shtisel pulled back the curtain on their lives, their hearts and their strengths. Now, hear from the actresses who embodied Giti, Libbi, Ruchami and Elisheva - and from the female producer who shepherded the family drama into an unlikely global sensation. Register for the Zoom conference here or view the livestream here. Maccabi USA Book Club: Monday, June 8, 1pm The Maccabi USA Book Club will be reading Palestine Posts: An Eyewitness Account of the Birth of Israel, by Daniel S. Chertoff. This powerful first person account allows us to re-experience a momentous turning point in Jewish history. This event will be hosted by Don Kent, Maccabi USA alum and First Vice President. Join us for author Daniel Chertoff's presentation and a discussion to follow! Register here - Every year, the JCC serves over 6,000 people in crisis. This year, that number has grown as Staten Islanders experience hardships related to COVID-19. Here’s the story of a family directly affected by the COVID-19 crisis that we were able to help: We were able to help a husband and wife with two young adult children living at home. The husband lost his job, and then contracted COVID-19. It has taken a while for him to recover. After struggling to pay the bills, they contacted the JCC about our Kosher Food Pantry. In addition to providing them with food, we were able to refer them to a financial counselor to help with their debt. We also helped them get screened for SNAP eligibility to get additional food as well as other benefits. Donate to our Families in Need campaign here to help families like this one.
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IN THE NEWS
Helping to feed those in need A huge thank you to David Berman for helping to feed families in our Cornerstone community center programs! Thanks to his generous donation, we were able to give out 60 hot meals from La Rosa Chicken & Grill to those in need. - Yom Yerushalayim Virtual Celebration Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Yom Yerushalayim Virtual Celebration last week! The evening featured music, readings, greetings from Consul General of Israel Dani Dayan, and highlighted SI IDF soldiers who fought in the Six Day War. If you missed it, you can watch it here. - Virtual Art @ the J Gallery While we couldn't host our Artist's Reception as planned, we are so excited to bring our latest Murray Berman Art @ the J Gallery exhibit right to your home! Check out local artist Victor Zucconi's beautiful oil paintings in our new Virtual Art @ the J Gallery! - Celebrating 175 years of the NYPD We are grateful to NYPD for being wonderful community partners with the JCC and for keeping us safe. Happy 175th birthday to the NYPD! WELLNESS Take the Plank Challenge Planking is one of the best core exercises you can do and there are lots of varieties to keep your workout routine fresh! Take the 30-day Plank Challenge and let's strengthen that core! But first, make sure you have the proper form to get the most out of your planking with these tips. If you participate in the Plank Challenge with us, be sure to send us a picture of your perfect plank to be featured on social media! Send your photos to jcc@sijcc.com. - Mental Health Month Did you know that May is Mental Health Month? Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it is especially important to check in on your mental well-being during these challenging times. The National Alliance on Mental Illness shared these 11 things you can do daily to support your mental health. Some of them may look a bit different while we continue to deal with the pandemic, try to find ways to make them part of your routine!
Ongoing Wellness Classes We have several virtual wellness classes throughout the week! From exercise to nutrition to medical care questions and more, there's sure to be a class to help you stay well and stay connected during this time! Check out our website for a full schedule of all of our virtual wellness programming! SPORTS Jump in! Jump roping is a great way to build coordination, agility, and speed. Try out this awesome jump roping workout for basketball to work on both your footwork and your shooting skills! Even though the video is primarily for basketball players, it's also great for soccer players and other athletes! - Do you love gaming? Try out these free games for teens ages 13-18! Compete with friends and make new ones, from around the corner and around the world. Maccabi USA has partnered with Lost Tribe Esports to present free tournaments
- Sports Camps Did you know that we offer four different sports camps in the summer? We have soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and aquatics programs! Not only will your child improve their skills, but sports will teach your child how to be a good teammate, the value of hard work, and the power of a positive attitude! Learn more here! ARTS AND CULTURE Rabbi/Rebbetzin Series We're so glad many of you joined us for our most recent Dr. Esther Grushkin Seminars for Adult Jewish Education (SAJE) lecture in our Rabbi/Rebbetzin Series! If you missed it, you can watch Rebbetzin Ivry's lecture on "The Soul and the Afterlife" here! - Link up with a phone buddy Let's fight loneliness together! During these difficult times, it's important for us to stay connected. Are you interested in having a phone buddy? Please let us know if you would like to be the one making or receiving calls, and we will match you up with someone who fits your needs! For more information, contact Sigalit Grego at sgrego@sijcc.com - Ongoing Cultural Arts Classes We miss all of our enriching Cultural Arts classes, but we are so excited to be able to offer some of them virtually! Check out our website for a full schedule of all of our virtual programming! MUSIC Music Theory What makes music sound like music? University of Pennsylvania Associate Professor of Music Jairo Moreno discusses music theory in this video! - Music Trivia Challenge In barely 36 years, this 18th century Austrian composer produced a flood of symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and operas still celebrated for their classical perfection. Yet, he was buried in an unmarked pauper’s grave. Who was he? Check your answer in Thursday's edition of J at Home! CAMP The Weekly Schmooze: Camp Trivia Challenge How much do YOU know about JCC Day Camp? Take this fun camp trivia challenge with Teen Travel Director Josh! - We hope you will consider registering for camp again this year, as we intend to have another wonderful summer. Registration is ongoing at camp.sijcc.org. As we adjust to the shifting landscape of this crisis, we will inform you about any changes to our programming. In the event that we have to make the heartbreaking decision not to open camp in 2020, you will receive a full refund. KIDS AND FAMILIES Time Capsule Make a time capsule! As challenging as these times are, it is important to remember that we are living through history. These free resources will help you and your family document this unique period, so that in many years you can look back and remember how you got through this together! - Countdown to Shavuot! with Shalom Sesame TOMORROW, May 27, 3pm JCC Association of North America and Shalom Sesame are proud to present "Countdown to Shavuot!" Join in on Facebook LIVE, Wednesday, May 27, as the JCC Movement comes together to join Muppets Avigail and Brosh to learn all about Shavuot! Watch on Facebook here! SOCIAL SERVICES COVID-19 Connect to Recovery Do you need help accessing social services related to COVID-19 relief? We recently launched our COVID-19 Connect to Recovery program, a one-stop shop for Staten Islanders to access social services that will help them recover from the effects of the current crisis. Read more about this new program and get information on accessing these social services here! - Bereavement Support Group Tuesdays, beginning May 26, 10am-11:30am If you are interested in joining this 6-week online Bereavement Support Group, contact Sandy Haft, LMSW, at shaft@sijcc.com or 718-475-5274. - Special Enrollment Period for Health Insurance New York State announced a Special Enrollment Period for individuals who may have lost their health insurance as a result of their employment ending due to Coronavirus. If enrollment in Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health Marketplace is completed, individuals will have coverage effective April 1, 2020. Enrollment into Medicaid, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus is open year-round. Consumers can apply for coverage through JCC NYSOH Navigators by phone at 718.981.1400 or 718-475-5271. COMMUNITY EVENTS Bring Your Light: Faith and Mental Health in COVID-19 TOMORROW, May 27, 1pm The First Lady of the City of New York invites you to this virtual discussion. RSVP at rsvpmospce@cityhall.nyc.gov and tune in on Facebook. - IlluminArt Productions Presents...Empowering Voices: Virtual Edition Saturday, May 30, 8pm Enjoy a virtual concert from the comfort of your own home with this musical revue from our friends at IlluminArt Productions! Check out a special sneak peak here and tune in on YouTube on May 30! - Combating Anti-Semitism Coronavirus has unfortunately led to a serious spike in anti-Semitic activity on social media and is impacting local Jewish communities. Dedicated experts and researchers at the Simon Wiesenthal Center are working around the clock to find, expose, and combat anti-Semitism and hate. We cannot afford to allow such hate to go unchallenged. Please partner with the SWC by reporting anti-Semitic or other coronavirus-related hate activity online or impacting your community by contacting the Simon Wiesenthal Center at SWCNY@Wiesenthal.com. - CovidWatcher Survey UJA-Federation of New York has partnered with Columbia University, which is conducting a survey to track COVID-19’s impact on New York City neighborhoods in real time, filling in critical gaps in knowledge of the virus to better understand the needs across our communities. Ultimately, CovidWatcher will enable public officials, policymakers, and medical institutions better coordinate their response and target resources during the pandemic and the critical period that will follow. The survey is intended for everyone to fill out, regardless of symptoms or concerns about exposure. The ultimate goal is for every New Yorker to complete this survey. You can complete the survey here. If you have any questions, please contact CovidWatcher@columbia.edu. - U.S. Census 2020 If you haven’t filled out the census yet, now is the time to do it! It is vital that we are ALL counted to secure funding for housing, transportation, schools, and other services we rely on. It takes less than 10 minutes and is confidential. You can fill it out by mail, online or by calling (844) 330-2020. - Be sure to check out these additional programs from our friends at other Jewish organizations around the country! The Great Big Jewish Food Festival - Online! Now through Thursday, May 28 The Great Big Jewish Food Fest is an online festival celebrating the history, diversity, and excitement of all things Jewish food! Join in for free cooking classes, virtual deli tours, film screenings, panel discussions and more! There are great events for all ages. Check out the full schedule here and follow along on Facebook! - Every year, the JCC serves over 6,000 people in crisis. This year, that number has grown as Staten Islanders experience hardships related to COVID-19. Here’s the story of a family directly affected by the COVID-19 crisis that we were able to help: We were able to assist a couple whose young adult daughter lives with them. All three of them are unable to work during the crisis, which has put a financial strain on the family. We were able to provide them food from our Kosher Food Family, as well as referrals to legal and financial counseling and SNAP benefits for further food assistance. The family told us they were so grateful for all the information we provided, as they had no idea so many services were available to them. Donate to our Families in Need campaign here to help families like this one. IN THE NEWS
We are proud to announce the launch of our COVID-19 Connect to Recovery program, a one-stop shop for Staten Islanders to access social services that will help them recover from the effects of the current crisis. Read more about this new program and get information on accessing these social services here! - TONIGHT: Yom Yerushalayim Celebration, 7pm We hope you will join us for a virtual Yom Yerushalayim celebration tonight! The evening will feature music, readings, greetings from Consul General of Israel Dani Dayan, and will highlight SI IDF soldiers who fought in the Six Day War. Read more about the event here. Join on Zoom here WELLNESS Does working from home sometimes leave you feeling stiff and achy? Try out these tips from the Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health to prevent injury and WFH more comfortably! • Schedule movement breaks throughout the day—Wear an activity tracker, set a timer, or schedule an appointment to get up and get moving • Perform stretches and short exercises throughout the day--like these yoga poses! • Prevent eye strain—Blink often, take eye breaks, and alternate looking at objects at different distances • Check your posture every 20 to 30 minutes—Are you hunched over or “turtling” your neck forward? Find the back of your chair, drop your shoulders, and align your head over your spine. • Take hand breaks and put down your portable devices—Ongoing grips of a mouse, phone, or tablet can fatigue your hands, so stretch and move your fingers throughout the day - Did you know that May is Mental Health Month? Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it is especially important to check in on your mental well-being during these challenging times. As difficult as it may be for us to cope with the current situation as adults, it is also a hard time for kids and teens. Their routines of going to school and doing activities with friends have been disrupted, and they are likely seeing the emotional toll events are taking on the adults around them. This article offers tips for supporting kids and looking out for their unique emotional needs during this time. - We're excited to announce a NEW online wellness class! Yoga with Joan: Sundays, 11am Join us for a yoga class that focuses on meditation, breathing practices, stretching and relaxation exercises. Join us on Zoom here. Meeting ID: 886 0456 5129 - We have several virtual wellness classes throughout the week! From exercise to nutrition to medical care questions and more, there's sure to be a class to help you stay well and stay connected during this time! Check out our website for a full schedule of all of our virtual wellness programming! AQUATICS Check out this video from our friends at Maccabi USA! Ben Zajic, Juniors Swimming Head Coach at the 2019 European Maccabi Games, shares tips on developing full-body swim workouts that will build your strength for the pool! SPORTS Want to learn to dribble like a pro? Follow along with this video from one of our Core 24 Basketball Academy trainers! Putting a plastic bag around a basketball makes it harder to dribble and more difficult to control which will ultimately help your ball-handling skills! - Do you love gaming? Try out these free games for teens ages 13-18! Compete with friends and make new ones, from around the corner and around the world. Maccabi USA has partnered with Lost Tribe Esports to present free tournaments
- Did you know that we offer four different sports camps in the summer? We have soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and aquatics programs! Not only will your child improve their skills, but sports will teach your child how to be a good teammate, the value of hard work, and the power of a positive attitude! Learn more here! ARTS AND CULTURE Check out this great virtual exhibit from the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens! - TODAY: Virtual Book Club Meeting, 12:30pm Our first virtual Book Club meeting last month was a great success, and we hope you'll join us this month as we read Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 833 4287 3802 To participate via phone, dial 646-558-8656 - ONGOING VIRTUAL CLASSES We miss all of our enriching Cultural Arts classes, but we are so excited to be able to offer some of them virtually! Check out our website for a full schedule of all of our virtual programming! MUSIC How is it that Beethoven wrote many of his most beloved songs while going deaf? The answer lies in the math behind his music! - In our last issue of J at Home, we asked you to test your knowledge of musical instruments... THIS “ family” of wind instruments often adds lilt and a touch of ethereal magic to symphony orchestras and can be traced back to primitive cultures. What family is it? The answer is the Flute Family! With origins in ancient times, the flute family of wind instruments includes the fife, the flageolet, the piccolo, and the recorder. Most familiar, and the principal orchestral flute used today, is the transverse flute. Generating tones delicate and ethereal, stirring and vivid, the flute stands out as both a solo instrument and a crucial element in the grand orchestral voice. Stay tuned for next week's Music Trivia Challenge! CAMP The Weekly Schmooze: NEW IlluminArt Productions Performing Arts Camp The stage is set for our newest specialty summer camp—Performing Arts! Campers will dive into an imagination zone, where they’ll get hands-on experience in all aspects of theater including acting, improvisation, dance, and music. Our young thespians will even create an original play to perform for their fellow campers and family members! Performing Arts Camp, run by IlluminArt Productions, is a great way to make new friends, build self-confidence, and express yourself! Click here for more information! We hope you will consider registering for camp again this year, as we intend to have another wonderful summer. Registration is ongoing at camp.sijcc.org. As we adjust to the shifting landscape of this crisis, we will inform you about any changes to our programming. In the event that we have to make the heartbreaking decision not to open camp in 2020, you will receive a full refund. Learn about all the cute baby animals that live in National Parks around the country! Then, try out some fun park activities you can enjoy at home! Countdown to Shavuot! with Shalom Sesame Wednesday, May 27, 3pm JCC Association of North America and Shalom Sesame are proud to present "Countdown to Shavuot!" Join in on Facebook LIVE, Wednesday, May 27, as the JCC Movement comes together to join Muppets Avigail and Brosh to learn all about Shavuot! Watch on Facebook here! For those in need, JCC social services have gone completely virtual, with staff members providing health insurance navigation, mental health services, legal support resources, and other COVID-19 resources over the phone and email. If you need assistance, please reply to this email, and someone from our staff will get in touch with you. Bereavement Support Group Tuesdays, beginning May 26, 10am-11:30am If you are interested in joining this 6-week online Bereavement Support Group, contact Sandy Haft, LMSW, at shaft@sijcc.com or 718-475-5274. New York State announced a Special Enrollment Period for individuals who may have lost their health insurance as a result of their employment ending due to Coronavirus. If enrollment in Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health Marketplace is completed, individuals will have coverage effective April 1, 2020. Enrollment into Medicaid, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus is open year-round. Consumers can apply for coverage through JCC NYSOH Navigators by phone at 718.981.1400 or 718-475-5271. Our friends at NYLAG put together this webinar with financial advice to help you get through the COVID-19 situation. The video discusses financial challenges, updates on government programs, and other resources. For more information, contact Devorah Weiss at dweiss@sijcc.com TODAY: Party in Your Plants - Taking the Hell Out of Healthy: A Live Event with Talia Pollock, 7pm Join our friends at the Mandell JCC for this special Facebook Live event with award-winning podcast host, comedian, and plant-based chef Talia Pollock! She will share:
Enjoy a cocktail, hear Talia's story, laugh A LOT and be connected! Check out the event here National Jewish Community Observance of Memorial Day Monday, May 25, 1pm From the Revolutionary War through today’s ongoing fight against terrorism, American Jews have served nobly in all branches of our country’s military—and many can be counted among the casualties of war. On Memorial Day, join the JCC Association of North America and the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council to remember these heroes during the inaugural National Jewish Community Observance of Memorial Day. Watch the Facebook Live event here. Bring Your Light: Faith and Mental Health in COVID-19 Wednesday, May 27, 1pm The First Lady of the City of New York invites you to this virtual discussion. RSVP at rsvpmospce@cityhall.nyc.gov and tune in on Facebook. Coronavirus has unfortunately led to a serious spike in anti-Semitic activity on social media and is impacting local Jewish communities. Dedicated experts and researchers at the Simon Wiesenthal Center are working around the clock to find, expose, and combat anti-Semitism and hate. We cannot afford to allow such hate to go unchallenged. Please partner with the SWC by reporting anti-Semitic or other coronavirus-related hate activity online or impacting your community by contacting the Simon Wiesenthal Center at SWCNY@Wiesenthal.com. CovidWatcher Survey UJA-Federation of New York has partnered with Columbia University, which is conducting a survey to track COVID-19’s impact on New York City neighborhoods in real time, filling in critical gaps in knowledge of the virus to better understand the needs across our communities. Ultimately, CovidWatcher will enable public officials, policymakers, and medical institutions better coordinate their response and target resources during the pandemic and the critical period that will follow. The survey is intended for everyone to fill out, regardless of symptoms or concerns about exposure. The ultimate goal is for every New Yorker to complete this survey. You can complete the survey here. If you have any questions, please contact CovidWatcher@columbia.edu. U.S. Census 2020 If you haven’t filled out the census yet, now is the time to do it! It is vital that we are ALL counted to secure funding for housing, transportation, schools, and other services we rely on. It takes less than 10 minutes and is confidential. You can fill it out by mail, online or by calling (844) 330-2020. Be sure to check out these additional programs from our friends at other Jewish organizations around the country! The Great Big Jewish Food Festival - Online! Now through Tuesday, May 28 The Great Big Jewish Food Fest is an online festival celebrating the history, diversity, and excitement of all things Jewish food! Join in for free cooking classes, virtual deli tours, film screenings, panel discussions and more! There are great events for all ages. Check out the full schedule here and follow along on Facebook! TODAY: Women's Connection: Coping with Emotions during COVID-19, 12:30pm Join on Zoom here TODAY: The J's Got Talent- Adults, 7pm Do you have a hidden talent you'd like to share? Participants will prepare a 2-3 minute act of their choice and will have the music cued up and ready to go for their time slot. You can join in or just be an audience member. See you there! Join on Zoom here TOMORROW: Israel and the Middle East: What to Expect Post Corona with Yossie Hollander, 2pm Join on Zoom here Every year, the JCC serves over 6,000 people in crisis. This year, that number has grown as Staten Islanders experience hardships related to COVID-19. Here’s the story of a family directly affected by the COVID-19 crisis that we were able to help: We were able to help a young woman who is pregnant and lost her job due to the pandemic. Because of her financial situation, she was forced to move in with her grandmother. We were able to provide her with food from our Kosher Food Pantry and also referred her for a SNAP assessment to see if she could access additional support. Our staff was pleased to be able to help this woman navigate this rocky time. Donate to our Families in Need campaign here to help families like this one. IN THE NEWS
Last week, our Kosher Food Pantry was able to feed more than 20 families from our soccer program! By now, you have likely heard that the COVID-19 PAUSE date has been extended to June 13 for NYC. Therefore, the Outdoor Pool & Swim Club will not be opening as it usually does on Memorial Day weekend. - As we await further details to establish an opening date for our Summer Swim Club and the rest of our facilities, know that your safety, health, and well-being are at the forefront of our decision-making. In the meantime, we are working diligently to make the required modifications to our policies and protocols, and following guidelines from health experts, the CDC, and local officials to ensure that our reopening is safe and successful. We appreciate your understanding as the situation continues to evolve. For the most up-to-date information, follow us on Facebook and continue to connect with us in our weekly e-mail blasts. Keep an eye out for an upcoming survey that will help us understand your needs and confirm that we are doing all we can to ensure a safe return to the JCC and all of its programs. - Say hello to our newest Teacher of the Week, Robyn Mahoney of our Adult Education Department! One of Robyn's favorite quotes is, "The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." Thank you for all you do for your students! WELLNESS Feeling sore after your last workout? Or, maybe you're a beginner just starting out in your fitness journey? Try out these low-impact, low-intensity alternatives to popular exercise moves! - One of our CLLD participants recently shared this wonderful Chair Yoga Dance program with us! It's fun and easy to follow along with, and it's a great way to stay active, healthy, and moving at any age! Try it out! - Did you know that May is Mental Health Month? Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it is especially important to check in on your mental well-being during these challenging times. While it's important to stay informed, the news can also be overwhelming and stressful. Make today a "Good News Tues" and try to focus on positive, uplifting stories today! To help you with that, check out actor John Krasinski's "Some Good News," featuring fun videos from social media, cute babies, and a heartwarming wedding / The Office reunion you won't want to miss! - Staten Island Performing Provider System (PPS) has put together resources including help lines, virtual recovery resources, and ways to cope with stress and anxiety from COVID. Check it out here. - Party in Your Plants - Taking the Hell Out of Healthy: A Live Event with Talia Pollock Thursday, May 21, 7pm Join our friends at the Mandell JCC for this special Facebook Live event with award-winning podcast host, comedian, and plant-based chef Talia Pollock! She will share:
- We're excited to announce several NEW online wellness classes! Q&A with Dr. Bloomfield: Tuesdays, 1pm During these trying times you may have experienced long wait times to see or even speak with your Healthcare Provider. We have brought one to you! Come chat with Dr. Dennis Bloomfield every Tuesday about your health care needs. He specializes in Cardiology and is willing and ready to talk about all of your health care concerns! Join us on Zoom here Meeting ID: 863 7476 1590 Password: Wellness Listen to Your Heart: Thursdays, 1pm Dr. Dennis Bloomfield will discuss the risk of heart disease and heart-healthy habits. At the end of each lecture, he will open up the floor for specific questions pertaining to your current health situations. Join us on Zoom here Meeting ID: 914 380 9061 Password: wellness1 Serenity with Lisa: Fridays, 1pm Relax and settle in as you learn to manage your way to serenity during a challenging time. Key benefits include reducing stress, improving stability, improving body alignment, increasing joint mobility, and boosting overall emotional health. Join us on Zoom here Meeting ID: 914 380 9061 Password: wellness1 Click here for a full schedule of all of our virtual wellness programming! SPORTS Our Sports & Recreation team wants to remind you that, as important as it is to keep practicing and working on drills to stay in shape before sports seasons start, it is just as important to stretch first so that you can play safely! Be sure to stretch before starting any drill or sports workout! - Do you love gaming? Try out these free games for teens ages 13-18! Compete with friends and make new ones, from around the corner and around the world. Maccabi USA has partnered with Lost Tribe Esports to present free tournaments
- Did you know that we offer four different sports camps in the summer? We have soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and aquatics programs! Not only will your child improve their skills, but sports will teach your child how to be a good teammate, the value of hard work, and the power of a positive attitude! Learn more here! ARTS AND CULTURE Yesterday was National Museum Day! While we miss visiting museums in person, there are so many wonderful resources that allow us to explore museums from home! These are just a few of the virtual museum experiences available online:
Last week, we hosted a virtual "Music for Healing" program with music therapist Joelle Cohen. If you missed it, you can watch a recording of the program here! - UPCOMING EVENTS: We hope you'll join us for several wonderful virtual events this week! TOMORROW: Dr. Esther Grushkin Seminars for Adult Jewish Education (SAJE) presents A JCC Virtual Rabbi/Rebbetzin Series, 12:30pm Join us for a FREE Zoom lecture by Rebbetzin Ivry, who will discuss “The Soul and the Afterlife.” Click here to join the lecture. Meeting ID: 992 699 3587 Password: 468536 Virtual Book Club Meeting: Thursday, May 21, 12:30pm Our first virtual Book Club meeting last month was a great success, and we hope you'll join us this month as we read Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 833 4287 3802 To participate via phone, dial 646-558-8656 Yom Yerushalayim Celebration: Thursday, May 21, 7pm We hope you will join us for a Yom Yerushalayim celebration on Thursday, May 21st at 7pm. The evening will feature music, readings, greetings from Consul General of Israel Dani Dayan, and will highlight SI IDF soldiers who fought in the Six Day War. Join on Zoom here - ONGOING VIRTUAL CLASSES We miss all of our enriching Cultural Arts classes, but we are so excited to be able to offer some of them virtually! Check out our website for a full schedule of all of our virtual programming! MUSIC INSTITUTE How is it that Beethoven wrote many of his most beloved songs while going deaf? The answer lies in the math behind his music! - Last week, you tested your classical music knowledge with this question: Ludwig van Beethoven called him "the greatest composer who ever lived." Frank Joseph Haydn called him "the master of us all." Who was he? He was... George Frideric Handel! Handel is known for majestic and joyful orchestral works including Water Music (1717) and the Messiah oratorio, featuring the famous Hallelujah Chorus. Our next trivia question is... THIS “ family” of wind instruments often adds lilt and a touch of ethereal magic to symphony orchestras and can be traced back to primitive cultures. What family is it? Check your answer in the next edition of J at Home! CAMP The Weekly Schmooze: What Makes Our Camp Special? Positive attitudes, modeled by the love and enthusiasm of our camp staff and fostered in every activity our campers pursue, make our camp the truly special place it is—one that our campers (and our staff!) can’t wait to return to each summer. Read more about what sets our camp apart here! - Our Chalutz staff is showing off their camp spirit! Check out the video here! Take a video of your campers doing their favorite camp cheer and send it to us at jcc@sijcc.com for a chance to be featured on our social media! - We hope you will consider registering for camp again this year, as we intend to have another wonderful summer. Registration is ongoing at camp.sijcc.org. As we adjust to the shifting landscape of this crisis, we will inform you about any changes to our programming. In the event that we have to make the heartbreaking decision not to open camp in 2020, you will receive a full refund. KIDS AND FAMILIES Check out Stuck at Home Science from the California Science Center! Every weekday, check back for science videos and activities using household supplies. This week's theme is the World of Life! SOCIAL SERVICES For those in need, JCC social services have gone completely virtual, with staff members providing health insurance navigation, mental health services, legal support resources, and other COVID-19 resources over the phone and email. If you need assistance, please reply to this email, and someone from our staff will get in touch with you. - Bereavement Support Group Tuesdays, beginning May 26, 10am-11:30am If you are interested in joining this 6-week online Bereavement Support Group, contact Sandy Haft, LMSW, at shaft@sijcc.com or 718-475-5274. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 745 5013 5484 Password: 3Gs2UP - New York State announced a Special Enrollment Period for individuals who may have lost their health insurance as a result of their employment ending due to Coronavirus. If enrollment in Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health Marketplace is completed, individuals will have coverage effective April 1, 2020. Enrollment into Medicaid, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus is open year-round. Consumers can apply for coverage through JCC NYSOH Navigators by phone at 718.981.1400 or 718-475-5271. - Our friends at NYLAG put together this webinar with financial advice to help you get through the COVID-19 situation. The video discusses financial challenges, updates on government programs, and other resources. For more information, contact Devorah Weiss at dweiss@sijcc.com COMMUNITY EVENTS Bring Your Light: Faith and Mental Health in COVID-19: Wednesday, May 27, 1pm The First Lady of the City of New York invites you to this virtual discussion. RSVP at rsvpmospce@cityhall.nyc.gov and tune in on Facebook. - CovidWatcher Survey UJA-Federation of New York has partnered with Columbia University, which is conducting a survey to track COVID-19’s impact on New York City neighborhoods in real time, filling in critical gaps in knowledge of the virus to better understand the needs across our communities. Ultimately, CovidWatcher will enable public officials, policymakers, and medical institutions better coordinate their response and target resources during the pandemic and the critical period that will follow. The survey is intended for everyone to fill out, regardless of symptoms or concerns about exposure. The ultimate goal is for every New Yorker to complete this survey. You can complete the survey here. If you have any questions, please contact CovidWatcher@columbia.edu. - U.S. Census 2020 If you haven’t filled out the census yet, now is the time to do it! It is vital that we are ALL counted to secure funding for housing, transportation, schools, and other services we rely on. It takes less than 10 minutes and is confidential. You can fill it out by mail, online or by calling (844) 330-2020. - Be sure to check out these additional programs from our friends at other Jewish organizations around the country! TODAY: Wake Up Before Your Wake Up Call, 2pm In a time of change, learn to move forward awake, centered, and prepared for small experiences and big changes. Learn the 5 pillars for love, joy and connection and practical exercises for self-reflection and meditation. Join on Zoom here TODAY: Zoom 101 with Symphony Barth, 4pm Join on Zoom here TODAY: A Conversation with Dr. Ruth Westheimer, World-Renowned Sex Therapist, 6pm Join Zioness for the latest program in an ongoing series, "Social Differencing," featuring Dr. Ruth Westheimer, celebrated sex therapist, author of over 40 books, professor, orphan of the Holocaust, and former sniper in the Haganah. Register here. Women's Connection: Coping with Emotions during COVID-19: Thursday, May 21, 12:30pm Join on Zoom here The J's Got Talent- Adults: Thursday, May 21, 7pm Do you have a hidden talent you'd like to share? Participants will prepare a 2-3 minute act of their choice and will have the music cued up and ready to go for their time slot. You can join in or just be an audience member. See you there! Join on Zoom here - Every year, the JCC serves over 6,000 people in crisis. This year, that number has grown as Staten Islanders experience hardships related to COVID-19. Here’s the story of a family directly affected by the COVID-19 crisis that we were able to help: We were recently able to help an older adult who is legally blind and lives alone. She is on a fixed income, and recently her SNAP benefits (food stamps) were reduced dramatically. After she contacted the JCC, we were able to provide her with food from our Kosher Food Pantry as well as help finding additional benefits. Donate to our Families in Need campaign here to help families like this one. IN THE NEWS
We are grateful to local developers David Berman and Murray Berman for their generous donation of meals, flowers, and candy to JCC program participants and staff. Among the recipients of these donations were families who participate in our Cornerstone Community Center Programs, Holocaust survivors from our Café Europa program, and JCC staff members doing essential work during the crisis. The father and son purchased the items from their tenants, who are struggling due to the crisis. The goal of the donation was to benefit the JCC while also helping small businesses on Staten Island during this difficult economic time.Read more about the Bermans' donation here. - We recently checked in with a few of our Music Institute students. We miss hearing their music fill our hallways and look forward to enjoying those familiar moments again. Until then, we would like to bring the spirit of those memories to you, as well as the encouragement to practice and enjoy the benefits of music-making. Watch a special message from our students here. - While our buildings are closed to the public, we have been cleaning and sprucing them up! We even have a new playhouse for our ECE students at the Berman Building! - Congratulations to our Teacher of the Week, Julia Malpa! One of Julia's favorite quotes comes from Confucius— "Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace." Thank you, Julia, for all you do for your students! WELLNESS Looking for a fun new workout? Try the Deck Game! Grab a deck of cards and go through all 52 for a 30 minute workout! Spades = Body Weight Squats Clubs = Burpees Hearts = Push-ups Diamonds = Mountain Climbers (each side) 2 through 9 = # of reps to be performed Face cards = 10 reps Aces = Optional 1-minute break - Did you know that May is Mental Health Month? Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it is especially important to check in on your mental well-being during these challenging times. Staten Island Performing Provider System (PPS) has put together resources including help lines, virtual recovery resources, and ways to cope with stress and anxiety from COVID. Check it out here. - Take the Strive for Five Challenge! It's important to look out for each other during these stressful times. Pick 5 people to check in on by phone or online daily. Let them know that even though you can't be with them in person, you are still there for them and they are not alone. You'll find that staying connected will help your mental health and theirs! - Party in Your Plants - Taking the Hell Out of Healthy: A Live Event with Talia Pollock Thursday, May 21, 7pm Join our friends at the Mandell JCC for this special Facebook Live event with award-winning podcast host, comedian, and plant-based chef Talia Pollock! She will share:
- Earlier this week, we hosted a virtual lecture with Laura Shammah, RDN, on Emotional Eating. It was an enlightening discussion to help people understand why we use food to cope with emotions, especially during stressful times like these. If you missed the lecture, you can watch it here! - Join us for these weekly wellness classes! Internal Exercise Mondays, 12pm Internal Exercises energize the entire body, promote effective functions of the internal organs, dissolve stress and tension, prevent health problems, heal, regenerate, and do much more without strenuous exercises or equipment. Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 985-8085-5441 Password: Wellness Eat Well, Live Well: Nutrition Education with Lisa Mondays, 2pm Health cooking class with pantry staples and easy-to-use everyday gadgets Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 914 380 9061 Password: wellness1 Positive Pulse with Lisa Tuesdays, 1pm Each week, Lisa will demonstrate easy at-home exercises using things around the house Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 914 380 9061 Password: wellness1 Biology of the Immune System with Dr. Roberta Hayes Wednesdays, 11am Join us here. Yoga with Joan Sundays, 11am Join us for a yoga class that focuses on meditation, breathing practices, stretching and relaxation exercises. Join us on Zoom here. Meeting ID: 886 0456 5129 SPORTS The Rollover Dribble is an easy way to work on your soccer dribbling technique! Try it out! Roll your foot over the ball, pushing the ball with the sole of your foot. Practice 100 times with each foot to improve your control of the ball in defensive situations! - Do you love gaming? Try out these free games for teens ages 13-18! Compete with friends and make new ones, from around the corner and around the world. Maccabi USA has partnered with Lost Tribe Esports to present free tournaments
- Did you know that we offer four different sports camps in the summer? We have soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and aquatics programs! Not only will your child improve their skills, but sports will teach your child how to be a good teammate, the value of hard work, and the power of a positive attitude! Learn more here! ARTS AND CULTURE TODAY: Music for Healing, 3pm Join Joelle Cohen for a Music Therapy Zoom session! Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 858 9542 0965 Password: 012551 - TODAY: Chop Challenge, 5pm Show off your culinary talents with mystery ingredients. Join Chef Liron on Zoom to hear your mystery ingredients - we'll choose items we're confident are in most pantries. Spend the next 90 minutes by yourself or with family creating scrumptious plates using ingredients from your own pantry. Join us on Zoom here Meeting ID: 126 808 839 Password: shalom - TODAY: Yiddish Book Center: Regenerating Jewish Culture, 7pm Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 818 2668 5704 Password: 726004 - Seattle Jewish Film Festival: A Conversation with Daniel Hendler Sunday, May 17, 4pm ET Our friends at the Stroum JCC and Seattle Jewish Film Festival are sitting down with Daniel Hendler, one of the co-writers of the new hit Netflix miniseries Unorthodox. Watch the series on Netflix and then join in for a discussion! Learn more and register here. - Maccabi USA Book Club: Recipes from Auschwitz Monday, May 18, 7pm Join our friends at Maccabi USA for a meaningful and interesting discussion of Recipes from Auschwitz with author Dr. Alex Sternberg. Learn more and register here. - Dr. Esther Grushkin Seminars for Adult Jewish Education (SAJE) presents A JCC Virtual Rabbi/Rebbetzin Series Wednesday, May 20, 12:30pm Join us for a FREE Zoom lecture by Rebbetzin Ivry, who will discuss “The Soul and the Afterlife.” Click here to join the lecture. Meeting ID: 992 699 3587 Password: 468536 - Virtual Book Club Meeting Thursday, May 21, 12:30pm Our first virtual Book Club meeting last month was a great success, and we hope you'll join us this month as we read Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 833 4287 3802 To participate via phone, dial 646-558-8656 - Yom Yerushalayim Celebration Thursday, May 21, 7pm We hope you will join us for a Yom Yerushalayim celebration on Thursday, May 21st at 7pm. The evening will feature music, readings, greetings from Consul General of Israel Dani Dayan, and will highlight SI IDF soldiers who fought in the Six Day War. Join on Zoom here. If you'd like to share what Jerusalem means to you to be read aloud at the virtual celebration (no more than 2 paragraphs), you can send it to jcc@sijcc.com - ONGOING VIRTUAL CLASSES We miss all of our enriching Cultural Arts classes, but we are so excited to be able to offer some of them virtually! Check out our schedule of weekly classes below: Judaism at Home & Days to Celebrate with Rabbi Mendy Katzman Mondays, 1pm Join us for a five-part Jewish literacy series about how Judaism is observed at home, which is particularly relevant at this time, when the only place Judaism can thrive is at home. This offering will touch on many areas, ranging from the things we do upon waking, to how we eat our meals, elements of prayer, and the basics of Shabbat. The content will include practical guidance, in the style of DIY, as well as deeper insights about why we do what we do. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 366509541 The Way It Was: The History and Culture of the Jews of Eastern Europe with Rabbi Gerald Sussman Thursdays, 12pm Watch on Facebook Live Art of Broadway with Fred Grieco Fridays, 11am Explore the origins and background of NY Theater. Follow the history of the Broadway stage through stories about the men and women who made the NY theater scene so successful. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 115 119 374 Password: 265999 Improv Class with Mona Valore Fridays, 1:30pm Call in to Zoom at 425-436-6397 Access code: 175126 - Learn how to bake a pie in English and Russian with IlluminArt Productions! Check out the video here! - Uncover the secrets of Mozart's "Magic Flute" with this informative video from TED-Ed! How much do you know about classical music? Test your knowledge with this trivia question... - Ludwig van Beethoven called him "the greatest composer who ever lived." Frank Joseph Haydn called him "the master of us all." Who was he? Check your answer in the next edition of J at Home! CAMP The Weekly Schmooze: Specialty Aquatics Camp Our summer Aquatics Camp brings out the best in every swimmer we coach! Whether your child is a new swimmer, an aspiring competitive swimmer, or a competitive swimmer looking to build endurance, we have a program for them. Swimmers will be taught level-appropriate swimming skills by experienced and knowledgeable coaches during two pool sessions each day. When they are not swimming, campers take yoga classes, learn about nutrition, take part in team-building exercises, or play in the gym. For more information, contact aquatics@sijcc.com. - Our Camp Staff members continue to meet and plan for Summer 2020! We hope you will consider registering for camp again this year, as we intend to have another wonderful summer. Registration is ongoing at camp.sijcc.org. As we adjust to the shifting landscape of this crisis, we will inform you about any changes to our programming. In the event that we have to make the heartbreaking decision not to open camp in 2020, you will receive a full refund. KIDS AND FAMILIES Tune in to Goodnight With Dolly, a special online series in which Dolly Parton reads a bedtime story to kids! New episodes air on Thursday nights at 7pm here! SOCIAL SERVICES For those in need, JCC social services have gone completely virtual, with staff members providing health insurance navigation, mental health services, legal support resources, and other COVID-19 resources over the phone and email. If you need assistance, please reply to this email, and someone from our staff will get in touch with you. - New York State announced a Special Enrollment Period for individuals who may have lost their health insurance as a result of their employment ending due to Coronavirus. If enrollment in Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health Marketplace is completed, individuals will have coverage effective April 1, 2020. Enrollment into Medicaid, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus is open year-round. Consumers can apply for coverage through JCC NYSOH Navigators by phone at 718.981.1400 or 718-475-5271. - Our friends at NYLAG put together this webinar with financial advice to help you get through the COVID-19 situation. The video discusses financial challenges, updates on government programs, and other resources. For more information, contact Devorah Weiss at dweiss@sijcc.com FUNDRAISING DIYS We had so much fun dancing with our friend Jessica Caracciolo last week! Her virtual dance party raised over $1000 for Sunrise Day Camp. We’re so grateful to Jessica and all who joined us for the party! - Have you been experimenting in the kitchen now that you’re spending more time at home? Stop by this virtual fundraiser with Pampered Chef to get all of your kitchen essentials while also supporting Sunrise Day Camp! The fundraiser ends tomorrow, so be sure to check it out today! If you’re interested in hosting a virtual fundraiser for us, please contact EShulman@sijcc.com for more information. COMMUNITY EVENTS TODAY: Dr. Einat Wilf: Updates from Israel and the Path to Israeli-Palestinian Peace, 12:00pm In her newly-released The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace, Dr. Einat Wilf and co-author Adi Schwartz argue that for the Israel-Palestinian conflict to end with a durable peace agreement, Palestinians must finally come to terms with the realiy that there will be no "right of return." Dr. Wilf, Member of Knesset (2010-2013) and a prominent Israeli figure on matters of foreign policy, economics, education, Israel, and Zionism, will join AJC for a discussion on her new book, as well as current hot topics in Israel, from the formation of a new Israeli government, to potential annexation, and COVID-19. Sponsored by AJC. Register here. - TODAY: Remote ACCESS: Culinary Diplomacy: Borderless Wine, 1:00pm ACCESS San Francisco leader and founder of Borderless Wine, Peter Weltman, will lead a session with vintners from the Middle East and Latin America about the impact of winemaking as a tool for diplomacy, facilitating cross-border initiatives, and cross-cultural dialogue. Sponsored by AJC. Register here. - CovidWatcher Survey UJA-Federation of New York has partnered with Columbia University, which is conducting a survey to track COVID-19’s impact on New York City neighborhoods in real time, filling in critical gaps in knowledge of the virus to better understand the needs across our communities. Ultimately, CovidWatcher will enable public officials, policymakers, and medical institutions better coordinate their response and target resources during the pandemic and the critical period that will follow. The survey is intended for everyone to fill out, regardless of symptoms or concerns about exposure. The ultimate goal is for every New Yorker to complete this survey. You can complete the survey here. If you have any questions, please contact CovidWatcher@columbia.edu. - U.S. Census 2020 If you haven’t filled out the census yet, now is the time to do it! It is vital that we are ALL counted to secure funding for housing, transportation, schools, and other services we rely on. It takes less than 10 minutes and is confidential. You can fill it out by mail, online or by calling (844) 330-2020. - Every year, the JCC serves over 6,000 people in crisis. This year, that number has grown as Staten Islanders experience hardships related to COVID-19. Here’s the story of a family directly affected by the COVID-19 crisis that we were able to help: Recently, we were contacted by a couple with three teenage and adult children living at home. The father was between jobs when the pandemic hit, and the mother can no longer work due to a disability. To help them through this tough financial situation, we were able to provide them with food from our Kosher Food Pantry and are helping them apply for SNAP benefits (food stamps). Our staff is also helping them get medical insurance. In addition, we referred them to legal and financial counseling. Our social services staff is grateful to be able to help this family navigate this difficult time. Donate to our Families in Need campaign here to help families like this one. IN THE NEWS
Our Explorers After School participants got a special visit at their homes from our staff members! We miss all of the kids and can’t wait until we can all be together again! - Congratulations to all of UJA-Federation's Staten Island honorees! We would especially like to congratulate our own Frada Steinhaus, a former pre-K teacher at the JCC and current volunteer at our Kosher Food Pantry, and Arthur Spielman, a Holocaust survivor and member of our Café Europa committee. Read more about the honorees here. WELLNESS This 20 minute, no-equipment workout works every muscle and is a great way to switch up your exercise routine! Do as many rounds as possible (AMRAP) in each ten minute circuit! - Did you know that May is Mental Health Month? Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it is especially important to check in on your mental well-being during these challenging times. Today's tip for boosting your mental health is to spend some time outdoors! While being mindful of social distancing and recommendations on wearing a mask, take a walk around your neighborhood or an open park. This will help you get some exercise, enjoy a change of scenery, and reconnect with nature. Read more about the health benefits of going outside here. - JCC-Wide Zumba Workout Wednesday, May 13, 7:30pm Join us on Wednesday for a massive virtual ZOOMba Party featuring 8 instructors from 8 JCCs across North America. Register here! - Join us for these weekly wellness classes! Internal Exercise Mondays, 12pm Internal Exercises energize the entire body, promote effective functions of the internal organs, dissolve stress and tension, prevent health problems, heal, regenerate, and do much more without strenuous exercises or equipment. Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 985-8085-5441 Password: Wellness Eat Well, Live Well: Nutrition Education with Lisa Mondays, 2pm Health cooking class with pantry staples and easy-to-use everyday gadgets Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 914 380 9061 Password: wellness1 Positive Pulse with Lisa Tuesdays, 1pm Each week, Lisa will demonstrate easy at-home exercises using things around the house Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 914 380 9061 Password: wellness1 Biology of the Immune System with Dr. Roberta Hayes Wednesdays, 11am Join us here. Yoga with Joan Sundays, 11am Join us for a yoga class that focuses on meditation, breathing practices, stretching and relaxation exercises. Join us on Zoom here. Meeting ID: 886 0456 5129 AQUATICS No pool? No problem! You can still participate in dryland training exercises that help swimmers become stronger and more explosive in the water, while decreasing their risk of injury. Today's workout focuses on building core strength! Click on each exercise to see a video demonstration. Round 1: Repeat 2x Russian Twists - 20 reps Toe Touches - 30 reps Reverse Crunches - 20 reps Bicycle Crunches - 30 reps Round 2: Repeat 2x V-Ups - 15 reps Push Up to Side Planks - 15 reps Reverse Crunches - 20 reps Push Up to Side Planks - 15 reps SPORTS Our Core 24 Basketball Academy staff put together this video of different shots you can practice with a hoop at home! Click on the photo to check it out! - Do you love gaming? Try out these free games for teens ages 13-18! Compete with friends and make new ones, from around the corner and around the world. Maccabi USA has partnered with Lost Tribe Esports to present free tournaments:
- Did you know that we offer four different sports camps in the summer? We have soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and aquatics programs! Not only will your child improve their skills, but sports will teach your child how to be a good teammate, the value of hard work, and the power of a positive attitude! Learn more here! ARTS AND CULTURE Music for Healing Thursday, May 14, 3pm Join Joelle Cohen for a Music Therapy Zoom session! Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 858 9542 0965 Password: 012551 - Yiddish Book Center: Regenerating Jewish Culture Thursday, May 14, 7pm Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 818 2668 5704 Password: 726004 - Dr. Esther Grushkin Seminars for Adult Jewish Education (SAJE) presents A JCC Virtual Rabbi/Rebbetzin Series Wednesday, May 20, 12:30pm Join us for a FREE Zoom lecture by Rebbetzin Ivry, who will discuss “The Soul and the Afterlife.” Click here to join the lecture. Meeting ID: 992 699 3587 Password: 468536 - Virtual Book Club Meeting Thursday, May 21, 12:30pm Our first virtual Book Club meeting last month was a great success, and we hope you'll join us this month as we read Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 833 4287 3802 To participate via phone, dial 646-558-8656 - Yom Yerushalayim Celebration Thursday, May 21, 7pm We hope you will join us for a Yom Yerushalayim celebration on Thursday, May 21st at 7pm. The evening will feature music, readings, greetings from Consul General of Israel Dani Dayan, and will highlight SI IDF soldiers who fought in the Six Day War. Join on Zoom here If you'd like to share what Jerusalem means to you to be read aloud at the virtual celebration (no more than 2 paragraphs), you can send it to jcc@sijcc.com - ONGOING VIRTUAL CLASSES We miss all of our enriching Cultural Arts classes, but we are so excited to be able to offer some of them virtually! Check out our schedule of weekly classes below: Judaism at Home & Days to Celebrate with Rabbi Mendy Katzman Mondays, 1pm Join us for a five-part Jewish literacy series about how Judaism is observed at home, which is particularly relevant at this time, when the only place Judaism can thrive is at home. This offering will touch on many areas, ranging from the things we do upon waking, to how we eat our meals, elements of prayer, and the basics of Shabbat. The content will include practical guidance, in the style of DIY, as well as deeper insights about why we do what we do. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 366509541 The Way It Was: The History and Culture of the Jews of Eastern Europe with Rabbi Gerald Sussman Thursdays, 12pm Watch on Facebook Live Art of Broadway with Fred Grieco Fridays, 11am Explore the origins and background of NY Theater. Follow the history of the Broadway stage through stories about the men and women who made the NY theater scene so successful. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 115 119 374 Password: 265999 Improv Class with Mona Valore Fridays, 1:30pm Call in to Zoom at 425-436-6397 Access code: 175126 - One of the best ways to reconnect to a memory is to write about it. Is there someone important to you that you are thinking about right now? Teaching Artist Yvonne Roen will take you through the process of writing a sonnet based upon a memory you share with them. It’s easier than you think - all you need is a pen, some paper, and an open heart. Are you interested in learning how to write sonnets? Check out this video by Illuminart! MUSIC We miss all of our classes and making music with our wonderful students. Until we can be together again, here are some tips for practicing your instrument at home to keep improving your skills!
CAMP The Weekly Schmooze: One Good Deed Leads to Another Positive values like compassion and giving are central to who we are at JCC Day Camp. Read all about how our campers inspire us with their good deeds and kindness here! - At our Soccer Camp, fun is our goal! Under the guidance of professional trainers who have played high level and international soccer, our players will develop their skills while experiencing the joy of the sport. The curriculum includes activities designed for children at every skill level—from fundamental soccer skills to advanced training to competitive scrimmages. For more information, contact soccer@sijcc.com. - We hope you will consider registering for camp again this year, as we intend to have another wonderful summer. Registration is ongoing at camp.sijcc.org. As we adjust to the shifting landscape of this crisis, we will inform you about any changes to our programming. In the event that we have to make the heartbreaking decision not to open camp in 2020, you will receive a full refund. KIDS AND FAMILIES Get up and get moving like your favorite superheroes with this Avengers-inspired workout for kids! Get Kids Moving has lots of fun workouts inspired by beloved characters from comic books, Star Wars, and Harry Potter! SOCIAL SERVICES For those in need, JCC social services have gone completely virtual, with staff members providing health insurance navigation, mental health services, legal support resources, and other COVID-19 resources over the phone and email. If you need assistance, please reply to this email, and someone from our staff will get in touch with you. - New York State announced a Special Enrollment Period for individuals who may have lost their health insurance as a result of their employment ending due to Coronavirus. If enrollment in Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health Marketplace is completed, individuals will have coverage effective April 1, 2020. Enrollment into Medicaid, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus is open year-round.Consumers can apply for coverage through JCC NYSOH Navigators by phone at 718.981.1400 or 718-475-5271. - Our friends at NYLAG put together this webinar with financial advice to help you get through the COVID-19 situation. The video discusses financial challenges, updates on government programs, and other resources. For more information, contact Devorah Weiss at dweiss@sijcc.com FUNDRAISING DIYS Have you been experimenting in the kitchen now that you’re spending more time at home? Stop by this virtual fundraiser with Pampered Chef to get all of your kitchen essentials while also supporting Sunrise Day Camp! If you’re interested in hosting a virtual fundraiser for us, please contact EShulman@sijcc.com for more information. COMMUNITY EVENTS TODAY: Identity Politics, Polarization, and the Collapse of the Center: The Changing Political Landscape of the United States and What’s at Stake for American Jews, 1:30pm Identity politics — the formation of political alliances based on one’s own race, religion, gender, or social background — is a quickly growing phenomenon in the political landscape of the United States. This shift away from traditional, broad-based party politics has brought polarization to new heights, dividing us more than ever. How did identity politics emerge? Has the political center collapsed as parties have moved more toward extremes? Join Seth Mandel, Executive Editor of Washington Examiner Magazine and Batya Ungar-Sargon, who serves as Opinion Editor at The Forward as they examine these questions and more. Sponsored by AJC. Register here. - Dr. Einat Wilf: Updates from Israel and the Path to Israeli-Palestinian Peace Thursday, May 14, 12:00pm In her newly-released The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace, Dr. Einat Wilf and co-author Adi Schwartz argue that for the Israel-Palestinian conflict to end with a durable peace agreement, Palestinians must finally come to terms with the realiy that there will be no "right of return." Dr. Wilf, Member of Knesset (2010-2013) and a prominent Israeli figure on matters of foreign policy, economics, education, Israel, and Zionism, will join AJC for a discussion on her new book, as well as current hot topics in Israel, from the formation of a new Israeli government, to potential annexation, and COVID-19. Sponsored by AJC. Register here. - Remote ACCESS: Culinary Diplomacy: Borderless Wine Thursday, May 14, 1:00pm ACCESS San Francisco leader and founder of Borderless Wine, Peter Weltman, will lead a session with vintners from the Middle East and Latin America about the impact of winemaking as a tool for diplomacy, facilitating cross-border initiatives, and cross-cultural dialogue. Sponsored by AJC. Register here. - U.S. Census 2020 If you haven’t filled out the census yet, now is the time to do it! It is vital that we are ALL counted to secure funding for housing, transportation, schools, and other services we rely on. It takes less than 10 minutes and is confidential. You can fill it out by mail, online or by calling (844) 330-2020. - Every year, the JCC serves over 6,000 people in crisis. This year, that number has grown as Staten Islanders experience hardships related to COVID-19. Here’s the story of a family directly affected by the COVID-19 crisis that we were able to help: We were contacted by a senior couple who are raising their grandchildren after the children’s father died from COVID-19. They are on a very small fixed income and called the JCC to ask about getting food from our Kosher Food Pantry. In addition to supplying them with food, we were able to share other food resources with them. We were pleased to be able to provide them this support during this incredibly difficult time. Donate to our Families in Need campaign here to help families like this one. I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. While we are still very much in the midst of this unique situation, these circumstances provide a chance to reflect on the things that are most important to us. Despite our distance from one another, we have an unmatched capacity for connection. Despite the danger and fear surrounding this pandemic, we have seen so many heroes--including our staff and many members of our community--rise to the challenges at hand. As for our agency, we remain committed to serving you and so look forward to the day when we can open our doors to you again. Until then, we have some positive news that we'd love to share with you.
Although we closed our doors to the public seven weeks ago, our work has not stopped. Since then, we have:
Please continue to reach out to us by responding to this email if you or someone you know is in need of assistance with COVID-19 resources. Follow us on Facebook to stay connected with us and get the latest updates on virtual programming and our efforts to help those in need. -Orit Lender, Deputy Executive Director and Incoming CEO IN THE NEWS We will be celebrating Yom Yerushayalim on Thursday, May 21st at 7pm. If you'd like to share what Jerusalem means to you to be read aloud at the virtual celebration (no more than 2 paragraphs), you can send it to jcc@sijcc.com - Thank you to the National Grid Foundation for supporting the JCC of Staten Island with a $5,000 grant to help support hunger relief and human services for people in need and struggling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. - Our Kosher Food Pantry is also supported by UJA-Federation of New York, the Robin Hood Foundation, Verizon, Con Edison, National Grid Foundation, Mannix Shop Rite Stores, United Way, Food Bank NYC, Met Council, the Brooklyn Home for Aged Men, Borough President James Oddo, and DYCD. We are grateful to them for their continued generosity during this difficult time. - Last week, our Gerard Carter Cornerstone Community Center partnered with Assemblyman Charles Fall, World Vision, CRU Inner City, Convoy of Hope, and additional nonprofit organizations to distribute over 200 meals and 100 hygiene kits to students from PS 57, PS 78, IS 49 and the Stapleton Houses. Thank you to our community partners, volunteers, and staff for their help and generosity! - Click here to check out this special message of gratitude from our ECE families to all essential workers! Thank you for all that you do! WELLNESS Try out this Pilates total body workout! It's great for beginners and anyone looking to get in shape! - Did you know that May is Mental Health Month? Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it is especially important to check in on your mental well-being during these challenging times. - This video from Headspace is a wonderful reminder to "Remember the Blue Sky" if you're feeling overwhelmed by the current situation. Headspace also has a collection of mental health tips and exercises specially curated for New Yorkers. Here are some additional mental health resources available in NYC:
"How to Stop Emotional Eating" — A Lecture by Laura Shammah, MS, RDN Monday, May 11, 8pm Join us for this free virtual lecture on Zoom! Click here to join the lecture. Meeting ID: 992 699 3587 Password: 051120 - Join us for these weekly wellness classes! Internal Exercise: Mondays, 12pm Internal Exercises energize the entire body, promote effective functions of the internal organs, dissolve stress and tension, prevent health problems, heal, regenerate, and do much more without strenuous exercises or equipment. Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 985-8085-5441 Password: Wellness - Positive Pulse with Lisa, Tuesdays, 1pm Each week, Lisa will demonstrate easy at-home exercises using things around the house Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 914 380 9061 Password: wellness1 - Eat Well, Live Well: Nutrition Education with Lisa, Mondays, 2pm Health cooking class with pantry staples and easy-to-use everyday gadgets Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 914 380 9061 Password: wellness1 - Biology of the Immune System with Dr. Roberta Hayes, Wednesdays, 11am Join us here. SPORTS Roll Out, and Push In... This drill will help you improve your soccer dribbling skills! Try it out! Place your foot on top of the ball. Roll the ball towards the outside of the foot and quickly slide the foot to the outside of the ball. Push the ball in towards the other foot. Practice 100 times with each foot! - Did you know that we offer four different sports camps in the summer? We have soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and aquatics programs! Not only will your child improve their skills, but sports will teach your child how to be a good teammate, the value of hard work, and the power of a positive attitude! Learn more here! ARTS AND CULTURE Take a virtual tour of 17 movie locations with Google Arts & Culture! - Dr. Esther Grushkin Seminars for Adult Jewish Education (SAJE) presents A JCC Virtual Rabbi/Rebbetzin Series, Wednesday, May 20, 12:30pm Join us for a FREE Zoom lecture by Rebbetzin Ivry, who will discuss “The Soul and the Afterlife.” Click here to join the lecture. Meeting ID: 992 699 3587 Password: 468536 - ONGOING VIRTUAL CLASSES We miss all of our enriching Cultural Arts classes, but we are so excited to be able to offer some of them virtually! Check out our schedule of weekly classes below: Art of Broadway with Fred Grieco Fridays, 11am Explore the origins and background of NY Theater. Follow the history of the Broadway stage through stories about the men and women who made the NY theater scene so successful. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 115 119 374 Password: 265999 - Judaism at Home & Days to Celebrate with Rabbi Mendy Katzman Mondays, 1pm Join us for a five-part Jewish literacy series about how Judaism is observed at home, which is particularly relevant at this time, when the only place Judaism can thrive is at home. This offering will touch on many areas, ranging from the things we do upon waking, to how we eat our meals, elements of prayer, and the basics of Shabbat. The content will include practical guidance, in the style of DIY, as well as deeper insights about why we do what we do. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 366509541 - The Way It Was: The History and Culture of the Jews of Eastern Europe with Rabbi Gerald Sussman Thursdays, 12pm Watch on Facebook Live - Improv Class with Mona Valore Fridays, 1:30pm Call in to Zoom at 425-436-6397 Access code: 175126 MUSIC The Metropolitan Opera has an exciting streaming schedule planned for this weekend! Tonight: Strauss’s Capriccio Friday: Puccini’s La Bohème Saturday:The Opera House, a 2017 documentary chronicling the debut of the new Met at Lincoln Center in 1966 Sunday: Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana / Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci Check out the schedule here. CAMP The Weekly Schmooze: Specialty Soccer Camp At our Soccer Camp, fun is our goal! Under the guidance of professional trainers who have played high level and international soccer, our players will develop their skills while experiencing the joy of the sport. The curriculum includes activities designed for children at every skill level—from fundamental soccer skills to advanced training to competitive scrimmages. For more information, contact soccer@sijcc.com. - We hope you will consider registering for camp again this year, as we intend to have another wonderful summer. Registration is ongoing at camp.sijcc.org. As we adjust to the shifting landscape of this crisis, we will inform you about any changes to our programming. In the event that we have to make the heartbreaking decision not to open camp in 2020, you will receive a full refund. KIDS AND FAMILIES We're collecting little notes to give to the homebound in our community when we deliver their food! If you and your kids would like to participate, simply make a friendly greeting card or cheerful note— please only include your first names, without personal information. Then, snap a picture of your card, and email it to us at jcc@sijcc.com! It's a great way to let seniors in our community know they are not alone, and to show kids that there's still so much we can do to be kind to others even though we are apart right now! - Let's make a diorama! Recreate a scene in miniature--it can be from a favorite book or movie, a sport, nature, or even your imagination! All you need is a shoe-box and any supplies you already have at home. Dioramas are a great way for kids to use their imagination, think up creative solutions, and keep busy for a few hours! SOCIAL SERVICES For those in need, JCC social services have gone completely virtual, with staff members providing health insurance navigation, mental health services, legal support resources, and other COVID-19 resources over the phone and email. If you need assistance, please reply to this email, and someone from our staff will get in touch with you. - New York State announced a Special Enrollment Period for individuals who may have lost their health insurance as a result of their employment ending due to Coronavirus. If enrollment in Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health Marketplace is completed, individuals will have coverage effective April 1, 2020. Enrollment into Medicaid, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus is open year-round. Consumers can apply for coverage through JCC NYSOH Navigators by phone at 718.981.1400 or 718-475-5271. - Our friends at NYLAG put together this webinar with financial advice to help you get through the COVID-19 situation. The video discusses financial challenges, updates on government programs, and other resources. For more information, contact Devorah Weiss at dweiss@sijcc.com FUNDRAISING DIYS TOMORROW: Fierce Females Dance Party, 8pm Get ready to dance! Our friend Jessica Caracciolo is hosting a Fierce Females Dance Party to benefit Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island! Donate whatever you can here by 6pm, and you'll be sent a Zoom link to the event 2 hours before the party. - Are you looking for a special Mother's Day Gift? We're hosting a fundraiser with Sweetest Smiles Photography! All proceeds support our Families in Need COVID-19 Emergency Fund! For $50, you get a front-porch photo session that would be a perfect gift for any special woman in your life. Photo sessions can be redeemed from May 12th-May 22nd. Sign up here! - Have you been experimenting in the kitchen now that you’re spending more time at home? Stop by this virtual fundraiser with Pampered Chef to get all of your kitchen essentials while also supporting Sunrise Day Camp! If you’re interested in hosting a virtual fundraiser for us, please contact EShulman@sijcc.com for more information. COMMUNITY EVENTS TODAY: TYSA Presents: "Parents You Matter" Workshop, 2-3pm Want to learn how to speak with your child about substance use? Join Tackling Youth Substance Abuse (TYSA) for an informative, free Zoom workshop called "Parents You Matter." Email Abby at abigail@sipcw.org to receive the Zoom link. - TONIGHT: Crisis to Connection: Resiliency in the Time of Social Isolation, A Conversation With Dr. Ruth, 7:30pm A former passenger on the Kinder Transport who spent time as an Israeli sniper before she became one of America's most beloved therapists, Dr. Ruth -- 91 years old and still hard at work -- defines hardiness and strength. UJA presents a talk on resiliency with Dr. Ruth in conversation with philanthropist, entrepreneur, and National Young Leadership Cabinet co-chair Ari Ackerman. Register for the webinar here. - 4th Annual Holocaust Art, Poetry, and Prose Contest: Submissions due May 10, 2020 The Wagner College Holocaust Center and Holocaust Commemoration Committee on Staten Island encourage young people in all grade levels to share their creative response to this year’s theme: Children and Prejudice in the Holocaust. Entries will be judged based on creativity, passion, message, and connection to theme. Artwork entries must be accompanied by a paragraph on the meaning of the piece. All entries should include your name, school, and contact information. The first-place winner will receive a cash prize of $100, second-place $50, and third-place $25. Please submit entries to Holocaust.center@wagner.edu with “Holocaust Art Contest 2020” in the subject line. You can also mail your entry to Wagner College Holocaust Center, One Campus Road, Staten Island, NY 10301. Winning entries will be exhibited at www.wagner.edu/holocaust-center and on social media and in future gallery exhibits. For questions: contact Professor Lori Weintrob at lrweintr@wagner.edu 718-390-3309 - U.S. Census 2020 If you haven’t filled out the census yet, now is the time to do it! It is vital that we are ALL counted to secure funding for housing, transportation, schools, and other services we rely on. It takes less than 10 minutes and is confidential. You can fill it out by mail, online or by calling (844) 330-2020. - Every year, the JCC serves over 6,000 people in crisis. This year, that number will grow as Staten Islanders experience hardships related to COVID-19. Here is another story of a family we were able to help: A woman reached out for help for her family after her salary was cut due to coronavirus. She previously lived in a homeless shelter with her son, and now lives in a NYCHA apartment. She is struggling to pay her rent, find health insurance, and feed her family—including her mother, who lives with her and is disabled. After she contacted us, we were able to refer her to our Kosher Food Pantry, a financial counselor, our CHIPS office for health insurance navigation, and other resources. Donate to our Families in Need campaign here to help families like this one. IN THE NEWS
We will be celebrating Yom Yerushayalim on Thursday, May 21st at 7pm. If you'd like to share what Jerusalem means to you to be read aloud at the virtual celebration (no more than 2 paragraphs), you can send it to jcc@sijcc.com - Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! We are always so proud of our wonderful ECE and adult education teachers, who enrich their students' lives every day, but we are especially proud of the way they've handled transitioning to virtual learning!Our ECE families wanted to show their appreciation for their teachers, and recently put together a special parade in their honor! Check out the video here! - Congratulations to Our Teacher of the Week, Maria Estrella. She is our Spanish HSE teacher, and says, “As a person and as a teacher I love to help people so they can have a great future". Thank you for all of your hard work, Maria! WELLNESS This no-equipment barre workout fuses dance and cardio to get your heart rate up and your muscles toned! - This mindfulness practice focuses on different parts of the body to help quiet your mind and choose how you use your attention. - "How to Stop Emotional Eating" — A Lecture by Laura Shammah, MS, RDN Monday, May 11, 8pm Join us for this free virtual lecture on Zoom! Click here to join the lecture. Meeting ID: 992 699 3587 Password: 051120 - Join us for these weekly wellness classes! Alive and Aware Mondays, 12pm A health management class that includes up-to-date health and safety information related to COVID-19 for older adults. Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 985-8085-5441 Password: Wellness - Biology of the Immune System with Dr. Roberta Hayes Wednesdays, 11am Join us here - Positive Pulse with Lisa Mondays, 1pm Each week, Lisa will demonstrate easy at-home exercises using things around the house Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 914 380 9061 Password: wellness1 - Eat Well, Live Well: Nutrition Education with Lisa Mondays, 2pm Health cooking class with pantry staples and easy-to-use everyday gadgets Join us on Zoom: Meeting ID: 914 380 9061 Password: wellness1 SPORTS Our Sports and Recreation team has put together some drills you can practice at home to keep your skills strong before the season starts! Click here to check out some drills from our Core 24 Basketball Academy staff! - Did you know that we offer four different sports camps in the summer? We have soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and aquatics programs! Not only will your child improve their skills, but sports will teach your child how to be a good teammate, the value of hard work, and the power of a positive attitude! Learn more here! ARTS AND CULTURE TOMORROW: Las Vegas Jewish Virtual Film Festival Presents Barbra Streisand: Becoming an Icon, 8pm Our friends at the JCC of Southern Nevada invite you to a virtual film festival! First, watch the documentary film Barbra Streisand: Becoming an Icon, 1942-1984 here before tomorrow evening. Then, tune into a live webinar with Las Vegas Jewish Film Festival Director Joshua Abbey and special guests. Register for the webinar here. For more information, check out the event on Facebook. - TOMORROW: Maccabi USA @ Home: From Survive to Thrive, 8pm Join Maccabi USA for a virtual conversation with Ethan Zohn, on how times of difficulty can lead to positive outcomes! Zoom ID 824-4652-6388 Password 272994 - Dr. Esther Grushkin Seminars for Adult Jewish Education (SAJE) presentsA JCC Virtual Rabbi/Rebbetzin Series Wednesday, May 20, 12:30pm Join us for a FREE Zoom lecture by Rebbetzin Ivry, who will discuss “The Souland the Afterlife.” Click here to join the lecture. Meeting ID: 992 699 3587 Password: 468536 - A Seat at the Table: A Journey Into Jewish Food The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research is offering a free online class on Jewish food and culture. The course includes lectures by scholars, video demonstrations by renowned chefs, and more! Learn more and register here! - Our memories of food and time spent in the kitchen are some of the most powerful memories we have. They bond us together through the common experiences of the five senses and give us an inside look into different cultures and families. Follow Justin, one of our friends at IlluminArt Productions as he uses his own food memories to try and recreate his grandmother's matzo ball soup! - ONGOING VIRTUAL CLASSES We miss all of our enriching Cultural Arts classes, but we are so excited to be able to offer some of them virtually! Check out our schedule of weekly classes below: - Art of Broadway with Fred Grieco Fridays, 11am Explore the origins and background of NY Theater. Follow the history of the Broadway stage through stories about the men and women who made the NY theater scene so successful. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 115 119 374 Password: 265999 - Judaism at Home & Days to Celebrate with Rabbi Mendy Katzman Mondays, 1pm Join us for a five-part Jewish literacy series about how Judaism is observed at home, which is particularly relevant at this time, when the only place Judaism can thrive is at home. This offering will touch on many areas, ranging from the things we do upon waking, to how we eat our meals, elements of prayer, and the basics of Shabbat. The content will include practical guidance, in the style of DIY, as well as deeper insights about why we do what we do. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 366509541 - The Way It Was: The History and Culture of the Jews of Eastern Europe with Rabbi Gerald Sussman Thursdays, 12pm Watch on Facebook Live - Improv Class with Mona Valore Fridays, 1:30pm Call in to Zoom at 425-436-6397 Access code: 175126 MUSIC Check out Jazz at Lincoln Center’s online programming, which includes conversations with Wynton Marsalis, virtual classes about jazz masters, and more! - Recognizing music's power to heal and unite, Lincoln Center is holding a series of weekly virtual concerts called Memorial For Us All. Each Sunday at 6pm, Lincoln Center will premiere a new community remembrance to honor those who have left us too soon during these difficult times. Watch the first concert here. CAMP The Weekly Schmooze: Connecting at Camp Camp Co-Director Stephanie Feldman recently shared a story with us that reminded us what a special place JCC Day Camp is. Read her story, and find out how our camp helps kids connect with themselves, one another, and naturehere. - Marvin's Camp Director Tara Buttermark has a fun challenge for you all... the Camp T-Shirt Challenge! Check out the video here! Tara put on 14 camp t-shirts and now it's time to see how many YOU can put on! Send us videos of you completing the challenge by emailing them to jcc@sijcc.com for a chance to be featured on our social media! - We hope you will consider registering for camp again this year, as we intend to have another wonderful summer. Registration is ongoing at camp.sijcc.org. As we adjust to the shifting landscape of this crisis, we will inform you about any changes to our programming. In the event that we have to make the heartbreaking decision not to open camp in 2020, you will receive a full refund. KIDS AND FAMILIES We're collecting little notes to give to the homebound in our community when we deliver their food! If you and your kids would like to participate, simply make a friendly greeting card or cheerful note— please only include your first names, without personal information. Then, snap a picture of your card, and email it to us at jcc@sijcc.com! It's a great way to let seniors in our community know they are not alone, and to show kids that there's still so much we can do to be kind to others even though we are apart right now! - Dive deep and explore national marine sanctuaries without ever getting wet! 360 degree images from NOAA allow you to immerse yourself in the undersea worlds of coral reefs as seen by divers! Check it out here! SOCIAL SERVICES For those in need, JCC social services have gone completely virtual, with staff members providing health insurance navigation, mental health services, legal support resources, and other COVID-19 resources over the phone and email. If you need assistance, please reply to this email, and someone from our staff will get in touch with you. - New York State announced a Special Enrollment Period for individuals who may have lost their health insurance as a result of their employment ending due to Coronavirus. If enrollment in Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health Marketplace is completed, individuals will have coverage effective April 1, 2020. Enrollment into Medicaid, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus is open year-round. Consumers can apply for coverage through JCC NYSOH Navigators by phone at 718.981.1400 or 718-475-5271. - Our friends at NYLAG put together this webinar with financial advice to help you get through the COVID-19 situation. The video discusses financial challenges, updates on government programs, and other resources. For more information, contact Devorah Weiss at dweiss@sijcc.com FUNDRAISING DIYS We're hosting a photography fundraiser with Sweetest Smiles Photography for Giving Tuesday Now! All donations support our Families in Need COVID-19 Emergency Fund. Sign up here to get a picture taken of your family from your front porch tomorrow! Are you looking for a special Mother's Day Gift? For $50, you get a front-porch photo session that would be a perfect gift for any special woman in your life. Photo sessions can be redeemed from May 12th-May 22nd. Sign up here! - Have you been experimenting in the kitchen now that you’re spending more time at home? Stop by this virtual fundraiser with Pampered Chef to get all of your kitchen essentials while also supporting Sunrise Day Camp! - If you’re interested in hosting a virtual fundraiser for us, please contactEShulman@sijcc.com for more information. COMMUNITY EVENTS Our friends at AJC Global Jewish Advocacy have put together Advocacy Anywhere, a new platform to engage with expertise, content, and advocacy opportunities on important issues like international relations, anti-Semitism, human rights, and more. Visit their page for more information on upcoming virtual events and digital content! - Crisis to Connection: Resiliency in the Time of Social Isolation, A Conversation With Dr. Ruth Thursday, May 7, 7:30 pm A former passenger on the Kinder Transport who spent time as an Israeli sniper before she became one of America's most beloved therapists, Dr. Ruth -- 91 years old and still hard at work -- defines hardiness and strength. UJA presents a talk on resiliency with Dr. Ruth in conversation with philanthropist, entrepreneur, and National Young Leadership Cabinet co-chair Ari Ackerman. Register for the webinar here. - 4th Annual Holocaust Art, Poetry, and Prose Contest: Submissions due May 10, 2020 The Wagner College Holocaust Center and Holocaust Commemoration Committee on Staten Island encourage young people in all grade levels to share their creative response to this year’s theme: Children and Prejudice in the Holocaust. Entries will be judged based on creativity, passion, message, and connection to theme. Artwork entries must be accompanied by a paragraph on the meaning of the piece. All entries should include your name, school, and contact information. The first-place winner will receive a cash prize of $100, second-place $50, and third-place $25. Please submit entries to Holocaust.center@wagner.edu with “Holocaust Art Contest 2020” in the subject line. You can also mail your entry to Wagner College Holocaust Center, One Campus Road, Staten Island, NY 10301. Winning entries will be exhibited at www.wagner.edu/holocaust-center and on social media and in future gallery exhibits. For questions: contact Professor Lori Weintrob at lrweintr@wagner.edu 718-390-3309 - U.S. Census 2020 If you haven’t filled out the census yet, now is the time to do it! It is vital that we are ALL counted to secure funding for housing, transportation, schools, and other services we rely on. It takes less than 10 minutes and is confidential. You can fill it out by mail, onlineor by calling (844) 330-2020. - Today is Giving Tuesday Now, a campaign to help provide emergency funding so we can help those in need at this critical moment. Every year, the JCC serves over 6,000 people in crisis. This year, that number will grow as Staten Islanders experience hardships related to COVID-19. Here is another story of a family we were able to help: Last month, we received a call from a disabled senior who was looking for Passover food. He and his wife, along with their five children, had contracted mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 and could not go out to shop for food. We were able to provide them food from our Kosher Food Pantry, which was dropped off by their neighbor. Our staff was also happy to connect them to other services to help them as they recover from the virus. You can join us this Giving Tuesday Now by donating to our Families in Need campaign. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
November 2021
Categories |
LocationSBERNIKOW/MID-ISLAND
1466 Manor Road Staten Island, NY 10314 718.475.5200 ABERLIN/NORTH SHORE
485 Victory Blvd Staten Island, NY 10301 718.475.5290 |
AVIS/SOUTH SHORE
1297 Arthur Kill Road Staten Island, NY 10312 718.475.5270 BERMAN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
2221 Richmond Ave. Staten Island, NY 10314 718.475.5100 |
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