Jewish Culture

The Jewish Culture and Learning Department offers a wide variety of classes, workshops and forums for everyone from young families to older adults. These programs strive to expand the knowledge and understanding of Judaism through ongoing learning. The department also serves as a Jewish resource for the community.

RECONNECTIONS
Adult Social and Cultural Events with a Jewish Spin

Join us for a series of adult social and cultural events throughout the year. For more information, or if you are interested in participating on a steering committee, please contact Sheila Sturmer at 472-3300, ext. 351 or by e-mail at sturmers@jccmw.org.

Partnership 2000 – The Israel / Westchester Connection

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

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

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

to develop technology tools for further communication and learning between the participants.

Inspiration Israel 2006

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

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

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

Adult Learning

Hebrew Reading Crash Course
Don’t know how to read Hebrew? Need to brush up? Sign up for this class and learn to read the prayer book. A cooperative
program with National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP).
Av Rivel, Instructor
6 Tuesdays, November 13 - December 11 FREE
7:00 – 8:30pm

One Day Hebrew Review
For those who already read Hebrew, albeit slowly, and recognize all or most of the letters. A cooperative program with NJOP.
Av Rivel, Instructor
Sunday, January 13 FREE
10:00am-2:00pm

Hebrew Reading / Advanced Beginner
For those who have basic knowledge of the alphabet.
Av Rivel, Instructor
Tuesdays, January 15 – February 12 FREE
7:00-8:30pm

Hebrew Conversation/ULPAN
Beginner. Learn to speak modern Hebrew.
Thursdays, January 17 - March 20
7:30 - 9:00pm, $200
Call Sheila at x351 for more information.

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

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

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

Call Sheila Sturmer x351 for further information

*Partially funded by a grant from UJA-Federation Westchester Program Council and offered in cooperation with area synagogues.

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

Shabbat in the Woods
A service in story and song for young families
Fridays, September - June
5:30-6:00pm at Congregation Kol Ami, White Plains Free
Led by Rabbi Shira Milgrom
Interested? Call Sheila at ext. 351 for more information.

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

Israeli Folk Dancing
Learn the latest dances and old favorites. Instruction, requests and open session. A great way to exercise and have fun!
Uri Aqua, Instructor
Ongoing, Tuesdays
September 11 – June 24 $11 single session
7:45-10:00pm $57/6 session book

$18. With 365 practical kindness suggestions, the calendar has the potential to change the world! Makes a great gift for Chanukah, Bar/Bat mitzvah, housewarming, etc. Forms for purchase available at the Front Desk or by e-mailing sturmers@jccmw.org

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

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

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

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

Jewish Heritage Video Collection
A collection of over 180 titles on a variety of Jewish topics. The categories include comedy, children, Holocaust, Israel, International Jewry, Diaspora Communities, etc. Each ﬁlm comes with background information on its Jewish content, questions for discussion, and a list of additional resources.

A list of videos/DVDs is available at the front desk. The 2-day rental fee is $2.00 per tape.
Videos may be rented during JCC building hours.

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