Newsletter
May 2013
Book Rap
Book rap will meet on Monday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the J.C.C. library. We will discuss Richard Price's novel "Samaritan."
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APRIL 2013
Annual Sperling Lecture April 17th
You are cordially invited to the Annual Helen and Leon Sperling Holocaust Memorial Observance and Lecture on Wednesday, April 17 at 7:30 at the Jewish Community Center.
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March 2013
J.C.C. Capital Campaign Phone-A-Thon March 10
The Jewish Community Center will be holding a Phone-A-Thon to raise money for its current Capital Campaign on Sunday, March 10, from 4pm-8pm in the J.C.C. Auditorium. Members of our Capital Campaign Committee will be calling Jewish families throughout the Mohawk Valley to help raise money to ensure a Jewish Presence in the Utica area for years to come.
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February 2013
2012-2013 Jewish Community Federation Capital Campaign Phone-a-thon March 10
On Sunday, March 10, from 4-8 p.m. the Jewish Community Federation of the Mohawk Valley will hold a "Phone-a-thon" to solicit support for our 40th Anniversary Campaign. We are off to a terrific start and hope you will consider a donation. This is our first Capital Campaign since 1984. Our goal in this year's campaign is to secure the future of this fabulous facility for many years to come. "Preserving our Past, and Preparing for out Future" represents the focus of our campaign as we continue to develop and maintain valued Jewish programming for our local community.
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January 2013
92nd St Y Program on Jan. 10 "Finds" a Lost Tribe of Isreal
The 92nd St Y Satellite Program on Thursday, Jan. 10, at 7:30 p.m. explores the fascinating world of the Benei Menashe, a tribe from Notheastern India that traces its roots to the ancient Israeli tribe of Meashe, one of 10 Lost Tribes exiled by the Assyrian empire more than 27 centuries ago. Despite being cut off from the Jewish people for generations, its members clung to their identity.
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december 2012
2012-13 Capital Campaign "Preserving Our Past... Preparing For Out Future"
The Jewish Federation of the Mohawk Valley has launched our first capital campaign since 1984! Your Jewish Community Center is 40 years young and is looking to continue delivery of valued Jewish and general programming to people in the Mohawk Valley for years to come.
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November 2012
Hamilton Professor Analyzes 2012 Election in Oct. 24 Talk
The 92nd St Y Satellite Program on Wednesday, Nov. 7, explores the fascinating world of the Benei Menashe, a tribe from Northeastern India that traces its roots to the ancient Israeli tribe of Meashe, one of 10 Lost Tribes exiled by the Assyrian empire more than 27 centuries ago.
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OCTOBER 2012
Hamilton Professor Analyzes 2012 Election in Oct. 24 Talk
Dr. Philip Klinkner, Hamilton College's James S. Sherman Professor of Government, will analyze the upcoming presidential election on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the J.C.C. auditorium. He'll address "Handicapping the 2012 Election."
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September 2012
Dr. Jeffery Herbst Addresses Campus Views of Israel on Sept. 9
Temple Beth El, Temple Emanu-El, Congre- gation Zvi Jacob and The Jewish Community Federa- tion of the Mohawk Valley are proud to welcome Dr. Jeffrey Herbst, president of Colgate University, at the J.C.C. Auditorium Sunday Sept. 9, at 7 p.m.
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July/August 2012
Share the Vibe with the Israeli Scouts on July 24
On Tuesday, July 24, at 6 p.m., the Jewish Community Center is proud to play host to this year's version of "The Israeli Scouts," live, in the J.C.C. auditorium. As in past years, this year's Friendship Caravan will consist of a talented group of 16 and 17-year-old Israeli teens who perform an "audience interactive" song and dance routine, sure to remind you of the tremendous ove we all have for the miracle of Israel.
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June 2012
Former Vet Stays Strong Thru J.C.C Class
Some of you may have noticed a strapping young man at the Center every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. His name is Craig Smith, and he is the grandson of one of the oldest and most stalwart members of the women’s strength class taught by the exceptional Jean Pierce. This 87-year old mother of five and grandmother of eight is Janet MacCallum. She and Jean began taking a Women’s Strength class in 1998 when it was offered at Elderlife on Genessee St and was taught by a wonderful man who set the tone of laughing during the exercises and enjoying the company of others in the class. For the complete unedited article click here.
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May 2012
Area Physician-Author Dr. Kussin offers advice on navigating the medical system in May 23 talk
Dr. Steven Kussin, a practicing gastroenterologist for 30 years, shares suggestions for dealing with medical issues in his talk on Wednesday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the J.C.C. Kussin recieved his education at Columbia College and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
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April 2012
Annual Sperling Holocaust Observance: April 23
The Annual Helen and Leon Sperling Holocaust Memorial Observance and Lecture will be held on Monday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the J.C.C. Eva Mozes Kor will be the guest speaker; her talk will be "Surviving Auschwitz as a Mengele Twin." Mrs. Kor's story is compelling, fascinating and ultimately uplifting.
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FEBRUARY/March 2012
Federation Receives Grant from Community Foundation
The Jewish Community Federation of the Mohawk Valley has been awarded a grant in the amount of $65,700 from The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc. These funds will be used to repair and prevent further water damage to our foundation, repair our entrance bridge and repair other damage to the face of our building. “This generous gift will allow us to repair damage to our building caused by almost 40 years of harsh Upstate New York winters. It will also help insure that our building remains a safe, inviting place for our members, donors and patrons for many years to come,” said Victor Pearlman, executive director of The Jewish Federation.
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January 2012
Hanukkah Party a Great Success
On Wednesday, Dec. 21, the J.C.C. hosted our annual Preschool Hanukkah Party. Our own Leslie Cohen organized this “Mother of all Hanukkah Parties,” consisting of delicious latkes and jelly donuts, music, digging for gelt, and so much more. Children from all backgrounds learned to light the Menorah and play the dreidel game.
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December 2011
Help Support the Preschool Using the Giving Tree
The preschool children have made a tree and hung it in our lobby at the J.C.C. It is called the Giving Tree. The leaves on the tree are from each classroom. Written on them are some items that each classroom can use
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Evan Philipson Accepts Job at AIPAC
Evan Philipson, a native of New Hartford, recently accepted a job at AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, in Washington, DC. He will be working in the political department as a political assistant. Evan graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in May
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October 2011
How Full is your Bucket?
In each of the four year-old classes in the preschool, we read the book "How Full is Your Bucket", by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton. We talked about the concept of bucket filling with the children. The bucket filling concept is simple. Each of us has an invisible bucket that is constantly emptied or filled, depending on what others say or do to us. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When it’s empty, we feel awful.
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September 2011
Healthy Ideas for Back to School Lunches by Kim Thompson
It is that time of year when kids are ready to go back to school and parents frantically run around buying clothes and school supplies. But let's not forget to plan for those school lunches! They can be healthy and fun for the kids to eat.
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July/August 2011
Share the Vibe with the Israeli Scouts on August 10
I think most of us would agree that it’s almost always a good time to celebrate. And if you like to sing and dance, on Wednesday evening, August 10 at 6 p.m., you will have a great opportunity, as The Jewish Federation presents a live performance by the Israeli Scouts.
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June 2011
Celebrating the Diversity of the Mohawk Valley
As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, your Jewish Community Center spearheaded a program in the Utica City Schools entitled, “We’re all in the same boat now,” which focused on teaching Utica school children about the importance of respecting all people, regardless of their situations or backgrounds. The program, which ran from April 25 – April 29, was an overwhelming success. Our committee, which consisted of representatives from several local Utica organizations, as well as institutions of higher learning, sent student mentors from the Utica College “Young Scholars Program” to Proctor, Donovan and Kennedy Schools to speak with students about their views on such topics as stereotyping, prejudice, and tolerance.
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APRIL 2011
HISTORY TEACHER WILL SPEAK AT HOLOCAUST REMEMBERANCE PROGRAM ON MAY 2
The Leon and Helen Sperling Annual Holocaust Lecture will take place Monday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center in Utica. This year's speaker will be Matthew Rozell, a high school history teacher from Hudson Falls, NY. He is the founder of The World War II Living History Project.* In addition to rememberance, his talk will cover "Completing the Circle: Honoring the Hour of Liberation and Defeating the Legacy of Hitler."
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