Cultural Arts & Education

Ongoing Classes

MONDAY
Evening Book Discussions
25020
7:30 p.m. beginning February 25
The Evening Book Group meets on the third or fourth Monday of every month. Members of the group select the books they wish to read, then meet to review, debate, and share their thoughts. Find out how reading and discussing a good book can energize your mind and relax your soul! For more information, please contact Wendy at 908-222-1098.
Fees: Free/Members, $2/Community Participants

TUESDAY
Passage to Parenthood
25014
7:00 p.m., ongoing
These childbirth classes—taught by a labor and delivery nurse from Overlook Hospital—include nutrition, massage, relaxation, pain management, exercise, medications, birth options, and hospital practices. Couples need not deliver at Overlook. For more information, call Christine Martyn-Nasta, RNC, HNC, at 732-752-3727.
Fees: $145 for a 4-session course, $60 for a review class

Yiddish for Beginners
25016
7:30 – 9:00 p.m., beginning February 5 (10 sessions)
With instructor Gersh Sorkin, Lern Zikh Yiddish (learn Yiddish)—your Bubbe would kvell (burst with pride)! Yiddish is the heart and soul of our Eastern European Jewish heritage. The JCC of Central NJ has joined with The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring to offer you the opportunity to explore this expressive and often humorous language in a relaxed and fun environment at the JCC. For more information, contact Martin Schwartz, Director, New Jersey Region, The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring, at 212-889-6800 ext. 206 or 1-800-922-2558 ext. 206, or via e-mail to mschwart@circle.org. Make checks payable to “The Workmen’s Circle” and mail them to Martin Schwartz, The Workmen’s Circle, 45 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.
Fees: $130/Members and Workmen’s Circle Members, $150/Community Participants

WEDNESDAY
Yiddish for Intermediates
25017
7:30 – 9:00 p.m., beginning February 6 (10 sessions)
With instructor Gersh Sorkin, build on the foundation of Yiddish that you mastered in the beginner class. See “Yiddish for Beginners” on Tuesdays for a class description and details.
Fees: $130/Members and Workmen’s Circle Members, $150/Community Participants

Jewish Meditation & Healing Circle
25018
7:30 p.m. February 27, March 26, April 30, May 28 (4 sessions)
In our hectic lives, everyone needs to learn how to slow down and access an inner wisdom that will help heal and refresh the body and soul. Through meditation, music, and traditional Jewish teachings, this course will help you develop the skills necessary to achieve greater awareness, peace, and happiness. Ethical values, as developed in the tradition of Mussar, will be explored and integrated into the contemplative practice. This inspirational class on spiritual well-being will be led by Cantor Steven Stern of Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah.
Suggested donation: $5 each class/Members, $8 each class/Community Participants

THURSDAY
Insight: Cancer Support Group
25019
7:00– 9:00 p.m. beginning January 17; third Thursday of each month thereafter
With facilitator Mary Aloia, MSW, this support group meets for the benefit of cancer patients and their loved ones. Guest speakers discuss well-being and related issues. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center, and the JCC. Call the group facilitator at 908-668-2248 for additional information. No fees are charged for this program.

Special Events & Classes

Kosher Cooking: Inspiring Jewish Journeys
Mandel Bread & More!
25022 Wednesday, March 12, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Jewish people call it mandel bread or brot, Italians call it biscotti. Call it what you want, but with a few creative changes in ingredients and quantities, it all adds up to delicious dessert cookies of the world. Join local dessert baker and cookie aficionado Joanne Pass as she shares her all-time favorite recipe for a perfect mandel bread; cranberry pistachio and double chocolate biscotti; Joe’s Special biscotti bursting with dark chocolate, mixed nuts and dried cherries; a classic biscotti di prato; and more. This class will be a demonstration with some class participation. Finish the night with a cookie tasting and the perfect kosher dessert wine selected by CoolVines of Westfield.
Fees: $28/Members, $34/Community Participants

The Passover Table
25023 Tuesday, April 8, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Be among the first to savor the Passover recipes from food columnist Judy Bart Kancigor’s new book, Cooking Jewish: 532 Great Recipes From the Rabinowitz Family. Mixing warm stories of the author’s family with the treasure of five generations of recipes, Cooking Jewish is home cooking at its best. The evening will focus on the Passover chapter, with charosets ranging in style from Ashskenazi and Sephardic to Yemenite haroset truffles; Goat Cheese and Pine Nut Mini Cheesecakes; Mom’s Killer Brisket; Passover Bagels; and a “too good to call Passover” Flourless Chocolate Cake. Expect controversy between matzoh ball floater-lovers and sinker-lovers when this sensitive issue comes up! Don’t miss this special evening of demonstrations and tastings.
Fees: $28/Members, $34/Community Participants
You may purchase a copy of Cooking Jewish in advance by contacting the Cultural Arts & Education Director at ext. 205 or mdreiblatt@jccnj.org.

A Taste of Israel!
25024 Tuesday, May 6, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The celebration of Israel’s 60th comes to the JCC kitchens as our our community’s Israel Emissary, Miri Hasson, brings an authentic Israeli meal to our JCC table! Learn about the heritage of our homeland through its food and how this blended community of Jews from all over the world has created a delicious and history-rich cuisine. Miri will prepare authentic Israeli couscous along with an array of traditional salad accompaniments. Come hungry—there will be plenty of food will be on hand for sampling!
Fees: $26/Members, $30/Community Participants

Space is limited for all three of these programs and advance registration is strongly recommended.

Our Speaker & Author Series Continues in 2008!
There’s something for everyone! You can purchase either of these books in advance by contacting the Cultural Arts & Education Director at mdreiblatt@jccnj.org or ext. 205.

For moms who want to return to resume their careers (eventually!)...
Vivian Rabin, Co-Author of
Back on the Career Track: A Guide for
Stay-at-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work
25025 Tuesday, February 5, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Calling all stay-at-home moms: Drop your children at school or find a sitter (available right here at the JCC!), because you will not want to miss this very special program that was specially designed for all moms who are interested in the possibility of resuming their professional careers at some point in the mommy track. Vivian Steir Rabin will introduce “The Seven Steps to Relaunch Success,” a concept that will resonate strongly with the many educated Jewish women who have chosen to take a career break to spend time with their children. Networking, finding meaningful work that enables women to remain active and involved mothers, and the concept of “strategic volunteering” are just a few of the topics to be covered at this important program. This event is being co-sponsored by the JCC of Central New Jersey and the Women’s Campaign of Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey. A light breakfast will be served.
Fees: $10 in advance, $12 at the door

For photography and Jewish history buffs...
Alana Newhouse, Author of
A Living Lens: Photographs of Jewish Life
From the Pages of The Forward
25028 Sunday, May 18, 10:00 a.m.
Celebrate more than 100 years of the premiere national Jewish newspaper, The Forward, as it opens up its never-before-seen historic photographic archives to the public. A Living Lens reproduces more than 500 pictures, making it one of the finest photographic accounts of Jewish life in America ever published. Join the paper’s Arts & Culture Editor, Alana Newhouse, as she celebrates and reveals a photographic landscape of Jews from the past 100 years. From shtetl beauty contests and matchmakers caught middeal, to the pushcarts, Yiddish theater, labor rallies, and the streets of the New World, from the emergence of Jewish suburbia to unexpected gems such as Harry Truman’s haberdashery, Mussolini’s Jewish portraitist, Jewish celebrities and more—this book is a kaleidoscopic array of Jewish life. Be sure to join us for this amazing and unique program!
Fees: $10/Members, $12/Community Participants


	Cultural Arts & Education at the JCC Michele Dreiblatt, Cultural Arts & Education Director, 908-889-8800 ext. 205 The Cultural Arts and Education Department provides a variety of stimulating and educational programs. Annual events include our Jewish Film Festival, Book Festival, and Comedy Nite. Explore the exciting classes that this department provides, listed below. All events and classes are designed for our JCC members and the community at large. Ongoing Classes MONDAY Evening Book Discussions 25020 7:30 p.m. beginning February 25 The Evening Book Group meets on the third or fourth Monday of every month. Members of the group select the books they wish to read, then meet to review, debate, and share their thoughts. Find out how reading and discussing a good book can energize your mind and relax your soul! For more information, please contact Wendy at 908-222-1098. Fees: Free/Members, $2/Community Participants TUESDAY Passage to Parenthood 25014 7:00 p.m., ongoing These childbirth classes—taught by a labor and delivery nurse from Overlook Hospital—include nutrition, massage, relaxation, pain management, exercise, medications, birth options, and hospital practices. Couples need not deliver at Overlook. For more information, call Christine Martyn-Nasta, RNC, HNC, at 732-752-3727. Fees: $145 for a 4-session course, $60 for a review class Yiddish for Beginners 25016 7:30 – 9:00 p.m., beginning February 5 (10 sessions) With instructor Gersh Sorkin, Lern Zikh Yiddish (learn Yiddish)—your Bubbe would kvell (burst with pride)! Yiddish is the heart and soul of our Eastern European Jewish heritage. The JCC of Central NJ has joined with The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring to offer you the opportunity to explore this expressive and often humorous language in a relaxed and fun environment at the JCC. For more information, contact Martin Schwartz, Director, New Jersey Region, The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring, at 212-889-6800 ext. 206 or 1-800-922-2558 ext. 206, or via e-mail to mschwart@circle.org. Make checks payable to “The Workmen’s Circle” and mail them to Martin Schwartz, The Workmen’s Circle, 45 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016. Fees: $130/Members and Workmen’s Circle Members, $150/Community Participants WEDNESDAY Yiddish for Intermediates 25017 7:30 – 9:00 p.m., beginning February 6 (10 sessions) With instructor Gersh Sorkin, build on the foundation of Yiddish that you mastered in the beginner class. See “Yiddish for Beginners” on Tuesdays for a class description and details. Fees: $130/Members and Workmen’s Circle Members, $150/Community Participants Jewish Meditation & Healing Circle 25018 7:30 p.m. February 27, March 26, April 30, May 28 (4 sessions) In our hectic lives, everyone needs to learn how to slow down and access an inner wisdom that will help heal and refresh the body and soul. Through meditation, music, and traditional Jewish teachings, this course will help you develop the skills necessary to achieve greater awareness, peace, and happiness. Ethical values, as developed in the tradition of Mussar, will be explored and integrated into the contemplative practice. This inspirational class on spiritual well-being will be led by Cantor Steven Stern of Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah. Suggested donation: $5 each class/Members, $8 each class/Community Participants THURSDAY Insight: Cancer Support Group 25019 7:00– 9:00 p.m. beginning January 17; third Thursday of each month thereafter With facilitator Mary Aloia, MSW, this support group meets for the benefit of cancer patients and their loved ones. Guest speakers discuss well-being and related issues. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center, and the JCC. Call the group facilitator at 908-668-2248 for additional information. No fees are charged for this program. Special Events & Classes Kosher Cooking: Inspiring Jewish Journeys Mandel Bread & More! 25022 Wednesday, March 12, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Jewish people call it mandel bread or brot, Italians call it biscotti. Call it what you want, but with a few creative changes in ingredients and quantities, it all adds up to delicious dessert cookies of the world. Join local dessert baker and cookie aficionado Joanne Pass as she shares her all-time favorite recipe for a perfect mandel bread; cranberry pistachio and double chocolate biscotti; Joe’s Special biscotti bursting with dark chocolate, mixed nuts and dried cherries; a classic biscotti di prato; and more. This class will be a demonstration with some class participation. Finish the night with a cookie tasting and the perfect kosher dessert wine selected by CoolVines of Westfield. Fees: $28/Members, $34/Community Participants The Passover Table 25023 Tuesday, April 8, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Be among the first to savor the Passover recipes from food columnist Judy Bart Kancigor’s new book, Cooking Jewish: 532 Great Recipes From the Rabinowitz Family. Mixing warm stories of the author’s family with the treasure of five generations of recipes, Cooking Jewish is home cooking at its best. The evening will focus on the Passover chapter, with charosets ranging in style from Ashskenazi and Sephardic to Yemenite haroset truffles; Goat Cheese and Pine Nut Mini Cheesecakes; Mom’s Killer Brisket; Passover Bagels; and a “too good to call Passover” Flourless Chocolate Cake. Expect controversy between matzoh ball floater-lovers and sinker-lovers when this sensitive issue comes up! Don’t miss this special evening of demonstrations and tastings. Fees: $28/Members, $34/Community Participants You may purchase a copy of Cooking Jewish in advance by contacting the Cultural Arts & Education Director at ext. 205 or mdreiblatt@jccnj.org. A Taste of Israel! 25024 Tuesday, May 6, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The celebration of Israel’s 60th comes to the JCC kitchens as our our community’s Israel Emissary, Miri Hasson, brings an authentic Israeli meal to our JCC table! Learn about the heritage of our homeland through its food and how this blended community of Jews from all over the world has created a delicious and history-rich cuisine. Miri will prepare authentic Israeli couscous along with an array of traditional salad accompaniments. Come hungry—there will be plenty of food will be on hand for sampling! Fees: $26/Members, $30/Community Participants *Space is limited for all three of these programs and advance registration is strongly recommended.* Our Speaker & Author Series Continues in 2008! There’s something for everyone! You can purchase either of these books in advance by contacting the Cultural Arts & Education Director at mdreiblatt@jccnj.org or ext. 205. For moms who want to return to resume their careers (eventually!)... Vivian Rabin, Co-Author of Back on the Career Track: A Guide for Stay-at-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work 25025 Tuesday, February 5, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Calling all stay-at-home moms: Drop your children at school or find a sitter (available right here at the JCC!), because you will not want to miss this very special program that was specially designed for all moms who are interested in the possibility of resuming their professional careers at some point in the mommy track. Vivian Steir Rabin will introduce “The Seven Steps to Relaunch Success,” a concept that will resonate strongly with the many educated Jewish women who have chosen to take a career break to spend time with their children. Networking, finding meaningful work that enables women to remain active and involved mothers, and the concept of “strategic volunteering” are just a few of the topics to be covered at this important program. This event is being co-sponsored by the JCC of Central New Jersey and the Women’s Campaign of Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey. A light breakfast will be served. Fees: $10 in advance, $12 at the door For photography and Jewish history buffs... Alana Newhouse, Author of A Living Lens: Photographs of Jewish Life From the Pages of The Forward 25028 Sunday, May 18, 10:00 a.m. Celebrate more than 100 years of the premiere national Jewish newspaper, The Forward, as it opens up its never-before-seen historic photographic archives to the public. A Living Lens reproduces more than 500 pictures, making it one of the finest photographic accounts of Jewish life in America ever published. Join the paper’s Arts & Culture Editor, Alana Newhouse, as she celebrates and reveals a photographic landscape of Jews from the past 100 years. From shtetl beauty contests and matchmakers caught middeal, to the pushcarts, Yiddish theater, labor rallies, and the streets of the New World, from the emergence of Jewish suburbia to unexpected gems such as Harry Truman’s haberdashery, Mussolini’s Jewish portraitist, Jewish celebrities and more—this book is a kaleidoscopic array of Jewish life. Be sure to join us for this amazing and unique program! Fees: $10/Members, $12/Community Participants