24 tevet - 25 shevat • 5781 • winter 2021
Volume 32
David A. Stein Jewish Community Alliance on the Ed Parker Jewish Community Campus
#5
jewish community alliance
SHALOM Each year, we look forward to the winter membership appreciation issue of the Alliance News. It gives us an opportunity to highlight several members and hear their stories of how the JCA has impacted their lives. This year, all of you have impacted our lives! You have shown support, strength and love for the JCA by being members and donors. Because of the challenges of COVID 19, we appreciate ALL of you even more. When we say “we’re all in this together”, we do mean it! During the time the building was physically closed, we came to the realization that the 7 3 0 - 2 1 0 0 e x t. 2 5 7 JCA is not about a physical structure. It is a community which transcends physical limitations and extends everywhere each of us touches. It is our mission to strengthen Jewish Life, serve as a common meeting ground and enhance the quality of life for the entire community.
chris turner
Many members have returned to the building and are using the JCA on a regular basis. There are many other members, due to underlying health issues, who have not returned physically to the building, but who are still staying connected to us through virtual programs. Thank you for continuing to support us and recognizing our important role in the community. Now more than ever, it seems as if we all need to be reminded of the JCA’s vision statement. The JCA is a place where all people come together throughout their lives to enhance body, mind, and spirit, in an environment of fun, harmony and friendship. We have created our own small community at the JCA with the ideals and values we hold dear while surrounding ourselves with likeminded people. We appreciate you helping us fulfill our mission and vision and being here for us and all the members/community that we serve! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of the JCA family! Sincerely,
JCA BUILDING HOURS Sun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am – 6 pm Mon – Thur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:30 am – 9:00 pm Fri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:30 am – 5 pm Sat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 6 pm
The Alliance News and Program Guide are published 10 times a year (monthly except July and August) by the
Jewish Community Alliance 8505 San Jose Boulevard Jacksonville, FL 32217 For additional program information and to register, please contact the JCA. (904)730-2100 P | (904)730-2444 F
jcajax.org | info@jcajax.org facebook.com/jcajax
Rochelle Stoddard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Board Chair Adam Chaskin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chief Executive Officer Jamie Kennedy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marketing Director Lee Lemay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Graphic Artist Chelsea Jarrell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marketing Manager
Kid Kare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 325 Court Reservation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 243
Chris Turner Membership Director Chris Turner Membership Director
Ring in 2021 with our New Year, New Member offer! Savings up to $149 off select services and FREE VIRTUAL TRAINING. 21 one-time registration fee (savings of up to $104) Includes J-Start Package (age 13+) with 60-minute consultation and two 45-minute in-person OR VIRTUAL personal training sessions $
We are stronger together! Bring in five non-perishable items for the Max Block Food Pantry and receive your choice of either: 50% off three 30-minute private swim lessons (savings of $45*) OR 50% off a preschool or youth sports clinic (savings of up to $30*)
VOT BEST GED YM!
Current promotion good until 2/28/2021.
* Must be purchased within 30-days of joining. Swim lessons must be redeemed within 30 days of purchase. Limit 1 per child. Some restrictions may apply.
New Year Offer Only! 2
WINTER 2021
Call 904-365-4070 or email membership@jcajax.org. jcajax.org
jewish community alliance
TRIBUTES In memory of... JANE & PETER HUDAK’S BELOVED FATHER by Michele & David Steinfeld RONALD CHERRY by The Board & Staff of the JCA PAUL ROTHSTEIN, BELOVED HUSBAND by The Board & Staff of the JCA Michele & David Steinfeld ANN YOUNG, BELOVED WIFE by Michele & David Steinfeld ROSE WILANSKY by The Miller Family ALAN SETZER, BELOVED HUSBAND, BROTHER, FATHER AND GRANDFATHER by The Board & Staff of the JCA David & Michael Miller & Families MICHAEL SOLLOWAY by The Board & Staff of the JCA Regina & Adam Chaskin For the speedy recovery of... REGINA CHASKIN by The Board & Staff of the JCA THERESA LEVY by Michele & David Steinfeld In honor of... THE BIRTH OF PENNY & JEFF MARKS’ GRANDDAUGHTER by The Board & Staff of the JCA Michele & David Steinfeld MIKE CLARK by Karen & Philip Adler
DAVID STEIN’S BIRTHDAY by Rochelle & David Stoddard BEN BECKER’S BIRTHDAY by Rochelle & David Stoddard SHERRIE SAAG’S BIRTHDAY by Rochelle & David Stoddard PAM TAVILL’S BIRTHDAY by Rochelle & David Stoddard KIKI PERREAULT’S BIRTHDAY by Rochelle & David Stoddard ISABEL BALOTIN Rochelle & David Stoddard SUSIE & WALTER MENAGED’S DAUGHTER’S ENGAGEMENT by The Board & Staff of the JCA JOSH PARKER’S GRADUATION by The Board & Staff of the JCA MARJIE & ABE ROGOZINSKI’S SON’S ENGAGEMENT by The Board & Staff of the JCA REMY SADOWSKY’S BAR MITZVAH by Marilyn Desser ANDREW WOLPOFF’S BAR MITZVAH by The Board & Staff of the JCA SHIRLEY STEEL’S BIRTHDAY by Michele & David Steinfeld HOWARD KORMAN by bestbet Corporate Office Staff JAMIE SHELTON by bestbet Corporate Office Staff
MONIQUE & DAVID MILLER’S 25TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY by The Board & Staff of the JCA NOAH CHASKIN’S 2020 GRADUATION FROM THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY by Millie & Cy Highleyman, Naval Academy Class of 1951 MARY & JEFF EDWARDS’ DAUGHTER’S ENGAGEMENT by The Board & Staff of the JCA LAUREN EDWARDS’ ENGAGEMENT TO ADAM MILLER by The Board & Staff of the JCA WILLIAM AND ANDREW BLOCK FAMILIES GAN YELADIM SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of... FRANCES O’STEEN, BELOVED MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER by Michele & David Steinfeld by Hollie & Hank Arnold CULTURAL ARTS FUND In memory of... KITTY POSNER, BELOVED MOTHER by Bob & Thelma Nied YOUR BELOVED SISTER by David & Sherrie Saag ROSELLA ROSE SHIFF by Bob & Thelma Nied STEPHEN SCHULMAN, BELOVED SON Bob & Thelma Nied For the speedy recovery of... THERESA LEVY by Thelma and Bob Nied
RATED #1 SCHOOL IN NORTH AMERICAN SURVEY OF JCCS
(Independent study by Collaborative Strategies) FULLY ACCREDITED � NAEYC Accreditation since 1991 � American Camping Association – 100%
PARTNERSHIPS WITH GOAL FOCUSED CURRICULUM � Jacksonville Symphony � MOSH � Cummer Museum � St. Johns Riverkeeper � Jacksonville Zoo and more!
REGISTRATION OPEN SOON FOR 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 904-730-2100 EXT. 235 OR VISIT JCAJAX.ORG/ECE. Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool is open to all children regardless of race, religious affiliation or ethnic origin. JCA membership is not required, but JCA members have priority in registration. DCF lic. # C04DU0213
info@jcajax.org
INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENT � Spacious resource area with art studio, science and child-centered teaching kitchen � Developmental curriculum � Organic gardens � Creative outdoor environments FACILITY WITH INTEGRATED PROGRAMMING � 3 pools with indoor swimming year-round � Full gymnasium, indoor track and PE classes � Dance, yoga, pottery and art studios � Enrichment classes and sports clinics on campus � Children’s library � Professional theatre program alliance news
3
INTERACTIVE
& VIRTUAL
FUNDRAISER
Saturday, February 27, 2021at 7:30 pm Chairs: Nicole Brown Michael Miller Morgan Orender Rochelle Stoddard Sam Stromberg Brent Trager Cocktails Dinner Entertainment Interactive Breakout Rooms Committee: Rachel Algee Lathun Brigman Regina Chaskin Mary Edwards Sierra Frisch Sunny Gettinger Faye Hedrick Samantha Holtzman
Jan Lipsky Glenn Miller Monique Miller Rachel Morgenthal Thelma Nied Michelle Pargman Debbie Parker Kim Robbins
Ryan Saltz Fran Selevan Rebekah Selevan Deborah Shapiro Blair Sherman Kimberly Sisisky Linda Stein Randee Steinberg
David Thompson Jennifer Thompson Alison Trager Haley Trager Nadine Terk Jeffrey Wiener Chase Zimmerman
For more information or to sponsor, contact Lior Spring at 904-730-2100 ext. 318 or Lior.Spring@jcajax.org 4
WINTER 2021
jcajax.org
BIDES FAMILY The Bides family, Arthur, Paula, Stella, and Josie, have been members since 2014. They joined because their relatives, the Towlers, were attending the JCA. “My cousin, Emma Towler, attended JCA for Gan Yeladim and ‘grew up’ with Ms. Shelly in the theater program. I can say, she had such a wonderful and enriching experience that, when I had children, I knew I wanted them to have the same amazing experience.” “I think the most valuable thing about the preschool is that it creates and grows a life-long love of learning”, at least it has in my children and my
cousin, Emma Towler. Stella, their youngest asks every week when they are going to Zoe’s Clubhouse. Any class Shelly has, Baby Bear Ballet to Zoe’s Clubhouse, they try to get their girls enrolled. Now, that Josie is seven, she especially enjoys theater and getting out of her comfort zone and building social skills and getting out. Emma Towler used the theater program to really develop her speaking skills, inspiring Josie to do the same. “Little compares to the inhouse field trips from MOSH, Jacksonville ZOO, or the Playhouse theater.” Since both Arthur and Paula have full time jobs, they love how easy it is to enroll their kids in the other activities, either something they
are interested in or just something for them to try. For Stella and Josie, they’ve done almost everything, from swimming lessons, Zoe’s Clubhouse, Baby Bear Ballet, Gymnastics, Little Kickers, Piano lessons, to Karate. Not having to spend hours living in their cars schlepping around Jacksonville is a huge perk for both parents. Arthur has several cherished stories about how wonderful the staff is, but mainly he recalls how willing the staff are to take the time to teach their kids new skills and to really talk to and support parents, too. Arthur attributes this as a key reason why his children’s self-confidence has grown, and their self-esteem flourished in JCA programs. For the Bides parents, they feel everyone at the JCA helps to grow and embrace their kids in such positivity. Whether it’s Ms. Shelly’s boundless energy taming the attention of children, Coach Mike and Coach Josie running a tight schedule to burn littles’ energy, or Ms. Gisela and the unshakable calmness in her soul. Both Arthur and Paula are quick to reflect on the incredible job the JCA has done to provide a safe and welcoming environment at the start of the pandemic. Arthur remembers how the JCA laid out a clear COVID-19 safety and protocols plan and was excellent at communicating that to members and parents. For him, it seemed as though with every new challenge the pandemic brought, the JCA was there to help. “We had no issues related to the pandemic and I credit that directly to the JCA’s preparedness plans; it’s one of the many things we appreciate most about the JCA.” And while Paula and Arthur are not Jewish in faith, the teachings around care for the environment and community, they feel, “are universal and centering”. Paula loves how fellow parents have invited them to celebrate Hannukah to connect in a deeper sense and at Gan Yeladim, not just having food drives but, JCA’s unique way of teaching the why and what behind it. “Children learn the respect for themselves and the world we live in, especially during these difficult times, we all need to learn to love and care for our fellow person a little more.”
info@jcajax.org
alliance news
5
NORMAN BLUM Norm Blum has been a member for 25 years; his kids went to Michele Block Gan Yeladim. He took up racquetball but playfully says he has since “gone to the dark side” playing tennis with Aline Berkenbrock, head tennis pro at the JCA. Norm has taken group lessons and started playing routinely with a tennis group – earning the aptly given moniker “wheels” or ‘Mr. Camouflage’ because of his game-winning tricks to look one way while swinging another and because he’s so fast on the tennis courts. Norman loves to play six days a week and does so routinely. Nowadays he doesn’t have to run around for kids, so he has time to enjoy his tennis compadres. Mr. Blum recalls fondly the days when his daughter went to JCA Summer Camp and took golf lessons as an eight-year-old. He recalls one memory where the camp golf instructor wagered his daughter in a yard-for-hotdogs contest, telling her he would buy her a hotdog if she swung the ball 100 yards. That day everyone got a hotdog as Norman’s daughter swung the ball well over 200 yards. He credits those moments and that training to her successful collegiate career where she played competitively for many years. Norm says thankfully that the pandemic hasn’t affected tennis as much, so it’s been a pretty good outlet for him to get out and exercise, making his adjustments to our new lifestyles relatively easier. He continues to only attend the JCA and is quick to say why: the camaraderie. He describes his court mates as a bit of a sitcom, everyone each with their own nuances both in play and personality. One of Norm’s favorite tricks? Throw a towel on the end of the net during play to distract an opponent. He calls it the art of distraction! The JCA is a special place because of the atmosphere – it’s drama free. He wouldn’t join another place even if it were free, simply put, because the 6
WINTER 2021
JCA is not just a facility to him, “The JCA meets needs far more than that”. Being so much more than a fitness center, it fills so many needs from kids to senior activities. The JCA’s competitors don’t even come close to what is offered, from the Cultural Arts Book Festival (hosted virtually in 2020), to so many other programs and events. For Norm, there’s talk and banter and a lively atmosphere and that helps make the JCA feel even more like an extended family environment. Norm is also well-known for his participation in the Tom Coughlin J Fund Fundraiser. He donated five hours for each serve he made so another person gave $1 up to $100 match to help the Fundraiser as well. This amounted to thousands raised (Thank you, Norm!) to help the JCA and shows the amazing collaborative support between JCA tennis players and their love of the JCA. Norm continues to be active in his support and hopes the J Fund tennis fundraiser is a model for
other facilities. Seeing pictures on the wall, the JCA really brings it home, really stands out. Norm remembers how Michele Block Gan Yeladim was part of the foundation that helped his children get ready for a lifetime, Norm credits the school for really setting them up and helping them to thrive. By the time school came around they were well prepared for what lay ahead. “Tennis is one outlet that thankfully hasn’t been impacted by the pandemic the way so many other activities have, and Aline runs an incredible program!”
jcajax.org
Julian, a native Argentinian, is very active in a Sunday morning basketball league run by Coach Rio and Coach Mike. Julian even played against coach Rio in a few games. Another convenience of the JCA for the Fiszmans is its ability to offer adult programming at flexible times. Since Julian typically works most Saturdays, it’s great that classes are still offered on Sundays and other times during the week. Prior to the pandemic changes to life, Julian used to partake in many of the adult programs, like the family Shabbat dinners, attending classroom events, and other indoor programs. The Fiszmans love to be present and be a part of the community so finding ways to do that safely during the pandemic is important, especially with how Nalani and Lennon love to show their parents their school and showcase what they learn each day.
FISZMAN FAMILY Lauren and Julian decided the trek from their house to the JCA was worth it once their oldest daughter, Nalani was enrolled as a Grasshopper at Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten. The Fiszmans live a half-hour away but choose to make the drive to the JCA up to four times per day to ensure Nalani and their youngest, Lennon, can attend school and get the most out of what the JCA has to offer. Once Nalani began attending three days a week they decided to become members. Lauren found it much easier to drop the kids off and use the fitness facilities as a member. Lauren is an avid attendee in adult group classes, and Lennon, when he was much younger, would benefit from Kid Kare. For Julian, the community environment at the JCA “is reminiscent of his time in Argentina, where the connectedness of parents, kids, adults, and the elderly is a big part of daily life and a place of unity for everyone who is a part of it”.
info@jcajax.org
This year, with the pandemic, Julian and Lauren have continued some of their JCA traditions, like attending the annual Chanukkah Extravaganza and lighting of the Chanukiyah. Nalani has been a part of a lot of programs and will start her sports clinics with Coach Mike in the spring. It’s important to Julian and Lauren that the kids have a strong school community, even with Nalani starting first grade next year, they know their decision to keep Nalani in Kindergarten at Michelle Block Gan Yeladim was the best decision for their daughter because of the community, options, and togetherness the JCA affords the whole family. These decisions were not all easy, however. In September of 2019 Julian was diagnosed with cancer and was facing a dark reality of what their lives could soon become. Thankfully, and with the help of an incredible oncological staff at the Mayo Clinic, Julian didn’t have a long road of chemotherapy or radiation. His team of doctors were able to identify the cancer at Stage 1 and effectively and quickly treat him. Throughout this difficult journey, Julian and Lauren knew they could rely on the JCA to
support them in their changing needs and meet the needs of their children. The Fiszmans knew investing in the JCA was an investment in their kid’s future, so the decision to talk to the Early Childhood Education Director, Theresa Levy about the path Nalani and Lennon could take while they navigated the unchartered waters of cancer, was an easy one. Theresa helped Lauren and Julian feel assured that “even though family life was emotional, the JCA was a steady, safe, and welcoming family that wasn’t going anywhere”. Lauren didn’t have to fear that Nalani would start public school alone during a pandemic and Lennon would continue at the JCA, affording Lauren the chance to continue to get her group fitness classes in after drop-off. The Fiszmans are quick to share their love not just for the JCA, but for staff like Theresa Levy, Early Childhood Education Director, Lior Spring, whose son plays soccer with Lennon and is the JCA’s Development Director, and Nancy Green, Assistant Executive Director. Lauren is quick to point out how “Nancy provided extensive information about the school’s scholarship program while Theresa continued to be a bedrock of support”. “We will never know someone so amazing as Theresa, she’s so incredible all of the time.” Theresa helped to get everyone organized during a time when things were most chaotic for the Fiszmans. Being a tight-knit family with a long history of giving back to their community, whether financially or coaching soccer (which Julian claims he loves more than Lennon loves to play!) or Lauren chaperoning a field trip, anything they can do to be a part of the community they dive into, and the JCA community is deeply grateful for their support.
alliance news
7
asking questions to further her understanding. Jordan has been a member since her parents started going to the JCA when she was a child, having fond memories of JCA Summer Camp as well as swim classes and fencing. A common occurrence she says is still running into her friends from camp many years later and remembering good times they had. Jordan now visits the gym and joins many JCA Virtual classes. For Jordan, being able to stay social safely, is a huge benefit and helps break up some of the monotony of attending school virtually. She enjoys the many classes and options the JCA offers while maintaining a high standard for cleaning and safety. Nowadays Jordan is also immersed in theatre. As an active thespian, Jordan hopes to enroll in the JCA Summer Camp’s Theatre camp program where she’ll earn valuable hours that she needs to be a part of her school’s acting community and other nationwide theatre programs.
JORDAN GROSSMAN In June 2020, Jordan Grossman saw in the JCA program guide an ad for a Jewish Book Club for adults. This gave her the idea that she wanted to start one for teens. She emailed Rachel Sandler, JCA Jewish Educator, and they had their first meeting on Zoom to discuss her thoughts. Jordan was so enthusiastic and eager to get this started! At the first Jewish Teen Book Club
in July, teenagers met on zoom and discussed “You Asked for Perfect.” Jordan came prepared to lead the group with questions and discussion topics. Jordan enjoyed it so much that she wanted to keep doing it, so it has become a quarterly program at the JCA. In October, teens met in the JCA courtyard to discuss “The Chosen.” On top of starting the book club, Jordan has also signed up for Hebrew 101. In Hebrew 101, Jordan is an active participant. She is always
Jordan urges any teen looking to be a part of something to join the book club or simply stop by the JCA and find a program that best fits them (or enroll online!). There’s several fantasy fiction and non-fiction books in the spring book club line-up so check it out today, or as Jordan is quick to remind, “you don’t have to be Jewish to read these books, our literature selection pulls from books that have a lot of meaning and are culturally universal”. February’s book will be Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novick.
What makes the JCA so special is having a lot of opportunities to safely interact, and it’s a great place to learn something new.
8
WINTER 2021
jcajax.org
PATEL FAMILY The Patel family has attended the JCA since 2018, when their two children, twins, Sohum and Saumy, were Busy Bees. They use the JCA regularly from Kid Kare when Ashley would work out on the weekends to the family classes like yoga. They appreciate the number of program offerings the JCA has during a given month, especially during the pandemic. Both of their children participate in gymnastics and soccer and in January were enrolled in swim lessons – everything is available in one place and they love that their kids are familiar and comfortable at the JCA. Both Ashley and Sachin can’t say enough how the instructors like Josie, Shelly, Coach Rio, and Theresa help make the JCA a true extension of their own family. Sachin started making PPE for the preschool and kindergarten kids in March and giving it out to anyone that
info@jcajax.org
needed it. He made over 600 face shields for the Jacksonville community and over 1,000 ear savers. Ashley even has a few that she keeps in her exam room. In June, Sachin reached out to the JCA’s Theresa Levy to ask if everyone will be wearing PPE, so he decided to make all the ear saves and face shields for the JCA staff. Sachin feels that overall, he has peace of mind and one less thing to worry about because the teachers and staff are so wonderful, and the protocols are clear and easy to understand – which makes the stress of keeping kids in all-day school that much less. He was impressed with how the JCA even held a Zoom call with the JCA’s facilities director, Cal Barker who explained the cleaning extent and procedures, providing answers about how the JCA thought through every aspect of children’s safety. As far as the pandemic goes, this is the most worry-free environment they can be in.
The Patel family plans to keep both kids enrolled at Michele Block Gan Yeladim for as long as possible. With everything going on – a place where kids are loved and taken care of, where needs are met, and parents don’t have to worry – the JCA feels like a tiny safe-haven that takes them out of the craziness going on day and night. To have additional activities like ballet makes it even more comforting. Sachin loves how some programs are free to the community, something for everyone. Overall, “we do go to the JCA as a family, but the kids’ school is the primary reason we come, because where our kids go to school early in life is the most important thing to us.” They also can’t wait for family yoga to resume soon!
alliance news
9
EVELYN & STEWART PINSOF Evelyn & Stewart Pinsof raised their family in Chicago and lived downtown for many years. Patrons of the symphony and the arts, the Pinsof’s were looking for a home away from home and found it at the JCA. They’ve been coming for the past year and credit the JCA as one of the reasons why they made the move to the area in the first place.
painting”, a heart-felt commentary that while it’s not a masterpiece, it’s sentimentality and meaningfulness mean it will hang in their home for many years.
Their decision to settle in Jacksonville started with the Discover Culture Jewish Literary, Film and Arts Festival in 2019. The Festival featured two comedians from Canada, and they absolutely loved the comedians, noting that “to this day they are still the funniest act we’ve ever seen”.
One of their favorite directors at the JCA is Heather Terrill, J Institute Program Manager, whose hosted outdoor tours around Jacksonville that both Pinsofs attended pre-pandemic. They enjoyed the variety of tours Heather’s program offers and bought some new things – like a Tiffanyesque glass lamp shade complete with sailors and sailboats in the water that also adorns their home. These trinkets keep them hopeful for a time when we can all return to a simpler, prepandemic way of life, especially one immersed in activities at the JCA.
Evelyn is an active mahjongg player but with the onset of the pandemic early last year she couldn’t develop lasting friendships – something she is looking forward to with time. Evelyn was active in all programs until the pandemic hit. She fondly remembers taking a painting class where the subject was a photo of your dog or pet. “Stewart humorously jokes that to this day it’s called: Brown dog
Movies are something Evelyn greatly enjoys and the JCA’s Rachel Sandler, Jewish Education Coordinator, runs an excellent series of Jewish movies, something Evelyn got it into during the pandemic. She’s also enrolled in Rachel Sandler’s Hebrew 101 class via Zoom and loves it! Evelyn admits she’s been a “bit slack on her homework” but promises Rachel she’ll get caught up before her next class!
10 WINTER 2021
Evelyn is looking forward to all the new programming in 2021! The variety of cultural events, especially the classical music concerts make the move to Jacksonville easier and more enjoyable. Still needing to meet new people and not yet having formed lasting friendships because of the timing of the pandemic, Stewart and Evelyn feel “the JCA fills a void” during days that may seem longer without the usual routine of getting out and meeting people. The JCA offers many programs for young families but for seniors it’s great. The number of programs is “really astonishing”. Stewart and Evelyn still pay their membership dues, even though they can’t attend in person. They recognize what their monthly fees help support: a wide array of virtual and physically distanced programs. The Jewish Cultural Arts Festival was a highlight of virtual participation for the Pinsof’s, Evelyn excitedly states how she “bought all of the books and read them too!” and, while virtual isn’t the same, they still enjoyed every part of it.
jcajax.org
SHERYL & KEN SEKINE Sheryl and Ken have had a long affiliation with the JCA. When Ken was involved with the Federation, someone approached him about fundraising, so Ken took on the task of building awareness of the JCA, including at the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida where he was the president at one time. Their early involvement with the JCA and continued support spans their kid’s childhood and continues today. Their kids were preteens when JCA started. One of their daughters was a lifeguard and the other a camp counselor at the JCA. Sheryl and Ken wanted them to know Jewish kids in Jacksonville and the JCA is a real community meeting place for kids, a place where they can see those friendships and relationships come alive for their son and daughter. Sheryl also taught preschool at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Nancy Green, Assistant Executive Director of the JCA, was at that time the
info@jcajax.org
Director of Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool & Kindergarten, and she approached Sheryl about teaching the four-year-old class. Teaching at Gan Yeladim, Sheryl remembers fondly saying it was a “wonderful class”. After teaching young students at the JCA, Sheryl taught Judaic studies for one year as part of the Jewish Education programming offered at the JCA. She then moved on to teach at Jacksonville public schools until five years ago when she hung up her eraser and chalk board and retired. Sheryl loves aqua aerobics and continues to be involved in the JCA through training with Eiffel, who has been Sheryl’s trainer for the last eight years and was recently voted Best Personal Trainer in Jacksonville by Folio Weekly. “It’s a uniting place – a way to bring everyone together, camaraderie that really binds the community. And you don’t have to be Jewish – the JCA offers so many opportunities, to everyone.” Through the years of teaching and going to the gym, Sheryl notes how people aren’t
stand-off-ish, everyone is so warm and inviting and it really makes the place feel “like an extension of home”. Both Sheryl and Ken feel the JCA is a special place, and Sheryl loves that it’s a place she can go to and feel involved in a community. She especially enjoys walking into the JCA and seeing little children walk in with their grandparents. To her, it’s all about being a part of her community, finding that special place where everyone’s grandparent becomes yours. At the JCA, they offer “a vast array of different activities and programs to participate in that getting involved is easy!” From classes and outreach to adult field trips led by the J Institute program, she “thinks it’s all so well-run and really covers the gamut from 1 to 100 years old”. When their children come home, they always want to go to the JCA to meet up with friends or workout. Sometimes when they are home and they can’t figure out where to go to catch up with someone, the JCA is always the place!
alliance news 11
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
PAID
Jacksonville, FL Permit No. 437
David A. Stein
Jewish Community Alliance
Address Service Requested
on the Ed Parker Jewish Community Campus
8505 San Jose Boulevard Jacksonville, Florida 32217 (904) 730-2100
jcajax.org
Affiliated with the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida, the United Way of Northeast Florida and the Jewish Community Centers of North America.
MISSION STATEMENT The Jewish Community Alliance (JCA) strengthens Jewish life, serves as a common meeting ground and enhances the quality of life of the entire community.
VISION STATEMENT Our vision is to provide the place in the tradition of our heritage where all people come together throughout their lives to enhance body, mind and spirit in an environment of fun, harmony and friendship.
SUMMER CAMP 2021 REGISTER NOW
730 2100 EXT. 228