The J and St. Louis Rabbinical Assn. Announce the Inaugural
And now for something really, completely different…All on one night…all under one roof…all at the same time. The St. Louis Rabbinical Association (SLRA) and the J present the Jewish Mystic Jam on Saturday, January 25 at 8pm. It’s an interactive smorgasbord of music, stories, kabbalah and more!
“It promises to be a magical evening of Jewish music, spirituality and entertainment with something for everyone,” says Rabbi James Stone Goodman, current president of SLRA and rabbi at Neve Shalom Congregation.
Experience storytelling, havdalah, jazz, a drum circle, niggunim (Jewish religious song), klezmer, poetry and more! The Jam’s entertainers and facilitators include Andrew Bollinger and Leslie Caplan, Rabbi James Stone Goodman, Robert Fishbone, Rabbi Suzanne Brody, Alan Nemes, Kim Portnoy, Howard Schwarz and Will Sol.
Those attending the Jam will have the opportunity to experience several of the offerings throughout the evening. Set up in different rooms throughout the J’s Arts & Education Building (on the I.E. Millstone Campus), patrons can move from room to room to enjoy each artist. Schedules will be available to allow Jam-goers the chance to see as much or as little of everyone performing.
Tickets include wine and nosh. The cost is $15 advance, $20 at the door at brownpapertickets.com
For more information, contact Diane Maier at dmaier@jccstl.org or 314-442-3190. Coordinated in part by the Helene Mirowitz Center of Jewish Community Life and co-sponsored by CAJE and Saul Brodsky Community Library.
A
Alan
Singer
Howard
Will
few of the Jewish Mystic Jam performers:
Robert Fishbone Drum Circle and Musician
Rabbi James Stone Goodman Havdalah & Storytelling
Kim Portnoy Jazz Pianist
Andrew Bollinger & Leslie Caplan Musicians
Rabbi Suzanne Brody Poet
Nemes
Schwarz Poet
Sol Musician
Back from the Brink
A J member shares her incredible, inspiring story
A new year had begun and it was time for me to find a gym and get back in shape. I started touring gym facilities and interviewing trainers in the Chesterfield area. I wanted training, and my family was interested in finding an indoor pool and gymnasium for year-round use. After weighing (no pun intended) our options, I decided that the J was the place for us.
I joined the J in spring 2013 and began attending some exercise classes. My teenage twins worked out with [personal trainers] Matt Kochera and Bryce Banaszynski to learn more about the fitness equipment and some specific routines. My youngest child (who is nine) loves to come with me to run on the track or hang out in the KidZone area. She can’t wait until she is old enough to learn how to use the equipment.
Last May, I hired Matt Kochera as my personal trainer. During our first meeting we talked about my fitness goals – which at the time included losing fifty pounds I had gradually gained during the past three years, get back into my skinny jeans, increase my overall toning and basically get back into shape. I grew up an athlete, and the trauma surgeons who “rebuilt” me after the car accident told me it was easier to “rebuild” my limbs because of that fact.
Matt is nice, but he keeps me accountable! My whole family thinks the world of him. While on a family vacation in June, Matt stayed in contact with me via text messaging to make sure I was following the workout plan he had customized for my trip –talk about accountability (thanks, Matt). When I returned from the trip, I began to work out more frequently because I could see the results! I felt better, clothes were fitting better and I had more energy! Also, Matt showed me some exercises to help strengthen the muscles around an old college sports injury, a torn rotator cuff, so now I can play catch with my children without pain.
Periodically, Matt and I discuss my fitness goals, progress towards achievement and any new goals I want to set. Since working with Matt, I have lost 25 pounds, dropped four dress sizes and am on track for rebuilding the muscle tone I lost after the accident!
…continued on page 12.
I began my fitness journey by meeting with Matt once a week and then coming to the J on my own one or two other days a week to work on the exercises that Matt had taught me. I felt weak, but Matt was always encouraging. I know I am not a patient person and I decided that we needed to quicken the pace. Matt has taught me so much about exercise physiology, nutrition and ways to optimize each workout.
Overcoming a near death experience
On June 15, 2000, Ginny was involved in a head-on collision in North Carolina. She suffered life threatening injuries and was not expected to be able to walk again. She would need 12 surgeries over the next six years to repair immeasurable damage to several areas of her body, including her left arm, left ankle and leg, pelvis, right foot, right hip and head trauma. She was not expected to survive. She did. And over time and through grueling rehab.
Ben Packman Proves He Has What it Takes
Trainer and teen bond on way to fitness achievements
The J can be traced back through generations of many St. Louis families, often making an impact on several lives. This may range from meeting a spouse, seeing friends in the health club every day, year after year, seeing your child raised through early childhood to day camps to BBYO and beyond or making a personal choice to better your life through fitness and wellness.
It is with this last intention in mind that we introduce you to Ben Packman, a longtime J member, who even at only 18, has become a proud and motivating J fitness success!
I have seen many changes in Ben not only with his physical appearance but in his overall self confidence
— Personal Trainer Joe Ryan
Ben’s parents “grew up” at the J, and his grandparents made the J a regular part of their lives – “at the really old J…” as Ben relates it. A member for his whole life, Ben says it just feels natural to be here. With the help of personal trainer Joe Ryan, Ben made it to the J often this past summer and now looks and feels better than ever.
Hesitant to start a fitness or training program, Ben had never worked out at the J or really had the desire to do so. In school, he played racquetball and you could occasionally find him shooting baskets in the gym. Eventually, not feeling comfortable with his body (sound familiar). Ben sought out some help, and Joe stepped forward. They quickly bonded, made a plan and forged ahead. It didn’t take long for Ben to adapt to the ways of the fitness center, resulting in more than 30 pounds lost, a new physique, and renewed confidence and energy.
“I never worked out or wanted to until I started with Joe,” Ben recalls. “Now that Joe has taught me what to do and how to do it, I look forward to waking up and working out before school. Joe is a great trainer. He knows his stuff and is really concerned with what I wanted and what is best for me. We learned a lot about each other and I think we’ll keep in touch for a long time.”
As it is with most new clients, Joe set out to establish realistic long- and short-term fitness goals for Ben. Through performance assessments using muscular strength, muscular endurance and tests for flexibility, posture and various body measurements, the pair was able to keep an eye on Ben’s progress. Joe also was able to ascertain Ben’s strengths and weaknesses and build a fitness plan accordingly.
By the time June rolled around, Parkway North student Ben and J personal trainer Joe began working out together twice a week. With all the measuring and testing and preparation, as time progressed, it was easy to see the fantastic progress Ben was achieving as he knocked down goal after goal. …continued on page 12.
Connect and Refresh at Women’s Shabbat Retreat
Nishmah invites Jewish women to experience a unique Shabbat experience on January 31 – February 1, 2014, with friends of many generations, phases of life and affiliations. Explore, discover, build and examine our connections – to ourselves, each other, community and spirituality. Through Shabbat, healthy and delicious food, community, laughter and love, surrounded by the beauty of Pere Marquette State Park, attendees will feel enriched.
Ronit Sherwin, co-founder of Nishmah and current Executive Director of University of Delaware Hillel, will join us as scholar-in-residence. Ronit has a master’s degree from Harvard School of Divinity and is a passionate and accessible teacher.
Karen Sher, co-founder of Nishmah with Sherwin recollects, “Having co-chaired the very first women’s retreat, I continue to be in awe of and inspired by the women that participate and feel honored to share the joy of Shabbat with so many incredible women in our community.”
The retreat will begin with a candle lighting followed by Kabbalat Shabbat. Shabbat dinner starts an evening of fun and games, and, of course, plenty of wine and chocolate!
Growth Spir i tuality C
rae n i n g
“I have been going to the Nishmah Women’s Shabbat Retreat for years and always look forward to it. After just 25 hours, I always come away refreshed, inspired and so happy to have been in the company of so many amazing women,” recalls Marianne Chervitz, who also serves as a committee member.
I love celebrating Shabbat with all types of Jewish women and all ages. Everyone has something unique to offer and I enjoy learning it all!
— Jerri Livingston Past Participant
Shabbat morning will include options such as Sunrise Yoga, Nature Walk, Torah Study, Musical Service and a Reflective Prayer Experience. A sampling of Saturday afternoon choices include: A Panel Discussion on True Stories: Resilience of Human Body & Spirit, Discovering your Best Self with a Life Coach, Mindful Parenting, Jewish Ethical Living through Mussar, and Harnessing your Imagination with Jewish Imagery.
“This weekend retreat is a wonderful treat. It’s intellectually interesting, spiritually fulfilling and socially enjoyable. And it’s in a beautiful location! I think every Jewish woman would love this event,” said past participant Joy Fisher.
The Women’s Shabbat Retreat is one of Nishmah’s signature events, held biennially.
The registration deadline is January 20, 2014, but early registration is recommended as the event will sell out. An invitation can be downloaded at nishmah.org. For more information, contact Sara Winkelman at 314-442-3268 or swinkleman@jccstl.org
Nishmah and Girls in the Know are excited to be partnering on a special Girls in the Know (GITK) series customized for moms and daughters in the Jewish community. Girls in fifth and sixth grade are encouraged to join their moms for this unique opportunity, beginning in February 2014. This four part series highlights relevant Jewish values and connects them with the successful curriculum of the GITK program.
Girls in the Know provides the first step in the mother-daughter journey through adolescence. We inspire and empower girls to make healthy choices as teens and we do this UNLIKE any other organization by bringing mothers and their pre-teen daughters together to start talking about life’s most important topics through a four-week, educational and interactive mother-daughter speaker series led by female professionals. Topics include Puberty, Safety, Bullying, Nutrition, Exercise, Friendships and much more!
Contact Simone Picker at spicker@jccstl.org to learn more or get involved.
(l to r): Missy Korenblat-Hanin, Shari Gross and Lori Sheinbein at the 2012 Women’s Shabbat Retreat.