Chronicle January February 2025

Page 1


Wednesday•Jan22•6:30pm

NomineesforOfficers:

President: Richard R. Marcus, Ph.D

President Elect: Lynne Kass

Immediate Past President: Edie Brodsky

VP Finance & Facilities/Treasurer: Shmueli Lovitch

VP Fund & Community Development: Anna Salusky

VP Children, Youth, Family: Pam Keiles

VP Governance: Kathryn McDermott

Secretary: Ken Schlesinger

NomineesforBoardofDirectors:

Karen Ben-Shmuel*

Linda Burney

Shelley Carl

Dr. Matt Davis*

Daniela Villegas Erman

Gary Fields

Joyce Greenspan

Mulu Skinner-Harrison

Alan Kreida

Beth Lesen, Ph.D*

Seth Linden

Michael Newman*

Suzanne Perlitsh, Ph.D

Jeremy Scherwin*

Vicki Scherwin, Ph.D

Norma Stein*

Beth Sterling

Linda Waltzman

Ava Weiss

AMESSAGEFROMOURCEO

RenovationsMovingAlongSwimmingly

In the early 1990’s a group of community leaders came together with a vision of creating a new Jewish community center to replace the previous center which had been functioning on the current site since 1960 Ultimately the new Barbara and Ray Alpert Jewish Community Center opened in 1999, with final fundraising being completed upon my arrival in 2005. The community was thrilled as we announced that we had reached our fundraising goal of $14M, and that we would have no mortgage on the facility Now, 25 years since the opening of the new AJCC, we have come to the place where improvements need to be made to the facility which serves over 30,000 people each year.

If you’ve been to the Alpert Jewish Community Center lately, you’ve probably seen the construction zone constituting the upgrading of the Mary Alpert Pool and the Arline & Paul Hillinger Family Deck and Patio. We are very excited about the progress that has been made, and the potential this and other capital projects are creating. The first project that was recently completed adjacent to the pool area has been the Linden-Baldwin Cafe which has been updated with new paint, furniture, and coffee carts to create an enhanced work and hangout space. We’ve already hosted a party in the new space! If you haven’t yet seen it, be sure to take a look when you stop by the center. With completion of the pool project, the Linden-Baldwin Cafe, with its modular furniture, will also be used as a catering staging area for parties, events and rentals on the Hillinger Family Pool Deck.

The pool is scheduled to reopen on Memorial Day Weekend, and we are excited to announce that the construction process is well on track to meet this deadline While the area might currently look like piles of dirt where the previous deck used to be, we will soon start laying the new pavers and you will see significant progress towards the creation of our beautiful new aquatics center and retreat area.

The creation of the new aquatics

center is not only a much-awaited capital project - it is a renewed opportunity for us to engage families, members and guests of all ages. I often speak with members who remember the old pool, and the early days of the new pool which opened in 1999 They remember fondly how much of an impact those pools had on giving families a place to build friends, community, and lifelong memories and connections. We are very excited about providing even more opportunities for engagement as we reopen.

The new aquatics center will continue to provide swim lessons for our children, lap swim and aqua fitness classes for adults and seniors, and free swim for families and summer campers. Adults will also be able to relax in our new hot tub. The reimagined space will be a premier venue for all kinds of special events, such as Bar/Bat Mitzvah parties, Shabbat dinners, Havdalah onegs, movies by the pool, and endless more possibilities. There are countless memories waiting to be made.

We are committed to continuing to provide places for our community to gather, and we can’t wait to see all of you here Thank you to all who have maintained their memberships at this time, and who see the potential of this new project.

Most of all, thank you to those who have contributed to the project, and to those who are still considering making a gift to the project. Special thanks to the Alpert Family, whose 75th Anniversary Gift in honor of their family's legacy continues to ensure the Mary Alpert Pool remains the spark for community building. There has never been a better time to give a gift to our community by supporting the Capital Campaign, including the pool project and other upcoming projects soon to be announced. Please contact Kevin Giser, Fund Development Officer, kgiser@jewishlongbeach org or 562.426.7601 ext. 1011 for more information on how to make your impact.

I can’t wait to see you at the pool this summer!

ECEstudentsexploretheconstructionsiteofthereimagined MaryAlpertPool&HillingerFamilyPoolDeck.
Over25yearsago,constructionbeganonthecurrentsiteofthe AlpertJewishCommunityCenter.
CamperssoakupthesunatoneofthelastSummerofFun eventsof2024.

CHRONICLE

FEATURES

BeitHaLev(Virtual) P.O.Box2279SealBeach,CA90740

RabbiGalitLevy-Slater 562.715.0888|beithalev.com duets@icloud.com

CREATIVEWRITINGWINNERS

2024EvelynLindenBaldwinYouthWriting

5 LIVEEACHDAY CarolMasters OntheCover

Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus One Sommer Way 3801 E. Willow Street Long Beach, CA 90815-1791 562.426.7601 | jewishlongbeach.org Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Member

Each year the Gatov Gallery partners with Long Beach Unified School District to curate a meaningful sample of middle and high school art. 6

Artwork created by 2023 Norman Gottlieb Student Art 1st Place High School winner Arthur Martins

BethDavid 6100HefleySt.Westminster,CA92683 RabbiNancyMyers 714.892.6623|templebethdavid.org tbdavid@templebethdavid.org

ChabadofLosAlamitos&Cypress 12340SealBeachBlvd.SuiteB-219SealBeach,CA90740

RabbiShmuelMarcus 714.828.1851|chabadlosal.com smarcus@jewishcypress.com

ChabadofWestOrangeCounty/

Ave.HuntingtonBeach,CA92649

AronDavidBerkowitz 714.846.2285|chabadhb.com info@chabadhb.com

CongregationLubavitch

3981AtlanticAve.LongBeach,CA90807 RabbiYitzchokNewman 562.596.1681 yitzyg@aol.com

CongregationSholomofLeisureWorld,

congsholomlwsb@gmail.com

ShulByTheShore

3801E.WillowStreetLongBeach,California90815

RabbiAbbaPerelmuter 562.621.9828|shulbytheshore.org rabbi@shulbytheshore.org

TempleBethOhr

Jewish Long Beach is a 501(c)3 with tax I.D. 95-1647830

Editorial and advertising queries, please call 562.426.7601 x1314 or write chronicle@jewishlongbeach.org. Ad & Copy deadline for March/April 2025 issue: February 4, 2025 Chronicle ©2024 Jewish Long Beach. All Rights Reserved.

Richard R. Marcus, Ph.D.

President, Board of Directors

Amy Lakin

Chief Program Officer

Rachel Roberts

Co-designer & Co-editor

Deborah K. Goldfarb

Chief Executive Officer

Susan Paletz

Director of Fund & Community Development

Amanda Morell

Marketing Coordinator

Carol Masters has a motto Her goal is “living each day trying to accomplish something, not merely to exist.” And based on Carol’s busy schedule and many commitments in the Long Beach Jewish community and beyond, she’s a living embodiment of that motto.

Carol grew up in Glendale, where she and her family were active members of their local synagogue Carol’s father was a member of the temple’s building committee, where he became good friends with the Masters family, who had a son close to Carol’s age. The rest, as they say, is history, as a family friendship turned over time into a courtship, with Mike and Carol marrying in 1966 and eventually settling in the Long Beach area Along the way, Carol attended UC Riverside, UCLA, and Cal State Northridge, earning a degree in Mathematics as well as an elementary school teaching credential. Carol taught for three years and then left full-time teaching when she and Mike adopted their son David, who she brought along with her when she pivoted to apply her math knowledge as a tutor

Carol and Mike joined Temple Israel of Long Beach in 1967, and in 1976, Rabbi Wolli Kaelter asked Carol to take on a new role, establishing the preschool program at the Sunday morning religious school. That, Carol says, is where she found her niche; from then on, Carol Masters became a constant presence in the Long Beach Jewish Community, particularly in the lives of children and families She joined the staff of the JCC’s preschool summer camp program in 1985, and by 1989, she was spending her

weekdays as the Assistant to the Long Beach JCC’s preschool director, Lori Davidson, and her Sundays at Temple Israel. In her spare time, she became involved in various committees focusing on social justice, reproductive rights, and children’s issues.

Although Temple Israel has always been a home to Carol, in the early 2000s, as Mike became disabled, Carol found herself part of Congregation Shir Chadash as well There, she became involved in the congregation’s religious and social missions, adding another layer to her rich history of contributing to the fabric of our community. She joined the congregation’s board, and, through the Long Beach Legacy Foundation, helps to award grants to organizations throughout the the Jewish community After Mike’s passing, Carol has also been deeply involved with the Lakewood Women’s Club, the El Dorado Women’s Club, and acts as a community volunteer at Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens, helping to facilitate educational crafts programs for visitors from Long Beach Unified’s 4th-grade classes. In addition, Carol has become involved in the National Council of Jewish Women, packing abortion comfort kits and Hugpacks for area foster children

When it comes to making a lasting impact with her dollars, Carol is delighted by the ease with which she was able to set up her charitable trust through the Jewish Long Beach Legacy program The program allowed her to designate the causes closest to her heart as recipients, including Jewish Long Beach, Temple Israel, JFCS, and the Passover fund Carol feels strongly that in

order to ensure the continuity of Jewish life and community, her contributions will have the biggest effect right here, at home. Carol’s philosophy is that action and giving are just “part of who I am.” She “doesn’t need people to see what I’m doing…I just need to do it!” And she does, and has, every day for over 50 years

Have you left a Legacy Gift to Jewish Long Beach and want to share your impact story?

Do you feel inspired by Carol’s story and want to learn about the difference you can make with a Legacy Gift?

Contact Kevin Giser at kgiser@jewishlongbeach.org or 562.426.7601 ext. 1011

Carol Masters at Legacy Society Luncheon August 2021
Carol on the 2022 Italy/Israel Jewish Long Beach Trip

1stPlace–HighSchool

JoyfulLuminescence,Candescent FlameofRemembrance

JasmineOrtiz,12thGrade

As the crisp autumn air settles over Mexico, a luminous transformation begins. The veil between worlds grows gossamerthin, and the landscape blooms with the golden glow of remembrance. Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, emerges not as a somber occasion but as a radiant celebration of life's enduring light in the face of loss.

fragrances weave together to create an invisible thread connecting the living to the dead, present to past. Each inhale becomes an act of communion, drawing lost loved ones' essence into those who remember.

Imagine the soft flutter of marigold petals falling like whispers of sunlight. These Caminos de Cempasúchil weave through streets and cemeteries, their vibrant orange a defiant flame against the encroaching twilight. Each petal, placed with loving care, becomes a beacon for wandering souls, guiding them back to the warmth of remembrance.

As night falls, candles flicker to life in windows and on doorsteps, their flames dancing like heartbeats of those long passed. These tiny beacons pierce the darkness, forming a constellation of earthbound stars that light the way home for spirits adrift in the great beyond.

In homes and public squares, ofrendas rise like illuminated towers of memory. Here, past and present converge in a symphony of light and love. Photographs, once faded and forgotten in dusty albums, are resurrected in the gentle glow of candlelight. The faces of grandparents, parents, and children lost too soon shine with renewed vitality. Their smiles, captured in sepia and silver, seem to flicker with life, as if they might step out of their frames and rejoin the family circle.

The air grows thick with the mingled scents of burning copal, sweet pan demuerto, and the earthy perfume of marigolds. These

As midnight deepens its hold, cemeteries transform from places of quiet repose to vibrant gardens of memory. Candlelight dances across weathered tombstones, illuminating names and dates that speak not of endings but lives richly and joyously lived. Families gather at gravesides; their laughter mingles with tears in flickering light as they share meals and toast cherished memories— breathing life into stories passed down through generations.

In these moments, death loses its sting; cemetery lights remind us our loved ones aren't gone but merely hidden from view— like stars obscured by daylight—their influence, love, and essence continue shaping our world and guiding us like gentle glows from distant celestial bodies. As stories are shared and memories rekindled, a warm radiance spreads through gatherings, illuminating faces and hearts alike. This inner light, kindled by love and nurtured by tradition, becomes a bulwark against forgetting's darkness—each tale told, favorite dish prepared, and candle lit becomes an act defying the void, declaring we never truly part with those we love.

In this abundance lies a profound truth: love transcends life's boundaries and death's embrace. The bonds we forge illuminate paths long after cherished ones depart. Every act of remembrance, tear shed, and laugh shared strengthens the luminous weave connecting us across time and space.

As dawn approaches and spirits prepare to return, Día de los Muertos’ light doesn't fade but absorbs into participants' hearts, becoming an ember glowing softly within, ready to be kindled again during times of darkness and doubt. This celebration

teaches us that even amidst deep grief and profound loss, we possess the power to create light by coming together, sharing stories, and honoring ancestors, illuminating the deepest shadows. Día de los Muertos stands as a testament to humanity's indomitable spirit, our capacity for finding joy amid sorrow, and our ability to keep love alive beyond mortality's boundaries.

1stPlace–MiddleSchool

AHanukkahCandle EvaYirush,7thGrade

The first thing I noticed were the trees, the picturesque trees that stood outside my window. They looked beautiful, mantled by a plethora of snow-covered branches that swayed delicately as the gentle wind flew past them. I used to love these trees as a child. I would parade around them with my sister, our noses blanketed in a harsh coat of pink and our eyes bright in a flurry of excitement and awe caused by the white masterpiece that made up the ground around us as we were monitored by our grandma, who took watching our youthful play a very serious profession, until she caved and trampled through the icy snow to join us, Hanukkah lights receding in the window behind her. I turn away from the window as dad starts the car, as the wheels start to turn. Our car fades into the horizon, indulged with silence, and infused with shrouded problems.

I open my car door slowly, letting the wind blanket my face in an abrasive air that reminds me of freshness, of pain. The venue is pretty, full of flowers of all shades that cloak the grounds with beauty, and a discordant tranquility. I look at my mother and sister. Their faces are captured in shocked desolation, lips pursed and eyes hollow, filled to the brim with disbelief and

L-R: Jim Linden, Elessar Nolasco (Hon. Mention MS), Jasmine Ortiz (1st Place HS), Eva Yurish (1st Place MS), Betty Miller (2nd Place MS), Jolie Handler, Nancy Linden

2024 Creative Writing Contest Winners Evelyn Linden Baldwin

Light has long been a powerful symbol in human cultures and traditions. Middle and high school students in the greater Long Beach area were prompted to write a reflective essay or story exploring the concept of increasing light in the world, considering how individuals may embody this concept through acts of kindness, charity, or spreading knowledge and wisdom.

Below are the 1st place high school and middle school entries. Congratulations to all 41 participants!

numbness. My father is silent, his face flushed in a sullen expression.

We walk forward, preparing to be shadowed by a harrowing sight. Besides the casket, two large shovels lay. I see my uncle approaching, an enervated look plastered on his blue eyes. My mother and my uncle stand next to each other for a second, observing the final resting place of their mother. They slowly begin to pierce their shovels into the ground, extracting the dirt from it, and watching, with tears engulfing their solemn eyes, the dirt pile above her, hiding her from all the people she loved. This was goodbye.

It’s our house still. All the furniture has retained its stature, the walls still stand with banal obstinacy. So, what has changed? It’s us. It’s the way my parents sleep in different rooms. It’s my sister who has cascaded the windows that peer into her soul with darkness. It’s my uncle, who does not visit anymore, leaving our family starved of the glee that he lit the house with. But mostly, it’s my grandmother, and how she’s gone, trapped under mounds of dirt and miles away from the hearts that her departure has evoked in a sterilizing melancholy.

I think of this all at dinner, surrounded by plates of food and distant eyes. “How was work?” I ask, eyeing my mom, conducting a hasty attempt to normalize the coldness that besets our dinner table.

“It was good.” Her phlegmatic tone sears my heart, and I go quiet.

“Where’s dad?” my sister's voice rises from obscurity.

“He’s upstairs.”

“But why?”

My mom pauses, her eyes filling with enmity. “We had a fight.”

“But why?” My sister asks again, the words escalate in a tone of anger, as her eyes dig at my mother’s face.

“Because apparently, I’m not being a good wife. I’m shutting everyone out. Because he doesn’t understand I’m hurting, I’m grieving.” Her eyes lose their livid visage and begin to spiral into despondency.

“Everyone here is hurting! Does that mean we ruin every relationship that’s important to us? This family is shattered because of you!”

The world around me goes dark as they continue to argue. I try to ignore the feeling as my sister's words echo in my ears, “This family is shattered because of you.” They serve as recurring evidence of the one idea I have been endlessly trying to escape. Could our family really be falling apart? The answer comes to me in sharp haste, yes.

I stand alone in the basement, surrounded by stacked boxes that loom over me, all rife with memories and eclectic objects. I reach to clasp a box labeled, “Hanukkah.” As I slowly remove the lid, my eyes are met with a cloud of dust that shrouds the objects that lay under it. I take out a latke recipe, a small dreidel and a silver menorah. As I run my fingers over their cold crevices, they pierce me with a yearning to return to those Hanukkahs where everything felt irreproachable, where laughter cosseted our minds and our hearts, where snow fell and the candles lit grandma’s home with hope. Slowly, an idea approaches my listless mind: the only way to repair this family is to bring it together again, to remind it of the beauty of the celebration that united us all those years ago.

The room is adorned with decorations that line the walls and stuff the counters with child-like idiocy. I love it. It looks familiar, because it is--it’s my recreation of my grandmother's favorite holiday. But really, it’s a healing process. I stack the invitations, each overladen with paper that is fraught with

words and explanations and bound upstairs to deliver them.

The candles burn low, flickering and dwindling as we all gather around. “Is this grandma's old menorah?” My mom asks, a calm look in her eyes. “Yeah, I found it in the basement,” I respond, eyeing her. She looks happy, her face entangled in a daze that lights the whole room. “All of this is beautiful,” she whispers. “It takes me back,” my uncle adds, staring at the menorah with pride and fondness.

As my mother and uncle embrace, the world falls back into place. I can hear the laughter of my father and sister as it replenishes a feeling of warmth that my heart has yearned for. Behind me, someone approaches. “I am so proud of you,” my uncle whispers, his eyes filling with unalloyed gratification. “For what?” I probe. “For bringing this family together again.” He smiles for a second. “You are like a Hanukkah candle, bringing light to darkness.”

EvelynLindenBaldwin

Evelyn Linden Baldwin was a beloved leader in the Long Beach community. Born in Cincinnati, she lived most of her life in Detroit until she moved to California in 1982. Shortly after moving to Long Beach, Shelley Carl and Rabbi Wolli Kaelter arranged a “shiddach” between Evelyn and Bob Baldwin, whom she married and spent a beautiful ten years until Bob passed away in 1992. Evelyn was a social worker by training and supported her love of Judaism, education, and Israel. She left a legacy of kindness, humility, and intellect to the community. She would be proud to know the lasting impact she has made, along with her children, Jim and Russ, and grandchildren, Seth, Ari, Becca, and Josh, all of whom continue to teach and support her values of Judaism, education, and community building.

REFLECTIONS

RabbiLeviPerelmuter|ShulbytheShore

Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, shines as a beacon of resilience, faith, and rededication in the Jewish calendar This holiday commemorates the miraculous victory of the Maccabees against the Seleucid Greeks, a small band of faithful Jews who stood against a mighty empire intent on erasing their faith and culture. The story of Chanukah is not just one of ancient history; it resonates powerfully in our own time, particularly as we witness the ongoing struggles in the Land of Israel

Today, as in the time of the Maccabees, the Jewish people face challenges to their identity and survival. The parallels between the ancient conflict and the current conflict in Israel are striking. Just as the Maccabees fought to preserve their faith under

threat, we are reminded today of the importance of safeguarding our traditions and values amid modern-day conflicts

The menorah, kindled during Chanukah, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and spirit over oppression. It reminds us that even a small amount of light can dispel great darkness. Each candle we light is a testament to our enduring faith and our refusal to let despair extinguish hope As we celebrate Chanukah, we are called to not only stand united but to strengthen our Jewish identity. Now more than ever, we must embrace our heritage with pride, deepen our commitment to Torah values, and instill these principles in the next generation. The courage of the Maccabees serves as

a timeless reminder that a strong Jewish identity is our greatest source of resilience

May the light of Chanukah guide us forward, bringing strength and courage to the Israeli Defense Forces, freedom to those held captive, and a renewed sense of Jewish pride to communities around the world.

LEADING THE WAY FORWARD

LadiesLeadershipCouncil

SherylStewart,JewishLongBeachWomen’sPhilanthropyChair

LeadingTomorrow

On behalf of Jewish Long Beach's Women's Philanthropy, I want to thank you for your long-standing commitment to the values and priorities of our organizationstrengthening and advancing Jewish life here in our community and around the world Your leadership, investments (of time, talent, and funds), and your vision for the future of our Jewish community are appreciated and valued, in many cases by people you will never know.

I would like to invite you to join the new Women's Philanthropy Ladies Leadership Council, formerly known as the Cabinet It is my belief that this new name more aptly and clearly states what we will do -- consult, discuss, and lead -- as we work to further our mission, identify areas of focus, present legacy events, such as the Arlene Solomon

Visions event, and support the many agencies under the wide tent of Jewish Long Beach.

Please make plans to join our first LLC meeting on Tuesday, January 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Alpert JCC. We will have wine and desserts You will learn more about the goals of our new LLC and how you can join in guiding our group to even greater successes in the coming year.

Please RSVP to Susan Paletz at spaletz@alpertjcc.org or via phone at 562-426-7601 X1012. Susan and I very much look forward to seeing you there

Warmly,

DignityProject

Launched in 2021, the Dignity Project ensures that women and girls in the greater Long Beach community have access to adequate menstrual and hygiene supplies

NEW YEAR MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL

START FORJUST 2025

JANUARY1-31,2025

Joinat alpertjcc.org

$25 $25

*TERMS&CONDITIONSAPPLY

HappeningWeekly

Drop-inMahJongg:Mondays,6PM

Wednesdays,1PM

MemoirWriting:Tuesdays|6PM

Registeratalpertjcc.org

BarbaraAlpertSingingCircle:Wednesdays 10:30AM|Free

Drop-inCanasta:Wednesdays|11:30AM,1PM

Kabbalah:Wednesdays|12PM|Free

HappeningMonthly

JessieButlerSeniorLuncheon

Wednesday|Jan15,Feb5,19|12PM

SeniorShabbat&LuncheonwithTempleIsrael

Saturday|Jan11,Feb15|11AM

Happiness&HumorGroup

Friday|Jan3,Feb7|11AM|Free AlpertClassicFilmSociety

Wednesday|7PM|Virtual

Jan8:Oklahoma(1955)

Feb12:TheGraduate(1967)

FamilyMegaChallahBake

Thursday|Feb13|5PM

Makeyourownchallahfromscratch,snackonKoshertrail mix,andjamouttolivemusicfromJellyoftheMonthClub!

L’Dorv’Dough:Senior&StudentChallahBake

Friday|Feb14|1PM withBeachHillel

Aminiintergenerationalchallahbakeforourseniorsand BeachHillelstudents.

WhereThingsStandintheMiddleEastwithAviMelamed Monday|Feb24|TimeTBA

BriefingandQ&AwithformerIsraeliIntelligenceofficer andseniorArabAffairsadvisor

ZenaandPaulineGatovGallery

January:ECEChanukahArtShow

February:40thNormanGottliebStudentArtExhibition

MartinLutherKingJr. DayofService

Sun•Jan19•9:30AM

Spendthedayvolunteeringin theECEgarden! Getinvolvedatalpertjcc.org

Hours:Mon-Thurs6AM-9PM,Fri6AM-6PM,Sat-Sun7AM-5PM

UpcomingClosures:Wed(1/1)Closed,Sat(1/4)Closed

Adult&TeenSelf-DefenseWorkshopwithSenseiMac 4-WeekSeries|StartingFebruary2

Learnhowtodefendyourselfusingmartialartstechniques whilebuildingconfidenceandself-esteem.Allskilllevels.

Off-SiteAquaFitness

AtAbilityFirst(acrossthestreetfromtheJ) ContinueaquafitnessduringtheMaryAlpertPool remodel.RSVPforclassesatalpertjcc.org

PersonalTraining

NewAJCCMembers:Enjoyaone-hourfitnessassessment andthree30-minutePersonalTrainingsessions,allfor $120!

GroupFitnessSchedules

Visitalpertjcc.orgortheAlpertJCCappforclassschedules.

Takeaclass in-personwiththe founderofTae

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Scheduleyourappointmentatalpertjcc.org WHY DONATE? BloodDrive

J BABY

Parent & Me: Ages 0 - 12 months Monthly

Group Fitness Classes

CLASSES START JANUARY 7

TuB’ShevatHike

Monday|Feb10|GumGroveParkSealBeach

CampKomaroff

April14-18|Ages4-12

Celebratethenewyearofthetreeswithahike!

Spendspringbreakatcampwithfunactivities,fieldtrips, andLegos!Registeratalpertjcc.org

DiscoverYouthSports!

withFirstTouchSoccer,SenseiMac,andBBallersHoops

IndoorSoccer(Futsal)forages7-12,MartialArtsfor ages3+,andBasketballforages3-14.

PJLibrary

FreeJewishstorybooksdeliveredstraighttoyourhome everymonth!OpentoJewishfamilieswithchildrenages0 -8.Ages9-12:signupforPJOurWaytocontinue receivingmonthlybooks! Signuptoday!

AOne-WomanShowby

SUNDAY•FEBRUARY2•2-4PM

AttheAlpertJCContheWeinbergJewishLongBeachCampus 3801E.WillowSt.LongBeach,CA90815

Suitableforages14+

‘FlowersAren’tEnough’tellsthestoryofMichal,ayoung womanwhofallsintoanabusiverelationship.Basedontrue stories,Ms.Ackermanhaswoventhevoicesofwomenfrom differentculturesandbackgroundsintoaperformancethat encouragessocialchange.Discussionanddessertreception tofollow.

Tickets:15/person

Scantogetticketstoday! alpertjcc.org

oAprofoundlymovingpiece fwork,beautifullywritten andbrilliantlyportrayed Rev.Dr.DonnaL.Byrns Naomidrawsyouintohercharacterina waythatI’veneverquiteseenbefore, tellingthestoryinsuchanintimate,gutwrenchingnarrativethatyoufeelasif you’realmostexperiencingityourself.

PurchaseaPassoverGreetingintheMarch/April ChronicletosupporttheJewishLongBeachmissionand wishourreadersaChagSameach

A40YearTradition

The annual N Art Show and C showcase that the talent and v artists and edu Unified School

For 40 years, Gatov Gallery, i Long Beach Un brought together a sampling of the best artwork that Long Beach middle and high schools have to offer. This annual show provides a unique opportunity for students to participate in a juried art show, sponsored by Jewish Long Beach

nd established over President Norman is currently ed by Nicole and Dr.

h is proud to continue young artists in their Each year, the top oth middle and high school are recognized for their artistic achievement in an awards reception with family, friends, and fellow classmates.

Education," recognizing the dedication of art educators in public schools. The Gatov Gallery Art Committee extends its thanks to all the art teachers of LBUSD who help make this show possible.

The community is invited to be a part of this continued tradition of empowering young artists in the Long Beach area at the 40th annual Norman Gottlieb Student Art Exhibition. Student artwork will be up in the Gatov Gallery February 7 - March 21 with an awards reception on February 27 at 6 PM. All are welcome and encouraged to view th f h

HEBREWACADEMY

"Theyeasilytransitionedinto advancedclassesinmiddle school,andnow,astheyprepare tograduatefromMarinaHigh School,they’reranked1and2 outofaclassof500."

For Dr. Alla and Igor Lichtmaher, this proud achievement for their twin sons, Gil and Levi, is a testament to the journey that began at Hebrew Academy’s preschool From preschool through fifth grade, the boys were immersed in an environment that nurtured their academic talents and instilled values that have guided them ever since.

GilandLeviLichtmaherhavebothbeennamedSenioroftheMonthatMarinaHighSchoolforthe2024-2025schoolyearconsecutively

“Our boys’ academic journey truly began at Hebrew Academy,” Alla shares. “The foundation they received there made all the difference not only in academics but in the values that shaped them into kind, respectful young men ”

When their family chose to transition Gil and Levi to public school for middle school, the boys seamlessly applied the resilience, confidence, and love of learning cultivated at Hebrew Academy. As they prepare for college, the twins set their sights on ambitious futures one aiming for a medical career while the other is drawn to engineering Their dedication to academic excellence and aspirations to make a difference testify to the strong start they received at Hebrew Academy.

AStrongStartThatLastsaLifetime

In today’s world, where concerns like antisemitism and shifting values weigh heavily on parents’ minds, Hebrew Academy offers more than just academics it provides a foundation of pride, resilience, and confidence. Its unique, integrated approach nurtures students’ academic and personal growth from their earliest years, laying a solid foundation for lifelong success. With small class sizes and dedicated teachers, each child’s potential is recognized and nurtured At the same time, a curriculum blending Judaic and secular studies fosters intellectual growth and a strong sense of identity. For Gil and Levi, this early foundation propelled them forward, empowering them to thrive academically and personally.

Their younger brother, Jeffrey, now a ninthgrader at Marina High School, is already

benefiting from the same foundation his brothers had. Ala and Igor feel confide t watching him carry forward the values skills he gained at Hebrew Academy, re take on new challenges with a similar strength

ACommunityThatEndures

One of the Lichtmahers’ greatest joys seeing how Hebrew Academy’s influen extends beyond the classroom. Even a their sons moved on to public school, t Hebrew Academy community has rem constant The Lichtmaher boys are stil warmly invited to Bar Mitzvahs and ot community events alongside their Heb Academy friends and former teachers boys greet everyone with warmth and respect,” Alla shares, “carrying forward the values they learned from their earliest days at Hebrew Academy.”

ALegacyofExcellenceandIntegrity

For families like the Lichtmahers, Hebrew Academy has been more than a school; it’s the foundation of a legacy a place where academic excellence, lifelong friendships, and values come together to shape future leaders. Watching their sons prepare for bright futures in medicine and engineering, Alla and Igor know that wherever life takes them, Gil and Levi carry the heart of Hebrew Academy: resilience, kindness, and a commitment to making the world a better place

HebrewAcademydoesn’tjustprepare studentsforschool—itpreparesthem forlife.

Are you ready to build a legacy of learning, values, and community for your child? Discover what makes Hebrew Academy extraordinary at hacds org/discover

CHALLAH BAKE

THURS•FEB13•5PM

Let’sbakeandcelebrateTuB’Shevat!

Makeyourownchallahfromscratchwithstep-by-stepinstruction SnackonKoshertrailmix

GetcreativewithTuB’Shevatcrafts DancetolivemusicfromJellyoftheMonthClub 25/ChallahKit•Additional5forBowl,BakingSheet,andSpoon

Scantoregisterorvisitalpertjcc.org

P U Z Z L E C O R N E R

WordScrambler

Unscramblethelettersbelowtofindtheanswers.

Thiseditionfeaturesourfavoritebread-challah! Challahisabraidedloafofbreadthatiscentralto Jewishtraditions.ItiseatenonShabbat,which comeseveryFridayaftersundown,andatholiday meals.Thebreadisgivenablessingbeforebeing eaten,usuallybeingrippedapartorsliced. (MyJewishLearningcom)

Wanttomakeyourownchallah?AttendourFamily MegaChallahbakeonFebruary13togethands-on instruction.Scanaboveformoredetails.

Tu B’Shevat (Feb 12 - 13) is the new year of the trees!

SeekingaLife-Changer

A beloved community member, Jewish activist, champion for homeless youth, advocate for equality, and an amazing father, husband, and friend, Kevin O’Grady needs our help He has lived with liver disease for four years, and his transplant team at USC Medical Center recommends a living donor liver transplant as soon as possible. A donor would save his life.

HowCanYouHelp?

WhattoKnow

We aren’t asking you to commit to being a donor, but simply hoping you’ll take the next step and have a phone conversation with the liver transplant team at Keck Medicine of USC. Even if you can’t be a donor, please help spread the word to people you know, including friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors.

InOurOwnWords

“Understanding Kevin’s need, I felt moved to register to start the donor process. I had a conversation with USC then had my blood tested. The test determined that my blood type matched Kevin’s, so I went to USC for a day of testing and bloodwork to determine if I might be a donor candidate. The medical staff was kind, patient, and thorough, and explained that potential donors remain anonymous until after surgery, removing m from being pressured while retaining the ability to change my mind at any point. Ultimately, I did not end up being a medically acceptable candidate, but I hope that by sharing the story of the support I received, others will be inspired to submit themselves as potential donors ”

- Beth Sterling, Jewish Long Beach VP Children, Youth, Family; former AJCC employee, and decade-long AJCC community member

“Putting myself forward as a potential donor for Kevin was a no brainer. I’m a mother of two, and I’d want to know that members of my community would step up for me and my family if something were to happen to one of us. I know that liver donation is a routine and safe procedure, and that it was important to do this mitzvah for a family in need.”

- Melissa Newman, former AJCC board member and ECE Committee Chair

Beth, Melissa, and Kevin are all willing to answer questions about the process. We hope you’ll consider taking the first steps toward helping Kevin. Please visit or scan the QR code for

Getinvolved

BethDavid

Sunday, January 5, 10:30 am

Brotherhood Brunch: A Cold War Incident

Charlie Niederman in the Coast Guard The true story of the 1965 U S Coast Guard Icebreaker Northwind’s mission to circumnavigate the globe north of the U S S R featuring politics, intelligence, spying, science, seamanship, icebreaking, engineering, royalty, and boxer Joe Lewis. Brunch 10:00 am, Presentation 10:30 am

Adults $18; Children under 13 $9 before Dec. 31 Adults $24; Children under 13 $12 after Dec. 31

Thursday, January 9, 12 pm

Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Myers

Saturday, January 11, 9 am Torah Study with Rabbi Myers

Tuesday, January 21, 1 - 7 pm Blood Drive

Call Cathy Niederman at 714.673.1154 or cathbowls@gmail.com to make an appointment.

Sunday, January 26

Movie Night

Saturday, February 8, 9 am Body, Mind, & Spirit Shabbat

Thursday, February 13, 12 pm

Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Myers

Sunday, February 16, 10:30 am

Brotherhood Brunch

Saturday, February 22, 9 am Torah Study with Rabbi Myers

Sunday, February 23

Movie Night

Sunday, February 23, 1:30 pm

Women of Beth David Social Action Event Blanket Making

Register for events at tbdavid@templebethdavid.org or 714-8926623.

TempleBethShalom

Sunday, January 12, 10 am - 1 pm

Sisterhood Bunco, Brunch & Bellinis Light Brunch included

RSVP & ticket purchases are required by 1/6/25, $25 per person

Please RSVP to tbsbunco@yahoo.com

Sunday, January 26, 11 am

Situational Awareness & Countering Active Threat with Meredith Burke, JLB Community Security Director

Registration is requested

Sunday, February 2, 12:30 - 2:30 pm

Chavurah Playdate

Open to the whole community, this is an opportunity for parents and children to play and engage in community activities to get to know each other better. Registration is requested.

Saturday, February 8, 10 am Scout Shabbat Scout patches are available

Sunday, February 16

1 pm VIP Reception

2 pm Performance

Stars of David Musical followed by a dessert reception Registration & ticket purchase required Saturdays, 10 am-12:30 pm

Shabbat Tots

Bring your kids on Saturday mornings for supervised activities and fun while you attend 10 am services.

This program is sponsored in part by a generous gift from Congregation Shir Chadash

For adult learning classes and other events please see our website calendar

For more information and to register for events please call 562.426.6413, email office@tbslb.org, or visit tbslb.org

CSULBJewishStudies

Thursday, February 6, Time TBD

Jewish cookbook author Joan Nathan at the AJCC More details coming soon

TempleIsrael

Thursdays, January 9 & 16, 7 pm

Overview of Modern Israeli History

Friday, January 17, 6 pm

Got Shabbat? Service

Join us for our musical jazz-infused Service Featuring Kendra Cogert and the Shabbatones

Friday, January 24, 6 pm

Tot Shabbat

RSVP to Michelle at mdt@tilb.org

Thursday, February 6, 7 pm

Jewish Student Resilience at Cal State Long Beach: A Panel Discussion

Sunday, February 9, 10 am

Modern Jewish Heroes

Tuesdays, 7 pm

Intermediate Hebrew

Beginning February 11

Cost $80

Friday, February 28, 6 pm

Tot Shabbat

RSVP to Michelle at mdt@tilb.org

Please RSVP for all events at info@tilb org

NCJW-GreaterLongBeach& WestOrangeCounty

Saturday, January 11, 8:30 am - 12 pm

Early Learning & Kindergarten Festival at Barton Elementary School.

Help is needed with registration and handing out materials.

Sunday, February 2, 2 pm

Flowers Aren’t Enough

Written and performed by Naomi Ackerman, Founder/Executive Director of The Advot

Project Flowers Aren’t Enough tells the story

of Michal, a young woman who falls into an abusive relationship, The show’s power is that it breaks the often-held myth that only uneducated, poor women from bad families are victims Based on true stories, Ms Ackerman has woven women ' s voices from different cultures and backgrounds into a performance encouraging social change. Presented in partnership with Temple Beth Ohr, Shalom in the Home, and Jewish Long Beach. Tickets $15/person.

Friday, February 21, 6 pm

Saturday, February 22, 10:30 am

Repro Shabbat at Temple Israel in person & virtually

This meaningful Shabbat is dedicated to the important Jewish value of Reproductive freedom. Rabbi Fox will lead a Torah study of Mishpatim, the Torah portion that forms the basis of the Jewish approach to reproductive freedom

Sunday, March 2, 11:30 am

Shirley Stein Annual Book Review will be at The Grand “It’s About Love After All ” The guest speaker will be the Honorable Sherri Sobel, Ret Fascinating short stories about Sherri’s work in the L.A Juvenile Courts Saturday, March 8, 8:30 am - 12 pm Early Learning & Kindergarten Festival at Alvarado Elementary School, Signal Hill. Help is needed with registration and handing out materials.

All NCJW events are free unless indicated, donations are appreciated All programs, announcements, and registration can be found at www.ncjwlongbeach.org call 657.235.2511

JewishLongBeach

FromJewishLongBeachBoard, Leadership,&Staff

IN MEMORY OF

Estalee Eichler

Beloved mother to Pam Keiles

Lanie Eichler

Beloved sister to Pam Keiles

Bill Millman

Beloved husband to Ann Millman

Wendy Miller

Beloved sister to Paula Avchen

MAZEL TOV

To Marian & Paul Martin on the birth of their grandson Ezra Kainoa Martin

Invite You To:

GeneralFund

IN HONOR OF

Russell Singer

Happy 70th Birthday from Andrea Resnick

SeniorPrograms

IN HONOR OF

Dr. Susan Mathieu

Happy Birthday from Betty Cretara, Dela Robertson, Dina Gamarnik

Wanttohonorsomeonespecial? Sendinatributetobefeatured inthenextissueoftheChronicle!

GeneralFund

IN MEMORY OF

Lance Valt from his wife, Marilyn Valt

RefugeeFund

IN HONOR OF Nancy Levin from her husband, Ken Levin

For JFCS tributes call 562.427.7916

For Jewish Long Beach tributes call: 562 426 7601 ext 1314

A NEW GROUP FOR GRIEF AND LOSS

In partnership with Jewish Long Beach & Jewish Family and Children’s Service Dr. Susan Mathieu and MSW Intern, Anna-Claire Wilcox A space in the community to learn and talk about grief and loss.

Starting January 2025

To register, scan the QR code with your smartphone (562) 427-7916 • jfcs@jfcslboc.org

JANUARY/FEBRUARYSHABBATCANDLE-LIGHTINGTIMES

January3:4:39pm

January10:4:45pm

January17:4:52pm

January24:4:58pm January31:5:05pm February7:5:12pm

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