Larry Mestel joins JCC as general manager Membership, fitness and aquatics at the Simon Family JCC are now supervised by Larry Mestel, the center’s new general manager. Being active has always been a way of life for Mestel. As the youngest of seven in a very energetic family, he went to practices with siblings or his mother, who coached and taught classes. Now, he walks or swims an hour a day along with some light strength training several days a week. Mestel joined the JCC staff in Louisville as the sports director in 1993. “I was involved in everything sports related: preschool and day school classes and gym time, youth leagues, camps, adult leagues.” He also served as the head delegate for the Maccabi games from Louisville for 12 years. In 2001, Mestel was promoted to director of wellness and fitness, and held this position until 2008, when he had the opportunity to become general manager of the JCC in Cincinnati. “Cincinnati provided an opportunity to expand my skills in membership, marketing and sales, along
with computer service, spa services, personal training, Pilates, and management. We put all the systems into place and built a team of 105 on staff.” Mestel says he is Larry Mestel excited to be a part of the Simon Family JCC. “Based on my experience, it’s a great fit for me, and everyone here has been very welcoming.” Mestel’s short-term goals involve three areas. The first is the immediate “wow” factor, which includes first impressions—class offerings and the physical appearance of the fitness and aquatics center. The second area is systems; he will evaluate fitness and aquatics for efficiency and growth potential. Finally, he will help the JCC move forward. “My goal has always been providing lifetime skills for healthier kids and families.”
Temple Israel Sisterhood raises funds with Pre-Pesach dinner
DID YOU KNOW? ...We are helping provide resources to thousands of Israeli people who are caring for aging or disabled loved ones? Money raised here in Tidewater makes a real difference to real people every day.
TOGETHER WE DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS.
20 | Jewish News | March 25, 2013 | jewishnewsva.org
Karen Bazar, the new program chair for Temple Israel’s Sisterhood, came into the job with energy and action. To begin raising funds for refurbishing the Sandler Hall kitchen, Bazar and her sisters held a Pre-Passover Shabbat Dinner on Friday, March 3. More than 70 happy connoisseurs enjoyed her brisket, and tzimmes—assembled by Jane Popkin. Also featured were Laure Saunder’s baked apricot-wine chicken and Sephardic green bean casserole, Tasha Chapel’s pumpkinmatzah soufflé, kugels by Tina and Bernice Moses, chopped liver by Hariett Peltz, and
a salad that was a joint endeavor. A crew gathered by Susan Eisner produced a range of dessert treats. Children led the pre-meal blessings, and tables were decorated by painted Kiddush cups and colorful ceramic candlesticks created by the pre-school children. The next part of the fund-raising endeavor is a Passover Cookbook featuring the recipes enjoyed by the dinner’s participants. To augment those, the Sisterhood is now gathering a bounty of the best Passover delicacies from the families of Temple Israel. The book is due out later this year.
BINA at HAT = FUN by Chana Nerenberg, 11th grade student, BINA High School
An hour of fun between the BINA High School students and the girls in the fourth and fifth grades at Hebrew Academy of Tidewater, created many fond memories. On Tuesday, Feb. 19, the BINA girls showed up at HAT in festive Purim attire composed of funky accessories such as silly hats, sunglasses and a few rainbow suspenders ready to discuss the Yom Tov of Purim, partake in a Purim game and create an arts and crafts project. After the BINA girls talked about their school and discussed Purim with the HAT girls, the fun really began. The students were divided into five groups, with each group given a bag full of random items. Called “Skits in a bag,” all groups were
given the same items and had to come up with a skit using each item in the bag. The game’s object was not to use the items for their intended purpose. Next, the groups had a huge Purim mask to decorate. The catch was that they had to continue with the theme they used for their skits. The girls created beautiful masterpieces. After the program, the girls schmoozed and enjoyed hamataschen and candies.