What Adam Sandler Didn’t Know

By Esther Apt
Jewish Community Center

Too bad Adam Sandler didn’t live in Baltimore during the holiday season. If he had, I bet he wouldn’t have been so upset to be, “the only kid in town without a x-mas tree.” To quote his well-known Hanukah Song, here are some ideas to help make the season more…“fun-akkah!”

This Dec 25, nix the movies and Chinese food (or maybe just enjoy them later in the day).  From 1:00-4:00 p.m. the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC will be having their annual family event complete with games and entertainment for all ages. At Peace, Love & JCC, families can don their bellbottoms and love beads to have some 60’s style fun. The day will include plenty of arts and crafts projects, a slinky obstacle course, a moonbounce and a GIANT Twister game!

What about the rest of the week when the kids are off of school and you have to work?  Instead of spending their vacation time roaming the malls, teens in grades 6-8 can get a can get a taste of the JCC’s popular TNT summer program. “This is a great opportunity for kids to get in some community service hours while gaining leadership skills,” says Brad Kerxton, JCC Middle School Program Coordinator.

The first installment of TNT for a Day takes place on Wednesday, December 26 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC. The morning will be spent working in the preschool and the afternoon will consist of fun group activities.

After all the fun is done, buckle down and resolve to be healthy this year. As we all know, ‘tis the season to make those New Year’s resolutions!
Both JCC’s are offering an eight-week Weight Loss Program from January 6 to March 1, 2013. There are four levels to choose from and the higher the level the more personalized attention and guidance you will get.

For example, if you take charge of your own weigh-ins and weekly measurements but want to receive weekly motivational emails, “On my Own” is the program  for you. For eight personal training sessions and a food journal review, pick the “Crown Me Champ” option.

Check out the different weight loss program options>>

Learn more about Peace, Love & JCC>>

To register for TNT for a Day and for information on additional January and February dates, contact Brad at bkerxton@jcc.org .

ASSOCIATED President Marc B. Terrill to be honored at JCSA Annual Program

Keynote speaker Chip Edelsberg to discuss “Big Ideas, Bold Solutions: The Challenges and Choices of Today’s Jewish Community Professionals.”

Two hundred of the nation’s top Jewish communal professionals will convene next month in Baltimore for the Jewish Communal Service Association of North America’s (JCSA) Annual Program. The Tuesday, June 5 event will feature workshops and discussions by distinguished leaders in the field to address the challenges and choices of today’s Jewish community professional. The program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Weinberg Park Heights JCC (5700 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore).

Marc B. Terrill, President of THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, will be installed as JCSA president. The event is being planned locally by program co-chairs and ASSOCIATED Senior Vice Presidents Michael Hoffman and Leslie Pomerantz. A keynote address by Dr. Chip Edelsberg, Executive Director of the Jim Joseph Foundation of San Francisco, will be a highlight of the day.

“This is an excellent opportunity for Baltimore to showcase its rich and vibrant Jewish community to other professionals from across the country,” said Michael Hoffman. “Working with THE ASSOCIATED’s professional development arm, the Darrell D. Friedman Institute, JCSA is putting on a diverse program that will inform the work of our most-seasoned professionals and help ensure the future success of the country’s newer staff.”

Among the top speakers expected in Baltimore for the conference: Shifra Bronznick, founding President of Advancing Women Professionals; Miriam Brosseau, Social Media Coalitions Manager at The Jewish Education Project; David Cygielman, co-founder and CEO of Moishe House; William Daroff, Vice President for Public Policy and Director of the Washington Office of The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA); Sarah Gershman, President of Green Room Speakers; and Deborah Grayson Riegel, coach, trainer and speaker.

A full listing of the event schedule, speaker bios and photos are available online at www.jcsana.org.
Related article>> What a Community!

Try Playing Some Pickleball!

By: Esther Apt

Even though summer isn’t here yet, do you want to stay active? Try an indoor game of Pickleball!

“Pickle what?” you might ask.

Pickleball is an exciting sport that is a combination of Ping-Pong, tennis, and badminton. It has been enjoyed for over 20 years by people of all ages, especially adults. This mini-tennis game is played on a badminton-size court using a wooden paddle and a plastic whiffle-type ball. Even though Pickleball may be new to you, Bob Eney, the Pickleball Ambassador for Carroll County in Maryland, tells us that Pickleball has been around since 1965 and is played around the world.

“It is a great game for people of all ages including seniors,” he says. “It’s a fun way to get some great aerobic exercise and socialize at the same time!”

Try something new!

Pickleball is pickin’ up at the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC! Join us on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. as representatives from the USA Pickleball Association give interactive lessons the first hour and we enjoy game play during the second hour.  For more information, contact Melissa Berman at 410.559.3593 or email mberman@jcc.org.

Looking for other programs to do to stay healthy? Check out this listing>>

Working Out Despite a Heart Condition

During a routine exam over 10 years ago, Andy Malinow was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. To take charge of his health, he and his wife became JCC members in 2001. He started out by biking and using the treadmill religiously. However, as more symptoms began to appear in 2009, Andy needed surgery to have an LVAD inserted (an LVAD is an artificial heart pump that acts as a heart). After the surgery, Andy continued to keep up his workout routine despite the huge battery case he had to lug around to keep the device working. When Andy was healed enough from his LVAD operation he was able to be placed on a waiting list for a heart. Five months later, the call came. Most heart transplant patients are so weak that they arrive at the hospital in a wheelchair but Andy Malinow walked right in. There was no doubt in the doctors’ minds that Andy was in tip top shape because of his workout routine. When asked what he would he tell people whose health issues discourage them from staying active, Andy says, “Do what you gotta do. You will pay for it in the long run if you don’t. It’s a hassle sometimes but it’s worth it.”

We’re all getting older. Don’t fret over it. Embrace it! At the JCC we promote healthy aging. Check out some of our upcoming classes that can help you get and stay in great shape:

Healthy Aging Series Led by Personal Trainer Karyl Rosen
Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC
Heart Health
Tuesday, January 24
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of Americans. Learn what steps you can take to reduce your personal risk and protect your health.
$5/JCC Member; $10/Non-member

Fall Prevention
Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC
Tuesday, February 7
1:30-2:15 p.m.
As we get older, physical changes and health conditions make falls more likely. In fact, falls are the number one leading cause of injury in older adults. Fear of falling doesn’t need to rule your life! Let us give you some simple fall prevention strategies.
$5/JCC Member; $10/Non-member

For more information on the Healthy Aging Series, contact Amy Schwartz at
410.559.3534.

Awareness through Movement: Moshe Feldenkrais Method
Weinberg Park Heights JCC
Thursdays, January 5-19, February 2-16 & March 8-22
9:30 a.m.
Must be 55-years-old or older
Twisting the wrist, turning the head – what was once easy becomes difficult through age, injury and stress. Discover how to reclaim the ease of these movements though the Feldenkrais Method. These simple, gentle movements gradually evolve into greater range and complexity and enable participants to reconnect with their natural ability to move. Requirements: the ability to lie on the floor, bend the knees and have a sense of curiosity!
$20/ JCC Member/$30/No-member per month

For more information and to RSVP, call Lisa Shifren at 410-500-5903.