#GivingTuesday Red Cross Blood Mrs. Jessi’s Virtual Pushke Pour-Out Drive Party Page 4 Page 11 Page 17

News of the Jewish VA Peninsula Community December 2020/5781 Executive Director’s Message - Steven Wendell Good News putting in place a comprehensive and safe reopening plan; from canceling all After listening to another news cycle today, I decided to in person activities to developing an ever type two words into my Google search... Two words that expanding array of virtual and drive-thru seem to be missing from our public discourse these days... programs; from closing our 2019/20 Two simple words that my mother used to ask me to tell Annual Campaign on a down note to her every time we spoke long distance on the telephone… creating a virtual, major donor event from scratch that ”So, what’s the Good News?” was more successful than any similar event in the previous My search came up with a music video sung by Fiona few years; the UJC has succeeded in creating “good news” Boyes. The words in the chorus are: every day. I been waiting on So regardless of what the news cycle might bring us each some good news day, we know that collectively, staff and volunteers, in For the clouds our community (whether at the UJC or our synagogues/ to part and let temples, or just in neighborhoods of our families), good the light shine people with good intentions and good planning can create through “good news” every day. I wanna wake It’s Hanukkah time again… just as it has been for nearly up to a better 2000 years. The first candle is Thursday evening, Dec. tomorrow (Ooh- 10th (see the UJC Hanukkah Lighting Program). One of my ooh) favorite take-aways from the Hanukkah tradition is the role of the shamash, or helper, candle. That’s the one that ‘Cause I’ve had enough, where is the trust? Where is the sits a bit higher or apart from the rest. It’s lit first, every truth? night, and used to light the rest of the candles separately It’s about time for some good news each night. The shamash shares its light with all the other candles. As we light the Hanukkah Menorah this year, I immediately related to these lyrics as if they had been perhaps we can relate to the shamash and think about our written this fall, which they were not. But in reading own abilities, singularly and as a community, to pass along the first line over several times, I realized that the word, light to others… to, in a sense, create our own “good news” waiting sets the tone of gloom and doom. Waiting on good for ourselves, our families, our community, and our world - news seems to infer that we are reliant on others or other one light at a time. Happy Hanukkah! forces in society to dictate the “good news.” As mentioned by me or others almost every month since the onset of this pandemic, at the UJC, our staff and volunteer leadership made an immediate commitment not to wait for “good news,” but to look for ways to create our own “good news.” From the immediate replacement of our congregate Grand Club lunch program, to a meal delivery service; from the closing of our pre-school to Contents

Departments:

• Fund Donations...... 2 • President’s Message ...... 3 • Development Corner ...... 5 • Education Corner...... 8-10 • Jewish Family Service ...... 13, 17 • Area Congregations ...... 14-16

Features • BBYO...... 2 • ZOOMovies...... 6 • Project...... 7, 10 • CNU Programs...... 10 • JCC Youth...... 11, 13, 17 • Jewish Mindfulness...... 18

Belle S. Frank Endowment Program Pushke Unresricted Endowment In memory of Stan Glasofer Mazel Tov to Tova & Jay Warren Fund Jan & Jon Frank on the birth of their new In memory of Minna Katz In memory of Norman Petock granddaughter Ettalea Kanter Jan & Jon Frank Sara Traster & David Harriss In memory of Stan Glasofer Ettalea Kanter JFNA Human Services Relief Senior Lunch Delivery Fund In memory of Sarah Zedd Judie & Gary Kavit Fund Wishing Bob Kessler a speedy In memory of Jeanene Anker recovery Charlene & Steven Wendell Ernestine Adelman UJC Preschool Fund In memory of Stan Glasofer In memory of Sarah Zedd In honor of Caroline Diamond for Charlene & Steven Wendell Brenda & Danny Harris upcoming holidays In memory of Minna Katz Judy Dixon Charlene & Steven Wendell Stern Family Endowment In memory of Stan Glasofer In memory of Rita Meyerson In memory of William Talbott Sara Traster & David Harriss Charlene & Steven Wendell Beth Stern In honor of Carmela Malkin-Kuhn In memory of Carolyn Murov Adele & David Karp Charlene & Steven Wendell In memory of Rita Meyerson In memory of Sarah Zedd Carmela & Chris Kuhn Wendy & Jonathan Eisner In memory of Sarah Zedd Charlene & Steven Wendell Bernice & Joel Breslau

2 | December 2020 President’s Message - Kelli Caplan How can it already be December? Seems that time just flies by these days.

As we head toward the New Year, it is the natural time to take stock, evaluate where we are and look ahead to where we want to be.

At the UJCVP, that process is never ending. We are constantly checking in with our members and our staff to find out what needs require quick action and what kind of progress we hope to make over the next several months to amplify our voice and our program reach.

A lot changes as plans are made and ideas are hatched. What remains steady, though, is the true importance of our annual campaign. Without campaign, those plans and ideas can’t happen. We depend on the campaign to help fuel our future.

This year, a successful campaign is more critical than ever. With so much uncertainty in the world, things change quickly. We lean heavily on campaign to keep us financially stable and viable, especially during times when we are surrounded by the unknown. Never has the call to give been louder or the importance been more acute.

In addition to helping us meet our needs and move ahead, there is also another huge incentive to give this year. If we raise $62,000 in new donations or increases in pledges by the end of this month, we will receive from JFNA, through their Human Services Relief Fund, an additional $31,000 to be used for social services. That would be a huge boon to our budget and our ability to extend a helping hand our members.

We truly valie each and every one of our donors. Simply put, without you, we can’t be the UJCVP that we all love and depend upon.

Please consider helping us reach that $62,000 mark so we can obtain the match and broaden our services. Your generosity is much appreciated, and will allow us to expand our offerings and community reach.

We thank you immensely for continuing to help make the UJCVP a wonderful, multi-faceted asset to the community and all of our lives.

I wish everyone a Happy Hannukah filled with light, laughter and love. Kelli

December 2020 | 3 4 | December 2020 Development Corner - Sarah Barnett

Because...Sometimes Life Needs to Feel Normal It is likely that Jevon and Mila, both Sarfan students in our 2/3 year old program, will never remember this COVID era, and how lucky they will be! And, how can this picture not put a smile on your face? With all of the tremendously hard work that goes in to opening our Sarfan Center every day, and all of the no-nonsense public health rules that are strictly enforced, we still manage to provide a space for normalcy at a time when parents both need our services and crave this opportunity for their children. We understand that many families are able to make different choices, allowing their children even more protection at home, yet at the UJC we feel like we are the next best thing. And pictures are all I to see, because we all maintain our COVID appropriate pods and spaces, never mixing together. No longer can I go grab a toddler hug or watch a class circle time. Occasionally, I can catch an outside peek but even then, there is no interaction other than a distant wave. To be able to have our campus open with this program is truly a blessing for both us and for our Sarfan families. But we don’t do this with the same budget; costs are higher and due to less capacity, income is lower. Because of you… and because of your commitment to our Annual Campaign we are able to do this, even in a pandemic. This is where you help make up the difference. From now until the end of January we will be reaching out to all of you. Please answer the call, email, text, letter, postcard, or Facebook message with your generous commitment to our 2021 Annual Campaign. Why Your Campaign Increase is SO Important Right Now! Because… Our Partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA.org) is for real!

The JFNA Human Services Relief Fund will provide the UJCVP with an extra $31,000 to be used for increased Human Services needs. In order to access these funds we need to raise an additional $62,000 through new and increased giving before December 31. Your increased commitment to the 2021 Annual Campaign will count toward this effort. Make your pledge on line: www.ujcvp.org/pledge or via email: [email protected]. Pledge payments are due in full by December 2021. A special thank you to the generous national supporters who have made this fund possible: *Maimonides Fund *Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation *Crown Family Philanthropies *Jack, Joseph & Morton Mandel Foundation *Singer Family Foundation *Leslie & Abigail Wexner *Wilf Family Foundation *The Jewish Federations of North America What is an Unrestricted Fund? United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula Endowment Inc. Typically, an endowment fund manages philanthropic dollars Inc. is fortunate to manage in the neighborhood of 15 million and offers a varied menu of vehicles through which individu- dollars, from which it derives significant management ben- als can invest their philanthropic resources. We are fortunate efits, which subsequently helps fund our unrestricted pool. in this community to have our own endowment: the United However, only $1.5 million of this total falls into the Unre- Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula Endowment Inc. stricted category, and though this pool benefits our UJCVP The mission of the endowment is to provide for the contin- and greater Jewish community in the form of regularly ap- ued health and security of our local Jewish commu- proved grants for Jewish community needs, it is small nity. Our endowment offers a variety of investment in relation to what our future communal needs may options for individual donors to consider. These be. Unlike annual campaign, endowment giving fall into two broad categories: Restricted and has no calendar. Opportunities for investment in Unrestricted Funds. Restricted Funds have two our local Jewish endowment are constant and general categories: the first being funds depos- our staff is always available to discuss them. ited and directed by a family using this vehicle Contributions to our Unrestricted Fund can also to direct allocations to a variety of causes both be made at any time. The most common form Jewish and non-Jewish, and the second be- of unrestricted giving comes through estate ing funds set up for a specific purpose such as bequests. In fact, bequest giving, remains the education, the arts, or regular annual campaign most common form of endowment giving nation- contributions. These funds may only be used ally and can be made in any size contribution. At for their specified purpose. Unrestricted endow- the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Penin- ment funds are just that: they are accounts owned sula Endowment Inc., we are proud to be here for our by an endowment that can be used at will by the endow- future and invite you to partner with us on this journey. ment governing board in accordance with the mission and For more information regarding restricted or unrestricted giv- by-laws of the endowment entity. The UJCVP Endowment ing, please email [email protected] or [email protected]

December 2020 | 5 Local Student Short Films WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9TH - 7:00PM

Dear God (2005) Spears of Pink (2019) Maximum Evil (2018) 4:51 mins. 13:42 mins. 18:24 mins. Written & Directed by Ronin Wood Student Film From Student Film From Virginia (son of Eileen & Steve Wood) Old Dominion University Commonwealth University A young man questions God when A short film drama about a Two dudes try to join a league of things aren’t going his way. strained relationship between a supervillians. mother, a son, and his wife.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @ujcvp_nn and LIKE our Facebook page!

6 | December 2020 A Modern Day Chanukkah & Mikveh Opportunity By Rabbi Gershon Litt Each and every Jew has the power to connect and be Over 2100 years ago, the Jewish people were told that great, but we also, at times, fall and need strength to get they could not practice their religion freely by King Antio- up and start again. All of us need a rebirth, a new begin- chus. The Assyrian Greeks put idols in the Holy Temple ning, a new opportunity to start fresh, and a rededication and foreign thoughts into the heart of Jewish society. to that which is truly important to us. In Jewish practice, Worshiping the physical instead of the spiritual was the the one that represents the power of rebirth and theme of the time and experiencing euphoria through the rededication is the mikvah. Using the mikvah means delight of pleasure was the Assyrian Greek worship of that one’s entire being enters as one state and exits with choice. As the pushed back new energy and new potential. The against this physical and spiritual mikvah is the ultimate tool to turn energy and defeated this tireless en- around the past and define a new emy, they also rededicated the Holy future. Just like our ancestors have Temple, brought back the sacrifices, done for thousands of years it is time reinstated Jewish sovereignty, and for us to embrace this powerful tool inspired countless generations of and bring a mikvah back to Newport Jews for generations yet to come. News, VA. Please partner with us to have a true, “Chanukas habayis,” This is the story and theme of Cha- a dedication of our new community nukkah, but it is also a story that could have happened mikvah, in Newport News. 500 years ago, 100 years ago, 50 years ago or last week. Since time immemorial, the Jewish people have suffered at the hands of those who would seek to destroy our spir- Our UJCVP is a member of the consortium RISING itual power. Time and time again our enemies rise up and TIDE, a national network devoted to opening the declare that we cannot be free to be Jews and when we Mikveh Experience to the entire Jewish Commu- refuse and continue to live and flourish, even centuries nity. For information contact Meryl Kessler at after such cowards have been destroyed, we show the world that while we go through times of trouble we can [email protected]. Our committee is co- always be renewed and we will succeed. This is true of chaired by Dr. Gary Kavit, Scott Wolf, and Meryl us as a people and it is also true of us, as individuals. Kessler.

December 2020 | 7 Education Corner Sarfan Center, Naioki Wood Community Helpers in Action: Working Together, One Mitzvah at a Time!

As we continue our journey on our 2020 school year, we recognize just how much our traditions, partnerships and campus means to us all. As our classrooms indulge in extending their learning outdoors, we begin to have a deeper appreciation of what we really have here at the UJCVP. Our PreK / Kingergarten Program, led by Ms. Gavrielle and Mrs. Maya, dove into action as they collected trash from around our campus, exploring the Mitzvah of Social Action, sparking children to discuss how they can continue to contribute within the community and sharing this meaningful experience with their families. Hebrew School, Carmela Malkin-Kuhn Hebrew School 2020

Virtual Hebrew School is well on the way and smoothly sailing along. Our very talented Hebrew School teachers along with one very capable teaching assistant have made the transition to virtual learning look easy, when in fact it takes an enormous amount of planning. Special shout out to Gavrielle Bargash, Jessi Malkin, Danile Spokony and Reece David. Currently we have 20 children enrolled each finding their groove into this new way of learning. This year we have students from Temple Beth El, Temple Sinai, Rodef Sholom and CEVO. It is rewarding to see the community in its entirety promoting the UJC Community Hebrew School. We hope that 2021 speedily brings us the opportunity to meet once again face to face. In the meantime, it is fair to say that although Zoom Hebrew is working well, we sure do miss seeing our students! NEWSLETTER NOSTALGIA Congrats to the winner: Joanne Gordon! In the photo (L to R): Walter Segaloff, Abe Wasserberger, former UJC Executive Director, and Julian Gordon.

8 | December 2020 Education Corner continued Sarfan Center, Naioki Wood Campus During Covid, Rabbi Gershon Litt The Chicken Soup is Still on Campus

Over the past few months, I have been asked if life on college campus for Jewish students is normal. My answer? Right now, nothing is normal and certainly not on a college campus. At Hillel, however, our job is still to offer creative and great programming even though we are going through challenging times. Jewish students still require counseling, social activities with other Jewish students, and chicken soup on Shabbos. So, despite necessary COVID-19 mitigations, we are still working hard to offer every Jewish student as many opportunities as we can.

This semester programming was a mix of in person, socially distant, mask wearing events, Zoom programs and some programs that were both. At CNU, we were officially limited to Zoom events and virtual get togethers. Despite the limitations, students still loved seeing each other on the screen. We had conversations about “hot topics” and discussed a Jewish perspective on issues facing our society today. Students also lamented that they couldn’t come together to have my wife’s homemade matzah ball soup Hebrew School, Carmela Malkin-Kuhn and challah on Shabbos night, but the “soups of semesters past” would once again be theirs soon.

William and Mary also had a very productive semester, as we were able to offer slightly more than we were at CNU due to the difference in university policies. The Shenkman Jewish Center had many new rules including temperature taking upon entry, forms to be filled out, and William and Mary Hillel masks that were mandatory, but the building was used well by students who wanted a place other than the library to study or hang out in a socially distanced and safe way. We had weekly Shabbos meals that were prepared by our kosher caterer, Meredith Mills, and distributed in boxes, called “Shabboxes” by our student leaders each week. We also have a new staff person who dramatically changed the engagement at all of our local colleges this year. Andie Eichelbaum is a full time Springboard Fellow. Her job is to create one-on-one relationships with students, improve engagement, and innovate new programs to find the Jewish students that would not normally come to events and programs. She has done a tremendous job at calling, emailing, texting, Zooming and engaging hundreds of students this semester at both CNU and William and Mary. Andie arranged for timed entry, socially distant events at the Shenkman Jewish Center for , Succot, and educational and social events since the beginning of the semester. Most of those events were outside in our new permanent pergola area and some were in our indoor space at the SJC. The expectation is that the Spring semester will be the same as the Fall in terms of COVID mitigations, but we are planning for even more of a robust, albeit mostly virtual, program for the Spring as well.

Israel trips are always a hallmark of our programming at Hillel. While we are doing a plethora of Israel events and programs, all trips have obviously and sadly come to a halt. I have personally led two Birthright Israel trips a year for the past 13 years and this summer is the first season that an Israel trip did not happen. With that said, we are looking forward to the opportunity to, G-d willing, lead a Birthright Israel trip this coming summer. If you know any young Jewish adults who might want to join my trip, please put them in touch with me. COVID-19 has certainly thrown a wrench in our lives, but it is our responsibility to continue to offer innovative programs and services to our Jewish students who are on campus. May Hashem continue to bless us with success and any Jewish student who wants chicken soup – let them come and eat!

December 2020 | 9 Education Corner continued

The Rising Tide: Modern Mikveh Moments Join special guest Jessica Rosenberg, Director of Rising Tide Open Waters Mikveh Network. Jessica will inspire us with the story of the Modern Mikveh Movement and Rising Tides’ role. Learn how a contemporary mikveh program can enhance our Jewish community. Monday Dec. 21 7 pm via Zoom Visit ujcvp.org for more info.

10 | December 2020 12/8 Sherri L. Becker, O.D.,F.A.A.O. 10am-3pm American Board of Optometry Diplomat Office: 757-827-0009 | Fax: 757-827-2820 beckereyecare.com

2200 EXECUTIVE DRIVE, SUITE A HAMPTON VA 23666

make an appt. at ujcvp.org

December 2020 | 11

We are offering freshly-made, kosher lunches for delivery/ pick-up for our senior community members When you shop at smile.amazon.com, (ages 60+). Amazon donates to your favorite charitable organization! The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to the If you or someone charitable organization you select. you know would like On your first visit to smile.amazon.com, a lunch, please email: select: United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula to have your donations go [email protected] to the J. Every little bit counts!

Our Pearl Society ladies are hard at work spreading some good around the world! At their biggest meeting to date, they discussed National Organizations to which to donate & announced the winning choices voted on for Local Organiza- tions to which to make a contribu- tion. It is inspiring to learn how many amazing Jewish Organizations exist that do so many different things, from feeding the hungry to address- ing issues of substance abuse & more. Even virtually, our Pearls enjoy their time together learning, dis- cussing, laughing, & making some great decisions! If you are interested in joining our group, email Sarah B. or Sara T. [email protected] / [email protected]

12 | December 2020 Mrs. Jessi is headed back to the kitchen for a Hanukkah themed episode of Making with Mrs. Jessi. What will she be making? Stay tuned to find out!

There is no reason too small to give us a call! Has the Covid19 pandemic caused unanticipated emotional or financial issues? Are you struggling and don’t know where to turn? Raise Your Hand Day is an opportunity to CONFIDENTIALLY reach out to our Jewish Family Service office.

When you feel uncertain about your options for support, your Jewish Community is here for YOU!

Wed. Dec. 23rd Call Directly: Libby Batten, MSW 757-223-5635 9am-5pm

December 2020 | 13 Twenty-two centuries ago, Antiochus forbid the Jews from practicing our religion and erected a statue of Zeus at the . This was too much to bear, so a group of Jews, the , fought for their religious freedom. They prevailed, defeating the powerful Greek army. Finally, they reconquered the land, rededicated the Temple, and relit the Menorah with one small container of unrefined oil. It was, as we say in our prayers, a victory of the few over the many, the weak over the strong. As Zechariah wrote, “not by might nor by strength, but by my spirit says the Lord.” They had neither might nor strength nor weapons nor numbers. But they had a double portion of Jewish spirit that longed-for freedom. Never believe that a handful of dedicated people inspired by faith are unable to change the world. The Maccabees did then. We can today. Please consider a donation to the Mikvah Fund as a Chanukah gift to the Jewish Community. Shabbos Candle Lighting Times: Dec. 4 - 4:31 pm, Dec. 11 - 4:31 pm, Dec. 18 - 4:33 pm Dec. 25 - 4:37 pm, Jan. 1 - 4:42 pm

Contact the office for Zoom information: [email protected] 401 City Center Blvd. - Newport News, VA, 23606 - 757-826-5894 - rodefsholomtemple.org

14 | December 2020 [email protected] www.emetvor.org 757-952-3737

Rabbi Scott Gurdin Cantorial Soloist Jonathan Rathsam

Shabbat Services Special Events & Other News Erev Shabbat services are held Friday evenings at 7:00pm unless otherwise noted. Dec 4 Chanukah Lay led Erev Shabbat service December 10th – 18th

Dec 11 Join us on December 12th for Rabbi led Family Shabbat service a special drive in Chanukah candle lighting. Dec 18 Rabbi led Erev Shabbat service Visit emetvor.org for more details!

Dec 25 Shabbat in the home Due to COVID-19, at the time of this publication, CEVO has suspended all in person events. We are hosting virtual Shabbat services, religious school, and other social events for members of our community. For information on joining our virtual events, contact us.

All are welcome to visit! Our location: 101 Production Drive, Suite 101, Yorktown, VA 23693 fb.me/CEVOcommunity

TEMPLE BETH EL Williamsburg, Virginia

HANUKKAH SHINES BRIGHT IN WILLIAMSBURG Wishing All A Very Happy Hanukkah

Zoom Each Night During TBE’s Hanukkah Celebrations ŸMenorah Lighting ŸSinging ŸHanukkah Video ŸStories ŸVirtual &

Look for event details in your Temple Beth El E-News

Temple Beth El is located at 600 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, Virginia For additional information call (757) 220-1205

December 2020 | 15 Temple Sinai 11620 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23601 (757) 596-8352

Hampton Roads families help our children send Team Israel to compete in the Summer Olympics.

We all know the incredible tale of Israel’s baseball team’s fairytale run as they slugged it out to compete in the World Baseball Classic. Israel needs our help to send our boys to battle it out on behalf of our spiritual homeland for Olympic Gold. Temple Sinai Religious School along with our friends at Rodef Sholom Temple Religious School invite you to join us for a very special performance that we have organized over Zoom to show our support for these modern day Mac- cabees as they compete for sporting glory and national pride.

Please join GM Peter Kurz and other Team Israel luminaries for what’s sure to be an incredible afternoon. Our special MC and entertainer-in-chief is Grammy and Emmy nominated music superstar Peter Himmelman. Peter has won the NAAPA Album of the Year Award, garnered six consecutive Parents Choice Gold Awards, and received six ASCAP awards.

For more info please contact: [email protected]

Serving The JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR OVER 58 YEARS

16 | December 2020 Do you get our weekly UJC emails? If not, contact Sara Traster: straster@ ujcvp.org

Don’t miss out on what’s going on each week at the J!

Thank you to everyone who generously donated gift cards for our Jewish Family Service Hanukkah Gift Program to help Peninsula Jewish children in need! Your donation was very much appreciated by the families of these children. Your contribution will help make thier Hanukkah a little better and brighter.

Luck Stone donated 10 tons of stone for a project our UJC Maintenance Supervisor, John Donnell, has been working on to fix drainage ditches around the campus. Thank you Luck Stone for your kind gift to help improve our campus!

December 2020 | 17 Bringing Out the Best in Our Professionals Through Jewish Mindfulness and Middot By Mark S. Young, Rabbi Marc Margolius, Michal Fox Smart, and Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz, Ph.D. It’s late, and the marketing director at the JCC is resilience, and enhance their leadership during these difficult trying to finish the budget for her department. Her kids are days and beyond. begging her to read to them before bed. Two months ago, Through this pilot experience, IJS, JResponse®, she would have ignored their pleas until they gave up or left and JCC Association are proud to engage hundreds of JCC her to work, resentful of the interruption. Worse, she might professionals in discovering and using the sacred strengths have shooed them from the room. Now, even with several they already possess to nourish their spirits and sustain their hours more to go on the budget, she recognizes she has a efforts to strengthen the Jewish community and enrich Jewish choice – and an opportunity to respond to her kids as her life. With 12,000 full-time professionals at 172 JCCs across best self. She closes the laptop, and shows up for them, North America plus 41,000 part-time and seasonal profes- demonstrating the middot (character traits or values) she’s sionals, we envision that trained JCC professionals could been striving to improve: gevurah (placing a wise boundary facilitate the IJS AiA program for additional peer cohorts around work), emunah (trustworthiness), and chesed (show- and for their constituents, using Jewish mindfulness to build ing a loving connection). broad communal resilience and ensure that much of the What prompted this JCC professional to pause, rec- JCC Movement has these creative tools available to help ognize the instinct to keep work- them navigate present and future ing, and respond wisely, rather challenges. than react out of ingrained habit? IJS seeks to expand its She just completed Awareness in partnership to other agencies Action (AiA): Cultivating Character and networks, ultimately reach- Through Mindfulness and Middot, ing clergy and Jewish community a 10-week program of the Institute professionals in cities and towns for Jewish Spirituality (IJS). As across the continent. This initial part of a new partnership between partnership demonstrates “proof IJS and JCC Association of North of concept” in bringing this pro- America, 25 JCC professionals gram to scale and holds tremen- from 23 JCCs and JCC Associa- dous potential to bring the many tion recently enrolled in AiA. benefits of Jewish mindfulness This collaboration emerged from practices to a wider audience. a confluence of IJS’s mission to As we now know firsthand, elevate and enhance Jewish spir- Jewish mindfulness and middot itual practices throughout Jewish practices enable organizations life and the aim of JResponse®, a to offer their staff and constitu- signature program of JCC Association, to support JCCs and ents meaningful opportunities to learn to be more present, their communities during and after a time of crisis. more aware, and more compassionate toward themselves The pilot partnership, funded by a joint grant from – leading, in turn, to wise and skillful responses rather than the Jim Joseph, Schusterman, and AVIV foundations and the reactions that stem from confusion, pain, fear, or anger. With Maimonides Fund, immerses JCC professionals in Jewish these tools at hand, individuals throughout North America’s mindfulness practice and helps them cultivate core middot Jewish community can decrease stress, increase produc- (ethical/spiritual qualities) in their personal and work lives. tivity, and rise to meet challenges – large and small – with Using self-paced videos, live practice sessions with IJS fac- resilience, courage, and wisdom. ulty, and chevruta (partner) learning, they’re strengthening their capacity to stay resilient and responsive under stress. Michal Fox Smart is chief program officer at Institute for Jewish In Phase II of the pilot, now launching, the program will Spirituality. Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz, Ph.D., is director of operations expand exponentially. Each member of this 25-person cohort at JWB Jewish Chaplains Council®, a signature program of JCC will organize and facilitate groups of 10 staff members in Association of North America. Rabbi Marc Margolius is senior the program they themselves recently completed, “paying program director at Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Mark S. Young it forward,” if you will. They will receive facilitator training is director of JResponse® at JCC Association of North America. while an additional 250 JCC professionals will immerse in practices that will provide them with essential emotional and Our own UJCVP Professional, Jessi Malkin, was selected spiritual tools and support to show up as their best selves, to participate in this program and has become a group especially under challenging circumstances. Phase II also facilitator for our staff here at the UJC as well as staff includes an exclusive track for JCC CEOs, so they can add from Tidewater. these critical skills to their toolbox, strengthen their own

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THE HUNTINGTON AT THE NEWPORT INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING 401 City Center Blvd. Newport News, VA 23606 757-930-1422

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UJCVP Community December 2020 Calendar Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020 Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 Friday, Dec. 25, 2020 9am - Pushke Pour-Out 10am - Red Cross Blood Drive 12pm - Grand Club To Go UJC CLOSED 12pm - Grand Club To Go 12pm - Grand Club To Go 4pm - Hebrew School SARFAN CENTER CLOSED 4pm - Hebrew School 4pm - Hebrew School 6pm - JCC Kids Connect: Tailgate Hanukkah Party Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020 Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020 UJC CLOSED 7:30pm - Book Fest: Ina Garten 5:30pm - UJC Executive Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 SARFAN CENTER CLOSED Committee Meeting UJC FB Together: Family Fun UJC FB Together: Nature Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020 7pm - ZOOMovies 12pm - Grand Club To Go Monday, Dec. 21, 2020 Monday, Dec. 28, 2020 4pm - Hebrew School Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 7pm - The Rising Tide Mikveh UJC CLOSED 12pm - Grand Club To Go Program SARFAN CENTER CLOSED Friday, Dec. 4, 2020 4pm - Hebrew School 5pm - In The Box Series: 6pm - Hanukkah ON City Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020 Hanukkah in a Box Center Blvd. 12pm - Grand Club To Go UJC CLOSED 4pm - Hebrew School SARFAN CENTER CLOSED Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020 Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 6pm - BBYO Havdalah Bonfire UJC FB Together: Latkes Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020 Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020 SARFAN CENTER CLOSED UJC CLOSED Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020 9am - Raise Your Hand Day SARFAN CENTER CLOSED UJC FB Together: Kitchen 12pm - Grand Club To Go Supplies 4pm - Hebrew School Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020 Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 1pm - Book Fest: Philippa SARFAN CENTER CLOSED UJC CLOSED Gregory Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 12pm - Grand Club To Go SARFAN CENTER CLOSED 7pm - UJC General Board 12pm - UJC Closing Early Meeting Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 UJC CLOSED SARFAN CENTER CLOSED