Weekly Center Scene

“Smile and the world smiles back at you,” says Debby Boxer, a 92-year-old member who regularly attends the New Horizons Program to listen to speakers and play bingo.

“I started coming to the JCC as soon as I moved here from Dayton nine years ago. I come to visit with the people — I’ve met a lot of nice people here. I like the companionship and love the people. This is perfect for me. I need to get out a little bit. Sometimes, weather permitting I walk up and back from Heritage Towers. I like the lunch program but I like visiting with the people most.”

Like Debby, Mike Erlich and his wife Janice are drawn to the JCC for social events and time with friends. “It is a real joy to socialize with everyone at lunch,” said Mike. “And, it is especially nice to thank G-d prior to eating a meal.”

The Erlichs have been members for six years. Four days a week, they come to the JCC. He walks in the back of the gym and does sit-ups. After exercising, they enjoy lunch especially those meals that include soup. According to Mike, “Chef Tony is amazing and has the touch of touches with soup — he makes unbelievable soups. My favorite is any veggie or tomato soup.”

In addition to lunchtime activities at the JCC, they enjoy listening to the speakers and live musical groups, going on trips, attending theatre performances and seeing one of their favorites: the circus. Mike is a circus buff and hopes that the group makes a return trip soon.

Rosie and John Mitchell look forward to seeing their friends and they, too, appreciate the social opportunities that the JCC offers. “I enjoy belonging to the JCC,” said Rosie. A member since 1979, she says, “I made friends with women in the Health Center that I still enjoy now. We are like a small family and really care about each other.” A participant in water classes three times a week, Rosie also walks on the treadmill for exercise.

Participants in the JCC’s Lunch Program, the Mitchells also take advantage of the JCC’s programs including: trips, speakers and birthday celebrations. They keep fit by working out in the Diamond Family Fitness Center. On Fridays, Rosie’s mother, Marie Smidl, who lives in Heritage House joins them for bingo and lunch.

“Debbie Vinocur does a wonderful job. We check the bulletin each month to see what is going on,” said Rosie. “This is something that we enjoy and we want to share it with our friends and get them to join in the activities. We encourage them to come to the JCC as Silver Sneakers participants.”

“We have travelled to ‘The Wilds,’ Amish Country and the opera and regularly attend shows at the Roth-Resler Theatre as our schedules allow,” said John. “When the group went to see a performance of ‘Madame Butterfly,’ we pulled together a group of people to go.”

A member for 23 years, and like his wife, John uses the pool; swimming laps is his exercise of choice. In addition to his time in the water, he lifts weights to keep fit.

John could easily speak for each of these members when he enthusiastically says, “Thumbs up to the JCC and its wonderful staff!”

Your support of the Annual Gala allows the JCC to provide transportation to the frail elderly in our community. This service is vital to their ability to remain independent at home, participate in fitness and educational programs, and receive a hot, Kosher meal five days a week. Each year, 13,000 hot, nutritious kosher lunches are served. For many, this is their only hot meal of the day and opportunity to socialize with friends.

This year’s Annual Gala, “A Night on the Town 2012” will be held at the Bluestone, 583 East Broad Street, Columbus on Saturday, March 10. This event features three musical artists who will impersonate Frankie Valli, Neil Diamond and Katy Perry and will delight a multitude of musical tastes.

Guests will indulge in an array of delicious hors d’oeuvres, a sushi bar, a chicken wing buffet, mini-portabella mushroom sandwiches, baby lamb chops, veggie kabobs and other plentiful treats. The food finale, a surprise dessert, will delight everyone’s sweet tooth. All food will be Kosher and catered by The JCC. The bar will be open all night to serve favorite cocktails or beer.

Tickets are available by visiting columbusjcc.org/gala-registration or by contacting Sheila Cline at (614) 559-6225 or scline@columbusjcc.org.

Gordon, a promising young composer, is discovering the hard way that he does not write songs for frogs, much less frogs like tyrannical children’s TV host, Mr Bungee. But Gordon soon has bigger problems than his deadline for the green-booted dictator. During lunch with his best friend and agent, Rhoda, Gordon collapses face-first into his food, waking in the hospital to discover he has a potentially life-threatening arteriovenous malformation. His greatest fear is dying with his best work still inside him. So, he continues to write throughout his ordeal, hallucinating as he undergoes treatment. The musical, written by William Finn and James Lapine, deals directly with Finn’s own harrowing personal experience and the healing power of art.

Showtimes for A New Brain, are Saturdays, March 3,10,and 17 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, March 4,11, and 18 at 2:30 p.m., and Thursday, March 8 and 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Call (614) 231-2731 for tickets or purchase tickets online at columbusjcc.org/programs/cultural-arts/gallery-players

Hannah Wojno, a former BBYOer and Columbus/Bexley native, is leaving for an extraordinary experience in mid-February; she is going to Israel to make aliyah. “Aliyah” is the term used when a Jew makes the decision to return back to Israel, the Promised Land. Aliyah has been a Jewish aspiration since Jews were exiled generations ago. Today, Israel has a Law of Return which states any Jew has the legal right to assisted immigration and settlement, in addition to Israeli citizenship.

I met with Hannah after learning her plan to move to Israel. I was intrigued to learn more about how a Jew decides to make aliyah. Meeting with Hannah and learning her story was inspirational, however, her story didn’t just begin. Hannah’s story started almost 8 years ago, when she was in high school.

Hannah got her start at the JCC North Preschool and later moved from Dublin to Bexley when she began high school; it was then that she stumbled upon BBYO from camp friends she met at JCC summer camps. She remembers the first program she attended, Heart of Ohio AZA’s BBQ. Hannah became very active in Aliah BBG and held numerous positions on her chapter board; she did this in addition to staying involved at school.

During her time in BBYO, Columbus hosted Maccabi and Israeli teens from Columbus’ sister city, Kfar Saba. The idea of visiting Israel became rooted and Hannah developed a large interest in Israel and the politics of the Middle East. Going to Israel shifted from possibility into reality when Hannah learned about a BBYO summer program ILSI (International Leadership Seminar in Israel). ILSI was the beginning spark which eventually influenced the journey she is about to embark on. While on ILSI with her BBYO friends, Hannah knew she wanted to return to Israel for extended period of time, or even to live.

Hannah graduated high school and attended Goucher College in Baltimore, MD. There she studied International Studies and Peace Studies focusing on the Middle East. She had multiple study abroad experiences and has now been back to Israel a total of five times including her initial visit while in BBYO.

After learning about Hannah’s trips and interest in Israel, I still had one question remaining: once you decided to make aliyah, how did you learn what to do? Hannah explained that there are various organizations and agencies to help with the transition of becoming an olah, the Hebrew term for immigrant. She went to the Jewish Agency in D.C., where she had been living, to go through paperwork. She received answers to questions and advice from Israeli Army recruiters to get additional information. Many of these organizations offer not only advice, but financial assistance as well.

Hannah does not have long before her departure and is packing up everything she owns. While this is a stressful time, she is anticipating a wonderful life in Israel and is excited for family and friends to visit. At the JCC we are wishing her safe travels and a wonderful life in Israel.

For more information about this story contact BBYO City Director Stephanie Markowitz at smarkowitz@columbusjcc.org or call at 559-6226.