Weekly Center Scene

“We've been members of the JCC since 2004. I joined when my son was born and the first thing we did was take Mommy and Me swimming classes!” said JCC member Jeni White. “We loved it! Lee took to the water like a little turtle, and the rest is history.”

For the last seven years, Jeni and her son Lee have been enjoying JCC programs and activities, including preschool and camp where he has spent his summers since he was two years old. In the afternoon, you will find him at Kaleidoscope, the JCC’s afterschool program. When school is not in session, he spends time with friends in Winter Break Camp, Spring Break Camp and at School’s Out Days.

“There is no program that provides literally everything that Lee needs, or that he would want, from sports, to games, to educational and fun activities — there is no match,” said Jeni. “One of the reasons we chose the JCC program is that it came highly recommended. When I met everyone and saw all of the activities Lee would have access to, I couldn't walk away.”

Not only has Lee benefited from his participation in JCC programs, but Jeni has, too. According to his her, “One of the most important things I have gained is the multitude of friendships. So many of the folks that work at the JCC in programs with which Lee has been involved are such wonderful, loving, caring, compassionate people. I don't know what I would've done without them in the past years with some of the hardships I've experienced. In so many ways, everyone has been such a pillar of strength for me, and most importantly, Lee. Even those I had never met have come forth to offer help and support. If I had more time, I'd go on and on!”

Last year, Lee was among the 750 young children who played and learned at summer camp. And, like Lee, many of these campers have spent every summer of their childhood at the JCC’s camps.

Your support of our Annual Gala helps to ensure these wonderful experiences for children and youth in our community. In addition, Camp Ayre, which serves children with a broad range of disabilities, is also helped by Gala dollars.

Tickets are still available for this year’s Annual Gala, “A Night on the Town 2012” which 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, 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.

A Glade Springs Resort Golf package, a Herman Miller office chair, a Judith Leiber handbag, a week of camp at the JCC, a $500 Polaris gift card, home furnishings, electronics, autographed sports memorabilia, dining adventures and many other fabulous items are featured in the Chinese auction. Guests can purchase chances to win their favorites.

To purchase tickets, visit columbusjcc.org/gala-registration or contact Sheila Cline at (614) 559-6225 or scline@columbusjcc.org.

Catering doesn’t have to be exclusively for special occasions anymore and prepared kosher foods do not have to be expensive. The JCC is offering several kosher meal options for the community that will be difficult to pass up. Kosher Take & Bake, Shabbat BBQ Chicken, the Annual Pre-Passover Kosher Dinner, and the Mother’s Day Brunch are all exciting meal opportunities that you won’t want to miss.

Kosher Take & Bake is offering a wide array of meals you may order throughout the week. All meals can be ordered by noon for afternoon pickup and each serves a family of four. Macaroni and cheese, baked ziti, quiche, and spaghetti and meatballs are the many choices from which to select. Special for Shabbat only, you can even order a roasted whole chicken (one day advanced noticed is requested).

Quickly approaching is the chance to order a Shabbat BBQ Chicken meal. Included in this dinner for four is barbecued chicken, corn bread, cole slaw, sweet potatoes, and bread budding. This feast will be ready for pick up Friday, March 23 from 3-5pm for only $25.

Don’t forget about the JCC’s Annual Pre-Passover Kosher Dinner on Wednesday, April 4 at 5:30pm. Chef Toney will prepare soup, a mixed green salad, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, baby carrots, rolls, fresh fruit, and Italian ices. Dinner is $16 for members, $20 non-members, $10 for children 4-8 years old, $14 non-member children. Children under 3 can come for free.

A special Mother’s Day Brunch is approaching as well. Join us on Sunday, May 13th from 11am-1pm at the JCC for a special meal with your moms. Brunch will include bagels with spreads, scrambled eggs, made-to-order omelets, waffles, French toast, fruit- and so much more. Not only will you enjoy a great meal, a gift for all moms will be included as well. Prices for brunch are $16 members/ $20 non-members, $10 children aged 4-8 or $14 for non-member children, and all children 3 and under are free.

The JCC is excited to have so many opportunities and programs to where we are serving kosher food to the community. Tina Rice, Director of Catering and Facilities, explains that “There is nowhere in Columbus that people get prepared kosher food so we decided to start a ‘take & bake’ program. People can pick up an entrée now; this wasn’t possible before. We also have started a Friday Shabbat to go to once a month.” All food cooked and prepared at the JCC is supervised by the Columbus Vaad Ho’ir. For more information, to order, or to make reservations contact Tina Rice at 559-6276 or trice@columbusjcc.org or Samara Preisler at 559-6255 or spreisler@columbusjcc.org

Her comic timing and ability to deliver a joke is only one reason people come to see Amy Wolk, Broadway singer, MAC Winner, and star of CATCO’s “The Evil Dead: The Musical.” Amy Wolk has made a name for herself as one of the best in cabaret by ShowBusiness Weekly and will be coming to the JCC to perform her one-woman cabaret, “We Can Wolk It Out.”

Enjoy a night out on Saturday, March 31 at 8:00 p.m. with the comic renditions of Amy Wolk. This quirky, sassy, and laugh-out-loud act is for one-night-only at the JCC, 1125 College Ave. Accompanied by her musical director, a MAC winner himself, Steven Ray Watkins, this will be a show you do not want to miss. Described as an embryonic Bette Midler, reviews of Amy Wolk are nothing but complimentary. Opening for Wolk is special guest comic Billie Friedman. Billie performed with the CBA Lawyer’s Performance Ensemble in their acclaimed production of 1776.  As a lawyer, Billie is a highly regarded family practice lawyer who leads the firm of Friedman and Mirman. Childcare is available by reservation.

“...a force to be reckoned with in the cabaret world: she’s smart and talented—a terrific combination.”

– David Hurst, Show Business

To purchase tickets visit the JCC Gallery Players on the web or call (614) 231-2731.