Weekly CenterScene

Every year on his birthday, Noah Mack gathers his charity money—which he earns by doing chores at home or receives as holiday gifts—and chooses an organization where he then donates it. This year for his sixth birthday, and for the third year in a row, Noah decided to donate his charity money to the JCC Capital Campaign to help build the J-Zone, a fun and fitness area with innovative programs like exergaming.

Noah made wonderful friends at the JCC preschool and now he enjoys the Kaleidoscope program each day when his elementary school lets out. When he gave his gift he told us, “I want a fun place to play with all my friends at the JCC.” The J-Zone, one of the highlights of our building expansion, will give Noah and his friends, and all the children in our community just that: a safe, fun spot where kids can be active at the JCC.

The 2013 addition to our College Avenue location will also include a new gymnasium, creating more space for basketball games and tournaments, indoor batting cages, and room for indoor soccer, lacrosse, golf lessons, tennis lessons and volleyball. While the 16,000-square-foot addition will bring these new offerings to our children and our community, it will also provide us with critical space for existing programs and services that have currently run out of room.

We ask for your help to raise the final funds we need to create a place where our children can stay active, have fun, and enjoy each other, and a place where they can lay their own foundation for the community. With a generous matching gift from the Schottenstein family—Jay and Jeanie, Joey and Lindsay, Jonathan and Jeffrey—all new donations, like Noah’s birthday gift, will be doubled with a dollar-for-dollar match.

Please join Noah Mack and his family in supporting this exciting project. Think about the opportunities and memories we will be able to create for all our children. We want to thank those of you who have already contributed to the campaign, and ask you to please consider giving again to take advantage of this match opportunity.

“In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.” These words, uttered by the Dalai Lama, echo the message of the December children’s play being performed by the Gallery Players Theater, Hanukkah Lights in the Big Sky.

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Last week our JCC North preschool had the thrill of a visit from some cold-blooded friends. P.T. Reptiles owner Peter Rushton brought snakes, a tortoise, an alligator, and a tarantula to visit. Things got awfully friendly when the students had their close-up view of these amazing creatures and even took turns holding them.

Congratulations to the Greater Columbus BBYO (B’nai B’rith Youth Organization) for its many awards won at the recent KIO (Kentucky-Indiana-Ohio) Spirit Convention. Columbus BBYO brought 46 teens to the KIO Spirit Convention on October 26-28, 2012. The four Columbus chapters— two teams of boys and two of girls—had fun working together to prove they had the most spirit while participating in a variety of events from dodge ball to relay races. Competition highlights included an Iron Chef competition to see who made the best sandwich and the “chapter-carry” contest, where teammates carried each other on their backs as they crossed the finish line together.

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From November 4 to November 6, 11 Jewish high school sophomores and juniors from all around central Ohio embarked on the JET (Jewish Experiences for Teens) College Caravan. The group stopped by The Ohio State University, Ohio University, University of Cincinnati, Miami University, and Indiana University. While at each school, the group toured the campus, visited the university Hillel, met with some current Jewish students, and learned about Jewish life on campus. JET teens learned a lot about what to expect from their prospective schools and had lots of fun doing it.

“One Book, One Jewish Community”
Joshua Henkin
The World Without You
Co-sponsored by The Columbus Jewish Federation and
the JCC

Please join Joshua Henkin this Sunday, November 18, as he discusses his New York Times best-selling novel, The World Without You. We will enjoy a light brunch here at the JCC at 11 a.m. The World Without You is “a moving, deeply engaging novel about love, loss, and the aftermath of a family tragedy. The book explores a family's ability to contend with sibling rivalries, marital feuds, volatile women and silent men, and the true meaning of family.” Tickets to JCC Jewish Bookfair events are $5/JCC member or $7/general community. Don't miss this last opportunity as the Jewish Bookfair wraps up for the year!

To RSVP for the brunch and for more information about the JCC Jewish Bookfair, please call Bookfair Director Debbie Vinocur at 614-559-6214 or email dvinocur@columbusjcc.org.

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