Weekly CenterScene

Gallery Players will stage its sixth performance of Fiddler on the Roof this March, in honor of the JCC’s 100th anniversary. The musical has become a Gallery Players tradition and one of the most popular musicals in Gallery Players’ 65-year history.

Irene Braverman, veteran stage actor, is another long-lived Gallery Players tradition. She will again portray Yente, the Matchmaker, in this year’s production. This will be her third reprisal of the role. Braverman first starred as Yente in 1983 during the Grand Opening production in the new building, on the new stage— the first “real” stage, she said— designed especially for Gallery Players.

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The Fiddler on the Roof Historical Exhibit presented by the Columbus Jewish Historical Society will open in the JCC lobby next week. Hurry in to see all the memorabilia from former Gallery Players’ productions, including a poster featuring a woodcut by the late Sid Chafetz, and get your tickets to this year’s show. Tickets are selling fast!

Some exciting changes to our existing space will begin next week. Here’s what’s happening:

Inside, the Fitness Desk will be temporarily moved a few feet to the bottom of the staircase—in between the elevator and the stairs. We expect that this move will cause no disruption for members, but please let us know if you have any concerns.

Fitness offices will be relocated. Here’s where to find everyone:
• Jeanna Brownlee, Director of Recreation and Wellness will
share offices with Russ Hunt by the pool.
• Brian Saunders, Fitness Director, and Beth McCullough, Fitness
Program Director, will share the Personal Training office by the
Health Centers.
• Phone extensions and email will remain the same.
Jeanna Brownlee: 559-6274, jbrownlee@columbusjcc.org
Brian Saunders: 559-6217, bsaunders@columbusjcc.org
Beth McCullough: 559-6207, bmccullough@columbusjcc.org

Outside, progress continues:
• The crew will start pouring walls next week.
• A passageway is being created that will connect the new space
to our existing building.
• Work on the new parking lot—located just outside the early
childhood wing—began this week. The plan is for staff to use
this lot in order to free up 30 more parking spaces for members
in the main lot by the end of the month.

The progress is exciting! Thank you for your patience! Short-term pain. Long-term gain!

- Carol Folkerth

For every member, there is a different story. We'll be collecting—and sharing—your 100-word stories all year. We want to hear about your memories, moments, and mazel tovs. Please help us remember the last 100 years through your eyes.

Bill Karn’s Story
No matter how long I live, I firmly believe I would have passed away sooner if I wasn’t a member of the JCC. Other health clubs have come and gone over the past 25 years, but the JCC has been a constant presence. I use the fitness center and running track, but I most enjoy playing basketball. I was part of a few championship teams, and my personal highlight was scoring 50 points in a “Golden Boys” game—not bad for a vertically-challenged old timer like me. I wish the JCC a very Happy Birthday and, like it or not, I’m afraid you’ll be stuck with me as long as I am able to get there.

Bobbi Jacobs’ Story
My family feels cared for and comfortable at the JCC. We’ve belonged for over seven years, since my son, Max, was in his first year at Camp Chaverim. He loved camp so much he attended every year since. Now he’s in his last year at Camp Hoover. Max met his mentor, Mark Moscardino, at Camp Hoover and invited him to participate in his Bar Mitzvah. My daughter, Livi, loves camp, Kaleidoscope, and swimming. She’s on the Dynamo Swim Team. I became certified as a water safety instructor through the JCC’s WSI class and now work part-time here as an instructor.

Tell us your JCC story »

Generation after generation, families have sent their children to preschool at the Columbus JCC since the preschool first opened in 1951. If you or your family attended JCC preschool and you continued the tradition by sending your children or grandchildren, we’d love to hear from you. Please email fneshamwest@columbusjcc.org and let us know your family’s name and the names of the former and/or current preschoolers in your family.

Many thanks are due to the Wine Bistro for hosting such a successful event. Guests enjoyed an elegant setting as they sampled an exciting variety of kosher wines, chatted over small plates of Chef Toney’s delicious, inspired cuisine, and indulged in an assortment of desserts, all to the smooth, soulful music of Dwight Lenox.

Guests also had the opportunity to purchase kosher wines for Passover at generously discounted rates. Thank you, Wine Bistro!

Deb Strumen from The Wine Bistro, which hosted the event

Delicious kosher food from Chef Toney

Lisa Newmark, Shelly Igdaloff, Bev Darwin, and Carol Folkerth

When Matt Goldberg’s parents first stepped foot in the JCC North preschool, they never imagined that almost 20 years later he’d be in Washington, D.C., interning with the same friends he made while learning Hebrew and singing Shabbat songs in preschool. Today, 25 years after the preschool opened, Goldberg’s mother, Ellen Leidner, marvels at how fortunate her son and his self-styled “Jew Crew” have been to have had their strong Jewish connections start early.

“All the credit goes to Debbie Romanoff, who at the time as JCC North Director, forged these friendships among the families, made everyone feel welcome and comfortable, and instilled a sense that being Jewish is as much a part of who these kids were as the color of their hair, even when the other kids around them were of another faith,” said Leidner. Romanoff is celebrating her 25th year working at the JCC North preschool.

One of Romanoff’s great strengths is her experience and understanding of what it’s like to be on both sides. Romanoff started out as a parent before becoming a teacher. Her son, Steven, was one of the first students enrolled in the Northwest community’s preschool, where his first teacher in the 3-year-old classroom was current Early Childhood Education Director Nikki Henry.

Romanoff explained that, soon after her son began attending the preschool, there was a need for a new teacher and she was asked if she would be willing to work part-time. “That was in 1988, and I’ve been working there ever since. Year after year, my role grew until I was approached about being director,” which she did for over a decade, said Romanoff.

As she approaches retirement age, Romanoff said she continues to teach because she simply loves being in the classroom. “I have fun being a teacher. I really enjoy the children. They are so innocent at that age and will tell you anything and everything. I just have a passion for teaching and a love for the Jewish community,” said Romanoff.

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Preschoolers at the JCC on College Avenue and at the JCC North in Dublin celebrated their 100th day of school and the JCC’s 100th birthday on Monday. Each class helped decorate their door in a different theme of 100—from cakes and balloons to quotes and mitzvot, plus bees and trees, photos and animals, bubbles and chefs.

It was Pajama Day for the College Avenue preschool, and everyone, including the teachers, wore their PJs! At the JCC North, blue and white were the theme of the day, and all were dressed in those colors.

Creativity was the rule for the door decorations. At the JCC North, the PreK students had some interesting ideas about what they would be like when they turned 100. And if you’re looking for 100 things to do, the Explorers’ room at College Avenue has lots of ideas on their door!

View the doors (part 1) (PDF) »

View the doors (part 2) (PDF) »

Has your child ever wanted to run away and join the circus? If so, the chance of a lifetime is right around the corner. That’s because the Tallahassee, FL-based CIRCUS OF THE KIDS is coming to the JCC this summer for a week of circus fun.

The only program of its kind, world-renowned CIRCUS OF THE KIDS specializes in taking ordinary youngsters and turning them into fire-eaters, trapeze artists, and trick bicyclists. “We are so happy to bring this program back to the JCC,” said Halle Schwartz, the Director of Children, Youth, Teen and Camping at the JCC. “The CIRCUS program takes kids so far beyond their self-imposed limits—you can actually see children grow during the week. The best part? CIRCUS makes sure all kids are successful.”

Registration for this unique camp has already begun. The first 50 children who register will be selected to join the circus. Auditions are slated for June 16, and the spine-tingling, jaw-dropping performances are on June 20 and 21.

To register for CIRCUS OF THE KIDS camp, please contact the JCC at 614-559-6251 or dgoggins@columbusjcc.org.

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Congratulations to Jill Eisenberg who was recently named the next Bookfair Chair. “I love what the JCC stands for: a homebase for everyone in the community to feel comfortable and accepted. This, together with my love of books, is why I wanted to be the next Bookfair Chair. I am very excited to step into this role,” said Eisenberg.

Eisenberg’s commitment to the JCC through her volunteer work is evident. Bookfair Director Debbie Vinocur is excited to work with Jill, “She has proven herself time and again this last season, stepping up to the plate whenever asked and even on her own. Jill is committed to making sure the Jewish Bookfair is an inspiring event for the Columbus Jewish community.  I appreciate her dedication,” said Vinocur.

Eisenberg explained her passion for the JCC’s premiere annual literary event and why she loves attending the author lectures. “I was incredibly moved by Ari Schonbrun and his 9/11 story last year. It brought a really personal touch to a terrible tragedy. I also love to share my love of books with my kids. Every time we leave a Bookfair event, they want to go home and write and illustrate their own books!”

A very active and involved JCC member and volunteer, Eisenberg was treasurer for the Early Childhood Parent Association for three years. She has also had recent roles on both the Camp Committee and the Bookfair Committee. All three of Eisenberg’s children, Nathaniel, Josh, and Alyssa, have gone through the Early Childhood Education program at the College Avenue location, and her daughter, Alyssa, continues in the preschool’s Fish Room.

The Bookfair Committee is already planning the exciting lineup for this coming fall and is looking forward to creating engaging and interactive events that will interest the whole community, said Eisenberg. “I also welcome any and all members who would like to join the Bookfair Committee. We would love the help and input.”