MJCC sets fall lineup

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2010-08-15T00:00:00

With summer’s end comes the beginning of school—and a new programming year for the Mittleman Jewish Community Center in fitness as well as social, cultural and educational programming.

This year, Operations Manager Jordana Levenick said she’s thrilled with how things are shaping up: “We have many exciting cultural programs to showcase, along with new fitness classes that we started over the summer, and we know will appeal to members and new members alike. And we have added drop-in childcare hours so that parents can attend their favorite fitness classes while children have fun in the sun-filled childcare room.”

Body Pump is a new fitness class that was added this summer and has proven to be very popular. Body Pump is group weight-lifting set to music. The routine changes quarterly and is high energy, yet appropriate for all levels.

Kevin Warren, who is a third-degree black belt in the martial art known as Kajukenbo, is teaching two classes. His Martial Arts Conditioning is part of the MJCC’s free group fitness offerings. He also will teach Kajukenbo as a fee-based martial arts class where students will earn rank and progress with belt-levels.

For those interested in working out in the water, options abound. There is water aerobics and ai chi—tai chi taught in the water.

The warm water therapy pool provides another source for those who like gentle exercise or wish to work with a personal trainer who specializes in water exercise. Barbara Wolf said: “I have been able to utilize the therapy pool for the last four years. I am pain free when using the pool and am able to exercise with much more movement. The regular therapy pool users are a remarkable group and we all cheer each other on and care about our mutual health problems. I would not be mobile if it were not for the therapy pool.”

The MJCC also continues its long tradition of teaching Portland’s children to swim with swim classes through the Stingrays Swim School for all ages after school and on weekends. Last year, the MJCC brought back the Stingrays swim team, which grew from 15 members to 45 by the end of the season. Coach Jason Amos welcomes new swim team members; contact him at 503-244-0111.

Along with Levenick, MJCC board member and programming committee chair Priscilla Kostiner welcomes everyone to a new year of Jewish social and cultural programming.

“We are delighted to be partnering with so many other organizations to be able to present programming for all ages,” said Kostiner. “Both the Jewish Community Orchestra and the Jewish Theatre Collaborative have been working with us to set programs for the coming year and we are pleased to be hosting once again the Mother’s Circle program.”

Jewish programming includes weekly Torah study with Charlie Schiffman, Mother’s Circle and a new program called Grandparents Circle. More programming will be found in the new MJCC program guide, which will be available in late August at the MJCC front desk or online at www.oregonjcc.org.

Other programming includes MJCC loves biking, set for Oct. 7.

“We hope that everyone will join us for one or more of our programs this fall,” said Levenick. “There is truly something for everyone at the MJCC this fall.”