Look what’s at MJCC now

By Jewish Review

article created on:

Inserted in this edition of the Jewish Review, the Mittleman Jewish Community Center’s winter program guide is chock full of new programs, classes and activities for all ages.

“It’s an especially exciting time to be involved at the MJCC because our programming—both classes and events—is growing by leaps and bounds,” said Lisa Horowitz, MJCC CEO. “We’re working on some great events for the whole community, in partnership with other local organizations, including synagogues, such as our Purim Festival and a huge celebration of Israel’s 60th.”
   
“We’ve also got some great classes and workshops coming up in the next few months that will appeal to different age groups—things like the ‘Jewish American Music Experience’ or a discussion about ‘Green Judaism—Environmentalism in Jewish Tradition,’” said Horowitz. “And we’re thinking ‘outside the box’ as well, holding events outside the MJCC to reach people with different interests who live all over the area.”
   

The guide presents programs offered in January through March of 2008. Activities range from an OyBaby music program or Coffee and Kibbitz for parents and tots to Mah Jongg and Ai Chi (tai chi in warm water pool) for seniors.
   
“It’s so exciting to see the winter guide filled with so many classes and activities,” said Marisa Brown, director of marketing and communications for the MJCC and Portland Jewish Academy. “I’m really proud of the guide and the efforts put forth by the MJCC staff to make this an exciting start to 2008. I am particularly excited to try out the Zumba class. The music alone is enough to get me moving.”
   
The MJCC is one of very few places in the metro area to offer Zumba, a Latin-inspired fitness system recently profiled on NBC’s TODAY Show. Zumba’s motto is “Ditch the workout, join the party,” prompting the J to say: “Join us on Wednesday and Friday nights and Saturday mornings for the party portion of your workout.”
   
Following December’s First Friday Shabbat, the MJCC will switch to hosting Second Shabbats. Starting Jan. 11, the tradition of a family-oriented, community Shabbat will switch to the second Friday of the month “because we didn’t want to compete with some synagogues or with some other First Friday celebrations (i.e.  Multnomah Village),” said Brown.
   
The community is invited to attend the celebrations with include activities for kids of all ages and often some special entertainment as well.
   
The winter guide also includes an intriguing lecture on  March 10 entitled, “Avast Ye Maties—Come learn about Jean Lafitte, a Frenchman, an American, a Pirate, a Jew.”
   
Other dates to remember at the MJCC include: Newcomer Brunch, Jan. 13 for anyone who considers himself or herself a newcomer to Portland; Israeli Movie Night, Jan. 13; Jewish Community Orchestra, Feb. 10; Ask an Expert about Adolescent Development, Feb. 13; Ask an Expert about Kabbalah, Feb. 28; Women’s Day of Learning, March 9; and a Community Purim Carnival, March 23.