Just over three weeks ago, the State of Israel voted for its 19th Knesset, or parliament. The agenda put forth by most political parties focused on social policies rather than the peace process or geo-political issues, and the makeup of the 19th Knesset reflects the changes in Israel’s demographics and social trends. We see now [...]
Parashat T’rumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19)
February 14, 2013 | Leave a Comment
“Exactly as I show you — the pattern of the Tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings —so shall you make it.” (Exodus 25:9) Parashat T’rumah is a structural engineer’s delight. It describes in excruciating detail the building of the mishkan, the desert Tabernacle which is the precursor to the Temple in Jerusalem. Every [...]
JCC Movement Mourns Passing of Rabbi David Hartman
February 13, 2013 | Leave a Comment
JCC Association, along with the rest of the Jewish world, mourns the passing of the great Jewish educator and scholar, Rabbi David Hartman. Founder of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, Rabbi Hartman served as scholar-in-residence at three JCCs of North America Biennial Conventions and taught many JCC professional and lay leaders on Israel seminars. [...]
Sing a Camp Song: JCC Camps Build Their Music Programs
February 8, 2013 | Leave a Comment
Everyone agrees that music is a central component of the camp experience, and that’s why we are funding teams from three JCC day camps and three overnight camps to attend Songleader Bootcamp at the St. Louis JCC this month. Originally developed by musician Rick Recht and Rabbi Bradley Horowitz, Songleader Bootcamp is a training program [...]
Parshat Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18)
February 7, 2013 | 1 Comment
“Now the presence of the Lord appeared in the sight of the Israelites as a consuming fire on the top of the mountain” (Exodus 24:17) Pity Parashat Mishpatim. It has the unenviable task of following the gripping drama of God’s revelation on Mt. Sinai. And yet, while Mishpatim is mostly a long listing of [...]
February, 2013 Website of the Month – Stamford JCC
February 1, 2013 | Leave a Comment
JCC Association is pleased to announce that the Stamford JCC in Stamford, Connecticut is the JCC Website of the Month. Visit their page: Stamford JCC Please feel free to e-mail us suggestions regarding any JCC websites (or social media pages that you feel deserve recognition during the upcoming months and we will take their content [...]
Winners Chosen in JCC Association Photo Contest
February 1, 2013 | Leave a Comment
We have a winner! Actually, we have three winners in our JCC photo contest. Donna Harlev from the Bernard & Ruth Siegel JCC in Wilmington, Delaware won first place; Jonah Grant of JCC Chicago won second place; and Polina Fridman of the JCC of Stamford, Connecticut won third place. Mazal Tov to all the winners. [...]
Parashat Yitro (Exodus 18:1-2:23)
February 1, 2013 | Leave a Comment
“And as the voice of the shofar grew stronger; Moses spoke and God’s voice answered.” (Exodus 19:19) Parashat Yitro is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The Israelites are gathered around Mt. Sinai, preparing for God’s revelation, the climax of the Torah and the central event in Jewish history. But then a [...]
Parashat B’shalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16)
January 25, 2013 | Leave a Comment
“Who is like you, O Lord, among the celestials; who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, working wonders.” (Exodus 15:11) Parashat B’shalach is one of the better known episodes in the Bible, thanks in part to Cecille B. DeMille and Disney Studios. Freed from slavery, the Israelites reach the Reed Sea, only to discover [...]
Parashat Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16)
January 17, 2013 | Leave a Comment
“This month shall mark for you the beginning of the months; it shall be the first of the months of the year for you.” (Exodus 12:2) Parashat Bo brings the final two plagues, darkness and the slaying of the Egyptian first-born, which lead, finally, to the Israelites’ release from slavery. The parasha (portion) begins with [...]
