Worcester JCC

Happy Hanukkah! Tonight marks the first night of Hanukkah, also known as the "festival of lights," an eight-day holiday celebrating the rededication of the Holy Temple. The Worcester JCC sends peace, love, and light to everyone in our shining community.

Members of the JCC staff will be leading a Hanukkah story time on the weekdays of Hanukkah at 4pm for those who wish to join and listen.

Give the gift of saving a life this holiday season! THURS DEC 21, 8:30am-2pm - Join our Blood Drive in partnership with Mass General Hospital Blood Donor Center. No walk-ins. Sign up required at https://blooddonor.massgeneral.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/6025

One act. Countless lives.

Make vacation fun with Worcester JCC December Vacation Programs! Children in our Youth Program have swim and gym time, crafts, and more. Children in our Basketball Mini-Camp practice skills, have fun scrimmages, and more.

$60/member per day, $70/nonmember per day. Before and after care available Tuesday through Thursday for $10/members, $15/nonmembers. REGISTER TODAY!

Did you check out the exhibit by Joshua Meyers at our annual Hanukkah at WAM party this Sunday? Check out this article in the Telegram & Gazette about Meyer's Hanukkah-themed work and showing! We appreciated the discussion and Q&A on his artwork and artistic process while enjoying delicious latkes from Matthew Kline. The exhibit will remain at the Art Museum Lancaster Room until January 7.

Don’t miss out on our JCC ECC Scholastic Book Fair - NOW through Friday, 12:30-1:30pm and 3-5pm right past the turnstiles. Give the joy of reading this season!

TONIGHT at 6PM, the Worcester JCC will be hosting a conversation, "Supporting Israel & Supporting Each Other" with Shaliach Dolev Stav and Gabi Schiller from StandWithUs New England. The session will provide an overview of current events in Israel and go over addressing misinformation, the Jewish experience, and more. There will be time for Q&A and space for open processing and supporting one another.

Thank you to everyone who came to our annual Hanukkah at WAM party yesterday at the Worcester Art Museum Check out these awesome pictures of all the fun! We had LEGO and coloring crafts, a special exhibit by Joshua Meyer, a puppet show by Talking Hands Theater, story time with PJ Library, latke demo with Matthew Kline, a performance by Shir Joy Choir, and so much more. You help our community ✨SHINE✨

The countdown to (Hanukkah) candle time is *firing* up! One of our Community Partners, The Torah Center, is hosting a menorah lighting at The Worcester Common Oval on Dec 7 at 5:30pm, with music, latkes, sufganiyot, community, and more. All are invited.

Don't miss out! 🤩 Today's the last day to get all 30 chances for our December Calendar Raffle!

Every day in December, we'll be raffling off gift cards to your favorite local businesses and restaurants. Tickets are $20 each. 🎟 Winner get put back in the drawing, so there's really 30 chances to win! 🎉 Proceeds go to the JCC Camp Scholarship Fund.

Purchase in person at Welcome Desk or online at our December Calendar Raffle Event Page: https://www.worcesterjcc.org/events/2023/10/27/fundraising-events/2023-calendar-raffle/

Sundays are now FUNDAYS! Back on Sunday afternoons, catch Israeli Zumba with Dolev at 2pm in Studio A. The same fun high-and-low-intensity dance workout you already love, to a mix of Latin, Israeli, and International music. Move your body and have fun in a judgement-free zone! Sign up on MyJ!

The Worcester JCC Team would like to congratulate Barbara Borowska-Behpouri on being formally appointed as the Worcester JCC’s Early Childhood Center (ECC) Director!

Barbara has worked in Early Childhood Education for more than 15 years in administrative and supervisory, teaching, and specialist roles, most recently as our JCC ECC Assistant Director under Nina Ryan for nearly two years and as our Interim ECC Director for the past four months. Barbara earned both a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Worcester State University. She enjoys taking new classes within the field of Early Education and does so regularly. One thing we truly love and respect about Barbara is her commitment to creating a positive and inclusive environment for teachers, children, and families of all expertise and backgrounds. Barbara is proud of the key role she plays in developing the ECC staff, supporting them in the classroom, helping children and families thrive at the Center, and ensuring smooth daily operations. We are proud and thankful for all she does.

Thank you to all who came to our meet-and-greet "Coffee with Barbara" this morning to celebrate.

TONIGHT at 7PM - Join Rob Schwartz at Temple Emanuel Sinai (661 Salisbury St., Worcester) as he remembers his father and discusses their new book "The Wisdom of Morrie," a great companion to "Tuesdays with Morrie" or the perfect introduction to Morrie’s thoughtful philosophies — filled with empathic insights, stories, anecdotes, and advice, told in Morrie’s reassuring, calm, and timeless voice.

For more info and to RSVP, contact Nancy Greenberg at [email protected]

THIS SUNDAY - DEC 3, 11AM-3PM - Don't miss our annual Hanukkah at WAM Party! FREE FOR ALL.

Activities include LEGO and snowflake crafts, a Talking Hands Theater puppet show, latke tutorials, “The Mexican Dreidel” author event with Ilan Stavans and PJ Library story time, a featured Hanukkah art gallery by Joshua Meyer, a Shir Joy Choir Performance, and more!

Made possible by the generosity of the Jewish Federation of Central Mass.

MON DEC 4 at 6PM, the Worcester JCC will be hosting a conversation, "Supporting Israel & Supporting Each Other" with Shaliach Dolev Stav and Gabi Schiller from StandWithUs New England. The session will provide an overview of current events in Israel and go over addressing misinformation, the Jewish experience, and more. There will be time for Q&A and space for open processing and supporting one another.

Today is Giving Tuesday! Consider making a donation to the JCC.

The money raised through donations to the Worcester JCC fund the many scholarships the JCC provides for summer camp, swim, youth activities, membership, and more. Through projects like our Basketball Team Sponsorships and December Calendar Raffle, our community collectively rises to the challenge to support one another. We couldn't be prouder to serve a community as great as you. Thank you.

For more information on how to give, contact Lillian at [email protected]

You're Invited! FEB 16-28, 2024, Explore the Mysteries of Morocco with Ron Rosenstock and the Worcester JCC.

Combining the history and natural beauty of this rich and fascinating country with first-person encounters, travelers will visit native villages, ancient medinas, and craftsmen’s workshops, sharing experiences and sipping mint tea: symbolic of the warm, sincere Moroccan generosity. For more info or to register, go to https://phototc.com/tours/morocco-explore-the-mysteries-with-ron-rosenstock/

Check out this interview with guide Ron Rosenstock about his travels around the world!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pary3D5sjdg Next stop, Morocco!

Did you know the JCC has ceramics classes? Check out students in our awesome daytime class last week working on their independent projects!

The JCC offers a variety of cultural arts programming, so you can engage your mind, pursue new hobbies, sharpen your skills, and more. Find out more at www.worcesterjcc.org/arts/culture

Happy Thanksgiving to all of those at in our community who celebrate. The JCC will be open Thursday, November 23 8am-1pm, Indoor Pool 8:15am-12:30pm, with Zumba "Shake Before You Bake" live at 10:30am. No Babysitting Services 11/23-11/26.

Friday November 24, we'll be back for our normal hours and group x class schedule. Schedules can be found on our website at https://www.worcesterjcc.org/schedules

WED NOV 29 at 7PM - Join Rob Schwartz at Temple Emanuel Sinai (661 Salisbury St., Worcester) as he remembers his father and discusses their new book "The Wisdom of Morrie," a great companion to "Tuesdays with Morrie" or the perfect introduction to Morrie’s thoughtful philosophies — filled with empathic insights, stories, anecdotes, and advice, told in Morrie’s reassuring, calm, and timeless voice.

For more info and to RSVP, contact Nancy Greenberg at [email protected]

Hungry? A month from today, a lucky winner from our December Calendar Raffle will get a $25 gift card to Perry's Tatnuck Deli.

Haven't bought your ticket yet? Don't miss out on the fun! Every day in December, we'll be raffling off gift cards to your favorite local businesses and restaurants. Tickets are $20 each, for 30 chances to win. Proceeds go to the JCC Camp Scholarship Fund.
Purchase in person at Welcome Desk or online at https://www.worcesterjcc.org/events/2023/10/27/fundraising-events/2023-calendar-raffle/

Looking for a winter date night idea? A month from today, a lucky winner from our December Calendar Raffle will get a $25 gift card to Nancy Chang Restaurant.

Haven't bought your ticket yet? Don't miss out on the fun! Every day in December, we'll be raffling off gift cards to your favorite local businesses and restaurants. Tickets are $20 each, for 30 chances to win. Proceeds go to the JCC Camp Scholarship Fund.
Purchase in person at Welcome Desk or online at https://www.worcesterjcc.org/events/2023/10/27/fundraising-events/2023-calendar-raffle/

Beef and Broccoli … one regular one spicy 🌶️🥡

DEC 3, 11AM-3PM - Don't miss our Annual Hanukkah at WAM Party! FREE for all. Activities include LEGO and snowflake crafts, a Talking Hands Theater puppet show, latke tutorials, “The Mexican Dreidel” author event with Ilan Stavans and PJ Library story time, a featured Hanukkah art gallery by Joshua Meyer, a Shir Joy Choir Performance, and more!

RSVP at https://fb.me/e/86f96ufLD We'll see you there!

WED NOV 15 at 1PM - Join the JCC for another event in our Getting Good at Getting Older Speaker Series: Thinking About Your Meds Differently for a Better Healthier You, with Donna Bartlett, PharmD, BCGP.

Learn more about medication safety! Dr. Donna Bartlett, Board-Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (BCGP), will discuss the importance of reviewing medications periodically to be certain that they are not causing harm or side effects that we think are new problems. This is an in-person event at the Worcester JCC (633 Salisbury Street). Refreshments provided.

For more information and to RSVP, email Nancy Greenberg at [email protected]

Co-sponsored by WISE.

How does your family make Friday night special? Maybe tacos? A month from today, a lucky winner from our December Calendar Raffle will get a $25 gift card to Mexicali Mexican Grill (Holden MA).

Haven't bought your ticket yet? Don't miss out on the fun! Every day in December, we'll be raffling off gift cards to your favorite local businesses and restaurants. Tickets are $20 each, for 30 chances to win. Proceeds go to the JCC Camp Scholarship Fund.
Purchase in person at Welcome Desk or online at https://www.worcesterjcc.org/events/2023/10/27/fundraising-events/2023-calendar-raffle/

WED NOV 8 at 1PM, Join Jewish Book Council in partnership with JBC Network sites, for an interactive conversation with Dani Shapiro about the parallels between her two National Jewish Book Award winning books Inheritance and Signal Fires that feel like bashert.

Register on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtdumvpjIuHtXHtwkzphP6y5EZzPlQQzA5 #/registration

WED NOV 15 at 1PM - Join the JCC for another event in our Getting Good at Getting Older Speaker Series: Thinking About Your Meds Differently for a Better Healthier You, with Donna Bartlett, PharmD, BCGP.

Learn more about medication safety! Dr. Donna Bartlett, Board-Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (BCGP), will discuss the importance of reviewing medications periodically to be certain that they are not causing harm or side effects that we think are new problems. This is an in-person event at the Worcester JCC (633 Salisbury Street). Refreshments provided.

For more information and to RSVP, email Nancy Greenberg at [email protected]

Don't forget to turn your clocks back this Sunday! Daylight savings ends 11/5 and we'll be opening at 7am per usual.

Don't miss Rise & Sine Yoga with Paula 🧘‍♀️ because you forget to rise! Jr. NBA Pre-Season runs from 9am to 5:45pm. Don't miss your shot 🏀 because your alarm! We'll see you here for your morning workout starting at 7am! ☀

Hungry? I know what we're craving. A month from today, a lucky winner from our December Calendar Raffle will get a $25 gift card to Kalamos Greek & Mediterranean Market!

Haven't bought your ticket yet? Don't miss out on the fun! Every day in December, we'll be raffling off gift cards to your favorite local businesses and restaurants. Tickets are $20 each, for 30 chances to win. Proceeds go to the JCC Camp Scholarship Fund.
Purchase in person at Welcome Desk or online at https://www.worcesterjcc.org/.../2023-calendar-raffle/

Halloumi cheese pies 😋

We had so much fun making challah with the Central Mass Chabad Wednesday night, here at the JCC. Check out these awesome pictures of all the fun (and delicious challah😋)! Thank you to Chanie and the Central Mass Chabad for leading and organizing the event and sharing their famous recipe. Proceeds from the event go to the Chabad Terror Victims Project. That's a lot of dough! 😉🍞

What's for dinner? How about pizza? A month from today, a lucky winner from our December Calendar Raffle will get a $25 gift card from Jason's Pizza on June St.

Haven't bought your ticket yet? Don't miss out on the fun! Every day in December, we'll be raffling off gift cards to your favorite local businesses and restaurants. Tickets are $20 each, for 30 chances to win. Proceeds go to the JCC Camp Scholarship Fund.

Purchase in person at Welcome Desk or online at https://www.worcesterjcc.org/events/2023/10/27/fundraising-events/2023-calendar-raffle/

Join us tonight! - NOV 1 at 6:30pm at the Worcester JCC (633 Salisbury Street) join our Challah Bake with Central Mass Chabad. Make and braid challah to take and bake at home. $18/per adult. Proceeds go to the Chabad Terror Victims Project.

Register at centralmasschabad.com/donate using the memo "Challah Bake" or email [email protected]