THE UPDATE - Schenectady JCC · service to the community. Corporate Partnership Cool Insuring Inc. for providing major ongoing funding for SJCC programs and significant community

THE UPDATESpring/Summer 2015

A seasonal look at the courses, events and community

of the Schenectady Jewish Community Center

SCHENECTADY JCC

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Mark Weintraub, Executive Director

We are looking forward to the best summer ever and have lots of things planned to make your summer MAGICAL! JCC Campers will be going on a Safari and traveling to Cleveland. Softball leagues will play on

the newly renovated fields. Various groups will be renting our grounds for corporate and nonprofit functions. The William and Estelle Golub Family Pool and Tennis Club is going to have an outstanding season. Our new management team led by Michael Young has lots of things planned including a few surprises! There have been investments in locker room renovations, new shade canopies and seating. The outdoor Café run by Janice Corker has an updated menu with healthy options and new state of the art furniture.

A special feature at the outdoor pool will be volunteers from Living Resources. These talented young people with disabilities will partner with our JCC to provide assistance at the café and be responsible for tending a summer organic garden on the JCC grounds with home grown vegetables (we hope) to serve you for lunch. We are excited about our growing relationship with Living Resources through the Capital Capabilities project. Please take some time to get to know these talented young people.

I can’t thank the Golub Family enough for their support making this important asset that much more special each summer!

Time to put on some suntan lotion – catch you at the pool!! Yours in Fun,

I’m already starting to feel it – the excitement of summer at the JCC!

When his schedule allows for it, Mark can be spotted spending his lunch break

in the fitness center

Your JCC is the placeto be this summer!

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InsideThe

UPDATE 4&5

Welcome, Changes andYou Belong Here

6&7 JCC U...

Events & Classes

8&9It’s Summer Time!

10Our Generous Donors

11Farewell Ernie Kahn

Andy KatzMark Weintraub

ContributorsLynn Moskowitz

Design & photography

1# The JCC is the

area’s#1

choice for

childcare

Read about why on page 9

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JCC Welcomes Our New Aquatics Director

Michael Young

There’s a lot of work being done in and around the JCC! ...all with minimal interruptions to service for our members!

Lots of Improvements!...

Refreshing workout...Swimming laps indoors in the freshly-painted pool with a piece of the panel created by Living Resources hanging

in the background

Refacing the building involved a lot of sawing and painting!

...and children played

A Burnt Hills native, Michael Young grew up around pools. He took American Red Cross lessons as a child and after passing all the levels immediately, he joined the swim team, moved onto to diving teams and was a member of the Syracuse Water Polo team when he was in college studying digital media.

“When I first started my career in aquatics back at age 15, I was just a lifeguard but I soon started to teach swim lessons for all ages, coach swim teams, teach aqua aerobics, train lifeguards, train instructors, and manage aquatics facilities,” he said. “I have worked at many aquatic facilities and each one has taught me new skills to help me be where I am today.”

“I wanted to work at the SJCC because I saw a great opportunity to run an Aquatics department that I was familiar with while growing up. I knew this facility because I used to have swimming and diving meets here while with the Suburban League. The SJCC is a welcoming and lively community that I am proud to be a part of. I look forward to working at the SJCC and sharing my passion for aquatics. I will never wait for my ship to come to port. I will do my best to swim out and meet it. When I see potential of someone or afacility I try to help bring out the best they can and want to be.”

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The Robert J. Ludwig Community Service Awards Gala will be celebrating 94 years strong at the Schenectady Jewish Community Center. Be part of this historic evening celebrating the accomplishments of our 2015 Honorees, while supporting critical programs and services at the JCC.

Under kosher supervision of the Vaad and catered by Mazzone Hospitality, the evening will open with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by awards presentation and entertainment.

Saturday, November 14 Key Hall at ProctorS 7:00Pm - 11:00Pm

On November 15, 2104, the Fourth Annual Robert J. Ludwig Community Service Awards Gala, hosted at the Golub Corp. headquarters, raised more than $74,000 for JCC programming. Awards were given to Eli I. Taub and Nancy D. Bell (Individual Community Service), MVP Health Care (Corporate Partnership), Niskayuna Central School District (Philanthropic Leadership) and JoAnn Kress (Employee Community Caring). The title sponsor of the event was MVP Health Care.

Community Service Eric & Ellen Kerness for their significant

contributions and leadership to the SJCC and the community at large.

The 2015 Robert J. Ludwig Community Service Awards will be presented to:

Philanthropic LeadershipmiSci (Museum of Innovation and Science) for providing a critical service to the community.

Corporate PartnershipCool Insuring Inc. for providing major ongoing funding for SJCC programs and significant community involvement.

Interested in a Sponsorship? Please call for details, 518-377-8803.

06Questions about any of our programs or events?

MVP Bokwa ClassBokwa is a cardio-licious blend of hip-hop and step aerobics that taps into South African-style dance. Confused? Don’t be — the dance steps are actually based on letters and numbers, not choreography. June 23-July 28 1:30pm – 2:15 pm • Aerobics Studio

The Arts“Al Fresco” Summer WatercolorsLearn to paint beautiful summer flowers and landscapes with watercolors. Sessions will take place at the outdoor pavilion. (In case of bad weather, class will be held inside) Teens are welcome. $22 members & $28 non-members per classJuly 15 & August 5 • 6:30-8:00pm

Morning Ceramic Classes Instructed by Chris SingerIndividual class $8 for members & $12 for non-members Tuesdays • 10:00am-12:00pm

Evening Ceramic Classes Instructed by Catie Singer $60 for members & $72 for non-members (includes materials, instruction, & firing)Thursdays • 7:00pm-9:00pm • July 9-August 13

Fitness

Always Here for youSenior Meal ProgramIn partnership with Catholic CharitiesMondays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 11:30am to 1:00pmMeeting Room

...and all are welcome!

Art ExhibitsFemininity and PowerExhibit by Beth ScherThe exhibit will be held from June 2 through July 30, a reception will be held on Thursday, June 25 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

“Our Natural World from Backyard to the Adirondacks”Exhibit by Carol & Jim McCord. The exhibit will be held during August and September. The reception will be held on Friday September 11 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Jazz Line Dancing Instructed by Shirley Goodman Classes are Free Donations accepted at each class and will be given to The Hunger Project. The mission of the Hunger Project is “to end hunger and poverty by pioneering sustainable, grassroots,women-centered strategies and advocating for their widespread adoption in countries throughout the world.”Thursdays 12:00pm – 1:00pm

E-Books OverviewSenior Lecture Program Series Presented by Suzanne Barnadt, Librarian & Technology. Delicious lunch available at 12pm*June 19 • 11:15am*Reservations for lunch are required; please contact Diane Frank @ 518-377-8803 by June 12

JCC U is offering a well-rounded selection of activities and events for different ages, interests and skill levels. From hands-on creative classes to summer events for the family, there is something for everyone!

07Call 518.377.8803

Jewish Culture

Inside: 9:00 am: TRX & Flex10:00 am: Beginner TRX 11:00 am: Silver Sneakers ClassicJune 14 (Rain Date: Sunday June 21)

Goodbye Maor Rosenberg Thank you to our Israeli Shaliach (Emissary)Maor Rosenberg for serving our community.

Rosenberg hosted monthly programs entitled “The Israel Update” and “Cafe Ivrit”. “The Israel Update” included video clips about different topics relevant to what is going on in Israel. “Cafe Ivrit” featured monthly conversational Hebrew.

Do you have an interesting collection of items to be displayed?We are looking for: Paraphernalia with different themes to be displayed in the Finkle Family Exhibit Area, at the Schenectady JCC. For more information, please contact Judy Ben-Ami [email protected] or 518-377-8803.

Special Events at the William and Estelle Golub Family Pool & Tennis ClubSpring into Summer

Free Classes, Food & Use of the Fitness Center & Indoor PoolCLASS SCHEDULE Outside: 8:00 am: Spin (Pool Entrance) Insanity® (Tennis Courts)9:00 am: Yoga (Pool Deck) 10:00 am: ZUMBA® (Tennis Courts)

Youth Splash Party July 15, August 12 Ages 8-13 Swim Under the Stars Music & Snack Bar 8 pm-10:30 pm

Summer Fest • June 28 Fun for the Whole Family! Bouncy Bounce, Water Games, Basketball, Music & Rides Bring Friends for Free! 12:30-3:30 pm

Family Fun Night August 22Bring the Whole Family Out for a Special Night of Swimming & a Movie! 8 pm

End-of-Summer BBQ Monday, September 7 from 12pm-3pm • BBQ Specials, Fun & Games, Music

Summer is right around the corner and we have a great season of day and travel camps planned. Whether you have a busy three-year-old or a teenager who wants an adventurous summer, the JCC has you covered! Camp Chaverim Day “Summer in the Safari”Camps for ages 3 up to children entering 6th gradeCampers will experience fun and excitement through safari-themed activities, special events, dress-up days, and more.swim lessons • sports • arts and crafts • drama • naturespecial events • jewish culture • recreational swim • funfriendship • values • memories

Travel Camp Galgalim…a camp on wheels for students entering 7th grade or 14 years old by July 1, 2015Travel Camp Galgalim explore the sites and activities of the surrounding community in a safe, enjoyable, and structured program. Day trips destinations range from Flight Trampoline Park to the Empire State Aerosciences Museum.

Overnight Camp Excurions…July 13-July 17: Trip to Maine! Campers will spend the week in Bingham, Maine! The week will be spent kayaking, white water rafting, hiking, mountain biking, and enjoying the great outdoors! Campers will be staying at the North Country Rivers campground.

August 3-August 7: Trip to Cleveland! Campers will enjoy a day at Cedar Point (the roller coaster capital of the world!), visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, spend a day at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, and visit the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. Campers will be staying at the Akron JCC during the week.

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Don’t miss the fun!!

We Are the Area’s 1st Choice for Childcare!

We Make Happy

Campers!

For more information about any of the JCC summer camps,

visit our website www.schenectadyjcc.org

or call 518-377-8803Spaces are filling up!

Here Comes Summer!

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With its 28th summer season of the William and Estelle Golub Family Pool and Tennis Club just around the corner, the JCC is gearing up for the busiest season. From sprucing up the parking lot to reorganizing Lew & Frieda’s Snack Bar, Family Pool and Tennis members will notice appreciable changes this summer. Even the exterior of the building is getting a new face!

“We are always striving to give our members the very best in programming and facilities,” said Mark Weintraub, JCC Executive Director. “We are excited about all of the changes and improvements we are making and those we have planned.”

The JCC offers swimming and tennis lessons, as well as open swim and court times. The Family Pool and Tennis Club is available for birthday parties where kids can enjoy the outdoor pool, basketball and tennis courts, three kickball/softball fields, a playground area and plenty of room to run. In addition, the JCC offers Corporate Event Rentals of the Family Pool and Tennis Club.

The JCC offers a variety of membership options to join the Family Pool and Tennis Club. The Family Pool and Tennis Club is open daily through Labor Day. For more information, visit our website schenectadyjcc.org

Every year many parents choose the SJCC for their child care needs. Ranked Number 1 Child Care Center in the Capitol Re-gion by the Albany Business Review for two consecutive years, the JCC offers childcare programs that start at six weeks old and vary from onsite daycare to satellite afterschool programs to summer day camps.

“Children can grow up through the SJCC while parents can be confident their children are receiving the best care, education and opportunity for socialization in safe, professionally-staffed environments,” said JCC Exective Director Mark Weintraub.

Whether a child needs morning preschool or a student needs afterschool enrichment, the SJCC’s childcare options enable parents to know their child is engaged in carefully-planned programs with caring, qualified staff.

The JCC’s Award-Winning Early Childhood Education Program is proud of its strong history and play-based philosophy.

The program is a supportive environment for social, emotional and cognitive growth for children six weeks to preschool age. Led by caring and dedicated teachers, the SJCC provides a place where children can explore, experience, discover and create, and form social relationships with their peers while meeting their individual needs.

The JCC has a variety of options for Afterschool Care needs.Kindergarten Aftercare is an opportunity to learn, play and

socialize in an environment that complements their kindergar-ten experience. Offered on site at the SJCC, transportation is provided by Niskayuna schools.

Kids Time is available onsite in five elementary schools in the Niskayuna School District. Kids Time has been offered for more than 20 years and offers both educational and recreational elements.

Also onsite is the JCC After School Enrichment Program, ASEP, which serves grades one through five. The program is a great balance of education and recreation.

The SJCC is pleased to announce for the 2015-2016 school year, a redesigned Middle School Program called Middle School Academic Enrichment Program. This program is uniquely designed to balance academic, social and recreational opportu-nities, along with leadership development.

All of our childcare programs offer flexible scheduling. Membership to the SJCC is included for onsite programs.

We Are the Area’s 1st Choice for Childcare!

Golub Family Pool & Tennis Club Getting Ready for a Busy Summer Season

For more information about any of the SJCC childcare and education programs, visit our website www.schenectadyjcc.orgor call 377-8803

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Donations listed are those received since theWinter edition of The Update

!

2014 End of the Year AppealFranklin & Stephanie Goldberger in Memory of Maxwell Norton

Friends of the Arts & Jewish ProgramsLinda Finkle in Honor of Irit MagnesGerald & Irit Magnes in Memory of Ernie Kahn

Betsy Coleman Memorial Fund (Designated for Camperships)Laura Johnson

Comedy for a Cause Robert & Debra GeerRoss & Debra GoodmanDr. Brian & Debbie GordonJesse & Mindy HollandLisa Jiardini & Hiroko Sueyoshi

Ernest Kahn Memorial FundRochelle & Sheldon AbelsonWilliam Blake JR & Ann TwomblyThomas & Jacqueline CitrinitiLeonard & Arlene DaffnerMarvin & Estelle DworeBarbara & Michael HamiltonSusan Farley & Gilbert HarperKaren B. JohnsonJoAnn Kress Mark & Roberta MosesCaroline Narkiewicz & John ParenteMary & Alun PritchardDaniel SilvaAlice Buff TepperClifford & Cynthia TepperBertold & Daniel WeinbergMark & Ina WeintraubRosalind Winston ITFEllen & Robert Zirin

Our DonorsComedy for a Cause Andy KatzEd & Andrea LeightonKatherine & James LevyMichelle Ostrelich & Howard SchlossbergHerbert & Hildy ReichDel & Randie SalmonMark & Ina Weintraub

JCC FriendMargo Golos & Leon Horwitz in Honor of Michael AuerbachNeal Packer-Hill & Markes Wholesale DistributionLeague of the Schenectady Symphony OrchestraDr. & Mrs. James M Strosberg in Honor of Mark Weintraub

Capital Campaign FundEllen Kerness & Carol Bieberfrom the Paul Ziffer Irrevocable Trust

Please consider becoming a donor----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Yes, I/We want to guarantee the continuity of the Schenectady Jewish Community Center

Name(s) ___________________________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________

Please accept the enclosed gift of: $36 $50 $100 $250 $500 other $______ Enclosed is a check payable to Schenectady Jewish Community Center. Please charge my contribution to: ___Visa ___Mastercard ___Discover ___AmEx

Card #_______________________________________________ Exp. Date _______________ Name as it Appears on the Credit Card____________________________________________________ Signature______________________________________________________________________

Thank you!

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An engineer with General Electric for many years, Ernie was a deeply rooted member of the JCC, Congregation Gates of Heaven and very active with the Jewish Federation of NENY. Gloria Kofsky, his wife of 59 years, their two children, Ron Kahn and Susan Kahn-Bronstein and five grandchildren, survive Ernie, who passed away in early April.

When people who knew Ernie Kahn speak of him, the words “kind and generous” are often part of the conversation. He joined the Board of Directors in 1956, serving as President of the JCC from 1968 – 1971. He was instru-mental in the Center’s move from Germania Avenue to its current location on Balltown Road. Later on, Ernie joined the Board of Trustees and chaired the board from 1985 – 2010. During his tenure Ernie undertook leadership roles in seven major JCC fundraising efforts.

A few of the many he touched talked about Ernie... “When Ernie came to visit my office at the JCC he would sit down, take off his cap and I knew there was a purpose to his visit and business to be done. And that business, inevitably, was to further the mission of the JCC. Ernie was a great Jewish communal leader. His partner-ship with Bob Ludwig (of blessed memory) was outstanding. They had vastly different leadership styles and shared the common goal of making our JCC (or any institution they affiliated with ) a better place.

“Ernie was a great fundraiser. He knew what leadership giving was and made those gifts accordingly. Once, Ernie increased someone’s gift from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand by asking them to “move the decimal point to the right” when writing their check.Ernie was a gracious, wonderful person and leader like no other who will be missed dearly.” - Mark Weintraub, SJCC Executive Director

“Ernie was a mentor and a mensch. He was a philanthropist and a passionate supporter of our JCC. He was a straight-talker who chose his words carefully and we all appreciated his quiet and compassionate guidance. Ernie was also a connection with our past and he loved to tell stories about the thriving Jewish in our community. He is missed by all who knew him.” - Michelle Ostrelich, SJCC President

“Ernie Kahn was a mensch. He was a true friend to the local Jewish community as both an advocate and philanthropist. He and his side kick, Bob Ludwig, of blessed memory, raised millions of dollars for the SJCC, Congregation Gates of Heaven, and the Jewish Federation. Ernie was soft spoken, but strong in his resolve to leave this community in a better place. When Ernie spoke, you listened. When Ernie asked, you gave. Ernie was interested and interesting. He remained current and involved. May his memory be a blessing!” - Del Salmon , 1st Vice President Board of Directors

“Ernie was my mentor and teacher. He was always soft spoken, direct and knowledgeable. As the Chair of the JCC Board of Trustees, Ernie believed in proper process and procedures and insisted that the JCC do its homework before embarking on any major projects. Ernie’s guidance and leadership led to successful strategic planning, fundraising, and construction of the family park, and building expansion. We will miss his keen wisdom and leadership.” - Eric Kerness, Chair Board of Trustees

“Ernie was always our community go-to guy. Along with Bob Ludwig they made quite a team. Every time I turned around they were up to something else good. My friend Ernie and I played a major role in forming the UJF alliance with Albany. People thought that Albany would dominate, but that never came to pass. Schenectady people took their place and the alliance has been productive ever since. Little be it known, Ernie was my babysitter in 1940, ’41 & ‘42. As I grew up he was everywhere in Schenectady Jewish activities.” -Neil Golub, Executive Chairman of the Board, Golub Corporation

May His Memory Be a BlessingErnie Kahn

1927-2015

Schenectady JCC2565 Balltown RoadNiskayuna, NY 12309(518) 377-8803www.schenectadyjcc.org

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Jumpinto aSummerof Funat yourJCC!