Striar Annual Shopping Spree to benefit the Early Learning Center

Sunday, December 3, 9 am - 3 pm

Bonaparté Magic Show, 12:30 pm
Start your holiday season at Striar's Annual Shopping Spree today! More than 60 vendors will offer a wide assortment of high quality items appropriate for holiday giving, including jewelry, accessories, giftware, clothing, Judaica, children's toys, books, and more. At 12:30 pm, join Boston's hottest magician, Bonaparté, for an exciting family performance. Enjoy dazzling illusions, hilarious comedy and interactive audience participation. Admission to the show is $6.50 in advance; $8 at the door. Admission to the Shopping Spree is just $4. The Shopping Spree is open to all. For more information, contact Frances Pongonis, ext. 153, fpongonis@jccgb.org.

Men's and Women's Health Club Open House

Sunday, December 3, 8 am-12 noon

Come and experience the Health Club difference at Striar! Join us in the Men's and Women's health clubs for chair massage, complimentary food, tours, raffle prizes and a 25% discount on your annual membership for ONE DAY ONLY! Contact Rachel Rothstein at extension 207 for more information.

· Fitness Classes for the holidays

Sunday, November 26, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Junior Strength Training Intensive Workshop with Derek Paiva
Is your 11- to 14-year-old interested in using our Fitness facility? With this intensive workshop, our Junior Strength Training curriculum will be covered completely in ONE DAY! Cost is $60.00. Register with Jeff Martin, ext.126, jmartin@jccgb.org by noon on November 22.

Tuesday, November 28, 6:00 pm

FREE!! Belly Dancing
Join instructor Brenda Brenner for an hour of strengthening, movement, flexibility and just plain fun. Reserve your ticket in advance for this popular class!

Early Learning Center Open House for new families

Sunday, December 10, 10 am - noon

Explore our exciting programs for ages 18 months-5 years. Meet the staff and discover the benefits of JCC membership. Registration is now open for 2007-08 School Year. Contact Frances, ext. 153, fpongonis@jccgb.org, for details.

Lights & Spice Ball at The Castle at Park Plaza

Coming in December Saturday, December 2, 7 pm - midnight

Join Events Chairs Jane Lukoff, Ginny MacDowell and Maggie Gold Seelig at this annual event to honor these lights of the community: Kalman & Ellen Heller, Ginny & Roy MacDowell, and Patricia & Charles Ribakoff. Festive attire is requested. To reserve your space or for information, contact Lorraine Medoff, 617-558-6500, lmedoff@jccgb.org.

Cradles to Crayons Collection begins

December 1 - 14 in the Early Learning Center

The Striar Early Learning Center will once again partner with the Quincy-based Cradles to Crayons to collect new socks, underwear, and new and gently used outerwear and clothing for homeless children in Massachusetts. "Welcome baby" items such as diapers, wipes, new pacifiers, bottles, newborn toys, health and safety supplies, crib bedding and cribs, strollers, high chairs, swings, car seats, exersaucers, safety gates, bouncy seats, play-yards, and activity gyms also are needed. The collection will begin on Friday, December 1. All items will be collected, sorted and categorized here at Striar and picked up on Thursday, December 14th. To find out more, contact Sue Rosman, ext. 183, srosman@jccgb.org.

New Spinning Bikes, MAX Rack Workout System installed

Fitness at Striar just got better.

The Center has installed 21 comfortable, new Spinning bikes with cushier seats and a more comfortable ride.

In addition, Striar has installed the region's only Max Rack self-spotting workout system for use by both experienced and new athletes. Be one of the first to try these exciting pieces of equipment at one of Striar's six weekly Spinning classes or at the MAX Rack Instructional class on Wednesday, December 13 at 6 pm.

Winter Course Registration

Monday, December 4

Try something NEW at Striar this season! Simply Circus, Clay Creations, KidzArt for ages 4&5, Winter Sports Explosion. Plus children's 5-week mini-sessions! Enroll online at www.striarjcc.org, or contact Benita, ext. 298, bblock@jccgb.org.

Trip to the Vilna Shul, Boston

Wednesday, December 6, 9:30 am-1:00 pm

Sign up today to join tour guides Laura and Rick Brown, and Steven Greenberg of the Vilan Shul for a visit to this jewel of Boston Jewish history. See a scale replica of the Zabludow Synagogue and hand-painted ceiling panels from two antique Polish synagogues. Cost is $10 including transportation, plus $5 donation to the Vilna Shul. Register with Rani, ext. 288, rchadowitz@jccgb.org by November 28.

Creative Judaica Interfaith Chanukah Celebration

Sunday, December 10, 2:00-4:00 pm

Join Family Educator Josh Segal and Striar Program Director Alisa Levine to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Enjoy Chanukah snacks, stories, songs, and crafts with other young families. Cost is $5/child in advance, $8/child at the door; free for adults. To pre-register, contact Alisa, ext. 279, alevine@jccgb.org.

Jewish Boston 2020 Strategic Planning

Tuesday, December 5, 7 pm

The year 2020 seems like a long time away, but is it? Children born in 2007 will reach bar or bat mitzvah age in 2020. Baby boomers will be in their sixties. Combined Jewish Philanthropies has launched "Jewish Boston 2020", a strategic planning process to look at our Jewish future. Our first step is to gather input from across the community and hear what you think our top communal priorities should be. Please join us tonight at a community forum to discuss:

Share your opinion - and help shape the future of the Greater Boston Jewish community.
To RSVP, click here.

Shiller earns national certification

Tzipora Dayan-Shiller, Striar JCC's own Licensed Massage Therapist, has earned national certification in massage therapy and body work. Rejuvenate in the stillness of a nourishing, multi-modality massage using Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release and Cranial Sacral tehniques with essential oils. Getting healthy never felt so good! To make an appointment, contact phone Shiller at ext. 132.

Chanukah Taste of Tradition Dinner

Wednesday, December 20, 6-7:30 pm

Fry the latkes and light the candles! Join Striar Adult & Family Life Program Director Alisa Levine at a holiday-themed Taste of Tradition family dinner featuring Chanukah foods, songs, games and a special celebration. Experience the warmth of family and friends, and the miracles of the season.

Striar members and the community are invited to attend at just $7 members, $12 non-members (adults), $5 members, $7 non-members (children). Take advantage of this special offer for Striar members: bring a non-member family to the dinner and pay member prices for all. Pre-registration is requested. To reserve your space, please contact Levine at 781-341-2016, ext. 279, alevine@jccgb.org, or Lois Marcus, ext. 297, lmarcus@jccgb.org.

JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood Open House

Sunday, December 10, 2-4 pm

Find out about this Jewish overnight camp for boys and girls entering grades 3-11. Located on a beautiful lake in southern Maine, JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood offers a wide variety of athletic, creative arts and cultural activities in two, 3-1/2, 5-1/2, and seven week sessions. All are welcome. For information, contact Kathy Jonas, 617-558-6528, kjonas@jccgb.org.

Don't miss these exciting events from the Jewish Book & Art Festival.

Thursday, November 30, 7:30 pm

Book Talk: Rebecca Kohn, author of Seven Days to the Sea: An Epic Novel of The Exodus, in conversation with Rabbi Jodi Seewald Smith
Author Rebecca Kohn and Rabbi Seewald Smith of Temple Chayai Shalom, Easton examine Contemporary and Classic Issues of Jewish Identity. Kohn’s new novel examines the life of Moses through the eyes of his sister, Miryam, and his wife, Tzipporah. The discussion will explore how issues of the past may still resonate in the lives of Jews today. Pre-register by contacting Alisa, ext. 279, alevine@jccgb.org.
Members FREE Non-Members $5

Friday, December 1, 10:30 – Noon

Book Talk: Rabbi Moshe Waldoks, author of The Big Book of Jewish Humor and Rabbi Jonathan Hausman, Ahavath Torah Congregation
America’s foremost authority on Jewish humor joins Rabbi Hausman in conversation about what makes us laugh. Start your Sabbath celebration with a shtick and a smile. Pre-register by contacting Alisa, ext. 279, alevine@jccgb.org.
Members $2.00 Non-Members $6.00

Monday, December 4, 7:30 pm

Book Talk: Rabbi Dan Judson, author of Jewish Holidays: A Brief Introduction for Christians
This program is for anyone, Jewish and Christian, who wishes to deepen their understanding of Judaism. An accomplished writer and spiritual leader of Temple Beth David of the South Shore, Judson will explore the meaning of the major Jewish holidays and compare the themes and rituals with Christian holidays. Pre-register by contacting Alisa Levine, ext. 279, alevine@jccgb.org.
Members FREE Non-Members $5

Join the South Area's online Jewish Community Center

Send upcoming events at your synagogue or Jewish community organization to striarinfo@jccgb.org. Be sure to include the event name, sponsor, when and where it's happening, ticket prices, and who to contact for more information. Please note in the subject line: South Area Calendar of Events.