Philly J

Gems at the J | Fall Registration Brunch
2024-09-04 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Kaiserman JCC, 45 Haverford Rd, Wynnewood, PA, 19096, United States
Open House: Brunch and Fall Course Registration
Come and register for upcoming courses and classes in-person, while enjoying some fun and healthy brunch fare!
Please bring your curiosity, calendar, and enthusiasm, plus your insurance card so we can make sure you are getting the most out of your benefits.
Click here to register for this event!
See all classes at the link below. When you click this link it will bring you to all classes and courses available for registration. Under Sport you can select the categories of interest to you (i.e. Gems | Info Session). Under Age you can select Gems to filter all Gems-age events.
Click here to see all of the Gems classes!

Gems at the J | Lunch Bunch
2024-09-05 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-12 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-19 12:00 - 13:00
Catch up with your friends or make some new ones. Bring your own lunch and if you want, also bring something to share.
No program on 10/3, 10/17, and 11/28
Click here to register for lunch bunch!

Gems at the J | Mahjong Lessons
2024-09-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-09-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-09-19 13:00 - 14:00
With Sharon Dunoff & Helene Rosenfeldt | 4 Thursdays, September 5-26, 2024 | 1pm – 2pm | $80
In just 4 weeks, you will learn how to play a beginner’s game of Mah Jongg. You’ll learn how to identify tiles, read a card and the rules of the game! Learn the game your mother and grandmother always wanted to teach you!
Please feel free to join us for Mahjong Open Play after the completion of the course from 1-3pm on Thursdays.

Click here to register for this event!

Gems at the J | Mahjong Open Play
2024-09-05 13:00 - 15:00
Facilitators: Helene Rosenfeldt and Sharon Dunoff
This playtime is for people who KNOW how to play, from beginner to advanced. If interested in learning how to play Mahjong for the first time, please email Rachel at rsakofs@phillyjcc.com
Click here to register for this event!

Gems at the J | Mahjong Open Play
2024-09-05 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-09-12 13:00 - 15:00
Facilitators: Helene Rosenfeldt and Sharon Dunoff
No Mahjong on 10/3, 10/17, 11/28
This playtime is for people who KNOW how to play, from beginner to advanced. If interested in learning how to play Mahjong for the first time, please email Rachel at rsakofs@phillyjcc.com
Click here to register for this event!

Secure, Jewish, and Democratic: A Group Learning Experience With IPF
2024-09-05 18:30 - 21:00, 2024-09-10 18:30 - 21:00, 2024-09-16 18:30 - 20:30
Cost: $50 Early Bird Price by 8/1; $75 Regular Price by 8/9
We are thrilled to be partnering with the Israel Policy Forum to bring “Secure, Jewish, and Democratic” to the Philadelphia area.
“Secure, Jewish and Democratic” is a 5-session course where attendees dive into the major issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict today. Throughout the sessions, you will form a community, learn together, deepen your understanding of the issues, and leave feeling empowered to navigate dialogue about the conflict.
Session 1: Thursday, Sept 5, 6:30-9pm
Session 2: Tuesday, Sept 10, 6:30-8:30pm
Session 3: Monday, Sept 16, 6:30-8:30pm
Session 4: Sunday, Sept 22, 10am-12pm (virtual)
Session 5: Tuesday, Sept 24, 6:30-9pm
This program is open to a limited number of participants, and we hope you will join us! The application is available online, here
Subsidy is available and we do not want cost to be a barrier for any attendees, email us for more information. The registration includes educators, materials, meals, and refreshments. Please visit our course page to learn more about the program, our educators, and the Israel Policy Forum.

Gems at the J | Cholant and Conversations
2024-09-06 11:00 - 12:00
Each month we will meet a different Rabbi or Jewish educator from the community, who will share with us their wisdom about the Jewish connections in text impacting the world today. Vegetarian Kosher Cholent will be served.
September 6 – Rabbi David Ackerman
September 27 – Rabbi Moriah SimonHazani Canceled
November 1 – Rabbi Lisa Malik, PhD
December 6 – Rabbi Shelly Barnathan
Click here to register for this class series!

Paws in the Pool - Saturday
2024-09-07 12:00 - 15:00
Harley’s Paws In The Pool!
NEW DATES AND TIME: Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8 12:00-3:00pm $10 per dog Before we “paws” our pools for the season, we invite our canine friends for a day of swimming, splashing and socializing in our fenced-in outdoor pool area! Both the toddler pool and main pool will be open.
Register below!

Rules:

Each dog must have a completed registration form before gaining entry into the event.
Owner/handler must be at least 18 years of age.
Maximum 2 Dogs per adult
All dogs must be current on their vaccinations.
All pets must be spayed or neutered.
Your dog may be released from their leash upon entering the pool deck area, following registration. No leashes while in the pool.
If there are behavior problems, your will be asked to leash your dog and or leave. Your dog must remain under your control at all times.
Know your dog’s personality. If he/she is acting aggressively, or overly affectionate, please calm him/her down before un-leashing. If your dog maintains an aggressive and/or overly affectionate demeanor, owner and dog will be escorted from the event.
Please be sure your dog has been exposed to swimming. Some dogs swim well, some don’t. If not, he/she may become afraid or aggressive.
Owners must appropriately dispose of their dog’s fecal matter in designated areas that are provided. Be courteous to other guests and clean up your dog’s “accidents”.
Please help your dog into and out of the pool. Lifeguards will be on hand if you or they need assistance.
Do not bring dogs that have health conditions that may endanger themselves or others.
Humans are allowed in pool to assist in getting dog in/out or to play with their dogs. No Free Swim, Laps, or Walking.
Outside food or drinks (pet or human) are not allowed in the pool.
No puppies under three (3) months old.
Please notify a staff person or volunteer if you have any questions.

Thank’s for your interest, we have SOLD OUT!
If you have already purchased tickets to this event, please be on the look-out for an email from us with more information.
If you have questions, please email us.

Paws in the Pool - Sunday
2024-09-08 12:00 - 15:00

Gems at the J | Philadelphia’s Jews: A Journey Through History, Part Two
2024-09-09 11:00 - 12:00
Instructor: Dr. Reena Sigman Friedman, Gratz College
Class Dates: 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 (Must sign-up for all)
This three-week course continues our exploration of the Philadelphia Jewish community from the late nineteenth century to the present. Using primary source documents, photographs, and some video,
we will capture highlights of this fascinating story! Participation in part 1 is not required to take the class.
Click here to register for this class!

Going To The ‘Country’: Jews In The Catskill Mountains
2024-09-09 12:30 - 15:00, 2024-09-16 12:30 - 15:00
Instructor: Dr. Ruth Anolik, English Department Villanova University
Class Dates: 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30 (register for one or all)
Cost: $50/Full or $15/Class
Let’s hold on to summer with a film series set in the famous Jewish summer sanctuary, the Catskill Mountains. The resorts of the Catskills offered an escape from the various oppressive conditions of the city – the hot summer weather and the repressive social climate encountered by mid-century Jews. Paradoxically, for some young Jews, the Catskills also offered an opportunity to explore a less sheltered world, a world in which young Jewish performers and comedians flourished as they encountered non-Jewish peers. This series offers us an escape from our time and place, and insights into a lost world. Films will include (in order): Welcome to Kutshers (2015), Dirty Dancing (1987), A Walk on the Moon (1999) and Four Seasons Lodge (2008). There will be a discussion after each film.
Click here to register for these classes!

Gems at the J | Canasta Club
2024-09-09 15:00 - 17:00, 2024-09-16 15:00 - 17:00
Every Monday, Except on Holidays
Come to the JCC and join friends to play Canasta. Knowledge of how to play the game is required – Canasta Club has no facilitators.
Click here to register for Canasta!

Caregiver Support Group
2024-09-10 14:30 - 15:30
6 Week Group on Tuesdays | September 10th – October 22nd
Instructor: Dana Rummery, LPC, ATR-BC
Class Dates: 9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/15, 10/22 (Must sign-up for all)
Are you mentally and emotionally preparing yourself constantly to be the support for someone else? Are you trying to manage your own emotions and exhaustion at the same time? Do you want to gather with others to connect over shared caregiving responsibilities while creating meaningful art? Join Dana Rummery, LPC, ATR-BC Licensed Professional Counselor and Art Therapist and connect with people while making art.
Throughout this group, you will connect with people over shared caregiving responsibilities while making an art piece to represent your role as a caregiver. Dana Rummery ATR-BC, LPC is a registered and board-certified Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor with over 18 years of experience supporting patients and their families.
Click here to register for this class series

SharQuí Bellydance - 8 Week Class Beginning September 2024
2024-09-10 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-09-17 19:00 - 20:00
8 Week Class on Tuesdays (Register at the Link Below)
Starting April 15 | 7:00pm (There is no class on April 22)
Cost: $129/Full Session. Check back in for drop in rates.
SharQuí, The Bellydance Workout® is a liberating fitness program that’s as fun as it is healthy. Unlike other dance-based workout programs, SharQuí isn’t focused on weight loss. We promote overall fitness and beauty – specifically, YOUR beauty! Are you ready to give up boring workouts and become your best self while having the time of your life? It’s time to try SharQuí!
Register on the SweatNow app. Upload app on phone. Search for (JCC) SharQui Bellydance
Register on the SweatNow App!

Gems at the J | Warrior Fitness & Martial Arts For Adults Mini Series
2024-09-11 16:15 - 17:00
Instructor: Abrielle Fuerst, Wandering Fighter, LLC
Class Dates 9/11, 9/18, 9/25 (Must sign-up for all)
This blended exercise/self-defense course offers all the fitness benefits of traditional martial arts (increased strength, coordination, flexibility and cardiovascular health), while incorporating self-defense techniques. The program is designed to meet participants where they are and build from a place of strength. All levels and ages are welcome; no experience is necessary. Abrielle holds a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo with belts in kung fu, kuk sool won and hapkido, and experience in krav maga, judo, karate and Brazilian jiu jitsu.
Click here to register for this class series!

Gems at the J | Political Affairs with David Brown
2024-09-12 11:00 - 12:00
Instructor: David Brown, Producer of Unreasonable Podcast
Class Dates: 9/12, 9/19, 9/25 (Must sign-up for all)
Are you stressed about the state of our democracy? Join local grassroots organizer David Brown for a three-part course to set you on the path to making change. We will outline the political landscape in Pennsylvania, from the dynamics of our legislature to the political mechanisms by which our elections run. We will dive deep into the insidious rise of White Christian Nationalism and its far-reaching effects on our laws. Lastly, we will outfit attendees with accessible tools to stand up for democracy, pluralism, and freedom in the face of rising authoritarianism, disinformation, and antisemitism.
Click here to register for this class series!

Gems at the J | Painted Rhythm, Music And Dance
2024-09-12 14:00 - 15:15
Instructor: Lynn Berkowitz, MFA, BFA
Class Dates: 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 (Must sign-up for all)
Let the rhythm take you into and through painting with a toe-tapping tempo! During the class’s fast-paced, fun, and artful conversations, we will look at how different artists use rhythm to activate a painting with accented elements just like musicians and dancers use beats, pattern, and cadence. Through the lens of different ‘isms, we will take a focused look at paintings that feature dance, acquaint ourselves with music of their time and place, and see the element of rhythm in dynamic compositions.
Click here to register for this class series!

Faith, Nationalism, and the Future of Liberal Democracy Lecture
2024-09-12 19:00 - 21:00
Instructor: David Elcott, Ph.D.
At a moment when liberal democracy is so deeply threatened and we search to understand how this can be occurring at this point in history, a new prize-winning analysis Faith, Nationalism, and the Future of Liberal Democracy by David Elcott comes to offer a cogent exploration of the ways religious identity fuels illiberal nationalist and populist democracy across the globe, from the United States to Israel, from India to Indonesia.
Elcott, a powerful analyst who has taught in Jewish communities across North America and interfaith settings around the world, allows us to better understand the revolts against a political, social and economic order that values democracy in a global and strikingly diverse world, while encouraging people of faith to promote foundational support for the institutions and values of the democratic enterprise from within their own religious traditions and to stand against the hostility and cruelty that historically have resulted when religious zealotry and state power combine.

Register Here

Gems at the J | The History Of The Northern Border Of Israel – Special Zoom Program
2024-09-17 11:00 - 12:00
Instructor: Gadi Ben Dov, Israeli Tour Guide
Class Dates: 9/17, 9/24, 10/1 (Must sign-up for all)
This three-part online series will provide a comprehensive understanding of how historical events and geopolitical factors have shaped and continue to influence Israel’s northern border and its relationship with neighboring countries.
Click here to register for this class!

Gems at the J | Learn and Light Bites with Main Line Health: Falls Prevention At Home And In The Community
2024-09-17 12:00 - 13:30
Speaker: Maureen W. Krouse, MPH, MCHES
Topic: Falls Prevention at Home and in the Community
Each month we will bring a different speaker to discuss health and wellness topics. Lunch cosponsored by Tikvah
Click here to register for this class!
