Philly J

Gems at the J | Picture Perfect Memories
2025-05-05 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Kaiserman JCC, 45 Haverford Rd, Wynnewood, PA, 19096, United States
A class focusing on smart phone photography basics. Have you wanted to use your phone’s camera to the best of its abilities? Have you wanted to capture memories of your kids or grandkids but don’t know where to start? Have you been unhappy with photos you have taken because of blurry quality or unfocused images? This class will take you step by step through how to take the best photos for all your events or vacations. Some of the topics we will cover include, but are not limited to: Smart Phone Camera App 101, Photography basics, How to take Portraits & Nature photography, What makes a photo ‘good’ and editing basics.
Click here to register for the Phone Photography Basics
With Instructor Siena Christopherson. Siena Christopherson is a Temple University Grad and currently seeking her Masters degree at Villanova University. In undergrad, she studied Photojournalism and Psychology, and now is seeking a Masters in Education to become a secondary ed teacher. Having worked for the Dow Jones News Fund, Mural Arts Philadelphia, and several small publications throughout the city. See some of her work at sienaspix.com

Gems at the J | Films about American Jewish Families
2025-05-05 13:00 - 15:00
Small children; small problems. Big children, big problems: Films about American Jewish Families
This series explores the journeys of Jewish families as their young adult children begin to assert their independence, leading to both comical and dramatic complications. Spanning from the early 20th to the 21st century, the films trace the immigrant experience and the evolution of American family life. We’ll follow the stories of boys in the first two films and girls in the last two, set in the vibrant Northeast U.S., capturing the dynamic shifts in both family and adolescence over time.
April 28 – Avalon (1990)
May 5 – Brighton Beach Memoirs (1986)
May 12 – Marjorie Morningstar (1958)
May 19 -You Are So Not Invited to my Bat Mitzvah (2023)
Click here to register for Films about Jewish Families
With instructor Ruth Anolik

Gems at the J | Movies That Became Broadway Shows
2025-05-06 11:00 - 12:00
This lecture series explores iconic films that transitioned from the silver screen to the Broadway stage. Each session will focus on a different movie-turned-musical, examining how the story, characters, and themes were adapted for live theater. We will dive into the creative process behind these transformations, discussing the challenges and innovations involved in bringing a beloved film to the stage.
With instructor Leila Joffe
Click here to register for Movies that Became Broadway Shoes

Gems at the J | FUEL Program for Seniors
2025-05-06 12:15 - 13:15
The FUEL Program for seniors is a three part series looking into healthy aging and food as medicine for disease management. The class participants will learn about a healthy diet and understand how diet can help with disease processes such as weight gain, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes and cardiac disease. In each class we will explore nutrition science, related to everyday stories of real dietary issues of people and solve their food dilemmas.
4/29: Fuel Your Body- Smart Eating for Healthy Aging (Weight Control: Fresh Foods and Pre-Diabetes: Think Your Drink.)
5/6: Understanding Food Fact Labels.
5/13: Mindful & Intuitive Eating Strategies
Click here to register for the FUEL for Seniors
With instructor Dr. Emma Fogt EdD, MBA, MS, RDN

Gems at the J | One Book, One Jewish Community
2025-05-07 10:00 - 11:00
Instructor: Rabbi Eric Yanoff, Adath Israel
Class Dates: Wednesdays May 7th, May 14th, May 21st
Join Rabbi Eric Yanoff for the annual “One Book, One Jewish Community” book club as he explores this year’s selection, For Such a Time as This: On Being Jewish Today, by Rabbi Eliot Cosgrove. The book deals with the challengeing questions embedded in the soul of contemporary Jewry. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage in thoughtful discussion and reflection on this profound work.
Register for One Book, One Jewish Community

Lets Make A Plan: Aging with Community
2025-05-07 16:00 - 17:30
Come to one or all of these free afternoon programs on finding community and resources while aging. We will be joined by guests from Main Line Health, Senior Living Specialists Philly, Right At Home, and more.
March 5 – Aging with Dignity with Sebastiano Porcu, MD, Main Line Health
March 19 – The Science of Aging with Marie Webster, PhD, Main Line Health
April 9 – Financial and Legal Matters with Bryan J. Adler Esq., CELA, Rothkoff Law Group
April 23 – Should I Stay or Should I Go with Mindy Mozenter, Senior Living Specialists Philly, and Brittany McConnon, Right at Home Main Line
May 7 – Where We Live: Senior Rightsizing and Selling with Jill Goldman, Compass Real Estate and Anna Keffer, CDP, SMM-C, Right Size Relocation
May 21 – Building Community

Lets Make A Plan: Aging with Community
Please fill out one form per person.

Name(Required)

First

Last

Phone(Required)Email(Required)

Which sessions will you be joining us?

March 5 - Science of Aging

March 19- Aging with Dignity

April 9 - Financial and Legal Matters

April 23 – Should I Stay or Should I Go

May 7 - Where We Live- “Senior Rightsizing and Selling”

May 21 - Building Community
Liability Waiver(Required) I agree to the Liability WaiverBy checking this box, I release, hold harmless, and indemnify the Kaiserman JCC and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, as well as its agents and employees, from and against any liability on their part, of any kind whatsoever, which may arise in any manner, from use of the JCC’s facilities.

Additionally, I understand that photos or videos of myself or my family members may be taken during participation in JCC programs or use of its facilities. These images may be used by the JCC for marketing and promotional purposes, including but not limited to social media, brochures, and the JCC website.

To opt out of this photo release, I must email marketing@phillyjcc.com and submit a photo of each individual opting out. This opt-out must be renewed annually.

Gems at the J | The Guide for the Perplexed
2025-05-08 10:00 - 11:00
Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, known as the RAMBAM in the Jewish world, and Maimonides in the philosophical world, is considered the greatest Jewish philosopher of the Middle Ages. His magnum opus, The Guide for the Perplexed, is one of the great texts of medieval philosophy. We will read excerpts from this work that deal with the topics of being created in the image of God, eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, and divine attributes.
With instructor Barnett Kamen
Click here to register for Guide for the Perplexed

Gems at the J | Mind Your Nature
2025-05-09 10:00 - 11:30
MIND YOUR NATURE! How nature can positively affect our minds
$72 for entire course, $60 with fitness unlimited package, or $15 per drop-in
Research shows that being in nature can reduce stress levels and increase wellbeing. The number one predictor of wellbeing and a healthy life is the quality of your relationships and connections to the community. Our society suffers from depression, anxiety, high levels of stress, hopelessness and more. Imagine a life where you live in the moment, with a sense of peace and fulfillment. How nature can positively affect our minds? In a 6 weeks series we will learn to handle stress with more ease and calm as you discover a sense of purpose and wellbeing through mindfulness exercises and being in nature. “aSPIRE” to becoming an even better version of yourself in 2025! We will be teaching the foundations of becoming happier, strategies developed by world-renowned former Harvard professor, Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar. We will combine this short classroom time with a mindful walk outside in nature as you learn to apply happiness & mindfulness strategies to your daily life. The walks will be easy and slow.
Click here to register for Mind your nature
With Instructor Alyson Harris, Certified Mindfulness Meditation teacher & Na’ama Yarden, Certified Happiness Studies Academy.
