Please keep checking back here for updates. The JCC will reopen once power has been returned.
Thursdays
10/25/12 – 1/ 3/13 or 1/10/13
(No Games on – 11/22 and 12/13)
9 total weeks
Games at 7:30 and 8:30
$70.00 Per Person
Mondays
10/22/12 – 11/26/12
6 total weeks
Games at 7:30 and 8:30
$350.00 Per Team
Wednesdays
10/24/12 – 1/ 2/13 or 1/9/13
(No games on – 11/21 and 12/12)
8 or 9 total weeks
Games at 7:15 and 8:15
$450.00 Per Team
Today, representatives of the Denver Police Department met with me and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to advise us of a conversation the police recently had with a long-time homeless Denver resident. The individual made a passing comment about a “Jewish Center.” The police have interviewed the individual extensively and have advised us that they DO NOT believe he is a person of imminent concern, although he has expressed negative thoughts about Jewish people and Israel.
The police have recommended no additional action on our part other than to continually monitor our environment for any actions, individuals or packages that seem out of place or unusual. We believe that our ongoing conversations with the Denver Police Department, as well as other law enforcement agencies and ADL, allow us to receive the most up to date information and we additionally believe it best to be communicative and transparent with our membership.
If ADL or any law enforcement agency alerts the JCC about any additional information that constitutes a specific threat or causes concern, we will take appropriate action and notify our membership. Over the past few years the JCC, in consultation with law enforcement agencies and ADL, has continually monitored our safety and security program and procedures. We believe these measures are consistent with community and national standards.
ADL will notify those responsible for security at Colorado Jewish institutions about this matter.
As always, the safety and security of our members and guests is our highest priority. Should you see any suspicious activity at the JCC or other Jewish facilities in our community we encourage you to contact the police immediately by calling 911.
Shabbat Shalom
Stuart Raynor
CEO
Robert E Loup JCC
A sukkah is a temporary shelter meant to remind us of the temporary dwellings the Israelites built when they were wandering through the desert. The walls of a sukkah can be made out of almost anything, but the roof must be made out of plants that grew from the ground and are no longer attached to the ground. One must also be able to see the stars through the roof.
During the holiday of Sukkot we eat our meals in the sukkah (unless it’s raining) and spend time hanging out with family and friends in our temporary dwelling. Many families have a custom of decorating their sukkah with homemade artwork, posters, paper chains, and gourd
| Sukkot Theology and Themes
The holiday of Sukkot begins on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei. Known in rabbinic literature as Ha-Chag–”the holiday”–the themes of Sukkot are clearly of high importance in Jewish theology. This holiday is unique in that it is the only time Jews are instructed to build a structure as part of their observance. Each household traditionally builds or has access to a sukkah, a temporary shelter constructed only for the holiday. Lasting one week, the holiday integrates a wide range of symbols and concepts. Most notable is the sukkah itself. It is necessary that the sukkah be a temporary structure. Although the sukkah’s origin is in the temporary dwellings in which agricultural workers would reside during the hectic autumnal harvest season, Judaism has identified these huts with the dwellings of the biblical Israelites as they wandered in the desert for 40 years after the exodus from Egypt. In this manner, these temporary dwellings return us to a different time in our development and remind us of our journey to nationhood. over While traveling in the desert, the Israelites were not wandering aimlessly from place to place. As a young Jewish nation, they were trustingly following God as they ventured forth. Dependant entirely on God for food, safety, and direction, Sukkot is viewed as a beautiful and joyous time of bonding and loyaltybetween Jews and God. The flimsy sukkah structures return today’s Jews to this time in their history and to a celebration of devotion and dependence on God, who nurtures and cares for human beings. The sukkah is traditionally decorated with varieties of fruit. The fruit reminds us of the annual fruit harvest that was celebrated at this time. The Torah commands that on Sukkot, one of the three pilgrimage holidays, all Israelites were to bring their first fruit harvest to a national assembly. During Temple times the nation would gather together at the Temple to celebrate the harvest. Thus, once again ancient Israelites were traveling and dwelling in temporary homes. There is also a commandment in the Torah for each person to take the fruit of a “goodly tree,” later interpreted as a fruit called an etrog (citron). Along with this fruit, one must collect certain tree branches and rejoice before God. We therefore take a palm branch and connect to it myrtle twigs and willow branches. There are beautiful narratives in rabbinic literature that discuss the symbolic images of the etrog and lulav (as the combination of the palm, myrtle, and willow is collectively known). They include parallels to the Jewish matriarchs and patriarchs as well as to the body and soul of each individual Jew. One of the more poignant images is viewing the lulav and etrog as symbolic of different Jews within our community, each of value yet each expressing their Judaism differently. On Sukkot we symbolically unite all these Jews together and celebration that although as individuals we are so different, as a nation we are unified. We joyously share our celebration with God. Another name for the holiday of Sukkot is zeman simchateinu, “the time of our rejoicing.” Clearly one rejoices over the harvest just completed, but more than that, there is a sense of priorities that are being established through the images of the holiday. Dwelling in a sukkah forces us to remove ourselves from the materialistic things that normally fill our environment. Most people try to fill their homes with the most beautiful and expensive articles within their reach. We surround ourselves day to day with our materialistic accomplishments and dwell in their midst. Sukkot forces us to leave those behind and return to a much simpler, almost nomadic existence. Our priorities refocus onto affirmations of nationhood and spirituality while we are reminded how fleeting wealth can be. Sukkot returns us to a time in Jewish history when the entire nation was homeless and wandering. In the desert, the ancient Israelites often asked neighboring nations for assistance in their travels, but were often turned down. To show that we have learned form the travails of the past, it is traditional to invite others to share a meal in our sukkah as we remember how central compassion must be in a world where material things so easily come and go. In a modern world it can sometimes be difficult to remember how dependent each part of nature is on the other. The holiday of Sukkot reinforces the notion that all of nature relies on a relationship with the Divine Creator and that humanity must play its part in securing favourable decrees and harmony within nature. From the individual to the community to the world at large, the holiday of Sukkot broadens our perspectives and reminds us to check our priorities. (Taken from www.myjewishlearning.com) |
In the film Atonement there is the “scene” in which the would be lovers quarrel and the young man breaks a precious vase belonging to the young woman’s family.
The dialogue is short but profound for the theme of the movie: Atonement.
Cecilia: You idiot… You realize that’s probably the most valuable thing we own?
Robbie: Not anymore it isn’t.
There are things we break that are irreplaceable—either because they are one of a kind or because of their sentimental value. And then there are hearts we “break” because they are one of a kind and are sensitive.
The theme we will be exploring is whether one can truly be forgiven and forgive oneself. In the two films we will watch at the JCC in preparation for the High Holidays (Days of Awesomeness) there are words spoken and actions taken that in our traditional Jewish teachers refer to as “transgressions that have no repair.”
The word for repair in Hebrew that is used in this context is the word Tikkun.
So is there no Tikkun possible for words and actions that alter the lives of other people?
The word atonement comes from a root meaning to be as one (onement) and in Hebrew to cover over–Kaper—the word in Hebrew starts with the letter Kaf—an inverted “c” and that is the function of the letter both in English and Hebrew—to “c-over.
The definition of atonement is to make amends or reparation for an injury or wrong. Even if a vase is irreplaceable one can set a monetary value and “repair” the loss. But what of things said and done that are beyond a recompense of money?
While there is a formula in Jewish law for all atonements (acknowledging, regretting and confessing) the injury or wrong would appear to remain—especially when the person is no longer alive for direct amends to be made. If there can be atonement for transgressions that have no repair (which we will explore in the discussion of the films) we can feel optimistic that our faults and misdeeds can be repaired with those still living and within ourselves as we breathe.
This year’s JAAMM (Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies and Music) Festival marks MACC’s (Mizel Arts and Culture Center) fifth year in bringing together a plethora of arts including literary, music, film and theatre events (a total of 40!). Festival director, Michael Friedman says, “…this Festival will be an incredible celebration of Jewish culture…our program offerings of bestselling authors and internationally acclaimed musicians will raise the cultural bar this year.”
This year’s Festival kicks off with “A Night of Chagall” which will feature the opening receptions of two exhibits and a film. Both exhibits present works of Biblical interpretations, the first, (titled “Marc Chagall and the Bible: Etchings and Lithographs”) by famed artist Marc Chagall, will show some of his lesser known but extravagant and fanciful etchings and lithographs. The companion exhibit, titled “Michelle Barnes: The Good Book, Biblical Illuminations” is by the artist Michelle Barnes, who has won numerous awards for her illustrations in books, magazines and newspapers. The evening finishes out with a free film screening at 7:30 p.m. of Harry Rasky’s Homage to Chagall: The Colours of Love, an enthralling portrait of the legendary artist combining images of his art and rare interviews of Chagall himself.
As always, JAAMM Fest features top Israeli/Jewish musicians in several different music genres. “Our music lineup boasts an enticing array of styles from jazz to classical and everything between,” says Friedman, “Patrons will want to attend multiple concert events.” Returning to JAAMM Fest are two of our most popular past musical acts, The Jerusalem Quartet on Sunday, October 21 at 4 p.m., who will play classics from Beethoven, Shostakovich and Brahms, and The Anat Cohen Quartet on Saturday, October 27, 8 p.m., with special guest Avishai Cohen on trumpet, performing jazz with a South American twist. Also appearing is superstar, Rami Kleinstein on Saturday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m., who has been called “Israel’s Elton John;” Howard Pollack on Sunday, October 28 at 11 a.m., giving a lecture and recital on American Musical Theatre; Rabbi Gershom Sizomu on Sunday, November 4 at 4 p.m., who will perform original Abayudaya Jewish songs and traditional Jewish liturgy set to African rhythms and melodies; and The Shuffle Concert Ensemble on Saturday, November 4 at 7:30 p.m., an innovative idea from Juilliard graduate and pianist, Eliran Avni –you choose, they play! These concerts offer a unique opportunity to experience these world-class artists in the intimate new Elaine Wolf Theatre. All seats for music events are reserved. Tickets are on sale now at www.maccjcc.org/jaamm
In its 46th year, MACC’s Festival of Jewish Books and Authors (the base program around which JAAMM Festival was formed), will again feature a broad spectrum of authors and subject matter. New this year, will be the Festival’s Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Daniel Matt, touted as one of the world’s leading authorities on Kabbalah; he will speak about his book, God and the Big Bang: Discovering Harmony between Science and Spirituality, as well as give several seminars and lectures on Jewish mysticism and God. This program is produced by the newly-formed Jewish Learning Collaborative comprised of the Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Denver, The Department of Jewish Life & Learning at the Robert E. Loup JCC and Kabbalah Experience.
Other author appearances include Caroline Stoessinger, author of A Century of Wisdom: Lessons from the Life of Alice Herz-Sommr, the oldest living holocaust survivor (108!); Katherine Janus Kahn, illustrator of the acclaimed Sammy Spider series; Bruce Ferber, the funnyman who penned such comedy shows as “Home Improvement,” “Coach,” and “Growing Pains;” Rich Cohen, contributing editor at Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone; Julie Orringer, author of The Invisible Bridge, this year’s Denver Jewish Community Reads 2012 author; and the Festival’s keynote author, Rabbi Harold Kushner, returning to JAAMM Fest to talk about his latest inspirational tome, The Book of Job: When Bad Things Happened to a Good Person. Featured author books are for sale during JAAMM Fest and authors will be on hand to sign them after their talks. Most author talks take place in the Phillips Social Hall at MACC/JCC, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver, and cost $8 (higher fees for some programs and food events).
For the third year, MACC will co-produce a theatre production with Theatre Or, The Value of Names by Jeffrey Sweet. This critically acclaimed show, directed by local favorite, Richard H. Pegg, featuring poignant subject matter and superb writing runs Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays in the Pluss Theatre at MACC, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver.
Along with the aforementioned, Homage to Chagall, JAAMM Fest will also feature the Israeli box office smash success, Footnote by director Joseph Cedar on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 7 pm. in the Elaine Wolf Theatre. Footnote is a thoughtful and engaging character study about a father/son rivalry within the esoteric setting of the Talmudic Studies Department of Hebrew University in Jerusalem. It was nominated for Best Foreign Picture and was the winner of the Israeli Ophir for Best Picture and Best Screenplay at Cannes.
JAAMM Fest is also partnering with The Holocaust Awareness Institute at the University of Denver’s Center for Judaic Studies on the 10th Annual Fred Marcus Memorial Holocaust Lecture featuring filmmaker, Pierre Sauvage, who will give a lecture followed by an exclusive screening of his documentary, And Crown Thy Good: Varian Fry in Marseille on Sunday, October 28, 4 p.m. at Infinity Park Event Center, 4400 E. Kentucky Ave. in Glendale.
One of a few festivals nationwide to supply a plethora of events focused on Jewish culture, this year’s line up is appealing to those who are Jewish as well as the broader community of culture enthusiasts.
This multi-disciplinary festival is feasible, thanks to generous supporters of the MACC (SCFD and The Rose Community Foundation) and combined efforts by an experienced program staff and dedicated volunteers. For more on JAAMM Festival programs or for ticket information visit www.maccjcc.org/jaamm or call (303) 316-6360.
Christine, born in Grand Junction and raised in Arvada, has lived in Colorado all her life. She and her husband have lived in Park Hill for 23 years. Christine graduated from college and worked for Volunteers of America coordinating the Meals on Wheels program for seniors and for people with AIDS until the birth of her son. She currently volunteers for Volunteers of America by delivering meals to home bound seniors in Park Hill.
After the birth of her son she became a stay at home mother. It was around this time that she started to look into local gyms. A friend of hers recommended the JCC Sports and Fitness center telling her how family-friendly it was. She has been a member at the JCC for about 10 years. Christine enjoys the pool during the summer and attends group exercise classes (spinning, boot camp, Pilates and sculpting class) throughout the year.
“I always look forward to participating in the Indoor Ironman in January and the Spring Fitness Challenge as well as working out with the personal trainers. When I need to change my workout, they have helped me to lose weight and gain strength,” comments Christine. “My son, who is 14 years old, attends the teen sport fitness classes, does sports-specific training and works out with personal trainer, Mike Sosniak, to get in shape for the Winter Park snowboard team. What I enjoy most about the JCC Fitness Center is that I am greeted by name by the staff as soon as I walk through the door. The friendliness of the staff from the front desk, the instructors and personal trainers to the director, Rachel, provides a welcoming atmosphere. The JCC Fitness Center strives to stay current with new programs and classes which is important to me.”
Thank you, Christine, for your membership. You Belong Here.
Power Outage UpdateOctober 25, 2012 - 6:14 pm8:00 p.m., Oct. 25: Electricity has been restored. Normal hours are in effect. 6:12 p.m., Oct. 25: The JCC as of 6:12 p.m. is closed due to a power outage. Excel has been unable to provide a time for when power will come back. Please keep checking back here for updates. The JCC will reopen [...]
http://www.denverpost.com/lifestyles/ci_21727864/get-shape-ski-season-trainer-samantha-tanenholtzs-tips
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