VOL 3, ISSUE 2

N I SAN / SIVAN I 5774

Chai lights
a publication of the JCC Family Programs department

A P R I L / M AY

2014

Family Programs is dedicated to young families with children ages six and under, offering classes, programs and events specifically designed to help families grow and learn together. Family Programs holds Jewish holiday celebrations, parenting and pre-natal classes, Move & Learn parent/caregiver classes, family events, concerts and celebrations.

Shalom Family
Mini Camp: Spring Break Style
March 31April 4, 8:4511:45 a.m. Children ages 25 $35/day/JCC Members or $42/day/Guests, Tues./Thurs. $45/day/JCC Members or $55/Guests, for Mon./Wed./Fri. $190 Members/$228 Guests, all five days

Dads Day Out with the Kids: Day in the Dirt

Sunday April 13, 10 a.m.Noon at Ekar Farm (At JCC in case of inclement weather) $10/family

Join JCC Family Programs for a week of morning fun! We will be offering creative adventures with Quill and dance with Miss Katie on Tues./Thurs.,KinderKixx soccer and music with Marissa on Mon./Wed./Fri. Drop your children off (as long as they are potty trained) or accompany them for a morning of rip-roaring adventures at the JCC!

Help to plant Ekars perennialshmitah garden in preparation for the new year.Whats shmitah? The Torah relates that every seven years the land is to lie fallow; we are not to do any agricultural work on the land that we possess. This law is called shmitah, and it measures cycles of seven: every seventh year the land rests, and after seven cycles of seven years, we celebrate a yovel, a jubilee year. Enjoy a day in the dirt with dads and kids. And help us get ready for springtime and the new year!

No Flashcards, Drills or Stress: Developmentally Appropriate Ways to Get Ready for Kindergarten
Friday, April 25, 10:15 a.m. JCC Board Room Free

Shabbat @ Shalom
2nd Friday of Every Month (April 11, May 9) 45 p.m. Shalom Cares (14800 E Belleview Drive Aurora, CO 80015)

Are you looking for a meaningful way to engage your family in service? Bring your children and help local senior citizens celebrate Shabbat! Please bring along home made Shabbat Shalom cards to share with residents after a brief Shabbat services. All ages are welcome and you are invited to stay after 5 p.m. to visit with residents. Please reply to Bethany, bethanysage@gmail.com

Learn how to weave small moments of playful learning into the daily routines of parenting young children. Educator Lena Fishman draws on her 20 years of experience as a learning specialist to give all parents stress-free tools that prepare their children to become confident learners who succeed in school.Walkins welcome, RSVPs appreciated.

Infant Massage and Movement Workshop

Sunday May 4, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. JCC Denver $45/family/ JCC Members (parent, baby and partner); $55/family/JCC Guests *Additional family members are $10 each.

NEW! Mah Koreh? Ani Koreh! Whats Happening? Im Reading!

A Hebrew story and music time for preschool children
Mondays 44:45pm JCC, Room 205 March 31May 19 (no class April 14 and 21 due to Passover) $5/child 6 months and older (your first visit is free!)

Led by early childhood educator,Elinor Rifkin,and JCC Shaliach,Yoni Alon,this is a great chance for children to be exposed to traditional Hebrew stories and songs,learn the alef bet, and socialize with other early Hebrew speakers.Perfect for preschoolers!

Infant Massage and Movement Workshop will be 90 minutes of Momma (and/or Daddy) and Baby fun and bonding.This class will focus on infant massage for colic, reflux, gas and general relaxation and sleep.You will also learn how to structure play and awake time for your little one.You will receive a packet of information about massage and a sensory toy for you to take home.This class is for babies birth to pre-crawling. Instructor: Rebecca Kanov,certified Movement and Message Therapist.

www.fb.com/JCCFamilyPrograms All classes and events require advance registration. Please contact Jill Katchen (303) 316-6336 jkatchen@jccdenver.org or register online at www.jccdenver.org/winterguide

Chai Lights
JCC Family Yom Haazmaut Celebration
Tuesday, May 6, 46 p.m. JCC Lobby and Finer terrace $10/family in advance or $15 at the door /JCC Members; $12/family in advance or $18 at the door/ JCC Guests

Jewish Baby University

Spring 2014: April 6, 28, May 4, 8 (Miracles and Bootcamp), and May 12 Summer 2014: July 13, 21, 27, 31 (Miracles and Bootcamp),
August 1 (Shabbat dinner) and August 3 Rose Medical Center and the JCC $200/couple

Celebrate Israels Independence Day with the JCC! Please join us for hands-on activities, Israeli dance, music and food,as we learn about and celebrate Israels 66th birthday. Julie Geller will be performing live music, snacks will be served, and kosher bbq dinner will be for sale.

11th Annual Celebrate Family Festival

Sunday, May 18, 10:30 a.m.2:30 p.m. JCC Free admission

Designed for expectant parents,this innovative program combines childbirth education with an exploration of the Jewish traditions and rituals connected with pregnancy, birth and parenting. Instructors Rabbi Jeffrey Kaye (Judaic) and Sue Geissler (prepared childbirth),lead this program created by the Colorado Agency for Jewish Education and co-sponsored by the JCC and Rose Medical Center.Participants will also join the Boot Camp for New Dads and Miracles and Mayhem classes to discuss the anticipated post-partum experience,communication skills, parental expectations and changing identities.All expectant parents are welcomesingle parents, LGBT, adoptive, and surrogate we have a place for you!

Sibling Prep Class

Sunday, April 6, 10 a.m.Noon JCC Denver $20/family JCC members; $25/ family JCC guests

Join the JCC and hundreds of community organizations and businesses as we celebrate our families and all that our amazing community has to offer.Admission is free,but do bring some money for rides and snacks.The festival will feature:train rides,moon bounce,helicopter landing,face painting,balloon artists,music and more! Kosher bbq lunch will be for sale.

Moving from being an only child to a big brother or sister is a BIG deal to you and to your child. Please join us for a morning of activities, making gifts for the new baby and big brother/ sister and learning a bit of what to expectwhen the new baby comes home. Taught by Sara Nieder, LCSW and mother of three.

Shalom Baby- Parenting and Prenatal Programs

Warm Welcome Visits
For Jewish parents welcoming a new baby into their family, we offer caring support, a connection to community resources, a way to meet other new parents, and a gift basket that includes, cds, books, other fun gifts, and information on child development and parenting skills from Colorado Bright Beginnings. If you are a new parent or new to our Jewish community with a baby 6 months or younger, and would like a FREE Warm Welcome visit, please contact Jill (303) 316-6336, or jkatchen@jccdenver.org.

LDor vDor: Jewish Grandparent University

Monday, June 9 (at JCC South Denver), and September 15 (at JCC Denver) 6:309 p.m. JCC Denver and JCC South Denver $20/per person

Helping grandparents and grandparents-to-be learn techniques andbest practices in supporting your children in becoming parents for the first time,while passing on family values and traditions.Facilitated by Dr.Daniel Hettleman,Ph.D.,P.C.

Talk and Tumble Open Gym and Play Time!

Fridays, weekly (through May 2) 10:1511:30 a.m., JCC Social Hall $5/child (includes snacks)

Warm Welcome Playdates!

Wednesday, April 9, 12:302 p.m. Friday, May 9, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. JCC, Room 205, FREE

Starting in April, we invite new parents and their babes to come to the JCC, to receive a Warm Welcome visit with the Family Programs Department.You will spend some time socializing with other new parents and babes. Everyone will receive a gift bag, a $15 credit towards a Move and Learn class, and of course, yummy snacks! If you cannot join us on the scheduled date(s), we will be happy to schedule an individual visit for you instead.

Bring your new baby,toddlers or even your play group for open play time on our tumbling equipment. Get out of the house, meet new friends and have fun with old friends. This is an excellent chance to enter a yes zone with multiples, siblings and other little explorers. The JCC Tumbling Room is a great, safe environment for toddlers to explore and get out extra energy,especially during the winter months! Snacks will be provided.

JBU Alumni:
Donate back The Jewish Pregnancy Book or Prepared Childbirth The Family Way and receive $10 off a Move and Learn Class!

For information and registration for all of the above programs, events and classes, please contact Jill Katchen at jkatchen@jccdenver.org or (303) 316-6336 or visit www.jccdenver.org/winterguide.
April/May 2014

Something New!

Sunday morning music classes with Swallow Hill Music School... In an effort to provide more classes for our working families, we are excited to team up with the Swallow Hill Music School for a Spring session of fun Sunday classes. Great for parents and their kids ages 6 months to 4 years. Join Swallow Hill instructor,Brian Nelson,for a Little Swallows class,which weaves together sing-a-longs,storytelling,finger games,circle dances,rhythm instruments, and traditional, world and popular songs. The musical selection and activities for each level compliments the social and developmental growth of your child. Brian Nelson is a working percussionist and has previous experience as a preschool and kindergarten teacher.He is also a graduate of the Berklee College of Music.See guide below for times. Sticky Fingers Cooking AND YOGA, preschool enrichment parents can take advantage of this 1.5 hour enrichment, while their kids have fun cooking and tasting healthy foods, followed by a yoga mini class! This class is offered on Tuesdays, 12:452:15 p.m. Please visit the Sticky Fingers website to see some of their amazing recipes. The JCC is the only location in Denver that offers classes which are open to the general public! A Hebrew story and music time for preschool children Mondays, 44:45 p.m., Join us for the first story time on March 30!

NEW CLAsse s!

Move and Learn Parent/Tot Classes (Newborn to age 5)

Spring 2014: March 30- May 27 (7 weeks)
$105/JCC Members; $126/ JCC Guests; $20/drop in *There are also additional fees for Sticky Fingers Cooking

Heres what you need to know about JCC Move and Learn classes
All JCC classes are non-denominational and open to everyone! We do include some Jewish content in our music and cooking classes. JCC classes are priced to be competitive with other similar programs. What makes the JCC unique is that we have them all under one roof music, movement, tumbling, soccer, cooking and yoga! We offer prorated fees, 25% discount for multiples and siblings over the age of 6 months, one free trial class before registering, and make-up classes as available. Families can drop in on a Move and Learn class for $20 (normally $15) per class, as long as that class already has the minimum number of participants needed to run the class. If you have a group of 5 friends or more and are interested in creating your own class, we will try to find an instructor and schedule it on a day and time that works for you! Mazeltot.org discounts available up to $100 for families that qualify. Visit mazeltot.org for details.

For detailed information, class schedules and to register online, please visit www.jccdenver.org/winterguide. When registering, you must either sign in as a JCC Member (pay dues) or create and sign in as a Guest. You can also contact Jill Katchen at (303) 316-6336 or jkatchen@jccdenver.org.

SHALOM BABY MOVE & LEARN CLASSES

March 30May 27
Sunday Monday
Play with Me! With Rebecca Kanov (Certified Infant Movement and Massage Therapist) 11:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Little Swallows Music Class (NEW) (6 mo.2 years) with Swallow Hill 10:3011:15 a.m. Little Swallows Music Class (NEW) (24 years) with Swallow Hill 9:3010:15 a.m. Kinder Kixx Soccer 23 years and 45 years 9:3010:15 a.m. Sticky Fingers Cooking and Yoga (NEW) 12:452:15 p.m. Kinder Kixx Soccer 3:304:15 p.m., JCC Gym Parent/Tot Preschool Experience 1224 months 9:3011 a.m. Sticky Fingers Cooking 23 years 10:3011:30 a.m. Mixed-Age Music with Alison Bresler 10:3011:15 a.m.

Tuesday

Wednesday
Boogie Babies with Alison Bresler 11:30 a.m.12:15 p.m.

Thursday

Friday
Baby and Me Yoga and Massage with Jenny Fleming 12:301:30 p.m.

Babies
8 weeks pre-crawling

Toddlers
Crawling17 months

Mini Tumbling 10:3011:1 a.m.

Toddlers
18 months3 years

Maxi Tumbling 9:3010:15 a.m.

Kinder Kixx Soccer 23 years 1010:45 a.m. Talk and Tumble Open Play! $5/child Ends May 2 10:1511:30 a.m.

Mixed-Age
Newborn4 years

Pre-School
35 years

7 weeks: $105/JCC members; $126/JCC guests (extra costs associated with Sticky Fingers) Register at www.jccdenver.org/winterguide
Sponsors:

www.fb.com/jccfamilyprograms

www.pinterest.com/jccfamilyprog

Find out more about holiday resources, parenting best practices, recipes, and other things that strike our fancy on Pinterest.

11th Annual Community-wide Festival for Families with Children NewbornAge 8

SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014 10:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m.

JCC 350 South Dahlia Street Denver, 80246

www.jccdenver.org/celebratefamily

Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center 350 South Dahlia Street Denver, CO 80246-8102

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Denver, CO Permit No. 641