Sabes Jewish Community Center Newsletter

Children: For our children and their families, we offer exceptional after school and preschool programs, a summer camp, recreation, enrichment and arts programs inspired by our Jewish heritage.
Adults: For adults, we offer extensive health and wellness services as well as arts and educational programs that bring people with a wide range of interests together.
Seniors: We serve our seniors with low-cost dining, travel programs and events, providing for their social needs and keeping them connected with our community and each other, and so much more.
Those in Need: The JCC provides financial assistance to keep individuals, families and our community strong.
Inclusion: The Sabes JCC provides opportunities and welcomes people of all ages and all abilities in all JCC programs. We are dedicated to removing barriers to participation for all.

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Honoring our past - the Steinfeldts and the original signers and Past Presidents
Oren and Sharron Steinfeldt share a long history of community involvement and giving in a variety of ways. Oren served as a JCC board member for 21 years, from 1950 to 1972. Prior to Oren's involvement with the JCC in 1951, he volunteered for the St. Louis Park Jewish Youth Services in 1949. This organization was the predecessor of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Minneapolis.

Oren's position on the JCC board began in 1950. Oren traveled with a committee of volunteers to visit a number of established JCC's to scope out which programs they ran and what plans were needed before going out to raise funds for the JCC. Oren served on the committee to raise money to buy the land for the JCC and then served again on the campaign to raise money for the building. It was a large community effort, orchestrated by a small group of committed volunteers. Oren recalls Al Tychman*, Sig Harris Jr.*, Jerry Brill and Howard Brin* as some of the early leaders who had the vision to bring the JCC to its important place in our community.

Oren was born in Minneapolis in 1921. Oren graduated from Brainerd High School in 1938 and earned a BBA in 1942 from the University of Minnesota. He served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1944. After the war, Oren attended the University of Southern California Law School, and received a JD in 1946. His community involvement is long and varied, including National Jewish Community Relations Council Board Member and President, life member of the Jewish War Veterans, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce Bloomington, Boys Scouts of America, Jewish National Fund board member and president, School for Social Development chair, Minneapolis Jewish Federation board of directors and more.

Sharron has also been involved for 50 years with the Jewish Community Center. She served on the board for 2 years as chair of the youth services committee. As proud sponsor members of the JCC, she and Oren have enjoyed and participated in many of the outstanding programs developed by the JCC. They are overjoyed to see how their efforts have paid such great dividends for their children and grandchildren and all the families that are served by the Sabes Jewish Community Center today.

Sharron's roots began in St. Paul where she was born in 1931. She recalls growing up in the depression, and, as with so many depression families, they were looked after and cared for by one another. She grew up in a loving home, and lessons of sharing were learned very early in her life. One of Sharron's true passions is the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest (JHSUM). She began in 1983/1984 as president pro-tem before their incorporation, and has been a board member and executive committee member since 1994. "I have been involved with the JHSUM since its inception, and I am proud to have had a leadership role in seeing it grow from its early beginnings into an important educational resource in our community," Sharron commented. "The highlight of my presidency was JHSUM presenting in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society, the outstanding exhibit Unpacking on the Prairie: Jewish Women's Experiences in the Upper Midwest."

Sharron and Oren married in 1958 and they feel their marriage is one of mutual appreciation of the act of giving and helping others. They are blessed with three wonderful children, Jim, Susie, and Annie. Annie lives here in Minneapolis with her husband Siddhartha Chadda and their children, Arun and Maya, both of whom attended the Early Childhood Program and Camp Olami. Sharron and Oren are happy to watch them grow up and enjoy the benefits of our community.

We also recognize the community leaders that signed the Articles of Incorporation for the Jewish Community Center of Greater Minneapolis, who, on July 14, 1959 had the vision that we needed a central address in the community-a place to gather, socialize and meet. Without their foresight our experiences today would not be possible. Our past presidents are the backbone of the JCC. We thank them for their years of service and for their volunteer services to the betterment and growth of the JCC.

Ensuring our future - Danna Mirviss, President's Award
The President's Award will be presented to Danna Mirviss. Under her direction and guidance, more than 160 teens participated in JCC Maccabi ArtsFest� - hosted at the Sabes JCC - the experience of a lifetime, providing them with the creative guidance and platform to experience and express their Judaism in new, exciting ways. Danna's involvement has had a meaningful impact on the community and continuously helps the JCC achieve our mission.

Danna was born and raised in Minneapolis. After graduating from American University, she lived in Washington D.C. for five years. Danna works as a sign language interpreter, and has volunteered for the past ten years. Danna and her husband, Joel, and their 4 children live in Minnetonka.

*Deceased

minneapolis jewish film festival a success

Wow! Touching! Spectacular! Moving! These are the terms we heard as large crowds shared their reaction to the 16th Annual Sabes Foundation Minneapolis Jewish Film Festival (MJFF). Here are some highlights:

For our kickoff event of Sixty-Six we needed to open up and filled a second theater at the Willow Creek
The opening night film and party where we showed The Beetle featured a VW Beetle Art Car by artist Sandee Elftmann parked at the entrance to the Sabes JCC, dangling VW mobiles and a sold out show
Joe Rozenberg, a survivor in Angel of Ahlem, speaking after the film
The film Kike Like Me travelled to St. Cloud State where Rabbi Joseph Edelheit showed it and led a panel discussion
New Yorkers coming out of the woodwork to watch and share experiences after At Home in Utopia
Rabbi Sim Glazer of Temple Israel holding his own against Yisrael Campbell in a very funny intro to Circumcise Me
The showing of two films in progress - Mike's Hike and Welcome the Strangers with guest appearances by Mike Hanson and the respective film makers. Many local participants in the Postville rally saw themselves on screen for the first time
A large overflow sold out crowd watched The Secrets at the Hopkins and continued conversations in the hallway, lobby and street
The teen dance group Orim performing Latin dances before the showing of Dancing Alfonso
A large enthusiastic crowd greeting Refusenik with memories and tears
Miri Talmon-Bohm, a visiting professor from the University of Wisconsin, enlightening us about The Secrets and Noodle, which also sold out at the Walker Art Center
The spectacular closing night reception arranged by a very special "Special Events" committee after Noodle in the Walker Art Center

The community's reception of the MJFF was amazing. Thank you. We had an extremely successful festival this year due to the hard work and dedication of Miryam Kabakov, our new director, my co-chair Francie Ross, a committed film selection committee, other volunteers, an intern, generous sponsors and community partners, guest speakers and performers, and Sabes JCC staff. It was gratifying to see the response we received to our programming from the Chinese, Christian and GLBTQ communities.

We plan on keeping the festival alive throughout the year by showing occasional films.

Today when I opened up the mail I found a preview screener, The Gift of Stalin from Kazakhstan. Although it's a wrap, on with the show.

Walter S. Elias
Co-Chair
Sabes Foundation Minneapolis Jewish Film Festival

If you attended any of the films, please let us know what you thought by completing an online survey here.

olympiada - a camp tradition

Imagine a sea of campers and staff covered from head to toe in red, blue, yellow and green on the field of the JCC. As you get closer to the field you hear chants of kids competing with each other about who has more Ruach (spirit) but also cheering opponents on with a show of great sportsmanship. You may wonder to yourself...are the summer Olympics in Minneapolis this year?

It's the Olympiada at Camp Olami. Campers and staff are divided into 4 teams and participate in an all day color war. By far one of the most popular events during the summer, it's a time for everyone to show what they're made of in a variety of activities such as sports, skits, group cheers and especially sportsmanship.

The Olympiada has been a Camp Olami tradition for many years and there is no doubt that the summer of 2009 will turn out another great show of friendly competition and, most importantly, fun.

It's not too late to be a part of this summer's Olympiada. Registrations are now being accepted for all camp programs - Camp Olami, Summer Quest, Summer Theatre Institute and Staff In Training. NEW! Check out our new financial assistance and registration incentives online.

Be sure to visit our brand new website where you can also register online. For more information about our summer programs, contact 952.381.3421 or e-mail us.

Danya Kornblum
Director of Youth and Camping

ecc celebrates purim

On Purim Day, March 10th, the Early Childhood Center held its own Purim Carnival at the JCC. The anticipation was high, as the children had learned about the characters in the Purim story in their classrooms and they had eaten the hamantashen they had baked the previous week. In addition, they had delivered baskets of food to special friends in the JCC and in their classes in honor of the Purim tradition of delivering food baskets called shalach manot on Purim. Over 100 costumed children, from infants through pre-kindergarten kids, had a wonderful time at the carnival. They bounced in a giant bounce house, threw bean bags at Haman blow-up dolls, made cereal or beaded necklaces like those worn by Queen Esther and King Achashveirosh, sat on a throne, built a king's palace and fished for the fish that symbolize the Hebrew month of Adar. Several parent volunteers graciously helped us with the event and each child left with a few prizes to remember this special morning.

Joan Klein-Fishman
Early Childhood Center Director

introducing our new health & wellness general manager
cari tschida

Cari Tschida, our new Health and Wellness General Manager, comes to us from another local Twin Cities Health Club where she was the Athletic Manager and oversaw Personal Training, Pilates, Running Club, Massage, Aquatics and Group Exercise. She has over 16 years experience in the fitness industry and believes in achieving life balance through exercise and a healthy lifestyle. You can find Cari working out every morning at 5:30 a.m. or stop by anytime to introduce yourself.

sabes jcc annual meeting -
looking to the future as we celebrate our first 50 years

The Sabes JCC's Annual Meeting, which will take place Tuesday, May 19 at 7 p.m., will provide an opportunity to honor memories, community leaders and the future of the Sabes JCC.

The Sabes JCC is vibrant and alive today with programs for all! Whether your interests are health and wellness, early childhood education, or arts and humanities, we have new experiences waiting for you.

These amazing experiences do not just happen. They depend on dedicated staff and volunteers. Help us honor Walter Elias, Co-Chair of this year's highly successful Minneapolis Jewish Film Festival, with the Jewish Journeys Award. We will also honor Claire Avitabile with the Susie Selcer Staff Leadership Award. We will install new board members and recognize outgoing board members for their volunteer services.

NEW! Hear for the first time about our new membership model. Our innovative plans will create a variety of ways for individuals and families to belong to JCC based on their interest areas, connections and needs. Our goal is to continue expanding our engagement and provide the community with what they need and desire. Thank you for your continuing support of and involvement at the Sabes JCC.

Please join us for our annual meeting and reconnect with your Jewish Journey at the Sabes JCC!

member spotlight:
rosalyn & seymour locketz

Rosalyn, 90, and Seymour, 91, Locketz both come to the JCC everyday. Seymour works out in the Fitness Center and has a regular routine. Rosalyn goes to Silver Sneakers and Gentle Tai Chi, and even though she suffers from chronic pain, she doesn't let it stop her. "It's major," Rosalyn says, "it gets us out of our apartment each day." Rosalyn says she always feels better once her classes are done. In fact, if you ask Rosalyn how she is doing she will tell you "oh, I'm improving." They have belonged to the JCC since it has opened and the reason they have such a great quality of life for people their age is because of the experience they have at the JCC. The pair, both well-read and musicians, come to lunch each week at the JCC and participate in whatever Ruth and Micki have planned for senior programming. "Ruth is the best - she takes us to the Guthrie, to St. Paul - she's inventive." Both speak praises about Micki's people skills. Rosalyn says of Micki "she's a people-person, she makes us feel welcome." Rosalyn and Seymour, who met at the University of Minnesota in 1936 - and have been married for 67 years - have been coming to the JCC for 50 years. They actively participated in the early stages of the gallery and arts programs, finding an Israeli conductor to visit and perform. To this day, they still participate in the arts programming at the JCC, attending the Sabes Foundation Minneapolis Jewish Film Festival and Loren Fishman's beautiful cello performance last week.

The JCC would like to thank Rosalyn and Seymour for their many continued years of support.

nunca mas, (never again):
a photographic tribute to the desaparecidos: mothers of the disappeared

The current exhibit, Desaparecidos: Mothers of the Disappeared features poignant photographs by Minnesota-based artist Sylvia Horwitz. These photographs were taken during Sylvia's travels in Argentina. This exhibit is a photographic tribute to the Desaparecidos, those who "disappeared" during the military regime of Argentina's Dirty War (1976-1983). Initially interested in studying Tango, Sylvia found herself captivated by the compelling story of the Madres (Mothers) of the disappeared, and thus began her journey.

Sylvia chronicles the stories of Jewish women within an organized group of mothers and grandmothers still actively protesting after thirty years. They march weekly on the Plaza de Mayo for memory, truth and justice. These women and their stories have been at the root of her work for the past three years. Sylvia manages to capture the pivotal point where pride, determination and sense of loss converge.

As the curator of this exhibit, I have had the unique opportunity to work closely with Sylvia and hear the somber details surrounding each of the forty-one photographs. The purpose of this exhibit is to bring awareness and greater solidarity between our communities, here and in Argentina, by uncovering this very difficult and important piece of Jewish history. An estimated thirty thousand student activists, young professionals, writers and artists were tortured and killed as political prisoners; a disproportionate number were Jewish. During the exhibit's opening reception on March 15, Marisa P. Braylan, Human Rights Lawyer from Buenos Aires spoke of the haunting parallels between the operations of the Nazi Regime and Argentina's Dictatorship. Targeting young people of all backgrounds, this moving lecture uncovered stories about the strong anti-Semitic connotations by way of 'special treatment' that the Jews received during this horrendous genocide. Following the lecture, a comment in the gallery guest book was found saying, "a searing reminder of worldwide oppression in a direct, personal and permanent format. The exhibit is compelling and inspiring. I hope we all will be moved to speak out against injustice everywhere."

Also on display with Sylvia's photographs are Nunca Mas (Never Again) posters that were created by the 7th and 8th grade after-school Spanish class. Sylvia worked with the students to translate a poem called "La Casa", which appears in the exhibit. It was written by one of the Jewish mothers whose son was taken during the junta (military-led government). The students then made posters of world events and challenges that we are confronting currently. Because of the students' interest in producing artistic protest statements of social and political concerns, their posters are being included in this exhibit.

On April 23 from 7-11 p.m., there will be a Closing Reception and Tango Event, supported by the Tango Society of Minnesota. Please visit the Sabes JCC website to learn more about this event and to access the podcast of Sylvia Howritz speaking about her work.

Catalogues of the exhibit are available for $25 each. Please contact Robyn Awend at 952.381.3416 for additional information.

Photographs will be on display in the Tychman Shapiro Gallery, Hallway and Lobby exhibition areas through April 23, 2009. Horwitz's work was funded in part by Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council, the Howard B. Brin Jewish Arts Endowment Fund, and Sharron & Oren Steinfeldt.

Robyn Awend
Gallery Director

The Sabes JCC wishes you a Happy Passover - Chag Pesach Sameach!