December 09-January - Washtenaw Jewish News

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The Jewish Cultural SocietyA Community for Cultural JewsYou are invitedto our annualHannukahPartySunday, Dec 13th, 10-noonat the JCC.Fun activities for kids of all agesMoon BounceMenorah constructionCandle makingArts and CraftsLots & Lotsof Latkes!CandlelightingCeremonyCome sing and dance, bring a friend!We look forward to celebrating with you!The Jewish Cultural Society2935 Birch Hollow Drive, Ann Arbor MIwww.jewishculturalsociety.org734.975.9872I YouthEarly Childhood Center goes greenPeretz Hirshbein, special to the WJNAfter lunch in the Kangaroo room ofthe JCC Early Childhood Center, apreschool-aged child picks up herplate, cup, and utensils, walks over to a bucketlabeled with one of Ann Arbor’s ubiquitous“Compostable” stickers, scrapes off her plate,and then proceeds to rinse her plate, cup, andutensils in a wash bin of soapy water. Then shetakes the yogurt container she brought fromhome and places it in a recycling bin. Later, Louis Perry and Shaul Toviuse found materials tosift and sort.the bucket will be emptied intoa large compost bin, and thecup, utensils, and plate will besanitized and used again, andagain, and again. In the spring,the compost will be used asplanting resumes in the ECC’svegetable garden. A similarscene is played out in each ECCclassroom after every mealtime.This environmentally friendly mealtimeroutine, with all that surrounds it, originatedwith the ECC’s director, Noreen DeYoung, whosaid, “I really had a vision of teaching childrento be better ecological citizens of the world. Iwanted to see us engaging in Tikkun Olam everyday.” Slowly but surely, over the last eighteenmonths, the JCC’s early childhood programhas integrated green practices into the daily lifeof the program, and its students. Some greenpractices started small, but grew over time.The worm box in the hallway that transformsrelatively small amounts of organic waste intorich soil led to full-fledged composting that accommodatesa large amount of the ECC’s dailywaste. The use of durable drinking cups for thechildren many years ago led to the introductionof durable plates in the classrooms last schoolyear, and then real, metal, child-sized utensilsthis school year.Aurelia Schaedig recyclesher yogurt containerAn environmental consciousness exists notonly in the mealtime routines that reduce wasteand preserve resources. It also manifests itself inmany of the learning materials that are manipulatedby the children in the various interest areasof their classrooms: During large group time inthe Zebra room, a group of two-year-olds bangmaterials together in time to the beat of a song.While some of the children use egg shakers anddrums devised for this purpose, another childuses the grate from an air conditioning vent anda stick, while another child uses a washboard, anold-time favorite. During Work Time in the Girafferoom, a group of preschool-aged childrenplaying “family” sets the table in their “house” areawith real plates and real utensils, and pretends tocook food in a real skillet with a real spatula, allprocured at the Ann Arbor PTO thrift shop. Duringgroup time in the Duck room, a small groupof older infants engages in sensory-motor explorationof interlocking metal rings and tin cans, allfound at Recycle Ann Arbor’s Re-Use center.The increased use of these “found,” real materialsbegan a number of years ago, when someof the ECC’s teachers began to re-use commonhouseholditems to equipthe parts oftheir classroomsdevoted to children’spretendplay. Two yearsago, however,the ECC adopteda curriculumapproachthat demandeda re-evaluationof all classroommaterials. TheHigh/Scope approachutilizedby the ECCplaces great emphasis on materials that reflectthe real lives of children, that appeal to morethan one sense, and that can be used in anyway a child can imagine. Now, every classroomregularly uses “found” materials not onlyfor children’s dramatic play, but also as musicmaterials, sensory materials, and art materials,which provide a greater opportunity for explorationand imagination.While green routines around mealtimeshave reduced the ECC’s daily waste dramatically,and the use of “found” materials in all areasof the classrooms have enriched children’slearning, these practices have also led to thegrowth of children for whom the first reactionis not going to be to throw things in the trash.While many children understand the need torecycle and re-use, the development of greenhabits is critical to making a real connectionbetween the ideal of Tikkun Olam and actionsthat repair the world every day. n18 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2009/January 2010
JCC Camp Raanana earns rave reviews for Summer 2009 programsDeborah Huerta, special to the WJNIt is not even winter yet, but many localchildren are already counting the daysuntil summer begins so they can returnto Camp Raanana. Located on a beautiful privatebeach front at Independence Lake, CampRaanana is the Jewish Community Center ofGreater Ann Arbor’s outdoor summer daycamp for children entering grades K-8. Thecamp offers nine 1-week sessions each summerand provides swim lessons, arts & crafts,Judaics, nature exploration, music, sports,free swim, weekly special events or field trips,and Shabbat celebrations.Campers are not the only ones looking forwardto Camp Raanana’s 2010 debut. CampRaanana’s counselors are also excited for thenext camp season, and several of them willbe coming back for their fifth or sixth year onthe camp staff. The high return rate for bothcampers and staff helps build a wonderfulsense of community at Camp Raanana andmakes the camp truly special.Why do families return to Camp Raananayear after year? Comments from CampRaanana’s 2009 Parent Survey provide someclues. For returning camp parents Dan andHilary Green, the outdoor and Jewish experiences,excellent value, and strong sense ofcommunity make the difference: “The kidshave a great experience, learn things about theoutdoors, Judaism and themselves, and comehome dirty, tired, and happy – just the waythe summer should be! We really appreciatehaving swimming lessons incorporated intocamp, rather than as an extra with an additionalcost. The other wonderful thing aboutthe camp is how many of the counselors andstaff are from our own Jewish community andhave been to the camp themselves.”Campers enjoy the outdoor camp experienceOther parents also point to the importanceof Camp Raanana’s staff and the presenceof mature male and female role models.Jodi Reel, whose daughter attended CampRaanana for the first time last summer, hadthis to say about camp: “Our daughter reallyblossomed this summer and it all happenedso quickly... the independence, the maturity,the connection, all thanks to the camp directorand staff. Through the positive leadershipof the delightful young women who were hercounselors, she has decided at the age of almostseven that she wants to be a counselorone day! Camp Raanana truly exceeded ourexpectations and was one of the best five weekinvestments we’ve ever made.”Another important factor behind CampRaanana’s high return rate is the camp’s abilityto appeal to campers of all ages with itsnurturing programs for grades K-2, weeklyspecialties for grades 3–5, and Pioneer AdventureProgram for grades 6–8. Laurie Adamsfelt that camp provided an excellent transitionbetween the JCC’s Early Childhood Centerand kindergarten: “I think Camp Raananais a great way to get the youngest group readyfor kindergarten by putting them in a ‘new’situation, while keeping them comfortablebecause they still know many of the kids intheir group.” Pamela Ramseyer, parent of athird grader, was pleased with the activitiesoffered to third–fifth graders, “My son wenton one of the overnights this summer andtalked about it for days. What a great experience!”Laura Hirshbein, another third gradeparent, was similarly enthused: “My son lovedthe specialty offerings at camp this year. Hecame home chatting and excited about science,sports, and photography.”Parents cited many other reasons for theirsatisfaction with Camp Raanana, includingthe effectiveness of the swim lessons, the excitingall-camp field trips, and the helpful weeklyemails and pictures. But sometimes it just comesdown to the fact that their kids love the CampRaanana experience. Sakina Zerrel reported,“Of all the camps my daughter attended thissummer—and that includes sports camp, boatingon a tall ship at the Ocean Institute of DanaPoint on the Pacific Ocean, and even learningabout and taking care of sea lions and seals atLaguna Beach’s mammal hospital—Camp Ranaanawas still her favorite camp!”Along with the positive feedback on the2009 Parent Survey, parents also includedsome suggestions for improvement, and theCamp Raanana staff is working hard to makenext summer even better for its returning andnew campers. Changes planned include a revampedcamp website, improved car-line procedures,and new field trip destinations andmitzvah projects for Pioneer campers.The camp dates for summer 2010 are June21–August 20. Early Bird Registration forCamp Raanana will begin when brochuresare available in late January. For more informationabout Camp Raanana, visit www.CampRaanana.com or contact camp directorDeborah Huerta at deborahhuerta@jccfed.org or 971-0990. nCamp Raanana hiring staff for 2010Deborah Huerta, special to the WJNAssistant camp director soughtCamp Raanana, the Jewish Community Centerof Greater Ann Arbor’s outdoor summer daycamp, is seeking an experienced and dedicatedindividual to serve as assistant camp directorfor the 2010 camp season. The assistant directorposition is a salaried position that is vitalCamp Raanana’s success and smooth operation.The assistant director works closely withthe camp director in the development, implementation,and supervision of all key aspects ofthe camp program. In addition to the salariedperiod from June-August, the assistant directorwill be paid on an hourly basis for assistingwith pre-camp preparations in the spring.Applicants for the assistant director positionmust be at least 21 years of age by the start ofcamp, have previous supervisory experience,and have extensive familiarity and experiencewith Judaic and camp programming. Applicantsmust also have a minimum of eight weeksof full-time experience working with elementaryor middle school aged children, includingat least four weeks of full-time administrativeexperience in a camp or similar program (unithead, program coordinator, head counselor,etc.). Applicants should have or be workingtoward a bachelor’s degree in a related field(education, Judaic studies, social work, campadministration, etc.) and have special certifications(lifeguard, health officer, CDL license, etc.)or willingness to attain certification preferred.Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2009/January 2010Now hiring new counselors, specialistsCamp Raanana has several staff openings fornext summer. Counselor-in-Training positionsare available for teens who have completed8th or 9th grade, Junior Counselorpositions are available for teens who havecompleted 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, and HeadCounselor and Specialist positions are availablefor college and post-college students.The Counselor-in-Training program is afun and supportive program for teens whohave completed 8th or 9th grade and are makingthe transition from camper to counselor.CITs receive training and hands-on experiencein child development, leadership andteam-building, conflict resolution, programplanning, and first aid. CITs also get to participatein social activities and special field trips.Teens may register for one or both four-weekCIT sessions ($360 for the initial four-weeksession, $60 for a second four-week session)and will receive an honorarium for their workupon successful completion of the program.Teens must fill out an application and meetwith the camp director to receive approval toenter the program. Accepted applicants willbe required to attend several pre-camp trainingsessions in June. A limited number of CITpositions are available; interested families areencouraged to contact the camp director inJanuary or February.Teens who have completed 10th, 11th, or12th grade are eligibleto work as JuniorCounselors at camp.This is a paid positionwhich requiresa four or eight weekcommitment. CampRaanana’s JuniorCounselors work directlywith a groupHead Counselor whoacts as a mentor andinvolves the JuniorCounselor in planningand implementingall camp activities.Junior Counselorsmust have previousexperience in a camp setting and be able toattend several pre-camp training sessions inJune. Interested teens should contact the campdirector in December or January to request anapplication.Camp Raanana is also seeking mature andtalented individuals to fill several eight-weekHead Counselor and Specialist positions. Applicantsfor these positions must have completedat least one year of college (or equivalent),have previous experience in a camp setting,and be able to attend several pre-camp trainingsessions in June. Positions available may includelifeguard; arts and crafts specialist; JudaicMembers of Camp Raanana’s praise-winning staffprograms specialist; sports specialist; naturespecialist; special needs coordinator; aftercarecoordinator; general counselor; and middleschool travel group counselor. Applications willbe accepting beginning in December; interestedindividuals should contact the camp director assoon as possible to request an application andobtain details about the available positions.For more information about working at CampRaanana or to request an application, contactCamp Director Deborah Huerta at deborahhuerta@jccfed.orgor 971-0990.19
Page 1 and 2: In this issue…Bicyclingin Israels
Page 3 and 4: ICommunityJewish Community Center t
Page 5 and 6: ISeniorsSPICE* of Life*Social, Phys
Page 7 and 8: Local couple visits Jewish groups o
Page 9 and 10: New kids’ books hitting the shelv
Page 11 and 12: continued from previous pageAdult H
Page 13 and 14: IArts and CultureREPORTER’S NOTEB
Page 15 and 16: Jean-Yves Thibaudet pianoSat, Dec 1
Page 17: JCC youth department offers full ra
Page 21 and 22: Learning what is Jewish about a moo
Page 23: 8Wishes You aHealthy,Happy Chanukah
Page 26 and 27: I FeatureFalse witnesses' “vigil
Page 29 and 30: Washtenaw Jewish News A December 20
Page 31 and 32: I CalendarDecember 2009Tuesday 1SPI
Page 33 and 34: Sunday 27Reading Hebrew through the
Page 35 and 36: Chanukah isDec 11-18Celebrate the F
Page 37 and 38: I CalendarSPICE of LIFE: JCC Senior
Page 39 and 40: I VitalsMazel TovEmilie Weisberg on

December 09-January - Washtenaw Jewish News

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