Adult Programs

The SJCC offers programs for adults and seniors at its Mercer Island and Seattle facilities. We offer cultural, educational, and recreational programs. Join us to learn, live, and make new friends!

May 2008 Classes

Please register with Adult Services Coordinator Roni Antebi by email or at 206-232-7115, extension 269.

The Stroum Jewish Community Center and Seattle Opera Present a New Lecture Series
Opera Sings the Soul
This month’s lecture: Cantorial Music. Sunday, May 4, 4-6 p.m.
For opera and all music lovers, the SJCC warmly presents an exciting and originallecture series in collaboration with Seattle Opera on opera and its connection with Jewish themes and performers. This lecture will feature famous Cantors such as Richard Tucker and Jan Peerce and will include an interview with Perry Lorenzo, Director of Education for Seattle Opera, and Cantor David Serkin-Poole of Temple B’nai Torah.
Please join us at the SJCC on Mercer Island. RSVP required to Adult Services Coordinator Roni Antebi by email or at 206-232-7115, extension 269.
Cost: $10 per lecture. Refreshments served (dietary laws observed).
Save the date for the next lecture: Sunday, June 1, 4-6 p.m.
Future lectures will include members of the Seattle Jewish community who will explore operas such as "Brundibar" and "La Juive," among other topics and performers, opening the worlds of both faith and culture.

“55 Alive” Driver Safety Course
Tuesdays, May 6 and 13, 9 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
This two-session, eight-hour AARP course is designed for drivers age 50+. Emphasis is on defensive, accident-free driving. Auto insurance companies provide a discount when the course is completed. Cost: $10 per person. Please register with Adult Services Coordinator Roni Antebi by email or at 206-232-7115, extension 269, and send a check (made payable to AARP) to: SJCC, 3801 E. Mercer Way, Mercer Island, WA 98040 (attention: Roni Antebi). 

FREE Computer Class: How to Use Email
3 Wednesdays:  May 14, 21 and 28, 10-11:15 a.m.
Join a trained instructor on the King County Library System’s Techlab to learn how to create your own Yahoo account, how to work with your new account, understand email etiquette, send and open attachments and create an address book. Students must attend all three classes. Please note that the instructor will be teaching only how to use Yahoo email.

Cards and Chit Chat in the Polack
Thursday, May 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mah Jongg
Friday, May 2, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Come play this ancient and fun Chinese game of skill and chance. Free for SJCC members, $2 for non-members.

Bridge Group
Friday, May 2, 12:30- 3 p.m.
All levels welcome, prior bridge playing experience necessary. Coffee, tea and fun provided. Bring a brown bag lunch for socializing. Free for SJCC members, $2 for non-members.

Yom Hashoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day Community Commemoration
Sunday, May 4, 3 p.m.
3 p.m. Remembrance Service at the Holocaust Memorial at the SJCC.
3:30 p.m. Candlelight walk from the memorial for a program at Herzl-Ner Tamid
5 p.m. Reception at Herzl-Ner Tamid
Learn more at the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center.

Opera Sings the Soul
This month’s lecture: Cantorial Music. Sunday, May 4, 4-6 p.m.
read at the top of this page for details

Special Program for Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day
Monday, May 5, 12:30 p.m.
For our Yom Hashoah gathering, we will hold a candle lighting commemoration followed by showing a newly released film titled: “'IN SPITE OF DARKNESS: A Spiritual Encounter with Auschwitz.” It was filmed at the Bearing Witness Retreat at Auschwitz-Birkenau in 2006 and features Ginni Stern who is hosting the event as well as other retreatants, including a Catholic priest from Boston and a Jewish rabbi from Israel. In this film, they share from their hearts and souls about their relationship with Auschwitz, with the Holocaust and about their experiences being on the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The film was made by a Jesuit Film Company called Loyola Productions and has already won 3 Silver Telly Awards!  The film will be followed by a sharing circle. Please RSVP to Adult Services Coordinator Roni Antebi by email or at 206-232-7115, extension 269.

Papier Mâché Sculpting
Morning Workshop: Mondays, May 5-June 2, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Evening Workshop: Mondays, May 5-June 2, 7- 9:30 p.m.
Join us for a colorful, creative papier mâché sculpting workshop with a fun, enchanting atmosphere! Experience a variety of sculpting media and techniques. Learn to prepare the papier mâché to construct a base and sculpt a variety of practical and decorative objects and figurines. Includes painting and decoration with all supplies provided. One-on-one instruction in a small group environment. Minimum of six is required to open the class. Space is limited to eight participants. Instructor: Dana Berenson. Cost: $120 for 5 classes (2.5 hours per classes). To register, contact Adult Services Coordinator Roni Antebi by email or at 206-232-7115, extension 269.

AARP Driving Class
Tuesday, May 6, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Computer Class- Word
Wednesday, May 7, 10 a.m.

Special program for Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day)
Thursday, May 8, 12:30 p.m.
Please join us for an Israeli lunch and concert with cantor Marina Belenky, former cantor at Temple De Hirsch Sinai. Belenky will sing Russian gypsy songs, Russian folk songs, Ladino, some Hebrew - an international flavor with a Jewish twist. Don’t miss this special program! Cost: $6 prepaid (includes falafel lunch and performance). RSVP is required to Adult Services Coordinator Roni Antebi by email or at 206-232-7115, extension 269.

Current Event Discussion Group
Monday, May 12, 12:30 p.m.
Don’t miss our monthly current event roundtable. This month Al Ziontz will lead a lively discussion about "What should be done with sex offenders?” Come and share your opinions. Please RSVP to Adult Services Coordinator Roni Antebi by email or at 206-232-7115, extension 269. It's free.

AARP Driving Class 
Tuesday, May 13, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Poker
Tuesday, May 13, 12:30-3 p.m.
Watch out for the sharks and have a great time at our poker game! Please RSVP to Adult Services Coordinator Roni Antebi by email or at 206-232-7115, extension 269. 

Computer Class: Email
Wednesday, May 14, 10 a.m.

Health Talk: Hearing Loss: What are the options?
Thursday, May 15, 12:30 p.m.
Does everyone seem to mumble? Is background noise making communication difficult? Allison Zarkos, M.A., and Susan Bean, M.S., certified audiologists at the Listen for Life Center at Virginia Mason will discuss the causes of hearing loss, will explain the types of hearing loss, as well as hearing aid and cochlear implant technology. You will also get a chance to see models of some of the newer devices that can improve your quality of life. We hope you can join us! Please RSVP to Adult Services Coordinator Roni Antebi by email or at 206-232-7115, extension 269. 

Mah Jongg
Friday, May 16, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Come play this ancient and fun Chinese game of skill and chance. Free for SJCC members, $2 for non-members.

Bridge Group
Friday, May 16, 12:30-3 p.m.
All levels welcome, prior bridge playing experience necessary. Coffee, tea and fun provided. Bring a brown bag lunch for socializing. Free for SJCC members, $2 for non-members.

The Active Seniors Club Presents: Current Event Discussion
Sunday, May 18, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for the monthly meeting of the active seniors club. This month Al Ziontz will lead a lively discussion about "Hillary or Barack?” Come share your opinions. Cost: $1 prepaid for refreshments.  

Law Talk: Big Helen
Monday, May 19, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Retired lawyer Al Ziontz will relate true stories of actual cases from his files at a round table meeting. Each case will illustrate some aspect of the work of lawyers and the law. This month’s presentation is titled: "Big Helen.” Discussion and a question and answer session will follow the presentation. Please RSVP to Adult Services Coordinator Roni Antebi by email or at 206-232-7115, extension 269. 

Computer Class: Email
Wednesday, May 21, 10 a.m.

Naturopathic Therapies for Insomnia
Thursday, May 22, 12:30 p.m.
Insomnia can be caused by worry, medications or a number of physical disorders. Adam Rinde will explain the causes of sleep destructions, what contributes to the problem and will suggest natural ways to get a good night’s sleep. Please RSVP to Adult Services Coordinator Roni Antebi by email or at 206-232-7115, extension 269. Rinde is a Bastyr graduate and a Bellevue-based Naturopathic Physician.  

Wellness Lecture Series: “Enhance Your Effectiveness”
Thursday, May 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Join Matt Leibsohn, PhD, to learn how to take the next step in your life with excellence! Free and open to the public. Matt Leibsohn has been a licensed psychologist in the Seattle area since 1992, working passionately with adults, adolescents, and couples.

Mah Jongg
Friday, May 23, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Come play this ancient and fun Chinese game of skill and chance. Free for SJCC members, $2 for non-members.

Bridge Group
Friday, May 23, 12:30- 3 p.m.
All levels welcome, prior bridge playing experience necessary. Coffee, tea and fun provided. Bring a brown bag lunch for socializing. Free for SJCC members, $2 for non-members.

Memorial Day: SJCC Closed
Monday, May 26

Poker
Tuesday, May 27, 12:30-3 p.m.
Watch out for the sharks and have a great time at our poker game! Please contact Adult Services Coordinator Roni Antebi by email or at 206-232-7115, extension 269. 

Computer Class: Email
Wednesday, May 28, 10 a.m.

The Active Seniors Club Presents: The God Strategy: Faith as a Political Weapon
Wednesday, May 28, 10:30 a.m.
Please join us for a fascinating talk presented by David Domke, Associate Professor and Head of Journalism in the Department of Communication at the University of Washington. Professor Domke will talk about the role of religion in the political process. Religion has long been a significant part of American politics. For much of this history, the confluence of faith and politics has been a largely symbolic practice, without distinctly partisan motivations. But something has changed in recent decades. On issue after issue, U.S. public debate today includes, and often is dominated by, faith-based perspectives espoused by politically adept individuals and organizations. This lecture will examine how and why this occurred and what it means for democracy. Domke is the author of God Willing? Political Fundamentalism in the White House, the “War on Terror,” and the Echoing Press. In 2006, he received the Hiller Krieghbaum Under-40 Award, given by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, for outstanding early career accomplishments.

Outing: Muckleshoot Casino
Thursday, May 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Is this going to be your lucky day? Come find out at the Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn!  Cost: $4 SJCC members/$5 non-SJCC members.  Please RSVP to Adult Services Coordinator Roni Antebi by email or at 206-232-7115, extension 269. 

Mah Jongg
Friday, May 30, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Come play this ancient and fun Chinese game of skill and chance. Free for SJCC members, $2 for non-members.

Bridge Group
Friday, May 30, 12:30-3 p.m.
All levels welcome, prior bridge playing experience necessary. Coffee, tea and fun provided. Bring a brown bag lunch for socializing. Free for SJCC members, $2 for non-members.

Looking Ahead
Seniors Making Art: free eight-week clay class
Fridays, June 27-August 22 (no class July 4), 10 a.m.-noon. Class size is limited to 15 participants, so please register quickly by contacting Adult Services Coordinator Roni Antebi by email or at 206-232-7115, extension 269. Sponsored by Seniors Making Art.

Ongoing Programs

Drop In Mah Jongg
Fridays                        
12:30-3:30 p.m.

Drop In Bridge
Fridays                        
12:30-3 p.m.

Poker
Second and fourth Tuesday of each month          
12:30-3:30 p.m.

Casino Trips
April 28             Tulalip Casino
May 29             Muckleshoot Casino
June 30             Clearwater Casino
  
Sunday Exchange Club
Second Sunday of each month               
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Sunday Matinee at the J
Second Sunday of each month               
4-6 p.m.

Current Event Discussion Group
Second Monday of each month              
1 p.m.

SJCC Book Club
First Wednesday of each month             
1-3 p.m. 

Active Seniors Club
Fourth Wednesday of each month          
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
This club is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends, renew old friendships and enjoy the stimulation of political and social topics and speakers.