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TASTE OF MELTON: Join us to find out if the Florence Melton Adult-Mini School program is right for you. See inside for details.

A CARNIVAL OF JEWISH LEARNING: Limud Conference at the University of Warwick, Coventry, England.December 23 — 29, 2011

3rd Annual Rice University Jewish Studies Program Lecture Series

Revisiting the History of the Jews of Spain

Sept 12, 19, 26 • 8:00 PM$10 Member / $15 Public (per lecture)

$25 Member / $36 Public (series pass)

Join us for the 3rd Annual Rice University Jewish Studies Program Lecture Series at the Jewish Community Center. This series will revisit, through the disciplines of History and Literature, the unique experience of the Jews of Spain in the Medieval and Early Modern Period.

Monday, Sept 12The Ladino Speakers: Language and IdentityLecture offered by Dr. Luisa Kluger, Lecturer at the Center for the Study of Languages

Monday, Sept 19Images of Judaic Culture in Medieval and Early Modern Spanish LiteratureLecture offered by Dr. Carl Atlee, Senior Lecturer at the Center for the Study of Languages

Monday, Sept 26Convivencia between Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Medieval SpainLecture offered by Dr. Maya Soifer Irish, Assistant Professor of History

The lectures will be held at the Jewish Community Center. This series is made possible by the Maurice Amado Foundation.

Synagogue Architecture: Art Objects and Sacred Spaces

Thursday, Dec 15 • 7:30 PM$10 Member / $15 Public Lecture by: Morton Levy, FAIA

Join us for a lecture and slide presentation on the architecture of synagogues through the centuries, beginning with the pre-synagogue sacred spaces of the Bible and concluding with the contemporary, and sometimes eclectic, synagogue design of Mexico, Europe, Israel, and the US. The lecture will also explore the archaeological remains of the earliest synagogues of the ancient Near East, a review of the surviving synagogues of pre-war Europe and the unique Jewish folk art of the wooden synagogues of Poland.

Morton Levy, a native Houstonian, leads a highly respected long-time Houston architectural practice. Included in his extensive portfolio are the design of six Houston area synagogues and eight renovation/expansion projects for the JCC. In recent years he has been an active speaker and author on the subject of architecture for religion.

Symposium: Lifelong Learning Institute

The President and the Jews

Wednesdays, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26 11:30 AM – 12:30 PMInstructor: Jonathan Fass$28 Member / $39 Public

Since George Washington wrote to the Jews of Rhode Island, American Jews have had an ongoing relationship with our nation’s highest office. This course will discuss the relationship that American presidents have had both to the Jewish community and to Jews within their administration. Administrations to be discussed include those of George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and Warren Harding.

The JCC’s Symposium: Lifelong Learning Institute offers courses on a variety of subjects including but not limited to: fine arts, science, civil liberties, literature, entertainment, economics and industries in and around Houston. For complete course listing for the fall visit jcchouston.org/symposiumTo register contact Jennifer Handy at 713.729.3200 ext. 3244 or jhandy@jcchouston.org.

Engaging Israel: Foundations for a New RelationshipInstructors: Local Clergy and Educators

9 Mondays beginning Oct 10 • 7:00 - 9:15 PM$60 for JCC Members and the General Public(Oct 10, 17, 24, Nov 14, 21, 28, Dec 5, 12, 19)

The Jewish Community Center, Congregation Beth Yeshurun, the Jewish Federation, and Jewish agencies throughout Houston are joining forces to offer Engaging Israel: Foundations for a New Relationship, a course developed by the Shalom Hartman Institute.

Each two-hour session will include a video presentation by Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman, followed by an interview with an Engaging Israel team member or leading expert on the issue at hand. Following the video, the session will continue with an interactive, text-based learning session led by local clergy and educators. A textbook, developed especially for the course, includes materials to study the Jewish connection to the Land of Israel from biblical times to the present day.

LEARNING

>>>>>>>>>>>Study the Jewish connection to the Land of Israel from biblical times to the present day.

MoroccoA Jewish Heritage Tour

Oct 23 – Nov 4, 2011$3225 per person (double occupancy)*

(airfare from New York City)

Morocco is a country where the colors are vivid, the contrasts are intense, and views are picturesque. You will explore the mystical scenes in the maze-like bustling souks of Marrakech, appreciate the vibrant blend of cultures in the narrow alleyways of medieval Fez and encounter the history of the Jews in Casablanca and Rabat.

CubaA Jewish Mission

Nov 2 – 10, 2011, Jan 18 – 26, 2012 and March 7 – 15, 2012$2999 per person (double occupancy)*

Join us on this extraordinary mission to Cuba and bring support and aid to the Cuban Jewish community. Meet the children of the ORT Sunday School and advance Jewish practices, ideals and education. Learn first-hand about today’s Jewish community and share their dreams for the future. The spirit of the Jewish community will open your eyes, heart and mind.

Israel @ 63Understanding Our Land and Our People

Nov 27 – Dec 12, 2011$3739 per person (double occupancy)*

This trip is Israel like you’ve never experienced before, the chance to travel alongside Israelis. Encounter and explore Israel’s richness and complexity with firsthand, shared experience through food, fashion, the arts and social issues. Understand the challenges of the modern state; hunger, poverty, defense, environment, and compare them to today’s issues facing American Jews.

*plus applicable taxes

Limmud Conference at the University of Warwick, Coventry, England

A Carnival of Jewish Learning, A Festival of the Mind and Spirit

Dec 23 – 29, 2011

The Jewish Community Center is organizing a community-wide trip to the Limmud conference at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England. Limmud is a conference for people of all ages and every perspective, from all over the UK and around the world, hundreds of presenters, a thousand conversations on every subject of interest to Jews - text study, music, theatre, literature, debate and politics - all wrapped up in a week of community, warmth, laughter, passion, excitement and discovery. The conference attracts over 2,000 participants for close to a 1,000 sessions over a five-day period.

For more information about participating in a

coordinated trip, please contact Jonathan Fass

at jfass@jcchouston.org.

Beginning Hebrew - Level 1Instructor: Karen Greenspan

10 Mondays beginning Sept 127:00 – 8:30 PM$185 JCC Member / $235 Public

This introductory course is a program of letter recognition, reading proficiency, building vocabulary, and learning basic phrases using the Hebrew textbook series Aleph Isn’t Tough.

Beginning Hebrew - Level 2Instructor: Karen Greenspan

10 Wednesdays beginning Sept 14 7:00 – 8:30 PM (No class on Sept 28, Oct 12, 19 and Nov 23)

$185 JCC Member / $235 Public

This class builds on the reading skills established in the level one class. The focus will be on building reading fluency and a basic vocabulary to increase understanding. The course uses the Hebrew textbook Aleph isn’t Enough.

LANGUAGE

Beginning Hebrew - Level 4Instructor: Karen Greenspan

10 Thursdays beginning Sept 15 7:00 – 8:30 PM(No class on Sept 29, Oct 13, 20 and Nov 24)

$185 JCC Member / $235 Public

In this course we will continue to practice reading skills and vocabulary building with a focus on reading Torah.

Beginner Conversational HebrewInstructor: Naomi Barancik

10 Tuesdays beginning Sept 139:30 – 10:30 AM $125 JCC Member / $160 Public

This course will teach the foundations of everyday spoken Hebrew. You will learn to build simple sentences and have a basic conversation. Acquaintance with Hebrew alphabet required.

Advanced Conversational HebrewInstructor: Naomi Barancik

10 Tuesdays beginning Sept 1310:45 – 11:45 AM $125 JCC Member / $160 Public

This course is suitable for those who read and comprehend Hebrew at a more advanced level but wish to expand their vocabulary and develop their fluency.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The CSA guarantees the farmer a secure market and gives members access to local, organic produce at competitive prices.

For additional information and to register for programs, please contact Naomi Barancik at 713.729.3200, ext. 3288 or at nbarancik@jcchouston.org

Hazon’s CSA at the JCC

Hazon’s Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program enables the Jewish

community to support local, sustainable agriculture. It is the first Jewish CSA Project in North America, where individuals pre-purchase a share of a farmer’s produce for an entire season. The CSA guarantees the farmer a secure market and gives members access to local, organic produce at competitive prices, while helping to preserve farmland and build community. Members pick up their delicious, fresh produce once a week for the entire growing season.

To register visit jcchouston.org or contact Jennifer Handy at 713.729.3200, ext. 3244 or jhandy@jcchouston.org.

Monajat (Fervent Prayer)Galeet Dardashti

Saturday, Sept 18 • 7:00 PMCongregation Brith Shalom, 4610 Bellaire Blvd. $18 JCC & CBS Member / JCC Patron of the Arts / $26 Public

The Jewish Community Center of Houston and Congregation Brith Shalom are honored to present Monajat (Fervent Prayer) by Iranian-descended composer and singer Galeet Dardashti. This multimedia concert is inspired by the poetic prayers of Selihot, recited during the month preceding the Jewish New Year as a means of deep reflection and spiritual preparation. Galeet Dardashti re-imagines this ritual in collaboration with an acclaimed ensemble of musicians, an electronic soundscape and dynamic video projections.

The Foundation for Jewish Culture and its presenters have selected Monajat as the premiere commission of a six-city tour, of which the Jewish Community Center of Houston was chosen to produce the concert as well as initiate two outreach programs at Rothko Chapel and Rice University. This initiative is through the New Jewish Culture Network to bring music and other art forms to various cities throughout the US.

Classes are 2 hours a week,

once a week for 30 weeks from

September through May and are

forming now for September 2011.

Florence Melton Adult-Mini School HOW CAN A 4000 YEAR OLD TEXT SPEAK TO A 21ST CENTURY WORLD? WE CAN HELP ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

The Florence Melton Adult

Mini-School invites you to discover

a world-class curriculum developed

by the scholars and educators at the

Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Join us to gain a profound

understanding of what it means to be

Jewish as we explore the texts of our

tradition and engage in discussions that

investigate issues of Jewish thought,

practice, ethics and history.

CORE CURRICULUM CLASSES OFFERED AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

Tuesdays • 8:00 – 10:15 AMEmery/Weiner School • Beginning Sept 13

Tuesdays • 7:00 – 9:15 PMJCC Weingarten Building • Beginning Sept 13

Thursdays • 9:30 – 11:45 AMJCC Merfish Teen Center • Beginning Sept 15

FEES (INCLUDES ALL TEXTBOOKS)

$480 per year JCC Member or for parents with a student enrolled at The Emery/Weiner School

$580 per year General Public

CURIOUS ABOUT THEMELTON MINI-SCHOOL?

Join us for a “Taste of Melton” to find out if the program is right for you.

Tuesday, Aug 23 • 7:00 – 8:00 PMThursday, Aug 25 • 9:30 – 10:30 AM

Weingarten Building

RSVP recommended. Please contact Naomi Barancik at 713.729.3200 ext. 3288 or nbarancik@jcchouston.org to participate.

music

For additional information and to register for programs, please contact Naomi Barancik at 713.729.3200, ext. 3288 or at nbarancik@jcchouston.org

Crime after Crime

Sunday, Sept 25 • 4:00 PM$8 JCC Member & Patron of the Arts / $10 Public $1 Senior/Student Discount

As the High Holy Days approach, contemplate the Jewish values of teshuva, tzedek, and chesed as they are explored in Crime After

Crime. Debbie Peagler is serving a 25 years to life sentence for her connection to the murder of the man who brutally abused her, and her two lawyers, one an Orthodox Jew, find them-selves fighting injustice after injustice in the attempt to lessen her sentence.

Purchase tickets at jcchouston.org/film.

Israeli FolkdancingInstructor: Dee Jacobson, Dance Coordinator: Shira Moses

Tuesdays • 7:30 - 10:00 PM$4 JCC Member / $6 Public (drop-in)

$32 JCC Member / $48 Public (series pass)

These open dance sessions include instruction and review of classics along with today’s most popular Israeli folk dances, including couples and line dances. Requests are honored. No need to pre-register, just come and pay at the door. Children are welcome.

Opening Night

Sunday, Oct 30 • 7:30 PM

Jewish Book & Arts Fair Series Houston favorites Dennis Prager and Rabbi Joseph Telushkin appear together Opening Night in celebration of the 36th anniversary of their timeless book, The Eight Questions People Ask

about Judaism (1975), later revised as The Nine

Questions People Ask about Judaism, the most widely selling book on Judaism of the past three decades.

Community ReadVaclav & Lena by Haley Tanner

Monday, Nov 7 • 8:00 PM

Vaclav & Lena is the story of two 10-year-old emigrants from radically different worlds. Torn apart suddenly by a traumatic event, Vaclav and Lena reunite several years later when Lena turns to the one friend she can count on to help her fulfill her dreams. Vivid, universally resonant, and highly original, Vaclav & Lena will establish Haley Tanner as one of our most exciting literary talents.

Join the community in sharing this reading experience, engaging with one another through programs and discussions, and culminating in Tanner’s presentation at the 39th Annual Jewish Book & Arts Fair Monday, November 7 at 8:00 PM. Check jcchouston.org for opportunities to interact with the author and other Community Read Participants.

Purchase your copy of Vaclav & Lena at the JCC and receive FREE entry to the author presentation and priority standing in the book-signing line. Individual groups are encouraged to organize their own programming, and JCC staff is available to assist with resources and ideas to meet your unique interests and needs.

jTunes in Concert

Sunday, Oct 23 5:00 PM

$54 Reserved Seating$18 JCC Member / $25 Public / $10 Student

Come hear the jTunes, the JCC’s a capella ensemble perform a wide range of music from Jewish folk music to classic rock.

MUSIC

FILM

Oliver Lapin Family Day

Sunday, Nov 6FREE (with the exception of concert)

Join us for a day devoted to helping our kids love to read with children’s book readings, crafts and special guest appearances including authors Aubrey Davis (Kishka for Koppel) and Ellen Leventhal (Bully in the Backyard). Wake up to children’s singer/songwriter Craig Parks in his lively show that will make everyone want to sing.

Family Day is endowed in loving memory of Oliver Lapin by his family. The Craig Parks concert is underwritten by the Barbara and Mark Paull Families and the Goldye M. Spain and Samuel W. Spain Children’s Performing Arts Fund.

PROJECT Trio

Saturday, Nov 12 8:00 PMFree to Book Fair Series Ticket Holders$18 JCC Member / $25 Public

Downbeat Magazine describes PROJECT Trio as “packed with musicianship, joy and surprise!” Greg Pattillo (flute), Peter Seymour (bass) and Erik Stephenson (cello) burst onto the scene with their landmark videos right out of the internet generation, making an impact on audiences of all ages. Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, these three virtuosic composer/performers complete PROJECT Trio, a passionate, high energy chamber music ensemble that blends their classical training with an eclectic taste in musical styles. PROJECT Trio will present master classes and workshops in area schools and universities and a concert at the Jewish Book & Arts Fair.

Underwritten by The Maurice Amado Music FoundationPurchase tickets at jcchouston.org/music DA

NCE

JEWISH BOOK & ARTS FAIR39th ANNUAL

October 30 - November 13

Dennis Prager Rabbi Joseph

Telushkin

Are you a JCC Patron of the Arts?In addition to supporting our Arts & Culture and Jewish learning programming, participation as a Patron offers you priority seating and special programming throughout the year.

Learn more at jcchouston.org/patrons or contact Melissa Gordon at 713.729.3200 ext. 3202 or mgordon@jcchouston.org.?

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF HOUSTON5601 S. Braeswood | Houston, Texas 77096 jcchouston.org

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

P A I DHouston, Texas

Permit No. 6217

Judaic Quilting for Beginners

Instructor: Sara NorrisMonday, Oct 10 • 1 - 4 PM Mondays, Oct 17 & 24 • 2 - 4 PM

$40 JCC Member / $50 Public(Minimum of 5 students required. All supplies included in the cost.)

In coordination with A Bundle of Letters, the quilting exhibit in the Deutser Art Gallery, learn how to quilt from quilt-master Sara Norris. In this three-session class students will learn the appliqué technique while making their very own challah covers.

A Bundle of Letters: An Exhibition of Art Quilts by Maya Chaimovich

Deutser Art Gallery • Aug 19 – Oct 26

Sixteen years ago, Israeli-born Maya Chaimovich started traditional quilting and studied at the Shenkar College of Art Design in Ramat Gan, under the tutelage of artist Orna Roglit. She quickly became attracted to a more ab-stract style and has now exhibited her art quilts all over the world, including Israel, England, Japan, Switzerland and the U.S. Chaimovich has participated in the International Quilting Association exhibition, the Quilt Nihon Japan exhibition (2008 and 2010), and Quilt National in Houston (2009).

Purple SongIllustrations by Lisa Sheinbaum

Deutser Art Gallery • Oct 30 – Dec 4

Lisa Sheinbaum wrote and illustrated the children’s book Purple Song with Founder and Executive Director of the Purple Songs Can Fly Project, Anita Kruse. Purple Songs Can Fly is a non-profit organization that provides a creative musical outlet for the many children being treated for cancer and blood disorders at Texas Children’s Hospital and their siblings. Lisa and Anita will present at Oliver Lapin Family Day at the 39th Annual Jewish Book & Arts Fair Sunday, Nov 6.