FAMILY PROGRAMS
The Edlavitch DCJCC FAMILY PROGRAMS are designed with your family in mind. We merge high quality experiential activities with an informal camp-like atmosphere. Dedicated to serving and supporting our diverse community, we create safe space to explore Jewish values amidst the messy, joyful chaos that is raising kids in an urban environment in the modern world. Organized around the Jewish calendar and Shabbat we offer: monthly celebrations, pool parties, carnivals, story time and other kid friendly activities for children aged 2-8. All families are welcome—you don’t have to be Jewish to find a home at the EDCJCC.
Upcoming Events
VIRTUAL: PARENTING WITHOUT POWER STRUGGLES
Tuesday, March 21, 8:00 PM
“You need to eat four more pieces!” . . . “Bedtime NOW” . . . “NO! I do it!” If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Power struggles are maddening for parents, and, it turns out, not good for children either. Putting these struggles in a developmental context, this workshop will provide strategies for how to encourage your child’s growing need to assert independence while still maintaining your control and authority. Struggles around mealtime, potty training, cooperation and others will be addressed. Led by Claire Lerner, licensed clinical social worker and child development specialist.
Come for an informal interest session to learn more about the wise sAGING course at the EDCJCC. Meet the instructor, De Herman, grab some coffee and tea, and see if this is the right class for you! We are holding this interest session to see if we have enough interest to run the full 7-week course, so please come if you’d like this course to happen!
The class is based on the work of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (From Age-ing to-Sage-ing: A Revolutionary Approach to Growing Older) and Rabbi Rachel Cowan & Linda Thal (Wise Aging: Living With Joy, Resilience and Spirit).
Topics include:
• exploring this stage of life
• becoming one’s authentic self
• life review
• relating with one’s body
• revitalizing and nourishing healthy relationships
• practicing forgiveness
• learning to live with loss
• change and death
• leaving a legacy
The class format includes discussion, experiential exercises, meditation, journaling, and text study.
Facilitator De Herman is an ordained Rabbinic Pastor and Spiritual Director and served as a hospice chaplain until retiring in 2019. She received a certificate as a Sage-ing Mentor in the Age-ing to Sage-ing program, offered by Rabbi Nadya Gross and Rabbi Victor Gross. De is an active member and lay leader of Temple Emanuel in Kensington, MD and a Director of Studies for Rabbinic Pastor students of the ALEPH Ordination Program. She derives great pleasure from bicycling, gardening, cooking, writing, and making calligraphic art.
By Emily Mann
Directed by Holly Twyford
March 8 – April 2, 2023
HISTORY. HER STORY. OUR STORY.
Gloria: A Life is more than a play—it’s a celebration of human connection. Five decades after Gloria Steinem began raising her voice and championing the voices of others, her call for equality is as urgent as ever. In this exploration of the iconic feminist’s extraordinary legacy and the women who inspired her (including Dorothy Pitman Hughes, Flo Kennedy, Coretta Scott King, and Wilma Mankiller), the first act tells her story, and the second invites the audience to share their own. Gloria Steinem’s stirring and uplifting narrative is a necessary reminder of the importance of speaking up and speaking out. Directed by Holly Twyford (Becoming Dr. Ruth), Gloria: A Life honors one of the most inspiring women of our time.
“Emily Mann’s play is equal parts biography, history lesson, TED talk and call to action” – The Wrap
Join your neighbors and JFamily Ambassador Valerie for some fresh air and outdoor free play! We’ll bring snacks, but recommend that you bring your own water and picnic blanket. Please register in advance so we know how many to expect.
WHAT: Think Jewishly, Act Locally: Budgets are Moral Documents
Jewish tradition teaches that in a just world, all people would have what the Torah calls dei machsoro, resources sufficient for their needs. Here in DC, the city’s resources are abundant, but they are not allocated equitably so that everyone benefits. That’s why Jews United for Justice joins many community organizations every year to advocate for a moral city budget. A city budget reflects the priorities and promises of city officials much better than their words. In this workshop we will learn about the DC’s budget process, past victories for social justice won through budget campaigns, and what you can do right now to ensure that next year’s budget reflects the Jewish social justice values that many of us share.
A vegetarian dinner will be served.
This is part 2 of a 3 part series on local advocacy. Check out Part 3: Speaking Your Truth to Power
WHEN: Thursday, March 23, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
6:30 PM – Dinner
7:00 PM – Program
REGISTRATION: This event is free but registration is required to attend. Click on the red ticket icon to proceed to the registration page.
This workshop series is brought to you in partnership with JUFJ.
The Edlavitch DCJCC embraces inclusion in all its programs and activities. We welcome and encourage the participation of all people, regardless of their background, sexual orientation, abilities, or religion, including interfaith couples and families.