Katz JCC Center for Learning & Growth Classes

How to Register

Members: Register through Daxco for each individual class using the links below.

Non-Members: Sign up for JPath for complimentary membership access here. Then, register for each individual class using the links below.


Fall Classes

View our Fall Class Brochure


Day of Kayaking in the Pinelands

September 29, 2024

Meet at Pinelands Adventure 9:30am, 10am – 2pm Kayak time

 

Join us for a day of adventure and kayaking accompanied by JCC aquatics staff who are enthusiastic kayakers. The Batsto River is a scenic, winding Pine Barrens river with clean, cool water, waiting for you to explore! The Pinelands Adventures team will drive us to the start on the Batsto River at Quaker Bridge about four miles into the Wharton State Forest. Trip length is approximately 4 hours, based on the average trip length of beginner to intermediate paddlers out for a relaxing paddle. *Changing river conditions such as weather, water levels, underwater obstacles and fallen trees can make this trip moderately challenging depending upon the paddler’s level of experience and physical condition. This trip does not include a Pinelands Adventures guide. 

 

Register Here

JCC Member: $65.00

Guest: $75.00


 Israeli Raid on Entebbe Series

October 14, 2024 – October 28, 2024

6:30pm arrival, 7:00pm – 8:30pm class

 

This 3-part series will focus specifically on the historic Israeli raid on Entebbe, Uganda. This was one of the most audacious and successful military operations in modern history.  

Instructor: Ken Goldberg

Bio: Mr. Goldberg has been serving as the Chief of the Technical Support Branch, Operations Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District since April 2017. He is the former Mechanical Engineer in the US Navy and has lectured at the JCC throughout the year.

Monday, October 14: Israeli Raid on Entebbe overview

Monday, October 21: Seven Days in Entebbe Film (please arrive promptly at 6:30pm for this session)

Monday, October 28: Discussion from film – addressing biodiversity, habitats and their importance for wildlife conservation, conservation efforts, and environmental changes

 

Register Here

JCC Member: $90

Guest: $105 


Film Series: Politics Can Be a Funny (and Dirty) Business 

October 22, 2024 – November 19, 2024

6:30pm arrival, 7:00pm-8:30pm film and discussion

 

Who says politics has to be so serious all the time? In this quartet of insightful and darkly humorous films, the political arena is fair game for satire, laughs and some cutting observations.   

Instructor: Irv Slifkin

Tuesday, October 22: The Mouse That Roared (1959) with Peter Sellers, Jean Seberg

Tuesday, October 29: The President’s Analyst (1967)  with James Coburn, Godfrey Cambridge

Tuesday, November 12: Hail the Conquering Hero (1944) w. Eddie Bracken, Ella Raines

Tuesday, November 19: Wag the Dog (1997) with Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman    

 

Register Here

JCC Member: $120

Guest: $140 


Photography Workshop in the Pine Barrens

November 21, 2024 – December 5, 2024

Times Vary

 

Instructor: Richard Lewis

Richard Lewis is a fine art landscape photographer who lives in NJ and photographs around NJ as well as other states. 

Thursday, November 21: Introductory class on photographing the Pine Barrens at the JCC 6:30pm arrival, 7pm-8:30pm class

Sunday, November 24: Field Day at Franklin Park in the Pine Barrens at the Pine Barrens, Meeting on location at 6:30am, prior to sunrise 

Thursday, December 5: Class presentations and discussion at the JCC 6:30pm arrival, 7pm-8:30pm class

 

Register Here

JCC Member: $150

Guest:$180 


Anti-Semitism and Comics: Prominent Jewish Figures Who Introduced the World to Superheroes

November 7, 2024 – November 21, 2024

6:30pm arrival, 7:00pm – 8:30pm class

 

Instructor: Scott Gold

Scott Gold, native of Philadelphia, lived in Israel for 12 years. He has always been a Comic Book Fan, and gradually became aware of the prevalence of Jewish history’s influence.

From a Rocket carrying an alien infant, to a Red, White and Blue wearing strong-man punching a foreign fascist leader in the jaw (a year before Pearl Harbor), the history of Comic Books in the US is the story of the Jewish experience internationally and in the US. This Program will “fill in the dots” on how escape from Europe, and life in the US all combined to introduce the Comic Book industry to the World. 

November 7: In The Beginning (An EXTREMELY broad introduction on prominent Jewish figures who introduced the world to Superheroes)

November 14: How World Events Shaped the Pioneers

November 21: Will Eisner – Creating the Graphic Art Form

 

Register Here

JCC Member: $60 – $90

Guest:$70 – $105


Beginner and Intermediate Mah Jongg 

November 7, 2024 – November 21, 2024

6:30pm arrival, 7:00pm – 8:30pm class

 

Instructor: Bernadette Hennessey May

Bernadette, a passionate game aficionado, has been teaching for over 30 years. She brings her expertise and enthusiasm to various locations, including the JCC, where she teaches during the day.

Whether you are a total beginner or have a bit of Mah Jongg knowledge but need more supervised practice, this class is for you! In this friendly and relaxed environment, Bernadette will teach and improve your Mah Jongg skills while you meet other players.

Thursday, November 7

Thursday, November 14

Thursday, November 21

 

Register Here

JCC Member: $90

Guest: $105


Conversational Hebrew

Tuesdays, November 12th, 19th, 26th

Tuesdays, December 3rd, 10th, 17th

6:30pm arrival, 7:00pm – 8:30pm class

 

Instructors: Tsippi Lasman and Dana Amsili

Dana Amsili is a seasoned educator with 21 years of experience teaching both children and adults in Israel and the United States.  She holds two master’s degrees: one from Ben-Gurion University and another from Middlebury College, specializing in teaching Hebrew as a second language.

Tsippi Lasman has been teaching Hebrew in the United States for over 20 years, dedicating herself to guiding students of all ages on their language-learning journeys. After moving to the U.S. with her husband, Robby, and their three daughters, Tsippi found joy in helping her students grow, from preschoolers at Kellman Brown Academy to 3rd graders at Temple Beth Sholom (TBS) Hebrew School. Tsippi also offers private lessons in spoken Hebrew for adults and has helped many students prepare for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

Select A Level:

1A – This class is for students with no previous Hebrew learning experience. You will learn the letters of the alphabet and sounds. Students will learn basic vocabulary and phrases.

1B – This class is for the student with Hebrew familiarity, can read Hebrew, but no Hebrew conversation. The focus will be on basic conversation vocabulary and practice.

 

*Students will be contacted upon registration to confirm class level

Register for Conversation Hebrew 1A

Register for Conversation Hebrew 1B

JCC Member: $180

Guest:$210


Caring for Your Aging Loved One Workshop 

December 10, 2024 – December 17, 2024

6:30pm arrival, 7:00pm – 8:30pm class

 

Instructor: Nancy Alterman, LCSW

Nancy Alterman (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) is a longtime clinical instructor and Geriatric Social Worker with the New Jersey Institute of Successful Aging.  In this workshop, Nancy will provide insights and perspectives for adults who are involved with aging loved ones experiencing life-changing medical, lifestyle, relationship, cognitive, and/or emotional changes. She will explore and share approaches and some important take-aways for caring for your loved one and coping with the complicated issues which can arise.  

 

Register Here

JCC Member: $60

Guest: $70


Antisemitism: The Holocaust Through Present Day 

Tuesdays, October 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th

Tuesdays, November 12th

6:30pm arrival, 7:00pm – 8:30pm class

 

The Holocaust and the lessons it teaches us about today’s world of antisemitism. Using the Esther Raab Holocaust Museum as a backdrop and the personal stories of local Survivors, we will discover the history of the Holocaust, bringing an understanding of the manipulation that resulted in the death of millions as their neighbors stood silent. We will then move through to current day antisemitism and the conflicts that October 7th brought to college campuses. Classes will be taught by volunteer experts. All registration proceeds will be handled as contributions that support the Esther Rabb Holocaust Museum as well as the JCC Center for Learning & Growth.

 

Register Here

Suggested contribution:

JCC Member: $180

Guest: $210


Israel and Iran – A Complicated Relationship

November 11, 2024 – November 18, 2024

6:30pm arrival, 7:00pm – 8:30pm class

 

Instructor: Joseph Puder, journalist, author, founder of Interfaith Taskforce for America and Israel, will lead us on this journey.    

This 2-Part series will explore the intricate and often contentious relationship between Israel and Iran, two pivotal nations in the Middle East.  Beginning with a historical overview, students will examine the roots of the Israel-Iran relationship, tracing its evolution from the early 20th century through the establishment of Israel in 1948 and the Iranian Revolution in 1979, which marked a significant turning point in bilateral relations.  

 

Register Here

JCC Member: $60

Guest: $70


 Art Workshops

December 3, 2024 – December 17, 2024

6:30pm arrival, 7:00pm – 8:30pm class

 

Instructor: Nicole Blank

Nicole Blank, artist, and owner of The Blank Canvas Splattered, will lead us through a hands-on social evening. All levels welcome!

3-part series to use your imagination and create one-of-a-kind pieces.

December 3: canvas paint- each participant will leave with a painting

December 10: mosaic- each participant will leave with a unique mosaic

December 17: sculpture- each participant will leave with a special sculpture

 

Register Here

JCC Member: $90

Guest: $105


The Pinelands Uncovered: An Insight into Geography, Geology, Species, and Habitat 

October 21, 2024 – November 4, 2024

Times Vary

 

Instructor: Jason Howell, a NJ Volunteer Master Naturalist, Wilderness First Responder, and is a volunteer with Mid-Atlantic Search and Rescue covering Southern New Jersey and The Pinelands National Reserve.

Monday, October 21, 7:00-8:30pm: Introduction to the Pinelands, including a documentary film and discussion.

Sunday, October 27, 10am-Noon: Field Trip to Black Run Preserve

Monday, November 4, 7:00-8:30pm: Key Take-aways including understanding of geographic features; geological history; biodiversity; habitats and their importance for wildlife conservation; conservation efforts;  cultural history; environmental challenges.

 

Register Here

JCC Member: $90

Guest: $105


My Child The Doctor: The Linkage Between Judaism and Medicine. 

November 6, 2024 – December 4, 2024

6:30pm arrival, 7:00pm – 8:30pm class

 

Instructor: Rabbi Richard F. Address, D.Min, was ordained in 1972 from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He is the founder and director of Jewish Sacred Aging®, jewishsacredaging.com and hosts the weekly Seekers of Meaning podcast/tv. In addition to congregational work in California and New Jersey, he served for over three decades on staff of Union for Reform Judaism as regional rabbi for Pennsylvania Council and as founding director of the Department of Jewish Family Concerns. Locally he serves as co-chair of the Jewish Advisory Group at Samaritan Healthcare/hospice and on the board of Jewish Family and Children’s Service.

A look at texts, traditions and current challenges in the historical connection between Judaism and Medicine. The class will include guest appearances by local physicians; and a podcast with a scholar whose book also looks at this issue from an inter-faith angle.

 

Register Here

JCC Member: $180

Guests: $210

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In observance of Rosh Hashanah, the JCC will close at 3:00pm on Wednesday, October 2nd, and will be closed on Thursday, October 3rd and Friday, October 4th. We will reopen at 7:00am on Saturday, October 5th.