The January edition includes:

 Photos from "Shine A Light" Hanukkah Candle GiveAway,

Save The Date: "An Evening With John Paul Thornton",

Winter Basketball Youth & Adult Leagues, Men's Club, Readers Club,

Profiles of Two Holiday Boutique Vendors

Letter From Jeff Rubin

Executive Director, Valley JCC



As I complete my first full calendar year with Valley JCC, I cannot help but look back and share something with all of you. In January of 2022, I was accepted into a very prestigious 12-month program put on by Executive Service Corps of Southern California (ESC). ESC has a team of 100+ highly trained, executive level consultants who dedicate their time, knowledge, and expertise to help nonprofits succeed. Their consultants partner closely with clients, providing a consistently high level of service and devoting the necessary time to achieve results – and ensure lasting impact. 

The program I was involved in was the Executive Directors Leadership Institute (EDLI), a leadership coaching program designed to help both new and experienced Executive Directors transform their leadership and guide their organizations toward long-term sustainability. In February of 2022, we were tasked with writing a short letter to our future selves about what we hoped and wanted. Here is my letter:

Dear Future Me,

I wanted to take the opportunity and wish you nothing but the best in your position as the Executive Director for Valley JCC (VJCC) and with the EDLI Program. I know that you have so many great ideas and look forward to leading the VJCC well into the future and build exciting programs for the community to partake in. I know that you will be successful and reach your goals and objectives. 

I hope that by the time you are reading this that you are more comfortable in your position and have been able to build upon your team, membership, participation, Board, budget, programs, and grants to name a few. 

I hope the VJCC realizes how lucky they are to have you and that you have been able to carry out their mission and expand upon their exposure. In fact, I know how proud they must be that they chose you and you became the perfect fit so quickly.

Don't ever become complacent and continue to strive to be and give your best. You will be rewarded knowing that you continue to build community and bring people together in a meaningful way. As you read this remember that you got out of this what you put in and that was your whole self.

Keep doing great things!

So many of us make New Year’s Resolutions! This year I ask that you write a letter to your future self that you put away and in December 2023 grab that letter and read it and share with family and friends. 

Please get involved in any way you can. Whether it’s participating in a program, becoming a member, or renewing your membership, signing up for our many fundraising opportunities, sponsoring a program or making a donation. 

Today we have hope, help spread the word. 

Thank You,

Jeff

Message From Ollie Haas,

Valley JCC President, Board of Directors

As we welcome the new year, Valley JCC Board of Directors and staff wish all of you a healthy and happy 2023. We continue to work diligently and enthusiastically to provide interesting and meaningful programming, sports, and community events for you.

In addition to all the programs available, Valley JCC has several volunteer opportunities. We encourage you to join one of our committees, such as the Fundraising Committee, Health Fair Committee or Membership Committee. Working with other committee members toward a common goal is satisfying and promotes new and continued friendships.

We thank you for your membership, involvement and participation in Center activities throughout the past year. We hope you enjoyed our activities and perhaps learned something new and exciting.

And, thank you for your support of Valley JCC during 2022. It meant so much to all of us. We hope we can count on you in 2023, too!

Most of all, we sincerely wish to you, and all those you love, a healthy year that is filled with happiness, good times, and abundance!

Best wishes,

Ollie Haas

Photos of Candle GiveAway

Thanks to the volunteers, businesses and community members

who participated on Sunday, December 4th

Meet: Cynthia & Missy,

Pygmalion

Fourteen years ago, two women walked into a Mosaic Class offered by Beverly Hills High School for adults in the community. They enjoyed the mosaic class, became friends, and decided to start a business together. Pygmalion Jewelry/Accessories is the result of their collaboration, and you might have met them at their booth during our Holiday Boutique.

Cynthia Berchan and Missy Siskind both were school teachers, and together had many skills and interests. Cynthia had taught high school for 16 years and later took courses in merchandising. She is an accomplished, award winning artist and her artwork has been shown in several galleries. While residing in San Buenaventura, California for ten years, she opened a boutique, named Pygmalion, featuring clothing and jewelry. 

Missy grew up in New York, and taught elementary school on Long Island. When she moved to Los Angeles, she joined friends who owned a travel agency. Her experience as a travel agent has led to many buying trips to Paris, Milan and back to NYC for jewelry and accessories for Pygmalion. On a recent trip to Paris, the women enjoyed some time spent in the wholesale areas in Marais, located in the vibrant Jewish quarter. 

Once Cynthia and Missy decided to go into business together, they started showing their jewelry and accessories to family and friends. Then, they “took it on the road” and now show their line at fundraising and non-profit events, including PGA West, Bel-Air Bay Club, and Pathfinder’s Big Horn event in Palm Desert. They also host home parties with 30 or more guests. 

Pygmalion offers women’s gold, silver, and gemstone necklaces, bracelets, earrings, cashmere and silk scarves, and crossbody handbags, along with a few items for men. Cynthia and Missy explain that they follow the trends, they know the workmanship of their product line is very good, and they sell their items just above wholesale pricing. 

“We work so well together.” Cynthia explains, “and the feeling is like family.” Missy adds, “We each have our own strengths, one of us is more conservative, the other likes more ‘bling’, but it all blends together beautifully.”

For more information about Pygmalion, how to purchase jewelry, hold an event for your organization, or host a party in your home, please call: (310) 275-1289. Email addresses: cynthiaberchan@gmail.com or missy4travel@gmail.com

Meet: Nicole Malsbury, Pampered Chef

Nicole Malsbury, an Independent Consultant with Pampered Chef, was a vendor at Valley JCC’s recent Holiday Boutique. Pampered Chef is a multinational multi-level marketing company that offers a line of kitchen tools, food products, and cookbooks for preparing food at home. In 1980, Doris Christopher founded Pampered Chef from the basement of her suburban Chicago home with the belief that shared mealtimes have the power to enrich our lives in many ways.

Born in Glendale and raised in Van Nuys, Nicole has worked since she was sixteen years old. In addition to representing Pampered Chef, she currently works as an Administrative Assistant at Windy Hill Food Group in Santa Clarita.

Nicole fell in love with the products after going to a party her sister hosted, and other parties as well. After hosting her own party, Nicole decided to become a consultant. “I like the high-end quality of the products and kitchen tools. They last a lifetime and make cooking so much easier,” explains Nicole.

When Nicole hosts a party, she selects a menu, and then she and the guests actually cook the meal, using Pampered Chef tools appropriate for each dish, and then sit down to enjoy the meal they have prepared together. Some of the parties are fundraisers, bridal showers, and home parties for friends and family.

The product line includes: baking dishes, cast iron pans, dutch ovens, grills, ovens, sauce pans and pots as well as cooking and measuring tools. Nicole especially likes the garlic press and the stoneware sets. 

For more information about Pampered Chef products or becoming a consultant, please contact Nicole at: nicole@PamperedChefWithNicole.com or call: (611) 644-2376.

Basketball

The Wayne League

by

Jason Moser

We are excited to start the new year with 10 teams in our 12U division basketball league. We also anticipate 4-6 teams in the 14U and 10U divisions.

Youth games are played at A.C. Stelle Middle School in Calabasas and Emek Hebrew Academy in Sherman Oaks.

We now also have five nights dedicated to adult leagues. Wayne League Winter Adult play is Sunday-Thursday evening at A.C. Stelle, Emek, Hebrew Academy, deToledo High School in Woodland Hills, and possible other locations in Chatsworth and Agoura.

For the fourth straight season, our adult leagues have over 50 teams.

What a fantastic way to start the New Year!

Please join us - Shalom!

Wayne Girls Basketball

Girls league playing Sundays at A. E. Wright Middle School

Valley JCC sports leagues are named

in memory of beloved former

Executive Director Jerry Wayne

From Today's Montessori...

Valley JCC Men's Club

Meet and socialize

with other 55+ men in the Valley!

Past outings include special tours of Santa Anita Park, Jet Propulsion Laboratories in Pasadena, experiences at Dodger Stadium, the Getty Museum, and Axe Throwing at Lumberjack's in Northridge.

January Men’s Club meeting

Monday, January 9^th 

(because the first Monday is New Years Day!)

Rosie’s Bar-B-Que

8930 Corbin Ave., Northridge

 6:00 to 8:00pm

NOTE: Rosie's set-up has changed. 

Now, you enter and place your order and pay at the front desk. 

Then, find our seating area and your food will be delivered to you. 

They now close at 8p.m. so we will be done by 8:00pm

Please RSVP to Steve

Email: sandnl@verizon.net 

whether or not you will be able to attend

The Men's Club meets the first Monday of the month, unless there is

a national or religious holiday.

Stay tuned for the next activity...

We are planning trips for 2023

For more information, contact sandnl@verizon.net or call 818-360-2211

Recipe For January

Start off the New Year with a healthy

version of Mac and Cheese!



Broccoli and Cauliflower

Gratin Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

1 small head or bundle broccoli, trimmed into florets

1 small head cauliflower or half a large head, trimmed and cut into florets

1 pound whole-wheat macaroni or penne or other short cut pasta

2 cups sour cream or reduced-fat sour cream

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/3 cup finely chopped chives

2 cloves garlic, peeled and grated or crushed into paste

A few drops hot sauce

Freshly ground black pepper

2 1/2 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Salt the water and add the broccoli and cauliflower florets. Boil the vegetables for 5 minutes, then remove them with a strainer and drain. Add the pasta to the water and undercook by about 2 minutes, drain.
2. Meanwhile, combine the sour cream in a large bowl along with the mustard, chives, garlic, hot sauce and salt and pepper, to taste. Add the pasta and cauliflower and 2/3 of the cheese. Stir to combine, then transfer it to a casserole or baking dish and cover with the remaining cheese. Cool and chill for a make-ahead meal.
3. To heat and eat, put the casserole on baking sheet and bake it in the middle of a preheated 375 degree oven until deeply golden and bubbly, about 40 to 45 minutes.

Recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray

Go to Food Network: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/broccoli-and-cauliflower-gratin-mac-n-cheese-recipe-1960084

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - January 16

A Special Bond: Martin Luther King, Jr., Israel,

and American Jewry

Book Suggestion

Our Missing Hearts

by

Celeste Ng

An instant New York Times bestseller • A New York Times Notable Book of 2022 • Named a Best Book of 2022 by People, TIME Magazine, The Washington Post, USA Today, NPR, Los Angeles Times, and Oprah Daily.

From the #1 bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere, comes the inspiring new novel about a mother’s unbreakable love in a world consumed by fear.

Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives a quiet existence with his loving but broken father, a former linguist who now shelves books in a university library. His mother Margaret, a Chinese American poet, left the family, without a trace, when he was nine years old. Bird knows not ask too many questions, stand out too much, or stray too far. For a decade, his family's life has been governed by laws written to preserve “American culture” in the wake of years of economic instability and violence. To keep the peace and restore prosperity, the authorities are now allowed to relocate children of dissidents, especially those of Asian origin, and libraries have been forced to remove books seen as unpatriotic.

Bird has grown up disavowing his mother and her poems; he doesn’t know her work or what happened to her, and he knows he shouldn’t wonder. But when he receives a mysterious letter containing only a cryptic drawing, he is pulled into a quest to find her. His journey will take him back to the many folktales she poured into his head as a child, through the ranks of an underground network of librarians, into the lives of the children who have been taken, and finally to New York City, where a new act of defiance may be the beginning of much-needed change.

Our Missing Hearts is an old story made new, of the ways supposedly civilized communities can ignore the most searing injustice. It’s a story about the power—and limitations—of art to create change, the lessons and legacies we pass on to our children, and how any of us can survive a broken world with our hearts intact.

......www.amazon.com

The History of

New Year's Resolutions

The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year's Resolutions about 4,000 years ago. They made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed. These promises could be considered the forerunners of our New Year’s resolutions. If the Babylonians kept to their word, their (pagan) gods would bestow favor on them for the coming year. If not, they would fall out of the gods’ favor, a place no one wanted to be.

A similar practice occurred in ancient Rome after the reform-minded emperor Julius Caesar tinkered with the calendar and around circa 46 B.C., established January 1 as the beginning of the new year. Named for Janus, and believing that Janus symbolically looked backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future, the Romans offered sacrifices to the deity and made promises of good conduct for the coming year.

For early Christians, the first day of the new year became the traditional occasion for thinking about one’s past mistakes and resolving to both do better and be better in the future.

Despite the tradition’s religious roots, New Year’s resolutions today are a mostly secular practice. Instead of making promises to the gods, most people make resolutions only to themselves and focus mainly on self-improvement. According to recent research, while as many as 45 percent of Americans say they usually make New Year’s resolutions, only 8 percent are successful in achieving their goals. But that dismal record probably won’t stop people from making resolutions anytime soon. After all, we’ve had about 4,000 years of practice!

https://www.history.com/news/the-history-of-new-years-resolutions

Valley JCC is looking forward to engaging in ongoing outreach in the community.

Stay tuned for details...

Fundraising Opportunity

On Your Birthday!

"How To" Use Ralphs To Benefit Valley JCC

1. Go to: www.ralphs.com
2. Click on "Sign in" to the right of the search box. (If you don't have an online account, click on "Register")
3. Click on your name to the right of the search box at the top
4. You will now be on your Account Summary page
5. Scroll down to "Community Contributions" and click on "Enroll"
6. Complete the online form and Click on "Save"
7. Enter organization number SK677 and click on the "Search" button
8. "Valley Jewish Community Center" will be displayed. Click "Enroll"
9. You will see a confirmation at the top of the Account Summary page
10. A percentage of your purchases will be donated to Valley JCC