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We are working to create tools and resources to help you stay healthy, connected and engaged during these unprecedented times. We will be updating content daily! The role of the JCC has always been to be the place that people can gather – where people welcome and take care of one another. That continues to be our mission and we are working hard to keep us all connected!
VIEW OUR CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FITNESS
We’ll work together to create a customized training plan, hold you accountable and show you how to train smart – not just hard. Plus, we will help you stay motivated and focused on your goals while you build a relationship with a professional trainer who cares!
- Gain general strength and flexibility
- Improve balance and core strength
- Lose body fat and weight
- Reduce pain or ease back into exercise after an injury
- Customized programs designed to fit your goals
Express Session (30 minutes) Starting at $46
Full Service (50 minutes) Starting at $77
To schedule a session or to learn more, contact Anna Golv, Fitness & Group Exercise Manager at annag@stpauljcc.org
*St. Paul JCC Members Only
Classes by your favorite JCC Group Ex instructors.
Click here for Silver Sneaker workouts, wellness videos and exercise programs.
Click here for Silver & Fit workouts.
Click here for over 90 workouts to get you started.
JEWISH LEARNING
Enjoy a morning coffee break, learn and speak a little Hebrew. This informal class is designed as an opportunity to meet and talk all things Israel with our Community Shlichah Kehset Edry. This RAJE (Random Act of Jewish Education) is free, some Hebrew experience is helpful in this conversation based program and everyone is welcome.
If interested, please contact our Community Shalicha, Keshet Edry, at kedry@stpaulfed.org for dates & times.
KIDS & FAMILIES
Click here for family activities
Listen to Stories – Tune in every day at 3:00 pm for a new story.
Now more than ever it is critical that we imagine, create, share and spread joy to each other. It is in this spirit that we have launched STAGES BEYOND THE STAGE. These FREE virtual Theatre activities for AGES 18 months to 18 years will be designed to get our bodies, voices and imaginations moving and creating!
CULTURAL ARTS
MUDDY WATERS: CLIMATE CHANGE, THE ENVIRONMENT AND WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM JEWISH TEXTS
A virtual Exhibit featuring new works by the Jewish Artists' Laboratory
Muddy Waters explores a wide array of pressing environmental issues using a diverse breadth of art forms. These new works comment both subtly and overtly on the current state of our planet, our responsibility to serve as activists and how art plays a key role in making change.
ARTISTS INCLUDE: Aarah Aizman, Susan Armington, Robyn Awend, Jaymee Chanen,
Gloria Cooper, Toni Dachis, Suzanne Fenton, Ann Ginsburgh-Hofkin, Leah Golberstein, Jonathan Gross, Rani Halpern, Bonnie Heller, Sylvia Horwitz, Anita Konikoff, Paula Leiter-Pergament, Carolyn Light Bell, Lynda Monick-Isenberg, Alison Morse, Aimee Orkin, Dina O’Sullivan, Diane Pecoraro, Kris Prince, Phil Rosenbloom, Sarah Routman, Roslye Ultan, Susan Weinberg, Rochelle Woldorsky, Liba Zweigbaum-Herman
CLICK HERE to view the exhibit
VISUAL PRAYER
The Interfaith Artist Circle of the Twin Cities is a group of visual artists who pursue art as a spiritual journey. Originally founded in 2005 as the Jewish Women Artists’ Circle, the group now includes women artists from multiple faiths. The exhibit, Visual Prayer is the creative exploration of prayer through images, finding commonality and connectivity as well as diversity among religions. This exhibit was curated by Aimee Orkin, a Judaic artist and teacher who embarked on a one year sabbatical studying prayer with rabbis, scholars and cantors. “We hope our interfaith exhibits in the community will inspire collaboration among all faiths,” states Aimee Orkin.
Artists include: Jeanne Aaron, Beth Andrews, Hend Al-Mansour, Sandy M. Baron, Jane Bassuk, Kirsten Malcolm Berry, Sandra Brick, Gloria Cooper, Elizabeth Erickson, Lucy Rose Fischer, Renanah (Rani) Halpern, Angela Heida, Joyce Lyon, Aimee Orkin, Paula Leiter Pergament, Susan Peploe, Regula Ruselle, Anita White, Rochelle Woldorsky
Enjoy watching members from our own community, as they perform amazingly funny and poignant stories from their own lives - recorded live at the 2020 Twin Cities Jewish Humorfest.
The search for Jewish film begins and ends with JFI On Demand, an innovative curated streaming service of Jewish films.
Click here for a 14-Day free trial of Menemsha Films' new streaming service dedicated solely to JEWISH themed films and entertainment.
ADULT PROGRAMS
Paula S. Forté, PhD, RN
Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching, particular expertise in helping professional and family caregivers find health and balance by integrating self-care practices back into their lives.
Many of us are caregivers, either in our professional life, or at home caring for a family member. When we have the heart of a caregiver, we tend to think it is best to put everyone else’s needs before our own. We think of that as the more gracious or spiritual path, but it can be a dangerous path, for us and for our health!
We'll discuss how caregivers need to find time to practice self-care in order to "Put their own oxygen mask on before assisting others" as the flight attendants remind us! Self-care allows us to build resilience and reserves that replenish us for the service that lies ahead. The key is in knowing the difference between self-care and self-indulgence, and making healthy choices that can serve us for a lifetime!
For Zoom information, contact Barbie Levine at blevine@stpauljcc.org
Our Book Group reads a wide variety of texts: novels, memoirs, non-fiction, short stories and everything in-between! The conversations are enlightening and fun; the people are engaged and enthusiastic.
September Book: Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev
Group Discussion: September 24 • 10 AM
Writer Gary Shteygart says: "My favorite novel is Ivan Turgenev's Fathers and Sons, a 200-page ravishing knockout of a book that explains just about everything you need to know about families, love, heartache, religion, duels and the institution of serfdom in 19th-century Russia, not to mention advice on how to seduce your housekeeper's young daughter. In short, it's a Russian masterpiece, one written so beautifully and with such economy, that when you finish reading it you feel a little shaken and a little stirred. A vodka martini on the front porch might be in order.”
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82059935050
Meeting ID: 820 5993 5050
Listen and learn from inspiring, knowledgeable and prominent individuals of the Twin Cities. Professors, sports figures, entrepreneurs, theater directors and more!
Monday, October 12 • 9 - 10 AM
Amy Lange, Immigration Court Observation Project Coordinator
Moral Witness in Immigration Court: Hear from the coordinator of the Human Rights Defender Project which brings volunteer human rights observers into immigration hearings for people held in ICE detention.
Passcode: 627881
Mondays • 10:30 AM - Noon
Do you have a passion for words? Join like-minded writers in this supportive and uncritical weekly creative writing group.
To join the group, contact Barbie Levine at blevine@stpauljcc.org
Pirke Avot: Ancient Rabbinic Wisdom for Today's World
Pirke Avot, is a collection of pithy sayings on how best to live an ethical life. Come study this ancient work with much to say to our lives today.
Fridays 11 am - Noon on Zoom
AQUATICS
Josh the Otter is a great story that covers water safety tips for your family.
RESPECT the Water
Water Safety is still a priority, even if you can't get to the pool today. Check out this page to learn to RESPECT the Water.
NDPA
Educate children and caregivers about water safety. Stay in the know with these Water Safety Steps.
Verbal Cues
Verbal cues are very important to alert your swimmer to a change in activity. This is especially important when preparing to go underwater, as with bobs or jumping in. Counting or saying 'Ready, Set, Go" are excellent ways to verbally prepare your kiddo. Verbal cues also keep young swimmers safe. Learning to wait for a signal before jumping in helps prevent unexpected entries into the water. You can practice the basics with a game of red light, green light or putting your swim in charge of the situation, and you become the "good listener".
Kicking
Practicing kicks without the pool can be fun! Little ones can practice in the tub, lying on their front or back. Older swimmers can lay on the edge of the bed, practicing kicking in the air. Wherever they are, make sure they keep their legs straight but flexible with toes pointed, making little splashes. Kicking should come from the hip, using the entire leg-no bicycle kicks!
Will It Float?
Have your child select a few item from around the house for bath time and have them guess if they will sink or float. If you use kitchen items (those are my families favorites), you can also pretend to make food as an added bonus. You should really try an orange: Does it float or sink? Peel the orange and try again: What is different? The peel of the orange is like a lifejacket for your swimmers. When you back at the pool, you can also look for what things might float (Hint: PFDs, lifeguard tube, rescue ring).
Deep Dive
The tub can be a great place for your to explore opening your eyes under water. Have a few prizes you can drop to the bottom of the tub and have your swimmer look under the water to try to find them. Want to a add a challenge to the skill: Fill the tub with bubble bath. This is a great way for you to try out a pair of goggles, if you have them.
Splashing
Gently introducing your young swimmer to water is imperative to having a good relationship with it. Turn this introduction into play time! Using a colander, watering can or a paper cup with holes punched in it, sprinkle water over their head while in the tub. Smile and laugh while doing this, so they associate this activity with positivity. Teach them to wipe their eyes with their hands after getting wet. Progress to poring cups of water over their head and having them wipe their eyes afterwards. This activity will prepare them for their next step, submersions!
Bubbles
Practice blowing bubbles underwater. Start out with teaching your child how to “blow out candles”, then when they are able to breath out through their mouth, have them try this with their nose. To do nose bubbles, encourage your child to hum and breathe out as they put their nose underwater. If they want a challenge, count how many seconds they can make bubbles!
Water Hokey Pokey
For very young children, acclimate them to water by playing a game of Water Hokey Pokey. Encourage them to put their chin, ears, mouth, and back of their head in the water. Ex: “We put our right hand in, we take our right hand out...”
Submerging
Submerging is an important skill in learning to swim. Not approaching this properly can cause unnecessary fear to be associated with this fundamental skill. Start slow, by putting different parts of the face in the water. Begin with dipping the chin in the water, then move to covering the mouth with water. Next, have them move their head so they can look directly at the bottom, then dip nose in water. Continue this with eyebrows and forehead. Finally, dip entire face in the water. All of this should be done under the child's own power, so they are controlling the activity. With this method, water avoids going up the nose and scaring the child from going underwater again.
Backfloats
Back floats can be challenging! Often, young swimmers do not like the feeling of water in their ears. They will become better with practice once they become more desensitized to the feeling. The bathtub is a great place to get in this practice because of the shallow floor. You can start, just like in the pool, with a hand under the head and back. Help your swimmer practice taking slow breath, getting relaxed, and even tipping their head back with a high chin. They will slowly become more independent, and you can add a little more water to the tub to float higher.
Emergency Preparedness
There is nothing like life altering days to make us think about if our family is ready for an emergency to occur. There are great resources available on https://www.ready.gov/plan to help guide the discussion with your family. If you are going to be socially distancing and getting quality family time in, why not be prepared for now and emergencies that may occur in the future. There are great resources available for kids here, but the Daniel Tiger App for Parents has also been a great tool to help work through life lessons (Chris is using it to potty train this week as well.)
We also Partner with the American Red Cross for our Health and Safety Classes taught throughout the year. Click the link above to see the resources they recommend for preparing for emergencies. Once we're open, we will be releasing a new round of classes for CPR/AED/First Aid, Lifeguarding and more. Consider checking out a class, and you can learn more about classes at the St. Paul JCC and Sabes JCC.
Click here for a good workout
Dryland training prepares us for life in the pool! Check out these mini sets to do from the comfort of your home!
Set 1
:40 sec on / :10 sec off - 3 x (Mountain climbers / Bird dogs / Burpees / Plank / High knees / Streamline stretch)
Set 2
Streamline stretch / Downward dog/ cobra / Inchworm push-ups—build to 5 / Burpees with 5 X jumping jacks / Burpees with lunges / Plank / Streamline crunches / Plank with shoulder taps / Streamline flutter kicking / Streamline squats + hold / Single, single, double leg lowers / Mountain climbers
Set 3
Streamline stretch / Downward Dog & Cobra / Running in place / High knees / Butt kickers / Lunge hold / Push-ups / Snowboard burpees / Squat burpees / Tuck jump + squat push up / Streamline crunches / Streamline flutter kick
Yoga is one of our favorite compliments to an in water workout. Here is a great resource for swimming specific stretches to improve your skills in the water. Click here to learn more.
At Home Aquatics BINGO!
Join us in a fun game of BINGO while we are away from lessons! You gave from now until we are open to complete the activities on this card. Turn into your aquatics staff in the first seven days we are open to be entered into a raffle for a free session of swim lessons! Download card here
SPORTS & RECREATION
Watch Sidney's Ball Handling Video
Watch Sidney's Shooting Technique Video
Sidney's At Home Workout
Yoga for Basketball Players - Yoga is a great compliment to our gym workout. It helps increase range of motion, flexibility and maximize athleticism.
Other Activities
Juggling
Soccer Games
Fun at Home
Yoga for Soccer Players - Yoga is a great compliment to our gym workout. It helps increase range of motion, flexibility and maximize athleticism.
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
If you are 60 and in need of meals delivered to your home, please contact Jill Grover, with JFS at jgrover@jfssp.org or 651 +315 9167
If you are 60 and over and in need of transportation to essential medial appointments, please contact Anne Rickert at 651 + 255 4743
Want to talk on the phone with a student from HMJDS (Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School)? You will meet some interesting youth and find out how students are spending their time these days. Call Barbie Levine at the St. Paul JCC at 651 + 255 4734, to get in touch with a student.
Certified Metro Mobility customers, can now order groceries and household essentials online from a store that has online shopping and local pick up. Metro Mobility will pick your order up and deliver to for to your house with NO delivery fee.
You can book same day or in advance, for groceries and household essentials, just like you book a ride for yourself. You’ll receive your delivery within 60 minutes of the scheduled pickup time.
Please book rides with your provider. For questions about the service, contact the Metro Mobility Service Center at:
Call 651 + 602 1111
TTY 651 + 221 9886
metromobility@metc.state.mn.us
Grocery assistance - orders can be place online or by phone and will be delivered.
helpatyourdoor.org or 651 + 642 1892
*Sliding fee
INCLUSION SERVICES
Tikkun Olam - Donating Gloves to Health Care Professionals
Have you always wanted to visit a famous museum or park but haven't had the chance? Tour these places from the comfort of your home!
National Parks - guided park tours, click and learn
Nature Areas - click and learn
Street Art Tour - graffiti and murals
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
National Aquarium in Baltimore Click and learn
The MET Museum - Click and drag around during the video for a 360 degree view
Adult Coloring - printable coloring pages
Daily Doodles - doodle activities with Mo Willems
Storyline Online - books read out loud with animated pictures
Home Safari - Fascination and fun animal videos form the Cincinnati Zoo
Sea Curious - Kids ask and learn about animals at the Shedd Aquarium
St. Paul Wellness Program
Are you a current participant in the St. Paul Wellness Program? Contact Anna Golv, at annag@stpauljcc.org, to set up an online session with your personal trainer.
Click here, for Silver Sneaker workouts, wellness videos and exercise programs
Classes by your favorite JCC Group Ex instructors
Monterey Bay Aquarium - Jellies, Sharks, Coral Reef, Aviary and more!
Georgia Aquarium - Penguins, Whales, Jellies, Otters and more!
Houston Zoo - Giraffe, Elephant, Gorilla, Rhino and more!
San Diego Zoo - Koala, Owl, Tiger, Polar Bear and more!
Atlanta Zoo - Panda
