J Blog

In Memory of Dr. Charles Hurwitz

A long and healthy life. When I hear that phrase, the person that comes to my mind is Dr. Charles Hurwitz. In my first year as Director of Fitness Services, I had the pleasure of meeting Charles. At that time he was a bit of a celebrity at the J, mostly because of his age. Charles was just over 102 years old at that time and had been a member of the J for 20 years, regularly working out three times a week.

Fencing is one of the oldest sports, dating back to the very first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. Its popularity in the U.S. is increasing, becoming the new "It" sport for kids. And while it may look easy, fencing is not only a great workout, it also builds your mental muscles as well. 

So why should you and your kids try fencing?

This is the time of year where there is a lot of talk about resolutions to lose weight, gain muscle, get in shape, tone up, get fit, etc., etc., etc. There is also a lot of talk about "New Year, New You," which means exactly what? The problem is that all of this information is too vague and doesn't give the average individual, who wants to make positive changes with their health, any real direction. Don't get caught up in hype and catch phrases. Instead, start your New Year's resolution by setting some realistic goals. 

We finished up our men’s basketball season with two exciting championship games on Monday, December 9. The first championship game was in our 35+ League where we saw an exciting match with Rody Grant’s team beating Ohad Nezer’s team for the championship.

We are living in one of the most interesting eras for Israeli politics.

Like a bad TV reunion (I'm looking at you, Fuller House), Israel is yet again moving fast towards an election—the third in one year—and it is very confusing, even for Israelis.

My kids’ happy place is Jewish camp. They can run free, be as loud as they want, try new things, make new friends, and connect with old friends, all in a Jewish setting. While it’s fantastic to know that kids have this, how much better is it when we as parents get to join in?

We are now in the middle of what is referred to as the Holiday Season. It is a festive time of year full of get togethers, travel and celebration. And regardless of what specific holiday you celebrate, almost all come with a wide variety of epicurean delights in the form of food and drink.

So how do we enjoy the festivities and maintain a healthy weight? By finding a balance of indulgence and maintenance. Here are some suggestions on how to enjoy your favorite holiday sensibly and with moderation.

A warm meal. A friendly smile. A helping hand. This is how our Meals On Wheels program makes a difference every day for the seniors that live in our neighborhood...550 seniors to be exact!

Our Meals on Wheels volunteers and staff ensure these seniors have food on their table, a friend to say hello to and peace of mind. 

In this season of Thanksgiving, we want to give special thanks to the dedicated volunteers who contribute so much to the success of the Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival. Our volunteer core, 51 people strong, put in more than 258 hours to make our programs run smoothly and to create an outstanding bookstore with such a wide array of merchandise. During the Festival, the J is full of activity, with author programs and films entertaining and enlightening so many attendees – some regulars and some joining us for the first time. The bookstore provides more than books and holiday décor, as it’s a space where friends connect, discuss topics raised by the programs, and share anecdotes as authors sign their books.

One of the biggest challenges in terms of our health and wellness is maintaining consistency with our exercise program. The saying, "showing up is half the battle" is, in fact, true. Then there is the frustration of trying to re-establish that consistency after a long layoff.

Even a week off can affect your normal time-clock and schedule to a point where you struggle to get to the gym. Consistency is one of the biggest keys to accomplishing our fitness goals and maintaining health and wellness. Here are some tips to use to get yourself back on schedule.