J Blog

The Golden Girls Plus One Tap Ensemble is an exciting and versatile senior tap dance group based at the J. We perform throughout the city for various community events, retirement centers and just about anywhere we have a space and surface that accommodates our tap dance shoes! 

The group, formerly named the Golden Girl Tappers, has been together since June 1999 when they took a beginning tap class from Margorie Swiss at the Tracy Gee Community Center.  One year after they started the tap lessons, the group began performing and eventually moved to the J where they still practice every Monday afternoon.

From May 15-31 we are challenging you to a 500m row challenge.  As a Fitness Center member and exercise enthusiast, challenge yourself to beat your best time and the times of others while rowing, perfecting your form and getting some quality work in. 

The winners will be announced after the end of the challenge, so keep rowing until you get a time you are happy with. We will keep track of them at the Fitness Center front desk. 

First Lady Barbara Bush has a lasting legacy in the hearts of Americans as being an advocate for volunteerism and a dedicated matriarch to her family. For the families of Bertha Alyce Early Childhood Center, of which 1/3 flooded, Mrs. Bush will be remembered for a more personal reason. 

After flooding in Hurricane Harvey, so much was lost in the homes of families at Bertha Alyce. In March, the entire school community was delighted to learn that the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation was giving each Bertha Alyce student ages 0-4 a gift of six books for the child’s home library.

On Sunday, April 22 over 325 Jewish teens from across Houston joined together for an afternoon of service. In addition to the service projects, the teens participated in a Holocaust commemoration and heard from keynote speaker, Allen Woods, about how they could make change in our community. The theme for the day was “Never Forget: You are the Force for Change.”

Hear from several of the teens about the experience: 

Walking into a new gym can be an overwhelming experience: so many machines, big dudes by the dumbbells, and what the heck is that contraption that looks like I could break a limb trying to use?!

At our Fitness Center, we are holding periodic challenges to get our members interested and educated in the different machines and offerings we have, while upping that competitive spirit! The month of May will lead off with a 500m row challenge on our new skill row machines. The world record for the fastest 500m row is 1 minute and 14 seconds. 

Steve Garfinkel Theatre Program Coordinator

A True Story! 

It happens all the time in fairytales and mythology.  Sleeping Beauty pricks her finger and goes to sleep for 100 years before awakening to the kiss of a handsome prince. The mythological Phoenix bird dies in flames, only to rise again from its ashes.  Today the ancient tradition continues – only this time, it’s no fairytale or myth, but the story of the Theatre Program at the J. 

J Teen Art Scene’s 2018 Grand Opening Showcase welcomed art enthusiasts to enjoy a program of speakers, musicians and teen artists. Presented by the J's exceptional Teen and Arts &  Culture Department, this year’s teen exhibit for students ages 13-18, in its 9th year, seemed the most inspiring yet as its theme, CommUNITY, held special meaning for all, especially the teen artists who participated after the devastation of Harvey’s wrath.

While choosing new equipment for the Fitness Center at the J, Director Robin Fortenberry wanted to ensure we had a wide range of functional fitness equipment.  We want to keep members engaged and educated on all that we have to offer.  We held demonstrations on Sunday, March 25 on the new Escape equipment located in the far back corner of the fitness center floor.  Trainers Vince and Ulises showcased their training styles while incorporating the new pieces with functional exercises.  

Six months ago the painting/drawing and ceramic studios, located in our lower level, were washed away by Hurricane Harvey. Renovations to the studios are underway and expected to be completed by the end of May. However, students will not have to wait for the studios to re-open and can once again enjoy art classes this spring in temporary spaces at the J.

After Harvey, art students lost all of their tools and pieces they were working on before the flood. The ceramic studio lost six potting wheels and two kilns. Maxine Silberstein, program coordinator for adult visual arts, stated, “Having lost the studio due to Harvey, we were not sure when it would be possible to offer another ceramic class.”

We have a great team of working theatre professionals teaching our youth theatre classes. Erin Lamb started with us as a summer camp counselor for Performing Arts Camp last year and then took on the mammoth challenge of designing the costumes for the JCCS fall production of Cats.

She is now on board as one of our Assistant Directors for our JCCS production of Seussical. She sat down with us to share a little bit about her background and passion for the arts.