JFCS HOSTS MEMORY CAFÉ
The Jewish Family & Children’s Service is hosting it’s first Memory Café event on Nov. 2 from 10 to 11:30 am at Beth El Congregation at 1118 W. Glendale Ave. in Phoenix. The Memory Café allows people with memory challenges, and their caregivers, to get together and enjoy enriching activities in a nurturing and accepting environment.
The Memory Café will be held monthly on the first Thursday, and each month there will be a different theme. For November, the theme is Ice Cream + Doo Wop and features refreshments, music from the 50s and 60s and a dance activity led by Michelle Dionisio. Michelle is a former dancer and has 37 years of experience in administering aging services throughout the Valley, including 26 years as president and CEO of Benevilla, a nonprofit providing social care and support to seniors, adults with disabilities, children and the families that care for them. She has taught dance classes throughout her career.
The event is free but space is limited and RSVPs are required. A diagnosis of dementia is not required to attend the Memory Café. For more information, call 602-452-4627 or email [email protected].
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPER
Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix Business & Professionals Groups will host an informative discussion with Michael Levine, downtown developer, as he shares about saving the historic Beth Hebrew Synagogue. The event is held on Nov. 9 from 5:30-7 pm at Beth Hebrew Synagogue at 333 E. Portland St. in Phoenix.
“Depending on who you talk to, Michael Levine is either a visionary, a rabble-rouser or an irritant. One thing is for sure: no one is more responsible for the renaissance of the warehouse district than Michael,” said Adam Goodman, B&P chair. “He fulfills his vision with tenacity, chutzpah and passion. Come hear his story and learn where his creativity is taking him next.”
The Beth Hebrew Synagogue was built in 1955. It is where famed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg became a bar mitzvah. The congregants eventually migrated elsewhere in the Valley and the historic building fell into disrepair. Fearing it would be purchased and demolished, Levine purchased the property himself and set about its restoration.
The cost to attend for professionals is $18 and $10 for students. Costs includes appetizers, cocktails and complimentary valet parking. Dietary laws observed. Event sponsored by R.O.I. Properties and Lane & Nach, PC.
For information and to register, call 480-481-1754 or visit jewishphoenix.org/developer.
BEAU JEST RETURNS
The play, “Beau Jest,” a hilarious romantic comedy that was a phenomenal hit off-Broadway and became a movie in 2008, returns to Arizona. Presented by Sun Lakes Community Theatre, there will be a matinee performance on Nov.14 with evening performances on Nov.15-18.
Directed by Carol Horowitz, the play will be performed at the Cottonwood Country Club at 25630 S. Brentwood Dr. in Sun Lakes
Written by James Sherman, this hysterically funny play provides a unique vehicle for showcasing Jewish-style humor as well as family life and values. The play centers around Sarah, a young, single Jewish woman with strong family ties who is dating a non-Jewish man. Not wanting to disappoint her very traditional, “old school” Jewish parents, she hires a male escort who has a Jewish-sounding last name to portray her boyfriend, … a handsome, successful Jewish doctor, every Jewish Mother’s dream, … to escort her to family functions. To her dismay, as both Sarah and her family start to fall in love with the escort, she discovers that he also is not Jewish! The ensuing complications spin a hilarious web of entangled relationships as she tries to resolve the situation without hurting anyone. As zany complications escalate, the outcome becomes increasingly unpredictable.
For tickets, call 480-392-8290 or visit slctinfo.com.
EVE HAROW VISITS THE VALLEY
Eve Harow, radio personality, Israel tour guide and advocate will be speaking in the Valley Nov. 10-12. On Nov. 10 starting at 5:15 pm with Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat followed by a community dinner at Makor at 13402 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, Eve will speak on the topic of Israel Ancient and Modern: How they Connect to Each Other, and How They Connect to You.
The following day at Makor starting at 9 am with Shacharit/morning services and Shabbat, Eve will address The Land of Modern Miracles: The Good News Coming out of the Middle East Today.
On Nov. 12 at 11:30 am at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center at 12701 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, Eve will be speaking about Judea and Samaria – Why They Matter.
“Having lived over half my life in Israel, raising 7 very different children there and sending them to the army, has given me tremendous insight into the depth of our philosophy and commitment to the future of our people,” says Eve. “My tour guiding is a constant juxtaposition between the past and present; the Tanach messages that are still relevant today about leadership, social justice and kindness; the very modern ways in which we impact the world. Learning our history while stands where it happened is a very fulfilling experience, along with meeting the tremendous variety of people who make up this small country both in the field and the radio studio.”
For more information on the events, contact [email protected] or [email protected].
FIGHTING BACK AGAINST ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
Fighting Back Against Alzheimer’s is a special public event held Nov. 16 from 1 to 3 pm at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus at 12701 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. Three experts with decades of combined experience and knowledge will be presenting the latest information on research, clinical trials and changes in supportive care that can offer hope to those affected by the disease. “We believe that we are on the threshold of a disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. These therapies are being developed through a series of ground-breaking research studies focused on persons at high risk to develop Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. William Burke, event speaker and Director of the Stead Family Memory Center, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute. “These studies focus on preventing the illness before symptoms can begin. The goal of these projects is to meet the mission of Banner Alzheimer’s Institute: Ending Alzheimer’s disease without losing another generation.”
Belmont Village, a leader in using University-led research to create therapeutic programs, has developed a whole brain fitness lifestyle that engages people at all cognitive levels. “We design our activities and programs with the belief that every person has something to contribute,” said speaker Beverly Sanborn, LCSW, vice president of program development for Belmont Village. “No matter the level of brain function, we firmly believe that everyone has value and can enjoy happiness.”
Dr. Edward Perrin, medical director at Lora Primary Care, will join the discussion to talk about Alzheimer’s prevention from an overall healthy aging perspective that includes lifestyle tips and general medical information.
Carlene Motto, Chief Marketing Officer at Belmont Village, will moderate the discussion and the Q&A session for attendees.
There is no entrance fee but seating is limited. Please register at the Alzheimer’s Association at vosjcc.org/alzheimers.
NEW EXHIBIT AT THE MIM EXPLORES ANCIENT TREASURES
Ancient Musical Treasures from Central China: Harmony of the Ancients from the Henan Museum presents extraordinary musical and archaeological treasures spanning nine thousand years of Chinese music and history. The exhibit opens Nov. 10 at the Musical Instrument Museum at 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. in Phoenix.
Presented in partnership with the prestigious Henan Museum, MIM’s exhibition explores the harmony between music, people, heaven, and earth through more than sixty extremely rare instruments and artworks on display for the first time in the United States.
Ancient flutes and drums harken back to the dawn of Chinese civilization, giving us a glimpse of the musical life of an early agrarian society. Grand racks of bronze bells evoke elaborate rituals performed during the formative years of Chinese culture. Lively ceramic figures illustrate the joyful mixing of cultures during the time of the legendary Silk Road. Elegant silk strings entertain gatherings of refined music lovers and inspire poetic contemplation.
In addition to a collection of exquisite musical instruments, the exhibition also features beautiful music-related artworks made of materials such as ceramic and jade. Many of these instruments and artworks were excavated from tombs of nobility. For more information, visit mim.org.
