March
From Unranked To Olympic Podium: An Evening With Peter Paltchik
March 22, 2025, 7:00 - 9:00pm, at the Bender JCC
Tickets | $20
Join us for a special evening with Peter Paltchik, an Olympic medalist (Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024), as he shares his incredible journey of resilience, perseverance, and victory! In this unique session for both youth and adults, Peter will offer fascinating insights into the path to success, mental strength, and overcoming challenges—lessons that will inspire for a lifetime. As one of Israel’s top athletes, Peter will also take us behind the scenes, sharing the struggles, triumphs, and the special partnership he has built with his coach, Oren Smadja. An extraordinary opportunity to hear his story up close!
Baked By Yael - Delivered to The J
Thursday, March 27 - Order by March 26 at noon
Tracing Your Jewish Roots: An Introduction to Jewish Genealogy
Sunday, March 23, 2:00pm – 3:15pm
In partnership with the Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Washington (JGSGW) and the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia.
Are you curious about your roots? Do you know where your ancestors come from? If so, this course will give you an introduction and inspiration to embark on a journey to find your Jewish ancestry. This workshop will include:
- Steps to get started on your own family history, learning what online sources are available—and best—for beginners, how to use DNA testing and managing expectations from test results, and a Q&A session.
- An experienced JGSGW genealogist will talk about their own real-life experience.
- Electronic handouts will be provided to all attendees.
Presenters: Sheila Wexler, past president of JGSGW, and Mary-Jane Roth, past JGSGW Vice President, Programs
Join us and uncover your past!
Fee: $15. A portion of the fee will be donated to JGSGW by the Pozez JCC
Biblical Hebrew Reading Skills Course
Thursdays, March 27-May 22, 7:30pm – 9:00pm. Virtual Class (Offered By the Pozez JCC)
Do you already know how to read Hebrew? Are you able to follow the prayers in Hebrew but wish you could read them more quickly and with better understanding? Want to know the rules governing pronunciation? If so, join this new JCC Hebrew Reading Skills course! The classes will help you master reading the main Hebrew prayers and learn which letters and vowels are pronounced differently in Israel or Spain vs. Germany or Lithuania; Distinguish prefixes and suffixes from the root word; Recognize words without having to read each letter. Textbook/Materials: Prayer texts will be provided as well as available sources for individual study. Note: There is no required textbook; feel free to bring in your own Siddur. $145 Includes class materials. Register here.
Minimum number of students to hold class: 4; Max: 12. Thursdays, March 27-May 22 (8 weeks; no class Apr. 17)
Instructor: Karyn Selko. Karyn studied Biblical Hebrew in college and has taught beginning and intermediate Hebrew at both Congregation Olam Tikvah and Chabad of Reston-Herndon.
Volunteer Services Present: Seed Balls for Spring
Tuesday, March 25, 1:00pm – 2:30pm at the Pozez JCC
Join us for a fun, hands-on event celebrating spring by making seed balls with native seeds to benefit the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy! This activity will teach participants how to create eco-friendly seed balls that can help restore local habitats and support pollinators. You’ll enjoy this opportunity to get hands-on and make a positive impact on the environment. All materials provided; just bring your enthusiasm and love for nature!
To register, click on the link below. If it is your first time volunteering with the J, you’ll need to create an account on our Volunteer Portal which will also display other volunteer opportunities.
In collaboration with the J’s Gardening Group and Women’s Social Impact Group/WSIG.
Israeli Dance Festival DC 2025
Sunday, March 30, 3:30pm (Doors open at 2:45pm)
Berman Hebrew Academy - 13300 Arctic Ave., Rockville, MD 20853
Performances by: Avirah, Hora Arayot (CES/JDS), Keff, Kesem, Lehavot (MILTON), Mavrik, Orot (MILTON), Rikudei Yachad, Yesodot, Zikukim (MILTON), Guest Group: Lehakat Mehatchala.
Tickets:
Advanced purchase: www.israelidancefestivaldc.com
$20 adults | $15 seniors | $10 students
At-the-door tickets:
$25 adults | $20 seniors | $15 students
Good Deeds Week
March 30 - April 6, 2025
Good Deeds Week is almost upon us. It's a chance for us to join 60+ community service organizations and thousands of volunteers to make a difference in our communities. Sisterhood and OT Social Action will partner together to support projects to address pressing needs in our region. Look out for announcements in your email for ways to help! Questions? Contact Lori Frumkin.
April
A Broader Look, with Middle East Expert, Avi Melamed
Wednesday, April 2, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
1pm: Doors Open, 1:30pm-3pm: Program
(Note: this program is offered at both 1pm and 6:30pm)
Avi Melamed is the Founder and CEO of Inside the Middle East. Avi’s distinct expertise offers an unparalleled perspective on a region that is pivotal in shaping global geopolitics. We invite you to be part of the conversation and talk about Israel, the Middle East, and the whole world from a broader perspective.
About the Speaker
Avi Melamed is a distinguished geopolitical Middle East expert, intelligence analyst, author, commentator, educator, lecturer, and speaker. With a rich history as a former Israeli intelligence official and senior advisor on Arab affairs, Avi has been uniquely positioned at the intersection of diplomacy, education, and intelligence. Fluent in Arabic, English, and Hebrew, Avi is recognized for his profound understanding of current affairs in the Arab and Muslim world and their implications on Israel and the broader Middle East which has enabled him to predict key regional events.
In partnership with Pozez JCC and JCRC.
Passover Little Noshers
April 6, 10:00-11:00am at the Bender JCC (Rockvill, MD)
Passover is one of the yummiest and most fun holidays of the year! Join the Bender JCC in a party for your taste buds even your littlest ones will love. Especially because food will be handed out by one of your favorite furry cookie-loving monsters!!!!
We’ll also learn fun Passover facts, create crafts, and enjoy PJ Library storytime. We invite you to keep the fun going at outdoor playground. This program is also a great opportunity to share food with others. In part
nership with Good Deeds Week, we will be collecting fruit for Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) Meals on Wheels. JSSA currently delivers to 70 individuals in Montgomery County through their Kosher Meals on Wheels program. The older adults they serve would love to have some fresh fruit such as mandarin oranges, oranges, apples, kosher fruit cups, and kosher applesauce cups to enjoy along with their meals from the Hebrew Home.
For questions, please contact Jennifer Radosh at jradosh@benderjccgw.org.
All Bender JCC programs are open to everyone. Presented by the Bender JCC, Good Deeds Day, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, and PJ Library.
Passover Prep: A Mock Seder & Chametz Dinner
Tuesday, April 8 at 6:00 pm at the Pozez JCC
Are you hosting Passover Seder for the first time? Are you a seasoned Seder-Leader looking for new tips and tricks? Do you believe in the Haggadah value, “Everyone who is hungry – come and eat”? We’ve got you covered!
Get ready for Passover with a hands-on Mock Seder where we’ll walk through the key parts of a traditional Seder and explore their meanings; making the experience interactive and fun!
Bring a box of pasta to donate to the food bank, then stay for a delicious pasta dinner as we clear out “chametz” (not Kosher for Passover food”) before the holiday begins. Join us for an evening of learning, giving, and great food! Most enjoyed by adults and children ages 10+.
May
Yom Ha’atzmaut Workshop: Machane Yehuda Market
Sunday, May 04, 11:00am-1:00pm at the Edlavitch DCJCC (1529 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC)
JFamily kids and their parents are invited to immerse themselves in a sensory adventure to explore the rich tapestry of sights, sounds, flavors, and different people from Israeli society that make the Machane Yehuda market a true gem of Israel.
J Caring Community Support Line. When you feel overwhelmed or uncertain about your options for support, J Caring can help. With one call to 703-522-7464, you will be connected to the resources and support services you need from a robust network of human service organizations. Learn more here.
3800 Glenbrook Road, Fairfax, VA 22031 | Phone (703) 425-1880 | Fax (703) 425-0835 | info@olamtikvah.org
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