Arts, Culture & Adult Classes

Adult Arts and Culture classes will run for three 6-week sessions:
Session 1: January 9-February 16
Session 2: February 20-March 29
Session 3: April 16-May 24

Adult Aerial Dance Students learn to “fly” on fabric drapes, learning technique and building strength. Students work close to the ground in a safe, supportive environment. No experience necessary. Legacy Studios. 9 student maximum. Pre-registration required.

Dates: Wednesdays during sessions 1, 2, and 3
Time: 5:30-6:30pm
Ages: 14 and up
Cost: Member-$85; Potential Member- $100
Contact: Madeline Seltman at 354-4948

Imagination Theatre This February, the Levin JCC is partnering with OdysseyStage Theatre to bring you an exciting Readers Theatre series. Called “Imagination Theatre,” the project will open with a Saturday evening and Sunday matinee program: Desert Stories, a pair of comedies centered on Moses written by Mark Halperin. With plays performed by trained actors and
sets provided by your own imagination, the program is one you won’t want to miss!

Date and Time: TBD
Ages: Adult
Cost: TBD
Contact: Debbie Zoller at 354-4922

Photography Photographer Donn Young is world-renowned for his work. He loves to share his skill with anyone who wants to learn how to take better pictures. Students must provide their own cameras, but may consult with the instructor before class if they need advice on what to purchase. Look for Donn’s photo exhibit in the atrium for examples of his work. Pre-registration required.

Dates: Thursdays during session 1
Time: 7-9pm
Ages: Adult
Cost: Member - $50; Potential Member - $75
Contact: Sue Klapper at 354-4949

Memoir Writing Everyone has a story to tell and this class will allow you to share your writing with other students and develop your own style. Narrative elements will be discussed. This is an open format class, so we will set an agenda together and set class goals based on the level of experience in the class. 12 student maximum. Pre-registration required.

Dates: Thursdays during session 3
Time: 7-9pm
Ages: Adult
Cost: Member - $50; Potential Member - $75
Contact: Jessie Zaleon at 354-4944

Beginning Encaustic Painting Encaustic painting is an ancient art form where the artist paints with melted pigmented beeswax on a variety of surfaces. It is a very enjoyable art form that can be done by beginners and experienced painters. The wax is fused in layers allowing for 3-dimensional effects. No experience necessary. You will get a recommended supply list before class. Taught by Paul Deblinger. Look for a sample of Paul’s art in the atrium! Preregistration required.

Dates: Thursdays during session 2
Time: 7-9pm
Ages: Adult
Cost: Member - $70; Potential Member - $95
Contact: Jessie Zaleon at 354-4944

Turn your Thumb GREEN Garden Series Learn from Master Gardeners before you dig! You can choose to attend one or all three garden related workshops. Pre-registration required.

Dates: Sunday, February 12 Designing your Garden/Composting
Sunday, March 18 Container Gardening
Sunday, April 22 (Earth Day) Herb Gardens/ Rain Gardens
Time: 2-3:30pm
Ages: Adults
Cost: $5 supply fee per workshop
Contact: Michelle Hart at 354-4941 to register

B’almah with Rabbi Steven Sager B’almah is an ongoing project to explore the richness of Jewish sources that can help to move loss towards the creative renewal of individual, family and community life.

It is in the world/b’almah that we proceed, declaring our aspiration to live productively in the presence of loss.

B’almah is a project of Sicha, directed by Rabbi Steven Sager

Dates and Time: TBD
Ages: Adult
Cost: Contributions to Sicha welcome
Contact: Rabbi Steven Sager for more information or to RSVP.

Holocaust Speakers Series Co-sponsored by the Holocaust Speakers Bureau, Jewish Family Services, and the Levin JCC. Check our website throughout the spring for more dates and speakers.

Dates and Speakers:
Friday, January 20 – Esther Lederman
Friday, February 17 – Rabbi Frank Fischer
Time: 10-11:30am
Ages: Adult
Cost: Donations welcome for the Holocaust Speakers Bureau
Contact: Margaret McWilliams at 354-4923

Clinical Connections An informational program for mental health professionals to network and earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Dates, Speakers and Topics:

Thursday, January 19, The Nature and Treatment of OCD, Jonathan S. Abramowitz, PhD

Thursday, February 16, What is Ethical Psychopharmacology?, Belinda Novick, MD, PhD

Thursday, March 15, Dealing with Resistance in Group Therapy: A Modern Analytic Approach, Ricki Geiger, LCSW, CGP

Thursday, April 5, The Ethics of Caring for Others- Or Not: Tracing the Philosophical Pathways toward Polarization, Jane Finch, LCSW

Thursday, May 17, Psychotherapy with Severe Persistently Mentally Ill Adults, Marilyn Ghezzi, MSW, LCSW

Thursday, June 14, Topic TBA, Roger Perilstein, MD

Time: 12-2pm (bring your own vegetarian or dairy lunch; drinks provided)
Ages: Adult
Cost: $30 in advance; $35 at the door with cash or check. Make checks payable to Jewish Federation and send to Debbie Zoller, JFS, 1937 West Cornwallis Road, Durham, NC 27705
Contact: Debbie Zoller at 354-4922

Israel Center Movie Series Israel Center movie series presents Israeli films! Call for movie titles.

Dates and Times:
Saturday, February 11, 7:00pm
Thursday, April 26, 7:30pm
Cost: FREE
Ages: Adult
Contact: Michelle Hart at 354-4941

Beginning Adult Hebrew This class is designed to help students acquire Hebrew reading skills. Recognize the letters of the Aleph-Bet, decode vowels, and read phonetically. Taught by Anat Triestman. Sponsored by the Israel Center.

Date and Time: Minimum of 8 students. Scheduling will be based on student interest. Please contact Margaret McWilliams if you are interested.
Cost: TBA
Ages: Adult
Contact: Margaret McWilliams at 354-4923

Conversational Hebrew Designed for English speakers with Hebrew reading skills who want to learn to converse in Hebrew. Learn basic skills that will serve in everyday situations, such as meeting and greeting, ordering food in restaurants, shopping, travel directions, and family situations. Reinforce learning with role-plays, games, and other creative activities. Taught by Anat Triestman. Sponsored by the Israel Center.

Date and Time: Minimum of 8 students. Scheduling will be based on student interest. Please contact Margaret McWilliams if you are interested.
Cost: TBA
Ages: Adult
Contact: Margaret McWilliams at 354-4923

Café Israel The Israel Center presents fun, relaxed café nights of chatting with friends, listening to Israeli music, and enjoying delicious Israeli snacks. Parent’s Night Out available (see Family Focus for details and pricing).

Dates and Times:
Saturday, January 28, 7pm - Special Guest Sami Kabalo of the Atlanta Israel House
Saturday, March 10, 7pm
Cost: FREE
Ages: Adult
Contact: Aaron Stern at 354-4942

Moving or Returning to Israel Open House The Israel Center presents Sami Kabalo of the Atlanta Israel House who will be available to talk one-on-one about rights, benefits, and concerns of moving or returning to Israel for Israeli and American citizens.

Date: Saturday, January 29
Time: 10am-1pm
Cost: FREE
Ages: All ages welcome
Contact: Madeline Seltman at 354-4948

Israeli Writers Book Club Want to read Israeli literature and get to know community members who share a love for Israel? Join the Israel Center’s Israeli Writers Book Club! Every book chosen will be available in both English and Hebrew, and discussions will be in English.

Date: Sundays, January 8, February 19, April 1, May 13
Time: 2pm
Cost: FREE
Ages: Adult
Contact: Jessie Zaleon at 354-4944

In The Kitchen Cooking Series Join us for cooking classes taught by local community members. All classes will take place in the JCC kitchen and students will have a hands-on learning experience. BYOA (bring your own apron) we will supply the rest. Enrollment for each class is limited to just 6 students so please call the Welcome Center early to reserve your place! Pre-registration required at least 48 hours in advance.

Age: Adult
Cost: $25
Contact: Susan Levy at 354-4959

Challah
Stir, punch and braid. Learn to mix, knead and shape Challah that tastes great and looks beautiful. Artist Hunter Levinsohn will teach us her recipe and winning techniques. No experience necessary.
Date: Tuesday, January 31
Time: 7pm-8:30pm

Hamentashen
Ellen Singer will teach us the fun folding of these special Purim treats. Ellen is too modest to brag -but these might be the best hamentashen you have ever eaten. We will laugh, learn and eat hamentashen! No experience necessary.
Date: Tuesday, February 22
Time: 7pm-8:30pm

Passover Desserts
What? Your dessert didn’t win the Passover dessert contest on April 1st? Start training for next year. Artist and amazing cook Hunter Levinsohn will teach us how to make Passover desserts that will bring smiles - and maybe first place in next year’s contest. No experience necessary. Class is hands-on in the JCC kitchen. Please dress for cooking.
Date: Tuesday, April 13
Time: 7pm-8:30pm

Cook’s Choice
Watch for an update with class specifics. While the topic is TBD we already know it will be fun and informative as chef, artist, and community volunteer Ilana Saraf teaches us to prepare some tasty delights of her own choosing. This hands-on class takes place in the JCC kitchen. No experience necessary.
Date: Sunday, May 13
Time: 2pm-4pm