Page 55 - Indulge October/November 2016
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LET THE FUN BEGIN! ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW TO LEARN:
JEWISH DAY CAMPS FOR ALL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AT THE JCC
By Laura Rigge By Laura Rigge
Jewish day camps are a fun, While every day brings new activities, the quality of
enriching experience for children care and richness of education remains constant
of all religious backgrounds, and at the Early Childhood Education program at the Jewish
the Lehigh Valley is fortunate to have Community Center of the Lehigh Valley.
wonderful options for all ages. Whether they are learning their ABCs in the classroom,
playing at one of the J’s outdoor playgrounds or splashing
Summer Camps at the JCC o er opportunities around in the indoor pool, infants, pre-toddlers, toddlers, pre-
for children and teens of all ages. Enjoy a traditional summer schoolers, pre-kindergarteners and kindergarteners of all faiths
camp experience and explore the outdoors at Camp JCC’s 55- are encouraged to develop their unique and special abilities.
acre campus in Center Valley, or take part in specialty sports The JCC proudly teaches Jewish values such as charity,
camps or Stagemakers Theater Camp. kindness and taking care of the world in which we live. In
addition, children celebrate Jewish and Israeli culture through
Camp Gan Israel is part of the largest Jewish camping food, song and story.
network in the world. This camp, o ered by Chabad of the To learn more, visit www.lvjcc.org.
Lehigh Valley, includes create-a-camp, swimming and field trips
in a friendly, warm and safe atmosphere. NEW AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
NURTURES YOUNG ARTISTS
To learn more about Camp JCC, visit www.lvjcc.org/camp. To
learn more about Camp Gan Israel, visit By Michelle Cohen
www.ganisraelpa.com.
Do you have a child who’s looking to develop his or her skills
COMPASSIONATE EDUCATION CREATES in theater, music or art? Look no further than the JSchool of
LIFELONG LEARNERS AT JDS Visual and Performing Arts! This new program at the JCC features
eight-week sessions from 4 to 5 p.m. one night per week. The
By Sara Vigneri topics range from improv comedy to drawing and painting Disney
characters to writing and directing plays and screenplays.
If you happen to be driving along
Pennsylvania Street in Allentown on The JCC founded the JSchool to “fill a void in the
the first day of classes at the Jewish community,” said Brenda Finberg, director of camp and
Day School, you may be surprised. children’s services at the JCC. The process began with a theater
The children climbing down the school program called Stagemakers, which has been inundated with
bus steps have smiles on their faces. requests for more room since its inception. The JSchool will be
They are glad to see their teachers able to accommodate approximately 10 students per class.
welcoming them for the new school year.
Founded in 1954 with 20 students in The combination of theater and art together under one
kindergarten and first grade, the JDS has grown roof is uncommon, but Finberg said she would like to use this
to include a middle school and nearly 100 students. For system to encourage children to “build their own creative
many of these children, the school is their second home. road” and “learn to create and appreciate” both
What fosters this sense of belonging? It’s a combination visual art and theater.
of small class sizes, a dedicated teaching sta and a mission
of inclusiveness. According to the National Education To learn more or sign up for
Association, small schools have better student-teacher classes, visit www.
relationships because students are more visible and teachers lvjcc.org.
know each other well. Interactions like these are quite
common at JDS; it’s the type of school where everyone knows 17jewishlehighvalley.org
your name and is advocating for your success.
But what is truly special about a JDS education is the holistic
approach — sure, they take tests, but the curriculum isn’t about
creating test-takers. The school works to instill a love of learning,
a sense of community and a love of Judaism in their students. “I
credit the JDS with fostering a strong sense of Jewish identity
and community, creativity beyond the walls of the classroom and
the friendships that sustain one through life,” said Amy Golding,
interim head of school and JDS graduate.
To learn more, visit www.jdslv.org.
