Lifelong Learning

The JCC of Greater Washington offers ongoing education classes, exercise programs, lectures, a premier social action program (Seniors Organized for Change), programs and counseling/referrals for the visually impaired, kosher lunches, opportunities for volunteering, Jewish holiday celebrations including a model Passover seder, and much more.

Education
Adult Center for Education Seminars
Spring Seminars • Mondays & Tuesdays, April 8-May 14
ACE Seminars offer a wide variety of stimulating and high level courses taught by an outstanding faculty of volunteer instructors. Topics include economics, computers, Judaic subjects, history, literature, creative writing, current events, biographies, music appreciation, plays and more. For course descriptions, watch your mail for the ACE Seminars brochure. For more information, contact Kandy Hutman at 301-348-3864 or khutman@jccgw.org.

Gateways Services for New Americans

English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, citizenship preparation, post-citizenship and conversational classes for senior adults (age 60+) meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings throughout the school year. Contact Svetlana Danshes at 301-348-3875 or sdanshes@jccgw.org.

Programs & Activities

Coming of Age in Maryland
Coming of Age offers monthly activities, excursions and special events to individuals age 60+. We hope you will join us to make friends and enjoy new experiences.

Chorus
Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Ring House
Led by Frieda Enoch, the senior adult chorus entertains at Jewish holiday celebrations and special events. Anyone who loves to sing is welcome to join.

Duplicate Bridge
Mondays • 7:15 p.m.
All levels are welcome and master points are given. Directed by Barbara Sadick, games are held year-round. No preregistration is needed. Open to members and non-members of the American Contract Bridge league and the Center. Coffee, tea and cookies are served. Fee per session: $5 mem./$7 gen. public.

Scrabble Club

Thursdays • 1 p.m.

New players are always welcome.

Socialize

50+ Singles

Fourth Thursday of each month

This groups is for people who like to exchange ideas and meet others. For more information or to be placed on the e-mail list, contact Debbie Sokobin at 301-348-3760 or dsokobin@jccgw.org.

History Club

Fourth Thursday of each month • 1 p.m. at Ring House

All history buffs are welcome.

New Friends

First Friday of each month • 12 p.m.

This group is for widows and widowers. Its purpose is to support the reentry into a social setting with others in the same circumstances and to share common interests. Presently, 200 people belong to the group. Membership is required; prospective members may attend one time prior to joining. A hot kosher lunch is available. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Debbie Sokobin at 301-348-3760 or dsokobin@jccgw.org.

Prime Time Couples

Members of this group for mature couples enjoy activities at the Center and around the Greater Washington area. Programs include day trips to museums and parks, discussions and movies at the Center, and dining at local restaurants.

Seniors Organized for Change

Thursdays, 10:45-11:45 a.m. at Ring House

Seniors Organized for Change (SOC) is a nonpartisan political advocacy group whose mission it is to effect change for the common welfare. SOC provides a range of programs and activities that relate to concerns at the local, state, national and international levels. Representatives of local and national groups, as well as those from foreign embassies, participate in SOC programs.

SOC does not support specific candidates, but does take positions on select issues. The program presents both sides of controversial issues. SOC also sponsors candidate forums prior to primary and general elections. The program is free and open to the public.

Wellness Programs

Hurwitz Internal Light Program for the Visually Impaired

The George and Tess Hurwitz Internal Light Program offers education and information for older adults who are visually impaired. Topics include daily living skills, aids and appliances, the latest research on vision and eye diseases, and peer support. This low vision support group meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at Ring House. For more information, contact Debbie Sokobin at 301-348-3760 or dsokobin@jccgw.org.

Low Vision Support Group

This group for individuals age 25 to 60 focuses on the interests, concerns and needs of adults with varying degrees of vision loss. In addition to networking, sharing concerns and suggesting solutions to challenges, the group often welcomes guest speakers. This group typically meets at the JCCGW on the 4th Tuesday of the month. For more information, call Anita Cohen at 301-299-7077.

Focus on Health

Presented by the JCCGW and Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, all programs are free. For more information, contact Debbie Sokobin at 301-348-3760 or dsokobin@jccgw.org.

New Friends

First Friday of each month • 12 p.m.

This group is for widows and widowers. Its purpose is to support the reentry into a social setting with others in the same circumstances and to share common interests. Presently, 200 people belong to the group. Membership is required; prospective members may attend one time prior to joining. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Debbie Sokobin at 301-348-3760 or dsokobin@jccgw.org.

Satellite Sites

Montgomery County

We meet in Rockville at Ring House (1801 East Jefferson Street) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lunch is offered on the third Wednesday of each month at Shomrai Emunah Synagogue in Kemp Mill on Arcola Avenue. Reservations are required at least three days in advance.
Lunch and programs are offered every Wednesday at Coffield Center, 2450 Lyttonsville Road in Silver Spring. For more information or to make a lunch reservation, call Linda Wechsler at 301-348-3879.
We meet at Har Tzeon Agudath Achim on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, exercise, speakers and lifelong learning.

Prince George’s County

Join us at Temple Solel in Bowie on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Volunteers

JCCGW volunteers are active, dedicated people of all ages who give their time, energy and expertise to every area of the Center. More than 500 volunteers participate each year on an ongoing or as-needed basis. Volunteers staff the Kass Judaic Library and Goldman Art Gallery, teach ACE Seminars, and assist with senior adult programs and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. They staff citizenship workshops and book fair sales and programs. They serve as ushers and box office support staff, and aid in mailings, special needs programming and special events, including Chanukah and Purim Festivals, Jewish Film Festival, Kiddush Cup and Israel Fest. They also volunteer in Health & Fitness programs, preschool and kindergarten classes, Camp JCC and more.

Volunteering provides opportunities to meet new people, share talents, have fun and feel good about giving something back to the community. For information about volunteering at the JCCGW, please contact Gloria Derkay at 301-348-3740 or gderkay@jccgw.org.

For more information on any of these programs, please contact Debbie Sokobin at dsokobin@jccgw.org or 301-348-3760.