Bexley, Ohio. Gallery Players opens production of "Forum."

John Manning interviewed his regular Friday guest Kriss Galloway. They discussed events scheduled for the Jewish Community Center including a performance by an Israeli Jazz artist.

Israeli native Gilad Hekselman and his trio of musicians were the featured guests during an evening of Jazz and Barbecue on Sunday, Feb. 17, at at 8 p.m. the JCC of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Ave.

Since his arrival in New York in 2004, the 25-year-old Hekselman has been earning a reputation as one of the most promising guitarists in the city.

He has shared the stage with many top names in the New York jazz scene, including Gretchen Parlato, Chris Potter, Greg Hutchinson and Reuben Rogers to name a few. He has played the Blue Note, Jazz Gallery, Smalls, 55 Bar, Dizzy’s Club, Minton’s Playhouse and Fat Cat. He has toured in Switzerland, Norway, Spain and Israel, and has played at numerous jazz festivals.

Manning and Galloway also discussed he Gallery Players production of ‘A Funny Thing Happened To Me On The Way To The Forum’ which will open on February 23.

Gallery Players, the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Columbus’ theater group will open Stephen Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, on Saturday, February 23 at 8 p.m.

Kriss said that the Sondheim musical centers around life in three adjacent houses in ancient Rome. In the center is the house of Senex, who lives there with wife Domina, son, Hero, and several slaves, including head slave Hysterium and the musical's main character Pseudolus, who wishes to buy, win, or steal his freedom. He is the slave of young Hero, son of Senex and Domina.

One of the neighboring houses is a brothel run by Marcus Lycus; the other houses the ancient Erronius, who is searching for his long-lost children (stolen in infancy by pirates).

One day, Senex and Domina go on a trip and leave Pseudolus in charge of Hero. Hero confides to Pseudolus that he is in love with the lovely Philia, one of the courtesans in the brothel next door. Pseudolus promises to help him win Philia's love in exchange for his freedom. Unfortunately, Philia has been promised to a pre-eminent soldier, Captain Miles Gloriosus, who is on his way to pick up his prize.

Kriss said that the ensuing craziness of mistaken identities and mixed-up pairs creates a non-stop laugh-fest.

The production is directed by Pam Hill. Listeners who are familiar with Sondheim's darker pieces like "Sweeney Todd" will be surprised at this farce.

Kriss said that the lead role is performed by Jared Saltman, known to many as the JCC’s Cultural Arts Director.

Showtimes are:
• Saturday, February 23, March 1 and 8, at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, February 24, March 2 and 9, at 2:30 p.m.
• Thursday, February 28 and March 6, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $12 for JCC members, $16 for nonmembers, $10 for senior members, $14 for senior nonmembers, $6 for children or students, and $8 per ticket for groups of 10 or more. To order tickets online, visit the Gallery Players website at www.jccgalleryplayers.org, or contact Saltman, at (614) 559-6248 or jsaltman@columbusjcc.org. Gallery Players, started in 1948, is the oldest community theater group in Central Ohio.


John Manning and Kriss Galloway then discussed JCC Summer Camp and the opening of registration.

Kriss said that it won't be long before the warmer months of summer will be here and that it is time to start registering for the JCC Summer Camp.

The JCC’s Summer Camp brochure is now available online, with registrations beginning February 8. Kriss said that Rachel Fox, JCC Camping Services director, has kept the camp fees level with the charges of last year.

Kriss said that every JCC Summer Camper participates in fun, age-appropriate activities throughout the week including arts and crafts, Judaics, high ropes course, boating, sports, free swim and outdoor survival.

JCC Summer Camps are accredited by the American Camping Association and offer camping options for ages 3 to 25. For example, there is:

Camp Yeladim - a camp for children ages two through three years, eight months (by December 1, 2007), offered at three JCC locations: JCC College Avenue in Bexley, JCC North in Dublin, and JCC New Albany.
Camp Ora – for campers ages three (by September 30, 2007) through entering Kindergarten, and Camp Chaverim - designed for campers entering Kindergarten through third grade, both offered at the JCC College Avenue location.
Camp Shemesh - for campers ages three years, nine months (by September 30, 2007) through entering second grade, at the JCC New Albany.

In addition to typical day camp activities, campers at the JCC College Avenue location receive swim lessons by certified Red Cross instructors in the JCC pool. Camp Chaverim campers also are given time each afternoon for free swim.
If spending the day outdoors in the woods, hiking, climbing, swimming, riding bikes, or making art is more your campers’ style, then the JCC’s Camp Hoover, located on the shores of the Hoover Reservoir in Westerville, is the perfect solution.

Camp Hoover, designed for campers entering 4th through 8th grades, is located on a 28-acre rustic woodland. It boasts beautiful woods, boat dock, high ropes course, swimming pool, bathhouse, pavilion, basketball court, bike trails, athletic fields, archery range and art area.

Camp Arye, located at the JCC College Avenue and the JCC Camp Hoover locations, is for children, teens, and young adults between the ages of 3 and 25 with special needs, including physical, cognitive, emotional, developmental, and learning disabilities. Camp Arye’s staff embraces each participant’s individuality, and supports campers in an effort to focus on their abilities and to challenge themselves to achieve both new and existing goals. Children transition between adaptive physical education, adaptive movement, music, Judaics, adaptive art, swim lessons, socialization and free swim.
Camp Arye’s staff-to-camper ratio of 1:3 ensures campers the opportunity for adventure and accomplishment with the safest supervision standards. Families also may provide their own aides if they feel their children will benefit from a one-to-one ratio. In addition, a registered nurse or an American Red Cross certified first aid provider is at each of the camp sites during hours of camp operation.

In addition, the JCC offers Specialty Camps for children in Kindergarten through 8th grade. For one week, these camps focus on particular activities, including Circus, golf, tennis, basketball, flag football, soccer, cheerleading, skateboarding, clay and craft, cooking, and magic, as well as a Summer Kick-off Camp and a Post-Camp Safari.
The JCC offers flexible enrollment options to meet the needs of busy families, as well as transportation and extended childcare. For more information, visit the JCC Summer Camp website at www.columbusjcc.org/summercamps08.

Kriss and John then discussed the 4th Annual Columbus Jewish Film Festival set for March 8-13. The Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Columbus will present six days of gripping drama, thought-provoking documentaries, and heartwarming comedies during its 4th Annual Columbus Jewish Film Festival from March 8 to 13. This year‚ the festival features 11 features and documentaries from Argentina, France, Germany, Israel, Mexico and the United States, to be shown at six venues throughout the city‚ including the Drexel Theater in Bexley and the Drexel Gateway.

Emily Schuss is the film festival director for the JCC.

One of the highlights of this year‚ film festival will be an entire day of documentaries at the Drexel Gateway on Sunday, March 9,‚‚In addition, Block's Bagels will be serving complimentary bagels during the event, which is named Block's and Docs.

The documentaries range from a father-son road trip to boxing, and from female comics to the eviction of Jewish settlers from their Gaza homes.

Additional special events taking place during the film festival include an Opening Night Party on Saturday, March 8, at the Columbus Museum of Art, during which the Distinguished Arts Award will be given; a pre-screening reception at Bexley‚ Michael Garcia salon on Monday, March 10; an Educational Symposium, "Can Confronting the Past Heal a Community?" in tribute to the late Benson A. Wolman, on Tuesday, March 11, at the Wexner Center for the Arts, and a special appearance by Oded Gur Arie, son of The Champagne Spy on Wednesday, March 12.

Many of the films are produced independently outside of the U.S. and do not adhere to the American movie rating system. as we know it. However, the majority of the films scheduled are equivalent to a PG-13 movie. Nonetheless there are a few exceptions. Check the festivals website for determinations of the exceptions.

Some calendar items that Manning and Galloway wanted to cover but ran out of time to include are:

New Horizons 60+ Group Plans Activities at the JCC
The New Horizons 60+ group for active senior adults is planning a variety of activities in the upcoming weeks at the JCC of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Ave. In fact, they will be:

Attending the theater. On Sunday, February 24, the group will be gathering to attend Gallery Players’ production of A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum. The cost is $10 and includes a box lunch at 1 p.m., followed by the show at 2:30 p.m. RSVPs are a must.

Playing Nintendo Wii. On Wednesday, February 20, beginning at 11 a.m., the group will see what all the excitement is about by getting to play Nintendo Wii. Participants will have the opportunity to test the new video-game versions of bowling, boxing and tennis.

Celebrating February Birthdays. On Wednesday, February 27, at 11 a.m., the musical group, 3C Highway, will help the group celebrate everyone with a birthday in February.

Having Lively Discussions. Every Monday at 11 a.m., the New Horizons group gathers to discuss current events, local issues, stories – and even share a joke or two. In addition, at least once a month the Yiddish speakers in the group gather for a meeting – conducted entirely in Yiddish. The next meeting will be held on February 20 at Creekside. (Contact Ann Rubin at 614-231-5838 for more info.)

Exercising and Dancing. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, there are a variety of exercise and gentle movement classes to help fight the wintertime blahs. Chair Fit is held both days at 11 a.m., to help seniors improve their flexibility, strength, and circulation – all while sitting in a chair. Or, if a little more energy fits your style, Forever Fit classes are held both days at 8 a.m., and incorporate stretching, strength training, and low-impact aerobics designed especially for seniors. (Both classes are taught by Gail Rosenblum.) If your back aches and you just want to learn how to stretch it properly with the gentle movements of Yoga, each Tuesday, from 12 to 12:45 p.m., a Lunchtime Yoga for the Back class is held in the Diamond Family Fitness Center at the JCC. But if you’ve “gotta dance,” then the Line Dancing class, taught by Mary Bova-Ervin each Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m., is definitely something you should try. The fee per dancer is $4, and remember to wear comfortable dancing shoes or sneakers.

Eating Kosher lunches. Every Monday through Friday at noon, the JCC, in collaboration with LifeCare Alliance, offers the only Kosher lunch site in town for adults 60 and over for a nominal donation of $1.25 per meal. Register one day in advance, please, by calling (614) 231-2731, ext. 243.

And remember, you don’t have to be a JCC member, nor do you have to be Jewish, to enjoy the camaraderie and the fun! For more information and to make reservations, contact Debbie Vinocur, JCC New Horizons program director, at (614) 559-6214 or dvinocur@columbusjcc.org.

New Program for Special Needs Adults Being Planned

Don’t sit at home with the wintertime “blahs.” Come and join the fun at the JCC with this new program, designed especially for independent adults age 35 and over with special needs!

Each Tuesday, beginning at Noon, join us for a delicious kosher lunch for a nominal fee of $1.25. Then at 12:30 p.m., those interested will gather to play cards and games such as Scrabble, Uno, Bunco, and Checkers.

For more information, contact Debbie Vinocur, JCC New Horizons program director, at (614) 559-6214.

Belly Dancing Class Returns to JCC

By popular demand, Belly Dance instructor Laylia is returning in February to teach another session for women only. “Belly dance is a fun way to work your entire body – don’t knock it ‘till you try it,” said Beth McCullough, JCC Fitness specialist.

The session starts Wednesday, Feb. 27 and run for 6 weeks, through Wednesday, April 2. Class time will be 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The fee is $70 for JCC general members and $60 for JCC Health Center members. Enrollment and payment must be made in advance.

For more information specific to this session, contact McCullough at (614) 559-6217 or visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org. More information about Laylia may be found at www.laylia.com.

Krav Maga is Back at the JCC of Columbus

Krav Maga, the self-defense techniques used by the Israeli Defense Forces, is returning to the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Columbus for a six-week course beginning February 20. Instructor Denise Tibbs will teach the one-hour classes from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. each Wednesday. Those interested who are age 16 and over may attend any or all of the classes, which end March 26.

“Krav Maga, which in Hebrew means ‘close combat,’ is not only a total body workout, it also teaches participants defense techniques aimed to neutralize potentially life-threatening situations and escape as rapidly and safely as possible,” said Beth McCullough, JCC Fitness Program Director.

“Krav Maga is an intense mixed aerobic and anaerobic workout, relying heavily on the use of pads in order to experience both delivery and defense of strikes at full force,” she said. “It can be almost as taxing to hold a pad as to practice against one.”

To register or for more information, contact McCullough at (614) 559-6207, or visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org.

Contact us.
WCRX-LP Editorial Collective
Bexley Public Radio Foundation operating as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation.