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Asheville JCC

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The UPLift with Tzedek: Real Talk for Real ChangeThe UPLift with Tzedek: Real Talk for Real ChangeOy to Joy! Insights from the Asheville JCCHow do we harness the power of joy to build a more inclusive world? The Asheville Jewish Community Center's (JCC) Executive Director, Ashley Lasher, has some ideas on how "Jewish Joy" can unlock community and connection both in and beyond shared religion, tradition, ancestry, values, and experience. Listen in as we discuss the vital role of the JCC in strengthening Jewish identity, celebrating Jewish culture, and building a more inclusive community in Western North Carolina.About Ashley: Ashley Lasher is an Asheville native with a deep-rooted history in the local Jewish community. Having...2024-09-0929 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS3E6: What Is Klezgrass?In the penultimate episode of the J Arts podcast mini-series, Geri and Michaela talk to local music duo Zoe and Cloyd about their unique style that fuses Jewish and Appalachian music tradition. Don't miss the JCC's Zoe and Cloyd concert on August 21, 2022! Theme music "Zisa Meydele" by Zoe & Cloyd, courtesy of Natalya WeinsteinIntro from Zoe and Cloyd's concert at "Farm and Fun Time," courtesy of Natalya WeinsteinOutro "Hoffman's Hora—David's Frailach" by Zoe and Cloyd, courtesy of Natalya Weinstein2022-08-1843 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS3E5: What is Kinetic Art?In this second episode of the J Arts podcast series, Geri and Michaela talk to Contemporaneo Gallery owner Francisco Troconis and local artist Denby Dale about kinetic art (art based in movement) and the influence on it from Israeli artists.Theme music "Zisa Meydele" by Zoe & Cloyd, courtesy of Natalya WeinsteinIntro "Yaacov Agam at the Dizengoff Fountain" courtesy of Park West GalleryOutro of Agam's Harpe Musicale performance piece from  "See the Sound: A Sunday in NY with Yaacov Agam" courtesy of Park West Gallery2022-07-2044 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS3E4: How Does Art Connect Us to Our Humanity?In conjunction with the JCC's "J" Art Fest event series, J Voices is releasing four episodes that explore each featured art form (visual, musical, culinary) through a Jewish lens. Listen to the first in the series, in which we talk with humanitarian artist and Asheville native Ben Betsalel about how art connects us to our humanity. Theme music "Zisa Meydele" by Zoe & Cloyd, courtesy of Natalya WeinsteinLearn more about J Art Fest hereSee Ben's work by visiting benbetsalel.com or globalportraitprojects.org2022-06-2340 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS3E3: How Does Food Bring the Jewish Community Together?Get a taste of Jewish food tradition as Geri and Michaela talk to chefs Rachel Miriam and Adrienne Press about how cuisine brings people together. Theme music "Zisa Meydele" by Zoe & Cloyd, courtesy of Natalya WeinsteinChef Rachel's Nourishing Mushroom Gravy and Creamy Polenta:Nourishing Mushroom Gravyyield: 4 each, 8 to 12-ounce servings, to be spooned over creamy polentaolive oil1 large sweet onion, small dice1 pound fresh mushrooms (shiitake, white button, crimini, oyster, king; small & medium dice, shiitakes sliced 1/4-inch thick)...2022-04-2949 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS3E2: What Can We Learn from Women in the Book of Esther?In celebration of Purim and Women's History Month, hosts Geri and Michaela sit down with Rabbi Batsheva Meiri and ask, "what can we learn from women in the Book of Esther?"Intro poem from "Esther's Blessing on Finding Our True Name" by Devon SpierTheme music "Zisa Meydele" by Zoe & Cloyd, courtesy of Natalya WeinsteinOutro music by Geri Garfinkel-Gershon and Michaela KelleySponsors : Red Maple Dental and Gaia Goldman2022-03-1742 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS3E1: Why Does Asheville Need a JCC?In the premier episode of season 3 of J Voices, hosts Michaela and Geri talk to historian Sharon Fahrer and former JCC Executive Director Lael Gray to answer the question, "Why Does Asheville Need a JCC?"Intro audio from "Why the J?" courtesy of Marty GillenTheme music "Zisa Meydele" by Zoe & Cloyd courtesy of Natalya WeinsteinOutro music "They Call It the J" courtesy of Bob Deutsch and Penny White2022-02-1447 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS2E4: Billy Jonas on Creativity and JudaismIn this part two of a two part series on Judaism and creativity, local musician Billy Jonas shares his creative process and the ways that Judaism has influenced his art throughout his artistic career. Learn more about Billy Jonas here: https://www.billyjonas.com/ 2021-12-3023 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS2E3: Judaism and Creativity Episode 1This episode of J Voices is the first of a two part series focusing on Judaism and creativity.  We interview Asheville Jewish community member, writer, artist, and parent, Peretz Cohn,  about his writing and his artwork, and how they are influenced by and reflect his Jewish culture and beliefs. To see more of Peretz's work, see this link: https://fredcohn.com/2021-10-0421 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS2E2: Judaism and PsychiatryThis episode of J Voices focuses on Judaism and psychiatry. We talk with longtime friends and members of the Ashevillle Jewish community, David Leader and Steve Shulruff. We hear about the reasons they pursued work in psychiatry and the Jewish influences on their work. We also receive advice from each of them about how to move forward in a world that is slowly opening again to social interaction but that may not look like the world we left behind a year ago when the pandemic began. 2021-06-0234 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS2E1: Healing Jewish Sacred MusicThis episode is about Jewish sacred music's ability to heal both the listener and the music maker. This episode includes some special voices in the Jewish community. We hear music from Jane Roman Pitt, Geri Garfinkel Gershon, Seth Kellam and Penny White. We listen to these musicians explain their relationship to Jewish sacred music and their understanding of the healing qualities of Jewish music. https://www.rabbishefagold.com/https://www.wncbridge.org/give/rathbun-house-give/2021-02-1046 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS1E13: Torah Writing with Rabbi SusskindRabbi Susskind of Asheville Chabad House has the amazing opportunity to write a Torah with our community. In this episode of J Voices, we talk to Rabbi Susskind about the process and importance of writing a Torah. We hear about why the project is important to him, and why its meaningful that it be seen and shared as a community-wide project in which everyone is invited to participate. 2020-10-3038 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS1E12: Welcome Shabbat for Jewish SeniorsThe Asheville Jewish Community Center's Welcome Shabbat program serves Asheville's community elders in residential homes, bringing Jewish rituals and cultural celebrations to elderly individuals who may not have the opportunity to participate in the beloved traditions of their faith. In this episode of JVoices, we talk to the program facilitators Natalie Shaw and Penny White about the impact the program has had on participants. We talk to Jessica Whitehill of Jewish Family Services about the recent partnership with the JCC and JFS's Elder Club participants. We hear from Welcome Shabbat participant Barbara Turner, and long-time Welcome Shabbat volunteer Dee...2020-09-1625 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS1E11: Camp RuachIn this episode of J Voices, we talk to the directors of the JCC's summer camp program and youth and teen programs about the experience of camp during a pandemic. We hear from parents who sent their children to Camp Ruach, we talk to a counselor about how things were different this year, and we hear from campers themselves about what camp was like with social distancing. 2020-07-3123 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS1E10: Tzedek Part 3This episode of J Voices is the third in a three-part series dedicated to the Jewish value of Tzedek. In this episode, we talk to Marsha Davis from the Tzedek Social Justice Fund about the importance of listening to Black leaders and including LGBTQIA+ voices in the Black Lives Matter movement. We talk to Zeke Christopoulos about Tranzmission's mission of educating about and advocating for Trans individuals locally and nationally.To learn more about Dove Kent's work, see these links:https://facingrace.raceforward.org/speaker/dove-kenthttps://www.npr.org/2019/08/29/755323022/anti-semitism-in-u-s-politicshttps://www.huffpost...2020-07-1632 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS1E9: Tzedek Part 2In this part 2 of the Tzedek series of J Voices, we hear from JCC employee and staff Mackayla Johnson about her experience growing up in Asheville. We talk to Judy Leavitt from Carolina Jews for Justice about ways that the Jewish Community can support the Black Lives Matter movement, and we hear music by Jewish musician Josh Blake. 2020-06-2617 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS1E8: Tzedek Part 1This episode of J Voices is part of a three-part series dedicated to the Jewish value of Tzedek. In Part 1 of the series, we talk to Deborah Miles from the Center of Diversity Education about the origins of the center. We talk to local artist and activist Phyllis Utley about her work, which highlights education through self-analysis. This episode is co-hosted with special guest and JCC teacher and parent, Rasheeda Johnson.2020-06-1526 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS1E7: In Memory of Dan PincuThis episode of J Voices is a tribute to beloved JCC community member Dan Pincu, who lost his fight with COVID 19 last month. Dan was an active volunteer for several local organizations, including the Asheville Jewish Community Center, the Asheville Visitors Center, and the Jewish Secular Community of Asheville. This episode is dedicated to sharing the values and missions of some of Dan’s favorite local programs, exploring some of the organizations he loved and supported, and sharing memories of Dan’s warm personality, his love of people, nature, and social activities, as well as his lasting impression on the...2020-05-2823 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS1E6: Where Are We Now?In episode 6 of J Voices, we talk to president and CEO of the JCC Association of America Doron Krackow about how JCCs across the country have been affected by COVID-19. We hear from Asheville JCC board president Carol Wenom about how the Asheville JCC's response to the virus was crafted, and we speak to Ashley Lasher, executive direcor at the Asheville J about how the crisis has affected employees and the JCC's financial viability   and we learn about when and how JCC programs will begin reopening. Music for this episode was donated by Billy Jonas. 2020-05-1535 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS1E5: Tikkun Olam Episode five of J Voices is dedicated to the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, and the efforts local Jewish community members are taking to help heal the natural environment through regenerative agriculture and environmental education. We hear from Sarah Julia Seldin and Justin Goldstein of Yesod Farm + Kitchen, and we talk to Jacqui Childs, garden specialist at the JCC's Shalom Children's Center. We also listen to music from local band, Mama Danger. 2020-05-0128 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS1E4: A Passover Unlike Any Other In episode four of J Voices, we hear from JCC community members about their Passover experiences, we listen to Michael Rowland, Marketing Consultant for the JCC Association of America tell his story of Passover during a pandemic; we listen to music recorded by Penny White, and hear from past JCC board president and JCC supporter, Bob Deutsch, about upcoming Yom Hashoah services in our area. 2020-04-1717 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS1E3: Adjusting to a New Way of LifeIn episode three of J Voices, we hear from those of us who are trying to adjust to our new way of life at home. We talk to parents about the day-to-day struggles of juggling parenting and work. We hear from those dealing with little to no face time with friends. We check in with local musician and former JCC board member, Ed Fidelman, who shares with us his Ballad of COVID-19, a song he wrote about the pandemic for the JCC's Mountain Music Jam group. Thanks for listening. 2020-04-0324 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS1E2: Chazak Chazak V’nitzchazekIn this second episode of J Voices we hear from Joseph Nunan, security and facility director at the Asheville JCC. We listen to a poem read by UNCA English professor and former head of the Jewish Studies department. We check in with Rabbi Susskind from our local Chabad community and hear from Walter Ziffer, Asheville Jewish community member and Holocaust survivor. Thanks for listening. 2020-03-2729 minJ VoicesJ VoicesS1E1: Checking in with Asheville Area Jewish Organization RepresentativesJ Voices is the Asheville JCC podcast focusing on connectivity and community during the Coronavirus outbreak. In this episode, we talk to JCC executive director, Ashley Lasher, Jewish Family Services executive director, Jessica Whitehill, executive director at Congregation Beth Israel, Rochelle Reich, and director of religious education and sacred music at Congregation Beth Hatephila, Seth Kellam, as well as Rabbi Meiri at Congregation Beth Hatephila. We will discuss community needs and community program changes as well as share words of wisdom for braving this unprecedented situation together. 2020-03-1724 min