J Staff Intranet Blog

From Deb Ball, Specialist, Member Care:

"Strength does not come from physical capacity; it comes from an indomitable will."

Gandi

From Jessica Fick, Designer:

"You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction."

George Horace Lorimer

There's a lot going on at The J and we want our members, guests and J Team members to have current information about events, classes, promotions and more.

Marketing Communications publishes "J Journal" to ensure everyone knows about the amazing programming going on at The J.  There are three versions to better target the demographics of our audiences: Adults; Heritage Center (senior adults); and Families (with young children).

We try to represent all departments throughout these bi-monthly communications.  We also highlight community events.  Click below to see the latest editions. 

J Journal for Adults

J Journal for Heritage Center

J Journal for Families

From Shannon Riordan, Webmaster:

"When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too."

Paulo Coelho

Are Bad Feelings Draining Your Best Energy?

Find Out Why - And Stand Up For Your Energy

Mined from the teachings of Torah and contemporary psychology, this 6-week course takes a fresh approach to the battle against bad feelings, providing realistic spiritual mechanisms for remaining upbeat no matter what life brings.

Dates: Thursdays January 16 - February 20 (6 weeks)

Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Cost:  FREE to J Team members of all faiths ($95 Value)

Dive into the nature of our emotions:

• Achieving Authenticity
• Embracing Flaws
• Rethinking Regret
• Peering Through Pain
• Living Joyfully
• Refreshing Relationships

For more information, contact Jill Maidhof.

From Renee Heflin, Supervisor of Accounting Operations:

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present."

From Brandi Ventre, Manager of Group Fitness:

"You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream!"

C. S. Lewis

At The J's New Employee Orientation, we educate new hires about Israel and why it's important to American Jews and Jewish organizations like The J:

• Israel is the Jewish homeland, the sand and soil of the Jewish people and a land that was promised to Jewish ancestral mothers and fathers.
• Israel is the spiritual center for the Jewish people.  It’s where Jews accepted sacred texts, where ancient sages argued over their meaning and where we find remnants of buildings erected for holy purposes.
• Israel is a safe haven for Jews suffering from antisemitism and persecution.

Israel is also a leader in technology innovation and medical research - especially cancer research.  The Jerusalem Post recently shared that a new treatment developed in Israel showed a 100% rate in tumor shrinkage.  More research and trials are needed, but this new treatment gives hope and highlights Israel's status as leader in cancer treatments that could benefit the entire world.

Click here to read the entire article.  If you have questions about Israel and its connection to The J, please list them in the Comments section or email Jill Maidhof, Director of Jewish Experiences.

From David Green, Director of Information Technology:

Never play leapfrog with a unicorn.

Never pet a burning dog.

From David Green, Director of Information Technology:

"Beginning well is a momentary thing; finishing well is a lifelong thing."

Ravi Zacharias

From Felice Azorsky, Manager of Donor Relations + Events:

"If it can be solved, there is no need to worry and if it can't be solved, then worry is of no use."

Dalai Lama

There might be a snow storm headed our way, but we're planning for SUMMER 2020!

The J Camp Summer 2020 information is now on our website.Thank you MarComm!

You can now refer members to the website to start planning their summer! A J Camp 2020 flier will be mailed to each member home with children ages 2-13. The flier will also be available for the Open House this weekend. If you have any questions, contact DD Gass or Machaela Whalen.  

From Stacey Belzer, Director of Family Engagement:

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."

Anne Frank

From Katie Sutton, Supervisor of Camp + School-Age Services:

Let everything happen to you

Beauty and terror

Just keep going

No feeling is final

Rainer Maria Rilke, Bohemian-Austrian poet and novelist

From Brenda Estell, Supervisor of Campus Operations:

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing."

Edmond Burke, Ango-Irish Statesman and Philosopher

From Delaina Melton, Heritage Center receptionist:

"Life's a dance you learn as you go, sometimes you lead sometimes you follow, don't worry about what you don't know."

John Michael Montgomery

It's Time to Pay Annual Dues of $5 (What a Deal!)

Shalom Club is a just-for-fun group that gets together for staff parties throughout the year. Past events included a Chili Cookoff, Hanukkah Luncheon and Purim Party. Shalom Club also "shaloms" new employees with good-natured contests and celebrates new babies, retirements and more. To join, complete the attached and deliver to our Reception window.

You must sign-up every year to maintain membership.

If you're thinking about joining Shalom Club and want a little taste of the fun, wear red and stop by the Admin Suite this Friday around 11:00 a.m. for some Chiefs treats!

 

From Maggie Nicholls, Manager of Encore!:

“A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.”

Greg Reid

A Workshop for 9th and 10th Grade Drivers and Their Parents

The workshop covers:

• A realistic picture of the risks of teen driving
• Practical advice on ways families can reduce teen driving risks
• An interactive discussion resulting in a teen-parent driving agreement

Details:

• Sunday, January 26, 2020
• 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
• Jewish Community Campus, Conference Room C

 Facilitated by Susie Hurst, M.A., JFS Adolescent Specialist, C.H.A.I. Program Coordinator and retired Captain Mark Terman, Kansas City Police Department

This workshop is free, but reservations are required by emailing Susie Hurst at susieh@jfskc.org (or 913-327-8259 for questions).

Due to the interactive nature of this workshop, intended for teens to attend with a parent.

Offered by C.H.A.I., a program of JFS, with funding from Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.

From Sandi Sandborn, Administrative Assistant:

"Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground."

Theodore Roosevelt

From DD Gass, Director of Camp + School-Age Services:

"Any day you could change someone’s life. 

Every day you can make someone’s day."

Unknown

From Alley DeWitt, Executive Assistant:

"Let go or be dragged"

Zen Proverb

There's a lot going on at The J and we want our members, guests and J Team members to have current information about events, classes, promotions and more.

Marketing Communications publishes "J Journal" to ensure everyone knows about the amazing programming going on at The J.  There are three versions to better target the demographics of our audiences: Adults; Heritage Center (senior adults); and Families (with young children).

We try to represent all departments throughout these bi-monthly communications.  We also highlight community events.  Click below to see the latest editions. 

J Journal for Adults

J Journal for Heritage Center

J Journal for Families

From June Crane, our Specialist, CDC Judaic Curriculum:

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it"

From "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

Longtime Art Instructor Says Goodbye

Patricia Caviar, Art Instructor in the Heritage Center for over 19 years, has retired.  Patricia was instrumental in growing our Heritage Center art program, which now often has waiting lists for classes.

The Heritage Center hosted a retirement party for Patricia, which was attended by her students and J staff.  Her students presented her with gifts and words of appreciation.

Thank you, Patricia, for all you've done to enhance our Heritage Center programs and for the legacy you leave at The J.

(Pictured: Patricia (left) is presented with a quilt by one of her students.)

From Roslyn Reiter, Manager of Personal Training:

"A little progress each day adds up to big results."

Mohsin Jameel, British entrepreneur 

Around the world, cultures welcome the change of the calendar with unique New Year’s traditions of their own.

• Spain:  In Spain, it is customary to eat 12 grapes – one at each stroke of the clock at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Each grape represents good luck for one month of the coming year.
• Colombia:  In hopes of a travel-filled new year, residents of Colombia carry empty suitcases around the block.
• Denmark:  Residents of Denmark greet the New Year by throwing old plates and glasses against the doors of family and friends to banish bad spirits. They also stand on chairs and jump off of them together at midnight to “leap” into January in hopes of good luck.
• Finland:  In Finland, people predict the coming year by casting molten tin into a container of water, then interpreting the shape the metal takes after hardening. A heart or ring means a wedding, while a ship predicts travel and a pig declares there will be plenty of food.
• Panama:  To drive off evil spirits for a fresh New Year’s start, it is tradition to burn effigies (muñecos) of well-known people such as television characters and political figures in Panama. The effigies are meant to represent the old year.
• Scotland:  During Scotland’s New Year’s Eve celebration of Hogmanay, “first-footing” is practiced across the country. The first person who crosses a threshold of a home in the New Year should carry a gift for luck.
• Philippines:  You’ll find round shapes all over the Philippines on New Year’s Eve as representatives of coins to symbolize prosperity in the coming year. Many families display piles of fruit on their dining tables and some eat exactly 12 round fruits (grapes being the most common) at midnight. Many also wear polka dots for luck.
• Brazil: In Brazil, as well as other Central and South America countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela, it is thought to be lucky to wear special underwear on New Year’s Eve. The most popular colors are red, thought to bring love in the New Year, and yellow, thought to bring money.
• Greece:  An onion is traditionally hung on the front door of homes on New Year’s Even in Greece as a symbol of rebirth in the New Year. On New Year’s Day, parents wake their children by tapping them on the head with the onion.

However you celebrate the New Year, we hope it brings much happiness!

This article is from worldstrides.com.

Inspiration for 2020

The New Year often brings resolutions to start new habits, take on new challenges and improve personally and professionally.

Sometimes a saying or quote can inspire us to keep moving toward our goals.

We need 31 people to share their favorite inspirational quotes/sayings.  We'll post one each day of January and give credit to the person who shared it.  Everyone who shares a quote will be entered to win a $25 Target card.

Email your submissions to Mary Beth Rohlf. 

If your holiday celebrations have left you feeling a little blah, consider these remedies:

Hazard #1: too much sugar

Too much sugar is, at the least, extra and empty calories.  For some, it also causes a “sugar high” followed by a “sugar crash.”  If you indulge in sugary treats, try to go for a walk immediately after to immediately put that sugar to use.

Hazard #2: too many cocktails

Many symptoms of over-imbibing are caused by mild dehydration.  Drink 8 ounces of a sports drink to help replace lost electrolytes and normalize blood sugar.  During celebrations, enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage between adult drinks.

Hazard #3: high-sodium foods

Too much sodium can cause temporary bloating and make your heart work harder.  If you overdid the salt, drink a couple glasses more water than usual and decrease your sodium the next day.  Add some extra citrus fruit, lettuce and cucumbers to your plate, too.

Hazard #4: family overload

Family time can be great, but also emotionally tiring.  Maybe it’s because there’s a lot of socializing without downtime or because you have expectations that aren’t met and experience letdown. Either way, try to take short breaks during extended family gatherings.  Go for a quick walk or offer to run an errand.  Build-in some "me time" before returning to the post-holiday routine.

Hazard #5: disrupted sleep

Late night fun, travel and overindulging can all interrupt good sleep patterns.  Avoid sleeping in late after a big night and don’t nap the next day.  Push through until your normal bedtime and get back to your normal sleep routine as quickly as possible.

Read the entire article here.  If you have any tips for recovering from the holidays, share in the comments section.

Tuesday, December 24

• Fitness + Sports Open 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Other J Departments open regular hours

 

Wednesday, December 25

• Fitness + Sports Open 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Other J Departments Closed