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Cultural
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The cultural department of the JCC provides focus, resources and programming which allows the JCC to retain and enhance its cultural Jewish presence within the Jewish community and the community at large. Activities to support this include holiday celebrations; a speakers' bureau on Judaic and Holocaust issues; education regarding Judaism for Jews and non-Jews alike; a Jewish Festival; and a Jewish Film Festival; as well as other programs throughout the year. The cultural department leads the JCC's effort to combat prejudice and promote harmony, diversity acceptance and unity within our community.
Don't forget to look for special cultural programs throughout the year such as our Sukkah Party, Chanukah Party, Purim Carnival and cultural food tastings. These programs are especially fun and educational for children and families.HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL SCULPTURE
"The Six Million"
It has been a long-held dream of the York Jewish Community Center to create a fitting memorial to those who perished in the Holocaust as a permanent reminder for generations to come. On May 4, 1997, that dream was realized with the dedication of our Holocaust Memorial Sculpture, "The Six Million."
Designed by internationally-recognized artist Don Briddell, the 20'x9' wall sculpture - fashioned in clay, then cast in resin and painted - portrays an endless sea of men, women and children as they step forward from the darkness and horror of the past into the light of our world today. Their faces are familiar, carved from photographic likenesses of those who died in the Holocaust. Hopeful and expectant, they portray the powerful strength of the human spirit - old relatives and friends coming to meet us again, after many long years of separation.
As we stand before them, we must ask ourselves whether we are ready to greet them in good faith. Has our world changed since the dark days of that terrible legacy? Have we abolished hatred, prejudice and intolerance? Can we say with confidence, "Never again?"About the Artist
Maryland-based sculptor Don Briddell holds a degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute. A former Peace Corps volunteer and world traveler, he has won numerous awards and honors for his carvings. In 1985, he and his wife, Victoria, established Overboard Art to produce limited editions of his work. Presently, he is represented by 230 dealers across the country. Briddell's work can be found in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institution, Ward Foundation, the Herrington Collection of Nashville, TN and the Hoffman-Angstadt Collection of Reading, PA, as well as in private collections throughout the world.
Helping Hands
Created over the course of one year and nine months, "The Six Million" was made possible by generous contributions throughout the York community. The Holocaust Education Remembrance Fund is an ongoing resource that supports efforts to provide outreach and educational programs to schools and other organizations, and to maintain "The Six Million." For more information or to make a contribution contact JCC Community Development Director, Susan Attig.Jewish Traditions
Our Speakers' Bureau is designed for sharing Jewish cultural resources in an educational setting. We can provide information sheets, examples of holiday stories and, where appropriate, we are delighted to provide a speaker to introduce the customs and traditions of the holidays.We do not orient our resources toward detailed religious explanations. Our focus is on the meaning of the holidays along with customs and traditions associated with them. These resources assist children in learning about a culture with which they are often unfamiliar. Learning about other cultures lessens fears and distances between people and promotes unity.
Holocaust Education
Historians worldwide have recognized the critical importance of perpetuating the memory of the Holocaust as a prime means of preventing such a horror from ever again occurring.Volunteers from the Jewish community travel to schools and civic organizations to share the video, "What I Remember," the personal stories of Nessy Marks and Bluma Shapiro, two Holocaust survivors who have local ties to York. Following the video presentation, discussion and a question and answer session help audiences understand the content and the importance of the message of remembrance.
The JCC also welcomes groups to view "The Six Million," a sculpture dedicated to the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust. This can be a combined program with viewing a video of an interview with the artist and the video, "What I Remember."
Why?
Hate group membership and activity is increasing rapidly. According to a FBI report, police departments reported 8,063 incidents of hate crimes in 2000, 54% motivated by racial bias and 18% by religious bias. In 1995 right here in York, a pig's head was hung on the door of a local synagogue. Most alarmingly, national hate groups have been using south central Pennsylvania as a recruiting and staging area.The JCC Speakers' Bureau helps to break down the barriers created through misunderstanding and misinformation and put a human face to differences. The Speakers' Bureau is a perfect choice for administrators, teachers or other organization representatives who are interested in utilizing cultural educational resources, either in the classroom, meeting or at a staff/faculty level. For all programs, our speakers' approach is customized to meet the needs of specific audiences with regard to age, previous knowledge, or curriculum.
For more information about the JCC's Speakers' Bureau, please contact the JCC's Cultural and Contemporary Adult Director, Iris Katz.
JEWISH YOUTH PROGRAMS
Chaverim is a community-wide Jewish middle school youth program. Youth in grades 6-8 meet several times a year for social programs. For more information on Chaverim, please contact the JCC's Jewish Youth/Teen/Family Director, Stephanie Tavss or go to What's New for upcoming Chaverim activities.
The Dr. Morton B. Krechmer York BBYO (B'Nai B'rith Youth Organization) is a worldwide organization for Jewish youth in grades 9-12 to develop leadership potential, a positive Jewish identity and a commitment to personal development. The group meets bi-monthly for meetings, Tzedakah projects, local activities and regional conventions.
For more information on BBYO, please contact the JCC's Jewish Youth/Teen/Family Director, Stephanie Tavss or go to What's New for upcoming BBYO activities.
International Maccabiah Games
The Maccabiah Games take place every four years as Jews of all ages and backgrounds convene to share their culture, their history and their values... and they compete in athletic events in Israel.
The Maccabiah movement, named for Judah Maccabee, was initiated in 1895-96 when the first all-Jewish Maccabi gymnastics club was formed in Constantinople. By the end of World War I, more than 100 Maccabi-style clubs existed in Europe. The first Maccabi Games, featuring 13 countries and 300 athletes, was held in 1932. The Games have been a quadrennial event since 1957.
The Maccabiah Games are recognized as a higher level competition to the yearly JCC Maccabi Games® and JCC Junior Maccabi Games.
JCC Maccabi Games®
The JCC Maccabi Games® offer the opportunity for 13-16 year olds to come together to celebrate their Jewish culture while competing in artistic and athletic events in different cities throughout the United States.
Similarly structured to the Olympic Games, teens from places such as Seattle, Dallas, St. Louis, Mexico, Argentina, and Israel participate in athletic competitions during the day and enrichment and social activities in the evening.
As part of the week's enrichment programming, each delegation is asked to bring new school supplies that are distributed to area schools needing assistance. The athletes also participate in the Day of Caring and Sharing which highlights community projects and encourages athletes to assist their own community in the areas of hunger, illness, social change, animal advocacy, the elderly and environmental issues.
As part of the Sister City Program, the York JCC, in partnership with United Jewish Community of York, sponsors two athletes from Israel to join their team at the Games. The athletes arrive in York to practice with the team before departing for the national games. This gives the York teens a unique opportunity to hear about Israel, to experience its traditions, and to interact with young Israeli athletes right here in their own backyard.
Any Jewish teen age 13-16 interested in participating can contact the JCC's Cultural and Wellness Director, Bill Walter or visit the national JCC Maccabi Games® website for more information.
Junior Maccabi Games
A Junior Maccabi event is held each spring which allows Jewish youth ages 10-12 to get a hands-on look at what to expect when they qualify for the JCC Maccabi team.
For more information, contact the JCC's Cultural and Wellness Director, Bill Walter.
JCC Maccabi ArtsFest®
JCC Maccabi ArtsFest® is designed to inspire Jewish teens through a dynamic combination of workshop, performance, exhibition, competition, community service, social activities, and fun to develop their individuality through the medium of artistic expression while strengthening their bonds to their Jewish heritage, community, and Israel. Participants compete in the following art disciplines: classical ensemble/orchestra, computer graphics, creative writing, dance, jazz ensembles, radio broadcasting, rock/pop band, theater (acting or musical theater), vocal music, and visual arts. Participants have the opportunity to meet and learn from highly regarded professional artists-in-residence from all over North America who conduct Master classes throughout the week and help develop the competition component of the event. Any Jewish teen age 13-18 interested in participating can contact the JCC’s Youth, Teen, and Family Director, Stephanie Tavss or visit the national JCC Maccabi ArtsFest® website for more information.
The JCC receives numerous requests for more information on Jewish topics. We've found an excellent website called Judism101 and My Jewish Learning that should be helpful in fulfilling your requests.
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