In December, plan to participate with friends and family in these 10 interactive, unique, and entertaining programs hosted by JFS’ Lynn Kramer Village by the Shore.
Thoughts from the Bookshelf
Tuesday, December 2 from 3pm to 4pm
Join Village Community Specialist Tina Serota for a book club gathering. This month, we will discuss the New York Times best-seller, Inheritance, by award-winning memoirist, Dani Shapiro. This book is a gripping genetic detective story and a mediation on genealogy, paternity, and love. Attend in-person at the Margate Library Meeting Room, 8100 Atlantic Avenue, Margate. RSVP by December 1.
Lunch Around Town
Thursday, December 4 from 12pm to 1:30pm
Enjoy a leisurely holiday lunch with friends while supporting a local restaurant. This month, we will dine at Queen Bean Bistro, 4800 Boardwalk & Vassar Square, Ventnor. Come prepared for good food and conversation. Order off the menu and pay individually. RSVP by December 2.
Through Our Sacred Windows: Reflections on Stained Glass Artistry from South Jersey Synagogues
Friday, December 5 from 10:30am to 12pm
Join Josh Cutler and Tina Serota for a virtual exhibition tour of stained-glass artistry and enjoy brunch. Attend in-person at Shirat Hayam, 700 North Swarthmore Avenue, Ventnor. RSVP by December 2.
Musical Connections
Monday, December 8 from 1pm to 2pm
Feel the stress of the day peel away as we share familiar tunes from various genres (Broadway, Classical, Contemporary, Jazz) and instruments with friends and neighbors. Whether you are a caregiver, cared for, or community member, we look forward to welcoming you. Attend in-person at the Katz JCC Boardroom, 501 North Jerome Avenue, Margate. RSVP by December 4.
Beyond the Bookshelf: Family of Spies – A World War II Story of Nazi Espionage, Betrayal, and the Secret History Behind Pearl Harbor
Tuesday, December 9 from 10:30am to 12pm
Join author Christine Kuehn to learn about a never-before-told account of one family’s secret involvement as Nazi and Japanese spies during WWII and their role in the Pearl Harbor bombing. The Kuehns, once a prominent Berlin family, embraced Nazism to escape hard times. When their daughter, Ruth, had an affair with Joseph Goebbels, he discovered she was half Jewish. Instead of executing her, Goebbels sent the Kuehn family to Hawaii to spy for the Axis powers. There, Ruth and her parents built a covert operation, relaying secrets that helped enable the Pearl Harbor attack. Jumping back and forth from Christine discovering her family’s secret, to the untold past of spies in Germany, Japan and Hawaii, Family of Spies is fast-paced history at its finest, and will rewrite the narrative of December 7, 1941. Brunch will be served. Attend in-person at the Katz JCC Boardroom, 501 North Jerome Avenue, Margate. RSVP by December 4.
Latkes, Lox & Learning
Friday, December 12 from 10:30am to 12pm
Join us for a special morning featuring traditional latkes, bagels, and lox! This engaging program will explore the history of Chanukah in a fun, educational way. Expect something a little different as we dive into holiday trivia, hands-on fun, and lively discussion, all centered around classic Jewish foods and festive Chanukah traditions. Attend in-person at the Katz JCC Boardroom, 501 North Jerome Avenue, Margate. RSVP by December 8.
Book Club Brunch with Meryl Rodgers
Tuesday, December 16 from 10:30am to 12pm
Join local educator Meryl Rodgers as we examine the book, All Who Go Do Not Return, which focuses on the life of author Shulem Deen, who was raised as a member of the Skverers, one of the most insular Hasidic sects in the United States. Deen knows little about the outside world, only that it is to be shunned. After an arranged marriage at 18 years of age, several children soon followed. While his first transgression of turning on the radio is small, his curiosity leads him to the library and internet. Soon he begins a feverish inquiry into the tenets of his religious beliefs, until several years later, his faith unravels entirely. Attend in-person at the Katz JCC Boardroom, 501 North Jerome Avenue, Margate. RSVP by December 11.
Village Holiday Social
Wednesday, December 17 from 4pm to 6pm
Guests will enjoy an early evening holiday get together while spending time with friends and neighbors. Dance to music from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and holiday favorites. Refreshments will be served and guests have a chance to win door prizes. The event is sponsored by the Board of Jewish Education, Right at Home, and Visiting Angels. The festivities take place in the Katz JCC Auditorium, 501 North Jerome Avenue, Margate. Free for Holocaust Survivors, Village, and JCC Members. For non-members, the cost is $5. RSVP by December 10.
Throwback Thursday: Jewish-Owned Businesses of Atlantic City – Part 2
Thursday, December 18 from 10:30am to 12pm
This month, we turn our attention to Jewish-owned entertainment venues including clubs, bars, and theaters as well as restaurateurs and merchants who helped define Atlantic City’s vibrant cultural landscape. We’ll explore the rich Jewish history behind legendary hotspots like Club Harlem and the 500 Club, while also paying homage to the quieter corners of the island, where mom-and-pop shops helped shape everyday life by the shore. Brunch will be served. Attend in-person at the Katz JCC Boardroom, 501 North Jerome Avenue, Margate. RSVP by December 16.
Memoir Workshop
Friday, December 19 from 10:30am to 12pm
Now is the time to tell your story like you have never told it! Experience the thrill of capturing life’s adventures, history, and ancestry with the Memoir Workshop led by award-winning author and Drexel University Director of Certificate Program in Writing and Publishing, Harriet Levin Millan. Learn about publishing your work. A laptop or pen and paper is needed for the workshop. This program is via Zoom and a link will be emailed. RSVP by December 17.
Unless noted, all programs are free to participate. You must RSVP for any program by contacting Tina Serota at 609.287.8872 or tserota@jfsatlantic.org. A Zoom link will be emailed, when needed. The Lynn Kramer Village by the Shore is a membership program for adults age 50+ and offers Grocery Shopping & Delivery, Intergenerational Events, Transportation, Kosher Meals and more.
