Oshman Family JCC Blog

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The Drink That’s Taking the Internet by Storm

Special thanks to Faith Kramer and J. The Jewish News of Northern California for the clever Shavuot inspiration for this recipe. Some will call it “Whipped coffee.” Others say it’s “Dalgona” and it originated in South Korea. But the Greeks will tell you that it’s actually “Frappe” and it was...

Squirrel on Jack’s tiny picnic bench – Photo by Gregory Smith

Nature Gifts? Here’s How

Sometimes, nature needs a helping hand. Though you often hear to leave nature alone, there is no denying that we are tied to the natural world around us. Walking around the backyard of my parents’ house (and my childhood home) just a few days ago, I came across an American...

Cynthia Erivo and Stephen Schwartz perform "When You Believe" from the Prince of Egypt (Saturday Night Seder screenshot)

Saturday Night Seder: My Favorite Moments

As I spoke with my mother over the phone, she shared her plans to watch Saturday Night Seder live on YouTube this past Saturday. Curious, I asked her about it. The event was made up of an all-star cast of Hollywood celebrities, talented writers, editors and sound mixers who decided...

STEAM Carnival

Breaking Free: COVID-19, Bob Marley and Passover

There is no better holiday to celebrate during the times of COVID-19, than Passover. I mean, really, the symbolism is almost too much to bear. We have plagues (pick your favorite), fanatical cleaning and social distancing ordinances that resemble the biblical guideline to celebrate the Passover just with one’s closest...

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Mah Jongg with Your Mishpucha: Social Distancing Edition

My husband and I play Maj regularly with another couple from our temple. We are, at best, cheerfully mediocre. We don’t play for money; we play to connect, eat See’s bridge mix, drink wine and amiably trash talk each other’s Maj acumen. Needless to say, we were bereft when the...

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Board Games in a Time of Social Distancing

Greetings from my fancy new office—“Shelter in Place.”  It is quite lovely here and I am adjusting well to my new working conditions and office mates.  My current priority is remembering that my daily Zoom calls focused on helping the OFJCC navigate this unprecedented health and economic crisis warrant at...

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Yom Ki(Purim): Purim’s Secret Twin Holiday

This article was originally published on the website of BINA: The Jewish Movement for Social Change and can be found here. It is easy to understand why Purim might be someone’s favorite Jewish holiday. There are costumes, noisemakers, jam-filled triangle cookies, and even a theological justification for drinking without inhibition!...

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Prep Tips from Spartan World’s #1

In 2019, Tara Pipia earned the distinction of being the Number One Spartan Female Point Leader in the World in her age group. This year, she is on track to do the same with four first-place finishes to start the year off. A Spartan Race is an intense obstacle course...

The Samuel Benjamin Kurland Campership Fund at the OFJCC honors its namesake by sending preschoolers to summer camp.

Remembering Sam: The OFJCC Campership Fund

“She is such a force of nature,” says Susan Wolfe, good friend of Deb Kurland and a longtime leader at the OFJCC, having served as Director of Communications, Vice President of the Board and Chief Development Officer. But Susan is not the only OFJCC leader that has clear memories of those...

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Why I Fast: Jorge Garza-Contreras, DC

The Oshman Family JCC is lucky to have Master Trainer and health & wellness expert Jorge Garza-Contreras, Doctor of Chiropractic as a resource and source of inspiration. We sat down with him to speak about his 2018 New Year’s Resolution and why it still matters today. Two years ago, Jorge...