Every room in our wonderful building was filled with people during the past weekend.  On Saturday morning the Dr. Fersko Room and then the bima were bursting with children from Shabbat Katan. What child doesn’t get drawn into the story of Noah’s ark, last week’s Torah reading?

On Sunday morning, while Room J students (along with some parents and grandparents) were singing withCantor Sam Levine and then learning about the Jewish story of creation, and while rhythmic gymnastics classes were running in the gym, and while the pool was the scene of swim classes, and while our Russian-English class was in the Beit HaMidrash, and while the Lighthouse Chapel was holding its religious services in the Dr. Fersko Room, Larry Cohler-Esses of The Forward was guest speaker at the Kaddish & Men’s Club. Cohler-Esses‘ presentation of his trip to Iran encouraged thoughtful and lively discussion. Thanks to Avromand Frances Fischer for arranging this important event.

Shortly afterwards, Sisterhood held a vegetarian cooking class featuring several types of squash. Everything was delicious and the attendees were busy writing down recipes.  Thanks to Rochelle Eckstein, Amy Nitzky, and Shereen Rosenthal for creating this event, and to Marilyn Cohen for her inspiring cooking.

Later that afternoon, EMJC was host to a hundred visitors from around the metropolitan area who came to learn about the history and architecture of our building.  Our visitors came to us thanks to a citywide program,”Open House New York,” sponsored by the NY State Department of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. EMJC tour guides were co-presidents Randy Grossman and Toby Sanchez, Rabbi Matt Carl, and former EMJC president Gail Hammerman.

As the tourists left, the karate students came in, as did the members of Leng Tan‘s Israeli Folk Dancing Class and the fans of DJ Noah‘s dance parties, who stayed until 11pm.

If we didn’t see you, it couldn’t have been because nothing was going on at EMJC!