It’s no secret that being an active member of a community helps with more than personal fulfillment. Health benefits of community involvement are far-reaching, from lowering depression to improving life longevity and quality.
Often, finding that sense of community is a search that continues for years.
One way of finding that sense of community is through the arts. After all, in the traditional study of art, performances and pieces can be used to pinpoint an exact event or time in history. Bottom line? There’s power in the arts.
“GE hires a lot of engineers. We want young people who can do more than add up a string of numbers and write a coherent sentence. They must be able to solve problems, communicate ideas and be sensitive to the world around them. Participation in the arts is one of the best ways to develop these abilities.” – Clifford V. Smith, President of the General Electric Foundation
Whether you’re passionate about film, enthralled with history and heritage or brought to life by the drama of the stage, the Mayerson JCC has a program to deliver that interest.
At the J, we recognize that there are multiple facets of a community: identity, culture and art have to work together to bolster that sense of community.
Many local donors, who also share our vision of the arts for all, fund the Arts & Ideas program at the J.
The Jewish & Israeli Film Festival, Jennifer Teege’s discussion, and the CCM Showcase are all prime examples of the impactful programming that the JCC community can be a part of.
The most recent event, The CCM Showcase, took place this past weekend in the Amberley Room. It called upon graduating CCM students to create and perform Broadway pieces. Local arts organizations were extended invites, and the J hosted hundreds of guests.
“The CCM Senior Showcase performance brought together a beautifully diverse sampling of our community. Young families, professionals, students and senior adults sat side by side for a joyful and exciting afternoon of musical theater,” said Betsy Singer-Lefton, Cultural Arts Manager. “The breadth and enthusiasm of the audience demonstrated the power of music to unite and transform us beyond our everyday routines.”
