Jewish Family & Children’s Service is offering a new round of Creative Aging classes beginning in October. The classes are designed for those who are 60 and over to offer them meaningful and fun ways to improve their skills, engage them socially and add to their quality of life.
Storytelling is an art form that is sweeping the country. In the storytelling class, the participants will learn how best to create and shape their stories so they are both interesting and memorable. They have the option of performing the story for a live audience. Kim Porter, who teaches the classes, is an author, playwright, director and actor, and was named Storyteller of the Year by the Phoenix New Times. “I so enjoy working with this population,” Porter states. “Their lives are so full and rich and they have so many stories to tell.”
Storytelling classes are scheduled in Sun City, at Temple Beth Shalom and the JCC of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Avenue, for 8 weeks on Thursdays from 10:30 am-12:30 pm, starting Oct. 19. A second session of classes is in Scottsdale at Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 N. 56th St., on Wednesdays from 10am-noon, beginning November 1.
Music is another favorite way to participate in the arts. Dan Kurek, has served as Music Director/Conductor/Pianist/Performer for many productions in leading professional and community theaters in Arizona and other states, and has received numerous awards. As one of his students remarked, “Dan is the world’s best cheerleader for his students. He always makes us feel comfortable with our talent level – wherever that may be!”
Voice classes, small group lessons where Kurek works with the group and gives each person individual time as well, are held on eight Wednesday mornings, 10 am-noon, at Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn in Phoenix, starting November 1.
New this year is a Senior chorus, also led by Kurek. “We’ve been having such a good time in the Voice classes,” Kurek explains, “that we decided to expand and hopefully work up a group who would like to travel around the Valley to ‘spread sunshine!’” The group will learn songs from Broadway and the American songbook as well as folk and rock and roll. Rehearsals begin on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 10 am at Temple Chai and run through January 11. A performance is planned for Jan. 14, 2018.
Also available are classes in Readers’ Theatre, taught by Janet Arnold, who has over 30 years’ experience as an actor, director and producer. “Readers Theatre is performing plays with script-in-hand,” Arnold states. “We explore the methods of bringing the characters to life with just our voices and simple movement. It’s great fun for the actors and audiences alike.”
Arnold is teaching two classes: On Tuesdays in Scottsdale at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, from 10-11:30 am, starting Oct. 17; and at Temple Beth Shalom in the west valley, on Mondays starting Oct. 23.
Classes are open to all who are 60+. Registration is available at www.jfcsaz.org/creativeaging
Or contact Arnold at 480-599-7198 or [email protected]
Jewish Family & Children’s Service is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian social service and behavioral health organization with over 80 years of service in the greater Phoenix area. The agency is dedicated to improving quality of life for all. Partial funding from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix.
Jewish Family & Children’s Service Creative Aging Classes:
READERS’ THEATRE: Mondays: Oct. 23 – Dec. 11 – 10-11:30 am – $50.
Temple Beth Shalom and JCC of the NW Valley – 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City
READERS’ THEATRE: Tuesdays: Oct.17-Dec. 5 – 10-11:30 am – $50.
Valley of the Sun JCC – 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
STORYTELLING: Wednesdays: Nov. 1-Dec. 20 – 10 am-noon – $60.
Congregation Beth Israel – 10460 N. 56th St. , Scottsdale
STORYTELLING: Thursdays: Oct. 19-Dec. 9 – 10 am-noon – $60.
Temple Beth Shalom and JCC of the NW Valley – 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City
VOICE CLASS: Wednesdays: Nov. 1-Dec. 20 – 10 am-noon – $60.
Temple Chai – 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix
SENIOR CHORUS: Thursdays: Oct. 19 – Jan. 11 – 10-11:30 am – $80.
Temple Chai – 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix
Register at: www.jfcsaz.org/creativeaging
