Community Spirit Thrives In The J ’ s Adult Education Classes
by Barbara Fenig
Former Director of Arts & Culture
The J ’ s Adult education classes range in focus from beginner portraiture clay classes to Chinese dumpling cooking techniques to vegetable gardening classes and language classes too . When developing each program , The J strives to challenge the minds and interests of our J membership and community visitors , and I have observed a beautiful and meaningful community spirit that forms during our classes . In fact just this morning , while I was assisting Berengere Allouis , of the Alliance Française de Tucson with the Taste of France : French Appetizers cooking class , I witnessed the sold-out class abuzz with participants chopping fresh vegetables for a springtime quiche , sharing tips for the best way to make homemade mayonnaise , and falling deep into conversation about their interests , Tucson favorites , and what brought them to The J today . It is thrilling for me to walk into our J classrooms and to see the students enraptured not only by the material and their stellar instructors , but also by one another ’ s talents and thoughts . I ’ ve asked two students to reflect on their recent experiences taking part in classes at The J :
“ My Intro to Spanish class is taught by Ms . Myriam Barrientos . Ms . Barrientos offers a series of continuous six-week sessions through the Spanish language program at the Tucson Jewish Community Center . As one six-week session ends and the next begins , friendships are carried forward and students develop a feeling of camaraderie ,” says Marc Herman , J member , Spanish class student , and Film Festival Committee member . “ Myriam ’ s unique approach to teaching Spanish creates a fun class atmosphere that makes the learning experience accessible . Students rapidly become comfortable interacting with each other as they participate in group exercises . This , in turn , creates a sense of community spirit amongst the students . Due to her personable and friendly nature , Ms . Barrientos also ends up building positive working relationships with the students .”
“ Taking the watercolor class with Ann Lapidus at The J is just pure joy ,” says Jenny Fisk , J member and student in Ann Lapidus ’ “ Painting The World Jewish : Basic Watercolors ” studio art class . “ The environment is warm and supportive and the projects we work on are novel and fun . You don ’ t have to be an artist , you just have to enjoy creating and playing .”
I hope that you ’ ll consider taking an Adult education class at The J and would love to hear about your experiences in feeling connected to The J ’ s community spirit .
The J offers language classes in French , in partnership with the Alliance Française ; Mandarin , in partnership with Tucson ’ s Chinese Cultural Center ; Hebrew , taught by Sara Golan Mussman ; Italian , taught by Theresa Levy ; Spanish , taught by Myriam Barrientos ; and a Yiddish conversation group led by Sheldon Clare .
The studio art offerings at The J specialize in many mediums , including clay , silk painting , watercolors , drawing , and floral design classes .
July - Sept 2018 | J Life Magazine 11