Jewish Film Festival - THIS WEEK

Somehow it took me by surprise this year, but the Northern Virginia International Jewish Film Festival is taking place right now! The opening reception and film was on March 24th and there are films through April 3. The entire festival schedule is available online. You can't possibly not find a movie worth seeing. We've discovered a few favorites over the years. Movies are shown at a number of locations and tickets can be purchased online ($11 for adults, less for early shows, students, seniors & groups).

Passover with Growing Jewish Families - Sun Apr 10

Growing Jewish Families has an exciting Passover-themed event planned for Sunday, April 10, 9:30am at Ratcliffe Park (10300 Sager Ave, Fairfax). There will be Passover books, matzah, Passover songs, and a scavenger hunt. (Hmm - that sounds like practice for searching for afikomen!)

The cost is $7/nonmember families, $5/member families.

Registration (by April 7) is required so you can be notified in case of bad weather. Please contact Brittanie Werbel or at 703-537-3019 to register or for more information.

Ready for Passover?

We haven't finished eating the goodies in the shalach manot that my parents sent and already I'm wondering what we're going to eat for Passover. The challenge? My almost 4-year-old could live on pasta and the baby seems to love corn and peas more than anything. Last year I was too exhausted to switch the dishes, so we did something not very green and eat off paper so I could just unpack the cookware. Oh, and we bought a lot of prepared foods from from Wegman's. I really don't remember what my older son ate! I know we'll survive - but send me tips if you have any ideas, please! In the meantime, consider how we're not supposed to eat matzah in the month before Passover so that first taste will be wonderful... much better than the last one, that's for sure!

Used Book Sale Benefiting Gesher (April 3-6)

Gesher Jewish Day School is currently collecting books and media items (DVDs, CDs, audio books and videotapes) of all genres and for all ages for an upcoming Used Book Sale. Book collection is this Friday 3/11, and Mon.-Thurs. 3/14 - 3/17. To donate, drop books and media items at Gesher.

The Used Book sale will be open to the public Sunday 4/3 (also Community Family Fun Day 1-4 pm) through Wed. 4/6. Most books are priced $.50-2. All proceeds benefit the school.

Gesher is located at 4800 Mattie Moore Court, Fairfax.

For further information, contact Sharon Bliss or Amy Friedman.

Dining Out for Life - Tonight (March 10)

If you observe kashrut, then please don't take offense, but if you eat out (or eat veggie only - that's my personal compromise), then consider finding a way to participate in Dining Out for Life tonight. Restaurants donate a portion of their sales to Food & Friends, which provides meals, groceries, and nutritional counseling to people with health challenges. We've discovered a few great new restaurants this way, also! And it's another opportunity to talk about tzedakah and all the ways we can help. (Of course, you can also contribute more right at the restaurant - Food & Friends representatives are there to collect and offer receipts.)

Magic Mania - Mar 20

On Sunday March 20, from 3:30-5, come to the JCC for an afternoon of crafts and magic! We'll start out with crafts and snacks at 3:30 and at 4 pm, Dean Allen of Carnegie Magic will wow us with feats of prestidigitation and mysterious tricks.

The cost is $19 per family for members and $25 for nonmembers. Register before March 12 and it's only $15 and $21, respectively.

Please contact Heidi Palchik (703-537-3086) for more information.