Ashley Lasher, Author at Asheville JCC

In Yiddish, “mensch” roughly means “a good person.”
The word has migrated into American English,
where “mensch” is a particularly good or stand-up person,
someone with the qualities one would hope for in a friend.

You are invited to nominate a mensch (or two) for the Asheville JCC’s 2022 recognition awards: the Phil Cohen Outstanding Volunteer and the JCC Employee of the Year. Awardees will be honored at the JCC’s annual membership meeting in September. Nominations are due by Monday, August 15.

Phil Cohen Outstanding Volunteer Award

A community member who exemplifies the best of JCC volunteerism and a sense of caring and responsibility for others. Click here to submit your nomination for Phil Cohen Outstanding Volunteer. Note that board members are not eligible as Volunteers of the Year.

JCC Employee of the Year Award

A JCC employee who models outstanding achievement, performance, creative contributions, leadership or improvement. Click here to submit your nomination for Employee of the Year. Note that director-level staff are not eligible for Employee of the Year.

Past Volunteers of the Year

1997 Phil Cohen, Jules & Cele Resnick
2007 Jeremiah Mattysse, Bubbe Carol
2008 Shalom Bubbe Brigade, Laurie Johnson
2009 Mort Stein
2010 Rania Shlien-Dellinger
2011 Marti Biller
2012 Rosie Posie, Claire Orenzow
2013 Patricia Connolly
2014 Suanne Faber, Jane Kramer
2015 Carol Wenom and Amy Silverman
2016 Ed Fidelman
2017 Amber Baseman
2018 Michael Fields
2020 Susan Leader
2021 Sherrill Knight
2022 Terri Berndt and Adam Rosen

Past Employees of the Year

2007 Catherine Brockwell
2008 Joe Howard
2009 Lauren Katz
2010 Entire JCC Staff
2011 Haley Brockwell and Leigh Schuller
2012 Lois Mills
2013 Mitra Hoehne
2014 Tami Gross and Susan Zimmermann
2015 Carolyn Myers
2016 Gina Groomes, Carolyn Maillis, Paige Tisdale
2017 Monica McDaniel
2018 Haviva Dror
2019 Karla Johnson
2020 Brook Hudson and Zequoia Jordan
2021 Maria Adcock and Ray Hanners
2022 Justin Greenbaum, Janne “Nana” Leonard, and Aislinn McShane

Reconnect with your JCC friends this summer!

“Parties Around Town” (PAT) is a biennial summer fun(d) raiser for the JCC and we are planning an exciting, COVID-friendly season! This series of summer parties features a variety of themes, locations, ticket prices, and hosts. Purchase tickets to attend one, a couple, or all of the Parties Around Town! Ticket revenue supports the Asheville JCC. Click here to learn about how we are keeping party participants safe this summer.

Join us for an outdoor brunch with old and new friends! Bagels and more…to celebrate summer together!

Hosts: Terri Berndt and Jane Saber
Location: Asheville JCC Pool Pavilion, 40 Clyde Street
Price: $18 per guest Tickets

This party is limited to adults who have been fully vaccinated.

Put away your tablets. Join us for an afternoon of friendship, games and a gourmet lunch. The party will take place at the picturesque Pavilion of Southcliff. All attendees will take home a special gift (contemporary fashion jewelry by Pearls Plus).

Hosts: Cheryl Levine, Ilene Aronson, Maxi Horowitz
Location: Southcliff Pavilion, 10 Southcliff Parkway
Price: $36 per guest Tickets

Dress comfortably, walking shoes, guests must be fully vaccinated

The only summer day camp of its kind in WNC. Camp Tikvah enables children on the autism spectrum to enjoy the fun & community of the JCC’s Camp Ruach in an individually monitored and highly structured program. Join us for an evening of food, fun, and swimming to support Camp Tikvah!

Hosts: Mariah Schweiger and Daniel Smedley
Location: Asheville JCC Pool, 40 Clyde Street
Price: $18 per guest Tickets

Vegetarian and gluten-free options available

Enjoy an evening of sampling several craft whiskeys from Troy and Sons, a local distiller. Joining us will be Master Distiller Charlie Ball. This event will be at the JCC Pool – but no swimming! Just sipping.

Hosts: Jeff Kaplan & Len Levi
Location: Asheville JCC Pool, 40 Clyde Street
Price: $36 per guest Tickets

Vegetarian snacks

Join us for an evening campfire with s’mores, summertime beverages and a sweet surprise blast from the past! Nosh on snacks, sing old camp songs with Ed, and schmooze with friends.

Hosts: Nadine & Ed Fidelman and Marti & Julian Biller
Location: Fidelman Backyard, 21 Glen Cove Road, Arden
Price: $18 per guest Tickets

Please bring a camp chair. Vaccinations required.

Love to entertain, but want to do it with more creativity and aren’t sure where to start? Then this is the party for you! You’ll walk away with 3 fully developed themes covering all the party details including menu and decor. Learn how to work with the space you have, use items already in your home, find out about creative, cost saving tips. Whether your next event is a backyard BBQ, a kid’s birthday, or an elegant dinner party- we’ve got you covered!

Hosts: Rochelle Reich and Natalia Munoz-Schneier
Location: Asheville JCC Pool Pavilion, 40 Clyde Street
Price: $18 per guest Tickets

Celebrate Shabbat morning PLAYING, DANCING, GROOVING, LAUGHING. Misa Terral will lead an amazing, flowing, freeing 50 minute class for all. Get your feet dirty and move your body to fantastic music! Challah, juice and ice cream treats to follow!

Host: Rachel Acker
Location: Grove Park, Charlotte Street
Price: $18 per guest Tickets

Misa Terral shares the healing power of dance and teaches “Dance to be Free” at women’s prisons nationwide.

“Late night” swim nights on Wednesdays at the JCC have been a fun family tradition at the JCC pool. Bring the whole family to enjoy our COVID friendly yard games, an evening of swimming, and craft projects. Enjoy a delicious hot dog BBQ dinner, too!

Hosts: Alison and Jason Rhodes
Location: Asheville JCC Pool, 40 Clyde Street
Price: $36 per family Tickets

Veggie option available

What says summer fun for young families like a full BBQ dinner, toasted marshmallows and swimming? It should be a blast with all of the proceeds from the evening going to the JCC.

Hosts: Della Simon & Mike Weizman and Miri & Andy Massachi
Location: Weizman Home, 33 E. Avon Parkway
Price: $18 per person, kids under 5 free Tickets

Kosher style

We LOVED our Bat Mitzvah parties soooo much, we want to have it all over again as grown-ups! Come celebrate with us, enjoy 90’s music, socially distant/outdoor dancing, and swimming. Light snacks, beer and wine will be served (drinks that would have gotten you grounded back in the day).

Hosts: Rachel Hines and Margaret Teich
Location: Asheville JCC Pool, 40 Clyde Street
Price: $18 per guest Tickets

This is an adult only party.

Relax by Lake Levmore noshing, drinking, and viewing a rare set of restored antique farm equipment while listening to “Bandana Klezmer Band” perform Old World Eastern European Jewish music.

Hosts: Judi & Steve Levinson, Phyllis Crane & Howard Talesnick, Linda & Perry Reihs, Cece & Stuart Kirsner, Jill Zimerman
Location: Lake Levmore, 212 Leverette Drive, Hendersonville
Price: $18 per guest Tickets

Vaccines required, no pets.

NEW DATE! Our original date got rained out.

Bring your kid’s “wheels” (bicycle, scooter, plasmacar) to decorate and ride in a parking lot parade! Kids will enjoy ice cream treats while parents spectate, schmooze, and enjoy a local brew.

Host: Ashley Lasher
Location: Congregation Beth Israel Parking Lot, 229 Murdock Avenue
Price: $36 per family Tickets

Our summer pool party celebrates all the memories and good times we had at the Shalom Children’s Center. The theme of the party is Shabbat! We will have Challah, grape juice, and other breakfast/brunch items (including adult brunch drinks).

Hosts: Jolene Lallouz and Jessica Ball
Location: Asheville JCC Pool, 40 Clyde Street
Price: $36 per family Tickets

Guests limited to Shalom Pre-K families only. Vegetarian and gluten-free options available

Hey cool cats & hip chicks! Dig soulful vibes & snack on munchies & desserts. Make the scene at our outdoor coffeehouse and go ape to favorite rock standards as well as original music by Ben Phantom, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist & music producer who has been cookin’ at venues across the area & beyond. Be there or be square!

Hosts: Carol & Bob Wenom, Amy & Paul Silverman, Gloria Pincu
Location: Asheville JCC Pool Pavilion, 40 Clyde Street
Price: $36 per guest Tickets

Many of us have not met our 2 and 3 year old kids’ classmates and their families! Let the kiddos splash with their friends while the grown-ups get to know fellow Leviim/Taglit parents. Poolside pizza and beverages will be provided.

Hosts: Ashley Lasher
Location: Asheville JCC Pool, 40 Clyde Street
Price: $36 per family Tickets

Guests limited to Shalom Leviim and Taglit families only.

Watch “The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick” a film about a young Jewish adolescent from an overbearing family who likes a Christian girl. He is helped by a fun-loving rabbi. Dine on Middle Eastern cuisine from the Gypsy Queen during the film.

Hosts: Carolyn & Jeff Untz
Location: Asheville JCC Pool Parking Lot, 40 Clyde Street
Price: $36 per car Tickets

Vegetarian dinner

Come learn how to make fused glass art, jewelry or lanterns – your choice! All supplies included, as well as drinks and snacks.

Host: Judi Goloff
Location: Judi’s Home, 107 S. Sunberry Trail, Fletcher
Price: $36 per guest Tickets

Vaccinations required, dog and cat lives in the home.

2021 Party COVID Modifications

For people who are not fully vaccinated, masks are encouraged when not eating, drinking or swimming
Social distancing encouraged
Party capacity will be smaller than in prior years
Refreshments will be either individually packaged or served by one individual (ie: no buffets)
Some parties may request or require vaccinations for adults
Some parties limit attendance to Shalom or JCC Kids pods/classrooms