Local Jewish organizations partner for middle-school dance

On Jan. 19, almost 50 middle-school students attended a dance at the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando's Harriett Lake auditorium. The dance featured a ceiling-to-floor bounce house with enclosed basketball, digital photo booth with printouts, and Junction 88 Productions DJ, emcee, and games. Seven local Jewish organizations worked together to promote this event: BBYO Connect, Congregation Beth Am, Congregation of Reform Judaism, Congregation Ohev Shalom, Jewish Academy of Orlando, Roth JCC, and Temple Israel.

"We hope to make this an annual event improving and growing every year. In 2015, we might plan a dance into a sleepover at the JCC!" said Lory Conte, BBYO North Florida Regional director.

Upcoming events for middle-school students include a field trip to Semoran Skateway on Feb. 9, a program at the Roth JCC on March 1 titled "Havdalah and Hoops," a large community service event on April 6, and an end of year pool party on April 27. More information about these events can be found on the JCC's website, http://www.orlandojcc.org

"We are committed to strengthening community-wide programs for Jewish youth and teens," said Robby Etzkin, assistant executive director of the Roth JCC. "This social event was just one component of many exciting things to come. Our goal is to give them programs that they want. Our community service event (J-Serve) on April 6 will be just as great because the teens will select their own project. We expect over 100, sixth-12th graders!"

In between then and now the monthly middle-school events called Tayarim Connect will still continue. The name Tayarim, Hebrew for travelers, comes from the JCC's middle school, summer, travel camp name and is the foundation for year- round, community-wide, middle-school programming.

For more information regarding upcoming middle school programs or J-Serve, please contact RobbyE@OrlandoJCC.org.