Marblehead JCC offers event for Jewish children Christmas Day

MARBLEHEAD – Sometimes Jewish children feel left out on Christmas, so the Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Marblehead is starting a new tradition, “Come Play at the J on Christmas Day.”?Some Jewish kids can feel a bit lonely on Christmas Day,” Leigh Blander, public relations manager for the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore, said, “when all your friends are gathered around a Christmas tree and unwrapping gifts from Santa. This way they have a place to go, hang out with other Jewish kids and feel part of something special.”The event runs on Christmas Day from noon to 4 p.m. Blander said “Avatar” and “Toy Story 3″ will also be shown.?There will be a friendly family game of flag football, crafts, board games and swimming,” she said.The event is free and open to everyone. It’s also a great event for non-Jewish families who want something fun and family-oriented to do after all the presents are unwrapped.”Marblehead High School senior Emily Marcus, 17, said the event is a great idea.Marcus said sometimes Jewish children feel a little isolated or left out on Christmas.Marcus spent years attending the Jewish Community Center Preschool and has many Jewish friends so she doesn’t feel too isolated, but some Jewish kids do.?Try to have fun with it (Christmas) as much as you can,” Marcus said. “Get into the cultural side of it.”JCC Interim Director Julie Newburg emphasized the event is open to the community.?We invite Jewish, interfaith and non Jewish families to stop by the JCC on Christmas Day,” Newburg said. “We’ll have special activities planned for kids of all ages. Of course we’ll have a Chinese buffet luncheon and movies, but we’ll also have some creative and fun activities for the family to enjoy together.”The JCC is located at 4 Community Road, Marblehead.The only fee is for those who wish to partake in the Chinese luncheon.The cost for the luncheon is $25 for a family of four and $5 for each additional person. Anyone attending the luncheon should register in advance at www.jccns.org or by calling 781-631-8330.