SPICE Up Your Life
Have Fun/Do Good Works
- Fabulous Lunch, Learn, and Socialize Programs
- Fun SPICE Outs to Theater, Museum, Music, and Dance Opportunities
- Quarterly Potluck Shabbat Dinners
- SAGE Deep Dive Learning Programs
- Tikkun Olam Programs
- Sterling Elementary
- Senior to Senior
SPICE programming is funded in part by the Marshall Lindner SPICE Endowment.
2024-2025 SAGE Registration Live
Upcoming Programs
Wednesday January 15 at 11:00am
Dive into the world of art, music, and history with SPICE! Join Cantor Rodnizki for an exploration of the story and music of Fiddler on the Roof. We’ll journey to the Pale of Settlement, where the story is set (and where Marc Chagall grew up!), compare the original Sholem Aleichem story to the Broadway version, and sing some of its most stirring songs together. After lunch, Stefan Pienkny will present a captivating look into the life and works of Marc Chagall, delving into how this iconic Jewish artist’s experiences influenced his art.
We’ll enjoy a delicious lunch featuring a baked potato bar (including shredded cheese, sour cream, chives, butter, and broccoli) salad, fruit, cookies, and more.
Register by Sunday, January 12.
Wednesday, February 5 at 11:00am
We’ll celebrate trailblazing women who have shaped history and continue to break barriers. Rabbi Beth Nichols will explore the remarkable stories of Jewish women whose resilience and leadership have made a lasting impact on the Jewish world and beyond. Ragean Hill, Executive Associate Director of UNCC, will share insights into the rise of women in athletics and the growing interest at UNCC, in Charlotte, and beyond. A former track athlete, Ms. Hill is dedicated to the holistic development of student-athletes and oversees several women’s sports programs.
Join us for a delicious lunch with a fresh salad bar and lemon bars for dessert.
Register by Sunday, February 2.
Wednesday, February 19 at 11:30am*
Join us at 11:30am for a delicious Greek-inspired menu, featuring chicken, potatoes, salad, and baklava for dessert. After lunch, we’ll hear from Peter Zay, whose 30-year career has taken him all over the globe. Zay has captured iconic moments, from the fall of the Iron Curtain and the Romanian uprising to five U.S. presidents and the world’s top athletes and musicians. His work has been featured in Newsweek, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and more. Discover the stories behind his powerful images and learn how photojournalism plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of history.
Register by Sunday, February 16.
Wednesday, March 5 at 11:00am
Join us for a powerful and thought-provoking program exploring the intersection of Jewish law and reproductive rights. Rabbi Lexi Erdheim will present on Jewish halacha’s perspectives on reproductive rights, followed by a screening of the documentary film Under G-d. After lunch, we’ll hear from Brooke Adams, the former Chair of the Board for Reproductive Rights Coalition.
Savor a lunch featuring turkey chili, potato kugel, roasted vegetables, fresh fruit, and chocolate cake.
Register by Sunday, March 2.
Wednesday, April 2 at 11:00am
Community historian Dr. Tom Hanchett returns to SPICE to talk about his timely new UNC Press book, “A History of Affordable Housing – Case Study: Charlotte.” From the earliest public housing, to the tax credits and trust funds of today, we’ll explore the backstory of one of America’s most pressing issues.
Rabbi Knight will complement this discussion by examining the values and principles of affordable housing through the lens of Jewish tradition. Discover how ancient teachings can guide us in addressing today’s housing challenges, promoting community support, and fostering equitable living conditions.
Enjoy a build-your-own taco bar for lunch, featuring fish, chicken, ground beef, black beans, and more, and finish with churros for dessert!
Register by Sunday, March 30.
Wednesday, April 16 at 12:00pm
Gather with SPICE for a delightful Passover Picnic, filled with good company and a delicious Passover-inspired menu. We’ll dine outdoors (weather permitting).
Register by Sunday, April 13.
Wednesday, May 7 at 11:00am
Explore the evolving relationship between Black and Jewish communities in Charlotte and beyond. Temple Beth El Rabbi Emerita Judy Schindler will lead a discussion on the history and present-day dynamics of Black-Jewish relations, reflecting on how we can strengthen these bonds for a more united future. After lunch, we will hear from leaders of Charlotte’s Black-Jewish Alliance.
Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring teriyaki chicken, rice noodles, green beans, and sweet egg custard dessert.
Register by Sunday, May 4.
Friday, May 9 at 5:00pm
Join SPICE for a potluck dinner in celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day! Bring a dish to share, whether it’s a Mediterranean-inspired recipe or a Shabbat dinner favorite.
- A-K: Salad (e.g., fruit, macaroni, bean, etc.).
- L-P: Plated finger food desserts (e.g., brownies, cookies, etc.). Homemade is greatly appreciated!
- Q-Z: Hot side dish (e.g., potato, rice, etc.).
Feel free to bring your own bottle of wine to share with your table.
Wednesday, May 21 at 11:00am
Experience the beauty of Jewish and Armenian musical traditions in a captivating concert by the Bechtler Cello and Alios Music Ensemble. Under the direction of Tanja Bechtler, founder and artistic director of the Bechtler Ensemble, this performance will blend history and melody for an unforgettable musical journey.
Tanja Bechtler, a former tenured member of the Charlotte Symphony, holds degrees from the NC School of the Arts and the Manhattan School of Music. Having immigrated from Switzerland in 1979, she has dedicated her career to presenting educational and inspiring concerts.
Lunch will include lasagna, crisp salad, garlic bread, fresh fruit, and a selection of Italian desserts.
Register by Sunday, May 18.
Wednesday, June 4 at 11:00am
Join us for a fascinating presentation by Dr. Jason Mitchell, Lecturer of General Studies in Music at UNC Charlotte, as he explores the evolution of popular music from the swing era to the rise of rock and roll. Dr. Mitchell will discuss the cultural, economic, and social forces that shaped this transformative period in music history.
Dr. Jason Mitchell holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from Florida State University, a Master of Arts in Jazz History and Research from Rutgers University–Newark, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jazz Studies from Marshall University. His research interests include economic ethnomusicology, social geography, digital media and cultural transmission, music and tourism, and post-colonial and neo-colonial theory. He primarily focuses on the musical cultures of the Caribbean, Appalachia, the American South, and jazz.
We’ll enjoy a deli lunch, including pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, potato salad, coleslaw, fruit salad, and dessert.
Register by Sunday, June 1.
