Do you play American mah jongg? Then come join the fun. We play by National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules. Bring your 2025 NMJL card; we’ll provide the sets. We don’t group by level, so we urge patience, support, and encouragement for our beginning players.

We meet in the lower level meeting room at Davis Library.

Questions? Email Deborah at bloch.jawetz@gmail.com

Registration is not required for this session.

Hope for the Future

Phyllis Lerner,  affiliated with the John Hopkins University School of Education, will talk about her experiences (educational, humanitarian, as well as personal) with the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda.  

Planting seeds of hope in a soil of human suffering, the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village opened in 2008.  More than 500 orphaned and vulnerable teenagers live there in homes with "Mamas," Rwandan women who lost family members, sometimes entire families in the Genocide against the Tutsi tribe in 1994. Though South African founder Anne Heyman died in 2015, the school continues to transform and thrive.  

The name of the Youth Village is derived from the concept of a place where "tears are dried" (Kinyarwanda word "agahozo") and the vulnerable youth can "live in peace" (Jewish word "shalom").  The goal of the Village is to enable socially vulnerable young people to thrive, develop a new "family," and then become contributors to their own adult communities/country.

Phyllis Lerner has been a faculty associate with the Johns Hopkins University School of Education – Teach for America program since 2005.  In her early years of teaching, she was the USA delegate leader to the Children’s International Summer Village (CISV) in Sweden. Since then, Phyllis has continued to spiral back to global education efforts, including six more years with CISV in Mumbai, India, the area made famous in the film "Slumdog Millionaire," and in western Thailand’s Burmese refugee camps with the American Jewish World Service. Phyllis is best described by the titles she cherishes from nine semesters with ASYV-Rwanda: “Auntie and Teacher.” 

This presentation will bring the Agohozo-Shalom Village to us through photos, stories, music, and heartfelt humor of Phyllis' experiences in the "Land of 1000 Hills."

Register at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/presentation-about-agahozo-sharlom-youth-village

An event sponsored jointly by the NBV and the Davis Library on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month.

Meet new friends in a 2-hour game each session. Test your wordsmithing ability. Sharpen your gamesmanship strategy.

Location: Davis Library Meeting Room 1, lower level, 6400 Democracy Blvd.

Join with the teens from the local NeuroSilver group to create your own collage art design for the holidays and beyond.  And even if you don't need teen help, it is great fun to share in developing art projects with teens in the room.

This session will provide materials as well as artistic assistance, if needed, from the teens.  As an added incentive, NBV will provide terra cotta planter pots to decorate - - these were left over from a previous craft session and could make wonderful gifts when decorated with your personal touch.

We also will provide scissors, glue, and paper sources, such as magazines, wrapping paper, and the base paper for your designs.  In addition, we will bring cardboard and 3-dimensional odds and ends (e.g., puff balls, colored sticks, sparkly pipe cleaners) if you want to create a 3-dimensional rather than flat design.  

Also, you can take this opportunity to decorate your own existing objects, such as plain tree ornaments, with an overlay cut-out design or make your own collage paper to wrap special gifts.  

In addition, if desired, you can bring odd bits of crockery or stones, etc. to create a true mosaic piece or decoration for your own home.

Register at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/collage-crafts-design

A SPECIAL SERIES ON MENTAL HEALTH

FOR THE VILLAGE COMMUNITY

North Bethesda Village is pleased to sponsor a series of Zoom conversations on the topic of Mental Health and Aging.  These conversations are open to Village participants throughout Montgomery County (subject to space limitations).

The third workshop is:

RESILIENCE DURING CHALLENGING TIMES

Our Presenters: 

Ms. Alavi is Manager of Seniors' Services at the Sante Group medical health clinic (Silver Spring).Dr. Rene Laje, PhD, LICSW, LCSW-C and Yasaman Alavi, LCPC

Dr. Laje is the Director of Clinical Operations/Mental Health Services at the Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA).  

Ms. Alavi is Manager of Seniors' Services at the Sante Group medical health clinic (Silver Spring).

Join us for an engaging workshop on strategies to build and strengthen resilience. Resilience is the ability to recover and adapt to adversity, stress, or major life changes. It involves a combination of mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility, allowing a person to withstand hardship, cope with challenges, and bounce back from difficult experiences. 

While some personal qualities are innate, resilience is largely a skill that can be developed over time.  Our speakers will guide us through practices such as cultivating a positive mindset, building strong relationships, and practicing self-care.  

The session will take place via Zoom.  The Zoom link will be sent to registered participants seeking virtual attendance about one week before the event.

Register at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/mental-health-and-aging-session-3-resilience-during-challenging-times

NBV Bowling in the Afternoon (first and third Mondays)

Please arrive at 1:15pm so lanes can be assigned and preparations completed for a 1:30pm bowling start.

Fee including shoe rental is $13.50.

Location: Pinstripes, 11920 Grand Park Ave, N. Bethesda, 20852 (Pike and Rose)

RSVP REQUIRED: email Becky Adler at beckyadler@msn.com

Do you play American mah jongg? Then come join the fun. We play by National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules. Bring your 2025 NMJL card; we’ll provide the sets. All are welcome. We don’t group by level, so we urge patience, support, and encouragement for our beginning players.

We meet in the lower level meeting room at Davis Library.

Questions? Email Deborah at bloch.jawetz@gmail.com

Registration is not required for this session.

A co-ed, conversational group for neighbors interested in meeting face-to-face twice a month to get to know one another, contribute to meaningful conversations, and partake in drink or snack/treat (optional). The group will meet twice a month on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.

Location: Java Nation, 11120 Rockville Pike, N. Bethesda

Reservations required at profcherylbrown@gmail.com. Registered participants are asked to alert organizers if they cannot attend a meeting, so that their spots can be offered to the next person on the group’s waitlist.

Join your NBV neighbors to learn more about artists and their context and impact.

RSVP to Beth Rabinovich at bethr922@yahoo.com

Location: Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda 20817

As part of our holiday celebrations, NBV neighbors are invited to join a Festival of Lights self-paced walk at the Church of Latter-day Saints (LDS) followed by a holiday violin and piano musical concert performed by Shaundra Culatta and Melinda Baird, mother and daughter performers who have a long-standing tradition of performing in the holiday concert series.

Melinda currently serves as Director of Piano Programs at the Levine School of Music in Washington, DC.  Shaundra owns/operates Encore Strings, a violin shop in Northern Virginia and performs with the National Philharmonic, and Maryland Symphony Orchestra, etc.

It is requested that each driving participant request a parking pass from the LDS, since such are required for access to the grounds and facilities.  According to the Guest Center, NBV guests should request the 5:30 pm parking pass reservation, because the next timed slot would be too late to enable access to the concert.  Hence, we suggest people park at 5:30 pm and take in the lights around the temple before moving to the auditorium for the 6:30 pm concert. 

The parking pass can be obtained by going to the following:

 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-festival-of-lights-parking-pass-reservations-tickets-1962793801096?aff=oddtdtcreator

NBV will have a group of seats reserved for our attendees, so it is suggested that interested parties register here by December 9th so we can have a good idea of the number of seats required by that time.  Registrants after that date might not have set-aside seating and may have to stand in line for open seats.  Similarly, participants who arrive in the performance hall after 6:25 pm may find the unclaimed set-aside seating has had to be given up for use by those waiting in line for seats.

Once the concert completes at 7:15 pm, visitors can resume the Festival of Lights walk, if desired, before leaving the Temple grounds.

Location: Church of Latter Day Saints, Visitors Center, 9900 Stoneybrook Dr. Kensington, 20895

RSVP: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/festival-of-lights-walk-and-concert-performance

Do you play American mah jongg? Then come join the fun. We play by National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules. Bring your 2025 NMJL card; we’ll provide the sets. All are welcome. We don’t group by level, so we urge patience, support, and encouragement for our beginning players.

We meet in the lower level meeting room at Davis Library.

Questions? Email Deborah at bloch.jawetz@gmail.com

Registration is not required for this session.

If you are at home for the holidays, why not come and join other NBV neighbors in a merry coffee/bakery gathering at the Chateau de Rockville, one of the newest coffee shops in our area?

The shop offers a large variety of French confections displayed in cases located in the center of the large room.  You select your own pastry and take it to the counter where you can order an accompanying hot, cold, or iced drink before paying for your treats.

Tables are first come, first served.  So be sure to have someone hold your table for you, or if you see someone you know from the village, why not see if you can share a table and conversation with them?

This is a busy time of the year, so why not order a treat for yourself plus share a cheerful chat with an NBV neighbor? 

RSVP at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/a-holiday-morning-at-chateau-de-rockville

An event sponsored jointly by the NBV and the Davis Library on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month.

Meet new friends in a 2-hour game each session. Test your wordsmithing ability. Sharpen your gamesmanship strategy.

Location: Davis Library Meeting Room 1, lower level, 6400 Democracy Blvd.

World Dining Adventures

Our December World Dining Adventure is a culinary exploration of Taiwanese street fare at a newly opened restaurant across the parking lot from the Super Giant Foods grocery store off Rockville Pike/Randolph Rd.

Bao Bei had operated as a small take-out only facility off Parklawn Drive until a few months ago  when it opened a sit-down restaurant in the Montrose Crossing Shopping Center.  Its menu cites categories of baos, bowls, and bundles, highlighting the long-cooked pork belly, chicken, or tofu, all topped with a traditional mix of pickled mustard greens, cilantro and crushed peanuts plus fried chicken cutlets, rice bowls and sides.  Varieties of juices and teas round out the offerings.

Bao Bei gained notoriety when its founder, a local Montgomery county son, became a finalist on Season 17 of the Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race.  Building on that success, he initiated a take-out only business on Parklawn, and now has opened the Bao Bei restaurant.

To register: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bao-bei-taiwanese-street-food

Do you play American mah jongg? Then come join the fun. We play by National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules. Bring your 2025 NMJL card; we’ll provide the sets. All are welcome. We don’t group by level, so we urge patience, support, and encouragement for our beginning players.

We meet in the lower level meeting room at Davis Library.

Questions? Email Deborah at bloch.jawetz@gmail.com

Registration is not required for this session.

Come join your NBV neighbors for a walk to say good-bye to 2025 and welcome 2026! Meet at Pennyfield Lock (by the footbridge. Park in the Pennyfield Parking Area at the end of Pennyfield Rd, Potomac.

Rain/Snow date: January 1st

The world abounds with facts, so let’s share some in a friendly hour of testing what we know and what we don’t. Everyone will get a chance to play. Even wrong guesses will be awarded points based on creativity or knowledge displayed.

Curious?  Give it a try!  Or let us know if you have ideas for other types of game sessions you'd like to try.

To register, contact Caroline Levenson at park21217@aol.com

NBV Bowling in the Afternoon (first and third Mondays)

Please arrive at 1:15pm so lanes can be assigned and preparations completed for a 1:30pm bowling start.

Fee including shoe rental is $13.50.

Location: Pinstripes, 11920 Grand Park Ave, N. Bethesda, 20852 (Pike and Rose)

RSVP REQUIRED: email Becky Adler at beckyadler@msn.com

Do you play American mah jongg? Then come join the fun. We play by National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules. Bring your 2025 NMJL card; we’ll provide the sets. All are welcome. We don’t group by level, so we urge patience, support, and encouragement for our beginning players.

We meet in the lower level meeting room at Davis Library.

Questions? Email Deborah at bloch.jawetz@gmail.com

Registration is not required for this session.

A co-ed, conversational group for neighbors interested in meeting face-to-face twice a month to get to know one another, contribute to meaningful conversations, and partake in drink or snack/treat (optional). The group will meet twice a month on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.

Location: Java Nation, 11120 Rockville Pike, N. Bethesda

Reservations required at profcherylbrown@gmail.com. Registered participants are asked to alert organizers if they cannot attend a meeting, so that their spots can be offered to the next person on the group’s waitlist.

An event sponsored jointly by the NBV and the Davis Library on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month.

Meet new friends in a 2-hour game each session. Test your wordsmithing ability. Sharpen your gamesmanship strategy.

Location: Davis Library Meeting Room 1, lower level, 6400 Democracy Blvd.

Do you play American mah jongg? Then come join the fun. We play by National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules. Bring your 2025 NMJL card; we’ll provide the sets. All are welcome. We don’t group by level, so we urge patience, support, and encouragement for our beginning players.

We meet in the lower level meeting room at Davis Library.

Questions? Email Deborah at bloch.jawetz@gmail.com

Registration is not required for this session.

NBV Bowling in the Afternoon (first and third Mondays)

Please arrive at 1:15pm so lanes can be assigned and preparations completed for a 1:30pm bowling start.

Fee including shoe rental is $13.50.

Location: Pinstripes, 11920 Grand Park Ave, N. Bethesda, 20852 (Pike and Rose)

RSVP REQUIRED: email Becky Adler at beckyadler@msn.com

Do you play American mah jongg? Then come join the fun. We play by National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules. Bring your 2025 NMJL card; we’ll provide the sets. All are welcome. We don’t group by level, so we urge patience, support, and encouragement for our beginning players.

We meet in the lower level meeting room at Davis Library.

Questions? Email Deborah at bloch.jawetz@gmail.com

Registration is not required for this session.

A co-ed, conversational group for neighbors interested in meeting face-to-face twice a month to get to know one another, contribute to meaningful conversations, and partake in drink or snack/treat (optional). The group will meet twice a month on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.

Location: Java Nation, 11120 Rockville Pike, N. Bethesda

Reservations required at profcherylbrown@gmail.com. Registered participants are asked to alert organizers if they cannot attend a meeting, so that their spots can be offered to the next person on the group’s waitlist.

An event sponsored jointly by the NBV and the Davis Library on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month.

Meet new friends in a 2-hour game each session. Test your wordsmithing ability. Sharpen your gamesmanship strategy.

Location: Davis Library Meeting Room 1, lower level, 6400 Democracy Blvd.

Do you play American mah jongg? Then come join the fun. We play by National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules. Bring your 2025 NMJL card; we’ll provide the sets. All are welcome. We don’t group by level, so we urge patience, support, and encouragement for our beginning players.

We meet in the lower level meeting room at Davis Library.

Questions? Email Deborah at bloch.jawetz@gmail.com

Registration is not required for this session.