Our own Josh K. (sitting) performs in January with a new theater group.

“The Merry Wives of Windsor” along with his “loosely-banded acting troupe of friends.” All performances are at 7:30 pm at the Perpich Center for Arts Education. Tickets are only $5! (It’s all about making theater accessible and affordable for the masses.) To reserve tickets, call: 763-634-8150.

About the play: “The notorious Sir John Falstaff steps out of the world of court life to take up residence in the country town of Windsor. There he attempts to take advantage of his own celebrity by seducing two happily married wives. But once the wives (and their husbands) find out the game that’s afoot, Shakespeare’s fat knight may find the last laugh to be on him. This sunny comedy is awash with wit, deception, and the fun to be had when one of literature’s most beloved larger-than-life personalities makes the mistake of underestimating small-town folk.“

B’yachad: Let’s go together! Look for details of a Thu. Jan. 28 dinner, theater and dessert outing in future e-blasts.

Note: If you’re a JSC member performing or exhibiting any work, let us know so that we can acknowledge your talent as well.

We “scored” 229 rolls of toilet paper (!!), 11 rolls of paper towels and an assortment of diapers, hygiene items and some food to donate to STEP, which responds to the emergency housing, food, clothing and other needs of St. Louis Park residents. Several JSC members also walked away with some cool door prizes. Fun was had by all. – Jewish Singles Collaborative.

Note: Proceeds from the bowling event will be used to help buy food for the displaced people at “Our Saviour’s Shelter,” where Chaverim will be serving dinner Mon. January 11. If you’d like to join Chaverim for its “Itza Mitzvah” event, look for details in the upcoming JSC e-blast.

by Sheree R. Curry, B’yachad member

Face it. Sometimes you have thought someone was flirting with you and they weren’t. Other times someone was flirting, but you didn’t pick up on the clues. Perhaps you’ve even done the flirting, but just didn’t get noticed. Learn the art of flirting so that you are reading cues as effectively as you exude them. Here are 5 tips on flirting naturally.

Initiate conversation. And keep it flowing, but keep it simple and light while trying to find common interests. Use your own interests as guidelines (after all you want to know if you’re compatible). Just don’t talk too much about yourself (but do answer questions when you’re asked. Being elusive implies you’re hiding something). If you share a common interest, the conversation will flow naturally. If nothing else, talk about your surroundings, but don’t be overly critical of your environment (the food, the service, the way others are dressed, etc.)

Keep them talking. Avoid questions that can be answered with a yes or no response. Instead, pepper your talk with “why” and “how” questions. Avoid talking politics on the first date (unless you met at a political campaign). Also, don’t speak on any depressing topics and don’t discuss your problems, past, present or future or imagined! No one wants to begin a relationship with someone who appears to unstable, needy or loaded with baggage.

More Flirting Tips >>

Smile, and smile with your eyes too. Making eye contact from across the room is a good way to initiate acquaintance, but remember to make eye contact throughout conversation, as well. You don’t want to stare, just gaze. Of course you must look away at times, and when you do, lower your eyes gently before refocusing them. This avoids a darting, shifty look. When you are facing someone, playfully looking at them in the eyes is very gripping and it compels them to look back at you. Note, you can tell how interested a person is in you if their pupils are dilated. By looking at the person, they will also be able to notice your eyes. Remember to smile, but not smirk. A winning smile will go a long way and will make your eyes sparkle.

Body language. If you’re sitting, keep your knees or your torso turned toward the person. Or, if you’re a woman you can have your back slightly turned away while looking over your shoulder at the guy. Men, lean in slightly while talking. Try to find an opportunity to whisper something in the person’s ear, just make it short and simple. During conversation touch the person lightly on the arm, the shoulder or the knee, but do not linger long. And do not, repeat, do not make any sexual advances. Appropriate times to touch, say, someone’s arm, is when you want to direct their attention to another side of the room, or alert them that someone is approaching from behind, for emphasis in your story, or when you or they laugh softly. Although you’re being deliberate, it comes across very natural. Also during the conversation if you briefly and lightly touch your own hair, chin, cheek or ear it helps to bring the other person’s eyes toward your face. Just don’t appear as if you’re vainly grooming yourself, have a nervous tick or are picking at a scab. Keep your touch light.

Compliment and flatter. A great way to get a person to show interest in you is to make compliments that are flattering, but genuine and not cheesy. Try telling the person they look nice in their outfit or that they look nice with that hairstyle (Remember, you are complimenting the way the person looks, not the outfit or the hair itself). Avoid over doing it by comparing them with the moon and the stars. A fake compliment is easily detected! When it’s time to end the conversation, be sure to thank them. Thank them for the evening, for the conversation, for picking up the tab, or whatever you can find to thank them for. Even if you thanked them earlier, always end the conversation on a thank you.

Thank you for reading.
— written by Sheree R. Curry, B’yachad member
JewishSinglesCollaborative.org Blog

Have any tips on flirting? Please share them using the comments field.

One participant walked away with a $5 gift certificate to the Olive Garden for “Best Dish” for her roasted potatoes and veggies. Other drawing prizes included another $5 gift certificate and a $10 gift card to Cub Foods.

Dreidels were also on hand for those who wanted to spin a few, but frankly, the conversation was flowing so well, the group didn’t spend too much time on other games.

— JewishSinglesCollaborative.org blog

Were you at the potluck? Feel free to leave a comment letting others know about your experience. If you weren’t there, but wish you had been, feel free to let us know that, as well.

You only get one chance to make a good first impression. So… don’t blow it. Instead, follow these

• You’re on a first date…. MUST you answer that cell phone????
  
• Don’t discuss your health, your surgery, your stent, your diagnoses, your meds, your type II diabetes, or even your good cholesterol.
• Don’t tell your date you’re planning to move out of town because you’re not meeting anyone here. It just makes your date feel bad. (Duh!)

For the rest of the tips, click Continue >>

— by Paula Sparks, Sparks Matchmaking

Have you had a bad dating experience? Leave a comment telling us what happened, just don’t use the name of your date!

— JewishSinglesCollaborative.org Blog

B'yachad member David Feiller met Curious George during Talmud Torah's Book Fair fundraiser at Barnes & Noble, Minnetonka on Nov. 19. B'yachad members volunteered to do gift-wrapping that day from 6 pm - 9 pm.

Members of B’yachad gathered for the book fair at Barnes & Noble, Minnetonka Nov. 19, 2009 to volunteer gift-wrapping consumer purchases from 6 pm – 9 pm. A percentage of all sales that day went to Talmud Torah of Minneapolis. The after-school religious school made $1,500 from the sales and from donations to the tip jar at the gift-wrapping station. Read More >>

B'yachad volunteers at B&N

The evening was filled with music and entertainment provided by students and supporters of Talmud Torah, including flute, guitar and a violin duet. There were children and adult story times.

B’yachad member David Feiller, who came with his niece and nephew, was sure to meet Curious George. Over all, the B’yachad volunteers had a great time and great conversation that continued in the store’s parking lot until 45 minutes after closing!

B'yachad at Noodles & Co

The evening before, Nov. 18, B’yachad members also came out strong for Talmud Torah night at the new Noodles & Co. restaurant at West End, St. Louis Park. The school also received a percentage of sales that evening.

B’yachad, the Jewish singles group for 30- to 49-year-olds, has been having lots of fun lately. Be sure to join us for a future event.

— JewishSinglesCollaborative.org Blog

Being single does not necessarily mean one is without children. Some single parents across the Twin Cities Jewish community are looking to get together on occasion. If you’re a single parent and might considering meeting up with other single Jewish parents, read more >>

To gauge where the interest of single parents stand, please take the following poll. Also to join the group, send an email to jewishsinglescollaborative@gmail.com or call or email Nina Samuels, ninas@adath.net, 952.215.3904 and ask Nina to add you to the list.

View This Poll

We had a minyan at Applebees! 10 people total came to schmooze and just get to know one another while the Vikings played on the screen in the background. We had some faces that we had not seen at B'Yachad in quite a while. It was nice to have everyone together.

More pictures from the event >>

Here are two more pics from the event.