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Welcome to the New Jersey Chinese Community Center.
We are located at 17 School House Road, Somerset, New Jersey. We are now open everyday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please come and visit us.
The Community Center is organized to promote Chinese culture in America, to stimulate interaction between Chinese and American Culture, and to offer all kinds of programs and services which will further understanding and appreciation of Chinese language, customs and culture.
Please click here to download a copy of our brochure.
The community center is closed on the following holidays:
New Year Eve and New Year Day
Chinese New Year Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day and the day after
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
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Event Photos
We save all the pictures of our events. Please click here to see the photos of our recent events and share the memory with your friends
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About Us
The creation of the New Jersey Chinese Community Center was envisioned in 1995 when Jimmy Hwang was the Principal of the 500+ students Mid-Jersey Chinese School in East Brunswick.
Realizing the difficulty of operating a Chinese school with a temporarily borrowed space and the necessity of having a permanent location, Mr. Hwang started the New Jersey Chinese Community Center right after he completed his term as the Chinese school principal in 1995.
The New Jersey Chinese Community Center was incorporated in the State of New Jersey on November 6, 1995 and received the Internal Revenue Service determination letter on December 3, 1996 as a public charity under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3).
The search for a suitable and affordable location over the last eight years has resulted in a definitive agreement to purchase the property located at 17 School House Road, Somerset, New Jersey.
The building formerly used by AT&T as its training center, is a modern 90,000 square feet, one story building situated on 14 well maintained acres with 600 paved parking space. The building consists of, among other facilities, 62 classrooms and offices of various sizes, a 20,000 square foot of open space, a well-decorated auditorium and a 25,000 square foot catering area including a fully equipped kitchen, a nicely decorated dining room for 500 guests. and a well-planted court yard, ideal for wedding, engagement, anniversary, graduation, fraternity gathering, corporate parties, award ceremony, fundraising events, reunion, Christmas, and New Year celebration or any other cultural and social events.
The property is surrounded by many large corporate offices and is close to many affluent, and wealthy residential communities, such as Bridgewater, Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Bedminster, Far Hills, Peapack, and Watchung, etc. and is convenient to many major transportation arteries, such as 287, 78, 22, 206, and 202.
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Chamber Orchestra
We are very lucky to have Dr. Soren Beech to conduct our orchestra.
Dr. Soren Beech is a native of New Zealand. He has performed with the Gustav Mahler Orchestra, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra under conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Pierre Boulez and Bernhard Haitink. In addition he has appeared as a soloist with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (Beethoven Triple Concerto), the Wellington Chamber Orchestra (Saint-Saëns Concerto), and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Orchestra (Haydn Concerto in C-Major). His chamber music experience includes performances with the Seraphim Quartet, the Tekahika Trio, and Rondo Violoncello, a twelve-cello ensemble that has recently released a recording on the Harmonia Mundi France label. He has also received numerous awards: Medallist at the Gisborne International Music Competition, Finalist at the Westpac Chamber Music Competition, and recipient of the Hubert Bloch and Dr. Hans Rapp Awards in Basel, Switzerland. In 2005 he performed solo recitals and at the Organ Historical Society and part of the Hyperion Chamber Players (New York).
Dr. Beech received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Musikakademie der stadt Basel, Switzerland, in 2000. A prodigee of Heinrich Schiff, Frans Helmerson, Harvey Shapiro, and Zara Nelsova, he also received Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in cello performance at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.
Please click here to download an application form, if you are intersted in joining the orchestra.
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News & Events
Activities in the NJ Chinese Community Center
Click here for activities list in Chinese
Ballet and other dance class with Cynthia Pulsinelli is available on Saturday from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.
Piano Lesson with Ms. Marisa or with Ms. Alessandra is avaiable on Wednesday evening from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Saturday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Guitar Lesson with Francisco Garza is available on Saturday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Violin Lesson with Ms. Annamaria or with Ms. Cassandra is available on Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Cello lesson with Megan Lynch is available on Saturday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Latin Dance for kids with Ms. Cindy is availabe on Saturday from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon.
Painting lesson is available on Wednesday from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Job Training -
Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, all welcomed.
Elite Prep. Academy – Pre-K to 6th Grade
Kindergarten – 8:30 am to 2:30 pm, age 5
Pre-Kindergarten – 7:30 am to 6:30 pm, age 2 1/2, 3 & 4, potty trained required.
The community center is closed on the following holidays:
New Year Eve and New Year Day
Chinese New Year Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day and the day after
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
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Chinese Culture
Confucius (551-479 BCE), according to Chinese tradition, was a thinker, political figure, educator, and founder of the Ru School of Chinese thought. His teachings, preserved in the Analects, form the foundation of much of subsequent Chinese speculation on the education and comportment of the ideal man, how such an individual should live his live and interact with others, and the forms of society and government in which he should participate.
As a Confucian, Mencius based his entire system of thought on the concept of jen : "humaneness," "humanity," "benevolence," etc. To this basic doctrine he added the concept of i : "righteousness," or "duty." What does this mean? Mencius believed that the "humaneness" or "benevolence" that you show to individuals should in some way be influenced by the type of personal relationship you have to that person. One displayed jen to a person based on that person"s position (as well as your own) and the obligations you owe to that person, so that you owe more jen to your immediate family than you do, say, to the Prime Minister of Canada. I , then, means that we have obligations to people that arise from social relations and social organization, not because there is some divine law mandating these obligations.
We are planning to invite speakers to talk to us in our auditorium on every Saturday morning about the Confucius and Mencius discipline.
We believe the program will be good for the community and especially for the youngsters who grow up here.
We are accepting recommendation for the speakers. Please forward their names to our attention.
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Contact Us
New Jersey Chinese Community Center
17 School House Road,
Somerset, New Jersey 08873
Tel: (732) 271-9000
Fax: (732) 463-7123
Email: j3770011@yahoo.com
Plese click here for an application form to become a member
Plese click here for the map to come to our center
Direction to our center:
Our Center is located between exit 10 and exit 12 of Highway 287. If you are coming from south or east such as Edison area, you would
- Take Exit 10 of 287, bear right to Easton Avenue
- Turn left at next light to Davidson Avenue
- Turn right at the end to New Brunswick Road
- Cross Elizabeth Avenue to School House Road
- It is the second large office building on your right
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Plese click here for the map using exit 10 of 287
If you are coming from the north or west, such as Bridgewater area, you would
- Take Exit 12 of 287
- Turn left at the end of the Exit to Weston Canal Road
- Turn left at the next light to Cotton Tail Lane
- Turn left at the end of the road to School House Road
- It is the third large office building on your left
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Plese click here for the map using exit 12 of 287
During the rush hour, it may be VERY DIFFICULT to make a left turn onto Weston Canal Road. If that is the case, You may -
- turn right onto Weston Canal Road
- after the 287 overpass, turn right onto Edgewood Terrace
- turn right at the light to Elizabeth Ave
- turn right onto School House Road
From Princeton-
From Plainfield, Route 22 area-
- Take Route 22 West to Mountain Avenue Exit
- Take Mountain Avenue south to the End
- Turn left to Main Street of Bound Brook
- Turn right at the Circle
- Turn right at the first light to Canal Road
- About 30 feet, Turn Left to Elizabeth Avenue
- Turn Right at 3rd light to School House Road
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Reserve for Events
Our facility is open and available to you for any worthwhile purposes as long as your activities benefit the Center and benefit the community.
Besides the Chinese library, the senior citizen center, and ping-pong table that you can come and use anytime during the normal business hours, you may also make reservation to use our auditorium, conference room, classrooms, offices, dining facitlies, exhibit hall or outdoor space.
Please drop us an email and let us know your name, the organization that you represent if there is any, the nature of your event, the facilities and support that you need, your phone number, address, number of guests, date and time, duration and frequency of your event.
Please fax the information to 732-271-9000 or email to j3770011@yahoo.com
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Guest Book
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Job Training
For dislocated workers, our vocational school, WOSA Technologies offers the following job training programs:
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Computerized Accounting & Bookkeeping
- Microsoft .NET Appliction Development Workshop
- Network Support, Customer Help Desk Specialist
- Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) - Excel, Access, Word, Power Point, Outlook, VBA
- Medical Billing Workshop
We accept Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Workforce Development Program (WDP), Trade Act (TRA) students.
We can help you to obtain government grants for attending school here. We also offer Sallie Mae student loan and internship.
While the high tech job has gone to India, there are still many rewarding and interesting low tech jobs that can not be outsourced.
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Our Director
In my family, my parents are Christian, my brother is a Buddhist, my wife does not believe in any religion while I believe in everything and I have Catholic friends as well as Muslim Friends. My brother is a Republican. My sister-in-law is a Democratic and I am independent. My brother-in-law is a vegetarian and I eat everything. My wife favors Republic of China. My sister-in-law favor Taiwan Independence and my mother-in-law favor People’s Republic of China. While we are different in religion, politics, diets, etc, we are all in one family – a big happy family.
We take care of the young and the old, go to work every morning, earn our paycheck, put the food on the table, do the house chores, and pay our mortgage, utilities. Every now and then, we invite our friends over and have some fun. Each of us contribute what we can and take what we need. Those who contribute more do not have a bigger share of the family and those who are not able to contribute do not get left behind.
We cheer together when good things happen and we weep together when sad thing develop and we hug together when we need strength from each other. And this is what I have in mind when I started the New Jersey Chinese Community Center.
You can believe in any religion that you like, affiliate with any political party that you prefer, support any Chinese regimes of your choice. As long as you accept this concept - that you are a member of this big family – the Chinese Community Center, this is your home.
You will find love and care here. You will find companion and support here and you will find the strength that you need to venture into the world of unknown because we are all beside you.
If you believe in what I believe in, you will contribute what you can and take what you need. You will love each member of this family and you will do whatever you can to help this family.
It is only when we bundle together will we be able to find the strength that we need to stand tall in this world and it is only when you believe in this concept will this family be able to survive and grow stronger.
So, my friends, while asking what your community center can do for you, would you please also ask what you can do for your community center?
Thanks.
Jimmy Hwang
October 10, 2004
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Summer Camp - 2008
June 23, 2008 to August 29, 2008, 10 weeks
$160/week if payment is received before 5/1/08
Thank you for your interest in New Jersey Chinese Community Center’s Summer school. Our Summer school is open to all healthy kids from 2 1/2 to 16 years old. Kids under 5 years old may attend our pre-kindergarten program at the cost of $230 per week. You may choose the weeks that you like to attend and pay for only the weeks that you choose. But please be reminded that payment once made, will not be refunded for any reason nor can the unused weeks be transferred and used by others.
8 to 9:00 am is drop off time when kids play dodge ball, jump ropes, etc in the multipurpose room. Programs starts at 9:00 am – You have the choice of Chinese class or Academic Enrichment including English and Math. Classes are grouped by grades. Kids go to lunch at 12:00. Afternoon program run from 2:00 pm to 4 pm. You have the choice of music and arts & craft lessons. 4 pm to 6 pm is movie and pickup time.
The cost of the camp is $180 per week and $160 for the week of Independance Day, $20 per week discount if your payment is received before 5/1/2008 or $10 per week discount if your payment is received before 6/1/2008. For each student, there is a one-time non-refundable registration fee of $20. Half day students (8 am to 12 noon or 2 to 6 pm) receive $20 per week discount off the regular full day cost. Daily pass is available at $75 per day. Again, payment once made, will not be refunded for any reason.
You can save some money if you pay for all the weeks that you choose as there is a $10 payment installment fee for every payment you make. You may change your schedule or class 7 days before the start of the week free of charge. Notice to change must be sent via email, postal mail, or hand-delivered to us to take effect. Please choose only the weeks that your child will attend. Payment once made, will not be refunded for any reason. Kids who wet or poop in the pants or on the floor and require extra counselor attention on cleanup will be charged $20 per occurrence.
Regular hours of the summer program is from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. You may drop off your child as early as 7:00 am for an addition of $20 per week and pick up your child as late as 7:00 pm for an addition of $20 per week. You will be billed at the rate of $1 per minute rounded to the next 15 minutes if you do not pick up your child on time.
You may bring your own lunch or purchase lunch in our cafeteria for $3.00. Your lunch choice includes hot dog, pizza, chicken nuggets, spaghetti and meat ball and French fries. Canned soda is available from the vending machines for $0.75/each. If you bring your own lunch, your lunch must be fully cooked and require no warm up. Please do not bring uncooked food and/or frozen lunch, such as frozen uncooked chicken pot pie or anything like that as we can not and will not cook those items.
Click here to see the powerpoint presentation prepared by one of our counselor for our last summer camp
Click here to see the pictures of our last summer camp
**************CAR POOL BULLETIN****************
Please click here if you are interested in car pool or if you would like to see car pool availability in your area.
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Open house is available daily before the summer camp starts, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for parents and kids to tour the Community Center.Click Here for the Map to our Center
You can register online or send your completed enrollment form to:
NJ Chinese Community Center
17 School House Road
Somerset, NJ 08873
The NJCCC reserves the right to use all pictures for publicity purposes.
By enrolling in the program, you hereby agree to indemnify the New Jersey Chinese Community Center (NJCCC), its trustees, directors, officers, staff, agents, employees, volunteers and service personnel and hold each of them harmless from and against any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, obligations or losses which you may suffer as a result of any act of omission of the NJCCC. You hereby agree to cover the expense for repairs or replacement of all equipment, furniture or premises which are damaged during your stay and are the result of negligence or abuse. If legal action is required to resolve any claim or dispute, you hereby agree to reimburse us all legal cost regardless of the outcome of the litigation.
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Performance Art
Piano Lesson with Ms. Marisa or with Ms. Alessandra is avaiable on Wednesday evening from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Saturday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Violin Lesson with Ms. Annamaria or with Ms. Cassandra is available on Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Cello lesson with Megan Lynch is available on Saturday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Latin Dance with Ms. Cindy for kids is availabe on Saturday from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon.
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Painting lesson is available on Wednesday from 5:00 pm to :00 pm.
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Chinese in America
In the saga of American immigration, the Chinese experience is relatively unknown. But it is a dramatic story of struggle and triumph, progress and setbacks, discrimination and assimilation.
In every immigrant group, each generation finds a balance between the values and practices of its heritage, and the mores of its adopted country. What is lost and what is gained, both personally and culturally, when one sheds part of one"s heritage to make way for a new self-identity? Bill Moyers, Series Producer Thomas Lennon, and a team of filmmakers including Series Editor Ruby Yang and Producers Joseph Angier, Steve Cheng and Mi Ling Tsui explore this dramatic portion of America"s history and confront myths about the Chinese in America that have flourished in the void.
Click here to learn the Chinese experience in America
Our Taijiquan club meets on Sunday from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm after the church service and is open to the public free of charge. Please come and join us.
Click here for more information about Taijiquan
Click here for a ancient Chinese article about immigrant.
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After School
When School close on spring break, winter break, teacher convention or every so often when it is only half day of school, and you have to be at work, where are you going to send your kids to?
Signing up with our after school program and we will take care of your kids not only on those days, but also every normal school day from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm during the school year or from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm when the public schools are closed due to spring break, winter break etc..
In addition to helping your children doing their homework, your child has the option to take up to two hours of Chinese language class everyday.
In the Chinese class, your child will learn how to speak, read and write Chinese. They will also learn Chinese culture, arts and craft, history and custom.
Rooms for your child to practice music instruments, such as violin, cello, and piano is available at no additional cost
Ping Pong, Chinese Yo-Yo, Tops, and computers are also available for use at no additional cost.
We can pick up your children free of charge, if there are at least 5 children at any one pickup location within 10 miles radius of our center.
Our after school program is open during the school year except the holidays observed by the Chinese Community Center.
To register, please call Betty Tuan at (732) 271-9000.
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Elite Prep
Click here for an article written in Chinese by a parent about our school.
(or here in English)
Modern education with traditional values and Confucius discipline is what is all about the Chinese Community Center children education.
Located in our Community Center, the community center"s children educational program, also known as the Elite Preparatory Academy, is open to all students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade.
The curriculum of this coeducational, English/Chinese bilingual day school addresses not only the academic, but physical, aesthetic, social, and emotional aspects a child. Teachers and staff here at the academy encourage the awareness and understanding of different cultures, including the appreciation of Chinese language and culture, throughout the student population. The staff is also a strong advocator of cooperation and input from parents and the community.
The Elite Preparatory Academy provides a vigorous and stimulating environment, structured to help each child attain his/her greatest potential. Although designed to accommodate specialized needs and keep at individual paces, the academic curriculum of the school is considerably demanding and intense. Here at the academy, children to develop their sense of identity, self-esteem, and independence while respecting others.
All students are encouraged to participate in the after-school bilingual program, consisting of a two-hour session of Chinese elocution, reading, and writing. With a strong background in Chinese, the most frequently spoken language around the world, students expose themselves to a new world, a different approach to reality, and a different way of thinking and behaving. At the Elite Preparatory Academy, students not only learn to appreciate different cultures, but also acquire invaluable tools that stay with them for a lifetime.
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