The Torah of Today- Stewardship

Celebrate Israel’s 77th birthday with JCC 20s + 30s! We will open with a ceremony and then celebrate with music and dance; an open bar; a photo booth; and Israeli drinks, apps, and snacks.

Celebrate the vibrant conclusion of Passover at the Upper West Side Moroccan Mimouna! Enjoy an unforgettable evening of music, food, and tradition, featuring the enchanting sounds of Layali El Andalus. Indulge in a rich and colorful Mimouna table, overflowing with handmade sweets, traditional mufletas, and refreshing Moroccan mint tea.

Layali El Andalus breathes new life into the musical traditions of Morocco, Andalusia, North Africa, and the Middle East. Founded by Moroccan-born musician Rachid Halihal (singer, oud, violin), the ensemble, joined by Daphna Mor and other world-class musicians, is committed to preserving this rare and captivating repertoire. Layali El Andalus has graced prestigious music festivals and concert stages across the United States and abroad, with notable performances at MoMA and Lincoln Center.

Prepare for Passover with an immersive family experience at the JCC presented by Settoga 365!

Designed for families with children 8 and under, this program features an interactive audio adventure offering a fun and educational way to connect with the Passover story. Join the JCC Settoga community in a group Kiddush, bringing everyone together in celebration of Shabbat and Passover. All families are invited to join for this camp-style celebration.

This program is generously supported by the Tepper Foundation and presented in partnership with The Wasserman Center for Family Life.

Pricing is per child. Adults attend free.

For more information, please contact Jessica Spiegel (jspiegel@mmjccm.org).

The Arrivals is a powerful documentary on asylum seekers sent to NYC from Texas in 2022. It follows three volunteer-led groups—led by Adama Bah, Ilze Thielmann, and Power Malu—providing food, clothing, and legal services and a sense of security to people seeking a better life. The film highlights the power of human kindness and serves as a reminder that, in this country, we are all immigrants and interconnected in our shared humanity.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Andrea DeGeorge Garbarini and volunteer group leaders Ilze Thielmann and Power Malu, moderated by Ruth Messinger.

Presented in partnership with Artists Athletes Activists, D3 Open Arms, The Interfaith Center of New York, Mañana Otro Dia, New York Jewish Agenda, SAJ, the Shul of New York, St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church, The Synagogue Coalition on the Refugee and Immigration Crisis, and Team TLC NYC.

Watch Trailer

Discover hidden jewels of Klezmer music in a voyage from the shtetls of Eastern Europe to the jazzy nightclubs of the Big Apple. This upbeat MusicTalks program will pay tribute to hundreds of years-old Klezmer tunes and showcase the development of this soulful art form all the way to its peak at the borscht belt and in the Broadway sensation Fiddler on the Roof. From Odessa Bulgar to Mazel Tov, and Hava Nagila to To Life, this concert will offer you a warm combination of joy and tradition.

Join us for a powerful and intimate reading of this deeply moving exploration of the intergenerational impact of the Holocaust. This unique theatrical work examines the profound effects of inherited trauma on the relationship between a mother and daughter in America while also reflecting on its influence on the artist’s creative journey as a painter and playwright. Through evocative dialogue and vivid imagery, this play reading offers a compelling blend of theater and visual art, illuminating the resilience of memory and the transformative power of artistic expression.

Hitting, kicking, tantrums, oh my! Parenting young children comes with its fair share of challenges. Thankfully, clinical psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Becky Kennedy is here to help with the release of her debut picture book, That’s My Truck!: A Good Inside Story About Hitting.

Join #1 New York Times bestselling author Dr. Becky Kennedy live in conversation with two-time Emmy Award-winning television host and Harlem Honey author Tamron Hall as they dive into Dr. Becky’s revolutionary parenting philosophies.

Each ticket includes a copy of That’s My Truck! and a book signing with Dr. Becky.

Are you interested in learning more about Turning 2s?
Join us for an information session to learn more about Turning 2s and Shabbat Together, two of the JCC’s phenomenal pre-nursery programs. The session will explain our educational approach, give an overview of our schedule, and allow plenty of time to answer your questions.

Turning 2s + Shabbat Together, beginning in September 2025, are designed for children who will be turning 2 in the fall of 2025. They are both year-long programs.

For more information, please contact Kelley Malloy at kmalloy@mmjccm.org.

 

Join Celeste Carlucci, Founder of FALL STOP…MOVE STRONG, fitness and fall prevention expert, as she gives tips and tricks for navigating the busy streets of NYC. Celeste will discuss sidewalk safety, crossing the streets, uneven sidewalks, managing public transportation, and more!

Sign up now for adult spring swim classes! Save your spot in the pool and choose from beginner through advanced swim clinics, water boot camp, Aqua HIIT, and more.

Everyone’s a winner at the JCC! Score $100 off + a free month of Health Club or Basketball membership. Join by March 31 and save!

We’re partnering with professional photographer Michelle Gevint of Teeny Panda Photography for mini family photo sessions during peak cherry blossom season.

Quick, Easy, and Stunning!

Michelle has over 10 years of experience in family portraiture. These 15-minute sessions are designed to be effortless and fun, capturing authentic moments against a breathtaking spring backdrop.

Summer just got even better! Camp Settoga offers endless outdoor adventures—swimming, ziplining, sports, and more—now with new lower rates and flexible extended schedules to fit your family’s needs. Spots are filling fast—don’t wait! Register today and give your child the best summer ever!

Learn More about camp today!

In Person. Looking for something to do during extended school vacations and holidays? Your child can enjoy a fun-filled “stay-cation” at the Marlene Meyerson JCC!

We’re offering minicamps during week-long public school breaks for children ages 3.5-9. Each day will be packed with camp programming, including sports, arts, STEM, cooking, swim (pending pool availability), and more!

Registration for minicamps closes on April 4th.

Full Dates: Apr 15-18, 8:30 AM-4 PM

For more information, please contact Mary Gipe (mgipe@mmjccm.org).

Teen + Tween Cooking Social Passover Edition:

Chocolate Covered Matzah (Grades 8-12)

Matzah doesn’t have the best reputation, but everyone loves it covered in chocolate and sweet treats. Learn a a few facts about the traditional Passover food, matza, while you experiment with chocolate and toppings galore with professional chef, Jennifer Abadi and the JCC Teen Advisory Council.

Rebound is the story of a basketball team and season unlike any other – an intimate look at the NCAA’s only all-Jewish team, as they navigate a year of pain and sorrow post-October 7th. With the eyes of the Jewish world upon them, the Yeshiva University Maccabees set out on a mission: to win a championship and bring light to their people in a time of darkness.

Q+A to follow the screening.

Join us for a joyous celebration of Ethiopian Jewish cuisine with the exclusive launch of Gursha, a stunning collection of more than 100 recipes, stories, and traditions from the intersection of the African and Jewish diasporas, and the debut cookbook from chef and restaurateur Beejhy Barhany, founder of Harlem’s beloved Tsion Cafe. Born in Ethiopia, Barhany’s journey took her from Sudan to Israel and ultimately to New York, a story she now tells through food. The conversation will be moderated by Gabriella Gershenson, a James Beard Award-winning food writer and editor at The New York Times Wirecutter. Light tastings and wine will be served.

Join us for The Torah of Today, a monthly series in partnership with the world-renowned Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. In this series, we will explore Jewish texts in the context of contemporary American life.

Each session will feature dynamic Pardes-style learning and chavruta (paired study), with space for open questions and lively debates.

Unpack essential Jewish values in the context of American life with the esteemed Rabba Yaffa Epstein.

April Session: The Torah of Work: What defines us as professionals

What’s Included:

Dynamic Shiur and Chavruta study led by Yaffa Epstein.
Engaging discussions on democracy, citizenship, and more.
Optional kosher dinner before the learning (additional fee applies).
Dessert and community time to close the evening.

Together, we will examine essential themes like democracy, citizenship, community, and environmental stewardship. All levels are welcome. Come ready to engage, question, and grow!

Participate in collective sharing, some writing, using poems as a starting point to guide us in discussion on topics we typically avoid when we talk about aging. Jane Seskin is a licensed clinical social worker and the author of 13 books. Her most recent is the poetry collection Older, Wiser, Shorter: the Truth and Humor of Life After 65. Her work has appeared in more than 40 publications and she’s been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

With an incredible selection of features and short films, ReelAbilities is dedicated to sharing the stories and lives of people with disabilities. Screenings are held in various locations throughout the New York metropolitan area. The award-winning films presented during this festival include feature-length and short films created by and/or featuring talented individuals with disabilities.

Join us for our third annual Wellness Fair, specifically designed for the 60+ community, cosponsored with our partners at Mount Sinai, featuring programs and events specially curated for Modern Agers.

Join us for The Torah of Today, a monthly series in partnership with the world-renowned Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. In this series, we will explore Jewish texts in the context of contemporary American life. Each session will feature dynamic Pardes-style learning and chavruta (paired study), with space for open questions and lively debates.