BBYO Leaders Take Skills to New Levels

As members of Empire AZA and L’Dor Vador BBG, the two chapters of BBYO Manhattan based at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, Zachary Traum, 17, and Daniela Koplin, 16, have proven themselves to be capable and innovative leaders. In their roles as regional s’gan (vice president of programming) and regional sh’licha (vice president of Jewish enrichment), respectively, the two have been responsible for planning engaging programs for the approximately 350 participants in the region’s seven chapters throughout Manhattan and the Bronx.

Crafting Tzedakah in Pandemic Times

You could say that the impetus for Jordana Manzano’s recent act of tzedakah benefitting the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan was the Basics of Crochet class she and her son Zach signed up for in February 2020. But its roots actually go back to 2004, when JCC Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Joy Levitt agreed to officiate at the wedding of Manzano (then Sandler) and her husband, David.

New Fund Expands Israel’s Film Horizons

As a leading presenter of Israeli films in America, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan has been a pioneer in bringing groundbreaking films from Israel to US audiences. Home to the Other Israel Film Festival, which began in 2006, and the Israel Film Center Festival, which started in 2012, the center also established the Israel Film Center Stream, the most comprehensive site for viewing Israeli films and television from home. In all, the JCC has presented hundreds of films and television shows from Israel.

Wechsler Volunteers Bring English Across the Sea

Distance and language are no obstacle for participants of an English conversation program that pairs native English speakers in the U.S. with high school students in Israel through a unique collaboration between The Wechsler Center for Modern Aging and the Municipality of Jerusalem.

At 99, Muriel Mandell Still Has Plenty to Teach

If you think mastering today's technology is just for the young, think again. In the 20+ years since nearly 1,000 classes in personal technology have been offered to seniors at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, close to 2,000 have learned skills ranging from computer, tablet, and cell phone basics to photo editing and streaming by tech-savvy peers like Muriel Mandell.

Megan Whitman’s New Role Is Picture Perfect

Even if she hadn’t been working remotely when she was hired as chief program officer (CPO) at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan this fall, Megan Whitman wasn’t likely to have encountered the same issues people taking a new position often do. Earning the respect of colleagues, figuring out how to order office supplies, and finding a go-to lunch spot didn’t stress her out.  Even mapping out her new commute was of no great concern.