Tweens + Teens

Ceramics: Handbuilding + Wheel Throwing (Ages 10–13)
The class will cover techniques such as pinching, coiling, and slab-building while introducing the pottery wheels to create personalized art pieces.

Cooking Social Series: Easy Fun Fad Foods! (Ages 10-18)
Join chef instructor Jennifer Abadi for a fun 5-week cooking series for tweens/teens inspired by the coolest recipes on social media. It's a great way to make new friends and level up those kitchen skills. Register for the Tween Section (10-13) or the Teen Section (14-18) today!

Creativity as an Outlet: Expressive Art Making* (Ages 10–18)
Run by a licensed creative arts therapist, this therapeutic art-making class will help participants learn new ways of relating to their experiences while building coping skills. This class has a dedicated Tween Section (10-13) and Teen Section (14-18).

Exploring the I's: Imagination, Inspiration, Interconnection* (Ages 14–18)
Play, imagine and get creative together using improv and theater games! Explore your personal story and try on different roles in this unique program.

Bold Pop (Ages 10–13)
This high-energy dance class, taught by Bold Arts, combines elements of hip-hop, jazz, and other popular genres that promote strength and coordination through music and storytelling.

Fitness Training (Ages 10–18)
A fun and effective way for tweens to improve their fitness and health while building relationships with their peers. A qualified trainer provides personal instruction and works closely with the group. Each group will be formed by gender identity. Register today for either the Tween Section (10-13) or the Teen Section (14-18).

JoyFul Journeys: Yoga for Teens* (Ages 14–18)
Guided by core yoga principles of yoga, this eight-week workshop will teach mindful movement and breathing techniques to help alleviate stress, better understand the connection between mind and body, and foster self-discovery and emotional regulation. These sessions will be a space to cultivate joy in community with one another, while exploring who we are and nourishing our mind and body.

Pilates4ADHD* (Ages 10–13)
This small-group, six-week class brings awareness to inattentive/hyperactive behaviors and teaches tools for centering, focusing, and slowing down. Class is appropriate for participants with or without a formal diagnosis.

Did you know that the JCC Health Club is one of few in the city that offers Teen Membership (14-17 years)? Teen Members enjoy amazing benefits including full access to our state-of-the art fitness center, pools, basketball courts, pickleball games, group exercise classes, wellness programs on stress resilience, and more. Teens also get special member discounts on customized guidance to gain fitness comfort and conditioning goals through JCC Personal Training. For more information on Teen Memberships, email joinjcc@mmjccm.org or call 646.505.5700.

Tween + Teen Personal Training offers customized guidance to boost fitness knowledge, comfort, and achieve age-appropriate goals with certified JCC Personal Trainers who specialize in working with youth. Your tween/teen can train independently, with a friend, or in a small group, and will learn how to safely use fitness equipment, weight training techniques, gym etiquette, and strength and conditioning exercises while gaining self-confidence and healthy habits. From first-timers to young athletes, the JCC is a safe and welcoming environment for youth fitness. To inquire about Tween/Teen Training, email personalservice@mmjccm.org.

Off-the-Bimah B’nai Mitzvah Program (Ages 11–12)
Available for Grades 6 + 7, this two-year B’nai Mitzvah program ushers children into young Jewish adulthood and encourages ways to continue their spiritual connection.

BBYO (Ages 14–18)
The JCC chapter of BBYO Manhattan offers a place for teens to grow as individuals, build leadership skills, socialize, and be part of a larger community.  

Babysitting Safety Course (Ages 11–15)
This certification course lays the groundwork for becoming a successful and confident babysitter, focusing on important safety, caregiving, and first-aid tips.

Tzelem Moving Traditions Group (Ages 13–18)
During this group, nonbinary, trans, gender expansive, and LGBTQ +Jewish teens will gather monthly with a trained adult mentor using a dynamic curriculum. Together in a circle of support, participants experience a brave, sacred space for them to articulate their deepest concerns, consider the impact of gender norms on their daily lives, celebrate and support together through joys and challenges, be their authentic selves with their peers, and explore topics that matter most to them.

Become a Tutor with the Koopersmith Family Literacy + Math Program (Ages 14-18)
Join an intergenerational cohort of tutors for culturally responsive training and tutoring throughout the school year.  All tutoring takes place onsite at Upper West Side partner schools and other locations during after school hours. Orientations for fall tutors will begin in September, but applications will be considered throughout the year on a rolling basis, with additional orientations held in January. Registration to become a tutor is coming soon on this page.

Mitzvah Sundays (Ages 10–13)
Join other tweens on Mitzvah Sundays for hands-on community service and Jewish service learning, with different monthly projects.

Teen Life Coalition* (Ages 14–18)
This teen advocacy group will learn about common risk factors for teens and explore these topics through film, facilitated discussions, and help identify actionable solutions.

Teen + Tween Community Cooks (Ages 12–16)
Tweens and teens come together to prepare a delicious home-cooked meal for a local organization while exploring values connected to hunger and homelessness.

Tweens After Dark (Ages 10–13)
Saturday night at the JCC is the place to be. Each themed event features engaging activities for tweens to have fun, build community, and give back.

Volunteer with the Jack and Shirley Center for Specials Needs (Ages 14-21)
The Jack and Shirley Silver Center for Special Needs (CSN) builds and nurtures an inclusive and accepting community where individuals with disabilities and their families have opportunities to make meaningful connections to each other and their communities. The CSN invites teens interested in volunteering at weekly or one-off programs with teens with disabilities to fill out this form to start the process of becoming a volunteer! We will get to know you and match you with the right volunteer experience.