The JCC remains vigilant about safety and has taken proactive steps that are both visible and not visible to community members out of an abundance of caution. We are thankful to our community for complying with security.
Will could never compete in the sport he’s always loved: racewalking. While struggling to find respect as a coach, Will’s fortunes change when he spots a burnout pitcher with the most impeccable racewalking stride he’s ever seen. Together, Will and Matt team up, face the challenges of a sport that doesn’t want them, and to try to take down the best walker in the country.
The Slamdance Unstoppable: On The Road lineup was programmed from major festivals, including Slamdance, Sundance, ReelAbilities, Superfest, and Easterseals Disability Services. Programmed exclusively by artists with visible and non-visible disabilities, the tour will expand the Slamdance Unstoppable programming into arthouse theaters across the U.S. – championing underrepresented voices and fostering accessibility and representation to new audiences across the country.
Screening co-presented by ReelAbilities.
Dir. Phil Moniz, Kevin Claydon (US, 2024, 80 min)
In Person. Join us for some summer fun on the JCC Roof! A professional instructor will lead a beginner-friendly salsa lesson – no experience needed, just come ready to move. We’ll have lively salsa beats, refreshing mocktails, and plenty of time to dance, mingle, and enjoy the rooftop vibes under the stars.
Mon, Aug 4, 7:15-8:30 pm, $15/$18
Part of Summer of Light.
Summer of Light returns to the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan with a new theme: Illuminate—Light Within.
You’re invited to discover your inner light and create moments of joy, reflection, and connection in a shared community.
Through programs rooted in Jewish values—including art, wellness, learning, and service—the JCC becomes a summer destination for the
Upper West Side.
From rooftop concerts and creative activities to mindfulness and family fun, we’ll light up the season—inside and out!
Check out our lineup this summer:
Deepen your relationship with Israel by learning Hebrew with Ulpan, an Israeli method for teaching and improving all conversational Hebrew language skills—speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing.
You’ll find small, interactive day and evening classes at all levels. Summer 2025 classes will begin on Mon, Jul 7. Registration is open!
What do coral reefs have to do with your favorite pair of jeans? Is H&M really more sustainable than Chanel? And how did the clothes on our backs become part of the world’s second most polluting industry?
In this eye-opening talk, Killer Sale, we’ll follow the journey of a garment–from cotton fields to landfill–unpacking the environmental and social costs of the global fashion industry along the way. We’ll shed light on the working conditions of garment workers in the Global South, examine our own wardrobes and consumption habits, and explore alternative, conscious ways to love fashion without compromising the planet.
Perfect for fashion lovers with a conscience, and anyone curious about the hidden threads connecting style, society, and sustainability.
Art restorer and legendary spy Gabriel Allon must solve the perfect crime in the dazzling new tale of murder, greed, and corruption from #1 New York Times bestselling novelist Daniel Silva.
This conversation will be moderated by Maxwell Anderson.
Your vote matters! 2025 is a citywide election year, which means New Yorkers belonging to a party will be heading to the polls in June to choose (and rank) candidates for local offices.
According to the New York City Jewish Voters Alliance, most local races in New York City are effectively determined by the primary election. Yet only 23% of registered voters voted in the 2021 mayoral election, and only 13% turned out for city council. The primary was decided by only 7,200 votes.
This means that a small percentage of New Yorkers are choosing who will govern our city. To ensure that those elected represent you, vote on (or by) June 24!
Here are some resources to help you prepare for the primary election.
NYC uses Ranked Choice Voting in primary and special elections for city offices of the Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President, and City Council. You can rank 5 candidates in order of preference instead of choosing just 1!
Input your address to locate your Early Voting or Election Day Polling Site and visit The Board of Elections in the City of New York + NYC VOTES for more information.
Important Dates:
Visit the New York City Jewish Voters Alliance to learn more about registering, mail-in ballots, and to find your polling location.
Registration is now open for adult summer swim classes! Save your spot in the pool and choose from beginner through advanced swim clinics, boot camp, and more. There’s something for everyone! For more information contact us at jccswimschool@mmjccm.org.
Aqua HIIT
Looking for a fun and different way to exercise? Aqua HIIT takes all the advantages of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and adapts it for the pool, offering an amazing full-body workout. A great way to stay heart healthy, this cardio and strength-training workout will keep you moving, working up a sweat, and have you coming back for more. This class is adaptable for all levels of fitness; no previous experience required.
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Water Warrior Boot Camp
Unleash your inner warrior and train like a champ! This class delivers a full-body workout that leaves you feeling stronger each and every time. Let us help you meet and exceed your fitness goals with this workout that combines resistance and cardio training. Students will use a variety of aquatic exercise equipment to help work and tone every muscle group. This class is adaptable for all levels of fitness; no previous experience required.
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Adult Beginner 1
Come learn the fundamentals of swimming and water safety in a supportive and relaxed group setting in our Adult Beginner 1 Swim Clinic. In this weekly clinic we will introduce safe swimming foundations such as breath control and learning to float, as well as rudimentary freestyle and backstroke technique. This class has no prerequisites and is suitable for all beginner swimmers.
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Adult Beginner 2
Continue your progress from our Beginner 1 Swim Clinic or join us if you meet the prerequisites below. In this weekly clinic we will continue to build on our rudimentary knowledge of freestyle and backstroke as we are well on our way toward mastering those skills. This class will focus on precision and efficiency in each stroke as well as breath control, while continuing to emphasize important water safety skills. Prerequisites: Swimmers must be comfortable fully submerging, and have learned the foundations for flutter kicks and pulling.
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Adult Intermediate
Join us in our Intermediate swim clinic! Whether you’ve graduated from our beginner clinics or already meet our prerequisites we’ll help you become a confident, capable, and courteous lap swimmer. Our excellent instructors will give you tips and tricks to sharpen your technique while building endurance and speed in the water. Prerequisites: Swimmers must be able to swim 50 meters of freestyle and backstroke continuously.
LEARN MORE
Don’t wait to register, spots are limited and our Arthritis Water Exercise classes are already sold out.
In Person. Join us to experience rejuvenation and renewal at the Shirley Kohn Spa Evening of Mindfulness + Sound Bowl Healing for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer. In the company of others impacted by cancer, receive helpful tips on unwinding and letting go of stress. Learn simple, mindful breathing, gentle stretching, and self-massage techniques. Rest comfortably on a yoga mat or in a chair to listen to and feel the magic of sound bowls. Sound and vibration therapy is one of the most transformative ways to shift the body at the cellular level. The gentle, soothing tones of singing bowls open the flow of energy and touch every part of the body.
This is event is part of Cancer Care at the JCC, created in partnership with Alison Estabrook, M.D., a nationally recognized breast cancer surgeon. This innovative program is designed to share the latest in medical information while also bringing complementary health and wellness programming to those living at risk of and/or impacted by breast cancer.
Will could never compete in the sport he’s always loved: racewalking. While struggling to find respect as a coach, Will’s fortunes change when he spots a burnout pitcher with the most impeccable racewalking stride he’s ever seen. Together, Will and Matt team up, face the challenges of a sport that doesn’t want them, and to try to take down the best walker in the country.
The Slamdance Unstoppable: On The Road lineup was programmed from major festivals, including Slamdance, Sundance, ReelAbilities, Superfest, and Easterseals Disability Services. Programmed exclusively by artists with visible and non-visible disabilities, the tour will expand the Slamdance Unstoppable programming into arthouse theaters across the U.S. – championing underrepresented voices and fostering accessibility and representation to new audiences across the country.
Screening co-presented by ReelAbilities.
Dir. Phil Moniz, Kevin Claydon (US, 2024, 80 min)
Raised in a Jewish household in Pittsburgh, Charles Grodin’s life embodied the concept of Tikkun Olam. The film not only celebrates Charles Grodin’s hilarious acting career, but also his remarkable, decades-long, successful fight to get wrongly convicted people—most of whom were mothers of color with young children—out of prison.
The film includes interviews with Robert De Niro, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Elaine May, Carol Burnett, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Alan Arkin, Ellen Burstyn, Marc Maron, Lewis Black, Marlo Thomas, Richard Kind, Jon Lovitz, plus several of the women Chuck got released from prison.
Screening followed by Q+A with director James L. Freedman.
Dir. James L. Freedman (US, 2025, 93 min)
On the verge of bankruptcy and desperate for his big break, aspiring filmmaker Bobby Bowfinger concocts a crazy plan to make his ultimate dream movie. Rallying a ragtag team that includes a starry-eyed ingenue, a has-been diva and a film studio gofer, he sets out to shoot a blockbuster featuring the biggest star in Hollywood, Kit Ramsey — only without letting Ramsey know he’s in the picture. Featuring Eddie Murphy and Steve Martin.
Screening followed by Q+A with director Frank Oz. Presented as part of the new Upper West Side Cinema Center’s pop-up film series “For the Love of Cinema.”
Dir. Frank Oz (US, 1999, 97 min)
In 1987, Marlee Matlin became the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award and was thrust into the spotlight at 21 years old. She seized the moment to challenge an industry unprepared for her immense talent, emerging as a trailblazer not only as a performer (The West Wing, Law & Order, CODA) but also as an author and activist. In this documentary, Matlin opens up about her personal and professional struggles – her meteoric rise to fame, the challenges of navigating a predominantly hearing industry, the pain of a tumultuous high-profile relationship, getting sober and years of being overlooked by Hollywood – alongside her many triumphs. Through interviews with both Deaf and hearing contributors, the film weaves a poignant narrative of Matlin’s legendary career, highlighting her tireless fight for inclusion and representation in an entertainment world that at first had no place for her.
Screening co-presented by ReelAbilities.
Dir. Shoshannah Stern (US, 2025, 98 min)
Multiple Screenings:
Mon, Jul 7, 5:30 + 7:30 pm
Tue, Jul 8, 5:30 + 7:30 pm
Wed, Jul 9, 5:30 + 7:30 pm
Thu, Jul 10, 5:30 + 7:30 pm
When David and his fiancée Meg gather for his family’s traditional Shabbat dinner on New York’s Upper West Side, things spiral faster than you can say “hamotzi” when an accidental death (or…murder?) derails the evening entirely. With Meg’s devoutly Catholic parents due any moment to meet David’s very Jewish family, soon Shabbat becomes a comedy of biblical proportions.
Kyra Sedgwick and Cliff “Method Man” Smith lead a hilarious ensemble cast in the award-winning comedy BAD SHABBOS, winner of the Audience Award at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival.
Screening followed by Q+A with director Daniel Robbins.
Multiple Screenings:
Mon, Jun 30, 5:30 pm + 7:30 pm
Tue, Jul 1, 5:30 pm + 7:30 pm
Wed, Jul 2, 5:30 pm + 7:30 pm
On her 40th birthday, Rachel is grappling with a looming mid-life crisis and the nerve-wracking task of delivering a speech at her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. But when a DNA test unexpectedly reveals that she’s only half-Jewish and her beloved father isn’t her biological parent, Rachel’s life is thrown into disarray, and suddenly, she’s embarking on a hilarious journey with her eccentric mother to find out who she really is. Starring two-time Golden Globe® and Tony Winner Linda Lavin (No Good Deed, Mid Century Modern) and Lisa Brenner (The Ark, Say My Name).
Screening followed by Q+A with writer and actor Lisa Brenner.
Directed by Matt Sohn (US, 2023, 83 min)
Fall 2025 registration is here! Get ready to enroll in your child’s favorite enrichment classes, featuring exciting new options for every age and interest.
Member Registration Opens: Wednesday, May 14 at 9 am
Public Registration Opens: Wednesday, May 21 at 9 am
Whether you’re looking for infant classes, preschool enrichment, after-school programs, or weekend activities for teens and tweens, our fall lineup has something for every family.
Plan ahead now, enjoy your summer later. Secure your spot in popular fall children’s classes before they fill up!
In a remarkably original and funny work, Eric Jaffe tells the story of growing up in the shadow of the Holocaust, while also coming of age at a time when genuine acceptance–not only of Jews but of all people–seemed within reach. Ranging from Transylvania to Bangladesh, from Sweden to NYC, and drawing on everything from Socrates to professional wrestling, it’s a story of hope, disappointment, and the clash between youthful idealism and the realities of the Jewish experience.
Introduce your child to the joy of sports with Empire Baseball’s toddler baseball classes on the Upper West Side, offered at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan! These exciting, age-specific programs help toddlers and preschoolers build athletic skills through fun, engaging activities.
Baby Bats (Ages 18–24 Months)
This class is perfect for toddlers and their caregivers. It introduces them to baseball basics while developing motor skills like running, jumping, throwing, and catching. Children bond with their grown-up in a playful, supportive environment.
Little Bats (Ages 2–3 Years)
For older toddlers, this class encourages more independent movement. Children will continue developing athletic skills through creative games. Baseball-themed activities help them gain confidence, coordination, and a love for sports.
These toddler baseball classes on the Upper West Side are perfect for families seeking early childhood enrichment through movement and play. Spots are limited—register today and give your child a strong, fun start in youth sports!
We are so excited to invite you to join us on our Wechsler Center Israel Trip, from November 10–20, 2025.
This special mission is for anyone interested in volunteering and deepening their connection to Israel, including past, current, and prospective English Overseas volunteers. Partnering with Authentic Israel and the municipalities of Jerusalem and Beit She’an, we’re planning an unforgettable experience.
Trip Highlights
Upcoming Information Sessions
Note: Authentic Israel will provide full refunds if the trip is cancelled due to security concerns.
The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan offers FREE weekly open-run basketball sessions this summer for adults, teens, and tweens. Whether you’re looking to get in a casual game, improve your skills, or simply enjoy some friendly competition, our open runs are the perfect way to play and connect with others in the community. Join us for a fun, supportive, and welcoming environment—no matter your skill level!
Join us for weekly basketball open runs designed for tweens. This is a great chance to improve skills and have fun!
Calling all teen hoopers! Drop in for our teen basketball open runs and enjoy casual games and skill-building with friends.
Looking to get in a game? Join our adult open runs for a fun, relaxed basketball experience for all skill levels!
Summer Turning 2s Pre-Nursery Classes
Is your toddler turning 2 this summer or fall? Help them grow with our gentle separation program. Each class includes circle time, music, art, sensory play, and outdoor fun. Children build confidence and feel safe as they explore a classroom routine with caring, expert teachers.
Mondays + Wednesdays | 9–11 am
Tuesdays + Thursdays | 9–11 am
Summer Toddler Playgroup (16–24 months)
Join your toddler in a caregiver-and-child class full of movement, dramatic play, stories, and art. This playful group is a great way to get ready for our Turning 2s program in the fall.
Mondays–Thursdays | 11:30 am–12:30 pm
Why Families Choose Us:
Warm, expert early childhood educators
Safe and nurturing space
Easy-to-reach Upper West Side location
Programs designed just for toddlers
Sign up today for a summer of fun, learning, and growth!
Turning 2s: Rooftop Playdate
Calling all current and prospective Turning 2s program families! Join us on the JCC Manhattan’s outdoor rooftop for a fun and relaxed playdate where children can connect and play, and parents can meet other families in the community.
Whether your child is already enrolled in Turning 2s or you’re interested in learning more, this is a great opportunity to build friendships and explore the program.
This free event requires advance registration. (Select which date you wish to attend below)
Tue, May 13, 3:30–4:30 pm
Tue, Jul 8, 4:15–5 pm
Join the JCC Health Club in June + Receive Two Free Months! Or Join the Pool + Get a Free Month or $100 Off! $0 Enrollment Fee.*
Get ready for summer and save. Enjoy the use of two pools, a spacious fitness center, gymnasium with two basketball courts, unlimited group exercise classes, pickleball games, discounts on other JCC programs, and so much more!
Learn more about this limited time offer.
Have questions? Email joinjcc@mmjccm.org or call 646.505.4414.
Looking for the perfect kids’ birthday party venue on the Upper West Side? The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is bringing back birthday celebrations—bigger and better than ever! Whether your child loves games, themed activities, or a fun-filled gathering with friends, we offer customizable party packages, delicious kosher food, and a dedicated party team to handle every detail. Book your stress-free birthday party in NYC today and create lasting memories!
Give your child(ren) the ultimate country day camp experience at Camp Settoga in Pomona, NY! There’s never been a better time to join, with convenient transportation, exciting specialty camps, and extended schedules at lower rates. Every day is packed with fun and friendship, from swimming and sports to arts and outdoor exploration.
Spots are filling fast—register today!
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