Jew York, New York! A Journey Through Jewish Life in NYC for 20s + 30s

There’s still time to level up your fitness routine! Save on personal training at the JCC now through Feb 22. Receive 15% off PT + IT packages of 1, 6 or 12 with discount code HAPPY26
SAVE NOW

Questions? Email personalservice@mmjccm.org. Not to be combined with any other discounts. Restrictions apply. 

Plan your child’s first school experience with confidence

Choosing a first school setting for your toddler can feel early and overwhelming. These Turning 2s Information Sessions help you understand exactly how a gentle, play-based drop-off program builds independence, confidence, and readiness before nursery school begins.

You will leave knowing what a class morning looks like, how the program supports early social and emotional growth, and whether Turning 2s is the right first step for your child turning two this fall.

Save Your Seat

Tuesday, February 10 · 9:15 am to 10 am

Tuesday, March 10 · 9:15 am to 10 am

Wednesday, April 22 · 9:15 am to 10 am

Wednesday, May 13 · 3:45 pm to 4:30 pm · Rooftop Playdate

Warm up and wind down your day at our free Cozy Hour at the JCC, a late-afternoon winter hang featuring a hot chocolate bar for adults and kids, Storytime and songs, games, and giveaways in our lobby made comfy with lounge seating and fireplace vibes. Stop by after school or work and get cozy for an hour (or longer!) to unwind and feel at home.

Sharon Ann Musher is the author of Promised Lands: Hadassah Kaplan and the Legacy of American Jewish Women in Early Twentieth Century Palestine, which was selected for the Jewish Women’s Archive’s Summer Book List and twice for Hadassah Magazine’s Shabbat Bookshelf.

The book draws on a rich personal archive of diary entries, photographs, and letters to follow Hadassah Kaplan’s journey to Palestine and illustrate how travel shaped a cohort of American Jewish women who went on to shape American Jewry.

Join Nu Reads (the new, bi-monthly book subscription series from Jewish Book Council) for an intimate cocktail meet + greet celebrating contemporary Jewish literature and voices. The evening will feature special appearances by the Nu Reads author community, including Tova Mirvis (We Would Never, new in paperback), Sam Sussman (Boy From the North Country), and Zeeva Bukai (The World Between).

The cocktail party will take place directly before the 7 pm author event with Tova Mirvis and Bruce Holsinger.

Daniel and Neriya became heroes after saving hundreds of lives during the October 7th Music Festival Attack, but once thrust into the public eye, they now face their greatest test—reclaiming their lives and healing from the invisible wounds of PTSD and continued trauma. Executive Producer, Patricia Heaton, Sue Turley, David Clair.

Doors open at 6:30 pm.

In partnership with Special Order. Screening followed by Q+A with director Sepi Makabi and special guests.

Join the JCC Health Club by February 15 + Save $200! Or Join the Pool + Save $100 Off! $0 Enrollment Fee.*

The JCC is where better routines begin! Everything you need in one place to reset your fitness journey. 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, friendly staff, and warm community!

Learn more about this limited time offer. Have questions? Email joinjcc@mmjccm.org or call 646.505.4414.

*Restrictions apply.

Join us for a conversation celebrating William Greenberg Desserts Bakes Vegan, the new cookbook from Carol Becker, owner of the iconic Upper East Side bakery. What began as a response to customers seeking more parve options led Becker to develop plant-based versions of beloved classics, proving that tradition and innovation can coexist. The book features 50 recipes that honor Jewish baking while embracing today’s plant-based interests, from Apricot Cheesecake and gooey Cinnamon Rolls to bakery-style Iced Sugar Cookies and savory favorites.

The conversation will be moderated by Gabriella Gershenson, a James Beard Award-winning food writer and editor at The New York Times Wirecutter. She has written for leading publications, co-authored multiple award-winning books, and moderated food talks at cultural institutions across New York City. Light tastings will be served.

Cast members from the critically acclaimed Broadway revival of Ragtime will spend an evening at the JCC discussing the music, the story, and the dynamic production now on stage at Lincoln Center.

Collaboratively produced by the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan and The Apollo Theater, we’ll explore the rich storylines featuring Jewish characters and Black characters who seek to thrive in early 1900s America. Featuring cast members Julie Benko, Ben Levi Ross, and John Clay III, as well as a music historian. The conversation will be moderated by Lonnie Firestone, founder and co-director of Exploring The Narrative.

Winter Teen + Tween classes at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan bring together movement, hands-on learning, and peer-driven experiences for ages 10 to 18. Programs run throughout the winter season and offer consistent opportunities for participation beyond the school day in New York City. Our winter lineup supports families seeking reliable youth programming that encourages skill development, personal growth, and ongoing participation across multiple interests.

Sports Classes + Leagues Ages 5 to 13
Basketball, volleyball, and league-based programs focused on skill progression, teamwork, and game play.

Volunteering + Community Service Ages 10+
Ongoing service programs connecting teens to local initiatives and values-driven participation.

Fitness + Pilates Ages 10 to 18
Training and Pilates classes centered on strength, movement awareness, and long-term wellness.

Pottery + Arts Classes Ages 5 to 13
Ceramics instruction using handbuilding techniques, kiln firing, glazing, and surface design.

Community Cooks Ages 10 to 18
Culinary programs focused on technique, collaboration, and confidence in the kitchen.

Explore more Teen + Tween programs designed to support growth, curiosity, and connection this year at JCC Manhattan.

Join us for a screening of the award-winning shorts We Should Eat, Catalogue of Noses, Anne, Miriam, and Babka, films that mine Jewish identity for laughs, pathos, and cultural insight. Together they reveal the evolving landscape of Jewish life today.

Screening followed by Q+A with filmmakers.

Put on your costumes and jump into the fun at our Purim Carnival and Shabbat Celebration for Families in NYC, where you can bounce, play, and enjoy colorful carnival games and snacks before coming together to welcome Shabbat with a live musical band and joyful community energy.

Designed especially for young families, this event features two age-specific carnival experiences:

• Ages 2 to 4

• Ages 4 and up

Every child and adult attending must be registered individually. Be sure to select the correct age group when purchasing tickets.

Celebrate Purim. Welcome Shabbat. Make it a memory.

A world-renowned K-Pop girl group balances their lives in the spotlight with their secret identities as demon hunters.

Join us for an electrifying Purim screening of KPop Demon Hunters! Dress up, light up your lightsticks, and sing along to killer KPop anthems as the idols-by-day become demon-slayers-by-night in this tale of music, monsters, and friendship. 

Dir. Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans

(US/Canada, 2025, 95 min)

Havurah’s annual Short Short Film Festival returns to MMJCCM for its third edition. An entire Jewish short film festival in one day!

Sun, Feb 22, 3 pm + 6 pm

Life changes when Charlie, a 57-year-old talented graphic designer, father, and charismatic community leader, discovers that his recent fogginess is due to Early-Onset Alzheimer’s disease. His wife of 30 years, Heidi Levitt, is determined to better understand the disease, learn how to live their best life with it, forge a new path forward, and document every step along the journey.

This screening will be shown with open captions, but no audio description is available for this title.

If you require ASL interpretation for the live conversation following the screening, please contact access@reelabilities.org before March 12.

Screening followed by Q+A with director Heidi Levitt.

Co-presented by ReelAbilities. Co-sponsored by CaringKind.

Dir. Heidi Levitt

(US, 2025, 90 min)

In the days following October 7, a jazz musician struggling to make ends meet is given a mission of the highest importance: to compose the music for a rousing, ruthless new national anthem.

Dir. Nadav Lapid

(France/Cyprus/Germany/Israel, 2026, 150 min)

In his new book, author Dan Okrent gives us a revelatory look at the complex inner world of one of the twentieth century’s most beloved theatrical composers. He will be in conversation with Bill Goldstein.

Music performance by Jazz vocalist Meital Waldmann.

Part of the Books That Changed My Life Festival.

An Oprah Book Club selection and one of the most talked-about novels of the year, Culpability is both a page-turning drama and a mirror for our times. Join us for a conversation with author Bruce Holsinger, whose work challenges how we define guilt, grief, and control in the modern world.

Part of the Books That Changed My Life Festival.

Gather together at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan for Havdalah + Kids Night Out, an evening designed for children in Kindergarten through Grade 5.

Families begin with a brief Havdalah service from 6:45 to 7 pm. After the service, children stay for a night of fun while caregivers enjoy time on their own.

Kids jump into a neon party, enjoy a dessert bar, create camp crafts, and watch a live performance. Each activity keeps children engaged, social, and entertained in a safe, supervised setting.

This event combines Jewish tradition with high-energy programming, offering kids a memorable night out.

Jazz vocalist Meital Waldmann celebrates the release of her new EP, Kisufim, with a performance that returns to iconic Israeli classics through a contemporary jazz lens. Drawing on her roots in Israel and Brazil, alongside her life in the New York jazz scene, Waldmann brings a personal and modern approach to these timeless melodies.

She has performed at leading venues in New York and Tel Aviv, including Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, Birdland, Ornithology, The Triad, and Shablul Jazz Club, and is a frequent presence at the JCC, as well as at galas and special events across the United States.

Give your child a fun and enriching February Break while school is out.

February Break Minicamp offers age-appropriate activities, creative projects, games, and social time that keep kids active, engaged, and connected throughout the week. It is an ideal option for NYC families seeking structured programming that strikes a balance between fun and enrichment.

Families can choose full-week enrollment or select single days, with flexible options designed to fit your schedule. Our minicamp offers a safe and supportive environment where children can build friendships, explore new interests, and enjoy their break.

Explore February Break Minicamp
February 16–20, 2026
Nursery 3s-5s
Grades K-2
Grades 3-5
Specialty Theater Minicamp Ages 5-10
Specialty Film Minicamp Ages 11-13

Looking for something new and interesting to do as a family or with friends? R&R is an amazing weekly free opportunity to be together as a community: an incredible, inclusive alternative to the typical New York Saturday. Make your Shabbat afternoon feel special with art, yoga, meditation, music, lectures, film, open play, and more.

R&R devotees already know the magic of this program, and we are thrilled to invite new families and adults to drop in for programs celebrating the best of the JCC. Join us for programs for babies, children, and adults that respect all levels of Shabbat observance.

Every Saturday, Jan 10-Mar 14, 2-5 pm

Whether you’re a born-and-bred New Yorker, a recent transplant, or somewhere in between – get ready to experience Jewish New York like never before. Jew York, New York! is an immersive adventure through the flavors, stories, neighborhoods, and cultural gems that shaped – and continue to shape – Jewish life in the city that never sleeps.

Join a tight-knit cohort of 20s + 30s as we explore iconic museums, wander historic streets, taste our way through legendary eateries, and celebrate the vibrant, ever-evolving Jewish culture of NYC.

Chapter 1 includes guided tours of Ellis Island and the Museum of Jewish Heritage, a group dinner at Laser Wolf in Brooklyn, and a happy hour at the JCC.

3 Sundays, Jan 25, Feb 8 + 22, and Thu, Mar 5

Please note that space for this program is limited, and we expect spots to fill quickly.

Step into the 2026 Books That Changed My Life Festival and let the magic of stories take you on a journey. Join inspiring conversations with authors, artists, and thinkers as they share the books that have guided, challenged, and transformed their paths.

Festival Highlights

Jan 8 | Opening Party
Jan 15 | Mean Moms: Emma Rosenblum in Conversation with Stephanie Butnick
Jan 22 | Secrets of Heroines: Ya’ara Keydar
Jan 26 | Go Fact Yourself (Live Podcast)
Feb 5 | Behind the Aisles: The Stories of Costco, Trader Joe’s, and Beyond
Feb 9 | Creating Worlds: How a Story Comes to Life
Feb 23 | Culpability: Bruce Holsinger in Conversation

Other highlights include a book drive, films, children’s storytimes, panel discussions, and a week-long author-in-residence.

Your next great journey begins with a single page.

She died more than four decades ago, but even today, Leah Goldberg remains an enigmatic figure—Israel’s most beloved poet, a powerful woman who reinvented herself from the ashes of World War I through her magical poetry. This documentary is a cinematic fantasy in five acts, celebrating the fascinating story of Leah Goldberg.

In partnership with the Books That Changed My Life Festival 2026 and Aleph, celebrating Hebrew International Language Day.

Screening followed by Q+A with director Yair Qedar and award-winning authors Maya Arad and Ruby Namdar.

Dir. Yair Qedar

(Israel, 2011, 50 min)

Henrietta Szold is among the most influential American Jewish women who ever lived. After founding Hadassah in 1912, she became a major force in early twentieth-century Palestine, establishing its healthcare system and shaping its education system. In a crowning achievement, Szold helped organize Youth Aliyah, which successfully rescued thousands of Jewish children from Germany and Nazi-occupied Europe during the 1930s and transported them to Palestine.

Screening followed by Q+A with director Abby Ginzberg and Tovah Feldshuh.

Dir. Abby Ginzberg

(US, 2025, 79 min)

NEW DATE! Free Children’s Book Fair | Sun, Mar 8, 1–4 pm | JCC Lobby

Join us for a free book fair where every child gets to build their own home library. Browse tables of gently used books—available at no cost to families. Just bring an empty bag and leave with stories to last all year.

Children’s Book Drive | Jan 19–23 | JCC Lobby

Give the gift of imagination! Donate new and gently used children’s books (ages 0–13) to be shared at our free Community Book Fair. In partnership with the Office of NYC Council Member Gale A. Brewer. Part of the Books That Changed My Life Festival.

We especially need:

• Children’s books in Spanish, French, and Russian
• Picture books, early readers, and chapter books in good condition

We cannot accept:

• Books for adults, encyclopedias, textbooks, or magazines
• Damaged books (ripped, written in, moldy, etc.)

Volunteer shifts are available for both the drive and the fair. 

Registration is now open for adult winter swim classes. Save your spot in the pool and choose from beginner through advanced swim clinics. For more information, contact us at jccswimschool@mmjccm.org.

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.
LEARN MORE

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.
LEARN MORE

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

Adult Advanced
Our advanced swim clinic is for swimmers looking to build their endurance while following a 45 minute swim workout. Work with our expert coaches on drills to develop your core strength, stroke timing, and stamina. Classes will include a mix of drills, instruction, and continuous swimming. Prerequisite: Swimmers must be able to swim 50 meters of freestyle and backstroke continuously and follow a 45 minute swim workout without pause.
LEARN MORE

Don’t wait to register, spots are limited!

Private Swim Lessons

The JCC offers private swim lessons for adults and children ages 6 months and up. Book now with one of our expert instructors!

In the darkest days of WWII, Yulia and Hugo, a Jewish mother and son, escape from a Ukrainian ghetto. Fearing for his safety, Yulia entrusts her boy to the care of her friend Mariana, a sex worker living in a brothel. Hugo spends over a year hidden in Mariana’s closet as they form an intimate yet complex bond of love, loyalty and devotion—one that will change their lives forever. Based on Aharon Appelfeld’s masterpiece novel, “Blooms of Darkness.”

Presented in partnership with the Books That Changed My Life Festival.

Dir. Emmanuel Finkiel

(Israel/France/Hungary/Belgium, 2025, 131 mins)

Due to overwhelming success, Sunset Circus is BACK! Experience an immersive circus for audiences of all ages, presented by the physical theater company Parallel Exit.

The extremely popular, New York Times-celebrated Sunset Circus features a company of 5-7 circus artists, including aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, and comedians. The sensational cast will entertain everyone, from kids to parents to grandparents, so bring the whole family!

Sunday, March 22
Morning Show (11 am-noon) | Afternoon Show (2-3 pm)

Sunday, May 3
Morning Show (11 am-noon) | Afternoon Show (2-3 pm)

Security That Feels Like Belonging
The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is more than a building. It is a home — a place where people gather, belong, and feel safe.

At the heart of this commitment is our role as Shomer — the Hebrew word for guardian and protector. Security here is not just about cameras or walls, but about safeguarding lives and creating a true sense of welcome.

Since 2023, our costs have risen by $700,000 as we adapt to evolving threats and best practices.

That’s why we’ve launched the Shomer Fund — to ensure safety is never static but always advancing.

Your support makes possible:

• Highly trained guards who know our members by name
• Fortified entrances and exits
• Emergency readiness through evolving protocols
• Continuous upgrades to technology, infrastructure, and training

Protect the traditions, programs, and people that make our community strong.

Every Safeguard Starts with You. Be a Shomer.

Looking for something else? Learn more about other ways to donate, or contact a member of our team at development@mmjccm.org.