Playful by Design with @Mothercould Myriam Sandler

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.

City Birds is a new project in the tradition of Americana by Tamar Eisenman and Sagit Shir, two prominent musicians each in their own right, coming together to create a collection of songs which bring families together and celebrate childhood through songs that reflect inclusivity + love.

All ages are welcome. Tickets are required for everyone age 2 and up.

Join us for a soulful Lag B’Omer gathering centered around fire, light, and community connection. Through the power of song and spiritual reflection, we’ll kindle the flames of joy, resilience, and unity. Led by the inspiring voices of Cantor Shimon Smith and JCC Musician in Residence Ben Romano, this evening promises to uplift and illuminate. Sing, connect, and celebrate the sparks that bring us together.

Treat yourself to the one-on-one attention you deserve! Save 15% on Massage and Personal Training now through May 25 only.

Massage

Do you need a little rest and relaxation? Unwind with a massage package today and save! Purchase a package of 5 or 10 and receive 15% off when you use discount code MM25 now through May 25.*
SAVE NOW

Personal Training

Get ready for summer and treat yourself to the one-on-one attention you deserve. Purchase a PT or IT level training package of 1, 6, or 12 sessions and save 15% when you use discount code MPT25 now through May 25!*
SAVE NOW

*Not to be combined with other discounts. Exclusions apply.

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

• Optional staff-chaperoned flights on El-Al
• 5 nights in Jerusalem at the 5-star Herbert Samuel Hotel
• 3 nights in Zichron Ya’akov, near Beit She’an, at the 5-star Elma Arts Hotel
• Authentic experiences with English Overseas students in Jerusalem, Beit She’an and possibly Givatayim
• Touring in Jerusalem and the lower Galilee/Carmel Mountain area, including Zichron Ya’akov and Beit She’an
• Shabbat in Jerusalem

Draft Itinerary

Upcoming Information Sessions

Mon, Jun 9, 12:30-2 pm

Mon, Jun 9, 5:30-7 pm

Wed, Jun 11, 11 am-12:30 pm

Note: Authentic Israel will provide full refunds if the trip is cancelled due to security concerns.

The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan Wechsler Center for Modern Aging is pleased to announce its annual Week of Wechsler (WoW), a week-long programming initiative aimed at our modern aging population from May 12–18, 2025.

Each day features interesting speakers, gatherings, and unique opportunities for learning, exploration, and connection, with the headline event of an in-person Wechsler Wellness Fair on Thursday, May 15.

New programs are being added daily. Stay informed by checking back regularly for the latest updates.

Registration is recommended to secure your spot.

 

For more information or assistance, contact Whitney Chapman, Program Manager, at wchapman@mmjccm.org

Join us on a 90 minute tour of the nursery school to get a head start on nursery school admissions for the 2026-2027 school year.

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!

Tween Basketball Open Run (Ages 10-13)

Join us for weekly basketball open runs designed for tweens. This is a great chance to improve skills and have fun!

Teen Basketball Open Run (Ages 14-18)

Calling all teen hoopers! Drop in for our teen basketball open runs and enjoy casual games and skill-building with friends.

Adult Basketball Open Run (Ages 18+)

Looking to get in a game? Join our adult open runs for a fun, relaxed basketball experience for all skill levels!

What if your home could do more than just manage chaos? What if it could support your child’s creativity, confidence, and independence?

In this parenting workshop, you’ll learn how to turn everyday moments into powerful learning experiences. Join Myriam Sandler—creator of @mothercould—and discover how to raise confident, creative kids through independent, open-ended play.

Myriam, author of Playful by Design, offers practical advice for designing playful spaces with what you already have at home. She’ll share tips that empower children to explore, problem-solve, and express themselves—without expensive toys or complicated setups.

Joining her is journalist and fellow parent Stephanie Butnick, co-host of Unorthodox and co-author of The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia. Together, they’ll have an honest, engaging conversation about parenting in real life. You’ll leave with tools you can use right away—no matter your home’s size or your child’s age.

🎟️ Each ticket comes with a copy of Playful by Design: Your Stress-Free Guide to Raising Confident, Creative Kids through Independent Play.

📅 Don’t miss this engaging parenting workshop designed for families of all kinds.

📍 Learn more about the JCC’s Children + Families programs
🔗 Discover more tips from Mothercould on Instagram

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

From the hearts and minds of Stephen King and Mike Flanagan comes THE LIFE OF CHUCK, the extraordinary story of an ordinary man. This unforgettable, genre-bending tale celebrates the life of Charles ‘Chuck’ Krantz as he experiences the wonder of love, the heartbreak of loss, and the multitudes contained in all of us. Starring Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Mia Sara, Carl Lumbly, Benjamin Pajak, with Jacob Tremblay & Mark Hamill.

Directed by  Mike Flanagan, 110 minutes

Joe Lieberman, who nearly became the first Jewish Vice President of the United States, was known for putting principles above party. Centered chronicles Lieberman’s extraordinary journey and 40+ years of public service, revealing the depth of his commitment to the American people. This timely film serves as a reminder of the values of unity and bipartisanship. Lieberman’s legacy as a principled statesman who placed country above party echoes throughout the film, which provides a timely call for civility, moderation, and dialogue.

Following Lieberman’s untimely passing in March 2024, his message of moderation and bipartisanship resonates even more powerfully, underscoring the importance of unity and collaboration in today’s political landscape.

Directed by Jonathan Gruber. 77 minutes

Screening followed by Q+A with director Jonathan Gruber and the Senator’s children Matt Lieberman and Rebecca Lieberman.

FOREVER ENDEAVOR offers an unorthodox look at the wild and often ridiculous lengths humans go to as they try (and fail) to create an everlasting legacy. It’s a deeply personal documentary, with an emotional twist, that tackles the ephemeral nature of life with heart and humor. The film features author Tom Wolfe, Astronaut Jim Lovell, TCM host Robert Osborne, The New York Historical Society’s Valerie Paley, Rabbi Peter Rubinstein, obit writers at the New York Times, the Guiness Book of World Record holder for holding the most world records, and others. 

Directed by Mary Anne Rothberg, Jonathan Mann

Screening followed by Q+A with director Mary Anne Rothberg.

In Person. Start this spring on the right foot. Update your knowledge and get your questions answered about nutrition, exercise, and the impact of weight loss medications. Dr. David Dunaief will share evidence-based research and tips on nutrition, weight management, and physical activity.

Presented with Plant-Powered Metro New York.

Gustav Klimt, one of the most revolutionary artists in recent memory, lived in tumultuous times, suspended at the turn of the century in the stylistic seam between Art Nouveau, Expressionism, and Symbolism.

This lecture – led by curator, fashion historian, and Ph.D. candidate at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Yaara Keydar – will explore how his breathtaking portraits reflect the upheavals of the era and its fashions through his distinct depictions of women, nudity, sensuality, and the supernatural. Klimt’s turbulent life story is also that of his beloved Emilie Flöge, a pioneering fashion designer and predecessor of Coco Chanel, whose contributions have since been largely forgotten.

Join the JCC Health Club in May + 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.

Come together with people from across the spectrum of Jewish life for a free, revelatory night of study, film, music, dance, conversation, and more in celebration of Shavuot. Come for the revelation, stay for the cheesecake!

This year, The Tikkun Leil Shavuot will take place in person only overnight, Sun, Jun 1–Mon, Jun 2, 9 pm–5 am.

Using animation, a live painting performance, and readings with illustrated slides, Yossi and Yarden Vassa showcase how art and storytelling merge in a graphic novel. The touching autobiography, created with sensitivity and humor, tells a universal immigration story about the desire to belong. The Last Day to Dress Up is the prestigious Devora Omer Literature Award winner, selected for Israel’s Ministry of Education’s Book Parade and the Illustration Library at the Israel Museum.

Join us for a weekly rooftop meetup to tend to our community garden and enjoy conversation in the sunshine. Plan what we will grow as a group and take home a share of the harvest.

Explore spiritual growth through the music of Paul Simon and the biblical psalms in this interactive workshop supported by the Hadar Institute, where we’ll listen, sing, and reflect on how his lyrics resonate with our spiritual journeys.

May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month. Join us for these special programs focused on protecting your bones through healthy food, exercise, and movement.

Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment in Men and Women | May 8
Virtual. Learn what bones are made of, what they are designed to do, and how to keep them strong and functional for a lifetime. Discuss common bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteopenia, and what you can do to stave off these conditions. Hear from an expert on the pros and cons of the latest medical treatments and medications.
LEARN MORE

Activity + Exercise for Healthy Bones (Lecture + Demo) | May 14
In Person. Learn exercises and appropriate postural alignment to maintain and regain bone health, creating new movement patterns to stave off spine fractures and increase the strength and mobility of the wrists, ankles, and hips.
LEARN MORE

Eating for Bone Health | May 22
Virtual. Learn how diet can promote healthy bones, and discover the foods that support a strong and healthy skeletal system.
LEARN MORE

Unleash your creativity with JCC art and writing classes, where skilled instructors lead inspiring sessions in a variety of art forms and mediums. Spring class options include:

• Abstract Painting
• Watercolor Painting
• Impressionist Expressions: Oil Painting
• Beaded Jewelry
• Beginner + Advanced Sewing
• Contemporary Landscape Painting
• Still Life in Collage
• …and more!

Our exciting summer class lineup is now open to everyone! Secure your child’s place in programs designed to spark creativity, encourage movement, and build lasting friendships.

View all class options, create your ideal summer schedule, and claim your spot before sessions reach capacity!

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!

 

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.