Playful by Design with @Mothercould Myriam Sandler

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!

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.

Ada Karmi-Melamede is one of the most accomplished architects in the world, yet her work remains largely unrecognized beyond architectural circles. In the 1970s, she moved to New York from Israel, following her husband’s rising career, and spent the next 15 years balancing academia, large-scale public projects, and motherhood. While teaching at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, she contributed to major urban initiatives, including a master plan for Con Edison, a study for mixed-use development along the proposed Second Avenue Subway, and a 1978 housing competition on Roosevelt Island—all while raising three young children. But in the early 1980s, after being denied tenure at Columbia, Ada made a bold decision to leave New York and her family for the opportunity of a lifetime – the design of the new Supreme Court of Israel.

Ada – My Mother the Architect, directed by Ada’s daughter, Yael Melamede, explores the profound tension between career and motherhood and a unique mother-daughter bond.

Directed by  Yael Melamede, 81 minutes

Screening followed by Q+A with director Yael Melamede and special guests.

In partnership with the Jerusalem Foundation. 

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

Get ready for an unforgettable culinary adventure as Chen and Alon Koren, founders of “Box from Jerusalem,” bring the flavors of Israel’s iconic Machne Yehuda Market (aka the Shuk) to NYC!

Known for their participation in the Israeli version of Bake Off, the Korens will host the biggest live workshop of Israeli cooking in NYC at the JCC. Adults and families alike are invited to roll up their sleeves and create Israeli classics like Malabi, stuffed grape leaves, and more. Plus, enjoy a taste of the Shuk with vibrant flavors and stories that will transport you straight to Jerusalem.

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!

Join us for an exclusive launch event celebrating Sesame: Global Recipes + Stories of an Ancient Seed, the highly anticipated debut cookbook from Rachel Simons, co-founder of Seed + Mill at New York City’s iconic Chelsea Market. Rachel will be in conversation with New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Carolina Gelen.

This beautifully crafted book is a vibrant and approachable guide to the world of sesame, one of the most versatile and culturally significant ingredients in global cuisine. From halva and tahini to togarashi and furikake, Sesame features 100 vegetarian-forward recipes that highlight the ingredient’s nutty flavor, nutritional richness, and culinary history.

Discover how to incorporate sesame in both traditional and modern dishes, including sweet and salty sesame challah, radicchio tahini Caesar, gomasio-crusted salmon skewers, and tahini-swirled pavlova.

Ticket includes a signed copy of the book and a gift bag of Seed + Mill treats.

Help ensure that families in transitional housing get the clothing they need for the spring and summer seasons. Donate new and gently used children’s clothing in our lobby, May 4-11. All items must be in infant, toddler, or children’s sizes.

Accepted items:

• Shorts
• Pants (lightweight only)
• Short-sleeve shirts
• Dresses
• Socks (new only)
• Underwear (new only)
• Pajamas
• Outerwear (lightweight only)
• Shoes

We cannot accept:

• Fall or winter clothing in any size
• Used undergarments in any size
• Adult clothing
• Any items that are torn or stained
• Household items
• Toys, games, or stuffed animals

Want to volunteer? Sign up for a shift to help sort clothes for distribution during our free pop-up shop for families with limited resources.

Give new life to old possessions at our Community Recycling Day. Volunteer opportunities are also available.

Stations will be set up on the sidewalk outside of the JCC where you can recycle:

• E-waste with 3×3; (for a list of acceptable items, click here).
• Gently used spring and summer clothing for distribution to families in transitional housing.
• Unusable and out-of-season clothing and textiles with Green Tree Textile Recycling.

Big Reuse will have a table to talk about composting, alternatives to using plastic, and other solid waste management practices to help mitigate climate change.

Cosponsored by the Office of New York City Council Member Gale A. Brewer.

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.