The Torah of Today- Stewardship

Past Event
  • Children + Families
  • Jewish Life

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.

Date:Tue, May 13, 2025
Time:7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location:MMJCCM
Register
Jewish Life B'nai Mitzvah

Unpack essential Jewish values in the context of American life with the esteemed Rabba Yaffa Epstein. This monthly event series features meaningful discussions and opportunities to connect with the community–all in the classic Pardes style. Event Highlights When: Second Tuesday of each month, December through May Where: The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY What’s Included: Dynamic Shiur and Chavruta study led by Yaffa Epstein Engaging discussions on democracy, citizenship, and more Optional kosher dinner before the learning (additional fee applies) Dessert and community time to close the evening.

Together, we will examine essential themes like democracy, citizenship, community, and environmental stewardship. All levels are welcome. Come ready to engage, question, and grow! May Session: Stewardship: What do we owe to the earth?

 

Recommended Events

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Film | The Alabama Solution

Composed primarily of contraband cell phone footage taken by incarcerated men at Easterling and other facilities across the state, ā€˜The Alabama Solution’ exposes the inhumane conditions, systemic injustice, and brutal treatment of those behind bars in the Alabama prison system told through their own voices and their own stories. The film weaves the issues of prison privatization, inmate slave labor, government corruption, and extreme violence together to show audiences on the outside the abhorrent conditions of our fellow human beings.

Dir. Andrew Jarecki, Charlotte Kaufman

(US, 2025, 117 min)

Day Camp Information Sessions

Learn more about our incredible summer program for children ages 3–10 at Day Camp @ The JCC!
Join one of our virtual information sessions this fall and winter to discover our camp divisions, daily activities, dates, rates, and what makes our community-focused summer experience so special.

Day Camp Information Sessions by Division:

Lower Division (ages 3–5)
• December 2 at 7 pm
• January 6 at 7 pm
• January 21 at 9:45 am

Middle Division (ages 6–7)
• November 20 at 9 am
• December 3 at 7 pm
• January 7 at 9:45 am

Upper Division (ages 8–10)
• November 20 at 9:45 am
• December 3 at 7:45 pm
• January 7 at 10:30 am

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to join the session.

Explore More About Day Camp @ The JCC
Visit our Day Camp page for full program details, dates, rates, and FAQs.

For additional questions, contact:
Day Camp @ The JCC Director, Alyssa Blackman, at ablackman@mmjccm.org.

Winter Children's Classes

Keep your child active, curious, and connected this season with Winter/Spring classes at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. From art, dance, and sports to swim lessons, STEM programs, and Jewish life classes, our children’s classes nurture growth, confidence, and creativity in every age group, from infants to teens. Led by caring, expert instructors, each class provides hands-on learning in a warm and welcoming community setting.

Click below to explore classes by age and category:

Registration is now open—save your spot today and make this season one to remember!

Ceramics Holiday Sale

Shop locally this holiday season! Purchase one-of-a-kind gifts in our lobby made right here by the teachers, studio members, staff, and students of the JCC Ceramics Studio!

Mon, Dec 1: 6-8 pm (Opening Reception)
Tue, Dec 2: 10 am-6 pm
Wed, DecĀ 3: 9 am-6 pm
Thu, Dec 4: 9 am-3 pm

JCC Maccabi Games

Join Team The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan for the JCC Maccabi Games 2026 in Toronto!

The JCC Maccabi Games 2026 bring together more than 3,000 Jewish teen athletes from around the world for an unforgettable week of sports, community, and connection. This global event will take place from August 2 to 7, 2026, in Toronto, and we’re thrilled to relaunch our The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan delegation.

Athletes will compete in Olympic-style tournaments across a wide range of sports while celebrating Jewish identity and spirit. Each day features sports competitions, community service projects, and social and cultural events designed to foster teamwork, friendship, and leadership.

The Maccabi Games experience goes beyond athletics. Teens enjoy opening and closing ceremonies, exciting travel experiences, and opportunities to meet Jewish peers from around the world. The event celebrates sportsmanship, pride, and the shared values that unite Jewish communities globally.

Representing is an opportunity to make lifelong friends, experience personal growth, and create memories that last a lifetime.

Nursery School Holiday Bazaar

Find the perfect gifts this holiday season at the Nursery School Holiday Bazaar at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan! Join us for a festive community shopping event featuring a curated selection of local vendors offering a diverse range of products, including kids’ clothing, handmade jewelry, home goods, skincare, accessories, hostess gifts, and more.

Whether you’re shopping for family, friends, or teachers, you’ll discover something special for everyone on your list. Enjoy a warm and welcoming atmosphere while supporting small businesses and our Nursery School community.

Explore Our Vendors
Stoopher & Boots
Tchotchke
Juju + Stitch
Goldie Home
A Jeweled Life
Jenny Sorrell Photography
Nik’s Naks
The Cornerstone Studio
Elo & Izzy
Sqween
Ben & Abby Design
Live Rainbowfully by Jaime Gleicher
Sarah Swanson Skincare
Little Charm Bar

Glow: Candlelight Pool Concert

This Chanukah, for one night only, our pool will be transformed into a glowing sanctuary, with thousands of candles illuminating the water’s surface and casting a warm, flickering glow throughout the space.

Experience this unforgettable evening by relaxing poolside or floating in the water as the a cappella group Backtrack Vocals fills the air with songs celebrating light, hope, and the magic of New York City.

Swimming, general seating, and front row tickets available.

Film | My Missing Screw

In 1996, Raffael Lomas, a young father battling severe depression finds a lifeline in an unlikely symbol—a towering 10-foot screw that he painstakingly crafts as a tribute to his ā€œmissing pieceā€ and a path to healing. Driven by a desire to honor his family’s harrowing legacy, he commits to bringing the screw to the Dachau Concentration Camp, where his grandfather was murdered and his father was imprisoned during the Holocaust. With the help of a sculptor friend and a borrowed video camera, he meticulously documents each turn of the screw, reclaiming parts of himself with every twist of metal.

Dir. Nitsan Tal

(US, 2024, 93 min)

Screening followed by Q+A with director Nitsan Tal and Danielle Knafo (psychologist and film subject).

Sunset Circus

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)

Winter Break Minicamp

Give your child a fun, enriching holiday school break this season!

Winter Minicamp offers age-appropriate activities, crafts, games, social time, and more — the perfect way for children in NYC to stay active, make friends, and explore new creative outlets over school break.

Whether your family is looking for a full-week or single-day options, our winter minicamp is designed to delight kids in a safe, structured, and stimulating environment.

Explore Minicamps:
December 22-January 2, 2026

Nursery 3s-5s
Grades K-2
Grades 3-5
Specialty Theater Minicamp Ages 5-10
Specialty Film Minicamp Ages 11-13

Children's Birthday Parties

Children’s Birthday Parties at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan

Celebrate your child’s big day with a party to remember on the Upper West Side! At the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, we make kids’ birthday parties easy, fun, and stress-free. Choose from exciting options like Sports, Art, or Cooking birthday parties, with flexible packages to fit your needs.

Every party includes 90 minutes of celebration—45 minutes in an activity space led by our experienced staff, and 45 minutes in a private party room—plus setup and cleanup time. Select the Essential Party Package to bring your own food and dĆ©cor, or upgrade to the Ultimate Party Package, which includes pizza or bagels, snacks, and festive paper goods.

Request your birthday package today!

Become a Shomer. Give Today.

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.

Film | Fiddler on the Moon: Judaism in Space

This documentary short finally answers the question that has plagued scientists, theologians, and comedians for millennia: Will Judaism survive in space? Starring Neil deGrasse Tyson, astronauts Jeffrey Hoffman and Jessica Meir, and a quorum of rabbis and researchers.

Nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best Short Documentary.

Dir.Ā Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller, and Jeremy Newberger

Screening followed by Q+A with directors Seth Kramer and Daniel A. Miller, executive producer Joseph Strulowitz, Jewish aerospace researcher Dr. Sheyna Gifford, and Rabbi Josh Breindel.

(US, 2025, 31 min)

Communal Picnic

Join us for a cozy indoor picnic experience in the JCC’s Gallery!

Celebrate the warmth and creativity of picnic culture with art, music, and hands-on fun for the whole family. Explore a unique art exhibit inspired by the spirit of picnicking, enjoy music, and dive into a variety of activities. Get creative at our DIY spice and tea-blending station, where you can craft your own custom flavors to take home.

Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends

A fun musical based on the books Rosie Revere, Engineer; Iggy Peck, Architect; and Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, which spotlights the STEM curriculum.

Ms. Greer’s classroom includes three inquisitive out-of-the-box thinkers. Rosie Revere has big dreams. Iggy Peck has a relentless passion for architecture. And Ada Twist’s curiosity can lead her to solve any problem.

Recommended Ages: Grades K through 4

Film | Looking UP

Eitan Armon is a young man facing encroaching blindness who takes on the challenge of climbing the world’s most epic granite wall. While in military service at age 20,Ā  Eitan is diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare and incurable genetic disease that causes blindness. With only 5% of his central vision remaining, Eitan learns to rock climb and ascends Yosemite’s daunting El Capitan. Looking Up documents Eitan’s journey and resilience, demonstrating the endless possibilities for those who approach life with positivity.Ā Ā 

Screening followed by Q+A with film subject Eitan Armon and director Elena Neuman.

Dir. Elena Neuman

(US, 2025, 71 min)

Presented in partnership with ReelAbilities.

Fall Adult Swim Classes

Fall in love with swimming again! Registration is now open for adult fall 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! Arthritis Water Exercise classes are already sold out.

Children's Sports Classes

Give your child the ultimate sports experience right here on the Upper West Side. Our youth sports programs in NYC combine expert coaching, exciting games, and a supportive community where kids build skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of sports. From basketball and soccer to volleyball, tennis, pickleball, and training classes, there’s a place for every child to shine—whether they’re just starting out or ready to level up.

Don’t wait—spots fill fast. Register today and get your child in the game!

Children's Swim Classes

Give your child confidence, safety skills, and a love of the water this fall at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. Our expert instructors make learning to swim fun while helping children build coordination, strength, and independence.

Infant + Toddler Swim Classes (6 months–5 years)

Playful, age-appropriate lessons introduce little ones to the water and set the foundation for safe swimming:

School-Age Swim Classes (5–14 years)

Progressive levels that grow with your child, from first strokes to advanced technique:

Register today and watch your child build lifelong skills in a safe, supportive environment.

Teen Fitness Classes

Fall Teen Fitness Classes at The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan

Help your tween or teen build strength, confidence, and lifelong healthy habits in ourĀ youth fitness programs on the Upper West Side. Our classesĀ offer a variety of options, including small-group training, personal training, Pilates for focus and core strength, private swim lessons, and more. Teens can also join basketball membership + classes and competitive leagues, all led by certified youth coaches in a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment.

Encourage your teen to stay active, develop skills, and make friends while enjoying expert-led programs designed for their growth and wellness.

Explore Our Teen Fitness Classes

Studio Visits: A Behind-the-Scenes Art Experience

Step beyond the gallery walls and into the beating heart of contemporary art with Studio Visits, a behind-the-scenes journey led by visionary curator Aya Goshen. Over the course of five immersive sessions (each about 90 minutes), we will venture into a different artist’s studio each week, exploring intimate creative spaces where ideas spark and masterpieces are born.

Thursdays, Oct 16 + 30, Nov 13, Dec 4 + 18, 11 am

Photo: Work in progress by Avital Burg

Nursery School Tours

Visiting the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan Nursery School offers a firsthand look into the heart of our early childhood community. Our guided tours provide prospective families with an in-depth understanding of our child-centered philosophy, thoughtfully designed learning environments, and nurturing, play-based approach that supports every child’s growth.

Nursery School Tour Registration is now OPEN!

Select Dates Below:

  • Tue, Nov 18, 9:30 am | Here
  • Wed, Dec 3, 9:30 am | Here

Reserve your spot today—spaces fill quickly!

Gallery Exhibit: The Art of Picnic
  • Curators: Tamar Lamdan & Carmit Shine
  • Dates: September–December, 2025
  • Opening Reception: Thu, Sep 4, 6:30 pm | Learn More
  • Communal Picnic: Join us for a cozy indoor picnic experience in our gallery!
Jewish Enrichment Programs

Explore joyful, meaningful, and age-appropriate ways for children to connect with Jewish life, language, and values. Whether your child is just beginning their Jewish journey or preparing for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, our programs are built to inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection at every stage.

Havurah (Grades Pre-K-2)
Our signature experiential program for Pre-K–Grade 3 brings Jewish holidays, values, and stories to life through art, music, and hands-on activities. Fridays have never felt so joyful!

Hebrew Homepage (Grades K-7)
Learn Hebrew your way. This online, private one-on-one tutoring program for Grades K–7 offers flexible scheduling and four personalized tracks—from Aleph Bet basics to full B-Mitzvah prep.

Off the Bimah – Bar/Bat/B Mitzvah Prep Program (Grades 6-7)
This is a fresh take on B-Mitzvah learning. With small groups and big conversations, this experience empowers tweens to explore what becoming B-Mitzvah really means to them, beyond the ceremony.

Pre-Nursery Classes

Explore winter semester classes today!

Turning 2s at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is a joyful, registration-based drop-off program for children turning two between September and December. Offered two mornings per week (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday) with an optional Friday Shabbat Together class, the program nurtures curiosity, confidence, and early independence. Rooted in a child-centered curriculum that celebrates each child’s competence and potential, our warm, welcoming classrooms inspire exploration and creativity through hands-on, developmentally appropriate experiences guided by caring teachers who help every child discover, grow, and thrive.

Toddler Playgroup
A gentle introduction to separation and classroom routines through play, song, and connection.
Available on Tuesdays + Thursdays at:

*Winter* Shabbat Together
A Friday morning class celebrating Shabbat through stories, music, movement, and community.
Learn More + Register

*Winter* Turning 2s
A drop-off program that nurtures independence and creativity through hands-on exploration.

Havurah: Experiential Jewish Learning

Havurah’s semester long programs are designed to embrace Jewish culture and traditions through interactive, project-based learning. Studying Jewish holidays, Hebrew language, Torah stories, community service opportunities, and exploration of Jewish identity are significant parts of every child’s Havurah experience. Each semester culminates in an immersive Jewish family experience to showcase their projects.

For more information, please contact Rachel KayeĀ rkaye@mmjccm.org.

Afterschool Clubhouse

Looking for a way to ensure your child gets safely from school to their after-school activities? Want to guarantee their afternoons are filled with play, productivity, and a nurturing community? The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is your one-stop-shop for all of this and more. We’ll pick up your child from their school and make sure they’re comfortably situated at the JCC and that they have a great time in the process! We are pleased to share that we are offering pick-up service and Clubhouse on Mondays–Thursdays for children in grades PK–5 enrolled in PS 9, PS 87, PS 334, PS 199, Parkside, Success Academy Upper West, MDS and Calhoun.

If we do not offer pick-up from your school, but you are still interested in our Clubhouse program, we also offer an option to register for Drop-Off Clubhouse. The program runs Mondays-Thursdays from school dismissal until 5:30 pm, and you are welcome to register for one, two, three, or four afternoons a week.

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