The Torah of Today- Stewardship

Bring your family, friends, and neighbors and add your light to ours. Join us in the lobby on the fifth night of Chanukah as we kindle the candles together, with a blessing from our Chief Jewish Officer, Rabbi Diana Fersko. Sing along to Chanukah favorites with our musician-in-residence, Marc Luban, and treat yourself to warm, freshly baked sufganiyot from the gifted pastry chef Ayelet Abergel. Come for the glow, stay for the songs and sweets, and celebrate the Festival of Lights with your JCC community. All are welcome.

Discover what moves you this fall. Join the JCC in November with no initiation!  Book a tour + get a free trial.

Swim, train, play. You belong here. Enjoy the use of two pools, basketball courts, a spacious fitness center, unlimited group exercise classes, pickleball, sports leagues, discounts on JCC programs, caring staff, a welcoming community, and so much more!

Book a tour now and get a free trial. Have questions? Email joinjcc@mmjccm.org or call 646.505.4414.

*Restrictions apply.

A WWI fighter pilot returns to his former job as a railroad detective, and must recover a satchel filled with $25,000 of stolen payroll, locate a missing employee, and capture the gang of thieves responsible. Film screening with live instrumentals.

Dir. Richard E. Norman

(US, 1926, 64 min)

Presented in partnership with ReelAbilities. Screening followed by Q+A.

November is booked and busy at the JCC! 🍂 From Shabbat and holiday experiences to wellness workshops, a film festival, and timely lectures, there’s lots to discover. Peek below to see what’s coming up.

• Nov 4-8 | Menorah Making Workshops
• Nov 5 | Challah-verse Ambassadors
• Nov 5-12 | Other Israel: New Perspectives Film Festival
• Nov 5 + 16 | Learn About Medicare in 2027
• Nov 8 | Anusara Yoga + Ayurveda for Digestive Health Workshop
• Nov 11 | For Members: Children’s Winter Class Registration
• Nov 12 | Shabbat ‘n’ Sports: Drop-off Program
• Nov 12 | Healing with Nutrition: Gut Health + Staying Healthy During the Holidays
• Nov 12-15 | Winter Children’s Clothing Drive
• Nov 13 | 9th Annual Nursery Holiday Bazaar
• Nov 16 | Go Fact Yourself LIVE! Podcast
• Nov 18 | Public: Children’s Winter Class Registration
• Nov 20 | Family Shabbat Dinner
• Nov 30-Dec 4 | Ceramics Holiday Sale

Have questions, or need help registering? Email boxoffice@mmjccm.org.

As Hitler rose to power, Hollywood’s relationship with Nazi Germany became a collision of commerce, censorship and politics. American studios altered films, avoided subjects that could jeopardize foreign distribution and navigated pressure from German officials. As the decade darkens, the film asks how long commercial caution can coexist with political reality.

Dir. Clara & Julia Kuperberg

(US, 2026, 53 min)

Screening followed by Q+A with historian Thomas Doherty.

Born in 1930s Europe in response to rising fascism, Krav Maga landed in Palestine and ultimately became a uniquely Israeli form of self-defense. As antisemitism surges around the world in the aftermath of October 7, 2023, Jews are increasingly turning to Krav. In the Path of Peace follows students as they learn to defend themselves. Instructors, historians, and experts in Israel and beyond place their stories in a longer history of Jewish survival, and ask what it means to be strong and what it costs.

Dir. Brad Rothschild

(US, 2026, 88 min)

Screening followed by Q+A with director Brad Rothschild.

Independent Mizrahi-Jewish filmmaker Ciara Shalome explores New York’s often-overlooked Bukharian Jewish community, based predominantly in Queens. Community members share stories of life in Soviet Uzbekistan, persecution under communist rule, immigration, and the lives they built in America. Their accounts form a portrait of a people who carried their history and traditions across borders while forging new paths for themselves and for future generations.

Dir. Ciara Shalome

(US, 2026, 45 min)

Screening followed by Q+A with Dahlia Abraham-Klein, Rabbi Sholom Nisanov, Aron Aronov, and Avraham (Abe) Fuzaylov, moderated by Radmilla Suleymanova.

The riveting true story of Aaron Sapiro, a young Jewish lawyer who took on one of America’s most powerful men—and most notorious antisemite—Henry Ford. In the 1920s, as Ford’s anti-Jewish publications incited hatred across the nation, Sapiro filed an unprecedented libel suit, challenging the limits of hate speech long before such laws existed.

Dir. Gaylen Ross

(US, 2026, 68 min)

Screening followed by Q+A with director Gaylen Ross.

Every culture has its own version of a donut. They come in different shapes, colors, and flavors, but share one delicious thing in common: the magic of fried dough. This culinary evening brings chefs Caroline Schiff and Fany Gerson together with Emmy-nominated chef and television host Pati Jinich to explore the stories, traditions, and recipes behind some of the world’s most beloved donuts. Caroline and Fany will each take the stage for a live culinary demonstration sharing their own take on this beloved treat, revealing their inspirations and sharing the secrets to their favorite donut recipes.

Moderator: 

Pati Jinich is the 6x James Beard Award-winning and Emmy-nominated host and executive producer of La Frontera, her PBS Primetime docuseries; Pati’s Mexican Table, now in its 15th season; and Pati Jinich Explores Panamericana, now in its second season, where she expands her mission to the entirety of the Americas. She is a New York Times bestselling author with 3 cookbooks, including Treasures of the Mexican Table: Classic Recipes, Local Secrets. Her fourth cookbook, Foods of La Frontera, will be published by HarperCollins in the Fall of 2026. She is the 2026 James Beard Awards Broadcast Media Hall of Fame Honoree and received the 2025 IACP Lifetime Achievement Award.

Panelists:

Fany Gerson is a Mexican-born chef, cookbook author, and entrepreneur specializing in Mexican sweets and desserts. She has worked in acclaimed kitchens around the world, including three-Michelin-starred Akelarre in Spain and Eleven Madison Park in New York. She is the founder of La Newyorkina, an artisanal Mexican frozen treats and sweets business, and Fan-Fan Doughnuts in Brooklyn. Gerson is the author of My Sweet Mexico, which was nominated for a James Beard Award for Best Baking and Pastry Cookbook, as well as Paletas and Mexican Ice Cream. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Food & Wine, Saveur, and New York Magazine.

Caroline Schiff is an award-winning pastry chef and cookbook author in Brooklyn, NY with nearly two decades of experience in restaurants, bakeries, and cafés. She is widely known by her instagram moniker, @pastryschiff and was most recently the Executive Pastry Chef at Brooklyn’s acclaimed Gage & Tollner (where she created her infamous baked alaska). Caroline is also a Food and & Wine Best New Chef 2022, James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef Finalist 2022 and author of The Sweet of Sourdough. She just released her sophomore cookbook Daily Dessert and next up will open her first brick and mortar concept – Monday Diner.

Winter fun starts here! Day Camp @ the JCC is bringing you a lineup of sports, family fun, and school break adventures to keep the excitement going all season long.

Join us for endless fun this winter!

• Shabbat n’ Sports, Nov  13
  • Nov 13, 6–8 pm
• Winter Family Day, Dec 13
  • Lower Divison, 10 am–noon
  • Upper Division, 1–3 pm
• Winter Minicamp, Dec,21–31
  • Dec 21–31, 8:30 am–4 pm

Don’t miss out on Early Bird Registration for Summer 2027 now open through November 6! Explore what’s new for next summer and save $360 on your registration.

Space is limited, and priority group registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t miss your chance to plan ahead for a summer full of fun!

Celebrate Chanukah with the 20s + 30s community for a festive night of casino-inspired fun!

Dress in your favorite cocktail attire, try your luck at the tables, enjoy drinks and bites, and mingle with new and familiar faces. Whether you’re in it to win or just here for the cocktails and company, bring your friends and your lucky streak for a Chanukah celebration full of good vibes, friendly competition, and holiday sparkle!

Gather around the table for a 20s + 30s Friendsgiving Shabbat!

Unwind, connect, and celebrate the season of gratitude with good food, warm traditions, and great company. Whether you’re showing up with your crew or coming solo, we’ve got a seat saved just for you.

Come for the challah, stay for the connection, and welcome the weekend with a community that feels like home.

Come and explore the fascinating world of the rabbis. We will study the Talmudic section on Chanukah. No previous Talmud or Hebrew knowledge is required.

Join Dr. Beth Atlas, DC, MS, CNS for this new series Healing with Nutrition and explore the following topics:

How Healthy Is Your Gut? Understanding the Link Between Inflammation and Chronic Disease | Oct 22

Tips for Maintaining Gut Health and Staying Healthy Through the Holiday Season | Nov 12

The Gut-Brain Connection: Nutrition and Mood Disorders | Dec 3

Dr. Beth Atlas is a board-certified chiropractic physician, Certified Nutrition Specialist, and founder of Atlas Nutrition & Wellness. She holds a doctorate in chiropractic and a master’s degree in clinical nutrition and has more than 30 years of experience in private practice and over 20 years teaching at the University of Bridgeport’s School of Health Sciences.

Her integrative approach focuses on the connection between nutrition, lifestyle, and overall well-being, with particular expertise in digestive health, chronic disease prevention, brain health, and healthy aging. Dr. Atlas is passionate about helping people make informed, practical choices that support their long-term health and vitality.

The Jack and Shirley Silver Center for Diverse Abilities at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is pleased to present the annual Special Education + Resource Fair! Representatives from preschools through high schools and resource organizations serving the New York City special needs community of all ages will be on site to provide information and answers to your questions.

The 2026 Special Education + Resource Fair will take place on Wed, Nov 18, 5:30-7:30 pm. This fair is in person only.

The Special Education School Fair is generously sponsored by the Riverview School and proudly supported by the College Living Experience. Email Julie Singer for more info.

Go Fact Yourself comes from LAist (Southern California’s largest NPR station) and the Maximum Fun Podcast Network (producers of NPR’s Bullseye) and is recorded in front of a live audience.

This event produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun and LAist.

Cory Kahaney leads a powerhouse cast of four hilarious comedian-storytellers who will have you laughing, crying, and yes, even singing about the game we all love.

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.

Dir. Abby Ginzberg

(US, 2025, 79 min)

Screening followed by Q+A. Screenings are in person only at the lower-level Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Family Auditorium at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, unless otherwise stated.

In Person. Parents League of New York and The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan Center for Diverse Abilities are
pleased to present an engaging in-person panel of Education Attorneys and Clinical Neuropsychologists.

As a parent, you know your child best, and you know when something isn?t right. If your child isn?t meeting
developmental milestones or is struggling in school, knowing what to do next can feel overwhelming. Join us
to learn more about identifying concerns, understanding your child?s rights, navigating evaluations and special
education services, and advocating for appropriate support. This session will offer practical information, helpful
resources, and guidance to help families consider possible next steps.

Moderator:
Chantal Aflalo, Parents League Special Education Advisor

Panelists:
Anna Ward Goodearl, PhD, Clinical Director, Center for Attention and Learning, Lenox Hill Hospital of Northwell Health + Clinical Neuropsychologist, Pramataris & Associates
Greg Cangiano, Partner, Skyer Law
Sonia Castro, Partner, Skyer Law

Questions? Reach out to Julie Singer at jsinger@mmjccm.org.

Help ensure that unhoused students in public schools and shelters have the gear they need for winter. Donate your new and very gently used children’s coats and winter accessories.* 

WE CAN ACCEPT:

• Coats
• Gloves
• Hats
• Scarves
• Sweatpants
• Sweatshirts
• Winter boots

*All items must be in infant, toddler, children, and teen sizes. 

WE CANNOT ACCEPT: 

• Adult clothing of any kind
• Clothing in poor condition
• E-waste
• Household items
• Linens
• Shoes (sneakers, sandals, slides, etc.)
• Summer clothing for children
• Toys

Drop off at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan – 334 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10023 

Volunteer to sort clothing donations. 

Step beyond the museum walls and into the ever-changing landscape of New York’s contemporary art scene with curator Aya Goshen in this five-part gallery tour series. Each session offers an intimate journey through a carefully curated selection of exhibitions,  from internationally celebrated shows and critically acclaimed artists to experimental project spaces and hidden gems shaping the cultural conversation of the moment.

Together, participants will explore not only what is being exhibited across the city, but also the larger ideas, aesthetics, and social questions driving contemporary art today. Through close looking, conversation, and critical context, the course invites participants to experience galleries as living spaces of inquiry, provocation, and imagination.

Designed for both seasoned art lovers and curious newcomers, this series offers a rare opportunity to engage deeply with the artists, exhibitions, and visual languages currently defining New York’s cultural pulse.

When his granddaughter Jenny comes for a visit, Farmer Brown declares the farm a tech-free zone. He takes her laptop in the cold barn with the shivering cows who use her computer to type messages requesting blankets.

“No way,” replies Farmer Brown. “No blankets!”

So the cows go on strike and the chickens join them in solidarity. No blankets? No milk! No eggs!

Will Farmer Brown give in to the animals’ demands? Will Jenny get her computer back? Find out in a hilariously moving musical about negotiation and compromise, based on the Caldecott Honor Book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin.

Approximate Running Time: 60 Minutes

Jewish and Arab music has long been intertwined through collaboration, shared histories and centuries of cultural exchange that placed music at the center. This evening offers a musical window into the surprising and often overlooked musical threads connecting Jewish and Arab musicians across time, revealing how communities have quietly shaped one another through sound, rhythm, and improvisation.

Drawing from Jewish, Arab, Turkish, Armenian, Mizrahi, and Sephardi traditions, Baklava Express ensemble performs original and classical compositions powered by oud, ney, violin, clarinet, and percussion, creating a sound that is both deeply rooted and thrillingly new.

Join us for a free afternoon of pampering, inspiration, connection, and renewal for women impacted by breast and ovarian cancer.

This program has been named in loving memory of Shirley Kohn. It was created in partnership with Dr. Alison Estabrook, a nationally recognized breast cancer surgeon, and Caroline Kohles, JCC Director of Health, and is co-sponsored by SHARE, Sharsheret, and Moving for Life.

Nursery School Tour Registration is NOW OPEN! Explore and secure your tour spot today!

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.

Plan ahead and view dates below:

• Tue, Sep 29, 9:30 am | Here
• Tue, Oct 6, 9:30 am | Here
• Wed, Oct 14, 9:30 am | Here
• Wed, Oct 21, 9:30 am | Here
• Wed, Oct 28, 9:30 am | Here
• Thu, Nov 5, 9:30 am | Here
• Tue, Nov 10, 9:30 am | Here
• (Virtual Tour) Tue, Nov 17, 9:30 am | Here
• Wed, Dec 2, 9:30 am | Here

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis—spaces fill quickly!

Fall in love with swimming again! Open enrollment is available for our adult fall swim classes. Save your spot in the pool and choose from beginner through advanced swim clinics. For more information and questions about swim levels, please email jccswimschool@mmjccm.org.

Prorating is available for classes that have already begun. Email boxoffice@mmjccm.org.

Adult Beginner 1 Swim Clinic
Come learn the fundamentals of swimming and water safety in a supportive and relaxed group setting. 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. Suitable for all beginner swimmers.
REGISTER NOW

Adult Beginner 2 Swim Clinic
Continue your progress from our Beginner 1 Swim Clinic or join us if you meet the prerequisites below. 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.
REGISTER NOW

Adult 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.
REGISTER NOW

Adult Advanced Swim Clinic
This clinic is for swimmers looking to build endurance during swim workouts. 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.
REGISTER NOW

The JCC also offers private swim lessons for adults and children of all ages. LEARN MORE

Are You Interested in Learning More About Toddler Playgroup and Turning 2s?
Join us for an information session to learn more about Toddler Playgroup and Turning 2s, two of the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan’s phenomenal pre-nursery programs.

During the session, we will explain our educational philosophy, give an overview of our daily schedule, and allow plenty of time to answer all of your questions.

This session will focus on our fall Toddler Playgroup and winter Turning 2s sessions, and is ideal for families with children who will turn 2 between January and May of 2028.

RSVP below:
Pre-Nursery Turning 2s Information Session | October 20, 9:15 am
Pre-Nursery Turning 2s Information Session | November 19, 9:15 am
Virtual Turning 2s Information Session | December 15, 12 pm
Pre-Nursery Turning 2s Information Session | January 13, 9:15 am
Pre-Nursery Turning 2s Information Session | February 10, 9:15 am
Turning 2s Rooftop Playdate | May 5, 3 pm

We’re excited to offer the following free Member Mingle events for JCC Health Club + Pool members!

Join us for these casual gatherings where you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Connect and schmooze with fellow members
• Meet our directors from our fitness, aquatics, and membership team
• Learn more about programs and get tips on favorite classes
• Enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks

SCHEDULE
Please click the dates to add to your calendar. When RSVP is available, please do so.

Nov, 10, 9:30-11 am | Pre-Thanksgiving mingle with Aquatics team, coffee + light bites | RSVP HERE

Dec, 10, TBD | Chanukah-themed mingle

Stay tuned to this page for more information!

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.