The Torah of Today- Stewardship

Parents today face endless advice, labels, and pressure when a child struggles. Join clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Katie Davis (author of Actually, You’re Fine) and award-winning NBC News correspondent Chloe Melas for a thoughtful conversation on raising resilient children with confidence.

Drawing on clinical research and personal experience, they will explore how to distinguish normal developmental variations from signs that warrant deeper evaluation. Learn when intervention is truly necessary, how to navigate school concerns, and how to advocate effectively for your child’s growth.

Key Takeaways

• Spot the Difference: Learn to distinguish typical childhood challenges from real red flags.
• Smart Advocacy: Get practical strategies to navigate school concerns and support systems.
• Build Resilience: Discover research-backed ways to foster your child’s emotional and cognitive growth.
• Filter the Noise: Gain confidence to tune out overwhelming, contradictory parenting advice.

As rising heat, flooding, extreme weather, and infrastructure challenges shape daily life across the city, this event will explore how Jewish institutions can become trusted anchors of preparedness, connection, and care. Together with civic leaders, climate experts, and community partners, we’ll consider what it means to move from awareness to readiness — and how our institutions can help support their communities and neighbors in a changing climate. Additional details, speakers, and location information will be shared in the coming weeks. 

Celebrate the start of fall with the 20s + 30s community under the stars (and the branches) at our annual Sukkot celebration! We’re taking over the rooftop for an unforgettable evening of food, drinks, and good vibes.

Whether you’re coming with friends or solo, expect a lively night packed with great music and even better people.

The Highlights

• Open Bar: Seasonal cocktails, craft beer, and non-alcoholic options.

• Rooftop Sukkah Eats: Plenty of food for everyone!

• Live DJ: Keeps the dance floor moving all night.

• Photo Booth: Grab props and snap memories with friends.

• Rooftop Games: Giant Jenga, cornhole, and icebreakers to meet someone new.

Cosponsored by Moishe House Upper West Side.

In this funny, candid, and deeply personal collection of essays, Owens looks back at a decade of reinvention: navigating motherhood, divorce, friendship, grief, love, ambition, and the unexpected turns that transformed her from a stay-at-home mother of four into one of the most recognizable voices in today’s literary world.

In conversation with the JCC’s new Chief Jewish Life Officer, Rabbi Diana Fersko, Owens will explore the messy space between one chapter and the next: how we make sense of change while we’re still living through it, the role books and storytelling can play in helping us find our way, and what it means to take a chance on a different version of our lives.

Set in the intimate atmosphere of the JCC Café, this evening is less a formal author talk than a conversation about books, beginnings, and the stories we tell ourselves when the plot takes an unexpected turn. Between Chapters will be available for purchase at the event.

Join us for a conversation with acclaimed food writer Linda Dangoor on her beautiful new book, “From the Tigris to the Thames: Flavours of a Journey”–part memoir, part cookbook, and a moving exploration of migration, memory, and identity through food.

After JCC Discovery Day, join author and content creator Rebekah Lowin for a special publication-week celebration of her new book, A Year of Jewish Joy. Before the holiday whirlwind begins, press pause on the cooking and to-do lists for an evening of conversation and reflection on the traditions and moments that matter most.

Sir Frank Lowy’s life embodies Jewish resilience. After surviving the Holocaust, he arrives in Palestine as a teenager, fights for Israel’s independence, and builds a global business empire in Australia. At 88, he makes Aliyah once again. Following October 7, he confronts its aftermath, reflecting on loss, identity, family, and resilience.

Dir. Sarit Asnapi

(Israel, 2025, 84 min)

Screening followed by Q+A with Sir Frank Lowy.

What happens when Broadway’s brightest rising star, her acclaimed jazz composer-husband, and one of theater’s most beloved creators share the stage?

Join us for a special live recording of Michael Kushner’s award-winning Dear Multi-Hyphenate podcast, featuring Broadway powerhouse Julie Benko (Funny Girl, Ragtime) and acclaimed pianist, composer, and educator Jason Yeager.

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

Following the success of our Spring program, Studio Visits: A Behind-the-Scenes Art Experience, curated and led by Aya Goshen, returns this spring.

Over five sessions, we will travel across New York City to visit artists in their private studios. Each visit offers a unique window into the artist’s world, exploring their practice, their work, and their sources of inspiration, while creating space for engaging dialogue and a glimpse into the art world.

Dates:

September 24

October 1, 8, 15, 22

Participants should be comfortable commuting to various locations throughout the city. Space is limited.

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.

Make the most of late summer on the Upper West Side! From rooftop dance sessions and live jazz to film screenings, community breakfasts, and early registration for fall programs, here is what’s coming up at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan this month. Swipe through our social media or visit the front desk for additional details on each center’s offerings this month.

📅 Monthly Lineup

Mon, Aug 3

• Ulpan: Hebrew Learning Registration Opens

  • Registration officially opens for our upcoming Hebrew language courses. Take your conversation and reading skills to the next level this fall!

Mon, Aug 10

• Children + Families Day to Save Sale | 9 am

  • Don’t miss special savings on upcoming family programming, classes, and events.

• Salsa on the Roof | 7 pm

  • Bring your energy and dance shoes to the JCC rooftop for a sunset salsa session overlooking the city skyline!

Tue, Aug 11

• Film | Monument  | 7 pm

  • Join us for an evening screening of Monument followed by a special Q + A.

Wed, Aug 12

• Rise + Shine Breakfast | 9–11 am

  • Start your morning with delicious food, coffee, and great community conversation.

• Healthy Skin at Any Age with Emily Samuels, M.D. | 11–12 pm

  • Learn practical dermatological insights and skincare strategies tailored for every stage of life.

Thu, Aug 13

• My Favorite Things – Jazz Standards from Broadway | 7 pm

  • Sit back and enjoy an evening of beloved Broadway musical theater classics reimagined as jazz standards.

Thu, Aug 20

• Boozy Ice Cream Happy Hour | 7 pm

  • Cool down, mingle, and celebrate summer with spiked sweet treats designed for young adults.

Mon, Aug 24

• Nursery School Fall Tours Registration Opens | 9 am

  • Planning ahead for your child’s early education? Tour registration opens today. Reserve your spot to explore our classrooms and community.

🗓️ Looking Ahead to September

• Fall Discovery Fair | Thu, Sept 10 | 3– 7 pm

  • Mark your calendars! Explore all our fall offerings, meet instructors, and sample programs for all ages.

📍 Plan Your Visit

Location | 334 Amsterdam Ave (at 76th St), New York, NY 10023

Contact | boxoffice@mmjccm.org | 646.505.5708

Registration | Space is limited for select events—pre-registration is strongly encouraged!

Jump into Community. Join the JCC in August for $0 initiation!  Book a tour + get a free trial.

Dive in. 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.

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
• 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! Registration is now open for adult fall swim classes starting in September. 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.

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

Join Andrea Mitchell, Chief Washington and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent for NBC News, who has covered every presidential campaign since 1980, as she moderates a compelling conversation with Rebecca Blumenstein (President, Editorial of NBC News) and Diana Kapp (Author of Girls Who Green the World and Girls Who Run the World) about their new book, The Last Free Women: A Daring Escape from Afghanistan and Coming of Age in America.

The world watched in shock five years ago when the Taliban stormed into Kabul, Afghanistan. Anyone who had worked with Americans over the 20 years war was at grave risk. Blumenstein, then a top editor at The New York Times, oversaw a mad scramble to evacuate their local reporters, drivers, translators and their families. Against all odds, 124 people landed in Houston. This was one of the largest privately sponsored refugee groups in modern American history; Resettling them became Blumenstein’s day job. 

The Last Free Women wrestles with duty, the basic rights of women, and the humanity linking us all — examining what America owes those who risk their lives alongside us abroad and the small acts of generosity that propelled four young Afghan women forward.

At a time of division, this story of unflinching hope will renew your faith in people and institutions.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or simply curious about everything the JCC on the Upper West Side has to offer, our Fall Discovery Fair is the perfect opportunity to explore, experience, and connect.

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, join us for an interactive open house where our staff will guide you through programs and classes offered for every age, stage, and interest.

Throughout the afternoon, you’ll enjoy:

• Live demonstrations every hour + sweet treats and giveaways
• Mini classes and hands-on experiences in fitness, arts, Jewish life, and more
• Opportunities to meet instructors, ask questions, get inspired, and find programs that fit your interests
• Guided tours of the building, giving you an inside look at our vibrant spaces and everything happening throughout the JCC

Bring a friend and discover all that awaits at the JCC. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Pre-registration strongly recommended. Walk-ins welcome. Stay tuned for more information about the event schedule.

RSVP NOW

Enjoy special promotions on personal training, massage, and membership. Don’t want to wait? Check out our current membership promotions now!

What can a plate of food reveal about a society? This exhibition explores how food shapes and reflects Israeli identity, culture, and public life, from cherished family recipes and holiday tables to food trends, celebrity chefs, and the bold creativity of today’s culinary scene.

Following the reception, curator Dr. Smadar Sheffi and Michelin-starred chef of the hottest restaurant in New York, Or-esh, Nadav Greenberg will explore the fascinating social, political, and historical stories hidden in every bite. Blending art, culture, and cuisine, the conversation will uncover how food becomes far more than nourishment: it becomes identity, storytelling, nostalgia, innovation, and sometimes even a battleground.

בכורה ניו יורקית להרצאה של ד״ר יערה קידר לכבוד ספרה החדש ״שמלת הסקנדל של מאדאם X״ שראה אור בהוצאת מודן. ההרצאה מזמינה אותנו להתבונן ביצירות אהובות של גדולי האמנים והאמניות, כדי לגלות כיצד קפל בד, צווארון, מניפה או כובע הם מעבר נסתר לעולמות אחרים. מה רומזת נעל מתעופפת בציור מתקופת הרוקוקו? כיצד הפכה שמלת הכותנה של מארי אנטואנט לאיום על הסדר החברתי? מדוע כתפייה שמוטה זעזעה את חוגי החברה הגבוהה בפריז? ומה מסתתר מאחורי חצאית הטול התמימה של הרקדנית הקטנה של דגה? ההרצאה ״שמלת הסקנדל של מאדאם אקס״ יוצאת למסע בעקבות יצירות המופת שבלב הספר. פריטי הלבוש שבכל אחת מהיצירות מחביאים סודות ומספרים את סיפוריהם של מי שלבשו אותם. הם משקפים את התקופה שבה נוצרו ואת השינויים שהתרחשו לאורך הזמן. הציורים חושפים כיצד משתנה המבט על גוף, על אופנה ועל נשיות, ומזכירים לנו שאופנה אינה מותרות, אלא דרך לחיות, לאהוב ולחלום.

בסיום ההרצאה ניתן יהיה לרכוש את הספר.

Part detective story, part heist film, and part historical reckoning, The Stamp Thief reveals the story of a rogue Nazi officer who stole millions of dollars worth of rare stamps and buried them in his home. Former Seinfeld producer Gary Gilbert embarks on a daring quest to uncover the truth and recover the stolen stamps. Disguising his investigation as a movie shoot, Gilbert seeks to return the stamps to their rightful heirs, delivering a small yet powerful act of justice more than 75 years after the Holocaust.

Dir. Dan Sturman

(US, 2025, 103 min)

Screening followed by Q+A with director Dan Sturman, and producers Gary Gilbert and Dylan Nelson.

Your vote matters! 2026 is a major statewide election year, meaning New Yorkers will head to the polls in November. More than 2,664 positions are up for election ranging from federal positions such as U.S. House of Representatives – New York 10th Congressional District to city offices like Auburn Associate City Court Judge.

Helpful Resources:

• Locate your Early Voting or Election Day Polling Site
• Learn about Ballot Proposals, NYC Elected Offices, and the candidates this election.
• Visit The Board of Elections in the City of New York or NYC VOTES for more information.

Important Dates:

• Oct 19 | Change of address deadline.
• Oct 24 | Last day to register to vote or update your voter registration.
• Oct 24 | Last day to request a  mail ballot online or by mail.
• Oct 24-Nov 1 | Early voting.
• Nov 2 | Last day to request a General Election mail ballot in person.
• No later than Nov 3 | Put ballot in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than Nov 3.
• No later than Nov 3 at 9 pm | Drop off your ballot at your county Board of Elections Office.
• Nov 3 by 9 pm | Drop off your ballot at an election day poll site.
• Nov 3 | Election Day!

We Met at Grossinger’s is a joyfully nostalgic journey through the Jewish Catskills—once known as the Borscht Belt—told through the rise and fall of its most beloved resort: Grossinger’s Resort and Hotel, the real-life inspiration for Dirty Dancing.

Dir. Paula Eiselt

(US, 2026, 104 min)

Set in the 1960s, Wes Anderson’s tender and offbeat summer adventure Moonrise Kingdom follows two young misfits who fall in love, run away together, and discover the thrill and vulnerability of first independence.

Dir. Wes Anderson

(US, 2012, 94 min)

Followed by a conversation with Matt Zoller Seitz, editor-at-large of RogerEbert.com and the author of the bestselling The Wes Anderson Collection. Co-presented by Uptown Film Center.

Plan ahead for a season of growth at the JCC. Our fall children’s classes offer a dynamic mix of programs designed for every age and stage, combining creativity, movement, and skill-building in a supportive environment.

Fall Program Guide | Click Here

• Expert-led classes across multiple disciplines
• Programs tailored by age and developmental stage
• Opportunities to build confidence, skills, and friendships
• Secure your spot early for our most popular neighborhood fall programs

Registration opens

• • May 12 for Members
  • May 19 for the Public

Explore Programs:

• • Infants + Toddlers
  • Fall Afterschool Clubhouse
  • Fall Swim Classes
  • Enrichment Classes

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.

Wed, May 27, 3:30-5 pm | Chair Massage, light bites, and wine | RSVP HERE

Thu, Jun 11, 10-11:30 am | Celebrate our new app with coffee, pastries, and fruit | RSVP HERE

September TBD| Mingle in our Sukkah

October TBD | Morning mingle

November TBD | Pre-thanksgiving mingle

December 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.