Film | Maintenance Artist

Opening Night: The Sea

Dir. Shai Carmeli-Pollak

Narrative | Israel | 2025 | 93 min

Khaled, a 12-year-old boy from a Palestinian village, travels to the sea for the first time during a school trip. But at the military checkpoint, he is denied entry and sent home. Determined, Khaled sneaks into Israel and embarks on a journey to the sea. When his father, an undocumented laborer working in Israel, learns that his son is missing, he risks everything to search for Khaled.

Thu, Nov 6, 6 pm Pre-film Reception, 7 pm Screening, $40

International Premiere

After October 7, Israeli women were recruited for active combat for the first time since 1948. According to Israel’s Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Defense, 5,000 women combat soldiers have undergone mental health treatment. The film shares the experiences, memories, and post-traumatic stress of women warriors who fought in Gaza and Lebanon.

Dir. Nurit Kedar

Documentary | Israel | 2025 | 55 min

Sat, Nov 8, 3:30 pm, FREE

New York Premiere

How does a shy ultra-Orthodox guy become a world master in capoeira? And how does the ultra-Orthodox community of his city, Bnei Brak, react to the revolution he’s determined to bring about? Rabbi Capoeira follows Miki Hayat’s five-year Sisyphean journey to connect spirit and body, bridging fears and dreams. 

Dir. Barak Heymann

Documentary | Israel | 2024 | 69 min

Sat, Nov 8, 5:30 pm, $18

Amid the escalating conflict, two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee “Combatants for Peace,” a group of former enemy combatants, Israeli and Palestinian, works together to find common ground and shape a more hopeful future. This film asserts an alternative to war and that another path is possible for humanity.

Dir. Stephen Apkon 

Documentary | Palestine/Israel/US | 2025 | 67 min

Sat, Nov 8, 7:30 pm, $18

World Premiere

In the heart of Jaffa’s old city, a rare Arabic bookshop café is dedicated to preserving its language and literature. As the bookstore faces closure, owner Michel George El-Raheb and his nephew journey across the Middle East, with a mission: to launch a public Arabic book festival in Jaffa, designed to spark a cultural revival. 

Dir. Tony Copti, Yaniv Berman

Documentary | Israel/Palestine | 2025 | 86 min

Sun, Nov 9, 4:30 pm, $18

On October 7, 2023, Israeli-American Liat Atzili and her husband, Aviv, were kidnapped during Hamas’ attack and taken hostage in Gaza along with 250 other people—12 of whom, like Liat, are American citizens. Caught between international diplomacy and a rapidly escalating war, their family must face their own uncertainty and conflicting perspectives in the pursuit of Liat and Aviv’s release.

Dir. Brandon Kramer

Documentary | US | 2025 | 97 min

Sun, Nov 9, 6:30 pm, $18 

BHS: Sun, Nov 9, 2 pm

An investigation into the rise of Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, two ministers driving Israel’s government, as they push a controversial agenda to reshape the nation’s democracy and expand its borders under a biblical vision.

Dir. Jérôme Sesquin

Documentary | Israel | 2025 |

Mon, Nov 10, 5:30 pm, $18

New York Premiere

Eid, a young man from Rahat, dreams of becoming a playwright. When his parents arrange a marriage for him against his will, his life takes an unexpected turn. Trapped between tradition and his own desires, he fights for his freedom and dreams within Bedouin society while grappling with his childhood trauma.

Dir. Yousef Abo Madegem

Narrative | Israel | 2024 | 90 min

International Premiere

It was Israel’s great political experiment in the West Bank and Gaza before the intifada. Tahsin Mansour, once mayor of the Palestinian village of Azzoun, now lives isolated by war and a roadblock that turned his home into an enclave. Reflecting on his role in the Village Leagues—an Israeli-backed attempt at Palestinian-Israeli peace—he recalls both the promise of diplomacy and the devastating backlash, as members were denounced as traitors and persecuted.

Dir. Tal Michael, David Ofek 

Documentary | Israel | 2024 | 60 min

Tue, Nov 11, 7:30 pm, $18

North American Premiere

The identity crisis of the Bedouins in the Negev has only intensified since October 7, as they are torn between Palestinian roots, family in Gaza, and their Israeli citizenship. The stories of five people, each dealing with the crisis in their own way, reveal the complexities and internal conflicts as they cope with a changing reality.

Dir. Yousef Abo Madegem, Ofir Trainin

Documentary | Israel | 2024 | 51 min

Wed, Nov 12, 5:30 pm, $18

A philosophical tragicomedy about space, time, cinema, and wars, composed of six episodes, all together forming an absurdist footnote – somewhat divorced from reality – to the current events in the known universe.

Dir. Eran Kolirin

Narrative | Israel | 2025 | 79 min

Wed, Nov 12, 7 pm, $18

Closing Night

When Yaki’s sole inheritance, an extremely valuable dove, is taken by his childhood friend, he embarks on a wild road trip across Israel and Palestine. What follows is a series of comical misadventures—navigating checkpoints, ruining a wedding, and even car theft—all in a desperate race to get the dove to a beauty pageant in Jerusalem.

Dir. Jamal Khalaily, Zohar Shachar

Narrative | Israel, Belgium | 2025 | 75 min

Thu, Nov 13, 6:30 pm Pre-film Reception, 7:30 pm Screening, $25

The Other Israel Film Festival, founded in 2007, examines the complexity of Israeli and Palestinian societies in depth through films, panels, and events. It spotlights human stories that explore the relationship between history, culture, and identity and highlights crucial topics that merit thoughtful consideration. Learn more at otherisrael.org.

 

Thu, Nov 6: The Sea [Opening Night]

6 pm Pre-film Reception, 7 pm Screening, $40

On a school trip to the seaside, a 12-year-old Palestinian boy is denied entry at a checkpoint. Determined, he sneaks into Israel to complete his journey to the sea.

Sat, Nov 8: I Cried in Gaza

 3:30 pm, FREE

After October 7, Israeli women were recruited for active combat for the first time since 1948; this documentary explores their battles, memories, and trauma from Gaza and Lebanon.

Sat, Nov 8: Rabbi Capoeira

5:30 pm, $18

The story of a unique capoeira and hip-hop studio in Bnei Brak, Israel’s largest ultra-Orthodox city.

Sat, Nov 8: There Is Another Way

7:30 pm, $18

Combatants for Peace is a group of Israeli and Palestinian visionaries working together to shape a more hopeful future and show that another path is possible.

Sun, Nov. 9: A Place of Her Own

2:30 pm, $18

In a poor Arab village, women strive to build a community center, but violence and a luxury development threaten their hope for change.

Sun, Nov. 9: The Smugglers [World Premiere]

4:30 pm, $18

In Jaffa’s old city, an Arabic bookshop café faces closure, sending its owner across the Middle East to spark a cultural revival.

Sun, Nov. 9: Holding Liat

6:30 pm, $18

BHS: Sun, Nov 9, 2 pm

After Liat Beinin Atzili is kidnapped on October 7, her Israeli-American family faces their own conflicting perspectives on advocating for her release and the future of the places they call home.

Mon, Nov. 10: Israel: Ministers of Chaos

5:30 pm, $18

An investigation into the rise of Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, two ministers driving Israel’s government, as they push a controversial agenda to reshape the nation’s democracy.

Tue, Nov. 11: Eid [New York Premiere]

5:30 pm, $18

Eid, a young Bedouin man, dreams of becoming a playwright. When his parents arrange a marriage for him against his will, he fights for his freedom and dreams within traditional society.

Tue, Nov. 11: The Village Leagues [International Premiere]

7:30 pm, $18

Before the intifada, Israel’s experiment to create a new Palestinian leadership to replace the PLO initially succeeded, but left both sides with tragic consequences.

Wed, Nov. 12: Open Wound [North American Premiere]

5:30 pm, $18

Since October 7, Bedouins of the Negev face a deepening identity crisis, torn between Palestinian roots, family in Gaza, and Israeli citizenship, as they cope with a shifting reality.

Wed, Nov. 12: Some Notes on the Current Situation

7 pm, $18

A six-episode absurdist tragicomedy exploring space, time, cinema, and wars, serving as a surreal footnote to present-day events across the universe.

Thu, Nov. 13: Bella [Closing Night]

6:30 pm Pre-film Reception, 7:30 pm Screening, $25

When Yaki realizes his sole inheritance is an extremely valuable dove named Bella, he embarks on a wild road trip across Israel and Palestine to enter her in a Jerusalem beauty pageant.

 

SPECIAL EVENT: Standing Alone Together: A First-Look Event

Thu, Nov 13, 6pm

The Israeli-Palestinian solidarity movement Standing Together has taken the world by storm since the October 7 attacks, and the ensuing war forever changed the Middle East. The upcoming documentary STANDING ALONE TOGETHER, directed by Maayan Schwartz (Children of Peace), offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at this groundbreaking movement and provides an intimate portrait of its leaders, Rula Daood and Alon-Lee Green.

This special, exclusive event offers a unique opportunity to get a first look at clips from the documentary-in-progress, followed by conversations with the filmmaking team and special guests. Featuring: members of the filmmaking team, Executive Producer and Albi Founder Libby Lenkinski, Executive Producer Sarah Rosen, and special surprise guests.

Join fashion scholars Liraz Cohen Mordechai, fashion researcher and lecturer; Keren Ben Hurin, fashion historian; and Dr. Meital Peleg Mizrachi, postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Economics at Yale University, as they uncover stories hidden in the seams and folds of memorable and ordinary pieces of clothing.

Join us for the launch of Hyphen, a groundbreaking new graphic novel anthology celebrating the incredible diversity of Jewish identity worldwide. Hyphen features 12 powerful, real-life stories of Jews from diverse backgrounds. It gives voice to narratives often left untold. Each story is told in the contributor’s own words and brought to life by international artists, weaving together ancient traditions, modern journeys, and deeply personal experiences. Not stories about them, stories by them.

Early Bird Registration Now Open!

Use code EARLYBIRD360 for 9–week registrations to get $360 off this summer.

Use code EARLYBIRLD180 for 3–8 week registrations to get $180 off this summer.

We’re growing! NEW this summer:

• Catered lunch for all campers
• Daily swim for every age
• Towel service included

This summer, we’re expanding to welcome children ages 3–10 with brand-new divisions:

• Lower Division (Ages 3–5)
• Middle Division (Ages 6–7)
• Upper Division: Specialty Camps (Ages 8–10)

Day Camp @ the JCC delivers the ultimate city camp experience—swimming, sports, arts, cooking, yoga, engineering, and so much more—right here on 76th and Amsterdam, using our world-class facilities: indoor heated pools, culinary + art studios, rooftop playground, and a full gymnasium. Campers also spend time outside each day, and older campers participate in sports every morning in the park.

Upper Division Specialty Campers enjoy concentrated time in the specialty of their choosing each week: Sports, Theater, and Visual + Culinary Arts.

• 3s Full Day
• 3s Half Day
• 4s
• 5s
• 6s
• 7s
• 8–10s

Don’t wait—secure your child’s spot for an unforgettable summer of growth, fun, and friendship today!

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 décor, or upgrade to the Ultimate Party Package, which includes pizza or bagels, snacks, and festive paper goods.

Request your birthday package 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.

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.

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

(US, 2025, 31 min)

On October 16, our lobby will become a space of remembrance, reflection, and healing. Together, we will create a communal art project and engage with a special remembrance installation that invites everyone to take part. Throughout the day, live music will help us tend to our hearts. In partnership with Edut 710, we will also share testimonies from those who lived through that day, voices of survival, courage, and resilience, presented on screens so visitors may sit, listen, and bear witness.

The night before (Oct 15), JCC CEO Rabbi Joanna Samuels, Romemu’s Hazzan Shimon Smith, and our new UWS Shaliach Itai Bar, will lead a Havdalah service at Riverside. This ceremony will provide a bookend to the Chagim and transition into the commemoration of October 7 on the Hebrew calendar with music and poetry from the Israeli Yizkor service.  Riverside location to be shared with event registrants and community partners. More information can be found here.

In Israel, determined by the Knesset, and on the Hebrew calendar worldwide, October 7 is marked not on its secular date but its Hebrew date of the 24th of Tishrei (this year, Oct 16) as a day of mourning.

On Tuesday, October 7, the first day of Sukkot this 5786, each of our three sukkot will provide a space for individual reflection and remembrance. Lit by a yahrzeit candle, community members can page through poetry published in Israel in Hebrew or translation, and kalaniyot/red poppy pins will be available to bring with you as a visual symbol of mourning.

In celebration of the harvest season of Sukkot, the JCC opens its doors and creates temporary shelter for our community.

Visit our rooftop sukkah and our 7th floor terrace sukkah/art installation—IMKHA, created by Tobi Kahn—during open hours for celebrations and meals, and stop by our sidewalk sukkah on Amsterdam Avenue!

Below are dates and times our rooftop and 7th floor terrace sukkot are open to the public.

Date                            Rooftop Sukkah            7th Floor Terrace Sukkah
Mon, Oct 6         5–9:45 pm                          5–9:45 pm
Tue, Oct 7           9 am–9:45 pm                   9 am–9:45 pm
Wed, Oct 8        9 am–9:45 pm                   9 am–noon, 3–9:45 pm
Thu, Oct 9          9 am–1 pm                          9 am–9:45 pm
Fri, Oct 10          10:30 am–9:45 pm           9 am–5 pm
Sat, Oct 11          9 am–9:45 pm                  9 am–9:45 pm*
Sun, Oct 12        2:45–5 pm                         9 am–9:45 pm
Mon, Oct 13       noon–3 pm + 5–9 pm     9 am–9:45 pm
Tue, Oct 14         9 am–5:45 pm                  9 am–5:45 pm
*Artist-in-residence talks with Tobi Kahn at 3 pm + 5 pm on Sat, Oct 11.

IMKHA was commissioned by Zelda R. Stern in memory of her beloved husband Stanley I. Rosenzweig.

There are also plenty of Sukkot programs and events all holiday long!

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.

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

Donate new and gently used fall and winter clothing in our lobby to support housing-insecure students in District 3 public schools. Your contributions help children stay warm and confident during the colder months.  

We’re collecting (infant–teen sizes only):
✔ Pants, shirts, sweaters, dresses, pajamas
✔ Outerwear (jackets + coats), hats, gloves, shoes + boots
✔ New socks and new underwear only

We cannot accept:
✘ Adult clothing, summer items, and used undergarments
✘ Torn, stained, or mildewed items
✘ Household goods, toys, games, or stuffed animals

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

Volunteer shifts throughout the drive and during the pop-up fair are also available.

Clear out your closet and protect the planet at our Fall Community Recycling Day! Bring your gently used items to our sidewalk drop-off stations and help support housing-insecure New Yorkers while reducing landfill waste.

We’re collecting:

• E-waste with the Lower East Side Ecology Center – click here for accepted items
• Gently used fall + winter clothing for distribution to families experiencing housing insecurity
• Worn or out-of-season textiles with Green Tree Textile Recycling

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

Volunteer shifts throughout the day are also available.

The Jack and Shirley Silver Center for Diverse Abilities at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is pleased to present the Special Education School Fair! Representatives from preschools through high schools and resource organizations serving the New York City special needs community will be on site to provide information and answers to your questions about the application process, class profiles, tuition costs, and more. School materials will be available.

In person only; registration required.

The Special Education School Fair is generously sponsored by the Riverview School.

Join us for an extraordinary immersive event marking 30 years since the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Together, we will step into the historic peace rally that took place that night in Tel Aviv, a gathering that began with unity, music, and dancing, and ended with a gunshot that forever changed the course of Israeli history.

Through live performances of the original speeches, songs, and moments from that evening, we will relive the emotional highs and heartbreaking silence that followed. This is not just a memorial, it’s an invitation to feel, to remember, and to reflect on the legacy of a visionary leader who dared to believe in peace. Come be part of the square, the spirit, and the story.

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,  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.  

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

Dir. Elena Neuman

(US, 2025, 71 min)

Presented in partnership with ReelAbilities.

This documentary highlights the groundbreaking public artist Mierle Laderman Ukeles, the first official artist-in-residence for the New York City Sanitation Department. She championed an essential class of workers and raised maintenance to an art form during the impassioned social and artistic upheavals of the late 20th century. 

 

Screening followed by Q+A with director Toby Perl Freilich.

In partnership with Ronald Feldman Gallery.

Dir. Toby Perl Freilich

(US, 2025, 95 min)

Using the testimony of Holocaust survivor Ivor Perl, director Zoom Rockman created a groundbreaking animated drama depicting the Holocaust as it has never been seen before. Every puppet, uniform, weapon and vehicle was sketched out, beautifully hand crafted and puppeteered using wire, sticks and split pins. 

Dir. Zoom Rockman

(UK, 2025, 40 min)

Screening will be followed by Q+A with director Zoom Rockman and composer Erran Baron Cohen.

When a Jewish film director who makes Christmas movies in New York City decides to have his Bar Mitzvah at the age of 31, he must navigate situationships, exes, and family to complete his Mitzvah project and impress his childhood crush.

Dir. Jonah Feingold

(US, 2025, 90 min)

Screening followed by Q+A with director Jonah Feingold.

A renowned and successful record company CEO, known for his brilliance—and his combativeness—Harvey Schein lived a rags-to-riches story that embodied the American Dream. But over time he also became obsessed with how to pass on his wealth to his heirs while avoiding taxes. Director Justin Schein turns the camera on his father as a case study in America’s long and problematic history of tax benefits for the wealthy. This timely film deftly interweaves complex family dynamics with American economic policy, illustrating how the rich stay rich and what it costs our country to keep them that way.

Dir. Justin Schein

(US, 2025, 85 min)

Screening followed by Q+A with director Justin Schein and film subject Alissa Quart. In partnership with Plaza Jewish Community Chapel and Shomer Collective.

Gitl (Carol Kane), a young Jewish woman who comes to America in the 1890s, discovers that her husband, Jake (Steven Keats), has given up the ways of the old country, and taken up with a new girlfriend, and a new life.

 

Dir. Joan Micklin Silver

(US, 1975, 91 min)

The story of Ohad Naharin, renowned choreographer and artistic director of the Batsheva Dance Company, an artistic genius who redefined the language of modern dance.

Dir. Tomer Heymann

(Israel/Sweden/Germany/Netherlands, 2015, 100 min)

Screening followed by Q+A with Ella Baff, an American Friends of Batsheva board member, and Omri Drumlevich, a former Batsheva dancer.

Approximately 200,000 New York City public school students are dyslexic, yet there is no public initiative that provides the specialized skill and care necessary for these learners. Frustrated that they had to remove their own kids from the public school system, a group of determined moms band together to do something that’s never been done before – open New York City’s first public school for dyslexic students. The film reveals the power of grassroots activism, offering an eye-opening and uplifting message of hope and resilience.

Dir. Anna Toomey 

(US, 2025, 77 min)

Presented in partnership with ReelAbilities. Screening followed by Q+A with director Anna Toomey and film subject Emily Hellstrom, founder of the Literacy Academy Collective.

Join the JCC Health Club by October 31 + Save up to $250! Or Join the Pool + Save $150 Off! $0 Enrollment Fee.*

This fall experience the JCC’s holistic approach to fitness, where wellness feels like home. 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, friendly staff, and warm community!

Learn more about this limited time offer. Have questions? Email joinjcc@mmjccm.org or call 646.505.4414.

*Restrictions apply.

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.

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!

• Infants + Toddlers Sports Classes

• School Age Sports Classes

• Tweens + Teens Sports 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:

• Bubbling Babies (6–12 months)

• Starfish (12–18 months)

• Seahorses (18–30 months)

• Little Fish (30–36 months)

• Dolphins 1 – Beginner (2.5–3.5 years, drop-off)

• Dolphins 2 – Intermediate (3–5 years, drop-off)

• Dolphins 3 – Advanced (3–5 years, drop-off)

School-Age Swim Classes (5–14 years)

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

• Blue – Beginner 1 (5–8 years)

• Yellow – Beginner 2 (5–8 years)

• Green – Intermediate 1 (5–14 years)

• Purple – Intermediate 2 (5–14 years)

• Red – Advanced (5–14 years)

• JCC Swim Club (by instructor placement)

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

Fall Teen Fitness Classes at The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan

Help your tween or teen build strength, confidence, and lifelong healthy habits in our youth fitness programs on the Upper West Side. Our classes 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

• Basketball Leagues
  Competitive and recreational leagues for teens to develop skills and teamwork.

• Pilates 4 Attention + Mindfulness
  Pilates-based classes focusing on improving focus and mindfulness.

• Teen Pilates
  Pilates sessions designed to enhance core strength and flexibility.

• Tween Fit Lab
  A dynamic program combining fitness training with fun activities.

• Personal Training
  One-on-one sessions tailored to individual fitness goals.

• Private Swim Lessons
  Personalized swim instruction focusing on technique and confidence.

In this talk, Wharton economist and JCC health club member Judd Kessler discusses his new book, “Lucky by Design.”

Judd pulls back the curtain on the hidden markets that determine who gets what in everyday life. Unlike familiar markets, where what we get depends on how much we’re willing to pay, hidden markets do not rely on prices: you can’t buy your way into a better position. Instead, what you receive hinges on the rules by which the market operates, and the choices you make in them.

Judd has spent a career studying and designing these very markets. Now, he reveals insights about how they work, how to maneuver in them, and how to tip the scales in your favor.

In Person + Virtual. Join us for an insightful day designed specifically for the Young Onset Parkinson’s community – in person or online! Brought to you by the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (JCC), and the Parkinson’s Foundation.

 

The event day will include three panel discussions:

• Keeping Your Balance – Work, Life + Finance
• Doctor’s Orders: Treatment Options through the Eyes of Health Professionals with PD, and
• Hindsight is 20/20 – Wisdom from Those Who’ve Been There

 

Exercise breaks, networking opportunities, and open discussions will be included. A light lunch will be served.

 

Sunday, Oct 26, 10 am-4 pm, FREE

To Register: Visit Shaken Not Deterred Registration

If you need assistance or have questions, please email ShakenNotDeterred@parkinson.org or call Nancy Nealon at 585.743.1266.

In Person. Gather with other people with Parkinson’s to network, share information, and learn from each other.

This peer-to-peer group meets to encourage, support, and inspire each other.

 

13 Thursdays, Sep 11 – Dec 18 (except Oct. 2, Nov 27)

6:30-7:30 pm  FREE

 

For more information or to join, contact Whitney Chapman, Program Coordinator at wchapman@mmjccm.org or 646.505.4383

 

PRESS ON: A Partnership with American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA)

In Person. Were you diagnosed with Parkinson’s 5 or more years ago? Do you have questions about what lies ahead and how you should prepare?

This guided 8-week program is for people with PD and care partners who are in mid-stage PD and will cover topics such as:

• Healthcare
• Planning for the What Ifs
• Safety
• Environment + Exercise
• Impact of Parkinson’s on Daily Coping + Relationships
• Maintaining Hope in the Path Forward

and more.

Find support and connection in navigating life with PD.

8 Wednesdays, Oct 22-Dec 18 (except Nov 26)

4:30-6 pm, FREE

For more information or to register/join: Contact Judy Margolis, MSW, at jmargolis@mmjccm.org or call 646.505.4398

The program is limited to 12 participants, and you are requested to plan to attend all 8 sessions.

A Partnership with American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA)

In Person. Care Partner Connection Program is a multi-week Care Partner support series. This series offers the opportunity to connect with other care partners for emotional support and sharing, and provides education about planning for the future and practical resources. This was designed for care partners who are looking for a space to share their feelings and learn more about PD caregiving considerations. Classes will consist of interactive sessions, discussions, and brainstorming to help you take the tools and resources you learn about and put them into action in your life. Topics may include:

Caregiving
Preparing for the Future
PD as a Family Disease
Coping with Changing Conditions, and
Strengths + Supports

8 Mondays, Oct 20-Dec 15 (except Nov 10)

5:30-7:30 pm, FREE

For more information or to register/join: Contact Kat Safavi, MSW at ksafavi@mmjccm.org or call 646.505.4383.

The program is limited to 12 participants, and you are requested to plan to attend all 8 sessions.

PRESS: An 8-Week Education/Support Group for People With Parkinson’s, in their first 5 years of diagnosis –

A Partnership with American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA)

 

In Person. Parkinson’s Roadmap for Education and Support Services (PRESS) is an eight-week, in-person support series with tailored content to address the psychosocial needs of those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease within the last five years.  Each PRESS support group is facilitated by a trained healthcare professional who will provide a structured platform for participants to share their experiences, feelings, and strategies for coping with PD.  PD-focused topics covered in this program include:

• What’s Next After Diagnosis
• Medication Management
• Importance of Exercise
• Caring for Others
• Caring for Yourself
• Building your Healthcare Team

and more.

8 Tuesdays, Oct 21-Dec 9

4:30-6 pm, FREE

 

For more information or to register/join: Contact Judy Margolis, MSW at jmargolis@mmjccm.org or call 646.505.4398

The program is limited to 12 participants, and you are requested to plan to attend all 8 sessions.

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

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, Sep 30, 9:30 am | Here
• Mon, Oct 6, 9:30 am | Here
• Thu Oct 16,  9:30 am | Here
• Wed Oct 22, 9:30 am | Here
• Wed Oct 29, 9:30 am | Here
• Wed, Nov 5, 9:30 am | Here
• Wed, Nov 12, 9:30 am | Here
• Tue, Nov 18, 9:30 am | Here
• Wed, Dec 3, 9:30 am | Here

Reserve your spot today—spaces fill quickly!

The JCC is thrilled to be partnering with Dance for PD to offer The Mark Morris Dance Group’s award-winning Dance for PD® classes which invite people with Parkinson’s and their partners to explore movement and music in ways that are enjoyable, stimulating, and creative.

Dance for PD® PRO includes a progressive all-standing warm-up, standing barre work, and traveling steps. Each class integrates elements of diverse dance styles to help people with Parkinson’s build and master specific skills through a focused, intensive approach. Expert teachers guide participants through accelerated physical and cognitive training, technique, improvisation, and a focus on structural alignment in an intimate, friendly, personalized workshop environment.

Registration is handled by Dance for PD. Advance registration and photo ID is required for all attendees including care partners. For more information, contact us at registration@danceforpd.org.

To register click here  or  call (718) 218-3373 and leave your name, phone number, email address and the name of the class you wish to attend. Program staff will get back to you to confirm your registration.

13 Thursdays, Sep 11 – Dec 18 (except Oct 2, Nov 27) 5:15-6:15 pm FREE

• 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!
  • Sun, Nov 23, 11 am-1 pm | Learn More

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.

Hit the court this fall with our Basketball Leagues for Tweens (10-14 yrs), and Teens (14-18 yrs), at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan! Whether you’re looking for friendly competition or just a fun way to stay active, we’ve got a league for you. Teens and tweens can join age-based divisions designed for all skill levels — from casual players to seasoned athletes.

Teen/Tween Leagues

Turning 2s is a joyful, drop-off program that nurtures curiosity, confidence, and early independence. Rooted in the belief that every child is competent, capable, and full of potential, our child-centered curriculum encourages exploration and creativity through hands-on, developmentally appropriate experiences. In our warm, welcoming classrooms, caring teachers guide children as facilitators, helping them discover, grow, and thrive.

Turning 2s is a registration-based program (no application required), offered two mornings per week — families may choose either a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday section. Designed for children turning two between September and December, the program runs from September through June. An optional third day is available through separate registration for our Friday class, Shabbat Together.

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

• 9 AM

• 9:30 AM

• 10 AM

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

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

• Mon/Wed

• Tue/Thu

Fall Toddler Playgroup + Winter Turning 2s Bundle
A seamless full-year experience for children transitioning from playgroup to drop-off. Bundle your favorites and save today!
Register + Save

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 Kaye rkaye@mmjccm.org.

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.

Your vote matters! 2025 is a citywide election year, which means all New Yorkers will be heading to the polls in November to choose candidates for local offices, including Mayor, City Council, Borough President, and more.

Here are some resources to help you prepare for the general election.

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

Important Dates:

• Oct 20 | Change of Address Deadline
• Oct 25 | Voter Registration Deadline 
• Oct 25-Nov 2 | Early Voting
• Oct 25 | Vote by Mail Application Deadline (Online + Mail)
• Nov 3 | Vote by Mail Application Deadline (In Person)
• Nov 4 | Return ballot: Must be postmarked by November 4, 2025, or delivered in person
• Nov 4 | ELECTION DAY! All mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov 4 or delivered in person