Shames JCC

Project Genesis: An Interfaith Conversation Between Two Clergy
2023-02-07 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
Project Genesis: An Interfaith Conversation Between Two Clergy
Two clergy from different faiths will analyze and discuss different interpretations of the books of Genesis.
Join Rabbi Jay Stein and Reverend Gareth Evans as they discuss the “Sacrifice Your Son” portion of Genesis 22:2, Together we explore the challenges and inspiration that the binding of Isaac story has to offer, exploring why and how this famous Biblical story influences the Judeo-Chritian thinking.
Project Genesis: The same story can have multiple meanings. The books of the Old Testament in particular are ripe with symbol, metaphor, and character, providing the reader with the opportunity to unpack and analyze the meanings. In Project Genesis, we will discuss different interpretations of some of the beloved stories we learned as children and now revisit as adults. Two clergy friends with insight from different faiths will serve as your guides: Reverend Gareth Evans of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church and Rabbi Jay M. Stein of Greenburgh Hebrew Center.

Make Purim Groggers
2023-03-06 15:00 - 17:00

Israeli Culture Connection with Maya Naor
2023-03-07 13:00 - 14:00
Israeli Culture Connection with Maya Naor
Every person in Israel serves in the Israel Defense Forces. Join us for casual conversation as our Shinshin, Maya Naor, shares her views on the IDF and her future plans for life after her gap year.
This event is free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served.

Mask making for Purim
2023-03-07 15:00 - 17:00
Mask-making will be in the main lobby!

Project Genesis: An Interfaith Conversation Between Two Clergy
2023-03-28 10:00 - 11:00
Project Genesis: An Interfaith Conversation Between Two Clergy
Two clergies from different faiths will analyze and discuss different interpretations of the books of Genesis.
Rabbi Jay Stein and Reverend Gareth Evans will discuss the story of Jacob and the birthright. When parents pick a favorite child, the impact is felt for many generations. In this session, we will unpack the biblical dysfunctional family of Isaac, Esau, Rebecca, and Jacob. Together we will explore what our two faiths have to say about complicated family dynamics.
About Project Genesis: The same story can have multiple meanings. The books of the Old Testament in particular are ripe with symbol, metaphor, and character, providing the reader with the opportunity to unpack and analyze the meanings. In Project Genesis, we will discuss different interpretations of some of the beloved stories we learned as children and now revisit as adults.

Passover Pop-up: Afikomen Bagmaking
2023-03-28 15:00 - 17:00
Come have fun as you learn about Passover with a craft. Afikomen is the piece
broken off from a matzo during the Seder and put aside to be eaten at the end
of the meal, as dessert.
Please join Yanira to sew Afikomen bags using age-appropriate materials. No registration is required, just stop by the Main Lobby!

Adult Cooking Workshop: Passover Treats
2023-04-03 13:00 - 14:30
Finding Passover-friendly snacks can be a hassle, or expensive, or both! In this casual workshop, teaching chef Amy Pane will lead you in making two simple and delicious recipes for Passover.
Participants can get hands-on experience making snacks, or just come and observe. Everyone will go home with recipes and a batch of treats ready to bake. Samples to eat during class are of course included.
The workshop is open to all – no cooking experience is necessary!

For Families: Three Charosets Tell One Story
2023-04-03 15:00 - 16:00
On the evening of April 5th, Jews worldwide will be gathering for a seder to celebrate Passover (Pesach), the Holiday of Freedom. The ingredients that make up the charoset on the seder table tell the story of the local region, but the charoset itself tells the story of a journey to our Jewish freedom. Come make 3 versions of charoset from different parts of the world with Yanira and learn more about where they originated from.

Project Genesis: An Interfaith Conversation Between Two Clergy
2023-04-25 10:00 - 11:00
Project Genesis: An Interfaith Conversation Between Two Clergy
Join Rabbi Jay Stein and Reverend Gareth Evans as they discuss the story of Jacob wrestling with a man or an angel. Have you ever wondered what our faith teaches us about angels? Both Christianity and Judaism have a belief in intermediary forces called angels. This session will explore what our faiths say about the role they play in this story and the implications for our own lives.
Project Genesis: The same story can have multiple meanings. The books of the Old Testament in particular are ripe with symbol, metaphor, and character, providing the reader with the opportunity to unpack and analyze the meanings. In Project Genesis, we will discuss different interpretations of some of the beloved stories we learned as children and now revisit as adults.

Identity, Politics, and Law in Israel Today: What’s Next?
2023-05-01 18:30 - 20:00
How are issues of identity, history, politics, and law impacting current events in Israel today? As we commemorate Israel@75, join Masua Sagiv, Scholar in Residence of the Shalom Hartman Institute based in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Koret Visiting Assistant Professor of Jewish and Israel Studies at U.C. Berkeley, as she explores the challenges and opportunities facing Israel today and what they might mean for the future of the Jewish State.

Project Genesis: An Interfaith Conversation Between Two Clergy
2023-05-23 10:00 - 11:00
Project Genesis: An Interfaith Conversation Between Two Clergy
Sibling rivalry can be incredibly complicated- Joseph’s story
There is more to the Joseph story than Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It certainly doesn’t begin or end there. If we hadn’t gotten the message about the real-life dangers of sibling rivalry from earlier Genesis stories, this one makes it all too painfully clear on what happens when a parent prefers one child over another.
Project Genesis: The same story can have multiple meanings. The books of the Old Testament in particular are ripe with symbol, metaphor, and character, providing the reader with the opportunity to unpack and analyze the meanings. In Project Genesis, we will discuss different interpretations of some of the beloved stories we learned as children and now revisit as adults.

Sort Medical Supplies for The Afya Foundation (Mt. Kisco)
2023-06-11 10:00 - 12:30
The Afya Foundation collects unused medical supplies and equipment and gives them a second life, shipping them to under-resourced and compromised health systems all over the globe. Join us to sort and organize supplies to be sent to areas in need, including areas experiencing conflict and natural disasters. Volunteers are needed to sort, label, pack, and list supplies.
Sort will happen at Bet Torah, 60 Smith Ave, Mt Kisco, NY 10549.
We will have a shift for families (with children 8+) from 10-11 am, and a shift for teens (ages 13-18) from 11:30 am-12:30 pm.

Falafel and Farewell To Maya Naor!
2023-06-20 13:00 - 14:00
Maya Naor has served as the JCC Shinsin (Israeli youth ambassador) for the last 10 months and will be returning to Israel to join the IDF. Please join us to wish her well in this next chapter.
Israeli music, photos, and snacks will be providedj

Come Walk with Me: A High Holiday Meditative Hike
2023-09-10 12:00 - 14:00 | Rockefeller State Park Preserve 125 Phelps Way Pleasantville, NY, 125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville, NY, United States
Rosh Hashanah is the time to take stock of our spiritual lives. Join us with Adamah as we take a meditative walk with stops along the way.

Birdie's Batch Rosh Hashanah Pop-up
2023-09-14 15:00 - 17:00
Just in time for Rosh Hashanah, we are bringing back local favorite Birdie’s Batch for some sweet new year goodies. Stock up on honey cake, apple cake, apple butter rugelach, apple butter and more! Preorders will be available on the site or just stop by the J!

CAMP ROSH HASHANAH A New Way to Celebrate
2023-09-15 - 2023-09-17
Looking for a new way to celebrate an ancient holiday? Like being outdoors on 640 acres surrounded by natural beauty? Want to contemplate the New Year while you swim, boat, bike, bake, craft, pickleball or try cardio drumming? Pack a bag, hop in the car, and come spend the weekend with us at Camp Rosh Hashanah at Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp! We guarantee a sweet start to your New Year.
Camp Rosh Hashanah, just 90 minutes north of the JCC, has something fun for everyone. The lake will be open for swimming as will our heated pool. Great meals and evenings by the campfire will keep everyone energized and happy.
Activities for all ages include:
The Lake
Canoe
Kayak
Paddleboard
Row
Fishing
Other Activities
Yoga
Cardio Drumming
Art Classes
Cooking Classes
Board Games
Cider Tasting
Sports
Pickleball
Basketball
Soccer
Kickball
Biking
Volleyball
Tetherball
Gaga

Israel Connection: Welcome Noy!
2023-11-07 11:00 - 11:45
Come welcome our new Shishin (Junior Israeli ambassador) Noy Laufer, born in Haifa. Her family currently lives in Moshav Avigdor, a small village 40 minutes south of Tel Aviv. Noy is spending her gap year after graduating high school working with different institutions. Noy will to share her experiences and perspectives as an Israeli. Light refreshments will be served.

Israeli Culture Connection
2023-12-19 11:00 - 11:45
Come connect with our Shishin (Junior Israeli ambassador) Noy Laufer, born in Haifa. Her family currently lives in Moshav Avigdor, a small village 40 minutes south of Tel Aviv. Noy is spending her gap year after graduating high school working with different institutions. Noy will share her experiences and perspectives as an Israeli.
Light refreshments will be served.

Israeli Culture Connection with Noy
2024-01-23 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-03-19 11:00 - 12:00
Come connect with our Shishin (Junior Israeli ambassador) Noy Laufer, born in Haifa. Noy is spending her gap year after graduating high school working with different institutions. In a roundtable conversation, she will share her experiences and perspectives as an Israeli. Light refreshments will be served.

Tu B’Shevat Pop-up
2024-01-25 15:00 - 17:00
Celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish Birthday of the Trees, with Yanira in the lobby! Join us for a joyful gathering as we plant parsley, a symbolic herb used at the Passover table. Let’s come together to honor nature and embrace the spirit of growth and renewal on this special occasion.

Rabbi Joshua Rubin Presents True Acts of Kindness: Organ Donation and Judaism
2024-03-04 10:00 - 11:30
Thanks to medical science, people who pass from this world into whatever comes next are able to engage in a final selfless act of kindness through the mitzvah of organ donation. But is organ donation allowed under Jewish law? This talk will introduce the organ donation process while examining key Jewish texts and common misconceptions.
About the Instructor: Rabbi Joshua Rabin is a community and government affairs liaison at LiveOnNY, specifically focusing on the Jewish community. Josh also serves as the rabbi of the Astoria Center of Israel in Astoria, Queens. He received his rabbinic ordination and certificate in pastoral counseling from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2011 and is a recipient of the Wexner Field Fellowship and the Ruskay Fellowship for Jewish Professional Leadership.

Outing to Bethany Arts Community: Black History Exhibit
2024-03-04 14:00 - 15:30 | Bethany Arts Center, 40 Somerstown Rd, Ossining, NY, 10562, United States
Join us for a private guided tour of the award-winning exhibit at Bethany Arts Community that portrays the histories of Black entrepreneurs and Black organizations from all facets of the community’s business and social life. Each unique gallery highlights a particular period in American history where the Black presence made a profound impact on the community. A notable addition is an exhibit room dedicated to the history of the Rosenwald schools, highlighting the partnership between Black and Jewish communities during the Jim Crow era.
NOTE: Participants are responsible for their own transportation. Carpooling from the JCC is available once you register.

Purim Pop-Up: Rain Sticks
2024-03-19 15:00 - 17:00
Get ready to add a rhythmic twist to your Purim festivities! Join Yanira to create your own rain stick—a magical instrument that not only lets you unleash your creative flair but also brings the enchanting sounds of rainfall right to your celebration!

Purim Pop-Up: Mask Making
2024-03-20 15:00 - 17:00
Join Yanira for Purim Mask Making! Stop by for a joyful afternoon of crafting unique masks with mixed media.

Birdie’s Batch Pop-Up
2024-03-22 15:00 - 17:00
Local favorite Birdie’s Batch will be at the J with delicious homemade hamantaschen and more!

Challenging Times, Ageless Insights: Israel on Campus: Zionism, Then and Now
2024-04-05 10:00 - 11:30
The Hamas-Israel war has spotlighted a generational rift about the meaning of Israel in American-Jewish life. Join us to discuss the historical significance of Israel throughout the Zionist movement and the current attitudes expressed on college campuses and beyond.

Passover Cooking: Macaroons and More
2024-04-07 11:00 - 12:00
Experience the joy of Passover with our exciting family culinary workshop! Amy Pane, our expert cooking instructor, will guide us in making delicious Passover treats like matzah pizzas and coconut macaroons. Take home all the recipes to recreate the magic in your own kitchen. This program is designed for children 4 years old and up with their caregiver.

Super Seder Science
2024-04-13 11:00 - 12:00
Join Kimberly Marcus, author of Frankenstein’s Matzah: A Passover Parody, for an interactive program that combines Passover stories with hands-on science experiments. Explore traditional Passover tales with a fresh perspective. For children 4 years old and up with their caregiver.

Dinner Theater at the J: Stories and Songs of Freedom
2024-04-14 16:00 - 18:00
Set the stage for Passover with an entertaining and uplifting evening featuring professional storytellers, live music, and a delicious dinner! Passover is a time for telling tales and we’re thrilled to welcome award-winning storytellers and performers Bill Gordh and Therese Folkes Plair to explore the themes of freedom as told through Jewish and African sources. They will be accompanied by violinist Lisa Gutkin from the renowned Klezmatics and other musicians. After the performance, guests will be prompted to share their own stories over a delicious kosher-style dinner by Jean-Jacques catering. Includes entertainment and dinner.
About the Performers:
Bill Gordh
Bill Gordh is an award-winning storyteller, author, educator, songwriter, and banjoist. He has performed with the New York Philharmonic, at the Clearwater Festival, The Museum of Natural History, the Tribeca Film Festival Family Day, Celebrate Brooklyn, the Byzantine Fresco Museum (Houston, TX), the Gerald Ford Amphitheater (Vail, CO) and for the last 3 years of the Clinton administration Bill was a featured storyteller at the White House Easter Egg Roll.
Lisa Gutkin
Recognized as violinist and vocalist for the groundbreaking Jewish Roots band, The Klezmatics, and as fiddler for the Downtown Celtic band Whirligig, Lisa is also known for her scoring, performance, and music direction in the two-time Tony Award winning play, Indecent. She has performed in Sting’s Broadway musical The Last Ship and her song “Gonna Get Through This World” – with words by Woody Guthrie – was hailed by Pete Seeger, as “a piece of genius.” Lisa’s playing and stories are fun and poignant, and her voice has been praised by the LA Times as “hauntingly emotional.”
Therese Folkes Plair
Therese Folkes Plair, an award-winning performing artist, is a classically trained singer who in 1979 changed her artistic direction from opera to world music and storytelling. Her research, performances, and teaching focus on the music and the oral and written literature of people of African descent. A graduate of in from Sarah Lawrence College, Ms. Plair has been on the forefront of developing arts education in Westchester Country and Tri-State New York areas since 1980. Her roles have included conducting residencies, integrating core curriculum with music, and storytelling for students of all ages.
This event is made possible by a generous grant from Verve 55+ Living/UJA Federation of NY.
