Shames JCC

Film Screening in the Ark: “Keeping the Faith” (Dir. Edward Norton)
2024-08-14 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Join us in our new theater for a viewing of this heartwarming comedy that follows two friends, a rabbi (Ben Stiller) and a priest (Edward Norton), competing for the affections of a childhood friend who reappears in their lives. Amidst the lively backdrop of NYC, the film tackles the ups and downs of interfaith relationships, blending heartfelt moments with sharp wit to show how love and friendship can transcend religious boundaries in the most unexpected ways. Running time: 1 hour 45 mins

Hot Topics: The Grand Jury System
2024-08-07 11:30 - 13:00
FREE for members and non-members
Ever wonder about the inner workings of a grand jury–something so powerful that Judge Sol Wachtler once said “could indict a ham sandwich”? Whether you’re well-versed in the justice system or curious about what goes on behind the scenes in a grand jury, join us for this informative and entertaining discussion with JCC member and former criminal defense attorney, Miram Alers .

Olympics Screening in The Ark: Women's Gymnastics All-Around Artistic Final
2024-08-01 12:30 - 15:00 | The Ark, 371 S Broadway, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, United States
Join us on our massive 18.5′ screen to watch the Simone Biles and the rest of Team USA! Bring your children, friends, and family!
No registration required, drop-in/out as you want to!

Olympics Screening in The Ark: Team USA Men's Basketball v South Sudan
2024-07-31 15:00 - 16:30 | The Ark, 371 S Broadway, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, United States
Join us on our massive 18.5′ screen to watch the Dream Team take on South Sudan! Bring your children, friends, and family!
No registration required, drop-in/out as you want to!

Olympics Screening in The Ark: USWNT v Australia (soccer)
2024-07-31 13:00 - 15:00 | The Ark, 371 S Broadway, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, United States
Join us on our massive 18.5′ screen to watch USWNT (with Sleepy Hollow native Sam Coffey) take on Australia! Bring your children, friends, and family!
No registration required, drop-in/out as you want to!

Verve Book Club and Author Visit: What We Carry by Maya Shanbhag Lang
2024-07-31 11:30 - 13:00
In this special book club, we will be joined by author Maya Shanbhag Lang for a conversation about her memoir “What We Carry.” This book–lauded a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice and an Amazon “Best Memoir of 2020”–explores the relationship between mothers and daughters, lies and truths, caregiving, and how we understand the people who raised us. Moderated by Fran Rosillo, participants will have the chance to hear from Maya about her process and perspective as they discuss the ways in which family stories and secrets shape us.
Copies of the book are available from our friends at Transom Bookshop. Fill out the order form and we’ll have it waiting for you at the event!

Massages by Michelle
2024-07-31 11:00 - 14:00
Get a free 10 minute massage at the J! New York State Licensed Massage Therapist Michelle Pachon is back by popular demand. She specializes in Swedish, CTT (deep tissue), sports massage and myofascial release

The W Connection Meet and Greet
2024-07-30 11:00 - 12:00
JCC members now have $50 off membership to the W Connection, a group that helps widows rebuild their lives after loss. Come learn more about what this group offers and meet Shelley Levy, a W Connection member and the J’s on-site facilitator.

Afternoon Tea and Tour at Caramoor Center for the Arts
2024-07-28 12:00 - 14:30
Join us for a Sunday of sensory delights as we visit Caramoor Center for the Arts for a historical house tour and afternoon tea. Caramoor founders, Lucie and Walter Rosen, were prominent Jewish arts philanthropists and created a home “built for music.” Our visit begins with a private, docent-led tour of the Rosen House, where you’ll see fine examples of decorative arts from Europe and China including jade, porcelain, and textiles. Afterward, we’ll have afternoon tea in the Music Room and enjoy tea sandwiches, scones with créme fraiche and preserves, delicious desserts, and a selection of fragrant teas. All dietary needs can be accommodated.
Your ticket includes the tour, tea service, and round-trip transportation from the JCC. Space is limited to 28.
149 Girdle Ridge Rd, Katonah, NY 10536
Sunday, July 28; 12 pm-2:30 pm (bus departs the JCC at 11:15 am, returns approx. 3 pm)
$70 for members; $85 for non-members *r/t transportation from the JCC included!

Out to Lunch with the JCC: Liebman’s Deli
2024-07-24 12:30 - 14:00
Eager to sink your teeth into the scrumptious, skyscraper-high sandwiches from Liebman’s? You’re in luck! We’ve got a deal for you! The new Ardsley outpost of Liebman’s, the legendary kosher deli from the Bronx, is offering a special to JCC Lunch Clubbers. Your lunch includes soup and half sandwich, pickles, cole slaw, and an assortment of appetizers, tax, and tip, all for $25! This is real Jewish deli, you won’t be sorry. Everyone is welcome.

Sewing Workshop: Make a Tote Bag
2024-07-22 18:00 - 20:00
Looking for a new hobby, or just want to expand your crafting skills? Come learn how to make a beautiful and useful quilted tote bag! You’ll complete the course with a 15×15 tote bag and the quilting skills to repeat this project. Class size is limited to 6 to allow for individual attention. NOTE: All levels welcome but prior experience using a sewing machine is a plus.
About the instructor: Sharon Gross grew up watching her mom at the sewing machine and began sewing on her own at age ten. About 15 years ago, she started using her sewing skills to make quilts. She teaches quilting and sewing and is excited to share her passion. A member of the JCC, Sharon lives in Dobbs Ferry with her family.

“Beautiful Night”: A New Musical (in The Ark)
2024-07-21 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-07-20 11:00 - 12:00
A Musical by Anywhere Theatre Company
When the power goes out on a wild, stormy night, a mother makes up songs with humor, imagination, and even a little science to calm her two frightened kids—and get them back to bed. In this new musical for young children and families by James Balestrieri and Maria Jacobi, the night-time world is full of life, heart, and beauty.
Featuring Caturah Brown as Mom and two local young actors playing her kids, Beautiful Night is a gentle and full-of-wonder summer musical, perfect for young children and families!

Friday Night Sensory Friendly Swim
2024-07-19 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-06-21 18:00 - 19:30
Join us for our monthly Friday night free-swim to families who have an immediate member with a disability. The pool will be exclusively reserved for this event, so that we can ensure a sensory-friendly pool environment for a fun family night out!

Foreign Affairs Discussion Group: The Risks and Costs of Deglobalization
2024-07-17 19:00 - 20:15
The world is in the midst of a sustained and strong backlash against globalization. While it delivered great prosperity and lifted millions out of poverty, it left many working class people jobless and angry and led to a wave of nationalism, protectionism, and authoritarianism that is changing all of our lives. Join us to learn about the causes, nature, and scope of the backlash and its implications for worldwide economic growth and political stability.

Film Screening: “Trezoros: The Lost Greek Jews of Kastoria” (Dir. Larry Russo)
2024-07-17 11:30 - 13:30
Using never-before-seen pre-war archival footage and first-person testimonies, Trezoros: The Greek Jews of Kastoria chronicles the Jewish life and culture of Kastoria, a picturesque lakeside village in the mountains of Northwestern Greece. Here, Jews and Orthodox Christians lived together in harmony for more than two millennia until World War II. Trezoros (the Ladino/Judeo-Spanish term of endearment meaning “Treasures”) takes us from the joyful innocence of the pre-war years through the heartbreaking struggles of the Holocaust, to a unique place in time and history of a Greek Jewish culture lost forever. Running time: 90 mins
This event is FREE for all.

Death of a Bully: A Dramatic Courtroom Transcript Reading Pt. 2
2024-07-16 13:00 - 14:00
Join Aytan Adler for the second part of the courtroom transcript roundtable reading, Death of a Bully. You’ll be assigned parts (judge, attorney, plaintiff, etc.) from an edited transcript of a fascinating trial. The outcome will unfold as if you are witnessing the case in real time!. Bring your curiosity, acting skills, and playful spirit!

JCC Book Club: The Light Between Oceans
2024-07-11 19:00 - 20:15
The miraculous arrival of a child in the life of a barren couple delivers profound love but enormous risk and pain. M. L. Stedman’s debut novel presents a story about compelling characters navigating a world where there is no right answer, where justice for one is another’s tragic loss.

Hot Topics
2024-07-03 11:30 - 13:00
FREE for members and non-members
Come discuss the month’s social and political issues with your fellow news enthusiasts. With timely and changing international, national, and local issues from the news arenas of government, arts, sports, science, and religion, we welcome all participants to voice their ideas. All points of view are welcome in this lively, thought-provoking, and civil discussion. Feel free to bring your lunch and/or a friend!

Verve Book Club: The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
2024-06-26 11:30 - 13:00
When Elwood Curtis, a Black boy growing up in 1960s Tallahassee, is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy, he finds himself trapped in a grotesque chamber of horrors. Elwood’s only salvation is his friendship with fellow “delinquent” Turner, which deepens despite Turner’s conviction that Elwood is hopelessly naive, that the world is crooked, and that the only way to survive is to scheme and avoid trouble. Based on the real story of a reform school that operated for 111 years and warped the lives of thousands of children, this Pulitzer prize-winning novel showcases Colson Whitehead at his best.

Laughter Yoga
2024-06-21 10:30 - 11:30
Laughter Yoga is a unique exercise routine that combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing. Laughter reaps many scientific benefits including reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression; lower blood pressure; a strengthened immune system; and much more. Laughter is initially stimulated as a physical exercise and soon leads to real and contagious laughter. Bring your playful spirit!

Last Day to Donate: Children’s Summer Clothing Donation Drive
2024-06-21 08:00 - 17:00
Give your children’s outgrown clothing new life by donating them to families in need. The NY Common Pantry is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting dignity, health, and self-sufficiency for low-income families in New York City. Help them support these individuals by donating the following to the J between 6/10-6/21 (sizes newborn-4T):

Summer/early fall clothing (shorts, dresses, t-shirts, onesies, swimsuits, light sweaters, etc):
Accessories (hats, shoes, socks, etc)
Small gear (carriers, wraps, etc)
New diapers/pull-ups, formula, baby wipes

Juneteenth at the J for Kids
2024-06-19 11:00 - 12:15
Grades K and up
While school is out, kids can learn about and celebrate this holiday of freedom at the J. Children will rotate between activity stations where they will make percussion instruments, use them to play traditional African music, engage in a lesson on Juneteenth’s history, and participate in an interactive trivia game with prizes. All are welcome to bring a packed lunch and blanket and join us after for a community picnic!

Free Juneteenth Soul Line Dancing Party (in The Ark)
2024-06-19 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for a special, free line dance event as we celebrate Juneteenth with Steven “Fun Bunch” Dillard!
Using an upbeat and fun soundtrack as a backdrop, Steven will break down easy line dances that allow everyone to learn at a comfortable pace. You’ll learn basic steps, rhythms and routines choreographed to music.

PJ Library Birthday at the J!
2024-06-18 17:00 - 19:00
To celebrate 18 years of PJ Library–the organization that sends free Jewish storybooks to children every month– the Shames JCC is hosting a festive birthday bash. Our celebration will include a book festival in our new theater, The Ark, featuring some of PJ Library’s favorite storybooks, and a lively family concert with Rebecca Schoffer of 92NY Shababa! Children can kick off the celebration on our beautiful playground and enjoy a variety of art, movement, and tikkun olam activities.

Songs from The Holocaust: The Music and Life of Viktor Ullmann
2024-06-17 10:00 - 11:30
Soprano Dominique Hellsten and pianist Craig Ketter will perform music by Austrian composer and Holocaust victim Viktor Ullmann, whose substantial body of work was lost for decades after his death at Auschwitz. Weaving together songs and stories, Dominique will tell the haunting and fascinating story of Ullmann’s short life and how his music survived the war.
About the presenter: Dominique Hellsten, Soprano has an MA in voice and music education from School of Music, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. A celebrated international performer , Dominique is also the founder of The Ullmann Project, whose mission is to promote the music by Holocaust victim Viktor Ullmann as well the chamber music repertoire of the first half of the 20th century. In 2023, The Ullmann Project presented Viktor Ullmann’s opera “The Emperor of Atlantis,” which was composed in the Terezin/Theresienstadt concentration camp in 1943.

Parenting your Transgender, Nonbinary, or Questioning Child
2024-06-13 19:00 - 20:15
Traditionally, Americans were taught about binary genders, but Gen Z challenges this. They explore gender freely and need parental support. This workshop guides parents in navigating disruptions related to gender, names, pronouns, and lifestyles, offering insights, mindsets, and tools for creating a supportive home.

Father’s Day Pop-Up Shop: Homemade Ceramics by Maggie Chow
2024-06-13 09:00 - 13:00
Get a special gift for the father in your life at the J! Artist Maggie Chow will be selling handmade functional ceramics with special designs, all created with love and passion locally in Westchester. All works are created without any toxic materials.

Out to Lunch with the JCC: Racanelli’s Pizza and Brew
2024-06-12 12:30 - 14:30
Bring your appetite (and maybe some to-go boxes) for our next lunch at Racanellis Pizza and Brew! Your meal includes your choice of salad, pasta, main entree, and dessert for $33 cash. There’s plenty for vegetarians and omnivores alike! These events are always lots of fun and are open to all.
NOTE: We will be meeting at Racanellis, 185 Knollwood Rd., White Plains, NY 10607 where there is parking in their lot. If you need a ride from the JCC or have room in your car for others, please email cjacobs@shamesjcc.org when you register.
Price includes food, tax and tip
