MLK Day of Service 2023
2023-01-16 09:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
MLK Day of Service 2023
This MLK Day, January 16, 2023, the Shames JCC is joining UJA and a variety of partners from across New York to work together toward a stronger future for all.
Join us at the J for meaningful volunteer opportunities that will make a difference in the lives of individuals, our community, and the greater community to which we all belong.
We will have opportunities for all ages:
Decorate and pack “Blizzard Boxes”, which contain the makings of a complete meal, for food pantries around Westchester and the Bronx (family- friendly).
Sort medical supplies that the Afya Foundation will distribute to crisis settings around the world (adults and teens)
If you cannot come in person to our event but would like to contribute, we would appreciate donations of supplies from our Amazon Wishlist.
SIGN UP FOR DAY-OF ACTIVITIES

Lecture by John Gaccione, Westchester Dept. of Consumer Protection
2023-01-18 11:30 - 13:30
Lecture by John Gaccione, Westchester Dept. of Consumer Protection
Deputy Director John Gaccione will speak about what the Westchester Dept. of Consumer Protection does and how it is adapting to a changing marketplace.

Kids Yoga
2023-01-22 15:00 - 15:45
Through creative movement, sounds, and storytelling, your children will practice the valuable skill of breath and body awareness and self-love, all while having fun.

"The Diversity of Westchester Birds: From Eagles to Warblers."
2023-01-23 10:00 - 11:30
Join the Executive Director of the Saw Mill RIver Audubon as she shares beautiful images, sounds, videos of Westchester birds across the seasons and in various county birding hotspots. Tips on how to start birding and how to have bird-friendly, bird-safe properties whether residential, business or community-owned will also be covered.

Women's Circle Art Night: Collage + Printmaking
2023-01-25 18:30 - 20:00
Join us for an artmaking workshop led by Shannon McDonough of The Smokestack, a nomadic artmaking series here in Westchester.
We will use recycled materials and paint to make textured papers with a simple and fun printmaking method called mono-printing. Our printed papers will be used to create collages in a design of your choice. You will be able to make greeting cards or a small artwork by the end of the session. No experience necessary!
$20 for members and $28 for non-members.

Carnegie Hall Group Trip: We are Here: Songs from the Holocaust
2023-01-26 17:45 - 22:30
“We Are Here: Songs From The Holocaust” is a concert featuring songs written in the ghettos and concentration camps of Nazi-occupied Europe and the former Soviet Union. In the years after the Holocaust, Jewish artists collected and published fourteen songbooks of wartime music. From heart-wrenching folk ballads to up-tempo satire, these songs present a powerful spectrum of the human experience, interspersed with true stories about the artists? lives. This concert serves to honor the memory of those murdered during the Shoah and pay tribute to the artists who, in the worst of times, continued to create.
The concert will feature performances from Broadway stars such as Harvey Fierstein and Chita Rivera, pop artists, renowned Cantors, and a choir of New York City students.
Comfortable transportation to and from Carnegie Hall will be provided. The bus will leave the JCC at 5:45 PM and return after the event at approximately 10:30 PM. Space is limited to 14.
This event is generously subsidized by UJA/Verve 55+ Living. For more information about the concert go to https://www.wearehereconcert.com/

Family Workshop: Infused Honey Making + Tasting
2023-01-29 15:30 - 16:30
Family Workshop: Infused Honey Making + Tasting
In this interactive family workshop you will taste a variety of botanically infused honeys, make your own infused honey, and learn simple and fun applications.
Each family will leave with one customized infused honey creation and enjoy tasters on site. Please bring one small 4 oz mason jar for this class.
Registration is for one adult and one child 5+

America Calling: How our universities attract the world's talent and why it matters with Dr. Rajika Bhandari
2023-01-30 10:00 - 11:00
America Calling: How our universities attract the world’s talent and why it matters with Dr. Rajika Bhandari
For over 200 years, American colleges and universities have attracted students from around the world, with this type of educational exchange being a critical form of soft diplomacy for the U.S. Drawing upon her research and her award-winning memoir, America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility, Dr. Rajika Bhandari, an international higher education expert and local Irvington resident, will discuss the value of international students and skilled immigrants to the U.S., and how continuing to keep the doors open to global talent is critical to the economic, social, and cultural future of the country. Books will be available for sale and signing.

Challenging Times, Ageless Insights
2023-02-03 10:00 - 11:30
Challenging Times, Ageless Insights
Student Rabbi Solomon Hoffman from Mishkan Ha’am will draw from ancient Jewish stories from the Torah and Talmud to explore multiple perspectives on how we face the universal human challenges of sickness and death. The discussion will explore how these stories resonate today, and how they intersect with our recent experience of living through a pandemic. We will focus on how community and resilience show up in these narratives, and how these texts can support our individual and collective healing.

“Challenging Times, Ageless Insights” offers participants the opportunity to engage with clergy in exploring contemporary issues through a Jewish lens. These discussions will provide insights, debate, and if we are successful, even more questions.

Bash the Trash: Green Groove
2023-02-05 10:30 - 12:00
Bash the Trash: Green Groove
Brought to you by River Friends Day Camp, Camp Twelve Trails and Berkshire Hills!
Join us this Tu B’Shevat for a special performance and workshop with Bash the Trash! Bash the Trash’s Green Groove starts with a fast and funny performance that gives the scientific basics of sound, instruments, and instrument building, as well as driving home the environmental message of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We’ll then build a variety of instruments using recycled/reused materials and take them around the J in a noisy, joyous parade!
Please collect/bring empty plastic water bottles 20oz or smaller. Thank you!

Special Film Screening and Director Discussion: Zaida
2023-02-05 15:00 - 16:30 | Chappaqua Public Library, 195 South Greeley Avenue, Chappaqua, NY, 10514, United States
Zaida
Please join us for a special film screening of Zaida, followed by a moderated discussion with Sophie Parens, the director of the film, and Bruce Apar, editorial director of River Journal. In the award-winning documentary short Zaida, director Sophie Parens tells the story of her grandfather, Holocaust survivor Dr. Henri Parens. Born in Lodz, Poland in 1928, Dr. Parens escaped Nazi-occupied Europe at age 12. He made it to the United States and went on to become a globally recognized psychoanalyst, dedicating his life’s work to the prevention of prejudice.
About Sophie Parens
Sophie Parens is a director and producer based in New York. Originally from Sleepy Hollow, she graduated from the New School for Drama with a concentration in Directing in 2017. She is the producer and director of the award-winning documentary short, Zaida. By day she does casting, producing, and directing for Simon and Schuster Audiobooks, and by night she is developing her next documentary.
Watch the trailer

Can the UN be made more effective?
2023-02-06 10:00 - 11:00
The UN recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. But the nature of conflict and crisis has shifted, and the UNd needs to be adapted and strengthened to meet today’s global challenges and maintain credibility. This is worth the effort as the UN remains the key global institution with the all-important goal of securing world peace and security and controlling political violence. David Cheney will discuss the reforms needed, and what it will take to get there.
David M. Cheney is a consultant to international economic institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and UN. He spent 24 years as Division Chief at the IMF. Previously. David was an economist at Chase Bank and at the US Export-Import Bank. He currently teaches courses on international economics and writing at the Global Affairs Center of NYU’s School of Professional Studies and runs a weekly discussion group on foreign affairs at the Manhattan JCC.

Project Genesis: An Interfaith Conversation Between Two Clergy
2023-02-07 10:00 - 11:30
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.

Winter Gardening Workshop: Seed Starting and Sowing
2023-02-07 12:30
Bring some sunshine into your winter by planning your spring garden!
Did you know you can sow seeds as early as February? In this workshop, participants will learn about different seed sowing methods, soil selection, and garden planning. Then you’ll get hands-on experience planting your own batch of seeds in winter sowing containers.
Everyone will go home with their own sowing container and instructions on how to maintain the seeds until they’re ready to transplant for spring. All supplies are included and all levels are welcome!
About the instructor: Amy Pane has been the resident gardener here at the JCC since the spring of 2022, the inception year of the JCC vegetable garden. After graduating from college and living in Italy for 2 years, Amy returned home and attended culinary school in NYC. For the next 18 years she worked as a Food stylist, Recipe Tester and Recipe Developer. After moving to Irvington, Amy began taking gardening classes at the New York Botanical Gardens, and read any gardening book that she could get her hands on! She is very excited to share her passion of growing anything edible and flowering with members of the JCC.

Journaling for Clarity and Growth: A Broad River Gathering for Women
2023-02-07 18:30 - 20:00
Journaling for Clarity and Growth: A Broad River Gathering for Women
Psychotherapist and author Jennifer Convissor will share how to start, deepen, and maintain a personalized journaling practice. She will share current motivational science, plus the benefits one can expect as a beginner, intermediate, and advanced journaler. She will also relate how to use journaling to road testing our resolutions for rightness of fit.
This event, facilitated by Laurie Hirsch Schulz, includes time for break out groups and prompted discussions as well as an opportunity to network with other women. Bring a notebook for journaling exercises and your flyers and business cards to promote your own businesses and projects.
During this workshop you will:
Gain insight into how to begin and maintain a journaling practice that works for you.
Hear how journaling helps develop self-compassion & the development of an inner “good coach”.
See how journaling helps improve focus, lessen reactivity and manage feelings.
Learn Jennifer’s recommendations for how, when, and where to journal, as well as how to journal when you don’t feel like journaling!
Experience how to use journaling to examine your resolutions for rightness of fit, by being in conversation with past, present, and future you.
Receive a special Broad River price of $15.98 for Journaling for Non-Journalers
Light snacks included.

CO/LAB Theater Workshop
2023-02-12 14:15 - 15:45 | Shames JCC on the Hudson, 371 S. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, United States
Co-Lab Theater Workshop
In this special workshop, CO/LAB Theater Company’s Teaching Artists provide high-quality theater programs for children and youth with disabilities. Participants will partake in a number of icebreaker games, learn new theater concepts, have the opportunity to develop new material, and perform for the group.

Words Matter: Fostering Healthy Relationships with Food
2023-02-15 18:30 - 20:00
Words Matter: Fostering Healthy Relationships with Food
When we talk about food, our language matters. It influences our relationship with food, and our families relationship with food. Join Nutrition Therapist Julia Vukicevic for a discussion that explores our language choices about food, analyzes how some of it came about and what it means,and presents tips for making language choices that foster a healthy and joyful relationship with food.
Julia Vukicevic, MS, RD, CEDRD-S is a Nutrition Therapist and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist in private practice in New York. Julia is passionate about helping people to rediscover self-trust, pleasure, and peace with food and their bodies. She incorporates principles of Intuitive Eating in her work, and strongly believes in utilizing a Health At Every Size® approach. Julia earned her Master?s in Nutrition Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and her BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Out to Lunch with the JCC: Epsteins of Hartsdale
2023-02-16 12:30 - 14:00
Got a hankering for some deli? Join us at Epsteins of Hartsdale for a veritable best-of list of Jewish food. This event is open to members and nonmembers alike so feel free to bring a friend!
Your meal includes your choice of half-sandwich and soup, and comes with French fries, coleslaw, and a Snapple or Dr. Browns soda. If you still have room you can add on a classic dessert to round out the meal for $5.
We will be meeting at Epsteins, 387 N Central Ave, Hartsdale, NY 10530 and there is plenty of parking available! If you need a ride or have room in your car for others, please email cjacobs@shamesjcc.org.

Family Friday: Swim Under the Stars
2023-02-17 18:00 - 19:30
We are thrilled to be offering a Friday night free swim to families who have a member with a special need. The pool will be solely reserved for families with differing needs. By doing this, we can ensure that we are offering a sensory friendly pool environment for a fun family night out!
Please not:
-We ask that at least one person over the age 18 accompany the individual with a supportive need to ensure safety.
-Swim levels will be determined upon arrival. For those who wish to swim in the deep end, a swim test will be conducted.
-If your family member needs 1:1 assistance, we ask that you please come prepared to get in the pool with them or ensure they are accompanied by someone in the pool over 18 who can support their needs.
-We will be offering these free swims for families on a bi-monthly basis, so if you cannot make it to this one, there will be other opportunities in the future!

Alice in Wonderland Tea Party
2023-02-22 09:30 - 11:00
Alice in Wonderland Tea Party
Join us for a tea party inspired by Alice in Wonderland. We will read the story of Alice in Wonderland, create a magical kid-friendly color-changing tea, and enjoy tasty tea party treats together. Then we will simply celebrate! We encourage you to wear a silly hat or even dress up. Led by Chef Stephanie Wright and Herbalist Rachael Sokolowski.
If your child has any food sensitivities or allergies, please email programs@shamesjcc.org

The Emperor of Atlantis An Opera For Our Times (ArcStages, Pleasantville)
2023-02-25 19:30 - 22:30
The Emperor of Atlantis An Opera For Our Times (at ArcStages in Pleasantville)

This opera, created by inmates Ullmann and Kien at the Nazi concentration camp of Theresienstadt (Terezín) in 1943, tells the story of a mad Emperor who launches a war onto an unseen enemy. It was originally rehearsed at Theresienstadt in March 1944, but the Nazi authorities interpreted the story as a satire on Adolf Hitler and did not allow it to be performed. On October 16, both Ullmann and Kien were transported to Auschwitz, where they arrived on the 18th. Ullmann was immediately sent to the gas chamber. KIen died somewhat later that month from illness.
In her staging of the opera, director Dominique Hellsten sets the play into a frame of being performed in a concentration camp. All singers wear prison uniforms with the David star attached to their chests.
After having been told of his imminent transport to Auschwitz, Ullmann first thought to bring all his compositions with him. We know from letters that he wrote to the outside world, that Ullmann had his most productive time ever as a composer, whilst incarcerated. However, luckily for us, at the last minute, Ullmann decided to leave his music behind.
After the war it made its way to London and the home of his close friend, the poet Hans Günther Adler. There it lay unknown until the conductor Kerry Woodward was invited to review the content of the suitcase. The opera saw its first performance in 1975.
JCC Members get discounted $20 tickets. using code JCCMember at checkout.

The Climate Crisis and Emerging Climate Technologies
2023-02-27 10:00 - 11:00
In the last few years, it’s been clear to most Americans that climate change is with us already and its destructive impacts are growing. Scientists are researching ways to pull C02 out of the atmosphere and develop other new technologies to decrease climate risks. Join us to learn about these and explore the potential benefits and risks–, and how do they compare to the risks of not intervening.
About the presenter: Cynthia Scharf was the head of strategic communications and speechwriter on climate change for former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon from 2009-2016. She previously worked for the UN and numerous NGOs on emergency humanitarian relief. She and her family live in Sleepy Hollow.

Zentangle Workshop
2023-02-28 18:30 - 20:00
Discover Zentangle, an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Zentangle can be enjoyed across a wide range of skills, interests, and ages. Unlike doodling you might do for distraction, Zentangle helps you increase focus and create a different mood and state of mind. No artistic experience is necessary. All supplies are included and yours to take home
Jill Greenbaum is passionate about sharing the joys of Zentangle with learners of all ages! She?s a Certified Zentangle teacher who has taught this relaxing, creative, meditative method in inner-city public schools, conferences, libraries, corporate settings, art schools, private fundraisers, and senior residential settings. Participants leave her sessions saying, ?I am an artist!? and want to discover more about the ways to experience this wonderful practice.

Israeli Whiskey Tasting- Rivertowns (OFFSITE)
2023-03-04 19:30 - 21:00 | The Aligned Center, Irvington, NY
Israeli Whiskey Tasting- Rivertowns (OFFSITE)
Taste a variety of Israeli Whiskies, learn about the thriving Whiskey industry in Israel, and engage with the Rivertowns Jewish Community.

Essay Writing Workshop
2023-03-05 12:00 - 14:30
WhizKidz Tutoring will be offering a 1-day workshop focused on preparation for the essay portion of the SAT exam.
The workshop will be offered on Sunday, March 5th from 12-2:30 PM.
The goal of the workshop is to help students learn to plan and respond in writing quickly, focusing on discussing and practicing writing literary and rhetorical analysis. Students will gain an understanding of the scoring system, study sample passages and SAT essay prompts, and prep with practice essays.
Supplies Needed
No 2 pencils
Composition or spiral notebook

Monica Shulman Artist Reception
2023-03-05 14:00 - 16:00
Monica Shulman Artist Reception
Join us in celebrating Monica Shulman’s colorful exhibition on March 5th from 2-4 pm. Meet Monica, enjoy refreshments, and explore her beautiful work.

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

Pop-up Shop: Lemon Terrace Florals
2023-03-07 09:00 - 11:00
Join us and Lemon Terrance Florals (Hastings-on-Hudson) in the lobby for a DIY bouquet bar with fresh seasonal flowers. Bring home a beautiful creation for you or that someone special.

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.
