Shabbat at Shames
2025-09-19 17:15 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
Dinner begins at 6:00 pm
Shabbat Mingle—Members: $10; non-members: $15
Shabbat Dinner—Members: $30; non-members: $35
Shabbat Mingle + Dinner—Members: $36; non-members: $50
Gather with friends to fill your spirit and your belly. We will begin with unstructured time for mingling, holiday-related snacks, and opportunities to engage in self-guided Shabbat rituals. Those registered for dinner will stay on for a Shabbat meal and experience guided by Rabbi Ron Symons, including discussion starters, blessings, songs, and time for engaging conversation. Salmon dinner, along with a vegetarian option, will be catered by DeCicco and Sons.
Need a ride to or from? Please contact Rena DeLevie at rdelevie@shamesjcc.org by September 15.

Sensory Swim Night
2025-09-19 18:00 - 19:30
FREE for members: $20 for non-members
Come spend your Friday night with us; our pool will be reserved exclusively for families with an immediate member with a disability. In this sensory-friendly environment, you can enjoy a relaxing swim without the usual distractions. This event is designed to accommodate sensory sensitivities and ensure a comfortable, enjoyable experience for all participants.

Rooted: A Jewish Day of Service for the Earth
2025-09-21
Powered by Adamah NY
Join us to kick off the High Holidays and Climate Week NYC by participating in the first large-scale Jewish day of environmental service in the NY metro area. With Adahmah NY, volunteers will roll up their sleeves at local sites for meaningful work caring for the earth. Select “Shames JCC on the Hudson” on the dropdown menu when you sign up to be placed with other members. Teens will be placed at a dedicated trail clean up project in Yonkers to connect with each other. Families with young children (8 and under) will gather at the J for a special day of earth-friendly activities and celebrations

Tech Angels
2025-09-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-05 10:00 - 12:00
Every other Sunday
Drop in—no registration required.
Having trouble with your iPhone, Android, tablet, or laptop? Struggle with email, texting, apps, Zoom, or technology in general? Bring your device and your questions to the J and savvy volunteers from Irvington High School will help you at no cost!

Protect Yourself from Scams
2025-09-22 10:00 - 11:30
FREE for members & non-members
Scams don’t only happen on the internet and over the phone. With $8 billion lost to fraud every year, it’s important to protect yourself and your families with up-to-date information. In this talk, you’ll learn what the latest scams are, how AI is making scams harder to identify, and how to vet potential contractors or other vendors you interact with in order to make good decisions and stay safe.
About the presenter: Roberta S. Goodman, Esq. is a senior staff attorney in the Elder Justice unit with the Pace Women’s Justice Center in White Plains. She represents, educates, and advocates in a broad range of matters, including financial exploitation, securing family court orders of protection for incidents of domestic disputes, voluntary guardianships, advance planning, and negotiating legal resolutions involving abusive living situations.

Apple Muffins on the Hudson Pop-Up
2025-09-22 10:00 - 14:00
Enjoy a bite of the season! Chef Amy Pane and Rabbi Ron Symons share her recipe for a great Rosh HaShanah season morning snack and his resources for a meaningful season. No RSVP needed, just stop by the front lobby.

JCC Closes at 3pm—Rosh Hashanah
2025-09-22 15:00 - 21:00

CLOSED—Rosh Hashanah
2025-09-23 05:00 - 2025-09-24 21:00

Challah and Conversation—The Book of Life: These Days In Between
2025-09-26 09:30 - 10:30
FREE for members & non-members
Join Rabbi Ron Symons in redefining the work of self-renewal during these 10 days of awe between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. What might the Book of Life actually be and what is written in it about me?

Back to Bach with Barry Wiesenfeld
2025-09-29 10:00 - 11:30
FREE for members; $10 for non-members
Johann Sebastian Bach embodied all that was Baroque, and literally and figuratively wrote the book on how music works. The forms, harmonies, progressions we use today were outlined by him more than 300 years ago, but his influence continues to be everywhere. We’ll listen to some of the remarkable works Bach left us and learn why they were so remarkable.
About the presenter: Barry Wiesenfeld is an internationally recognized award-winning musician, published author, and is on the music faculty of SUNY and Ramapo College. He has accompanied Grammy, Tony, and RMI-winning artists, performed on three continents and has played on numerous recordings, radio and TV. Barry’s lecture series has been enjoyed both around the U.S. and abroad. For more information, visit his website here.

Hot Topics
2025-10-01 11:30 - 13:00
FREE for members & non-members
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!

JCC Closes at 3pm—Yom Kippur
2025-10-01 15:00 - 21:00

CLOSED—Yom Kippur
2025-10-02

Challah and Conversation: "726 Days After The Hamas Attack…And Still Praying for What?"
2025-10-03 09:30 - 10:30
FREE for members & non-members
As we workshop a selection of prayers intended to release hostages, end the war, support the Israeli government, prevent further suffering in Gaza and Israel, and a host of other requests, we will quietly identify the themes that might help each of us articulate what we are actually praying for when it comes to those who live in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.

Pleasantville Food Pantry—Yom Kippur Collection Unpack
2025-10-03 14:00 - 15:30
We will join with neighbors from around the region to help unpack a literal “truckload” of food so that those in need can have a full belly with healthy food.
RSVP to rsymons@shamesjcc.org to get address details.

Deconstructing "Dark Side of the Moon"
2025-10-05 14:00 - 15:30
Members: $25; non-members: $36
In this multimedia lecture, musicologist Scott Freiman will deconstruct this groundbreaking album on its 50th anniversary. Scott will take you on a track-by-track journey through Pink Floyd’s masterpiece that pushed the boundaries of rock music, incorporating elements of jazz, classical, and experimental music. You’ll learn about the inspiration for and evolution of the songs that explore themes of life, death, time, and the human experience.
About Scott:
Scott Freiman is a composer, a musician, and a software entrepreneur. He is the CEO of Qwire, which creates collaborative cloud-based software that addresses significant problems with music licensing and royalty payments for film and television. Scott is the creator of Deconstructing The Beatles, a series of multimedia presentations about the composition and production techniques of the Fab Four. He has presented his lectures to sold out audiences throughout North America at theaters, museums and corporations, such as Pixar, Google, and Facebook. Scott has also lectured at colleges and universities and has taught a 13-part course at Yale University entitled The Beatles in The Studio.
What people are saying:
“This show promises to be a real treat… great fun for classic rock fans and an insightful look into Pink Floyd’s work from a musicological perspective.”
— Matthew Gibson, Singletary Center for the Arts
“Pure MAGIC. Just ask those lucky enough to attend one of our two sold-out shows!”
— Steve Apkon, Founder, Jacob Burns Film Center
“Scott Freiman is lively and engaging and presents complex material in a way that’s easy to understand and appreciate.”
— Under the Radar Magazine

The Value of Local News
2025-10-06 10:00 - 11:30
FREE for members; $10 for non-members
Local news is the foundation of a connected community. In this talk, publisher Allison Schulte shares how The Rivertowns Dispatch is working to keep neighbors informed, amplify community voices, and create a trusted source of shared stories that strengthen civic life in the Rivertowns.
About the presenter: Allison Schulte is the founder and publisher of the Rivertowns Dispatch. She was most recently at Bloomberg Media as the global head of data and audience where she built products for their advertising and subscription businesses. Prior to Bloomberg, she worked in ad technology & startups, and has experience in politics and political polling. A native of Mamaroneck, she has lived in Dobbs Ferry for eight years with her husband and her three kids.

Community Art Project: Stitch
2025-10-06 12:30 - 14:30
FREE, drop in any time
This session is geared towards adults.
The Community Stitch Project is a collaborative art workshop with artist Natalya Khorover. We’ll transform discarded plastics into a vibrant mixed-media collage, with everyone sorting, cutting, pinning, and stitching pieces together. Please help by collecting soft, colorful, and clean plastic and bringing it to the J ahead of time or with you to the event. The final piece will be unveiled at the JCC as a bold celebration of creativity, teamwork, and sustainability.
We are collecting soft single-use plastic packaging. Examples: Shopping bags, wrapping from paper towels and toilet paper, chip bags, bread bags, frozen food packaging, newspaper bags, mailers, granola bar wrappers and any other colorful soft and pliable fabric-like plastic, lightly cleaned.
Registration is requested
This project is made possible with funds from Arts Alive, a regrant program of ArtsWestchester with support from the Office of the Governor, the New York State Legislature, and the New York State Council on the Arts.

Sukkot Craft Pop Up
2025-10-06 15:00 - 17:00
FREE for members & non-members
Jill Rosenblum will help you welcome Sukkot with a Sukkah decorating craft, lulav and etrog shaking, and a quick snack in the Sukkah. Drop in when you can, leave when you must.

Cutting Through the Noise: What Really Matters During Medicare Annual Enrollment
2025-10-07 11:00 - 12:00
FREE for members & non-members
Medicare annual enrollment runs every year from October 15-December 7, bringing a flood of tempting ads and offers. This educational seminar will help you focus on what’s important, including changes that can occur every year, why it’s wise to review your current plan, and what to watch out for in common marketing tactics. You’ll learn how to prepare and the steps to take to ensure your coverage is the right fit for your health needs and budget. You might discover that a small change can make a big difference.
About the presenter: Susan Steinberg is proprietor of MediWisely and a Licensed Insurance Agent specializing in Medicare. Drawing on her background as a marketing and healthcare strategy professional, she excels at translating complex information into clear, actionable guidance. Susan’s mission is to empower consumers to confidently navigate Medicare and, ultimately, find the plan that best meets their needs.
Mediwisely is not affiliated with the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) for help with plan choices.

Third Act Circle: A Peer Support Group
2025-10-07 12:00 - 13:00
FREE for members and non-members
Those experiencing the stage of life referred to as “the third act” are invited to come together to talk, laugh, share stories, and support one another through life’s ups and downs. Whether you’re navigating retirement, dealing with health changes, coping with loss, or just looking to connect with others in a similar life stage, this group offers a place where you can feel heard and understood. Facilitated by Rena, the focus is on encouragement and community. Bring your lunch!

Community Service Hour: Sorting Clothes for Clothing Swap
2025-10-08 11:30 - 12:30
Did you know we already have enough clothing on the planet to clothe the next three generations? Our kids’ clothing swap allows families to donate and pick up gently used fall and winter clothes. Our job will be to help sort the clothing.
Other volunteering roles include sorting and folding clothes, maintaining organized tables, and helping shoppers. We have 2 hour time slots available on Thursday, 10/9, Friday, 10/10, and Saturday, 10/11.

Caregiver Conversation Circle
2025-10-09 12:00 - 13:15
Do you care for a family member with chronic illness or special needs? Join our conversation circle to connect with others in a similar situation. Whether you are responsible for a child with special needs, a spouse with cognitive or physical decline, or any other situation that fits, we welcome your participation. The group will be facilitated by longtime social worker, Joanne Reed. Coffee and tea will be served.

Voyages with Verve: From Sukkah to Sukkah, a Jerusalem Walking Tour
2025-10-09 14:00 - 15:00
FREE for members and non-members, incl. light dessert and tea from the region
Enjoy some sweet knafeh and mint tea as we dive into the traditions and meaning behind the festival of Sukkot in Jerusalem’s historic Jewish Quarter. In this virtual tour, you’ll stroll through winding alleys, stone arches, and historic plazas decked out with beautiful sukkahs. This live-streamed walking tour will put you in the center of the holiday hustle and bustle in the Jewish Quarter. Co-presented with Wowzitude.

Challah and Conversation: "40 Years in Booths in the Desert. Really? Why is This a Holiday?"
2025-10-10 09:30 - 10:30
FREE for members & non-members
The holiday of Sukkot is designed to help us remember the desert wanderings of the Israelites. What about that booth might help us understand our own wanderings in the deserts of our lives?

Kids' Clothing Swap
2025-10-10 14:00 - 18:00
Give outgrown clothes a second life!
Did you know we already have enough clothing on the planet to clothe the next three generations? Join our kids’ clothing swap—donate (optional) and pick up gently used fall and winter clothes, sizes 0–16. We’ll have our playground open and an upcycling station to embellish your finds! All leftover items will be donated to the Community Wardrobe in Sleepy Hollow.
See details for drop-off and shopping here:
October 4-10: Donation Drop Off
Friday October 10: Drop-off & Shopping: 2:00 pm–6:00 pm
Saturday, October 11: Shopping Only: 10:00 am–2:00 pm
What to Bring: Clean, gently used clothing in sizes 0–16

Accepted Items:

Sweaters, sweatshirts and pants, dresses, etc.
Jackets, coats, gloves, hats, boots. shoes
Costumes and winter gear, ie: ice skates, ski goggles

Bring/take up to two bags per family
No items with major stains or holes, underwear or socks.

Songs in the Sukkah
2025-10-10 16:30 - 18:00
Member families: $10; non-member families: $15
Show starts at 5:00 pm
All ages can enjoy the lively music of Matty Roxx as he engages the audience with upbeat tunes on Sukkot, Shabbat, and environmental themes. We will transform the playground gazebo into a Sukkah through family decorations, and kids can play freely while enjoying pizza, challah, and juice.

Kids' Clothing Swap
2025-10-11 10:00 - 13:00
Give outgrown clothes a second life!
Did you know we already have enough clothing on the planet to clothe the next three generations? Join our kids’ clothing swap—donate (optional) and pick up gently used fall and winter clothes, sizes 0–16. We’ll have our playground open and an upcycling station to embellish your finds! All leftover items will be donated to the Community Wardrobe in Sleepy Hollow!
See details for drop-off and shopping here.
October 4-10: Donation Drop Off
Friday October 10: Drop-off & Shopping: 2:00 pm–6:00 pm
Saturday, October 11: Shopping Only: 10:00 am–1:00 pm
What to Bring: Clean, gently used clothing in sizes 0–16

Accepted Items:

Sweaters, sweatshirts and pants, dresses, etc.
Jackets, coats, gloves, hats, boots. shoes
Winter gear, ie: ice skates, ski goggles

Bring/take up to two bags per family
No items with major stains or holes, underwear or socks.

"One Big Happy Family" Screening and Talkback with Lisa Brenner
2025-10-12 15:00 - 17:00
Members: $10; non-members: $15
Run time: 1 hour 22 minutes
Join us to watch this heartfelt and hilarious film and hear from its writer, lead actress, and producer, Lisa Brenner. In the movie Rotten Tomatoes calls “a big-hearted contemporary Bat Mitzvah comedy,” a DNA test completely upends a woman’s life as she prepares for her daughter’s big day, leading her to embark on a journey with her eccentric mother, played by Linda Lavin, to find out who she really is. After the viewing, stay for a moderated discussion and Q&A with Lisa for a behind the scenes look at the film.
