Jewish Learning, Living, & Doing
Jewish Learning, Living, & Doing
The Shames JCC inspires and grows community connections through Jewish teachings, values, spirituality, and culture. We promote Jewish learning and engagement through adult discussions and conversations, community holiday celebrations, and values-based experiences for all ages. We offer opportunities for children and adults to serve our community, and learn about the challenges our neighbors face. And we build bridges across real and perceived interfaith, racial, ethnic, cultural, and economic differences so that all of us can live together in supportive community.
Neighbors of all backgrounds are welcome to join us at all of our events!
Rabbi Ron Symons, Sr. Director of Jewish Engagement, is eager to be in conversation and community with you. He welcomes you for a cup of tea. You can email him at rsymons@shamesjcc.org.
If you’d like to subscribe to the monthly Jewish Life newsletter, please click here.
Thursday, January 08 2026
Common Ground: Is The Arc of The Moral Universe Bending Towards Justice in 2026 America?
viewFriday, January 09 2026
Clergy Talk—Shalom Gorgeous: Barbra Streisand on Judaism and Jewish Identity
viewFriday, January 16 2026
Challah and Conversation: “Let Justice Roll Like Might Waters”—The Prophetic Foundations of the Civil Rights Movement
viewFriday, January 30 2026
Challah and Conversation: Can We March Together Again? Black-Jewish Relations Throughout the 20th and 21st Centuries
view
Ongoing Programs
Challah and Conversation
2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Fridays of the month; 9:30–10:30 am
Rabbi Ron Symons, Shames JCC Sr. Director of Jewish Engagement, leads an interactive guided conversation about life that weaves general spirituality with a Jewish lens. Topics are drawn from the human condition, anti-Semitism/hate in our world, holidays, Israel, current events, and more, with a focus on our shared humanity.
See calendar above for upcoming dates!
Clergy Talk
First Friday of each month; 9:30–10:30 am
Join us for meaningful conversations with Rivertowns Jewish clergy.
See calendar above for upcoming dates!
Common Ground: America at 250 Years… and Still Praying
2nd Thursday of the month; 1:00–2:00 pm
Rabbi Ron Symons and Rev. Gareth Evans, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church of Irvington, host two of their clergy colleagues each month from around the Rivertowns to explore the themes of civic life and civility along with American and religious values.
See the calendar above for upcoming dates!
Applied Jewish Learning
Join us at select times throughout the year for multi-session courses that allow us to dig deeper into a relevant topic dig a little deeper. Some of these sessions are in person at the JCC and others are on Zoom from the comfort of your home.
Spiritual Words: Loving God, God’s Impact on Us, and Memory
Mondays, January 12, 19, and 26; 4:30–5:30 pm (on Zoom)
Join Rabbi Ron Symons to explore words of Jewish prayer in order to affirm and/or challenge our current beliefs. Our focus will be on the Sh’ma and V’ahavta (The “Watchword of Faith” and how to love God), the Amidah (the central prayer of Jewish prayer), and the Kaddish (praising God in the shadow of death).
RegisterCommunity Service Hour
Second Wednesday of the month; 11:30 am–12:30 pm
Join with friends to serve our community and learn about the challenges our neighbors face. You will make a difference in just one hour!
See calendar above for upcoming dates!
Events
Common Ground: Is The Arc of The Moral Universe Bending Towards Justice in 2026 America?
Thu, Jan 08, 2026
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Clergy Talk—Shalom Gorgeous: Barbra Streisand on Judaism and Jewish Identity
Fri, Jan 09, 2026
9:30am - 10:30am
