The Karen Kolodny Center: Jewish Programs

Jewish Culture, Heritage, and Diversity

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Jewish Culture and Values

The Karen Kolodny Center brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to connect, learn, and engage in a variety of community programs, including holiday celebrations, Jewish-themed workshops, and cultural events that allow visitors to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Judaism.

One of our core values is collaboration, which is why we partner with various agencies and organizations to create meaningful Jewish programs. Through these collaborations, we aim to expand our knowledge and understanding of the world around us, through a Jewish lens and shared Jewish values.

We invite you to join us in our pursuit of learning, growth, and community engagement. Our programs are designed to be accessible and engaging for everyone, regardless of knowledge or experience.

join us

Jewish Programming

We offer Jewish programming for people of all ages and backgrounds. We invite you to also check out our printable calendar for upcoming events!

Krav Maga Self Defense Workshop

Thursday, April 25, 1:00 PM
Carry yourself with confidence and security! Krav Maga is a powerful and effective modern martial art and self-defense system developed in Israel. This course, tailored for all levels, will teach you basic Krav Maga techniques and help you develop awareness in public spaces.

Game Day

Wednesday, May 1, 1:00 PM
Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesday afternoons for free open-play game sessions! We will have mahjong, canasta, and Scrabble, but feel free to bring other games.

Krav Maga Self Defense Workshop

Thursday, May 2, 1:00 PM
Carry yourself with confidence and security! Krav Maga is a powerful and effective modern martial art and self-defense system developed in Israel. This course, tailored for all levels, will teach you basic Krav Maga techniques and help you develop awareness in public spaces.

Art Talk & Photography Workshop with Artist Hadassa Goldvicht

Wednesday, May 8, 11:30 AM
Israeli artist Hadassa Goldvicht will discuss her latest project at the JCCMW, an art installation called "Seven Bridges," and then lead a photography workshop for adults. A kosher lunch will be provided.

Friday Night Shabbat Tots: Israel Independence Day

Friday, May 10, 3:30 PM
Play, sing and dance your way into Shabbat with the whole family!

Israel Solidarity Shabbat Dinner

Friday, May 10, 5:00 PM
Join us for wine, appetizers, and a kosher Shabbat dinner with music and conversation!

50 Shades of Torah: Judaism, Sex, and Power

Tuesday, May 14, 11:30 AM
In this lecture, we will explore the attitudes toward sexuality in Judaism and how sex has impacted the course of Jewish history.

The Best Minds: A Conversation with Jonathan Rosen

Tuesday, May 14, 7:00 PM
Join acclaimed author Jonathan Rosen for a discussion of his recent paperback issue The Best Minds: A Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions, a haunting investigation of the forces that led his closest childhood friend from the heights of brilliant promise to the forensic psychiatric hospital where he resides since killing the woman he loved in 1998.

Shabbat Tots in Nature: Israel Independence Day

Saturday, May 18, 9:30 AM
Join us for a meaningful guided Shabbat nature walk and snack at Sheldrake Environmental Center in Larchmont. Don’t miss this opportunity to bond with your family, meet new friends, and enjoy the outdoors! Admission is free.

Israeli Dancing

Sunday, May 19, 7:00 PM
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Israeli dance with instructor Shmulik Gov-Ari!

Savoring Traditions: Jewish Foods from Around the World

Wednesday, May 22, 6:00 PM
Join us for a taste of Jewish flavors from around the world at our annual Spring Benefit!

Krav Maga Self Defense Workshop

Thursday, May 30, 1:00 PM
Carry yourself with confidence and security! Krav Maga is a powerful and effective modern martial art and self-defense system developed in Israel. This course, tailored for all levels, will teach you basic Krav Maga techniques and help you develop awareness in public spaces.

May Book Group: The Night Travelers

Friday, May 31, 1:00 PM
Author Armando Lucas Correa will join us to discuss his latest book The Night Travelers. This sweeping novel features four generations of women who experience love, loss, war, and hope in the years between the rise of Nazism to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Krav Maga Self Defense Workshop

Thursday, June 6, 1:00 PM
Carry yourself with confidence and security! Krav Maga is a powerful and effective modern martial art and self-defense system developed in Israel. This course, tailored for all levels, will teach you basic Krav Maga techniques and help you develop awareness in public spaces.

Israeli Dancing

Sunday, June 9, 7:00 PM
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Israeli dance with instructor Shmulik Gov-Ari!

Shavuot: The Colors at Sinai

Tuesday, June 11, 11:30 AM
On Shavuot we honor the receiving of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai.  Join us for a thought-provoking discussion about the Israelites' experience when the storm gathered above the mountain and the lessons they learned.

Shabbat Tots in Nature: Shavuot

Saturday, June 15, 9:30 AM
Join us for a meaningful guided Shabbat nature walk and snack. Don’t miss this opportunity to bond with your family, meet new friends, and enjoy the outdoors! We will celebrate the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. Admission is free.

Krav Maga Self Defense Workshop

Thursday, June 20, 1:00 PM
Carry yourself with confidence and security! Krav Maga is a powerful and effective modern martial art and self-defense system developed in Israel. This course, tailored for all levels, will teach you basic Krav Maga techniques and help you develop awareness in public spaces.

June Book Group: Taking Miracles Seriously

Friday, June 21, 1:00 PM
Storyteller Rab­bi Zedek joins us to share his recent book Taking Miracles Seriously, a master course on how to craft an enriched and enriching spiritual life.

Summer Solstice Shabbat: Shabbat Dinner Community + Shabbat Tots Together!

Friday, June 21, 4:00 PM
Our Summer Solstice Shabbat is a Shabbat program for all ages. We will have edible crafts, a kosher Shabbat dinner, singing, dancing, and games outside (weather permitting). Invite your family,…

celebrate

Jewish Holidays

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Join us to learn more about and celebrate Jewish holidays at JCCMW!

Meditate in the sukkah on Sukkot. Help us light our giant LEGO menorah on Hanukkah. Celebrate Israel's 75th anniversary with Israeli dancing.

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connect

Israel

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At JCCMW, we create real, meaningful connections to Israel for our community.

We celebrate Israel through culture, music, film, and conversation. Some of our recent Israel-centered events include Israeli Dancing and Dance, Dine, and Celebrate Israel.

We look forward to helping nurture and sustain your connection to Israel!

play + learn

Families with Young Children

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Our programming includes many options for the youngest members of our community and their families to gather, celebrate holidays, and make lasting friendships and connections.  

We welcome your family to join us for monthly Shabbat Tots in Nature and Friday Night Shabbat Tots programs, which incorporate special holiday-themed activities with nature walks and play.

On Jewish holidays, children may celebrate in many creative and meaningful ways, including attending a planting party for Tu Bishvat or building LEGO structures such as sukkahs and menorahs,

We support parents directly with workshops such as How to Raise Jewish Kids When You Didn’t Grow Up That Way, DIY Baby Naming, and How To Talk to Your Kids About God.

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engage + enrich

Tweens and Teens

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Tweens and teens will find many events designed especially for them, including community service projects, lectures, and entertaining workshops and events, like Purim Dungeons and Dragons Game Night and 3D Dreidel Printing.

 

come together

Intergenerational

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JCCMW is a home for your all ages. We encourage grandparents and extended families to spend quality time together at our community events.

Our intergenerational programming includes events such as the Great Hanukkah Family Fry-Off, Dance, Drum, and Celebrate Israel, and the Family Planting Party for Tu Bishvat.

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gather + learn

Adults

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Adults have the opportunity to attend many special lectures, social events, and celebrations, while strengthening their connection with the Jewish faith.

Events and workshops have included a Tu Bishvat Wine Tasting and Purim Paper Maché Mask Making.

meet the director

Rabbi Dahlia Bernstein

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Rabbi Dahlia Bernstein sparks a light of connection, meaning, and curiosity with everyone that she meets. Dahlia is the Senior Director of Jewish Engagement and Care Services at the Karen Kolodny Center of JCCMW and before that served as the head rabbi of Congregation Beth Ohr in Bellmore, New York, since 2013. The value of "meeting people where they are" guides each of Dahlia's interactions and programming goals as she cultivates Jewish experiences that nourish and welcome all those involved.

(914) 725-7300

[email protected]
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We suggest that, instead of using the term “interfaith” to refer to families with Jewish Adjacent members, we think of them as Jewish+. Describing a family as Jewish+ introduces an open and positive association with Jewish Adjacency. Our Jewish Adjacent family members are adding to the Jewish experience and narrative... they are making it richer.

Alison Weikel and Rachel Weinstein White

"Expanding Not Diluting: Embracing Jewish+ Families"

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