The Karen Kolodny Center

for 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.

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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!

Adult 55+ Poetry Reading: Yerra Sugarman

On November 9, our poet-in-residence, Harriet Shenkman, PhD, will bring poet, essayist, and teacher Terra Sugarman to the JCC to discuss her recent works and influences.

Adult 55+ Lecture: Life Lessons from the High Holidays

On October 2, Tami Arnowitz will discuss the life lessons we can glean from Sukkot and Simhat Torah.

Shabbat Tots in Nature

Join us October 28 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!

Basket Weaving in the Sukkah

In this two-session series on October 4 and 18, join expert weaver and instructor Robin Ingram to learn the art of basket weaving and create your own market basket!

AFYA Service Project

All ages are invited to volunteer at the JCC at our AFYA medical supply sorting/packing event on December 25. Make a difference in the world!

AFYA Teen Service Project

On Indigenous Peoples / Columbus Day, teens are invited to volunteer at the JCC at our AFYA medical supply sorting/packing event. Make a difference in the world and earn community service hours!

We Need to Talk About Antisemitism

Join us Wednesday, November 15, for this important discussion about antisemitism with author and rabbi Diana Fersko and Scott Richman of the Anti-Defamation League.

Garden and Gather

Salad lovers and gardeners, this event on October 5 is for you! The Edible Gardenist, Hillary Marra, will help us connect with the land and the harvest holiday, Sukkot.

Spirituality Author Talk: The Secret of Light

On October 19, Rabbi Jonathan Morgenstern will talk with Rabbi Daniel Cohen about his book The Secret of Light and how we all have the power to reignite our inner light and share it with the world. Admission is free, but RSVP is required.

PJ Library Day

On October 9, children and caregivers are invited to the JCC for story-time, art, and music! Admission is free, but please RSVP.

Author Talk: Women’s Stories That Must Be Told

Join us October 18 for a discussion with Jacqueline Friedland and Rabbi Marla Feldman about the strong, courageous women in their books who defied their times and left a lasting impact.

Jewish/Chinese Women’s Circle

We are inviting women from the Jewish and Chinese communities to join us for a special lunch in the JCCMW sukkah on October 5, a temporary tent-like dwelling that holds celebrations during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

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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.

 

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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 director of Jewish Culture and programming 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"

Jewish Agencies in Westchester

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  • The Inter-Religious Coalition of New Rochelle

  • UJA Federation of New York

  • Westchester Jewish Council

  • Westchester Jewish Community Services

Links of Interest

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  • Candle Lighting Times

  • Jewish/Civil Date Converter

  • Find your Jewish Birthday

  • Yahrzeit Calculator

  • My Jewish Learning

Support us

The JCCMW celebrates Jewish culture throughout the year, from a sukkah in the fall to its Nursery School shabbats to the June Israeli Film Festival. Many of our adult programs highlight Jewish authors, academics, and journalists.
Support us

Stay up to date

Subscribe to JCCMW Email!

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New things are happening every month at the JCCMW!

Be the first to know about programs and events, and get access to early registration when you sign up.

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