The Karen Kolodny Center

for Jewish Culture, Heritage, and Diversity

tradition + diversity

Jewish Culture and Values

The Karen Kolodny Center brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to connect, learn, and engage in community programs, holiday activities, and Jewish-themed workshops to learn more about and deepen their appreciation for Judaism.

Our Jewish cultural programs include collaborations with various agencies that strive to expand the knowledge and understanding of our world through a Jewish lens and shared Jewish values.

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Jewish Programming

We offer Jewish programming for people of all ages. Check out our printable calendar for upcoming events!

Virtual Culinary Tour of Israel

Join us Tuesday, May 2, for an immersive experience of Israel through food!

Virtual Family Cooking Class

Gather the kids and join Ashley Covelli of Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen on Zoom April 23 to make a delicious family dinner from the comfort of your own home—family-friendly flatbread topped with homemade tzatziki!

Hebrew Café

Want to practice your Hebrew in a friendly environment? Join us March 28 for our Hebrew Café with Shachar Liran-Hanan, our shlicha (Jewish representative) from Israel. All levels are invited to attend the last Tuesday of every month.

Israeli Dancing

 Join Shmulik Gov-Ari to learn his unique and vibrant style of Israeli dance and then enjoy some time to mingle and show off what you've learned!

KugelFest

Who makes the best noodle kugel in Westchester? Communities around the county are sending Kugel Masters to give you a taste of their noodle creation. You are invited to judge and vote on which kugel ticks all your boxes. We will have homemade options and certified kosher options. 

Understanding the Moment: Israel and the Prospect of the Two-State Solution

Join Israel Policy Forum CEO David A. Halperin as he helps unpack this moment and discusses the challenges and opportunities it presents for Israel, diaspora relations, and the prospect of a viable two-state outcome. 

Beginner Hebrew Reading Class (Aleph)

Have you always wanted to learn how to read modern Hebrew? If you are starting from Aleph (the very beginning), this class is for you. Class begins January 30 and runs through April 17.

Israeli Dancing

 Join Shmulik Gov-Ari to learn his unique and vibrant style of Israeli dance and then enjoy some time to mingle and show off what you've learned!

Friday Night Shabbat Tots: Shavuot

On May 12, play, sing, and dance your way into Shabbat with the whole family!

Friday Night Shabbat Tots: Israel’s 75th Anniversary

Play, sing, and dance your way into Shabbat with the whole family! This month's theme is Passover!

Day at the J

Join us Sunday, March 26, for Day at the J, featuring Kugelfest, dancing, entertainment, and food!

Shabbat Tots in Nature: Earth Day

Join us for Shabbat Tots in Nature. We'll be focusing on Earth Day this month!

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Virtual Conversational Hebrew Classes

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The Karen Kolodny Center is partnering with HasStudio to provide a wide array of Virtual Conversational Hebrew classes, beginner to advanced levels. Find the right Hebrew course for you!

Learn more and register
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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 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

  • Virtual JCC Programs

  • 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.
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Stay up to date

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New things are happening every month at the JCCMW!

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