Shames JCC

Laughter Yoga with Dr. Vinodray Shah
2025-05-09 11:30 - 12:30, 2025-04-18 11:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
FREE for members and non-members
Laughter Yoga is a unique exercise routine that combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing. Laughter reaps many scientific benefits including reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression; lower blood pressure; a strengthened immune system; and much more. Laughter is initially stimulated as a physical exercise and soon leads to real and contagious laughter. Bring your playful spirit!

Challah and Conversation: "Mothers and Fathers: Can a Hallmark Card say it all?"
2025-05-09 09:30 - 10:30
Join with Rabbi Symons in a participatory conversation about how Jewish wisdom teaches us to raise up the next generation. We will reflect on the ways we were raised to honor our parents, how our children honored parents in our generation, and how children are honoring parents today. This conversation will be all the richer because you, parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, or friend might share your wisdom.
In the Challah and Conversation series, Rabbi Ron Symons, Shames JCC Sr. Director of Jewish Engagement, leads interactive guided conversations about life that weave the world around us with general spirituality through Jewish and other lenses. We begin our time together by lighting candles and end with a little grape juice and challah… all in a very inclusive way. Neighbors of all backgrounds are welcome. These are on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Fridays of each month.

Pop-Up: Honey and Gold Flower Shop
2025-05-09 09:00 - 12:00
Come get beautiful flowers for the mom in your life, or anyone deserving of some beauty! New local business Honey and Gold Flowers and Coffee Shop will be selling beautiful bouquets that you can conveniently take with you from the J.

Pop-Up: Ceramics from Maggie Chow
2025-05-08 09:00 - 13:00
Explore handmade, functional ceramics with special designs, all created locally in Westchester and without any toxic materials.

Hot Topics
2025-05-07 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!

Pop-Up: Jewels of the East
2025-05-06 09:00 - 13:00
Purchase one-of-a-kind Baltic Amber jewelry and gorgeous silk, wool and cashmere scarves, shawls, and ponchos with and without embroidery.

The History of Film Music
2025-05-05 10:00 - 11:30
Members: free; non-members: $10
Movies always had music, even before they had sound. This lecture uses audio and video examples to explore the history of music written for film—its aesthetics, its uses, its various styles, and its changing technology—from its beginnings in the late 19th century to recent trends.
About the Presenter: Allen Cohen is Professor of Music at Fairleigh Dickinson University. His compositions have been played in Carnegie Hall and across the United States and Europe. He has also written dance arrangements for Broadway musicals, scores for off-Broadway musicals and plays, and music for several films and many radio and television commercials. Allen has conducted three musicals on Broadway and many elsewhere. He has served as a judge for the American Prize in music for many years, and has presented papers about music and musical theater at conferences in New York City, Hawaii, Greece, and Germany.

Pop-up: Ariane's Jewel Box
2025-05-05 09:00 - 12:00
For the trendsetter in your life, explore this carefully curated collection of jewelry.

The Especially Everyone Experience
2025-05-04 13:30 - 15:30
General admission: $30
JCC Members use discount code SHAMESJCC
Live music brings great happiness to many individuals, but those with sensory challenges may find concerts too overstimulating. In this inclusive concert, the Especially Everyone Ensemble leads a sensory-friendly show featuring upbeat, positive tunes that ensures those with sensitivities can actively participate. Special accommodations, such as noise-canceling headphones, soft lighting adjustments, and a designated sensory break are provided to guarantee a positive experience for all attendees.

J Sports Academy High Performance Training Clinic and Pool Party
2025-05-04 13:00 - 16:00
Campers: $10; non-campers: $15
At The Masters School: 49 Clinton Ave, Dobbs Ferry
Get ready for an afternoon of sports, swimming, fun, and friends! This is a great opportunity for new, returning, and prospective campers to sharpen their skills, get trained by expert coaches, and have a blast cooling off in our pool.

American Tune: A Paul Simon Tribute Concert
2025-05-03 19:00 - 21:00
Doors to the cocktail area open at 6:00 pm. Doors to the theater open at 6:45 pm
Beer and wine available for purchase
An all-star ensemble of NYC-based musicians will perform the music of Paul Simon, one of the most influential and beloved American singer-songwriters of the 20th century. The band of top talent– assembled for this performance by Congregation B’nai Jeshurun’s music director Dan Nadel– mirrors Simon’s range, representing roots in gospel, r&b, jazz, rock n roll, and traditional world music. You’ll enjoy favorite songs from different eras including Sound of Silence, American Tune, Mrs. Robinson, and Graceland, as well as stories about Simon and his creative process.
After the concert, join us for a dessert reception!

Clergy Talk: "Outspoken: Free Speech, Hate Speech, and the Jewish Tradition"
2025-05-02 09:30 - 10:30
Do social media platforms have the responsibility to remove content that is factually untrue? Do universities have the responsibility to prohibit hate speech?
Where do American law and Jewish ethics overlap, and where do they differ on these issues of speech? Join us as we explore these timely questions of our era.
Join Rabbi Daniel Reiser of Temple Beth Shalom for this month’s Clergy Talk (formerly Challenging Times, Ageless Insights). Each month, we feature meaningful conversations with Rivertowns clergy. Your voice matters and makes these conversations all the more valuable. These are on the first Friday of every month.

Outing to Jacob Burns Film Center: "October 8" Film and Discussion
2025-05-01 18:00 - 22:00
Bus leaves the JCC at 6:00 pm and returns at 10:00 pm
Members: $15; non-members: $20, incl r/t transportation
October 8 offers a look at the explosion of antisemitism on college campuses, social media, and in the streets of America beginning the day after the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas. Through meticulous investigation, the film also uncovers how over decades, Hamas created sophisticated networks in America to permeate U.S. institutions. It examines the tsunami of online antisemitism, propaganda, and disinformation unleashed by Iran, China and Russia–with the sole purpose of dividing American society.
The screening will be followed by a discussion moderated by American Jewish Committee Westchester/Fairfield.
Watch the trailer here.
NOTE: Round-trip transportation from the JCC is included in your ticket price. If you prefer to travel on your own, please email cjacobs@shamesjcc.org.

Falafel Pop-up: Celebrating Israel
2025-05-01 12:00 - 16:00
In celebration of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel and our connections to the culinary culture of Israel, join us on Yom Ha’atzma’ut (Israel Independence Day) for a special falafel pop-up on the quad. Chef Noam will be preparing his freshly made falafel sandwiches and platters with all the fixings!
The café will be open regular hours, serving fresh baked goods, bagels, coffee, and smoothies.

Free Screening: The Zone of Interest
2025-04-30 18:00 - 20:30
Join us for a community screening of The Zone of Interest, the 2024 Academy and BAFTA Award-winning film by Jonathan Glazer. In this film, based on the book by Martin Amis, Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss and his wife Hedwig strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden beside the camp. After the viewing, we’ll explore how the film portrays the “banality of evil” and the chilling normalcy of Nazi ideology. We will question the ease with which ordinary people can participate in the dehumanization of victims and the normalization of violence, and how it might resonate in the present day.

Documentary Screening: "What’s Next?" (Dir. Taylor Taglianetti)
2025-04-30 11:30 - 13:30
FREE for members & non-members
Running time: 77 minutes
At 100-years-old, Dr. Howard Tucker has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest practicing doctor. Following a 7+ decade career–capped off by a stint teaching neurology to medical residents at Cleveland’s St. Vincent Charity Medical Center– Dr. Tucker begins to slow down and grapple with aging for the first time. Told through the eyes of his grandson, the film follows their journey and relationship through a changing medical landscape.
See trailer here.

Assistive Tech Made Simple
2025-04-29 19:00 - 20:00
FREE for members and non-members; on Zoom
Are you interested in learning more about assistive technologies for yourself or to support someone with differing abilities? Mark Surabian from the Marlene Meyerson JCC’s ATHelp, will join us virtually to explore assistive technology resources that are currently available on phones and other electronic devices.
Any questions, please contact Annie Bridson at abridson@shamesjcc.org.

Genealogy of a Murder: Unearthing the Secrets of Our Past That Determine Our Future
2025-04-28 10:00 - 11:30
Members: Free; non-members: $10
NYT journalist and bestselling author Lisa Belkin will discuss her new book Genealogy of a Murder and the creative journey she took while writing her most ambitious and most personal project. It’s a family story, and also a universal one, spanning four generations of three families and ending in the murder of a police officer in 1960. It’s about three men, all inheritors of the American Dream. But it’s also about all of us and how our pasts create ourselves. How does one descendant of immigrants become the cop, one his killer, and one, Belkin’s stepfather, who inadvertently set this murder into motion?
About the presenter: Lisa Belkin has spent a career covering American social issues, as a daily journalist, a magazine writer and a book author. During nearly 30 years at The New York Times, she was variously a national correspondent, a medical reporter, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, and the creator of the Life’s Work column and the Motherlode blog. She has spent the past decade in the digital realm, in senior positions at HuffPost and Yahoo News. Belkin is the author of four books and is a graduate of Princeton University, where she has returned as a visiting professor in the Humanities Council, teaching narrative non- fiction as an instrument of social change. Since 2015 she has taught reporting, writing and narrative non-fiction at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.

Rivertown Interfaith Community Gathering: What’s Love Got to Do With It?
2025-04-27 16:30 - 18:30
Location: Irvington Presbyterian Church, 25 N Broadway, Irvington, NY 10533
Loving your neighbor, loving yourself, loving and being loved by God are all long held spiritual beliefs across Judaism and Christianity. As we move beyond Passover and Easter, join us across Jewish and Christian differences to learn, discuss, and eat with one another.

Documentary Screening: "Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics"
2025-04-27 14:00 - 16:00
FREE
Yonkers Riverfront Library Community Room
We’re partnering with Beyond Plastics to screen the award-winning documentary, Plastic People: The Hidden of Microplastics. This film investigates our addiction to plastic, the growing threat of microplastics on human health. What can be done about it?
After the screening, we’ll be joined by guest speakers to learn how you can make our future plastic pollution-free, starting right here in New York.

Community Art Celebration
2025-04-27 14:00 - 16:00
Join us to celebrate new art at the J this Spring! Enjoy our 4th annual Community Art Exhibition with art by over 60 local artists and our Youth Art Exhibition by artists ages 4-18. We will have art-making activities for all ages, refreshments, and live string music by Riley Burke. Registration recommended but not required.
This program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Challah and Conversation: The Israeli Declaration of Statehood: An Annotated Reading
2025-04-25 09:30 - 10:30
As we approach the 77th anniversary of the founding of the modern state of Israel, we will turn our attention back to the founding document to better understand the hopes of Israel’s founders with an eye on today and tomorrow in these challenging times.
In the Challah and Conversation series, Rabbi Ron Symons, Shames JCC Sr. Director of Jewish Engagement, leads interactive guided conversations about life that weave the world around us with general spirituality through Jewish and other lenses. We begin our time together by lighting candles and end with a little grape juice and challah… all in a very inclusive way. Neighbors of all backgrounds are welcome. These are on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Fridays of each month.

“Blind Spot” Documentary Screening and Director Talkback
2025-04-24 18:30 - 21:00
Join us for an exclusive screening of a powerful new film, Blind Spot, the first documentary to expose campus antisemitism both before and after October 7. This timely and urgent film sheds light on the experiences of Jewish students and families navigating growing antisemitic harassment and incidents on college campuses, perpetrated by students and faculty.
Following the screening, we’ll be joined by Lenny Gold, executive producer of the documentary, and Rachel Klein, executive director of Hillels of Westchester, to discuss the documentary.
If you can’t make it to this screening, there is a screening on Monday, April 21 at 10:00 am. Register here.

Lunch Outing: Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse
2025-04-24 12:30 - 14:00
$35 cash includes soup, unlimited market table, protein entree, tax, and tip
Join us at Fogo de Chao for an abundant, authentic, and delicious Brazilian lunch . Your meal includes your choice of protein entree and unlimited visits to their famous Market Table and Feijoada Bar, which includes seasonal salads, vegetables, imported cheeses, smoked salmon, cured meats, fogo feijoada (traditional black bean stew with sausage), soup, pão de queijo (cheese bread), and more. Vegetarians welcome!
Space is limited to 20 – sign up early!
NOTE: We will be meeting at Fogo de Chao, 235 Main Street, White Plains, NY 10601. Street and metered parking is available; the closest garage is White Plains Center Garage at 237 Martine Ave (exit to Main St). If you need a ride to and from the restaurant from the JCC or have room in your car for others, please email cjacobs@shamesjcc.org when you register.

Verve Book Club: “God of the Woods” by Liz Moore
2025-04-23 11:30 - 13:00
In this haunting and atmospheric novel, the lives of the inhabitants of a remote community are intertwined with the mysterious force of the woods that surround them. The story follows the life of Sophie, a young woman grappling with family secrets, the death of her father, and her complicated relationship with the natural world. As Sophie uncovers hidden truths, the novel explores themes of grief, isolation, and the intersection of human lives with the untamed forces of nature.

Voyages with Verve: Rome, Italy
2025-04-22 14:00 - 15:00
FREE for members and non-members
Location change! Today’s live-stream tour takes place in Rome, Italy, as a thoughtful tribute to Pope Francis. Our guide, Adry, will take us through the streets of Rome in real time, sharing the atmosphere and reflections during this historic moment.
While we are avoiding Vatican City due to heavy crowds and limited connectivity, Adry has curated a route through central Rome that offers both beauty and relevance, allowing us to mark this moment respectfully while ensuring a smooth viewing experience.

Caregiver Conversation Circle
2025-04-22 12:30 - 13:30
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.

“Blind Spot” Documentary Screening and Discussion
2025-04-21 10:00 - 12:00
FREE for members; $10 for non-members
Join us for an exclusive screening of a powerful new film, Blind Spot, the first documentary to expose campus antisemitism both before and after October 7. This timely and urgent film sheds light on the experiences of Jewish students and families navigating growing antisemitic harassment and incidents on college campuses, perpetrated by students and faculty.
Following the screening, we’ll be joined by Rachel Klein, executive director of Hillels of Westchester, and Rabbi Ron Symons, to discuss the documentary.
If you can’t make it to this screening, there is another screening on Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 pm. Register here.

Sensory Swim (All ages)
2025-04-18 18:00 - 19:30
Space theme!
Come spend your Friday night with us at our special Sensory-Friendly Swim Night, exclusively for families with an immediate member with a disability. The pool will be reserved just for you, providing a sensory-friendly environment where 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.
