JCC Harlem

When JCC Harlem opened its doors in January 2017, there were very few Jewish institutions fostering Jewish life in Upper Manhattan. But JCC Harlem sought to build Jewish life in a new way: by creating unique and diverse access points for both Jews and non-Jews of all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds to build social and spiritual community together. At the core of its work is the mantra “All Are Welcome Here”—reflecting a model of inclusivity that is rooted in Harlem’s local flavor and has the potential to be adapted or replicated by JCCs and other institutions around the country. In partnership with local community leaders and numerous organizations, JCC Harlem has quickly become a hub for Jewish life in Harlem, capturing the richness of diverse traditions that have come to define this neighborhood. It is a “home away from home” for children, young adults, and families, and spiritual communities to gather and engage in the warm embrace of their shared community. 

JCC Harlem offers a variety of high-level and engaging programs for specific populations, including Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, LGBTQ adults, interfaith couples/families, and Jewish young adults in their 20s and 30s. It also convenes community campaigns around voter registration, census advocacy, and restorative justice. With a dynamic commitment to inclusion, JCC Harlem is opening up new possibilities for Jews to gather, play, learn, celebrate, pray, and build bridges across lines of difference.