The JCC of Syracuse: Your Center
Share in a long tradition. Come to the place where the Syracuse Jewish community has come together for generations to celebrate, educate, organize and have fun. With programs and services for children, teens, adults and seniors, there is something for everyone at the JCC. Membership options vary. Call 315-445-2360 to schedule a tour, and checkout our latest Program Guide by clicking here!
The JCC Neulander Family Sports and Fitness Center
The mission of the Neulander Family Sports and Fitness Center is to provide a safe, never crowded, non-judgmental, state-of-the-art fitness center for all members of the community. Through our certified fitness professionals and friendly staff, we provide the knowledge, expertise and environment for everyone to reach their fitness goals. The Fitness Center is a place where everyone can feel welcome.
The fitness facility includes; Precor® cardio and circuit training equipment, a free weight room, Keiser M3 bikes, a collegiate-sized gymnasium, a banked indoor windowed track, two outdoor heated pools, and clean locker rooms.
Fitness center programming features group exercise classes that range from the Group Cycle, Muscle Sculpt and TRX, to Yoga, NIA and Senior Fit, as well as instructional Ballroom dance, Latin dance and adult tap. Members receive a free one-hour fitness consultation upon joining the fitness center.
Fitness memberships are designed to meet the needs of each individual and family. With memberships offered for teens age 13 and up, and special senior memberships, the JCC is the right place to meet your goals.
Jerome & Phyllis Charney Early Childhood Development Program
Learn, explore, develop and socialize with JCC’s Early Childhood Development Program. Designed for children ages 6 weeks through pre-kindergarten, the program develops each child’s social, intellectual and physical well-being.
A four-star rated program, ECDP creates a safe environment that nurtures children as they learn, explore and discover. With flexible scheduling, enrichment classes and affordable programming, ECDP is the perfect fit for any family.
During these formative years it is essential to offer young children an arena in which to discover the world around them and participate in educational, yet fun, activities that will introduce them to the concepts of learning and team work. The highly qualified and encouraging staff at the ECDP program provides an atmosphere in which children come to recognize their needs as well as the needs and rights of their peers.
We provide a developmentally appropriate environment that allows every child to know the true joy of discovery through a broad spectrum of experiences.
After School Program
Offered for school-age children in kindergarten through seventh grade, the JCC’s state licensed after school program is fun and educational, and provides safe care for your child after the school day ends. Children enjoy their afternoon with snacks, activities and supervision. After school kids use the JCC gymnasium for games and activities, the children’s room for arts and crafts, the JCC conference room for homework, the teen lounge for computer games and relaxation, the JCC playground for recreation and the outdoor pool to make the most of warm spring and summer afternoons.
Kids' Night Out
Give yourself a night off while your kids enjoy a night out at the JCC. Kids’ Night Out, held on Saturday nights three times a year, is full of activities, fun foods and new-release movies.
Vacation Camps
School vacations do not have to mean hours of TV, video games, and boredom. Children get the most out of their vacations with field trips, games, visitors, and activities at the JCC vacation camps during all school holidays and breaks.
Camp Joe & Lynne Romano
There is no better way to spend summer than at the JCC’s Camp Romano day camps for preschoolers, school-age children, and teens. Our SyraCruisin’ Travel Camp for teens is designed exclusively to meet the needs of today’s young teens entering grades 7–10. And we offer leadership and camp counselor experience through our Camp Aide and Counselor in Training (CIT) programs for 14- and 15-year olds, respectively.
Children's Sports Classes
The JCC’s Children’s Sports Classes offers children ages 3 and up. Classes include gymnastics, dance, karate, basketball, ballet and more.
The JCC’s gymnastics program offers basic classes as well as a gymnastics team that participates in regional competitions.
Teens
Teen events at the JCC bring together teens from all over the Syracuse area.
Battle of the Bands, an annual event at the JCC, hosts local high school bands and their fans in a friendly competition.
The JCC’s primary goal is to gather teens of all ages to create new friendships in a safe, yet enjoyable, environment.
Adults
The adult services department provides social, cultural and educational programs to adults in the community. Programs range from film screenings and Israeli art shows to the annual Yom Ha’atzmaut community celebration.
Senior Adults
With funding from the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth, the JCC provides affordable kosher meals to all seniors aged 60 and over five days a week. Many seniors spend hours at the JCC playing mah jongg and attending the Neulander Family Sports and Fitness Center‘s senior adult group exercise classes. We offer senior adults many opportunities to stay active, social and involved in the community.

Weekly Challah Sales!
Challah can be picked up on Friday between noon and 6 pm at the JCC Main Office. Challah may also be given to your child if they are attending, SHDS, ECDP, and the After-School Program. Challah can be ordered using the form below, orders and payments must be made by 10 am on the Wednesday prior to the delivery date.
Hours
Main Entrance Reception Desk
No business transactions or use of the computer will take place on Saturdays or Jewish holidays.
JCC Neulander Family Sports & Fitness Center
Locker rooms close 15 minutes after the close of fitness areas. Special programming or league play may extend hours beyond times noted.
Our Fitness Center’s in-person workouts, group exercise classes, indoor track and basketball court are currently open by appointment.
Early Childhood Development Program (ECDP)
Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Before School Care
Monday – Friday: 7:00–8:00 am (school year only)
After School Program
Monday – Friday: 3:00–5:30 pm (school year only)
Senior Dining Programs
Monday Night Dinner: 5-6pm
Tuesday – Friday Senior Lunch: 12–12:30pm
Monday Night Dinners will be held June 13th through August 29th 2022 in place of Senior Lunch that day. After August 29th Senior Lunches will resume being held Mondays 12–12:30pm
Contact Us
Main Office | 315-445-2360 [email protected] |
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Direct Dial to Office Extensions | 315-445-2040 | |
Fax | 315-449-4539 | |
Sports & Fitness Center | 315-234-4522 |
Administration | ||
Marci Erlebacher Executive Director |
x107 [email protected] |
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Erin Hart Executive Assistant/Office Manager |
x112 [email protected] |
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Francis Zdanowicz Controller |
x118 [email protected] |
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Suzanne Bennett Bookkeeper |
x138 [email protected] |
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Alec Erlebacher Marketing and Public Relations |
[email protected] | |
Nicholas Finlayson Membership Director |
x140 [email protected] |
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Gregory Earl Facilities Manager |
x125 [email protected] |
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Tammy Barzee Daytime Receptionist |
x100 [email protected] |
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Deborah Stonecipher Evening Receptionist |
x100 [email protected] |
Adult and Senior Programming | ||
Cindy Stein Director of Adult and Senior Programming |
x104 [email protected] |
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Joni Paul Adult and Senior Programming Assistant |
x104 [email protected] |
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Kitchen | x124 | |
Children’s Programming | ||
Pamela Ranieri Director of Children’s Programming |
x123 [email protected] | |
Amy Bisnett Associate Director of Children’s Programming |
x122 [email protected] |
Early Childhood Development Program (ECDP) |
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Christine Flynn Early Childhood Assistant Director / Office Manager |
x121 [email protected] |
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Alana Raphael Early Childhood Assistant Director/ Curriculum Support |
x120 [email protected] |
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Children & Teen Services, Summer Camp |
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Kevin Smith School Age Program Manager |
x133 [email protected] |
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Sports & Fitness Center Health, Physical Education & Recreation (HPER) |
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Nick Finlayson Sports & Fitness Director |
x144 [email protected] |
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Sherri Lamanna Director of Gymnastics, Dance & ECDP Physical Education |
x126 [email protected] |
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Paula Pacini Group Exercise Coordinator |
[email protected] |
Billing & Payment
For all billing & Payment questions, please contact our accounting office at 315-445-2360 ext. 118.
Jobs & Internships
Below are the current employment and internship opportunities at the JCC of Syracuse. We offer competitive pay and a great work atmosphere. Free fitness membership for employees. Application instructions are listed under each individual posting. Questions? Email [email protected]
Assistant Teachers
Our Early Childhood Development Program is seeking energetic Teachers to assist in the daily classroom life of all ages! Competitive pay and benefits available, including a free health club and pool membership. Experience preferred.
How to apply
Download our employment application. Submit completed application to Pam Ranieri, 315-445-2360, [email protected], fax 315-449-4539.
Seasonal Employees: Looking for a rewarding summer position? The JCC has it all with a position for everyone. This upcoming summer we are looking for the following positions labeled (seasonal). To apply for one of these positions, download our employment application. Submit completed application to Amy Bisnett, 315-445-2360, [email protected], fax 315-449-4539.
School Age Camp Counselors (seasonal)
Work as a team member in our large Summer Camp with children in grades 1 – 6. Each week you will be assigned a different camp and group.
Camp Support Staff (seasonal)
Join our inclusive Yachad Program where children of all abilities are integrated into the camp. Support staff will work with a child or group of children to ensure they have the best experience ever! Staff will assist in all aspects of the camp day, make modifications when needed, and model correct behavior. Experience Preferred.
Lifeguard (seasonal)
Join our aquatics team as a lifeguard. We will be holding lifeguard training courses as well as hiring staff already trained. This is a great position for growth into Swim instructors and beyond.
Early Childhood Camp Counselors (seasonal)
Work with our youngest campers from infants through Pre-K in our camp setting!
Policies
JCC Snow Policy
The JCC will make every effort to remain open during a snow emergency. Closings will be announced on TV channels 3, 5, and 9 and on radio stations 620 AM, 570 AM and 94.5 FM. Please call us to find out if a class or program is taking place. In the event of school closings, the JCC will make every effort to remain open for childcare. Please call ahead. This service is open to members and active program participants only.
JCC Kashrut Policy
The JCC kitchen is under the supervision of the Syracuse Va’ad Hair. The kashrut policy requires strict adherence to the list of approved foods that may be brought into the kitchen. This list is available through program staff members.
Safety & Security
The JCC is a High Security Facility and takes the safety of our Staff and Members seriously. We conduct security drills multiple times throughout the year for building. These drills include: Shelter-in-Place, Lockdown and Evacuation. While we hope to never have to enter one of these, we prepare our staff for every possible situation. Instructions for all of these drills are posted in every room of the JCC. Should you find yourself on campus during one of these drills, please follow instructions on the appropriate posting.
The JCC is licensed through New York State for our Early Childhood and After-School Programs. During the school year we are required to conduct monthly fire-drills. These drills are conducted at various times and days throughout the year as to not disrupt one particular schedule. During the summer months, our camp is licensed through Onondaga County and must conduct a fire-drill within the first 48 hours of a new camp session. This requires weekly fire-drills to be held on either Monday or Tuesday during the summer. As during the school year, we conduct these at various times throughout the camp day. Should you find yourself on campus during a fire-drill, please be sure to stop what you are doing and follow staff directions and/or the plans posted in your room. Fire-drills are very quick and usually last less than 5 minutes.
Supporting the JCC
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, your continued financial contributions, gifts, grants and endowments allows the JCC of Syracuse to serve you, your family and the larger community six days a week, year round. Funds raised are critical to daily operations, special programming, future development and improvements, and scholarships and financial aid.
End-of-Year Donation
Public support is imperative to the JCC of Syracuse’s survival. The center depends on these donations for a full 7% of its annual budget. Please see our current annual appeal or page 3 in our current winter guide for information about making a tax-deductible, end-of-year contribution to the JCC.
Jewish Federation of CNY
The JCC of Syracuse is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of CNY. The JCC receives funding from the federation and works in close partnership with them to provide the Jewish community with essential programs and services. JCC families and members can help by giving generously to the JF of CNY campaign.
Designate your United Way donation to the JCC
If you will be participating in the United Way Community Campaign where you work or as an individual donor, please consider designating all or part of your gift to the JCC of Syracuse. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit health and human service organization, and former United Way agency, the JCC is still eligible to receive your donation through the Community Campaign. Simply complete the special requests section on the back of your pledge card specifying your gift designation to the JCC of Syracuse.
Your generous contribution to the JCC through this convenient United Way donor program will go a long way in supporting the many programs and services available here at your Jewish community center. For more information, contact us at 315-445-2360, ext. 112.
Matching Gifts
Many companies in the Syracuse area have matching gift programs, which encourage charitable giving by their employees. Under these programs, companies match gifts—often dollar for dollar or even two dollars to one—that individuals make to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations. Your gift to the JCC may qualify. Please check with your company to determine eligibility requirements.
Tribute Cards
To commemorate special occasions, including births, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, marriages, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or to celebrate and honor the memory of a loved one, the JCC welcomes tax-deductible gifts to one of our many endowment or special funds. (See the tributes on page 34.) The JCC will send an acknowledgement card to the individual (or next of kin) in whose name the contribution is made. Tribute cards recognize someone special and help the JCC. For more information,contact us at 315-445-2360, ext. 112.
Bobbi Epstein Lewis Free Loan Society
Barry Lewis, a JCC Supporter, established the Bobbi Epstein Lewis Free Loan Memorial Fund in honor of his wife as a way to aid individuals and families in the Syracuse area. In establishing this fund, Lewis hopes to be of assistance to those in need by providing interest free loans to individuals. For more information about the fund, contact us at 315-445-2360, ext. 112.
Jewish Federation of Central New York
The JCC of Syracuse is a beneficiary agency of the Syracuse Jewish Federation (SJF). The JCC receives funding from the SJF and works in close partnership with them to provide the Jewish community with essential programs and services. JCC families and members can help by giving generously to the SJF campaign. www.JewishFederationCNY.org
Tributes
To commemorate special occasions – births, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, weddings, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or to perpetuate the memory of a loved one – the JCC welcomes tax-deductible gifts to one of our many endowments and special funds. The JCC will send an acknowledgement card to the individual (or next of kin) in whose name the contribution was made. Some of our funds are listed below.
For further information, please call Erin at 315-445-2360, ext. 112, or email [email protected].
Morris & Dorothy Cohen Endowment Fund
Bert & Laura Erlebacher Cultural & Education Fund
Ben Meltzer Endowment Fund
Ava & Irving Raphael Maccabi Endowment Fund
Sydelle Rothman ECDP Scholarship Fund
Ida Rubin Senior Adult Nutrition Endowment Fund
Leadership Development Fund
Jeffrey Sussman Athletic Scholarship Fund
General Operating Fund
Board of Directors
President | Steven Sisskind | |
Vice-Presidents | Phillip D. Rubenstein Howard M. Weinstein, M.D. Debbie Goldwein |
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Treasurer | Sara Temes | |
Secretary | Roy S. Gutterman | |
Immediate Past President |
Alan E. Lipsy | |
Past President | Andrea Knoller | |
Board Members | ||
Kathleen Davis Linda R. Drimer Haley Dubnoff Adam DuChene Amira Goldberg Bud Greenman Kaye Habib Peter Hall Karen Herrick |
Jillian Juni Gillian Budman Kanter Paula Faith King Michael A. Klein Scott D. Loeb Jessica Malzman Helen Marcum Melissa Romano McAllister Davia Moss |
Sarah Rose Pinsky Jessica Rice Kevin I. Rosenberg, M.D. Philip Rothschild Anick Sinclair Josh Sisskind Jeffrey J. Tamburo Steven D. Wladis |
Past Presidents | ||
Warren Winkelstein* Morris Berman* Marshall Reisman* Morris B. Swartz* Melvin Rudolph* Sidney Greenberg* Herman Dubnoff* Albert Rothman, M.D.* Hyman Miller* Benjamin Meltzer* Warren Winkelstein* Morris Berman* Marshall Reisman* |
Morris B. Swartz* Melvin Rudolph* Sidney Greenberg* Herman Dubnoff* Albert Rothman, M.D.* Hyman Miller* Benjamin Meltzer* Donald Klein* Philip Pinsky* Robert Miron Corinne Smith, Ph.D. Sheldon Kruth Michael J. Balanoff |
Helen Marcum Mark Field Lowell Seifter Neil Bronstein Marci L. Erlebacher Carl Crosley, M.D. Howard Stern Marci L. Erlebacher Andrea Knoller Alan E. Lipsy Robert Neulander, M.D. Alan E. Lipsy |
*Deceased |