Adults

Chanukah at the JCC

Thu 11/03/22By

Chanukah is closer than you think. The passing of Rosh Hashanah brings a new year with new opportunities. In the spirit of the new year, the JCC is looking forward to providing a sense of normalcy that has been missing these last few years. The pandemic gave everyone an appreciation for the feeling of fellowship and strengthened the bond within the community. Now that people are beginning to feel a semblance of safety, the JCC hopes to bring a party that is warm and familiar through ritual and celebration.

The JCC’s annual Community Chanukah Party is making its return. The event will be held on Sunday, December 18th from 12:30pm – 3:00pm and is being sponsored by the Jewish Federation of CNY. Families will be invited and welcomed to join for a fun-filled afternoon. The eyes of the children will brighten as soon as they walk through the doors and see inflatables, crafts, face painting, balloon twisters, a photo booth and more. Refreshments will be provided and delicious food will be offered including latkes, bagels, fruit, and everyone’s favorite sufganiyot (jelly donuts). 

The After School Program will be hosting their Chanukah Party Tuesday, December 20th during the program. Children will get to play dreidel, pin the fork on the latke, eat sufganiyot and more. Each child will get a Chanukah goody bag to take home.

As usual, the Early Childhood Development Program will be celebrating Chanukah.  All classrooms will celebrate the holiday at their own developmental level within the classroom. The wings of the classroom will be decorated for the holiday and will have special materials for the occasion. On Wednesday, December 21 the classrooms will have their own Chanukah Celebration all day with special activities, crafts, latkes and sufganiyot.

Chanukah for the Senior Department will be celebrated on Friday, Dec 16th. A special lunch and sufganiyot will be served. We will have entertainment for this celebration. Reservations are required.

Finally, the whole community is invited to join us for nightly menorah lightings at the JCC. Children from Early Childhood and School Age programs come together to sing the blessings and watch as the lights are lit. Those without family to bring can find family within the comfort of the community. We will light the menorah at 4:30pm each weeknight during Chanukah. 

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Adults

JCC Book Talk: Atomic Anna

Wed 10/19/22By

The JCC of Syracuse is co-sponsoring a book talk with the JCC of Palm Beaches via Zoom on Tuesday, December 6 at 7 pm. Atomic Anna is from the author of A Bend in the Stars, an epic adventure as three generations of women work together and travel through time to prevent the Chernobyl disaster and right the wrongs of their past.

Rachel Barenbaum is a prolific writer and reviewer. Her work has appeared in the LA Review of Books, The Tel Aviv Review of Books, and more. She is a scholar in residence at the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute at Brandeis and is the founder and host of the podcast Debut Spotlight. In a former life she was
a hedge fund manager and spin instructor. She has degrees from Harvard in Business, and
Literature and Philosophy. She is an elected member of Town Meeting in Brookline, MA.

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The JCC of Syracuse is co-sponsoring a book talk with the JCC of Palm Beaches via Zoom on Tuesday, December 6 at 7 pm. Atomic Anna is from the author of A Bend in the Stars, an epic adventure as three generations of women work together and travel through time to prevent the Chernobyl disaster and right the wrongs of their past.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rachel Barenbaum is the author of the critically-acclaimed novels Atomic Anna and A Bend in the<br>Stars. She is a prolific writer and reviewer. Her work has appeared in the LA Review of Books, The<br>Tel Aviv Review of Books, and more. She is a scholar in residence at the Hadassah-Brandeis<br>Institute at Brandeis and is the founder/ host of the podcast Debut Spotlight. In a former life she was<br>a hedge fund manager and spin instructor. She has degrees from Harvard in Business, and<br>Literature and Philosophy. She is an elected member of Town Meeting in Brookline, MA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->
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Adults & Seniors

JCC’s Senior Program Spotlight

Tue 09/06/22By

JCC’s Senior Program

The new normal has not been easy for seniors. A gruesome pandemic put the elderly at an advanced health risk. In a world where seniors often struggle with loneliness and lack of direction, fear of contracting COVID made those struggles even more arduous. Seniors were already prone to staying at home and isolating themselves. Endangering oneself just by stepping outside and socializing was an unfortunate reality. The Senior Program at the JCC made sure to be there when things were bleak, and always will.

The JCC’s Senior Meals don’t have your typical cafeteria food. There is a suggested donation of $5 per meal. The program is subsidized by the Onondaga County Adult and Long-Term Care Service, which allows us to keep our cost low. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect a mundane meal with a taste that matched the inexpensive cost. Luckily, the JCC has a culinary institute trained chef who works magic in the kitchen and runs one of the only Kosher certified meal sites outside of New York City that serves meals 5 days per week.

Senior Lunches have become one of the best kept secrets in the county. It has become an experience that attendees don’t just look forward to, but crave. “I have a major health condition and have a problem eating enough food, my appetite is severely diminished. It helps tremendously to sit and have a good conversation while eating good food” said Karen Nezelek. Instead of simply satisfying those that eat to live, Chef Donna goes the extra mile and satisfies those that live to eat. 

During the pandemic, when many places were shutting down, the dining hall was closed but the kitchen was not. The JCC offered curbside delivery at the same cost. The servers maintained their relationships with the seniors on a first name basis. The food gave seniors a place to go and people to see, even if it was just at a distance. 

Now that life has begun to settle down, the dining hall is again a place for seniors to enjoy their meal and make friends along the way. The JCC has created a safe environment where all are vaccinated and smiles can once again be met with smiles. 12pm from Monday-Friday has become a comforting time for seniors. It doesn’t stop at lunch. The JCC also offers Shabbat meals where challah bread is broken and seniors do the prayers. 

The JCC simply cares more about the people than the money. The health of the community is a constant point of emphasis. The facility is kept in pristinely clean conditions, free nutritional counseling is offered throughout the year, and flu clinics are offered during the fall.

Every third Friday of the month, the JCC brings in a neighborhood advisor, where members of the community are given the opportunity to be heard. Events are thrown for national and Jewish holidays. Those that wish to celebrate among friends can do so at the JCC at no charge. 

Seniors can struggle with feeling alone, now more than ever. At the JCC, there is a community to rely on. There are friends to be made. 

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The JCC of Syracuse is seeking bids for installation of security film and glass replacement. All bids shall include pricing for equipment, accessories, parts, licensing, travel and labor and any misc. expenses. Please email Erin Hart, ehart@jccsyr.org for RFP information. Proposals are due via email no later than 7/1/2022 at 3:00pm and all questions must be submitted via email as well, no later than 6/29/2022 at 3:00pm. All bidders will be notified via email when a selection is made.Adults & Seniors

JCC’s Senior Dinner Return

Wed 06/15/22By

Senior Dinners are back! The Senior Dining Program at the JCC is now offering Monday Night Dinners for members of ages 60+. This will be available from June 13th-August 29th. Entertainment will be provided every week. Dinner will begin at 5 pm and end at 6 pm. Proof of vaccines are required. Reservations must be made a week in advance. All meals will be Kosher. Anyone with questions can call the JCC directly (315) 445-2360. There is a suggested donation fee of $6.00 for the meal.

Senior Dinners are back! The JCC is now offering Monday Night Dinners for members of ages 60+. This will be available from June 13th-August 29th. Entertainment will be provided every week. Dinner will begin at 5 pm and vaccines are required. Reservations must be made a week in advance. All meals will be Kosher. Anyone with questions can call the JCC directly (315) 445-2360. There is a suggested donation fee of $6.00 for the meal.
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Open Laptop with SmartAlec Support Logo on keypadAdults

Digital Basics – In-Person IT Support Seminar

Wed 03/30/22By

Stop by the JCC of Syracuse with any technological concerns during our monthly in-person IT Support Open House that we know as ‘Digital Basics’! Take this opportunity to familiarize yourself with the digital world. You can learn the basics in using a computer, nifty tools to save time & frustration, and get an opportunity to get help with common issues you may be having. Digital Basics will be held the last Friday of every month @ 1pm right after the Senior Lunch. Our next Digital Basics class will be held May 27th.

You can attend this 2-hour seminar for just $25 by calling or emailing Cindy Stein at [email protected] or 315-445-2360 to sign up for now

Download our Flyer
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Adults & Seniors

Senior Lunch Program

Wed 03/23/22By

There is nothing better than a delicious, well-balanced, kosher meal in the company of friends. Meals are prepared fresh in our kosher kitchen.

The lunches will be M-F at 12-12:30 pm (see menu). $5 is the suggested contribution. Only Cash or JCC Senior Meal Coupons are accepted.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED ARE REQUIRED. Please call 315-445-2360 by noon at least one business day before the meal date.

The Senior Dining Program is funded in part by Onondaga County Adult and Long Term Care Services, New York State Office for the Aging, and the Jewish Federation of Central New York. Additionally, funds are provided by the JCC. Click to watch a video for more information.

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Seniors

Mah Jongg cards fundraiser to benefit the JCC’s Senior Program

Tue 01/25/22By 0 comment

The JCC is taking preorders for next year’s National Mah Jongg League cards. Available in both standard size for $9 and large print format for $10, sales of the cards will benefit the JCC’s Senior Meal Program. The deadline to place orders is January 14, 2022.


Download our Mah Jongg cards order form PDF, 266 KB)

“Anyone in the community may order Mah Jongg cards through the JCC,” says Cindy Stein, JCC director of adult and senior programming. “It’s very convenient and a portion of the proceeds will help support our senior program. You don’t have to be a JCC member or have played Mah Jongg at the JCC to place an order.”

All card orders will be mailed by the National Mah Jongg League directly to purchasers’ homes by mid-March. Card purchasers will automatically receive a one-year membership in the National Mah Jongg League.

Mah Jongg players finally returned to the JCC last summer after more than a yearlong hiatus. The games have been fun and engaging, and the players are glad to finally be back.

Join the fun! Come play Mah Jongg at the JCC on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Proof of COVID vaccination required—please show your vaccination card the first time you come. New players are always welcome!

For more information about ordering Mah Jongg cards or playing Mah Jongg at the JCC, contact Cindy Stein at 315-445-2040, ext. 104, or [email protected].

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