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Jewish Life

Jewishness, Your Way

Our mission is to offer diverse pathways and opportunities for our members to connect to Jewish knowledge, tradition, and values in a personally meaningful way. 

Watch a movie by a Jewish film-maker, participate in a Israeli dance class or learn how to shape challah with your child – make connections in ways that matter to you and your family.

Click here to read the Winter Program Guide

Knock Knock

by Niv Petel

Tuesday, May 21, 7pm; JCC Hart Theater
Knock Knock describes what it’s like to be a parent in the shadow of armed conflict. The play follows the journey of Ilana, a single mother whose job as an Israeli Officer of Casualty Notifications is to knock on the door of families whose children have been lost in war. Her conflict between motherhood and duty as citizen reaches a deafening climax when her only son chooses to serve on the front line of battle. This heartful story, played entirely by Niv Petel, evokes an emotionally rich narrative describing the internal conflict among families when they are faced with the call for war.

FREE, tickets required.

This program is proudly supported by the Israel Engagement Fund: A JCC Association of North America Program Accelerator and the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.

Jewish Events Calendar

Jewish Partners

Our hearts are heavy with the events unfolding in Israel. Now, more than ever, it’s important for us to join together to experience hope and joy through sharing Jewish stories. If you need assistance finding resources and programming in and around the Jewish community, please reach out to Rachel Kest.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester works to build a strong Jewish future in Rochester, Israel and Worldwide through philanthropy, engagement, education and advocacy.

We Stand with Israel

On October 7, 2023, during the holiday of Shemini Atzeret, Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza, firing thousands of rockets, breaching the country’s borders, killing hundreds of Israelis, and wounding thousands more. The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester stands in support with Israel and our brothers and sisters as they defend Israel. Updates here.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester, with a generous grant from the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation are proud to present PJ Library in Rochester!

PJ Library provides a free gift of a high-quality, age appropriate Jewish book mailed to the home every month. Sign up for PJ today!

For information about local programs and events contact PJ Library Manager & Family Engagement Specialist Biffy Borg.

Jewish Arts + Culture

Authors + Innovators Festival

For 30 years, you’ve connected with your favorite authors and to other readers who care about books as much as you do fostering important community conversations. The new Lane Dworkin JCC Rochester Authors + Innovators Festival expands the core of a Book Festival beyond a traditional lineup by welcoming creative innovators to share their world-changing ideas and adding interactive workshops and events.

Rochester Jewish Film Festival

The JCC established the Ames Amzalak Rochester Jewish Film Festival to present the best contemporary Jewish-themed films from around the world to the Rochester community.

RJFF exists to promote awareness and pride in the diversity of all people; to strengthen community consciousness of Jewish identity, history and culture; to provide a forum for community gatherings that allows valuable dialogue; and to create an international showcase for filmmakers who are Jewish or whose work explores Jewish themes.

Form 990 for year-end 6/30/2022 can be obtained by emailing mmarsh@jccrochester.org

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The JCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

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