A computer generated image of the Cafe in the new Jewish Community Centre building currently under construction for JCC Ventures, the sister organisation of the JCC for London. The building will open its doors in 2013
The Jewish Community Centre (JCC) movement was founded over 150 years ago in the United States. Today, there are over 1,100 JCCs worldwide. The JCC for London aims to provide Jews with a lasting sense of community and to promote the best of Jewish values. At its core is building Jewish life, through Jewish cultural, social, educational, and recreational activities. Social action is also central to the JCC movement – helping those in need both within and outside the Jewish community. Most JCCs have their own building where they hold extensive programmes of activities. JCC Ventures is currently constructing a 35,000 sq ft state-of-the-art Jewish Community Centre building on the Finchley Road in Hampstead.
Who is the JCC for?
The JCC for London celebrates Jewish culture. It is also inclusive: it’s for anyone interested in Jewish life and our programme of Jewish activities. It is not a place of worship, nor linked to any particular group, movement or synagogue. It’s a gateway into all things Jewish: from Jewish food to sport to Jewish arts to debate, with activities that emphasise the Jewish tradition of helping those in need. It provides an opportunity for Jews of all ages to meet other Jews; it’s a way of building a strong Jewish future for us and for our children through Jewish activities. The JCC actively welcomes observant and secular Jews, mixed partnerships, and non-Jews. An important part of its vision is to create better understanding between different faiths and cultures.
Programme
A cutting-edge programme of events is the soul of the JCC. Applauded for its compelling and original Jewish content, highlights include a sell-out Israeli rock concert at the Southbank Centre, the Kvetch Choir, a podcast in association with The Guardian, yoga and cycling activities, children’s events, political debate and a series of social action projects. The JCC aims to hold up a 21st century lens to Jewish life, and to build a community of artists and performers. Many of our groundbreaking commissions interweave Jewish beliefs and values with those of other cultures.
Updates about the JCC:
1. What motivates you to be involved in communal life? My greatest hope is that the new Jewish Community Centre, JW3, will unite the community. I got involved with the JCC for London specifically because I see that it has the potential to fundamentally transform the Jewish landscape by bringing the entire community together in …
Debbie Klein, the JLC’s newest member, said: I am delighted to join the JLC in my capacity as chairman of the JCC for London. A comparatively new organisation by the standards of many represented on the Council, the JCC has grown quickly to establish its reputation at the cutting edge of inclusive community programming. I …