Arts & Culture

Cultural Arts

The Dr. Esther Grushkin Center for Arts + Culture is proudly dedicated to offering the finest cultural arts programs, performances, ​​and special events for our community.

A woman in a business suit smiling as she receives a certificate or award from an older man with white hair, in an indoor setting with plain wall background.

About the Dr. Esther Grushkin Center for Arts + Culture

The Dr. Esther Grushkin Center for Arts + Culture brings people together though performances, exhibitions, lectures, workshops, classes, and special events that inspire curiosity, creativity, and conversation. From world-class performers and visual artists to local voices and emerging talent, the Center serves as a vibrant gathering place for learning and cultural exchange.

Rooted in Jewish heritage, and open to broader community, our cultural programming celebrates creativity while exploring the stories, traditions, and ideas that connect us. Through the arts, we strengthen understanding, build bridges across communities, and create opportunities for meaningful dialogue.

We remain committed to fostering a deeper connection to Jewish life, culture, and identity while creating welcoming experiences for all who seek inspiration, learning, and community.

If you love the Dr. Esther Grushkin Center for Culture + Arts, please consider donating below to help us continue to present world-class entertainment and educational seminars!

Make a Donation
Make a Donation

Featured Event

WOW! A Culinary Celebration with Ruhama Shitrit

@RuhamasFood - September 24, 7:00pm

Join us for a joyous evening celebrating Jewish culture, cuisine, and community as social media sensation and Israeli-American culinary star Ruhama brings her warmth, energy, and passion to our JCC.

Her favorite recipes come to life in a lively cooking demonstration filled with delicious flavors, inspiring stories, and memories to savor!

Get Tickets
Get Tickets
Woman smiling in a kitchen, holding a plate of baked dish, wearing a green and white floral dress.

Learn more about our ​upcoming programs below!

Cultural Arts Programs Registration
  • A group of people sitting around a large conference table in a meeting room. There are papers, books, and food containers on the table. The room has large windows on one side, letting in natural light. Four men are at the head of the table, with other attendees facing them.

    Lectures & Special Presentations

    Curiosity leads somewhere new. Our lecture series and special presentations explore the people, ideas, and stories that shape history and culture — offering fresh perspective and thoughtful conversation.

    Upcoming Presentations:

    • Joy of Opera with Lou Barrella - Select Mondays, 12:30PM

      • September 14- Singing Without Words

        November 16- Celebrating Klezmer, The Yiddish Theater and The Borscht Belt

        January 11- Senior Citizen Characters in Opera

        February 8- Remembering Regina Resnick

        March 8- Celebrating Queen Elizabeth I in Art, Film, History and Opera

        April 5- Exploring Similar Scenes in Film and Opera

        May 3- To Be Announced!

    • Dr. Snjezana Smodlaka Presents: Michelangelo’s Last Judgement - Thursday, October 1, 1:00PM

    • Celebrating a Neglected Renaissance Paintress with Lou Barrella & Dr. Snjezana Smodlaka - Thursday, October 15, 1:00PM

    Learn More

  • Concerts & Performances

    Live and unforgettable. From concerts to performances, these events bring talent and energy to the JCC community.

    Stay tuned for upcoming programs!

    Learn More
  • Group of women standing in front of a memorial marker for Fort Washington, which is embedded in a rock wall, with greenery and black fence above.

    Trips

    Great experiences are better shared. Join us for outings to museums, Broadway shows, cooking classes, restaurants, and other cultural destinations — a chance to explore, learn, and connect beyond our walls.

    Upcoming Trips:

    • New York Botanical Gardens Flower Power Exhibit - September 15

    • Gilded Age Mansions Walking Tour - November 3

    • Other Desert Cities: On Broadway - Wednesday, December 16

    • Dolly: A True Original Musical - March 17

    • Evita: On Broadway - April 15

    Register for trips at the Bernikow JCC front desk!

  • Audience seated in a conference room watching a presentation on a large screen. The screen displays a close-up image of an elderly woman with grey hair, a orange knit hat, and a red and black patterned shirt, with a background of bookshelves filled with books. The room has a wooden-paneled wall and flags, including an American flag and another flag, near the stage.

    Film Screenings

    Sit back and enjoy the show. Our film screenings bring stories worth watching — and talking about — to the JCC.

    Upcoming Screenings:

    • ADA - My Mother the Architect: featuring a live Q&A with award-winning director & producer Yael Melamed

    • Cinema L’Après Midi film screenings and discussions with Fred Grieco

    Learn More
  • A book signing event with Liz Hirsh-Naftali, featuring a woman in a pale pink suit handing a book to a man in a dark suit, with other women and an American flag in the background.

    Book Signings

    Meet the storytellers. Our book signings bring authors and readers together for conversation, connection, and a closer look behind the page.

    Stay tuned for upcoming events!

    Learn More
  • People gathered around a table, working on a craft project, with flowers and supplies on the table.

    Jewish Culture & Holiday Programs

    Tradition comes to life. Our Jewish culture and holiday programs offer hands-on ways to celebrate, create, and connect throughout the year.

    Upcoming Events:

    • Women’s Challah Bake - September 2, 6:00PM

    Learn More
  • Group of five women sitting around a table at an indoor party with Israeli flags hanging from the ceiling.

    Israel Programs

    Stories, history, and perspective. Our Israel programming offers opportunities to learn about and connect with Israel through speakers and special events.

    Upcoming Programs:

    • The Day After October 7th: Resilience, Revival, & Rebuilding with Alon Futterman, Kfar Aza Foundation

    • Inside the Middle East: A Lecture by Avi Melamed, acclaimed Middle East Specialist

    Learn More
  • People shopping at a craft fair or market, browsing tables filled with handmade crafts, jewelry, and greeting cards.

    Special Events

    Come for the moment, stay for the community. Our special events bring festive gatherings, celebrations, and unique experiences to the JCC.

    Upcoming Events:

    • Holiday Gift Fair, December 6, 10:00AM

    Learn More

  • "Terrific day at Conquering Cuisine! Three great recipes....all delicious..... I simply love this place. As before, the owner and assistant were friendly, gracious and eager to please. Look forward to going back again. Thank you for allyou do to bring us these wonderful outings."

    -Mary P.

  • "We love coming to the JCC's cultural events! They help us connect with our Jewish heritage & community."

Honoring a Legacy of Learning

The Dr. Esther Grushkin Center for Arts + Culture is named for Dr. Esther Grushkin, a beloved Jewish educator and lifelong champion of adult Jewish learning.

We are grateful to those who make Cultural Arts programs at the JCC possible.