Norman E. Alexander
Center for Jewish Life
Vision
The Y’s Norman E. Alexander Center for Jewish Life supports and engages people of all backgrounds and life-stages throughout their personal Jewish journeys. Proudly partnering with local institutions, the Center serves as Northern Manhattan’s hub of Jewish life, bringing together our community to explore Judaism and Israel through thought, experiential programs, social action, and fun.

Meet Our Program Director
Values
At the Y, we believe that we are connected by our values. Through a monthly exploration of these universal values, the Norman E. Alexander Center for Jewish Life serves as an incubator of values that engage our neighborhood in community conversations. Our monthly values are interwoven into all of our Y programs, crafting meaningful growth opportunities for members and participants of all ages.
Our 2021 – 2022 values are:
- September: Peoplehood
- October: Loving-Kindness
- November: Gratitude
- December: Family
- January: Justice
- February: Human Dignity
- March: Freedom
- April: Remembrance
- May: Honor
- June: Pride
Visit our Who We Are: Values Walking Tour online exhibit.
Check out some of our ongoing programs:
Ukulele Shabbat
Bubbie's
Kitchen
PJ Library
Solechniy Krug
@ the Y
Who We Are:
Values
Walking Tour
Kashrut
We are proud to inform our community that, as of 2021, food prepared at the Y is under the rabbinic supervision of Rabbi Avrohom Marmorstein.
Eruv
Under the auspices of the Norman E. Alexander Center for Jewish Life, the Y recently worked with community partners to expand the Washington Heights and Inwood eruv to include the Y. An eruv is essential to traditionally observant Jews, as it allows for the carrying of items, including keys, books, and even children, outside of the home on Shabbat. By expanding the eruv to include the Y, Shabbat-observant Jews can now access the Y building during the course of Shabbat.
For more information, please contact Martin Yafe, Chief Program Officer at myafe@ywhi.org
