The Cultural Arts and Education Department at the JCC provides a variety of interesting and engaging programs ranging from kosher cooking to art, history, music, literature and spiritual/physical health. Annual highlights include the Film Festival of Central NJ and the Jewish Book Festival Author Series. Enrich your life with a class, series or special exhibit and share in the experience amongst a community of friends and family. Please refer to the program guide for specific details.

Sophisticated Cupcakes with Daniel Rosati
Thursday, June 3 • 7:30 – 10:00 P • 25038-06
Join award-winning cooking instructor and recipe consultant Daniel Rosati for an educational and fun-filled evening learning the art of CUPCAKES! Daniel’s creations have graced the pages of Brides Magazine, Bon Appetit, Time Out NY and have been featured on The Martha Stewart Show. He also appears frequently on WOR Radio’s Food Talk with Arthur Schwartz. This full participation class will help novice and seasoned home bakers alike, emphasizing foundations of practical baking technique and design. On the menu: Raspberry Red Velvet Cupcakes, Chocolate Truffle Cupcakes, Tahitian Vanilla Cupcakes, Lemon Meringue Cupcakes, Streusel Apple Rum Raisin Cupcakes and Classic Spiced Carrot Cupcakes. Come on, admit it, you loved cupcakes as a child, and we know you’ll love these sophisticated cupcakes as an adult! Participants limited to 15.

The University Lecture Series @ the JCC
Join us for the launch of The University Lecture Series @ The JCC of Central New Jersey. This new program series was designed to serve as a dynamic vehicle for intellectual conversation, stimulating debates and socializing. Topics will be of Jewish content and/or relevance and presented by university faculty. The inaugural three part-series will be held at the JCC and will focus on Jews & America. Click here to visit the Kean Jewish Studies website.
To puchase the entire series click here>

Jewish in America: Am I Giving Up Something? Purchase Tickets>
Dr. Dennis Klein, Director, Jewish Studies Program, Kean University •
Thursday, March 4 7:30 – 9:00 P
America represents a unique stage in Jewish history. For the first time, Jews do have to make the impossible choice between being Jewish and participating fully in the surrounding culture. We will explore this premise and provide evidence that substantiates it. We will also look at recent critical observations that challenge the premise and assert that the new world is not as new as it appears.

The U.S. and Israel Today: The Best of Times or The Worst of Times? Purchase Tickets>
Dr. Gilbert Kahn, Professor, Department of Political Science, Kean University and columnist for the New Jersey Jewish News, Long Island Jewish World and The Chicago Star • Thursday, March 11 7:30 - 9:00 P

Join U.S.-Israeli relations expert Dr. Gilbert Kahn as he addresses the evolution of the current relationship between the United States and Israel from the perspective of the political behavior of American Jews. The major focus will be on how changes in interest group behavior in America have influenced the activities of American Jews. A wide variety of subjects will be covered including American Jewry before the Holocaust, responses to World War II, the establishment of the State of Israel, Israel at peace and war and Israel today—from the emergence of Hamas, to the threats of terrorism and nuclear weapons.

Jewish Pop Culture on the Lower East Side in the 20th Century Purchase Tickets>
Edward Portnoy, Adjunct Professor, Rutgers University • Thursday, March 18 7:30 - 9:00 P
Although New York’s Lower East Side was known as a poor Jewish immigrant neighborhood and the heart of a sweatshop industry, it was also the center of a great Yiddish culture. Led by the Yiddish press and Yiddish theater, Jewish culture spilled out of the Lower East Side into all kinds of different cultural products from Vaudeville to popular music to film and radio. While Jewish immigrants became involved in popular culture in Yiddish, their children did the same in English, although often infusing their work with a distinctly Jewish flavor. Edward Portnoy teaches Yiddish language and literature at Rutgers University. He writes on Jewish popular culture.


The JCC of Central NJ would like to acknowledge our University Lecture Series partners, Kean University and The Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life at Rutgers University and their role as advisors in planning this new program.

Split Level Concerts @ the JCC
Renowned local house music series, Split Level Concerts, has teamed up with the JCC to bring you nationally recognized musical artists. You won’t want to miss these outstanding singer/songwriters as they bring their music and unique styles to your JCC. The JCC’s café will offer snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase. Beer and wine will also be sold.

Sons of The Never Wrong Saturday
March 20, 8:45 P • doors open at 8:00 P Click here to purchase tickets!
Sons of the Never Wrong are a folk trio from Chicago made up of Bruce Roper, Deborah Lader and Sue Demel. The band has been creating original “turbo-charged folk music” for nearly two decades and has developed a cult-like national following. With their different take on three-part harmony on top of witty, whimsical songs, Sons’ style springs from a tradition you’d swear you’ve heard before - but beware, this ain’t your grandpa’s folk music. For more information about Sons, visit www.sons.com. $20 in advance/$25 at the door

Mark Erelli
Saturday, April 24, 9:00 P • doors open at 8:30 P Click here to purchase tickets!
“Mark Erelli embodies many of the best qualities of the folk-populist lineage that began with Woody Guthrie and is carried today by Bruce Springsteen and others. His voice, a beautiful combination of wine and whiskey, is as intimately conversational as a fireside chat. And, by exploring some of the big themes of American life--family, redemption, war and love, among others--and by describing how those themes affect a single life, he makes topical songs personal.” — Sing Out! $20 in advance/$25 at the door

To purchase tickets via phone call Simone Klein at (908) 889-8800 ext. 214. Advance ticket purchase to all shows is recommended. Seating is limited and shows have been selling out.