Hyper-attuned to the needs of a diverse neighborhood, JCC Harlem opened in January 2017 as an initiative of the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan and UJA-Federation. The storefront, 6,000-square-foot loft space is located on West 118th Street and offers family programming, arts and culture, health and wellness, and Jewish life.

We talked to Meg Sullivan, Director, JCC Harlem. NOTE: This article was updated on October 15, 2021

(Q) What was the need JCC Harlem was looking to fill?

Since our founding, we've come to know a vibrant community filled with individuals and families who are multifaith, multiracial, often identify Jewishly, and seek engagement opportunites that capture them in all of their fullness. Our job is to routinely listen to our constituents and to seek out voices and experiences of those who have been historically excluded from Jewish communal life.

(Q) How does JCC Harlem celebrate Shabbat and other Jewish holidays?

We partner with dozens of organizations for holiday celebrations, which allows us to invite people with different backgrounds at the same time. We want to help you do Jewish in the way you do Jewish.

(Q) How do you help people of all backgrounds feel welcome at the JCC?

We want to create true belonging by centering the voices of people from historically marginalized communities (both within and beyond our Jewish community) at all levels of leadership, staff and lay. Our approach to program development is nearly always in collaboration with community members and partners.

(Q) Do you have a vision for JCC Harlem's next steps in the future?

I have a lot of favorite things about my job, but one of them has been how incredibly democratic the planning and dreaming process has been. It evolves as the needs change. We have no agenda, except to keep listening and build around what we're hearing.