Jewish Life in NYC: A Guide for Hunter Hillel Alumni
Finding Jewish community after college can be hard — but there are so many Jewish communities and events in New York City to be a part of! Below is an incomplete list meant to help you start exploring and finding the places for you.
General tips:
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If something costs money and you can’t afford it, always reach out and ask if there’s a discount available. Even if it’s not stated on the website, many communities will be happy to accommodate you if you contact them in advance.
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If you go to a community once and aren’t sure if it’s for you, give it another try. The first time in a new place is normally uncomfortable, so give it a second try and see how it feels once you’re more familiar and know some people.
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If you aren’t sure if a community is for you, or if you have questions, reach out to the rabbi, leader, or organizer first to chat with them. Most communities will have someone who is happy to talk with you about what their community is like.
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If you don’t understand something that’s happening, just ask! You’re probably not the only one wondering, and most people love to answer questions about community or rituals that they’re passionate about.
Communities:
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Base is like your favorite neighborhood hangout – if your favorite hangout was a rabbi’s house where you gather for Shabbat dinners, have thought-provoking discussions, and ask all your questions about Judaism (yes, even the tricky ones). Bases are pluralistic communities, meaning there’s no “one right way” to do Judaism here. Relationships take center stage – whether it’s with peers, rabbis, or Jewish life itself. It’s where tradition and real life meet, creating connections as dynamic and diverse as the people who walk through the door.
There are three BASE Houses in New York:
BASE Downtown - Rabbi Sion Setton
BASE Harlem - Rabbi Dimitry Ekshtut
BASE Upper West Side - Rabbi Danny Stein and Tamara Stei
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Moishe Houses and Moishe Pods (pronounced moy-shuh) are home-based hubs for Jewish young adults, created by Jewish young adults. Each Moishe House and Moishe Pod is as unique as its Residents. From Shabbat dinners and holiday celebrations to community service projects and casual get-togethers, every program is designed to bring people together in meaningful and memorable ways. Attending a Moishe House program is like showing up at your friend’s place: laid-back, welcoming, and filled with the kind of warmth you can’t fake. It’s the type of place where you can come as you are and people can’t wait to get to know what makes you, you. You don’t need to know all the traditions or have every answer—just bring your curiosity, your questions, and maybe a knack for knowing when the challah is ready.
There are many Moishe Houses across New York City:
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UJA Young Leaders brings changemakers in their 20s, 30s and early 40s together to build community, volunteer, and make an impact. We come from different backgrounds. We work in different industries. But we share common values.
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Set in a six-story space in Manhattan’s buzzing East Village, The Brownstone brings together Jewish college students and young professionals — no pressure, just opportunity. Hosting tens of thousands of young Jews since opening its doors in 2012, The Brownstone NY makes New York City feel just a little bit smaller. We partner with local, national and international organizations to create joint programming or host in-house events
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The Neighborhood is a creative and inclusive Jewish community. Together, we actively learn, grow, and deepen connections with ourselves, our neighbors, and our world. We are curious and present while steeped in our history and crafting our collective future. The Neighborhood is popping up to produce programs in partnership with venues across Brooklyn. We continue to look for a permanent location to amplify our work.
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A social club for Jewish women in their 20s and 30s, focusing on mostly secular cultural events.
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The Wandering Jews of Astoria is a pluralistic group of Jewish-minded individuals set on bringing Jews together in and around Astoria, Queens. Our programming is intended for people in their 20s to 40s. Each month we have a peer-led Shabbat service and potluck at a member's home or through Zoom, and we also have other events, such as Happy Hour, Game Night, Book Club, Trivia, Ultimate Frisbee, and Movie Nights.
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A cafe and bar with an Israeli owner, offering Jazz nights, and Israel and Jewish-themed events.
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We are a collective of young Jewish artists, painters, writers, poets, musicians, filmmakers, photographers, and creative souls of all kinds in New York City, ushering in a new generation of artistry. Our movement arrives at a moment in American Jewry when artistic pursuits are not considered to be integral to religious life. At Havurah, we are reclaiming a Jewish tradition tracing back to Bezalel that sees art as a mechanism for engaging with the divine and, consequently, as crucial to spiritual practice. We believe that every Jewish society needs to foster artistic inclination in order to enrich the spiritual lives of its members.
Community Centers:
Community centers often don’t have programming focused on young adults — they often cater to children and the elderly. However, they also have a lot of great Jewish speakers and learning events, affordable gym memberships, and social services.
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Every day, through innovative programming of the highest caliber across a variety of disciplines, we strive to improve the world with every life we enrich and every bond of community we create. As a singular Jewish cultural and community center, we serve as a home not only for the Jewish people but for people of all backgrounds and beliefs — whether on our New York City campus or online globally. All that we do is grounded in our core Jewish values.
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Together with our community, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan creates opportunities for people to connect, grow, and learn within an ever-changing Jewish landscape.
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Click here to learn more.
Established in 1917, the YM&YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood (the Y) is Northern Manhattan’s premier Jewish community center — serving an ethnically and socio-economically diverse constituency — improving the quality of life for people of all ages through innovative programs and critical social services. -
The 14th Street Y is a vibrant Jewish community center located in Downtown Manhattan. Each year, tens of thousands of New Yorkers of all ages, races, and ethnicities come to 14Y as members, visitors, or partners to experience our high quality and varied programs centered around arts and culture, early childhood education, summer camps, fitness and aquatics, Jewish life, and older adult services.
Synagogues with 20s & 30s Groups:
Many synagogues across the city have 20s and 30s or Young Professional Groups, so this list is very partial. I recommend reaching out to your local synagogue to ask about their 20s and 30s programming even if they’re not on this list! Even if a synagogue doesn’t have a dedicated 20’s and 30’s group, it might still be a wonderful place for you.
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We are a diverse community of Jewish young adults, professionals and students, singles and couples, all committed to creating a Jewish life that is meaningful, relevant, and dynamic.
Aviv activities are targeted toward people in their 20s and 30s looking to connect and build community.
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Click here to learn more.
Sholom 20s & 30s is an inclusive, vibrant community where young adults can connect, celebrate, and explore Jewish life together. Whether it’s a lively Shabbat at a bar or a musical service followed by dinner, holiday celebrations, or social outings, we create meaningful ways to build friendships and engage with Jewish traditions. As part of The NYC Shabbat Collective, we also offer access to citywide Reform Jewish gatherings. No matter if you’re Jewish, Jew-ish, Jewishly-adjacent, or Jewishly curious, you’re welcome here!
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Engage with fellow New Yorkers in their 20s & 30s to learn about Jewish culture, participate in volunteer opportunities, and create meaningful friendships that will last a lifetime! Join us for our monthly Shabbat dinners (a themed Shabbat dinner and service led by Central clergy), classes like Jewish Adulting, and so much more. This group is open to Central members and non-members interested in meeting young Jewish adults. Join our mailing list to stay up-to-date on all upcoming 20s & 30s programs and events.
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The Temple Emanu-El Streicker Cultural Center is a nexus for all things Jewish, offering a multitude of opportunities to explore the diversity that is Jewish culture and tradition through programs that spark curiosity, feed the intellect and stoke the imagination. Our innovative programs and classes, outreach efforts and partnerships with other institutions have made the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Cultural Center a leading New York cultural institution, annually reaching more than 60,000 in-person and 460,000 virtual attendees.
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Founded by Rabbi Mark N. Wildes in 1998, MJE is a warm and open community where men and women in their 20s and 30s can explore Jewish life and meet new people. MJE runs a wide range of inclusive, engaging and innovative programs for thousands of young Jewish professionals, including Shabbat Dinners, Holiday Events and Parties, Ski Trip, Classes, Beginner Services, Trips to Israel, Marching in the Israel Day Parade and much more.
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NextDor is our vibrant 20s and 30s community. Here you can find Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, and opportunities to connect in community. In addition, there is NextDor+ for premium access to programs for young adults for a fee of $180 for the year (free for current PAS members).
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The Downtown Minyan is a vibrant, warm, innovative, and growing Jewish community in downtown Manhattan dedicated to cultivating purpose-driven Jewish living for young adults.
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Click here to learn more.
A partnership-style Minyan in Harlem. Genuine, welcoming community can be hard to come by. Kehillat Harlem was created as an inclusive, non-judgmental space to gather, learn, and pray. It is a place where you know you belong.
Jewish Learning:
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The Hadar Institute is a center of Jewish life, learning, and practice that builds vibrant egalitarian communities in North America and Israel. Our vision for Jewish life is rooted in rigorous and nuanced Torah study, gender equality, meaningful Jewish practice, and the values of kindness and compassion. Since our founding in 2006, Hadar has impacted thousands of people through our programs and content, giving Jews of all ages the tools to access traditional texts and live inspired Jewish lives.
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Center for Jewish Learning at the JCC Manhattan featuring Hebrew classes, Holiday programs, speakers, and more.
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Our mission is to democratize Jewish education by offering high-impact one-on-one mentoring, classes, workshops, educational trips, and special events to people in their 20s who didn’t grow up with these opportunities, and empower them to pay forward these kinds of opportunities to others.
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Drisha is a leading center for serious, high level, and honest study of classical Jewish text. A change agent in the field, Drisha has profoundly affected the lives of the many thousands of its students from across the United States, Israel, and beyond, many of whom have gone on to occupy significant leadership roles in the Jewish world.
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Click here to learn more.
A monthly drop-in Beit Midrash (Jewish study space) in Brooklyn.
Shabbat Experiences:
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Our mission is to create a space where your Judaism and LGBTQ+ identity can thrive together. Currently based in NYC and focused on 20’s to mid-30’s.
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Since our founding, OneTable's core focus has been on empowering young adults (21-39ish) to find, share, and enjoy Shabbat dinners, making the most of their Friday nights. Host a meal or find a Shabbat meal to attend on their platform!
Collected Events:
These are a few websites that collect and list Jewish events across the city. If you don’t know where to start this is a great place to begin!
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Join Tribester to receive Jewsomething, our newsletter inviting you to top Jewish experiences, to RSVP to events, and to meet the New York City Jewish community.
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Every NYC Jewish happening, all in one place.
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Jewish Social NYC, your gateway to vibrant experiences in New York City! We are a dynamic community focused on curating social events specifically tailored for young Jewish professionals, with a secular background.