The Pelham Jewish Center is a creation of its members. Every aspect of life at the PJC — worship, the Learning Center, adult education, the comfort of mourners and the celebration of simchas, governance, finance, social action, interfaith and community relations — involves leadership and heartfelt participation by the shul community.
Becoming a member of the PJC is an affirmative act. Pelham, and its neighboring towns and villages throughout Westchester, have no scarcity of Jewish resources and institutions. Many members pass at least one other shul on their way to the PJC. They come to the PJC because they have chosen to engage with and build a synagogue that is open, intimate, and authentic.
Openness: to Jews of all origins, colors, levels of observance, and at all stages of their journeys, and to their partners, whatever their gender identification or religious background. Fifteen percent of our congregation consists of interfaith families, many of whose non-Jewish members are regulars at services and active participants in synagogue life.
Intimacy: with people whose acceptance is a given; at melodious services where all of us make up the “choir;” when we attend shiva and, inevitably, sit shiva ourselves; when we linger at kiddush long after the last black-and-whites and rugelach are gone and with a rabbi whom each one of us expects to know and who wants to know each one of us.
Authenticity: the opportunity to be oneself. Our services are in Hebrew and there are transliterated siddurim if you need one. The Shabbat dress code is informal. There are no assigned seats, or even tickets, at High Holiday services and honors don’t bear price tags.
The PJC traces its beginnings to 1953, when a small group of devoted founders established it above a storefront, in a town with few Jews. Fifty years later, our community was hosted by local churches for two years while our building was renovated. The PJC’s growth in size and stature over the generations, while retaining its intimacy and spirit of self-reliance, is a testament to those who created it, and who have continuously nurtured it.
The PJC Stands With Israel
As a community, we offer prayers for our beloved State of Israel and for the valiant military defending our holy land. We lift our voices in affirmation of that which has sustained us for millennia and sustains us now – HaTikvah, our eternal hope.
Upcoming Events
Passover begins with the First Seder on the evening of Monday, April 22!
Please RSVP by Monday, April 29 to receive the reduced price:
- Adult: $15 ($18 after 4/29)
- Child: (Ages 3 to 12): $7 ($9 after 4/29)
- Toddler: Always Free
The PJC Celebrates Yom Ha’atzmaut!
The PJC celebrates Israeli Independence Day on Wed May 14, 2024.
Our program will begin at 5:45 pm, at the end of Learning Center. Dinner will be served immediately following the program, approximately 6:30pm.
We will be offering (subject to change depending on registration):
- Pita Bread, Falafel, Stuffed Grape Leaves, freshly made hummus served with hot sauce
- Health Salad – Cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, parsley
- Tabule Quinoa Salad – Quinoa, tomatoes, parsley and mint
- Beet Salad – Beets, red onion, cilantro
- Labane – labane cheese, zatar spices, olive oil
- Babaganush – Fire roasted eggplant, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic
- Tahini, Mixed Pickles & Olives
- Pizza and pasta options for kids
- And of course, ice cream and fruit for dessert!
Please RSVP before Friday, May 10th. Half of the ticket fees will be donated to Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund, an organization working to develop the land of Israel and strengthen the bond with the diaspora since 1901.
Tickets for dinner are as follows:
- Adults: $18
- Children (up to 12): Free
Our Annual Gala will be held on Sunday, June 2nd at 6:30 pm. Join us for an evening of fun, food, and honoring our friend Roger Krulak.
Please RSVP by May 15th at www.thepjcgala.org.
