News

As the world marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Boulder JCC is presenting a two-part cinematic series at the Dairy Arts Center designed to bridge the gap between historical record and the lived human experience. By spotlighting "forgotten" narratives and contemporary acts of remembrance, these screenings aim to combat the "numbing" effect of historical statistics and the growing threat of historical revisionism.

On Monday, February 2, the Boulder JCC will host a screening and talk-back of the acclaimed documentary 999: The Forgotten Girls. The film brings to light a chapter of the Shoah that remained largely undocumented for decades: the story of the 999 young Slovak women—mostly teenagers—who were deceived into boarding the first official Jewish transport to Auschwitz.

The film details a harrowing betrayal. In 1942, these young women were told by their own government that they were being sent to a government-sanctioned "work service." Instead, they were sent on a one-way ticket to a death camp. Of the nearly one thousand girls who boarded those trains, the film chronicles the three-year struggle for survival of the few who lived to see liberation.

Following the screening, director and author Heather Dune Macadam will lead a discussion on the meticulous research required to bring these voices back from the brink of being forgotten. Macadam, who authored the international best-selling book of the same name, spent years interviewing the last living survivors to ensure their testimony was preserved.

For families in Boulder, summer isn't just a season—it’s an opportunity for growth, connection, and exploration. At the heart of this experience is Boulder JCC’s Cherryvale Camps. Designed for children ages 4 to 13 (campers must turn 5 by October 15, 2026, and enter kindergarten in the fall - no exceptions), Cherryvale offers more than just a place to spend the day; it provides a vibrant community where kids can be their most authentic selves while building skills that last a lifetime.

As the frost settles over the Front Range, the Boulder JCC is inviting its youngest community members and their caregivers to find warmth, connection, and a touch of nature at the Milk and Honey Farm. This January, the farm will host two distinct "Farmside Shabbat" events, blending Jewish tradition with hands-on agricultural exploration.

The programs take place at the campus's 2+ acre educational sustainable Milk and Honey Farm. Known for its geodesic dome greenhouse, friendly goats, and commitment to donating thousands of pounds of produce to local food banks, the Farm serves as a living classroom where Jewish values meet environmental stewardship.

As we look forward to 2026, the Boulder JCC is thrilled to announce a diverse lineup of After School and School Day Out winter programs designed to keep children of all ages engaged, active, and inspired. Whether your child is a budding artist, an aspiring athlete, or a young performer, there is something for everyone in our upcoming season.

The Boulder Jewish Community Center (JCC) is hosting a Vitalant Blood Mobile Drive on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, offering a meaningful opportunity for community members to save lives by donating blood locally. Do a mitzvah and join us to donate blood. 

The Jay and Rose Phillips Early Childhood Center is pleased to announce the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program for the 2026-2027 school year! This innovative program is designed to provide the perfect bridge between preschool and Kindergarten, ensuring your child enters their elementary years with confidence, competence, and a strong foundation for success.

The ECC's Transitional Kindergarten is an extension of Pre-K, specifically tailored to help students master the skills needed for Kindergarten readiness. It offers an engaging, enriching, and developmentally appropriate alternative for children who could benefit from an extra year of growth before starting a traditional Kindergarten class.

Key Benefits of the Jay and Rose Phillips Early Childhood Center TK Program:

• Optimal Timing: TK is particularly beneficial for children with late birthdays and who are turning five by October 1. Instead of repeating what they have already accomplished in Pre-K, they gain a year of focused development.
• Social & Emotional Focus: We place significant emphasis on social-emotional development and mastering complex social situations, which are crucial for success in the school environment.
• Building Independence: The program is designed to build independence and provide significant practice with following multi-step directions in a supportive setting.

Get ready to celebrate the Festival of Lights with a dazzling array of events at the Boulder JCC and around the community! From family concerts and vendor markets to a night of gut-busting comedy and the county’s largest menorah lighting, there is something for everyone to enjoy this Chanukah season.

Jeff & Paige Chanukah Concert
Sunday, December 14 | 10 am – 12 pm | $18 per person / $20 at the door. Children 2 and under are FREE.

Bring the whole family for a cherished annual event! Join Jeff & Paige in Levin Hall for a magical, wintertime concert blending their original nature and science-based music with beloved and original Chanukah songs. Expect playful skits, vibrant costumes (including the famous Latke Man!), and catchy melodies that explore nature, its connections to Judaism, and the traditions of Chanukah.

This family-friendly program is especially delightful for children ages 3–8. The first 50 families to arrive will receive a free gift from the Boulder JCC!

Please arrive early to enjoy our exciting vendor fair before and during the concert!

• Food & Drink:
  • Cafe at the J: Open with Chanukah cookies, hot chocolate, coffee, and a specialty Chanukah beverage.
  • Community Table Kitchen: Selling latkes, breakfast potatoes, and pastries.
  • Chanukah Cookie Kits by Katie Roberts (Pre-order by December 1!).
• Activities & Shopping:
  • PJ Library: Book Swap (Drop off donation books the week of December 1).
  • Where the Wild Things Art: Face painting.
  • Jeff and Paige: Merchandise.
  • Green Judaica: Handmade ceramic Judaica.
  • The New Local: Kids’ art activity and Craft classes info.
• Authors & Community:
  • Local Authors: Randi Nahmias (Mystery of the Missing Menorah) and Michael Rosenzweig (David the Dreidel).
  • Boulder JCC: Learn about upcoming programs.
  • Photography by Bridget Dorr Photography.

The Boulder JCC is ringing in the holiday season with laughs and latkes. On Dec. 14, it will host its first-ever Haha-Hanukkah: A Festival of Laughs, a stand-up comedy night that swaps traditional candlelight for a lineup of nationally touring comics, wine, jelly doughnuts and jokes about Jewish mothers, menorahs and the awkward beauty of December in

The aroma of yeast and sugar filled the air at the Boulder JCC on Thursday, November 6, as hundreds gathered for the 10th Annual Great Big Challah Bake. The incredible demand for this milestone event was apparent even before the doors opened, with registration hitting capacity well in advance.

More than just a baking event, the evening served as a powerful reminder of community strength, tradition, and shared joy, particularly after Executive Director Jonathan Lev acknowledged that it has been a “challenging year for the community, for the world, and for the JCC.” Addressing the eager crowd, Lev emphasized that what makes this event GREAT is not the challah, but the people, the community coming together.

The sentiment of resilience was palpable. Lev noted how the community appreciates everyone “standing with us, coming together in times of sorrow and also of joy.” The Challah Bake, hosted by the Women of the J, offered a meaningful space for connection and the comfort of tradition, a central element of Jewish Sabbath and holiday celebrations.

Attendees were ready to experience the joy of creating challah by learning to prepare and braid the traditional dough from scratch, then taking it home to bake for Shabbat. Later, while the dough was rising, participants paused for a dessert break, further cementing the communal and celebratory atmosphere.

In the aftermath of tragedy, competition for limited resources often intensifies, creating tension between organizations in need. Following the devastating antisemitic attack in Boulder on June 1, 2025, local Jewish organizations faced the familiar challenge of securing adequate crisis funding. The attack had shaken the community to its core, leaving physical damage, emotional trauma and urgent financial needs in its wake.