Naomi Sage, Executive Director of JCC Harlem, has spent her professional career working in Jewish community leadership. Naomi spent 16 years at the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian agency, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). Her work at JDC took her to diverse communities across the world, from the Former Soviet Union to Africa, Israel and Latin America, an experience which informs her understanding of both Jewish and global diversity. A Harlem resident for over a decade, Naomi has deep involvement and community leadership in the neighborhood. When JCC Harlem opened its doors, Naomi became a founding member of the Advisory Board. In December 2021, together with her husband, Sage Ramadge, Naomi founded Embrace, a non-profit dedicated to building open, inclusive, family-centered Jewish community in Harlem. Naomi has a BA Cum Laude in Near Eastern Studies from Cornell University and an MPA in nonprofit management from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. She lives in Harlem with her husband and three children. In her home, Naomi and Sage’s children are learning about their multi-racial Asian-American identity alongside Jewish history, culture, and tradition.

Mady Ostwald, Director of Program Operations, is a native New Yorker and lives in Harlem with her partner and daughter. Before joining the JCC Harlem team, Mady spent 10 years at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, where she had the privilege of working with hundreds of families in 2s Together, Afterschool Clubhouse, Camp Settoga, and later in the membership department. During that time, Mady completed her BA at City College's Center for Workers Education, with a background in Early Childhood Education and Developmental Psychology. Mady has a passion for cultivating deep and meaningful connections with members of the community and for ensuring that JCC Harlem is a safe and welcoming space for all.

Rabbi Mira Rivera (she/ella), Rabbi-in-Residence, is the first Filipina-American woman to be ordained at The Jewish Theological Seminary. At JCC Harlem, Rabbi Mira leads monthly open, inclusive, musical Beloved Community Shabbat services for adults and families. She is also rabbi-in-residence with The LUNAR Collective, a Gen-Z founded organization by and for Asian American Jews. In May 2023, Rabbi Mira was honored with the Rabbinic Human Rights Hero Award by T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights ‘for ensuring that the gifts, voices, and experiences of Jews of Color are seen, heard, and known by all in the wider Jewish community.’ She was also named by New York Jewish Week as one of ‘36 to Watch’ for contributions in the arts, religion, culture, business, politics, and philanthropy. Rabbi Mira was recognized by the New York City Council Harlem District 9 community with the Rabbinical Excellence Award in 2022, and is in the 2024-2027 Rabbinic Leadership Cohort of the Shalom Hartman Institute.

Sheira Schiff, Special Projects Manager is thrilled to be at JCC Harlem after wearing several hats at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan since 2016. She previously worked at the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene and DR Theatrical Management. Born and raised on Long Island, Sheira graduated from Smith College and now lives in Riverdale where she is thrilled to have curbside compost collection.

Lenora Wednesday Sharpe (she/her), Children + Family Programs Manager, has strong roots in Harlem, is a parent of two beautiful children, and loves all things arts and culture. She is a proud graduate of CUNY’s City College. Lenora is dedicated to providing children’s programs that are enriching and accessible. Her short-term aspirations are to create a space that supports maternal health, finish her book, and complete her master's in educational leadership.

Mara Tucker (she/her), Community Outreach Consultant, has over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Mara recently founded Maratu Consulting to work with social impact organizations to increase their capacity. Mara has built deep roots in our Harlem community, starting nearly 10 years ago when she organized a weekly new parents happy hour at Harlem Tavern. Since then, she has served as a Co-President of the Parent Association at PS 125, The Ralph Bunche School, and is currently the Co-Chair of Neighbors for a Greener Harlem, an organization that cultivates collaboration between the residents of Morningside Gardens and Grant Houses by supporting and advocating for sustainable practices to address quality of life issues and foster a safer and more inclusive neighborhood.

Previously, Mara was the Chief Development Officer at Beginning with Children, a Brooklyn-based educational nonprofit and was also the founding Director of College Guidance & Programming at the Urban Assembly Institute of Math & Science for Young Women. Mara holds a BA from Northeastern University and a Master’s in Public Administration from NYU's Wagner School of Public Service.

PROGRAMMING HOURS

Mon-Fri: 8 am-6 pm
Evenings + Weekends: Hours vary depending on programming

Weekends: Hours vary depending on programming

OFFICE HOURS

Mon–Fri: 9 am–5 pm