We Want To Hear From You
For general inquiries contact: info@jccharlem.org
For information on space rentals contact: rentals@jccharlem.org
Staff
Naomi Sage, 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.
Dylan Goodman (he/him), Director of Engagement, is originally from Raleigh, NC, and is a quintessential Taurus. As an experienced labor organizer, fundraiser, and artist, he got his start in activism by pioneering LGBTQ resources at Davidson College. He brings a love of justice and relationship building, rooted in his prior work with unions in Massachusetts and with Keshet. He currently lives in Crown Heights, where he practices yoga, sips (too much) coffee, reads memoirs, and dreams of collective liberation.
Eric Hayes (he/him), Director of Operations + Programs, was born and raised in Harlem and started out as a security officer at JCC Manhattan. Soon after JCC Harlem opened in 2017, Eric was given the opportunity to become site supervisor, through which he built an amazing relationship with the community, local leaders, and JCC partners. Eric is proud to be in a position to bring meaningful and thoughtful programs to a space he calls home, while making sure everyone feels they are at home, too.
Rabbi Mira Rivera (she/siya/Ella) - Rabbi-in-Residence and Board Certified Chaplain - was born in Detroit, Michigan. She came to New York City to dance for Martha Graham and stayed. Along with Harlem Havruta and friends since 2017, she builds a sukkah on the grounds of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, the "Be not Afraid Church" in West Harlem, for which she was honored with the Rabbinical Excellence Award by Harlem's District 9. Since ordination at The Jewish Theological Seminary, she has been uplifting the voices of Jews of Color and teaching nationally as Rabbi-in-Residence for The LUNAR Collective weareasianjews.org.
Emily Rouch (she/her), Rentals Coordinator, has worked for the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan in various capacities since 2012, and as part of the JCC Harlem team as rentals coordinator since spring 2021. She is a graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, and specializes in human resources and customer service. She is also an actor, musician, stage combat instructor/choreographer, and professional pirate in her spare time.
Lenora Wednesday Sharpe (she/her), Children + Family Programs Coordinator, 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. As she enters her second year at JCC Harlem, Lenora is dedicated to providing programs that are enriching and affordable for children. Her short-term aspirations are to create a space that supports maternal health, finish her book, and complete her master's in educational leadership.
PROGRAMMING HOURS
Mon + Thu: 8 am–6 pm
Tue + Wed: 8 am–8 pm
Fri: 9:30 am–5:30 pm
Sun: 9 am–3 pm
OFFICE HOURS
Mon–Thu: 9 am–5 pm
Fri: 9:30 am–5 pm