Arts and Culture
What We Offer
Creative Arts
Author Events
Leisure games
Film Screenings
Learning & Conversations
Jewish Experiences
Unleash Your Creativity
Our hands-on classes help spark your inner self and engage your mind. No matter your age or experience, discover new interests and hobbies through art classes, card and tile games, book clubs and Israeli dance.
Topics of Interest
If you enjoy dialogue about current events and historical context, we have a variety of classes that will engage your mind and expand your views. From weekly news highlights to issues of race to Jewish studies, The J supports lifelong learning.
You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.– Maya Angelou
Cleveland Jewish FilmFest
Watch a diverse, international selection of dramas, documentaries, shorts and TV series that explore, educate, entertain and provoke discussion on the Jewish and Israeli experiences. From dramatic to humorous, we screen powerful and award-winning films for all movie lovers.
Cleveland Jewish Book Festival
Indulge in a celebration of books written by nationally, internationally and locally acclaimed
authors who share the stories behind their books We highlight a variety of books including Jewish life, historical fiction, Israeli literature, cooking, memoirs and more.
Playmakers Youth Theatre
An inclusive educational theatre program for students in grades kindergarten through college. We support and help build self-confidence, creativity, teamwork and an appreciation for the arts.
Men’s Club
Join the conversation at weekly morning programs where adult men connect with peers, socialize, share ideas and listen to guest speakers. Topics range from education, health, Israel, Jewish holidays, local economic development and more.
Creative Aging
Connect with adults aged 60 and above during weekday programs that include exercise, live entertainment, games and outings. We provide congregate Kosher lunches and free transportation to assist older and disabled adults to eliminate isolation.
Featured Classes
Arts and Ideas, Adult
09/15/2026 - 10/20/2026
Learn the basics of Mah Jongg, a social four-player tile game of skill and strategy. This introductory class covers the rules, strategies, switching hands, and guided play.
Mah Jongg is a popular tile-based game that combines skill, strategy, and social interaction. This highly social game is played around a table with four players. This introductory class will teach the basic rules of play, strategies, tips, switching hands, and more. Spend the first four weeks learning the game, followed by two weeks of guided game play with instructional support available.
Arts and Ideas, Adult
09/28/2026 - 11/16/2026
Engage in lively discussion, share your insights, and ask questions with historian and educator Terry Pollack.
Explore the connections between history and current events with historian and educator Terry Pollack. Through engaging presentations and lively discussion, gain historical perspective on today’s headlines while sharing insights and asking questions in an interactive learning environment.
Arts and Ideas Leadership
Deborah Bobrow
Arts and Culture Manager
216-593-6278
Beth Rosenthal
Arts and Culture Program Associate
216-593-6216
Ava Propper
Philanthropy, Creative Aging and Arts, Administrative Associate
216-593-1301
