Welcome
The Van Cortlandt Jewish Center (VCJC) is a modern Orthodox synagogue affiliated with the Orthodox Union (OU).
On weekdays, daily morning and afternoon/evening services are held in our Daily Chapel located on the ground floor. Sabbath and Holiday services are held in the Main Sanctuary on the first floor (see Schedule of Services). A Shabbos elevator is available on Saturday and holidays. We invite you to join us in our “heimish” (homelike) environment either as a new member (see Membership Application and Schedule of Dues and Fees), or as an attendee at our services and other functions. Either way, the VCJC family welcomes you!
In Memoriam, Rabbi Dr. Jacob Sodden
The Van Cortlandt Jewish Center mourns the loss of our Rabbi, Jacob Sodden. Rabbi Sodden served his congregation for 60 years until his untimely death on Shushan Purim March 5th, 2007. Rabbi Sodden served as the Rabbi and Religious School principal. He was immersed in community affairs. At one time, he did marriage counseling, served as Program Director of the Mosholu/Jerome Local Development Corporation and was ultimately appointed to the staff of the Bronx Borough President as a specialist in transportation. His intellectual, professional and social interests and involvements were very wide, while simultaneously striving to preserve and enhance traditional Judaism without descending into ethnic isolation and social provincialism.
Rabbi Sodden throughout his life was an impassioned model railroader and baseball and football addict. He loved to put smiles on the faces of all his fellow human beings and deflate stuffed shirts. Rabbi Sodden will always be remembered for his presence at the daily morning and evening prayer services, all the High Holiday services, and all his daily activities at the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center for the past 60 years. He will be remembered and missed by the entire Van Cortlandt family.