Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

Founded in 1927, the Center initially was housed in a street level room of an apartment building. In 1947, the Center moved into a converted mansion at 3997 Gouverneur Avenue, where it remained for 18 years. In 1965, VCJC moved into its own newly constructed building at 3880 Sedgwick Avenue, its current home.

The VCJC has become a center for the entire Van Cortlandt community. During the week (Monday through Friday), the first floor houses the Van Cortlandt Senior Center, a program funded by the NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA) and operated by the Jewish Association for Services for the Aged (JASA). The second and third floors are used by the Department of Education for an annex to the Sheila Mencher School PS/MS 95.

The VCJC has an active Sisterhood, which engages in a variety of social and fund raising activities. Up until recently the Center has also been the home of the Van Cortlandt Maccabean Post #107 of the Jewish War Veterans (JWV)

Recently, the VCJC has initiated several successful programs: Once a week during the school year the National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) hosts a youth group for Middle and High School students. Two years ago two of our attendees won a trip to Israel! Beginners Hebrew Reading and Jewish History courses are offered, sponsored by the National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP).Also sponsored by the NJOP and enjoyed by many is our annual Shabbat Across America program. For more information on these programs see the Events section of this website.

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.