For 17 years, JCC Krakow has transformed the narrative about Jewish Poland. A story once thought to have ended with the Holocaust now carries on with the rebirth of a thriving, modern Polish Jewish community. In order to ensure Jewish continuity, JCC Krakow believes everyone must see a place for themselves within our community. The JCC emphasizes intergenerational activities with the knowledge that all community members can learn from one another as they forge individual Jewish identities. Many of our members had never celebrated Shabbat or any other Jewish holiday prior to the JCC's opening. Now members can enjoy a weekly kosher Shabbat dinner alongside visitors from around the world. We also celebrate holidays together with festive meals, whether in our hand-built sukkah, accompanying purim spiels, or at communal seders. A Jewish future is not only possible in Poland: it is happening.
Senior Club
JCC Krakow’s Senior Club is open six days a week to over 250 senior members of the community, including 56 Holocaust Survivors. Seniors meet to share meals or coffee and can enjoy a full suite of programming especially for them. For Ukrainian and Israeli members, the Senior Club is a great opportunity to meet and socialize with local Polish Jews.
Frajda
Founded in 2017 as the first Jewish community pre-school in Krakow since the Holocaust, Frajda has immersed Krakow’s next generation of Jews in a pluralistic environment, connecting them to the Jewish community. Frajda provides children aged 1 to 6 a comprehensive Jewish education, and currently has an enrolment of 20+ students, including Israeli and Ukrainian Jewish refugees.
Hillel Gimel
In conjunction with Hillel International, Hillel Gimel provides Jewish students and young adults with strong communal programming, bringing together over 125 members who are becoming acquainted with or rediscovering their Jewish identities. Hillel offers holiday celebrations, Shabbaton experiences, and regular social events for Jews of all practices, creating a sense of unity within Krakow’s young Jewish community!
Bagel Club
Young families with children in preschool all the way to teenagers can benefit from the Bagel Club for Young Families. Bagel helps parents who discovered their Jewish identities later in life learn and pass on traditions and celebrations to the next generation. We have even helped several teens celebrate their Bar and Bat Mitzvah.
Supporting Israelis in Krakow
Since October 7th, 2023, we have been providing vital support to hundreds of Israelis who have found themselves in Krakow. Our assistance has included safe housing, emergency financial aid, free enrollment for children in our FRAJDA preschool, as well as access to medical and psychological care. In this challenging time, JCC Krakow has become a welcoming home for a rapidly growing Israeli community — for those who have remained in the city and for the many new arrivals seeking connection, stability, and a sense of belonging.
Tapuzim BBYO
Tapuzim, our BBYO chapter, connects Krakow’s Jewish teens with their peers around the world. Teen members are able to attend local programs that help to build community and foster their identity, and also attend international events, like the European Jewish Leaders Summit or BBYO International Convention, that cultivate their leadership skills and their understanding of the global Jewish community.
Rejwach
Former Hillel members who have reached the next phase of their life can become members of Rejwach, our new over 30s group. Rejwach coordinates different social and recreational outings that continue to build connections to the Jewish Community.
Ukrainian Aid
We have been helping displaced Ukrainians with housing, food, and other essentials since Russia’s invasion in 2022. Starting with the 2022 edition of Ride For The Living, proceeds have funded several of our Ukrainian relief efforts, and continue to support humanitarian projects at JCC Krakow, such as our Free Shop food pantry and social integration programming that includes career training and language classes. Since February 24, 2022, we have provided direct assistance to over 450,000 Ukrainian refugees and counting.