JAMCCAR Mobilizes Hurricane Melissa Relief; Calls for Community Support as Jamaica Mourns Lives Lost
The Jamaican Civic and Cultural Association of Rockland (JAMCCAR) reports that lives have been lost and many families have been displaced by Hurricane Melissa. Working closely with the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C., the Consulate General of Jamaica in New York, and local community partners to coordinate an effective, JAMCCAR is sharing the following ways to help with relief efforts:
• Zelle: Send donations to Info.jamccar@gmail.com. Please include your email address and phone number in the memo line.
• PayPal/Credit Card: Donations may also be made securely through PayPal.
• Check: Make checks payable to JAMCCAR Inc. and write “MELISSA” in the memo line. Mail to:
JAMCCAR Inc.
P.O. Box 1727
Spring Valley, NY 10977
All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Matching donations from employers are encouraged and appreciated.
Family Assistance
Individuals seeking to locate family members in Jamaica who have not yet responded may call the official Hurricane Melissa Hotline at 888-817-9050 for proof of life and family location support.
Priority Needs and Approved Donations
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has prepared a preliminary needs list, accessible here:
In addition, JAMCCAR encourages supporters to access the approved list of items on Amazon to order supplies that will be shipped directly to the Jamaican Consulate. The link to the Consul General of Jamaica to New York’s Amazon wish list can be found here.
In-Kind Donations and Drop-Off Locations
JAMCCAR is currently compiling a list of community drop-off locations across Rockland County and neighboring areas for those wishing to contribute in-kind donations such as non-perishable food, toiletries, and other essential supplies.
While we appreciate these generous efforts, priority is being given to items listed on the official Needs List or financial contributions, which allow the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) to direct resources toward Jamaica’s most urgent and evolving recovery needs.
Further details on approved drop-off sites and collection partners will be shared in JAMCCAR’s next update. Community partners interested in serving as collection points may contact JAMCCAR for coordination.
Co-Presidents:
Sonia Tracey — (845) 222-5973
Patricia Chandler — (917) 363-0807
About JAMCCAR
The Jamaican Civic and Cultural Association of Rockland (JAMCCAR) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fostering good relations among Jamaicans and friends in Rockland County and its environs. The organization promotes civic, cultural, economic, and social development while celebrating Jamaican, Caribbean, and Pan-African heritage through community engagement and service.
Rockland County Fashion Week Pop-Up Shop
Friday, November 7, 12:00-6:00pm, Downtown Nyack
On Friday, downtown Nyack’s participating stores. restaurants, & galleries
celebrate fashion in all its genres with the FREE Rockland Fashion Week Pop-Up Shop.
Saturday, November 8, 5:30-8:30pm, Palisades Center (in front of the H&M store), 1000 Palisades Center Dr, West Nyack
On Saturday, don’t miss Fashion for the Ages presented by Hope Wade Designs at the Palisades Center.
Get tickets here.
Elmwood Playhouse Presents: The Prom
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday. November 7, 8, & 9 (Through December 6) Elmwood Playhouse, 10 Park St, Nyack
Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage.
When they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue: themselves. Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, The Prom expertly captures all the humor and heart of a classic musical comedy.
Click here for tickets.
Cathy & Harry Film Screening & Discussion
Friday, November 7, 5:00-6:30pm, Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center, 82 N Broadway, Nyack
A revealing and humorous double portrait of artist couple Catherine Murphy and Harry Roseman. Members: $10, Public: $15. RSVP recommended, edwardhopperhouse.org.
Nyack Art Collective First Friday Art Exhibition
Friday, November 7, 7:00-9:00pm (every first Friday of the month): The Burger Loft, 3 N Broadway, Nyack
Every first Friday of the month, The Nyack Art Collective hosts a reception for the members art exhibit, which features the work from talented visual artists from the Nyack area. You are invited to meet the artists, be a part of the local art scene, and enjoy over 50 pieces of art. Free.
Visit nyackartcollective.com for more information.
Nyack Secondhand Shop Hop
Saturday, November 8, 11:00am-5:00pm, Downtown Nyack
The Secondhand Shop Hop is your opportunity to check out all the village’s cool second hand clothing stores in one day, with freshly stocked store racks, special promotions, and offers at local eateries for Hop-pers. Features the C4SC secondhand pop-up at The Angel Nyack.
Family Day Artmaking
Saturday, November 8, 1:00-3:00pm, Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center, 82 N Broadway, Nyack
Families are invited to a free day of art making inspired by Hopper’s House by The Railroad painted 100 years ago in 1925, which depicts the famed Haverstraw house.
Stay all afternoon or drop by for a bit. (This is not a drop-off event.) Free, RSVP recommended @ edwardhopperhouse.org.
KT Sullivan and Eric Yves Garcia: Candlelight Cabaret
Saturday, November 8, 7:00pm, The Angel Nyack, 18 S Broadway, Nyack
KT Sullivan and Eric Yves Garcia will share their favorite tender and transporting songs by composers as diverse as Cole Porter, Bob Dylan, Sammy Cahn, Woody Guthrie, Noel Coward, Charles Aznavour, Richard Rodgers, and Dolly Parton.
Premium Seating $58, General Admission $42, Students $15, Group Pricing Available. artsrock.org
Indian Food Festival & Diwali Mela
Sunday, November 9, 3:00-8:00pm, The Nyack Center, 58 Depew Ave, Nyack
Indian Food Festival & Diwali Mela featuring authentic Indian delicacies, a curated Bazaar, lively Bollywood music and dance, and arts and crafts to participate in. This is a family friendly event.
Experience a joyful celebration of Indian culture, flavors, and traditions for the entire family. Indulge in an array of traditional dishes — from tangy chaats and rich curries to mouth watering sweets. Our food vendors bring the true taste of India to Nyack!
Explore a vibrant marketplace of handcrafted jewelry, textiles, clothing, and unique gifts — perfect for the festive season.
Be mesmerized by live dance and music performances spanning classical, folk, and Bollywood styles — a true feast for the senses.
Free entry for everyone! Come celebrate, connect, and create unforgettable memories with us this Diwali!
Celebrate the colors, flavors, and festive spirit of India with your friends and family!
RSVP: contact@artsfromindia.com, 212-470-3974
La Yave d’Espanya: A Celebration of Jewish Heritage in Spain through Dance
Sunday, November 9, 4:00-5:30pm at The Angel Nyack, 18 S Broadway, Nyack
Catch this beautiful celebration of Jewish heritage in Spain. These Sephardic traditions will be brought to life on stage through music and dance.
Purchase tickets here.
Songs & Stories With Katie Elevitch in Conversation with Naomi Vladeck
Sunday Nov 9, 4:30-5:30pm, Big Red Books, 120 Main St, Nyack
Artist Katie Elevitch will explore how war has impacted her personally and her journey of finding peace, healing and catharsis through creativity and community, sharing songs from – and stories about – her catalog of recorded work (1999-2016).
She will also share stories about her father, Morton D. Elevitch (1928-2006) – a WW2 Veteran & Literary Artist who resided in Rockland County for over 40 years – and read from his book of published WW2 letters (Illinois University Press, 2003).
Naomi Vladeck is a speaker, life and creativity coach and award-winning author of Braving Creativity. Raised in Rockland County, Naomi teaches workshops that spark courage, clarity, and connection.
Music for Life Night Out 3
Friday, November 14, 7:00-8:30 pm, The Angel Nyack, 18 S Broadway, Nyack
Weekly Recommendation editor’s favorite band, The Rock ‘n’ Rollers, will be playing 2 songs.
For tickets and info please email deidre@musicforlifecenter.com.
Modern Dress Production of All’s Well That Ends Well by the Children’s Shakespeare Theatre
Fridays, November 14 and 21, 7:00pm, Saturdays, November 15 and 22, 7:00pm, Palisades Presbyterian Church, 117 Washington Springs Rd, Palisades
Children’s Shakespeare Theatre will explore the rich textures of Shakespeare’s problem comedy All’s Well That Ends Well through its young cast’s experiences growing up in 2025 in this modern dress production of the play opening November 14th at Palisades Presbyterian Church.
The King of France (Alexander Josuweit) is dying, addicted to his cell phone and refuses his doctor’s medicines. When the daughter of a famed but deceased physician, Helena (Myla Zimbler), tries to cure him, he also refuses. Helena believes in the medicines that her father has left her so completely that she tells the King, if he is not cured, he can take her life.
The King is cured and as thanks gives Helena anything she wants. She asks for the hand of one of his Lords in marriage, Bertram (Levon Goldberg) whom she is in love with. The King marries them instantly, but Bertram has other plans and flees that very day with his ne’er-do-well friend to fight in a European war far away.
Through missed texts, fashion wars, ambushes, military parades, a religious pilgrimage, cell phone mix-ups, and a war zone covered in post-modern graffiti, all’s well that ends well, but you must see it to believe it.
CST Managing Director Grey Johnson directs a cast of sixteen children ages 8 – 16 which also includes Adelaide Macri as the Countess of Rousillon, Declan Amendolia as her fool, Lavatch, Richard Reimann Valdes as the flamboyant coward and party-boy, Parolles, as well as Grace Amoonclark, Ruth Benjamin, Caspian Dawson-Hollis, Elliot Johnston, Kyla Li, Nora Maloney, Megan McAree, Amada Oh, Charles Reimann Valdes, and Erica Winfree. It is Assistant Directed by Elinor Greenway and Emilia Falkner, with costumes by Guy Carsone and sets by Heather Aveson.
The cast and company of Children’s Shakespeare Theatre come from New York and New Jersey and include home schooled students, along with students from Nyack High School, Nyack Middle School, North Rockland High School, South Orangetown Middle School, Ramsey High School, Lewis F. Cole Middle School, Elizabeth Morrow School, Upper Nyack Elementary School and Green Meadow Waldorf School.
CST is dedicated to providing a nurturing and enriching environment through the performance of classical theatre, allowing children to explore, in a safe and supportive educational setting, what it means to be human.
Children’s Shakespeare Theatre receives support from the Jerome Robbins Foundation and our many individual donors.
Click here for tickets.
Tickets for all performances are $25 for adults, $20 for children under 18. Group rates are also available. Teachers can see All’s Well That Ends Well for free.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Wright Bros. Real Estate where Experience meets Excellence at Nyack’s Longest Operating Brokerage.
