Mission & History

The 92nd Street Y, New York History

For over 150 years, The 92nd Street Y, New York has been serving its communities and the larger world by bringing people together and providing exceptional, groundbreaking programs in the performing and visual arts; literature and culture; adult and children’s education; talks on a huge range of topics; health and fitness; and Jewish life.

For highlights of the past, visit our historical timeline.

Mission Statement

Every day, through innovative programming of the highest caliber across a variety of disciplines, we strive to improve the world with every life we enrich and every bond of community we create. As a singular Jewish cultural and community center, we serve as a home not only for the Jewish people but for people of all backgrounds and beliefs — whether on our New York City campus or online globally. All that we do is grounded in our core Jewish values.