Timeline Mission & History - 92Y, New York

Timeline | Mission & History - 92Y, New York https://www.92y.org/about/timeline.
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The Story of 92Y
On March 22, 1874, in the home of Dr. Simeon Newton Leo, a group of German Jewish
professionals and businessmen met to explore ways in which they could serve the social and
spiritual needs of the American Jewish community, and the YMHA was founded.
Since then, the Y zig-zagged all over the New York City, finding a home first on West 21st
Street, then 42nd Street, gradually moving up town to 58th Street, running into difficulties in
1895 and relocating to smaller premises on 59th Street, being rescued by Jacob H. Schiff and
moving to 65th Street in 1899, establishing a building on 92nd & Lex in 1900, and finally
opening our current building in 1930.
After the Great Depression hit, 92nd Street Y entered an extraordinary period of creativity, with
trailblazing dance performances, world premiere concerts and literary performances,
unlimited learning opportunities, social initiatives and more. 92Y’s Jewelry Center (today one
of the largest and most esteemed programs of its kind in the nation) was founded as part of
Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration, offering a single class in metalworking. After World
War II, the Y reorganized as the Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Association and
blossomed again, with waiting lists for many of its programs.
92Y has transformed itself through the years. Today, the challenges we face are
unprecedented. But we have absolutely no doubt that, with your support, the 92nd Street Y
will weather this crisis so that it will continue to be a source of connection and uplift, a place to
learn and grow, a welcoming Jewish home for all.
Now, State
our
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Timeline | Mission & History - 92Y, New York https://www.92y.org/about/timeline.aspx
future. So the greatest gift we could receive would be your support during this time of
crisis.
Please give today (/HelpNow).
1874
In a bold effort to serve the social and spiritual needs of the American Jewish
community, a group of pioneering German Jewish professionals and businessmen
found the Young Men’s Hebrew Association on March 22. Dr. Simeon Newton Leo hosts
the first meeting at his home. Rented quarters at 112 West 21st Street include parlors, a
reading room and a gymnasium.
SEPTEMBER 10, 1874
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On September 10, 1874, the Young Men’s Hebrew Association is incorporated and
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officially recognized as an institution by New York City — a historic moment for the
pluralistic city’s Jewish citizens. Oscar Straus, one of 14 founding directors, becomes
President Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary of commerce and labor.
1878
Growing finances enable 92Y to expand to a larger home at 110 West 42nd Street —
which adds a bowling alley, a club and classrooms to original features like reading rooms
and a gymnasium. The first public events are held, as members purchase tickets to
dance and to celebrate the festival of Chanukah. 92Y is fast becoming a vital hub for the
community.
1879
92Y holds a celebration called Grand Revival of the National Holiday of Chanucka at the
New York Academy of Music, a 4,000-seat opera house. It includes six costumed
tableaux from the Maccabean Revolt featuring hundreds of men and women, an
orchestra and a choir of children from the Hebrew Orphan Asylum, and a grand ball. The
event receives national coverage in major newspapers and helps bring Chanukah into
the American consciousness.
1883
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Emma Lazarus, whose poem “The New Colossus” is later engraved inside the Statue of
Liberty (“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses …”), teaches English to
young immigrants at 92Y’s newly established downtown branch. Later to become the
Educational Alliance, this branch serves members living on the Lower East Side and aids
the new Russian Jewish immigrant population.
1886
92Y moves from 42nd Street to 721 Lexington Avenue at 58th Street.
1895
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Financial difficulties take a toll, prompting a relocation to 111 East 59th Street. But new
board leadership is able to expand community support, spearheaded by a major gift
from banker, businessman and philanthropist Jacob H. Schiff, the foremost Jewish leader
of the time.
1899
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Two years after donating a brownstone at 65th Street and Lexington Avenue, Jacob H.
Schiff sees growing YMHA success and invests $150,000 to construct a new home for
92Y at 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue. In gratitude, the board presents Schiff with a
silver loving cup — a memento rediscovered by 92Y in 2016.
1900
The new 92Y opens at 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue — which continues to serve as
the institution’s home today.
1903
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92Y’s youth outreach expands with the YMHA Summer Vacation Camp for young men
and boys in Sayville, Long Island — a tradition that continues today with 92Y’s popular
Camps programs.
1911
Felix M. Warburg, Jacob Schiff’s son-in-law, donates Heinsheimer Memorial Annex on

92nd Street. 92Y’s first-ever residence is created, including a dormitory for young men
and activity rooms.
1913
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Boy Scout Troop 635 at 92Y becomes the first troop created by a Jewish community
center in America, representing the blend of Jewish and American values at the core of
92Y’s mission.
1919
The School of Music is organized.
1927
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Board president Judge Joseph M. Proskauer — a philanthropist and political activist —

launches a $1.5 million building fund campaign. Henry Kaufmann of Pittsburgh pledges
a gift of $200,000 to build the Theresa L. Kaufmann Auditorium as a memorial to his wife.
1929
The cornerstone for a new building at 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue is laid by Mrs.
Jacob H. Schiff, whose late husband’s vision for 92Y profoundly influenced its
development.
1930
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The new building at 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue opens — making 92Y the largest
and best-equipped Jewish community center in the US. Facilities include a dormitory for
235 men; two gymnasiums; a 25-yard pool; the wood-paneled, 917-seat Theresa L.
Kaufmann Auditorium; a kosher cafeteria; a billiard room; and many other amenities.
The 92Y Art Center is established.
1934
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92Y dramatically expands its cultural arts and educational programs under the
leadership of education director William Kolodney. Serving for 35 years, he initiates
many of the programs that become cornerstones of 92Y’s service to the Jewish
community and the general public.
1935
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Dance comes to 92Y as the Dance Center is formed. Modern dance pioneers like Martha
Graham, Doris Humphrey, Hanya Holm and Charles Weidman are among the teachers
and performers supported and nurtured by 92Y.
92Y’s Jewelry Center is founded as part of the Works Progress Administration, offering a
single class in metalworking. It grows to become the largest and one of the most
esteemed programs of its kind in the nation.
1938
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The 92Y Nursery School is established. Today it remains one of New York’s most highly
regarded nursery programs.
Classical guitar master Andrés Segovia performs at 92Y — where he will return for
another concert in 1980. The Budapest String Quartet plays the first of 28 seasons here,
establishing chamber music as an integral part of concert programming that continues
to this day.
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Hall of Fame baseball player Hank Greenberg returns to 92Y as a member of its gym —
after hitting 58 home runs for the Detroit Tigers.
1939
Legendary poet William Carlos Williams opens the first season at the new 92Y Poetry
Center. The center offers writing and literature classes as well as readings and lectures by
distinguished poets and literary figures. Those who have appeared here include
Margaret Atwood, W. H. Auden, James Baldwin, Saul Bellow, Joseph Brodsky, Anthony
Burgess, Umberto Eco, T. S. Eliot, Ralph Ellison, John Fowles, Robert Frost, Seamus
Heaney, Langston Hughes, Eugène Ionesco, David Mamet, Arthur Miller, Marianne
Moore, Octavio Paz, Harold Pinter, Philip Roth, Susan Sontag, Wallace Stevens, Sir Tom
Stoppard, Dylan Thomas, John Updike and Tennessee Williams.
1945
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YMHA is reorganized as Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Association: YM-
YWHA. The newly united organization thrives in the postwar era, with waiting lists for
many programs.
1947
92Y offers its first pottery classes — leading to the development of its esteemed Ceramics
Center.
1950
Yorkville Neighborhood Club, the predecessor of 92Y’s highly regarded 60-and-up

program —now the Himan Brown Senior Program — is established to serve older adults.
1953
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Iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas presents the US debut of his famed play for voices,
Under Milk Wood, on 92Y’s Kaufmann Concert Hall stage, reading the First Voice himself.
1955
Camp Yomi (“My Day”) is founded, with activities at 92Y and at the Henry Kaufmann
Campgrounds in Rockland County.
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Arthur Miller reads from his classic play Death of a Salesman and W. H. Auden teaches a
class, “Form and Style in Poetry,” at the Poetry Center.
1959
The Noar After-School Program is instituted, and it continues to provide children with a
range of after-school activities and enrichment today.
1960
Trailblazing choreographer Alvin Ailey premieres Revelations at 92Y. The dance, a stirring
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depiction of the faith and path to freedom of African-Americans, would go on to

become Ailey’s signature work.
1962
The Clara de Hirsch Home for Working Girls, founded in 1897, merges with 92Y, leading
to the construction of a new residential building to accommodate 200 women. The 92Y
Residence remains in operation today, with rooms for 334 students, interns and young
professionals.
1964
Truman Capote debuts his landmark work of creative nonfiction, In Cold Blood, on 92Y’s
Kaufmann Concert Hall stage. The historic scene is later reenacted in the Academy
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Award-winning film Capote (2005).
1966
Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda gives his first US reading at 92Y, and
Leonard Cohen reads his poetry and performs “The Stranger Song.”
1968
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92Y’s Henry Kaufmann Building (known today as the South Wing) opens. Incorporating
the new Clara de Hirsch Residence, 92Y nearly doubles its dormitory capacity and
provides expanded space for the School of Music, the Art Center and administrative
offices.
1970
“An Evening with ‘Yip’ Harburg” inaugurates the Lyrics & Lyricists™ concert series.
Created under the artistic direction of conductor Maurice Levine, the series thrives to this
day — including 2018’s “The Bobby Darin Story,” featuring Broadway star Jonathan Groff.
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Kurt Vonnegut debuts his novel Breakfast of Champions at the Poetry Center.
1973
The Chamber Music at 92Y and Distinguished Artists concert series are created. They
continue to attract some of the classical music world’s greatest performers to the 92Y
stage each year.
1974
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Nineteen-year-old cellist Yo-Yo Ma gives his first 92Y recital.
1979
92Y opens the first-ever Parenting Center in the country, providing expert advice and a
nurturing home for parents and their young children.
1982
Columbia University film professor Annette Insdorf moderates her first film talk at 92Y.
Insdorf will become the moderator of 92Y’s signature film series, Reel Pieces, which
features preview screenings and conversations with Hollywood’s leading actors and
directors. Guests have included Meryl Streep, Francis Ford Coppola, Sidney Poitier, Al
Pacino, Daniel Day-Lewis, Helen Mirren, Emma Stone, Martin Scorsese, Javier Bardem,
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Natalie Portman, Forest Whitaker and many more.
1985
The Jazz in July concert series begins under the artistic direction of the great jazz pianist
Dick Hyman. It continues today under the leadership of Grammy Award-winning pianist
Bill Charlap.
1987
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Celebrated writer Maya Angelou discusses literature with the first group of NYC public
school students in the Poetry Center Schools Project — now known as the Christopher
Lightfoot Walker Schools Project. Authors who have participated over the years include
Salman Rushdie, Patti Smith, Jamaica Kincaid, Tony Kushner, Adrienne Rich, Zadie Smith,
David Mitchell, Nadine Gordimer, Sandra Cisneros, Grace Paley, Mario Vargas Llosa,
August Wilson, Arthur Miller, Lucille Clifton, E. L. Doctorow and many others.
1990
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Our flagship educational outreach series, the Musical Introduction Series, begins
bringing the arts to New York City’s public schoolchildren. Recent performers include the
Tokyo String Quartet, jazz bassist Christian McBride and singer-songwriter Natalie
Merchant.
1991
The Tisch Center for the Arts is named with a generous gift from the Tisch family.
1992
The Bronfman Center for Jewish Life is named with a special gift from the Samuel
Bronfman Foundation. The Unterberg Poetry Center, part of the Tisch Center for the Arts,
is endowed by the Greenwood family in honor of Bella Unterberg, founder of the YWHA.
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The Harkness Dance Center is named with generous support from the Harkness
Foundation of Dance. 92Y’s Harkness Dance Festival, an annual showcase of
contemporary and cutting-edge dance, is launched and continues today.
1995
The 92Y Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) is founded by Jody Gottfried Arnhold. DEL
provides training and professional development for dance educators of all levels, ages,
genres and educational environments and serves as a practical alternative to traditional
university programs.
1996
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The Charles Simon Center for Adult Life & Learning is endowed by a bequest from
Charles Simon, and the May Center for Health, Fitness & Sport is endowed by Leni and
Peter May. A brand-new Cardio Court opens in the May Center and becomes an
immediate hit with members.
1998
The Lillian & Sol Goldman Family Center for Youth & Family is named with an
endowment from the Goldman family.
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John and Jackie Rosenthal and Phil and Cheryl Milstein unite to fund the Milstein-
Rosenthal Center for Media and Technology, a home for 92Y’s constantly evolving
technology-based initiatives. The center opens in 2001.
1999
92Y constructs a “village” of three facilities at the Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds in
Rockland County to house fine arts and nature programs.
92Y celebrates its 125th anniversary.
2001
Sir Paul McCartney reads from his book of poetry, Blackbird Singing.
2003
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The Recanati-Kaplan Program for Excellence in the Arts is founded — with the support of
Daphne Recanati Kaplan and Thomas S. Kaplan — and begins offering merit scholarships
for exceptional talent in music, dance and art to children ages 7 to 17.
2005
92Y’s Art Center celebrates 75 years of excellence in community art education with a
major exhibition and a catalog showcasing the history of the center.
2009
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92Y celebrates its rich history of support for contemporary dance with 75 Years of 92Y
Dance: Past Future Now, which includes a historical exhibition, an anniversary gala
performance and more than 200 dancers and choreographers performing at 92Y during
the anniversary season.
2010
The first annual Social Good Summit, a forum dedicated to new technology and the
social good, is presented at 92Y and webcast live, allowing people around the world to
participate.
2011
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92Y’s 60-and-up program is renamed the Himan Brown Senior Program in memory of
Himan Brown, a pioneer in radio whose bequest will help thousands of people as they
age.
2012
The first annual #GivingTuesday is created by 92Y and implemented with the United
Nations Foundation as a national day of giving on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. More
than 2,500 nonprofit and business partners in all 50 states participate. Results show a
marked increase in online giving. #GivingTuesday continues to expand its reach and
impact today.
2013
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92Y’s Unterberg Poetry Center celebrates its 75th anniversary with special programming,
including a historical exhibition, Love the Words, and “75 at 75,” an online collection of
commissioned essays to accompany archival recordings, all available at
92YOnDemand.org. Participating writers include W. S. Merwin, Cynthia Ozick, Tom
Stoppard and many more.
Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman attends the grand opening of 92Y’s custom-built
Gymnastics Studio in the Sky. It features state-of-the-art equipment and skylights that
provide an open, airy atmosphere for gymnasts of all ages and skill levels. New programs
for adults and individuals with special needs are also developed.
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92Y creates the Center for Innovation and Social Impact to reimagine the role of the
community center in today’s fast-changing, digitally connected world. The center focuses
on multiplatform programs and partnerships, including #GivingTuesday, the Ben Franklin
Circles and more.
2014
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92Y’s Center for Education Outreach celebrates 25 years of bringing the arts and
literature to more than 16,000 students and teachers in 56 New York City public schools
annually. Programs now include the flagship Musical Introduction Series and the
Christopher Lightfoot Walker Schools Project, plus after-school scholarships, 3D Digital
Design and more.
92Y’s Poetry Center celebrates Dylan Thomas’ centennial with a dramatic reading of his
play Under Milk Wood — first presented at 92Y with Thomas in 1953 — starring Michael
Sheen, Kate Burton and others. The reading is broadcast live on BBC Wales.
2016
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92Y launches the Women inPower Fellowship, a dynamic new cross-sector program
designed to help women advance to the next stage of their careers and make a social
impact.
The first Extraordinary Women Awards is held to shine a spotlight on the remarkable
women in our community who personify 92Y’s values of learning, self-improvement and
repairing the world. Amanda Nguyen, Barbara Schwartz and Leila Foulon are the
recipients of the inaugural awards.
Downloads 92Y commissions

State of Democracy Sum… “A New Year,” an original song of hope and peace to celebrate Rosh
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Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and distributes it worldwide through a digital video. Sung by
communities from New York to Krakow to Sao Paulo to Sydney, the song quickly goes
viral, amassing more than 5.7 million views and 131,000 shares in more than 150
countries.
2017
92Y launches Teen Producers, the first arts fellowship of its kind. This career-exploration
and mentorship program offers New York City public high school juniors the opportunity
to learn about arts-related careers, grants them access to leaders from arts organizations,
creates networking opportunities and gives them hands-on experience in arts
production.
The 92Y artists’ residency initiative expands with the launch of the first Jewelry Center
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residency — the first of its kind in New York City. Daring 29-year-old Swedish jeweler 100% Clear
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Göran Kling is the first recipient.
In collaboration with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA),
92Y launches the first annual #GlobalDayofClay, an initiative that leverages the power of
social media and technology to create the first worldwide conversation about ceramics in
all its forms — engaging ceramicists, artists, academics and everyday pottery lovers. Over
a million people participate, from Canada, the UK, India, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Guatemala
and elsewhere.
92Y’s Grandparents Center opens and begins offering classes, workshops and activities.
Developed and run by the team that has led the Parenting Center for nearly 40 years, it
furthers 92Y’s commitment to supporting New York City families through every age and
stage.
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#GivingTuesday marks its fifth anniversary, making its greatest impact ever: 2.4 million
charitable gifts from more than 150 countries worldwide, totaling over $300 million
raised online.
92Y announces an ambitious capital campaign to transform its physical space and
update its facilities for the 21st century.
2018
92Y creates the first Jewish Innovation Fellowship, providing New York City rabbinical
students with a free, semester-long curriculum focused on design thinking, innovation
and leadership.
92Y opens a brand-new, 5,000-square-foot School of Music designed by specialist

architects to include new practice rooms, a new recording studio, a state-of-the-art
technology lab, a lecture hall with smart board and livestreaming capabilities, and more
vital features.
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IMPORTANT UPDATE: 92Y REMAINS OPEN (/ABOUT/COVID19-UPDATES)

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The Story of 92Y

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SEPTEMBER 10, 1874

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Felix M. Warburg, Jacob Schiff’s son-in-law, donates Heinsheimer Memorial Annex on

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

The School of Music is organized.

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Board president Judge Joseph M. Proskauer — a philanthropist and political activist —

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

The 92Y Art Center is established.

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Yorkville Neighborhood Club, the predecessor of 92Y’s highly regarded 60-and-up

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

depiction of the faith and path to freedom of African-Americans, would go on to

Award-winning film Capote (2005).

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Nineteen-year-old cellist Yo-Yo Ma gives his first 92Y recital.

Natalie Portman, Forest Whitaker and many more.

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

92Y celebrates its 125th anniversary.

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Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Downloads 92Y commissions

Göran Kling is the first recipient.

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

92Y opens a brand-new, 5,000-square-foot School of Music designed by specialist

Downloads State of Democracy Sum… 100% Clear

Your email address

General Information Support Us

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Timeline Mission & History - 92Y, New York

Timeline Mission & History - 92Y, New York