Paterson and Wayne YM-YWHA

The Paterson YM-YWHA originally started as two organizations. The YWHA (Young Women’s Hebrew Association) was established in 1906 by a group of women from the Barnert Free School and the YMHA (Young Men’s Hebrew Association) was established in 1914 and originally located at 97 Broadway, Paterson. As both organizations’ membership grew, they relocated to larger facilities to accommodate the increasing variety of activities.  In 1919, the YMHA moved to Orpheus Hall located at the corner of Carroll Street and Broadway and in 1922 it acquired a building on Church Street and bought a lot on Van Houten Street next to Temple Emanuel. In the same year the YWHA and the YMHA joined to form the YM-YWHA in preparation of moving into their new building which was completed in 1924 and included the site of Temple Emanuel.
In 1966, the Anna L. Schneider Branch Building was offered to the “Y” through the Jewish Federation. Located in Paterson on East 40th Street off McLean Boulevard. The Schneider Branch provided many programs for all age groups.
In the late 60s’ young people started to leave Paterson and head for the suburbs. The “Y” felt it had to follow its membership and decided to find a new home. In 1973, a site was found in Wayne at One Pike Drive and on May 2,1976, the new “YM-YWHA of North Jersey” opened its huge regional facility to the public.
Two thousand eleven brought a downturned economy, threatening the closing of the YM-YWHA. To keep its doors open, the YM-YWHA of North Jersey made a deal with the Metro YMCA to let the   “YM-YWHA” continue to use the building’s facilities while the YMCA controlled and operated the building. The facility was renamed as “The Wayne Y” and welcomed all to become members. The Wayne Y was recently sold to Wayne Township and will continue to operate as a community center. Below are archived photos of the by-gone days of the YM-YWHA.