Day Trip to the Culinary Institute - March 24, 2026
Click here to view our 2026 day trips! Registration for the Culinary Institute opens on January 15, 2026.
Once Upon a Tea Party
Friday, December 26, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 2:30pm
Step into a world of imagination and inspiration at our charming tea party with Jacqueline Dembar Greene, celebrated American Girl author of the Rebecca Rubin series! This delightful afternoon invites children to sip tea (or juice), enjoy sweet treats, make a special craft for themselves and their doll, and share in the magic of storytelling. Autographed paperback books will be available for advance purchase at a special discounted price of $5 per book. Cost: $15.35 per person. All children must be accompanied by a grown-up.
Torah with a Twist
Friday, January 2, 2025 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Enjoy a warm cup of tea as we explore timeless Jewish wisdom through the lens of Mussar—an ethical tradition focused on cultivating traits like humility, patience, and gratitude. Through thoughtful discussion and personal reflection, this monthly class offers practical insights for living with greater mindfulness, intention, and integrity.
Whether you're new to Mussar or deepening an existing practice, you'll find a welcoming space to engage with Torah in a way that’s both intellectually rich and spiritually nourishing. No prior experience required—just an open heart and a curious mind. Free and open to the community.
Poetry & Presence
Mondays, January 5 to February 23, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Join us for a warm and welcoming adult workshop that celebrates gratitude, resilience, and connection through poetry.
Each session offers a relaxed space to share stories, savor language, and reconnect—with poetry, with others, and with yourself. Whether you’re a longtime poetry lover or simply curious, you’re invited to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and enjoy the moment. Cost: Free for JCC Members / $12.35 for Program Guests. No session on 1/19 and 2/16.
Senior Planet: Mobile Health Apps
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Did you know that your smartphone is also a powerful health tool? This lecture introduces common health apps, like the iPhone's built-in app and the Google Fit app. You'll learn about using the app's step counter, as well as integrating information from other popular health and fitness apps. You'll also learn the benefits of saving your medical ID.
Senior Planet: Intro to Sleep Technologies
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Sleep troubles? What if tech could help you sleep? This lecture gives an overview of different devices and wearable technologies that track sleep patterns, monitor sleep disorders, and may even improve your sleep. You'll also learn about mindfulness apps that offer guided meditations and other ways to promote healthy sleep habits.
Healthy Bones for Life Exercise & Education Program
Wednesdays from 10:00 am to 11:00 am
The Healthy Bones for Life Exercise and Education Program is a community- based program designed for men and women who are 55+. The exercise program consists of weight-bearing exercises, muscle strengthening, flexibility, posture training, and balance exercises. Cost: Free for Members/$10.24 per quarter for Program Guests.
Winter Session starts January 7, 2026.
Aging at Home or Senior Living? Know Your Options
Wednesday, January 7, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Presented by Allyson Nathan, founder and principal of Fortina Senior Solutions, a trusted resource for "all things aging."
Learn about the options available for aging in place at home versus moving to a senior living community. This presentation covers the differences between types of senior living, how to compare costs, available funding options, and the importance of planning ahead. You'll also learn how to recognize when help is needed-and what steps to take when that time comes. Free and open to the community.
Living the Jewish Calendar: Tu'BShevat
Friday, January 9, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Tu B'Shevat is an agricultural new year in Israel, but for most of us this is a date we mark metaphorically. It is yet another opportunity on the Jewish calendar to mark a new 'milestone' or starting point on the calendar, and in this session we want learners to see Tu B?Shevat as an opportunity - through it's symbolism of the tree - to consider where they are and where they are growing. Cost: Free. Open to everyone.
Senior Planet: Intro to Digital Wallet
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:00am
What item can you not leave home without? If you said your phone, this lecture is for you! If you said your wallet, you should probably come too! The digital wallets on our smartphones allow us to go about our daily lives without ever needing to pull out our actual wallets. In this presentation, we’ll review the basic features of the most popular digital wallets: Apple Wallet and Google Wallet and talk about their many uses beyond purchases. We’ll also discuss features/considerations for security and privacy.
Senior Planet:P2P Payment Systems
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Since PayPal debuted over twenty years ago, person-to-person payments have become commonplace. In this lecture, you’ll learn about some of today’s most popular P2P payment services, including PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp. We’ll cover some of the basic functions of these services, how they compare, and tips for using them safely.
BINGO with Albany NNORC
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and win some fantastic prizes.
Open Office Hours with Eva
Wednesday, January 14 , 2026 from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Eva Murphy, NNORC Care Manager is offering open office hours at the Albany JCC!
She can help review & compare health insurance plans, set up transportation apps for easy access, connect directly with healthcare providers, provide tech support and troubleshooting.
Free. Stop by the Senior Center. If you can't make it, set up an appointment 518-516-1112 or emurphy@jfsneny.org
National DPP Lifestyle Change Program
Tuesdays, Starting January 20, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:15 am
In this program, you'll get a full year of support and learn how to eat healthy, add physical activity to your routine, manage stress, stay motivated, and solve problems that can get in the way of your goals. This program is proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
Please note: This program is for adults who are at risk or have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes only. We'll meet weekly for the first six months then transition to once a month.
Email LisaM@albanyjcc.org for more information.
Tech Tuesdays: AI Image Generators
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 from 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm
Do you envision something in your mind’s eye but struggle to bring it to life? There’s an AI tool for that! This lecture will explain how artificial intelligence can turn your words into stunning realistic and imaginative images in seconds. We’ll demonstrate an AI image generator and the wide range of visual and artistic styles it can produce. You’ll also learn tips for getting the most out of this new and exciting technology so you can get started! Cost: Free
Puzzled Together
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Join fellow puzzle enthusiasts once a month to collaborate, connect, and complete jigsaw puzzles piece by piece. Bring your own puzzle (250–300 pieces) or borrow one of ours for the fun. Cost: Free.
Happiness Habits
Mondays, January 26, 2026 to March 9, 2026 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Happiness Habits is a secular, science-based course created by Action for Happiness. It combines expert-led insights, practical exercises, and supportive group discussions. Maximum: 18 participants. No class on February 16. Cost: TBA.
Registration coming soon.
Tech Tuesdays: AI Voice & Video Generators
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 from 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm
Have you heard about voice-cloning, digital avatars, or text-to-video? This lecture will explain how artificial intelligence programs can turn scripts and even just ideas/a few sentences into realistic voices and videos in a matter of minutes. We’ll explore AI voice and video generators, their common features, and the wide range of content they can produce. You’ll also learn tips and considerations for using these tools so you can get started! Cost: Free
Open Office Hours with Eva
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 12:30 pm to 2:30pm
Eva Murphy, NNORC Care Manager is offering open office hours at the Albany JCC!
She can help review & compare health insurance plans, set up transportation apps for easy access, connect directly with healthcare providers, provide tech support and troubleshooting.
Free. Stop by the Senior Center. If you can't make it, set up an appointment 518-516-1112 or emurphy@jfsneny.org
Botanical Drawing with Colored Pencils: Pinecones
Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
A continued class offering of the basics of botanical drawing: gradual toning of simple geometric shapes, that create the forms in nature. The process begins with neutral tones layered with color, and the end result will be a lovely drawing of a pinecone. Cost: TBA
Materials needed:
- Drawing Pencils (HB, H, 2H)
- Kneaded Eraser and Soft White PVC free Eraser
- Colorless Blender
- *Colored Pencils: 24 Count is sufficient.
*We will mostly be using the following colors : Dark Sepia, Walnut Brown, Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna and Grays
(NOTE: I use Faber- Castell Polychromos because they are Oil Based, but Wax- Based like Prismacolor are also sufficient for this class). - Paper - Strathmore Bristol Smooth or Stonehenge HotPressed
- Drawing Board or Clipboard
Registration coming soon!
Creating Fruit in 3 Different Art Mediums: Week 1 Graphite Pencils
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
During these three classes students will explore using three different art mediums and various techniques to create beautiful fruit. Take one or all 3 classes! Cost: TBA.
Materials Needed:
- 9x12 Pad Strathmore or Canson Bristol Smooth Paper
- Graphite Pencils 2H, H, HB 2B, 4B
- Kneaded and PVC Erasers
- Pencil sharpener
- Pencil blender
- Drawing Board
Registration coming soon!
Creating Fruit in 3 Different Art Mediums: Week 2 Colored Pencils
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
During these three classes students will explore using three different art mediums and various techniques to create beautiful fruit. Take one or all 3 classes! Cost: TBA
Materials Needed:
- 24-36 set of Colored Pencils ( Faber Castell, Prismacolor, Derwent, Caran D Ache are nice)
- Dark Sepia Colored Pencil
- Colorless Blender and eraser
- 9x12 Pad Strathmore or Canson Bristol Smooth Paper
- Drawing Board
Registration coming soon!
Creating Fruit in 3 Different Art Mediums: Week 1 Graphite Pencils
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
During these three classes students will explore using three different art mediums and various techniques to create beautiful fruit. Take one or all 3 classes! Cost: TBA
Materials Needed:
Oil Pastels provided!
- Cold Press Watercolor Paper or Oil Pastel Paper
- Q-tips and Paper Blender/Stub
- Paper towels
- Drawing Board
Registration coming soon!
Healthy Cooking Demo & Tasting
Check back for the next date!
Jillian from the Capital Region SNAP-Ed will:
- Demonstrate a delicious recipe that is quick, easy and affordable
- Provide the recipe and cooking instructions
- Offer samples of the recipe prepared during the demonstration
Cost: Free
Class Cancellation Policy
We understand that life brings many surprises to us all, and sometimes people must cancel their class or workshop registration. Please help us continue to offer these wonderful classes and workshops, at the most affordable costs possible, by reading and adhering to our cancellation policy.
Registration
Registration is not complete and spaces not held, unless the class or event is paid in full.
Cancellations
Classes or workshops may be cancelled when enrollment minimums are not reached. Cancellations are determined no later than 2 business days before the class starts. If the
Albany JCC cancels a class or workshop, the participant will have the option to transfer to another class, as long as space is available, or receive a 100% refund.
If a participants chooses to cancel their registration for a class or workshop, the refund policies are as follows:
- 100% refund with seven or more days' notice prior to the start date of the class unless specified otherwise*
- No amount refunded after that time. However, you may transfer your registration to another individual not currently registered for the class or workshop*
*Account credit may be given in special circumstances at the discretion of the Jewish Cultural and Community Program Coordinator