Classes and Workshops

Tuesdays, April 1 - May 20, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Wednesdays, April 2 to June 25 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

Register here

Wednesdays, April 2 to June 25, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Come & Sing with Sherri Strichman! Participants must be able to carry a tune and take direction.  Free for JCC Members! $18.42 per quarter for Program Guests. 

Register here

Fridays, April 11 to May 30, 2025 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Learn how to play American Mah Jongg, a fascinating, rummy-like game played with tiles.  Over six lessons, Criss Macaione will teach players the basics of understanding the tiles and current Mah Jongg card and how to select and strengthen a winning hand. Cost: $18.42 for JCC Members or $36.85 for Program Guests.

All players need a current National Mah Jongg League card. The card may be purchased from Criss.

No class 4/25 and 5/16.

Monday, May 5, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Megan Brown, Director of Education, will be discussing the current and upcoming exhibits at the Albany Institute of History & Art. Free to attend. 

Register here

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Having trouble with your phone, tablet, or computer? Join us for our upcoming Tech Help Session to get your questions answered! Chromebooks will also be available for use in the senior center during this time. Questions? Email A’Lexus at AlexusF@albanyjcc.org.

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Social media sites make it easy to share content and connect with other people online. In this presentation you’ll get a general intro to social media and learn about some of the more popular social media sites like Facebook, X, and TikTok.

Register here

Wednesday. May 7, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Monday, May 12, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Celebrate International Hummus Day with us at the J! We'll kick things off with Hummus the Movie, an inspiring film that explores faith, community, and growth—all through the lens of the beloved superfood. Then, get ready to indulge in a delicious hummus tasting featuring a variety of flavors. Don't miss out on this flavorful and fun experience! Cost: $2.56 JCC Members and Guests.

Register here

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

You’ve probably heard about Instagram; now come learn about this visually-oriented sharing platform and what makes it one of the most exciting of the social media apps. This lecture introduces some of Instagram's popular features and will show you what all the buzz is about.

Register here

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and win some fantastic prizes. Light refreshments and snacks.

Register here

Wednesdays, May 14, 21 and 28 from 6:30pm to 8:00 pm on Zoom

Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am

The Albany JCC welcomes the NNORC breakfast club! Please contact the Albany NNORC for more information at 518-516-1114 or nnorc@jfsneny.org

Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

In this class students will learn the techniques in which artists draw water droplets on leaves and petals . They will use a step by step process using various graphite pencils to create these beads of water. By the end of class, students will have completed a leaf drawing with droplets.

Material Needed:

• Graphite Pencils (Staedtler, Faber-Castell, Derwent are suggested) 2H, H, HB, 2B, 4B and 6B
• White PVC Eraser (regular or in pen form)
• Kneaded Eraser
• Small and Medium Size Paper Blending Stumps (1 of each)
• Bristol Smooth Paper
• Ruler

Cost: $24.56 JCC Members/$28.66 Program Guests plus materials.  

Register here

Monday, May 19, 2025 from 11:00 am to 11:55 am 

How many Jewish foods can you identify? Join us for an engaging, Jeopardy-style discussion delving into the foods that have shaped—and continue to shape—Jewish culture. Don’t miss this enriching and free experience! 

Register here

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Want to make some extra money? Online marketplaces make it easy to sell almost anything- from your vintage collectibles to handmade crafts! This lecture will introduce you to different online platforms for selling all kinds of items, including furniture, clothing, household items, and more! We’ll also cover some tips and best practices for safely using these platforms so you can avoid scams and sell confidently!

Register here

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Think you’ve got what it takes to be the Connect 4 champ? Let’s find out! Free.

Register here

Thursday, May 22, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

Alcohol Inks are acid-free, alcohol-based inks that dry quickly and permanently. The alcohol in the ink evaporates swiftly leaving a design or pattern on the surface- such as glazed tiles, glass, plastic or special paper called Yupo or Dura- Bright. In this class students will be introduced to this medium and practice its techniques. By the end of class you will have created some lovely pieces to take home.

Materials Needed:

• Several Colors Of Alcohol Inks (By Ranger or Jaquard Pinata Brands are best and can be purchased at Arlene’s & Michaels)
• Dura Bright White Craft Plastic Paper by Grafix or Yupo White Paper
• Small Bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol 90%
• Small Plastic Painting Palette and Plastic Container
• Small round brush
• Small flat brush
• Small Spray Bottle
• Surgical Gloves (Latex or Nitrile)
• Paper Towels or a Rag
• Smock 

Cost: $24.56 JCC Members/ $28.66 Program Guests plus materials.  

Register here

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Having trouble with your phone, tablet, or computer? Join us for our upcoming Tech Help Session to get your questions answered! Chromebooks will also be available for use in the senior center during this time. Questions? Email A’Lexus at AlexusF@albanyjcc.org.

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm

Treat yourself to delicious ice cream sundaes while testing your knowledge in a lively round of Shavuot-themed trivia. It’s the perfect blend of flavors and fun—don’t miss out! Cost: $2.56.  

Register here

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

The internet has changed the way entrepreneurs, small business owners, nonprofits, and charitable organizations raise money. This presentation will explore crowdfunding—fundraising by gathering small amounts of money from large numbers of people—online. You’ll learn the fundamentals of using a crowdfunding campaign to raise money as well as how to search for and contribute to other people’s campaigns. The presentation will also discuss three popular crowdfunding platforms: GoFundMe, Kickstarter, and Indiegogo.

Register here

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Jillian from 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*

*Food is prepared kosher-style

Register here

Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Tuesday, June 3, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Curious about the free tools from Google? Learn about
some of Google's most popular productivity tools that are
for personal use, as well as work-related ones. This
lecture will introduce Docs, Sheets, Slides, Photos, and
Drive. We'll explore some practical and creative uses and
demonstrate how to make the most out of Google's many
free templates.

Register here

Wednesday, June 4, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Hear the latest news about our climate and the changes that will affect you. Learn how to adapt your gardening practices and how to mitigate your effect on the environment.

About the Speaker:
Martie Teumim has been an Albany County Master Gardener since 2001. She is a retired high school English teacher and software trainer. Her latest interest is in native and pollinator plants. She is a member of the Capital Region Chapter of Wild Ones, a native plant and natural landscape organization. She has two grown daughters and two grandchildren. She lives in Delmar with her husband and two cats.

Register here

Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Join us for the Annual Heart Walk! Enjoy a day filled with fun and camaraderie while raising awareness about heart health. Register by May 1, 2025 to receive a Capital Region JCC Heart Walk Team Shirt!

Register here

Monday, June 9, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:30 pm

This complimentary event is designed to connect adults aged 60 and older, along with their caregivers, to vital community resources. A free boxed lunch will be provided to the first 30 individuals aged 60 and above who register to attend.

View Participating Agencies

Register here

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

If you have a Gmail address, you have access to free
cloud storage through Google Drive! With this cloud
storage service, you can store many types of files and
access them from any device with an internet connection.
In this hands-on workshop, you?ll create and upload
folders to Drive and organize your files within folders.
We?ll also go over sharing folders with others.

Prerequisites: You must have a Gmail address and be
somewhat comfortable navigating the internet.Bring your
Gmail username and password and be ready to sign in
during the workshop.

Register here

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and win some fantastic prizes. Light refreshments and snacks.

Register here

Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am

Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

In this 2 ½ hour class students will continue to practice the process of Botanical Drawing, which begins with gradual toning with simple geometric shapes. We will begin our forms by layering neutral tones and putting on top color with colored pencils. This process will make your piece three dimensional and pop off the page. By the end of class participants will have created a beautiful Clematis Flower.

Materials Needed: 

• Drawing Pencils (HB, H, 2H)
• Dark Sepia Colored Pencil (Faber- Castell , Prismacolor or Caran D ache)
• Kneaded Eraser and Soft White PVC free Eraser
• Ruler
• Colored Pencil Sharpener
• Colored Pencils: Set of 24-36 Count is sufficient. (Faber- Castell , Prismacolor or Caran D Ache, Arteza)
• A Pad of 9x12 Bristol Smooth Paper by Strathmore or Canson

Cost: 24.56 JCC Members/$28.66 Program Guests plus materials. 

Register here

Monday, June 16, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

In this hands-on workshop, you'll get started using Google Fit, an app that often comes preloaded on many Android phones and can be downloaded on any mobile device. Learn to set goals for number of move minutes and to add health details to your profile. Please bring your smartphone to this workshop.

Register here

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Go beyond sending and receiving with this hands-on
workshop about Gmail features! This workshop will cover
important features like spellcheck, formatting emails,
searching your inbox, adding a signature, and attaching
files. The session will combine demonstration and handson practice, so that you?ll have plenty of opportunities to
ask questions and try out these features. Please note that
this session will not go over how to sign up for a Gmail
address.

Prerequisites: You must have a Gmail address and
should be comfortable sending and receiving emails. Bring your Gmail username and password and be ready to sign in during the workshop.

Register here

Monday, June 23, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Visit sites around the world from the comfort of your
home, get a bird?s-eye-view of your childhood
neighborhood, or simply get directions to your friend?s
house! Google Maps is a mapping application that offers
satellite imagery, street maps, and street-view
perspectives. It also has a route planner for your
preferred transportation method, be it foot, car, bicycle or
public transportation. During this lecture, you?ll get an
introduction to the platform and a demonstration of how to use it.

Register here

Tuesday, June 24, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Google Photos is one of the most popular photo sharing
and cloud storage platforms. This hands-on workshop
explores some of the basic features of the Google Photos
app and will walk you through the steps of backing up
your photos on your smartphone or mobile device to
Google Photos. You'll also learn how to create an album
and share it.

Prerequisites: You must have a Gmail address. Bring your
Gmail username and password and be ready to sign in
during the workshop.

Register here

Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and win some fantastic prizes. Light refreshments and snacks.

Register here

Tuesdays, July 22 to August 19, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

In this class we will explore the medium of watercolor and how to use it creatively and with confidence. We will discuss watercolor materials and techniques, such as controlling water flow and brush effects. We will discuss color mixing, washes and glazes, resist, negative painting, wet-on-wet, and dry brush. Additionally, general aspects of painting and drawing, such as composition, perspective, line, value and texture will be considered as we develop original paintings. We will paint from still life's, photographs and our imagination. Classes will consist of brief explanations or demonstrations followed by a painting session. All levels are welcome.

Materials: A list will be provided via email. Please email LisaM@albanyjcc.org if you would like to view the list before you register for the program.

Cost: $97.23 JCC Members/$116.68 Program Guests

Register here

Wednesdays, July 23 to August 20, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Pastels are an easy, enjoyable art medium. They can be used like pencils, crayons or paint and provide the artist with endless possibilities. In this class, students will develop their drawing skills and color mixing knowledge while learning to ?paint? with the rich medium of soft pastel. Working from a variety of subjects, students will learn various pastel techniques. They will learn to "see" color and form more artistically. If you like rich, vivid color, you may fall in love with pastel!

Classes will consist of a brief discussion, demo and/or handouts of a topic, followed by a painting session.

Materials: Bring your own set of soft pastels (the more colors the better) or use student grade sticks provided. You can bring your own paper or purchase sanded surface paper pack (4 different types of paper) from the instructor for approx. $12.

Cost: $97.23 JCC Members/ $116.68 Program Guests

Register here

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and win some fantastic prizes. Light refreshments and snacks.

Register here

Check back for Summer 2025 session.

**Please note: this program meets three times a week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday**

The Arthritis Foundation Walk With Ease Program is an exercise program that can reduce pain and improve overall health. If you can be on your feet for 10 minutes without increased pain, you can have success with Walk With Ease.

Walk with Ease will help you:

• Motivate yourself to get in great shape
• Walk safely and comfortably
• Improve your flexibility, strength and stamina
• Reduce pain and feel great

Mondays (Virtual) or Wednesdays (In-person)

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 to join one of the groups.

Check back for Fall 2025 dates.

Build your personal playbook for aging well! This fun, innovative program empowers you to take key steps to improve your well-being, add stability to your life and strengthen ties to your community. Meet new friends and provide encouragement to one another as you take the Aging Mastery journey together.

Co-sponsored by JFS, Albany NNORC and CDPHP.