Creating Botanical Fall Leaves in 3 Different Art Mediums
Thursdays, October 16, 23 and 30, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
During these three consecutive classes students will explore using 3 different art mediums (graphite, colored and watercolor pencils) and various techniques to create beautiful fall leaves.
Materials needed:
- Week 1 Graphite Pencils: 9x12 Pad Strathmore or Canson Bristol Smooth Paper, Ruler, Graphite Pencils (2H, H, HB 2B, 4B), Kneaded and PVC Erasers
- Week 2 Colored Pencils: 24-36 set of Colored Pencils (Faber Castell, Prismacolor, Derwent, Caran D Ache), Dark Sepia Colored Pencil, Colorless Blender
- Week 3 Watercolor Pencils: 24-36 set of Watercolor Pencils (Faber-Castell , Caran D Ache, Derwent , Stadeler), 1 pad of Hot Pressed Stonehenge or Fabriano Watercolor paper, Brushes sizes- 6 & 4, watercolor brushes, Container, Paper towels
Cost: $24.56 JCC Members/$28.66 Guests per week plus materials.
Register here for Week 1 (10/16) Graphite
Learn to Play Bridge - Part 3
Tuesdays, October 21 - November 25, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Learn the fundamentals using Audrey Grant’s better bridge series. This class is a continuation of book 2.
Cost: $36.85 Member/$47.08 Program Guest.
Combine your senses—Tea Ceremony Presentation and Tasting
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Experience the history, aesthetics, and mindfulness at the heart of the traditional tea ceremony. Presented by Wei Qin, Asian Arts New York.
Open Office Hours with Eva
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 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
Wednesdays, Starting October 22, 2025 from 12:15 pm to 12:45 pm
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.
Live and Learn Lunch Series with Sheila Curran Bernard and George Wilson
Thursday, October 30, 2025 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of insight, storytelling, and lunch—featuring Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Sheila Curran Bernard, as she discusses her most recent book: Bring Judgment Day: Reclaiming Lead Belly’s Truths from Jim Crow’s Lies. This powerful work uncovers the untold story of American musical legend Lead Belly (1889–1949), offering a gripping case study in crime, punishment, and systemic racism. After the discussion, we’ll enjoy Lead Belly’s music performed by George Wilson and a catered lunch by the Healthy Café. Open to the community. Cost: $10.24 JCC Members/NNORC Residents or $12.28 Guests.
Botanical Drawing with Colored Pencils Bittersweet
Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
In this 2 ½ hour class students will be using the process of toning using graphite pencils and then lay down color over the piece to produce a beautiful Bittersweet Branch.
Materials Needed:
- A 9x12 Pad Strathmore or Canson Bristol Smooth Paper
- Ruler
- Graphite Pencils 2H, H, HB
- Kneaded and PVC Erasers
- 24-36 set of Colored Pencils ( Faber Castell, Prismacolor, Derwent, Caran D Ache are nice)
- Dark Sepia Colored Pencil
- Colorless Blender
Live and Learn Lunch Series with Peter Balint
Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Join us for the remarkable story of resilience and self-discovery with Peter George Balint. Born during an air raid in Budapest, Peter’s life was shaped by war, loss, and displacement. His father was killed on a bridge over the Danube during a death march from Mauthausen concentration camp. After fleeing communist Hungary, Peter’s family returned to Germany and eventually immigrated to the United States when he was just 13.
Drawing from his memoir, The Shoe in the Danube: The immigrant experience of a holocaust survivor, Peter shares his journey of understanding his origins and navigating the cultural divide between his German upbringing and his American academic and professional life. This heartfelt conversation honors the strength of refugees, survivors, and those who dare to begin again.
Open to the Community.
A catered lunch from the Healthy Café will be served immediately following the discussion. Registration closes on November 2.
Cost: $10.24 JCC Members/NNORC Residents or $12.28 Guests.
BINGO with Albany NNORC
Monday, November 12, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and win some fantastic prizes. Light refreshments and snacks.
Community Day Trip to Radio City Music Hall & Bryant Park Winter Village
Sunday, November 16, 2025 from 7:00 am to 9:30 pm
This trip to open to everyone ages 5 years and up.
- Each registration includes round-trip transportation on a climate-controlled chartered bus and one (1) Orchestra Section ticket to the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at 2:00 PM
- Drop-off and pick-up will be at Bryant Park.
- Radio City Music Hall is approximately a 6–8 block walk from Bryant Park.
- The show runs 90 minutes with no intermission..
- You'll have time before and after the performance to explore nearby attractions such as: Bryant Park Winter Village, Rockefeller Center and Times Square
- No refunds will be issued.
- Please check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Painting A Simple Landscape of Pinetrees in Soft Pastels
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
In this new 2 1/2 hrs class students will create a pastel painting by using various techniques. Color Theory and composition will be discussed while students watch a quick demonstration. By the end of class students will have created a lovely Pinetree Landscape.
Materials Needed:
- U-Art Pastel Paper 400 or 600
- Soft Pastels (Nu-Pastels, Rembrandt, Paul Rueben, Sennilier, are nice)
- Charcoal Pencil and Kneaded Eraser
- Smudger/blender (tortillion) and old rag
Healthy Cooking Demo & Tasting
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
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
Aging Mastery
Monday, September 29 - December 8, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
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.
Healthy Bones for Life Exercise & Education Program
Wednesdays, October 8 to December 17, 2025 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.
Albany JCC Community Chorus
Wednesdays,October 15 to December 17, 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.
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.
Low Enrollment
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.
Refunds
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