Albany JCC Community Chorus
Wednesdays, January 8 to March 26, 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 per quarter for Program Guests.
Walk with Ease with Albany NNORC
Monday, January 27 to Friday, March 7, 2025 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am
**Please note: this program meets three times a week on Monday, Tuesday and Friday mornings**
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
Cost: $20 JCC Members and NNORC Residents/ $80 Program Guests. Includes Walk with Ease Book (value $12).
Senior Planet: Virtual Museum Tours
Monday, January 27, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Tour world famous museums from the comfort of your home! Did you know many of the world's leading museums have been making their collections and exhibits available to view virtually? In this lecture we'll explore some of these virtual galleries, as well as digital tools that help bring art, architecture, and history to life!
National DPP Lifestyle Change Program
Mondays, Starting January 27, 2025 from 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm (Virtual)
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.
Senior Planet: Hosting on Zoom
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm
Thinking about hosting your own Zoom meeting? In this introductory lecture, we'll go over what you need to start your first meeting, as well as some hosting tips to make it a success. You'll also learn about special features for hosts, including ways Zoom keeps your meetings secure. After this overview lecture, you'll be ready for our handson workshops "Getting Started with Zoom" and "Hosting a Zoom Meeting," which include step-by-step instructions.
Drumming Circle with Albany NNORC
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from 11:00 am to 11:55 am
Let's drum up some fun together! No experience necessary and all materials and drums provided. Just bring your smiling face and we will laugh and drum together. Cost: $10 JCC Members and Albany NNORC / $12.50 Program Guests
Painting a Simple Sunset in Soft Pastels
Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
In this 2 1/2-hour class students are introduced to the world of soft pastels. They will learn the important skills and techniques such as composition, color theory and underpaintings to create a painting that is vivid and has depth. By the end of class, students will have created a simple sunset with soft pastels.
Materials needed: Soft Pastels 24 -36 set, U-Art Pastel Paper- 400 or 500 grit paper, Kneaded Eraser, Wipes, Rag, Stump/Blender, Drawing Board
Cost: $24 JCC Members/$26 Program Guests plus materials.
The Basement Bar Mitzvah Book Discussion, Signing and Q&A with Editor J. Thalia Cunningham
Monday, February 3, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Dr. J. Thalia Cunningham will share stories from her father, Barry Farnol's, long-forgotten works that were recently published in The Basement Bar Mitzvah. Read a interview by Times Union contributor Paul Grondahl here.
Cost: Free. This event is a part of the Albany JCC’s Eye on the World series and is generously sponsored by Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, LLC.
Books may be purchased at the event for $18 cash only.
Check it! Challenge
Starts Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 12:00 pm
We're launching Heart Month with the exciting Check It! Challenge. Stop by the JCC and learn how to check your blood pressure with Susan Riback, RN!
Then continue the challenge to lower your blood pressure over the next 4 months. Throughout the challenge, you'll receive:
- Tips to control your blood pressure, eat smart and reduce sodium, move more & mental health and well-being
- Reminders to check and record your blood pressure reading at least twice each month until the end of the four-month challenge
- Free
Drumming Circle with Albany NNORC
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 from 11:00 am to 11:55 am
Let's drum up some fun together! No experience necessary and all materials and drums provided. Just bring your smiling face and we will laugh and drum together. Cost: $10 JCC Members and Albany NNORC / $12.50 Program Guests
Candle Making Workshop with Little Norwegian Candle Co
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Discover the art of candle making in this hands-on workshop, where you’ll craft your own custom-scented candle using all natural soy wax and your choice of fragrance oil. Perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike, this creative experience combines fun, while teaching you the basics of blending fragrances and designing unique candles. Cost: $40 JCC Members/$45 Program Guests. Limited to 20 participants.
BINGO with Albany NNORC
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 from 11:00 am to 11:55 am
Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and win some fantastic prizes. Free for adults 60 years and over.
Painting A Rose With Colored Pencils
Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
In this 2 ½ hour class, students will learn how to use watercolor pencils, which are made with water soluble pigments. We will become familiar with various techniques of this specialized medium, and practice using them on hot pressed paper. By the end of class students will have created a beautiful rose.
Materials needed: 24-36ct. set of Watercolor Pencils, Hot Pressed 140lb Watercolor Paper, Watercolor Brushes - Round - Sizes 6, 3, and 1, Water Container, A clean rag or paper towels
Cost: $24 JCC Members/$26 Program Guests plus materials.
Enhancing your Watercolor Paintings with Pen and Ink
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
In this class students will learn how to sketch and paint a simple nature-themed watercolor. They will then use pen and ink techniques that will enhance their beautiful paintings.
Materials needed: Cold Pressed Watercolor Paper, A 12 pc set of Tube Watercolors, OR A set of Pan Watercolors, Sakura Micron Archival Ink Pen - .01, Round Brushes – Size 8, 6, 4 and 1, Container, Paper Towels
Cost: $24 JCC Members/$26 Program Guests plus materials.
Botanical Drawing with Colored Pencils- Spring Daffodils
Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
In this 2 ½ hour class students will practice the process of Botanical Drawing, which begins with simple geometric shapes. We will begin our forms by using the “Grisaille Technique”, which is 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 lovely spring Daffodil.
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, Colored Pencils: 24-36 Count (Faber- Castell , Prismacolor or Caran D Ache), Smooth Bristol Paper - 9X12 ( Strathmore or Canson are best).
Cost: $24 JCC Members/$26 Program Guests plus materials.
Introduction to Oil Pastels
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Soft oil pastels are small sticks of paint made of pigment mixed with non-drying oil and wax binder. In this 2 1/2-hour students will be introduced to soft oil pastels and become familiar with and practice the different techniques using this specialized medium. By the end of class students will have created a simple sunset landscape.
Cost: $24 JCC Members/$26 Program Guests plus materials.
Materials needed: 12 Assorted Colors Set of MUNYGO Soft Oil Pastels (Please No Cray-Pas Oils! Sennelier Soft Oil Pastels, Caran D'Ache Neo Pastel and Paul Rubens Soft Oil Pastels are also acceptable), Blending Stubs, Tissues, Paper (Arches Oil Cold Pressed 140lb, Sennelier Oil Pastel Pad OR Arches Watercolor Paper 140lb are all great for oil pastels)
Stitch & Schmooze
Tuesdays, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Get together and schmooze while you knit or crochet. Don’t know how to knit or crochet? No worries, Marsha Schneider will be on hand to offer you a chance to learn a new skill.
No registration required.
Healthy Bones for Life Exercise & Education Program
Wednesdays, January 8 to March 26, 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 per quarter for Program Guests
Sold out!
Mah Jongg Lessons
Fridays, January 10 to February 21, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Learn how to play American Mah Jongg, a fascinating, rummy-like game played with tiles rather than cards. Over seven weeks, 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 for JCC Members or $36 for Program Guests.
Healthy Cooking Demo & Tasting
Check back for the 2025 dates!
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
Aging Mastery
Aging Mastery is offered in the fall and spring. Check back for 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.
Any Media Art Group
TBA
Meet in an informal setting to discuss and work on your art. Limited to 10 artists per session.
Purchase a 10-session punch card. The punch card expires one-year after purchase and is non-refundable.
Check back soon!
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