New Beginnings Program Descriptions & Schedule

In-Person Program Schedule

Online Program Schedule

New & Noteworthy

Friday, March 1st, at 10:00 AM

Nutrition Lecture: Plate It Up! Your Guide To Creating Healthy and Balanced Meals

Participants will explore the components of a balanced plate, from grains to dairy, learning about nutritional benefits and portion sizes. Get practical tips to create a balanced plate, balancing macronutrients and micronutrients, and discovering the benefits of maintaining this balance to support overall health. Presented by Samantha Podob, MS, RD, CDN.

 

Mondays, starting March 4th, at 9:30 AM

NEW WEEKLY CLASS – Conversational Spanish for Beginners 

Join Volunteer Rhonda Gura-Stock for a fun and interactive language learning experience! Open to members with NO previous knowledge of the Spanish language required. Just a desire to learn and converse in the language. ¡Hasta pronto!

 

Thursday, March 7th, at 1:00 PM

Pre-Purim Celebration     

 A Pre-Purim Celebration with a performance of a one-hour celebration/ Coffee House Concert by “The East Side Quartet” Featuring Guitar/Vocals, Accordion, Clarinet/Sax and Bass. The East Side Quartet will be playing upbeat music that favors the Purim Holiday. The entertainment will start at 1:00 PM. Sponsored by Selfhelp Community Services. 

 

Monday, March 11th, at 10:30 AM

Lecture: Housing, Disability and Human Rights

The NYC Commission on Human Rights empowers New Yorkers to understand their rights and obligations under the NYC Human Rights Law. The Commission enforces the NYC Human Rights Law and helps communities in the five boroughs report discrimination to the City. Associate Human Rights Specialist, Samelys Lopez, will provide an overview of the NYC Human Rights Law with a special focus on housing and disability rights in New York City for seniors.  

 

Tuesdays, March 12th and 26th, at 9:00 AM

Chair Aerobics with Stuart 

 

Thursday, March 14th, at 1:00 PM

Bardekova Ensemble-Music

Ellen Bardekoff on oboe; Adam Ray on flute; Akari Yamamoto on clarinet; Yuki Higashi on bassoon and Sigrun Kahl on French Horn. This popular and versatile woodwind non-profit ensemble’s mission is to make all kinds of music accessible to as many of us as possible. Music will include selections from Bach, Beethoven, Miles Davis, John Williams and Celia Cruz. 

 

Thursday, March 14, 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM, and Monday, March 18, 12:45 – 1:45 PM 

 Placement Auditions: One Singular Sensation, A Homage to the Beloved Musical A Chorus Line

 Featuring members of New Beginnings and other local older adults, our Broadway Showcase production this year is a representation of music & dance from the hit musical A CHORUS LINE. Rehearsals will be held twice a week: Mondays and Thursdays from 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM.Those who wish to participate should attend both days of auditions so that Laurie can assign your part.   A separate placement audition will be held on March 21 for dancers.    For more information please reach out to Director of Performing Arts, Laurie Walton by email at lwalton@riverdaley.org or phone at 718-548-8200, ext. 218.   The show will be on Sunday, June 23, 2024.

 

Friday, March 15th, at 10:30 AM

Shopping Trip to Ridge Hill Mall

Join us for a shopping trip to Ridge Hill Mall. The van leaves the Y at 10:30 am and returns at 2:30 pm. The $10 fee includes round-trip transportation and a bagged lunch. Sign up with Grethel by Wednesday, March 13th, 2024. Please arrive at the Center 15 minutes prior to departure. 

 

Monday, March 18th, at 9:30 AM

Trip to The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale

Join Rabbi Scott Kalmikoff as we visit the local synagogue, the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, to learn about synagogues and to come into contact with religious artifacts. Trip participants will be able to see, up close, the Torah scrolls and learn about how they are made. Sign up with Grethel by Thursday, March 14th, 2024. We will leave the center at 9:30am and be back at the center in time for lunch. Please arrive at the Center 15 minutes prior to departure. There is a suggested contribution of $5.00 to cover the cost of roundtrip transportation.  

 

Monday, March 18th, at 10:00 AM

Lecture: Tribute to Old Hollywood: Classic Movies

Join us as facilitator Ron Mack brings the classics back to life. An actor, screenwriter, radio show host and historian, Ron has hosted his own show, CLASSIC MOVIES WITH RON, on national TV since 2013. He is an expert in all genres of old Hollywood films from the 1930’s through the 1960’s and loves sharing his knowledge with other movie fans & buffs.

 

Tuesday, March 19th, at 11:30 AM 

March Birthday Party!  Entertainment at 1:15 PM

Enjoy a special lunch and stay for entertainment by Manny. Tickets are a suggested contribution of $3.50 in advance or $4.50 the day of the event.  Please be sure to purchase yours early to secure a seat. Our entertainer Manny comes from the original NYC Latin Music scene and is the band leader of a fabulous Latin 10-piece Band: Boogoloo Crew. Growing up as a Latino from NYC a few blocks from the Apollo Theater, Manny was exposed to and interested in the smooth and upbeat rhythms that were popular at that time. Manny’s experiences reflect the Latin, Soul and Groove music that captivated New York during the 60’s & 70’s in the performances he gives today.

 

Wednesday, March 20th, at 1:00 PM

Bereavement Support Group with Carmen

Join a monthly support group of up to 12 individuals who have recently experienced a loss. Please contact Carmen for more information or if you need to talk privately about a recent loss. (Carmen Lopez, LMSW, clopez@riverdaley.org, 347-913-4391)

 

Thursday, March 21, from 12:45 PM-1:45 PM

Dance Placement Auditions: One Singular Sensation, A Homage to the Beloved Musical A Chorus Line

If you are interested in joining the dance group for our Broadway Showcase Performance, please come and try out.  The only criteria for being in the show is you must love to dance.  Director of Performing Arts, Laurie Walton will teach you the routine during this initial session.

 

 

Thursday, March 21st, at 10:30 AM

Trip to The Louis Armstrong House Museum

FULL. WAITING LIST ONLY. On this trip to the Louis Armstrong House Museum we will witness the cultural, historical, and humanitarian legacy of Louis Armstrong through the preservation and interpreting of his home and grounds, collection and archived materials that document his life and legacy. The van will leave at 10am.  Please be at the center no later than 9:45am. Limited to 10 spots. The fee is $23.00, which includes the museum ticket, round-trip transportation and a bagged lunch.

 

Wednesday, March 27th, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Mobile Food Pantry 

Pick up food from The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty’s Mobile Food Pantry.  To register, please contact Shira Silverman at (718) 548-8200 ext 250 or via email at ssilverman@riverdaley.org You will be asked to sign an attestation for income eligibility each time you pick up food from the pantry. If you’re already registered, you can simply show up.  

 

 

March’s  Friday Flicks – Fridays at 12:45 PM

March 1st: Charming the Hearts of Men (2021) In the early 60s, a sophisticated woman returns to her southern home town and finds her options are limited. With the help of a Congressional ally, she inspires historic legislation which allows opportunities never before afforded to women. 1h 47 min.

 

March 8th: Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) Recently divorced, Frances Mayes is desperate to turn her life around. On a trip to Italy, she impulsively purchases a rural Tuscan villa and moves in to a town full of colorful local characters, hoping the change of scenery will change her life. 1h 52 min

 

March 15th: Peace by Chocolate (2022) After the bombing of his father’s chocolate factory, a charming young Syrian refugee struggles to settle into his new Canadian small-town life, caught between following his dream to become a doctor and preserving his family’s chocolate-making legacy. Based on the incredible internationally recognized true story. 1h 37 min.

 

March 22nd: The Lost City (2022) After being kidnapped by a villainous treasure hunter, a successful romance novelist is forced to team up with her cover model as they are swept into a cutthroat jungle adventure that proves stranger than fiction. 1h 51 min

 

March 29th: Midnight in Paris (2011) A romantic comedy about a family traveling to the French capital for business. The party includes a young engaged couple forced to confront the illusion that a life different from their own is better. 1h 34 min


 

Looking Ahead

Wednesdays, starting April 17th, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Memoir-Writing Workshop (H)

Have you ever wanted to write a memoir but didn’t know where to start? In this workshop writer and educator, Frank Ingrasciotta, will guide you on how to bring your life stories to the page. Documenting our stories also gives our loved ones a remembrance and understanding of our roots.  In this ten-session memoir writing class, we will examine various aspects of storytelling. Through the ease of using writing exercises, we will explore the tools of your personal expression that will bring your writing to life.  This class will be Hybrid with members joining both in person and by Zoom. To register please contact Grethel at gsamuel@riverdaley.org or at 347-913-4395.


 

Class Announcements

 

 

  1. Karaoke has been moved to Fridays at 1 pm, until Friday, June 21st, 2024. 

  2. Stay Well Exercise will go from 5 Days a week to two days a week, hybrid Monday and Friday from 9:00 am – 9:45 am.

  3. Our Monthly Book Club is FULL. To join the waiting list, email group leader Adele Schwartz at AdeleSchwartz@optonline.net.

  4. Watercolor Painting with Dmitiry is FULL.

  5. Silver Shoes Dance Club with Daniela is FULL.

  6. Daniel Hauben will not be on site to teach his Painting Class in person on Tuesday, March 19th and Tuesday, March 26th, but we will facilitate his Art Exploration through Zoom from 10:30 am – 11:30 am. The Art Room will be open for open painting.
  7. Our Passover Seder will be held on Wednesday, April 17th, at 11:30 am and facilitated by Rabbi Scott. Tickets will be on sale the first of the month.

 

 

Wednesdays at 9:00 AM

Tech Class with Trinity 

Bring your mobile device and hone your tech skills. Topics are:  

 

February 28: Alarm, Timer and World Clock.

March 6th: Siri & Google Assistant – Learn how to use voice assistants Siri or Google assistant to simplify everyday tasks.

March 13th: Zoom Basics – Learn how to use zoom to participate in video classes and to stay connected with friends and family. Learn how to join a meeting, mute, unmute and turn on and off your video. Learn how to use the chat feature.

                         

March 20th: Amazon – How to shop effectively on Amazon.

March 27th: WhatsApp – Learn how to use the Whatsapp instant messaging app.

Program Descriptions

 

Stay Well Exercise  

An exercise program that accommodates participants of all fitness levels, Stay Well enhances balance, builds muscle strength and aids in the performance of tasks associated with daily living.

 

Manicures (on hiatus)

Get a shape and a colorful shine from our dedicated volunteers.  Sign up at the Welcome Desk on the second floor across from the elevator or with Gladys. 

 

Chess Clinic 

Join Joel Perlmutter to learn how to play chess or find a partner. All levels welcome and no experience necessary.

 

Meditation 

Find inner peace and clarity through meditation! Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to the practice, our meditation classes offer something for everyone. Join us to learn different forms of meditation, practice mindfulness, and find relaxation in the present moment. Discover the transformative power of meditation for yourself!

 

Tech Lab with Jerry 

For one-on-one assistance with your tech concerns, register at the Welcome Desk on the second floor across from the elevator or contact Gladys at ext 223 or grodriguez@riverdaley.org

 

Art Explorations with Daniel Hauben   

Renowned Bronx Artist Daniel Hauben shares insights into the works of well known artists.   Join him as he explores the evolution of the great artists from their early works onward.  Learn more about artistic periods and the history surrounding them, what influenced these great artists, and how they influenced the world.

 

Brain Games and Charades with Marv

Join Marv Goodman for word and picture puzzles, trivia and nostalgic quizzes and games.  We’ll play Charades the second half of each session.

 

Knitting with Barbara

Join Knitter Extraordinaire Barbara Goodman to make your first scarf or work out a complicated new sweater pattern. All levels welcome and no experience necessary.

 

Chair Aerobics with Stuart 

Stuart Haden, a Certified Senior Fitness Instructor, teaches one-hour cardio and flexibility workouts that can be performed seated or with the support of a chair.

 

Technology Class with Trinity   

Bring your mobile device and hone your tech skills. 

 

Water Aerobics/Open Swim

Advance registration NO LONGER required weekly for Open Swim and Water Aerobics. Pool capacity continues to be limited to 25 persons. 

 

Conversational Spanish for Advanced Beginners with Rhonda

Open to members with a basic understanding of the language, this class is the perfect opportunity to build upon your foundation and become fluent in no time. ¡Hasta pronto!

 

Functional Movement with Terry

Join Terry Roche in her popular functional training fitness class. Terry is a personal trainer and holds multiple certifications.

 

Chair Yoga with Anthony (Hybrid) 

This class can be performed seated or with the support of a chair, making it accessible for all fitness levels. Come discover the power of yoga to enhance your strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. Anthony Purdy is a certified yoga instructor as well as an award winning classical guitarist, teacher and poet.

 

Group Chat with Carmen

Open to all members, we’ll discuss issues that are important to you and your peers. Facilitated by Carmen Lopez, our Social Worker.

 

Book Club (Hybrid – Waiting List Only)

If you want to join the Waiting List, email group leader AdeleSchwartz@optonline.net

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