Senior Center

Senior Center Programming in Covid Times

Class Descriptions – Upcoming

Thursday, March 4, 11, 18, 25 at 2:30 pm

Women’s Discussion Group
Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/98697534972?pwd=bFJqUCtFc3lwZUlDSHkxM09QUXBUUT09. Phone #: (646) 876-9923. Meeting ID: 98697534972. Passcode: 161359.

Facilitated by Senior Center Director & Licensed Social Worker, Sharon Asherman.  All are welcome.

Thursday, March 4; Tuesday, March 9; and Wednesday, March 10 at 5:00 pm

City Council Candidate Forums: Addressing Issues Critical to Older Adults
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89683563937?pwd=MGw5TDlreHJ2RlZ2ZW5KMTVzTnBtUT09. Phone #: (646) 876-9923. Meeting ID: 89683563937. Passcode: senior.

Join the Y and Riverdale Senior Services for virtual forums with candidates running for interim City Council Member in District 11: Eric Dinowitz, Jessica Haller, Dan Padernacht, and Mino Lora. On their assigned day/time, each candidate will be given an opportunity to share his or her views followed by a Q&A. The election is March 23, 2021.  Early voting at the Y starts on March 13, 2021.

Friday, March 5 at 10:00 am

Postural Therapy Movement Class
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87493308810?pwd=ZjVPSDRQdWdLOElEcFBleDVFOFJFQT09. Phone #: (646) 558-8656. Meeting ID: 87493308810. Passcode: 691483.

Gain insight as to why you have your normal aches and pains.  Leave with the tools, postural stretches and exercises, to stand or sit up straight, walk with efficiency and balance, and breathe more naturally and optimally.  Presented by Joey Zimet, EdM, Postural Therapist with a private practice in NYC.

Monday, March 8 at 2:30 pm

History Lecture & Slides: Jewish Life In Morocco
Link: https://ccny.zoom.us/j/81859503785?pwd=MzUrcEdRTHdOT0JZQXlUY1dhNkVOdz09. Phone #: (646) 558-8656. Meeting ID: 81859503785. Passcode: 965527.

Want to go on a fun trip, deep into daily Moroccan Jewish Life?

Explore intimately the Jewish home, the Synagogue, the mysterious power of baraka, how to bargain Moroccan style, how to cross the street in Marrakech, privacy Moroccan style, how not to go on a date in Casablanca and a lot more. Presented by Roy Mittelman, Director of the Jewish Studies Program at the City College of New York.

Tuesday, March 9 at 1:30 pm

Interactive Discussion: Our Leaders Set the Tone As Well as the Laws
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84493223295. Phone #: (646) 558-8656. Meeting ID: 84493223295.

With Rabbi Tamar Crystal, Senior Chaplain, Seniors Services. New York Board of Rabbis.

Tuesday, March 9 at 3:00 pm

Virtual Tour: Belmont, The Bronx: Little Italy in the Bronx
Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/93788002060. Phone #: (646) 876-9923. Meeting ID: 93788002060.

Learn the history of the Lorillards who gave the neighborhood its name.

We will also explore the history of Fordham University, the NY  Botanical Gardens and The Bronx Zoo and learn about Bronx resident Edgar Allen Poe.  Presented by Susan Birnbaum, NYC Licensed Tour Guide & native New Yorker.

Thursday, March 4, 11, 18, 25 at 10:00 am

Coffee & Conversation 
Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/95596964434. Phone #: (646) 876-9923. Meeting ID: 95596964434.

Start your Thursday by connecting with Center members. Bring your coffee or tea.  A Senior Center staff member will help get the conversation started.

Friday, March 12 at 12:30 pm

Music & Art Appreciation
Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/98937250693. Phone #: (646) 876-9923. Meeting ID: 98937250693.

Light in the Netherlands: Vermeer’s light-filled paintings are paired with uplifting music of his time. With Gina Crusco, Music Educator.

Monday, March 15 at 2:00 pm

Chair Yoga for Bone Health
Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/94780116076. Phone #: (646) 876-9923. Meeting ID: 94780116076.

Focus on strength, flexibility and balance on and off your chair. Specifically designed for anyone who has osteopenia, osteoporosis or osteoarthritis.  Benefits include leg and hip strength and bone strength overall. Please bring a chair and light weights, soup cans or water bottles to this one-time class. With Laura Fisher, Y’s Fitness Instructor.

Tuesday, March 16 at 2:00 pm

Health Talk: How To Sleep Better
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83695131400?pwd=Q3I1bnFQL2I2ZEZnWEw4UjlmMTNiZz09. Phone #: (929) 205-6099. Meeting ID: 83695131400. Passcode: 435576.

Discover the lifestyle changes that can help you get a better night’s sleep.  Lack of restful sleep can impact the long-term health of your brain and body.  Presented by Roy Capps, Caregiver Education Specialist,CARE NYC.

Wednesday, March 17 at 2:30 pm

Solo Play Reading: The Misery Cafe
Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/98503751245. Phone #: (646) 876-9923. Meeting ID: 98503751245.

Not miserable, but just a touch of misery to start your day. Complaining brings all New Yorkers together.  Should  make you laugh a lot.  Presented by Kenneth Solway, Playwright.

Monday, March 22 at 2:00 pm

Latin Dance Lesson
Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/97267334429. Phone #: (646) 876-9923. Meeting ID: 97267334429.

Join this fun and dynamic dance class.  We’ll warm up to music from the 70’s and 80’s and then add in latin rhythms for the lesson.  Learn the basic steps of Salsa, Merengue and more.  Hear about the cultural history that is embedded in each dance.  Very enjoyable and easy to learn.  Presented by Walter Perez, Founder & Director of Friends of Argentine Tango, a New York based non-profit organization.

Tuesday, March 23 at 2:00 pm

Art Talk & Slides: What To Look For When You Look at Art
Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/95143375446. Phone #: (646) 876-9923. Meeting ID: 95143375446.

Learn the basic principles of how to approach, analyze and appreciate great works of art the way an artist would.  Discussion centers on viewing art as both a physical object and the expression of an idea, art in the context of its time, and the elements of composition.  Presented by Gene Wisniewski, Artist, Teacher, & Author.

Wednesday, March 24 at 2:30 pm

Lecture & Clips: William Shakespeare’s Merchant Of Venice
Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/92518113024. Phone #: (646) 876-9923. Meeting ID: 92518113024.

Shakespeare’s works are filled with immortal words and beautiful ideas, but they can be hard to understand and difficult to interpret.  Few of his works pose more difficulties than the Merchant of Venice. Debate goes on after more than 400 years whether it is an anti-Semitic work or a sunny comedy. Did Shakespeare mean to paint a sinister portrait of Shylock or did he secretly sympathize with him? These questions will be explored and interspersed with clips of an actual performance of the play.  Discussion follows the lecture.  Presented by William Stock, Retired Attorney, Riverdale Resident and Shakespeare lover.

Friday, March 26 at 12:30 pm

Virtual Tour of Israel
Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/2942100789?pwd=c1Qwd2VFR1RnRTlrcU42RzNvN0pFZz09. Phone #: (646) 876-9923. Meeting ID: 2942100789. Passcode: 12345

Join us as we take a virtual visit to the beautiful country of Israel. Learn about important places and the different landscapes and terrain. With Shani Aslan, Israeli Emissary of the Y.

Tuesday, March 30 at 2:30 pm

Photography & Talk
Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/99624493787. Phone #: (646) 876-9923. Meeting ID: 99624493787.

Adi Talwar, a Bronx-based photojournalist will share his work and the stories behind each photograph.  Plenty of time for discussion.

A regular contributor to City Limits and the Norwood News as well as major major publications like the New York Times, Adi is a 2020 BRIO (Bronx Recognizes Its Own) recipient.

Wednesday, March 31 at 2:30 pm

Conductorcise
Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/99534894128. Phone #: (646) 876-9923. Meeting ID: 99534894128. 

A light aerobics style class that blends conducting with a symphonic performance of beautiful & lively music. A workout for mind, body, and soul.  Led by Maestro David Dworkin who has led orchestras across the globe, & performed as a clarinetist with ensembles internationally.

Class Descriptions – Weekly Classes

Chair Yoga

Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/97659094728

Without leaving your seat you can take advantage of the many benefits of Chair Yoga.  It improves cardio and circulatory health, coordination & strength.  Designed for seniors struggling with limited mobility, balance issues or stubborn stiffness.

Chair Yoga reduces stress and pain & increases your muscle strength & tone.

With Pammi Anandani, Registered Yoga Teacher, Member of Yoga Alliance

Bliss Fit

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83345619446

This well-rounded exercise class utilizes yoga, dance, strength training and Qi gong exercises  to help enhance overall fitness and well-being.  Instructor:  Trinity Schmidt, Certified Yoga and Dance Instructor, Personal Trainer.

Discussion Group with Jacob Weiland

Link: https://zoom.us/j/106115254. Dial-In Number: 1 (646) 876-9923, Meeting ID: 106115254

Jacob’s discussions vary weekly. He often talks about spirituality, positive thinking and drawing on our innate strengths. This group is a chance to connect with other Senior Center members.

Writing Group

Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/99786962491?pwd=WHVEZ21tSW9KUUhmTzd3dUwxN0s5UT09

Participants write a story, at home, based on suggested prompts and then meet each week to share and discuss them.

JASA: Charla para la Pandemia

Link: meet.google.com/mfo-ntca-zwg. Dial-In Number: (413) 889-2224. PIN: ‪607346882#

With Deborah Lopez, LCSW.

JASA: What’s on Your Mind

Link: meet.google.com/qgm-oetr-vca. Dial-In Number: (512) 201-8118. PIN: ‪185418013#

With Christina Soddano, LCSW.

T’ai Chi

Link: https://riverdaley.zoom.us/j/99816486928

Explore T’ai Chi  and related Qi  gong movements. This practice has varied benefits. It encourages the flow of Qi (our internal energy) to nourish our health; improves balance and
leg strength; assists flexibility and gives us an opportunity to cultivate a calm, meditative state of mind and body. Instructor: Steve Shulman. Steve’s T’ai Chi training took place at the T’ai Chi Foundation and he teaches at the New York School of T’ai Chi Chuan. He has taught this class at the Y since 2011.