New Beginnings Program Descriptions & Schedule

 

Note: There will be no Meditation for the month of May. The Meditation Group will resume on Monday, June 3rd.

 

Wednesday, May 1st, at 10:00 AM

Trip: Holocaust Remembrance Event at the Bronx High School of Science

Registered participants should arrive by 9:45 AM for a 10:00 AM departure. Long-time New Beginnings Member and Holocaust Survivor, Sonja Geismar, will speak about What Happened to the Passengers on the MS St. Louis.  Mrs. Geismar was a passenger on the ill-fated ship that returned to Europe after unsuccessfully seeking ports of entry in Cuba, the United States, and Canada.  Following the talk, guests will be invited to a student-led tour of the Stuart S. Elenko Holocaust Museum. This museum, housed in the Bronx Science Library, is the nation’s second oldest major collection of Holocaust artifacts.   

 

Friday, May 3rd, at 10:00 AM

Nutrition Lecture – Active Aging: Embracing Movement for a Healthier Tomorrow

In this workshop, participants will discover the many benefits of staying active as you age. Learn practical tips and guidelines to help you incorporate exercise into your daily life effortlessly. Join us to boost your health, independence and overall well-being with simple, effective strategies. Presented by Samantha Podob, MS, RD, CDN.

 

 

Sunday, May 5th, OPEN SUNDAY

Since we are required to open 249 days a year, we occasionally open on Sundays.  This day is a snow make-up day and is just like other days.

New Members’ Brunch at 9:30 AM

By Invitation Only for persons who have joined the Center within the past six months.  

Lunch begins at 11:30 am, followed by the movie “Oppenheimer” at 12:45 pm. We purchased a copy of the movie to ensure availability!

 

 

Tuesdays, May 7th and 21st, at 9:00 AM

Chair Aerobics with Stuart 

 

 

Thursday, May 9th, at 1:00 PM

Trip to Hispanic Society Museum and Library (for Conversational Spanish Language Students only)

 

 

Monday, May 13th, at 10:30 AM

Lecture – Day-O: A Profile of Harry Belafonte

Lecturer and historian Philip P. presents a profile of Harry Belafonte, the iconic singer, actor and civil rights activist.

 

Tuesday, May 14th, at 11:30 AM 

Happy May Birthday!  Entertainment at 1:15 PM

Enjoy a special lunch and stay for entertainment by Judah Goldman. 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. Judah is a classically trained cellist with a passion for folk music and jazz.

 

Wednesday, May 15th, at 1:00 PM

Bereavement Support Group Drop-In with Lucy Hoffman

Join a small, intimate group of individuals who have recently experienced a loss for our monthly group. We provide a safe atmosphere where people can do the kind of sharing and listening needed in order to heal. Please contact Lucy Hoffman for more information or to make sure that this group is appropriate for you or if you need to talk privately about a recent loss. (Lucy Hoffman, LMSW, lhoffman@riverdaley.org, (718) 548-8200 Ext: 352)

 

 

Thursday, May 16th, at 10:00 AM

City Hall Advocacy Day

New Beginnings Members are invited to join the City Hall Advocacy Day to amplify the needs of older New Yorkers. Please sign up with Center Director Sharon Asherman before Monday, May 13th, 2024.

 

 

Thursday, May 16th, at 10:30 AM

New York State Citizen Preparedness with the Army National Guard and Air National Guard

With severe weather events becoming more frequent and more extreme, it is more important than ever that New Yorkers are prepared for disasters. The NY Citizen Preparedness Training Program teaches residents to have the tools and resources to prepare for any type of disaster, respond accordingly and recover as quickly as possible to pre-disaster conditions. Participants will be advised on how to properly prepare for any disaster, including developing a family emergency plan and stocking up on emergency supplies.

 

 

Sunday, May 19, 2024 from 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Riverdale Y Fun Run/Walk

Join our New Beginnings Team for the Annual Riverdale Fun Run/Walk!  The New Beginnings Team Members will walk 1K to support the Y and join the  post-race Fun Day celebration.   The race will start at 8:00 AM in front of the Riverdale Y.  Plan on arriving by 7:30 AM. The fee is $25. Register at https://riverdaley.org/runandfun/  Be sure to join the New Beginnings Team led by Sharon and Grethel. 

 

Tuesday, May 21st, 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM

General Membership Meeting

Riverdale Y Chief Financial Officer, Esther Cohen, will join us with a powerpoint presentation on how the Y’s finances work and the role of the Older Adult Center in our agency’s budget. Other agenda items include upcoming Advisory Council elections, programs, food and more. There will be plenty of time for questions. Refreshments will be served.  

 

Wednesday, May 22nd, 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.  

 

Wednesday, May 22nd, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Jewelry Sale with Loyda

Have jewelry that you no longer use and don’t know what to do with? Donate it to New Beginnings and it will be transformed into new programming! We are collecting jewelry from members to sell at our upcoming fundraising event. The proceeds from this sale will support classes, events and trips that are not covered by NYC Aging. Please bring your donations to Loyda Camacho at the Meal Desk before Monday, May 20th, 2024.

 

 

Thursday, May 23rd, at 1:00 PM

SelfHelp Entertainment

Join us after lunch for entertainment sponsored by SelfHelp Community Services. Musicians to be announced.

 

 

Thursday, May 23rd, at 10:00 AM

Shopping Trip to Trader Joe’s, H-Mart and Marshalls in Hartsdale

The van leaves the Y at 10:00 am and returns at 1:30 pm. Browse and shop where you want. $12 includes round-trip transportation and lunch at the Y after the trip. Sign up with Grethel by Monday, May 20th, 2024. Please arrive at the Center 15 minutes prior to departure. 

 

 

Tuesday, May 28th, at 10:00 AM

Financial Workshop with OceanFirst Bank

Join us in this lecture, facilitated by OceanFirst Bank, on how to protect against elder financial exploitation and abuse. Elder financial exploitation is the wrongful or unauthorized use of the assets, funds, or property of elderly individuals, and has become the most prevalent forms of elder abuse. OceanFirst Bank will teach our members how to recognize the signs and what to do if you find yourself in this situation.

 

 

Tuesday, May 28th, at 11:30 AM

UJA Donor Dedication

Our dining room renovations are finally complete and we will be celebrating with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony before lunch. Let’s come together to commemorate the transformation of our space. Save the date and be part of this memorable celebration with UJA leadership, Y staff, and the donors who made it all possible. 

 

 

Wednesday, May 29th – Thursday, May 30th

New Beginnings – Sponsored Atlantic City Overnight Trip – FULL 

 

 

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

May 3rd:  Front of the Class (2008)  Based on the true story of Brad Cohen who, challenged by Tourette’s Syndrome, defies the odds and becomes a gifted teacher.

 

May 10th:  Loving Leah (2009)  When Leah’s husband dies suddenly, his brother is stunned to learn that he is expected to marry Leah and carry on in his brother’s name.

 

May 17th:  The Wedding Date (2005)  A young woman hires a male escort to be her date at her sister’s wedding, and trouble ensues.

 

May 24th: Aloha (2015) A celebrated military contractor returns to the site of his greatest career triumph and reconnects with a lost love while unexpectedly falling for the hard-charging Air Force watchdog assigned to him.

 

May 31st: Beyond the Blackboard (2011) A young teacher overcomes her initial fears and prejudices to make a difference in the lives of the homeless children she teaches in a shelter’s makeshift classroom.

 

 

---

 Looking Ahead

 

Riverdale Neighborhood House Senior Splash 

Friday, June 7th from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Riverdale Neighborhood Houses is hosting our annual event for older adults. Join other neighborhood older adult programs for lunch, music and a dip in our pool.  Roundtrip transportation available from the Y. Limited space is available (30 spots). A $5 required deposit will be refunded on the day of the event. 

 

Sunday, June 23rd, at 4:00 PM

Broadway Showcase:  One Singular Sensation

Please join us for our third annual New Beginnings Broadway Showcase; a tribute to the beloved musical, “A Chorus Line,” which we are calling “One Singular Sensation.” All 29 actors in the cast are 60+ years old and members of New Beginnings. They will be singing, dancing and recounting the stories of the dancers who first assembled in the 1970s to share why they loved being in Broadway shows. All are sure to wow you with their talents!  This program is funded by NYC Discretionary Dollars through the office of City Councilmember Eric Dinowitz.  Tickets are a suggested contribution of $12.00 for adults age 60+;  $15 for everyone else.  Tickets will go on sale on May 15, 2024.   All ticket sales will be on-line.  If you are not computer savvy, we’ll help you with your purchase.   

 

---

 Class Announcements

 

 Friday’s Y-sponsored Shabbat with Rabbi Scott will end on May 24th and resume on September 6th. Beginners’ Hebrew with Rabbi Scott will end on May 30th and resume for a new session on September 5th.

No Meditation Groups in May. Meditation returns June 3.

 

 

Mondays at 9:30 AM

Conversational Spanish for Beginners 

 

 

Mondays at 10:45 AM 

Open Chat with Karl (No group on May 20)

 

 

Wednesdays at 9:00 AM

Tech Class with Trinity 

Bring your mobile device and hone your tech skills.

May 1: OMNI

May 8: Zoom Part 2

May 15: Lost iPhone Feature

May 22: WhatsApp

May 29: Gifs

 

Wednesdays at 10:00 AM

Memoir-Writing Workshop (Hybrid – FULL)                               

 

 

Monthly Blood Pressure Check

Center Member Leona Konyn, RN,  will check blood pressure the second Thursday of each month. From 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM.