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Founded in 1946, Council Lifetime Learning (CLL) is the first and longest established cultural center for older adults in New York City. Many of our programs are designed and facilitated by CLL members and volunteers. CLL is the place to be for active New Yorkers who value life-long learning and broadening their social networks. CLL attracts the best and brightest teachers, volunteers and members to and provides a wide range of arts, humanities, cultural, educational and recreational programming. Research has proven that arts and culture offer a natural, joyous means of learning, sharing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through all stages of life. An average of 200 older adults come through our doors each week, and over the last year, approximately 500 active seniors have participated in a broad range of programs. See pictures from our CLL Classes here.
Click here to sign up for classes.
CLL programming is only open to members of NCJW NY.
Membership costs $72 per year. Become a member here.
For those in financial need, scholarships are available.
No classes will be held on Monday, 9/3, Monday 9/10, Tuesday 9/11, Tuesday 9/18 (early closing), Wednesday 9/19, Monday 9/24, Tuesday 9/25, Monday 10/1, Tuesday 10/2, Thursday 11/22, and Friday 11/23.
OPEN STUDIO
Mondays, 10AM to noon (Sept 17 to Dec 10); Thursdays, 1PM to 3PM (Sep. 6 to Dec 13) | $35
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Twice a week the art studio is open for individuals to come work independently on their artwork. For en-rolled art students, this time is included in the class fee. There is a small charge for individuals who wish to work during this time who are not enrolled in art classes.
BEADING
Mondays, 10AM to noon | Sept 17 to Dec 10 | $35 | Rena Rappaport
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This NEW offering will provide a welcoming environment to bead among friends. Some equipment will be provided, and students are encouraged to bring their own. Beaders can bring broken necklaces to fix, jewelry needing redesign or they can make new jewelry. Open to beginners!
CERAMICS
Mondays, 2:45PM to 4:45PM | Sept 17 to Dec 10 | $130 | David Hollingsworth | Materials included
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This offering is open to those with prior experience in hand-building and coil methods. All are invited to practice their craft independently alongside fellow ceramicists. Clay, glaze and access to the kiln are provided.
MIXED MEDIA COLLAGE
Tuesdays, 10AM to noon | Sept 4 to Dec 11 | $100 | Donna Levinstone | Materials included
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This class explores traditional collage, using paper and various found objects. Students are encouraged to explore printmaking techniques and a variety of drawing and painting materials. At the end of each class students hang their work on the wall and have a group discussion. This provides endless inspiration as each student expresses him or herself in unique ways. Students are also exposed to the work of professional collage artists and painters to learn about different styles and techniques throughout time.
STAINED GLASS
Tuesdays, 10AM to noon | Sept 4 to Dec 11 | $80 | Yvette Bendahan | Materials included
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Private, individualized instruction for all levels. Students learn how to cut the glass, assemble pieces according to a pattern or create something original in color, shape and form. The final accomplishment is a thing of beauty in color and design.
PAINTING IN ALL MEDIA
Wednesdays, 10AM to 1PM | Sept 5 to Dec 12 | $130 | Gene Wisniewski | Bring your own materials
Wednesdays, 2PM to 5PM | Sept 5 to Dec 12 | $130 | Gene Wisniewski | Bring your own materials
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Students will enjoy highly personalized instruction in drawing and painting in a fun, casual atmosphere. They will learn to express themselves and improve their technical skills in all media including charcoal, pencil, oil, acrylic, and watercolor. Students can work from photographs or develop their own abstract style.
WATERCOLOR
Thursdays, 10AM to noon | Sept 6 to Dec 13 | $80 | Al Bukszpan | Materials included
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This class covers watercolor tints, mixing colors and manipulations with a watercolor brush. Students will create still life and landscape pieces. Open to beginners and advanced students. Materials will be supplied.
WEAVING
Fridays, 10AM to noon | Sept 7 to Dec 14 | $150 | Jamie Boyle *New Instructor
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This weaving class is open to all levels. Beginning students, and those seeking a refresher, will learn the process of weaving on a four harness loom, from measuring the warp and dressing the loom to weaving basic cloth structures and simple tapestry techniques. Experienced weavers will have the opportunity to choose individualized projects to explore and develop.
PASTELS
Fridays, 10AM to 12:30PM | Sept 7 to Dec 14 | $135 | Donna Levinstone | Materials included
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The pastel class explores traditional and abstract pastel drawing. Students learn about the different types of pastel that are being used today, including soft pastel, hard pastel, oil pastel and even water soluble oil pastel. Participants work both from observation and imagination. Work includes pastels in a mixed media capacity combining them with other medium such as marker, watercolor and even collage. Students will have an opportunity to learn about pastel painting through looking at different artists throughout history. At the end of each class, they will also have an opportunity to look at each others work and share their process and thoughts.
FIGURE DRAWING
Fridays, 1PM to 3PM | Sept 7 to Dec 14 | $80 | Jon Rettich | Materials included
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Drawing from the nude is one of the classic pillars of fine art. It offers exciting insights into how to see and experience the ways the figure can be used in art and what intrigued the artists whose work is in galleries and museums. The instructor offers brief but individualized instruction to help people enjoy this class and build on what they have.
ZUMBA GOLD
Mondays, 3PM to 4PM | Sept 17 to Dec 10 | $60 | Roger Puckett
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A lower intensity Zumba class designed to focus on balance, range of motion, and coordination. The Zumba choreography is easy to follow and you will leave feeling empowered and strong! .
FELDENKRAIS
Tuesdays, 10:30AM to 11:30 | Sept 4 to Dec 11 | $50 | Margot Townsend
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These effective and comfortable guided lessons will help you to improve your balance, flexibility and ability to function in daily movements.
PILATES
Tuesdays, 3:00 PM to 4:00 | Sept 4 to Dec 11 | $65 | Mike Lesser
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This Pilates based group fitness class utilizes foam rollers to build an awareness and connection to deep core stabilizing muscles in a focused fun format. This is a barefoot class. Please bring a yoga mat. Foam rollers are also recommended.
NIA WISE MOVES
Thursdays, 11:00AM to noon | Sept 6 to Dec 13 | $60 | Ellen Zimmerli
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Nia Technique is an intelligent fitness practice that blends the movements of dance, martial arts, and healing arts. This wonderful blend of safe and fun exercise is designed to help your whole body feel stronger. You will develop better posture, more flexibility and have more energy for all the things you love to do. This class is in partnership with Engage at the JCC of Manhattan.
YOGA
Fridays, 10:50AM to 11:50 | Sept 7 to Dec 14 | $65 | Agnes Atwood
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Based on Hatha yoga principles and with the support of a chair. This class promotes enhanced alignment and expanded respiration.
INSTRUCTIONAL VOICE AND ENSEMBLE SINGING
Tuesdays, 3PM to 5PM | Sept 4 to Dec 11 | $100 | William Lyons Lee
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Each class, open to all levels, begins with warm-ups and site reading exercises, and progresses to vocal pieces from various sources. Singing is great for the health and the spirit, especially in groups!
ACTING
Tuesdays, 3PM to 4:30PM | Sept 26 to Dec 5 | $110 for 10 Weekd | Scott Klavan
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This class offers the opportunity for high-level work on scenes, monologues, songs and improvisations. Scott is known for providing individualized attention and helping build self-confidence and public speaking skills. Above all Acting is a positive and fun group experience! All levels are welcome.
ELLIE RESSLER MUSICAL THEATRE
Fridays, 1PM to 2:30 (Schedule may change) | $45 for 10 classes | Mark York
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Ellie Ressler Musical Theater with Mark York celebrates the classic musical theater songs of Broadway. All songs are from the 1980s and prior. If you like to sing, whether you have a great voice or not, feel free to join. All that is required is your love for classic Broadway Music.
The majority of these classes are free to members. Most are offered year-round and do not adhere to our semester schedule. Please check our monthly update for any closings.
ESL
Mondays, 10AM to 11 | FREE | Demetrios Siatos
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This is a basic beginners/advanced beginners class where, in an informal setting, students discuss national and world current events using a bilingual approach. Students learn basic grammar skills and discuss topics which may affect them such as housing and medical issues, obtaining half fare metro cards, the New York City ID card, etc. The class occasionally visits museums and free cultural events.
TECH SOUP 101: TECHNOLOGY HELP DESK
Mondays, 10AM to 12 | FREE | Engage Volunteers from the JCC
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A help desk for questions regarding phones, tablets and laptops. Please bring your own devices when possible. Schedule a week in advance with Tamar at (212) 687-5030 x 0
SHORT STORY
Mondays, 11AM to noon | FREE | Ruth Taller and Betty Feldman
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Each week members read a short story, provided one week in advance, and participate in a facilitated discussion about that story. Discussions are lively and thought-provoking!
WOMEN’S GROUP
Mondays, 12:10PM to 1:10PM | FREE | Marcia Ostwind
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A space for women to share problems and discuss solutions, while building connections and community. New members are always welcome.
CLL COLLEGE
Mondays, 1:15PM to 2:15PM | $10 | DVD Lectures
Mondays, 2:00PM to 3:00PM | $10 | DVD Lectures
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Cultural arts classes are taught by University Professors through a series of professionally produced DVDs. Offerings vary and participant-led group discussions often follow DVDs. Specific offerings vary.
MIND AEROBICS
Tuesdays, 11AM to noon | FREE | Marcia Ostwind
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Mind Aerobics, founded by member Magda Sheer, meets weekly to discuss relevant current topics.The intent is to stimulate thinking on one’s feet and articulating clearly one’s position on important ethical subject matters. Religious and political subjects are excluded. “We’re here to Stretch not to Kvetch.”
MEN’S LIFE GROUP
Tuesdays, 12:10PM to 1:10PM | FREE | Howard Fischer
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Male members discuss issues that affect their lives — problems they have, resources they need, how they order their lives, physical and mental health issues, friendship, etc.
ASTRONOMY
Tuesdays, 12:35PM to 1:35 | FREE | Laird Whitehill
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The course begins where you are, and is always at your level. The universe is big, really big. Bigger than you imagine. Even bigger than that. The students’ job in this course is to try to imagine the universe as the teacher takes them through it. The universe is a spectacular place, and members tour it, week by week, as they explore the planets, moons, stars, and galaxies — their histories, their stories, their pictures.
CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH
Wednesdays, 9:30 to 10:30 | FREE | Sarah Jimenez
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Advanced reading and conversational Spanish.
MEDITATION: A Universal Tradition
Wednesdays, 11AM-12:15PM | FREE | Richard Goldberg
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Members practice the art of meditation through silence, relaxation, gentle movement, and conversation. Newcomers are always instructed in the procedure and all questions regarding practice are answered.
CLASSIC FILMS: MODERN MYTHS
Wednesdays, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM | First and Third Wednesday of Every Months | Dr. Arnold Katz
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Understand your own journey and inner self through the use of film. Screen excerpts, and discuss Casablanca, High Noon, and On the Waterfront.
SHORT READS, LONG CONVERSATIONS
Wednesdays, 1PM to 2PM | FREE | Ruth Taller and Arlene Kossoff
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Members read a new article or non-fiction essay each week and come for a stimulating discussion.
EMOTIONAL ASPECTS OF AGING
Thursdays, 2:15PM to 3:15PM | FREE | Marcia Ostwind
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A weekly discussion of topics pertaining to how it FEELS to age. Topics include coping with physical and mental disabilities, financial concerns, loss of loved ones, etc.
Click here to sign up for classes.
