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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 register 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, May 29 and Wednesday, May 31; Thursday, June 1.
OPEN STUDIO
Mondays, 10AM to noon (Apr. 3 to June 12); Thursdays, 1PM to 3PM (Apr. 6 to June 15) | $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 | April 3 to June 12 | $35
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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, 2PM to 4PM | April 3 to June 12 | $80
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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 | April 4 to June 13 | $80 | Donna Levinstone
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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 | April 4 to June 13 | $75 | Yvette Bendahan
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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.
WATERCOLOR
Wednesdays, 10AM to noon | April 5 to June 14 | $75 | Al Bukszpan
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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.
COLLAGE
Wednesdays, 1PM to 4PM | April 5 to June 14 | $205 | Donna Levinstone
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Explore 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 himself/herself in unique ways. Students are also exposed to the work of professional colage artists and painters to learn about different styles and techniques throughout time.
PAINTING IN ALL MEDIA
Wednesdays, 1PM to 4PM | April 5 to June 14 | $115 | Gene Wisniewski – FULL
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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.
WEAVING AND TAPESTRY
Fridays, 10AM to noon | April 7 to June 16 | $80 | Ora Koch
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Students will experience creative work in fiber. The class offers tapestry weaving as well as weaving on a 4 harness loom. Learn the whole process and make a scarf or cushion. The class offers rug hooking as well!
PASTELS
Fridays, 10AM to noon | April 7 to June 16 | $105 | Donna Levinstone
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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 | April 7 to June 16 | $95 | Jon Rettich – FULL
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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 | April 3 to June 12 | $60 | Richard 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 | April 4 to June 13 | $45 | 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.
NIA WISE MOVES
Thursdays, 11AM to noon | April 6 to June 15 | FREE | JCC Instructors
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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, 11AM to noon | April 7 to June 16 | $55 | 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.
ACT UP! ACTING CLASS
Mondays, 3PM to 5PM | April 3 to June 5 | $85 for 8 classes | Jane Seaman
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Jane Seaman, a Broadway veteran performer and Juilliard graduate, teaches Act UP! Students do voice and body warm-ups and improvisations that get them ready to work scenes and monologues. Each term ends in a Showcase for invited audiences.
INSTRUCTIONAL VOICE AND ENSEMBLE SINGING
Tuesdays, 3PM to 5PM | April 4 to June 13 | $90 | 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!
TAP DANCE
Fridays, noon to 1PM | April 7 to June 16 | $110 | Douglas Olson
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The Tap Dance Class consists of a Tap Dance Bar, combinations and tap dance routines. This class is geared towards those with previous tap experience.
ELLIE RESSLER MUSICAL THEATRE
Fridays, 1PM to 2:30 | Ongoing | $25 for 6 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
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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, noon to 1PM | 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: VERDI
Mondays, 1:15PM to 2:15PM | $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.
GENEALOGY 101
Tuesdays, 10AM to 11AM | April 25 to May 30 | FREE | Bert Shankle
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Whether you’re new to genealogy or an experienced researcher, this course will help you further your family history search. We’ll explore online and brick-and-mortar sites, look at pitfalls and skeletons, delve into genetic genealogy, and try to scale those pesky brick walls. You’ll learn from a genealogy enthusiast with 30 years of experience, who uses his crazy family history to help you make sense of yours, as you meet other genealogy fans.
MIND AEROBICS
Tuesdays, 11AM to noon | FREE | Tom Kranidas
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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, noon to 1PM | 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, 12:45PM to 1:45 | 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.
CLL COLLEGE: EVENTS that CHANGED HISTORY
Tuesdays, 2PM to 3 | $10 | DVD Lectures
CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH
Tuesdays, 2PM to 3PM | FREE | Sarah Jimenez
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Advanced reading and conversational Spanish.
INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE
Wednesdays, 10AM to 12:30 ; and 2:15 to 4:45 | April 5 to June 14 | $90 | Steve McCann
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Having spent a semester on Defense and another on Standard American Bidding, we begin a multi-semester course on Play of the Hand. The level is, approximately, Intermediate, and intended for players with several years experience with the game of Bridge.
MEDITATION
Wednesdays, 11AM | 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.
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.
WHAT’S HAPPENING: CURRENT EVENTS
Thursdays, noon to 1PM | FREE
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All are invited to bring their lunch and attend a vigorous discussion of local, national, and international events with a group of intelligent, informed classmates. The group provides input into which issues are discussed each week.
EMOTIONAL ASPECTS OF AGING
Thursdays, 2:15PM to 3:15PM | FREE | Bill Toner
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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 register for classes.
