Day Trips
Click here to view information for our upcoming day trips to the Bronx Zoo, Death Beccomes Her on Broadway and Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Healthy Bones for Life
Wednesdays, April 1 - June 24, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am
The Healthy Bones for Life Exercise and Education Program is a community- based program designed for men and women who are 55+. The exercise program consists of weight-bearing exercises, muscle strengthening, flexibility, posture training, and balance exercises. Cost: Free for Members/$10.24 per quarter for Program Guests.
Poetry & Presence
Mondays, April 13 - June 22, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Join us for a warm and welcoming adult workshop that celebrates gratitude, resilience, and connection through poetry. Each session offers a relaxed space to share stories, savor language, and reconnect with poetry, with others, and with yourself. Whether you're a longtime poetry lover or simply curious, you?re invited to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and enjoy the moment.
Decoupaging Blocks and Boxes
Postponed
These 2 two hour sessions use a variety of fun and colorful collage materials to decorate wooden blocks and cigar boxes. This engaging process creates expressive objects that can decorate your home, be used as storage containers and are also wonderful gifts. All materials included.Feel free to bring copies of personal photos to add. Cost: $61.74 JCC Members / $72.03 Program Guests.
Torah with a Twist
Friday, April 10, 2026 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Enjoy a warm cup of tea or coffee as we explore timeless Jewish wisdom through the lens of Mussar—an ethical tradition focused on cultivating traits like humility, patience, and gratitude. Through thoughtful discussion and personal reflection, this monthly class offers practical insights for living with greater mindfulness, intention, and integrity.
Whether you're new to Mussar or deepening an existing practice, you'll find a welcoming space to engage with Torah in a way that’s both intellectually rich and spiritually nourishing. No prior experience required—just an open heart and a curious mind. Free and open to the community.
AARP Big Shred NY
Friday, April 10, 2026 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Free paper shredding events for AARP members and guests. Documents will be shredded on-site at no cost. There is a limit of 3 boxes or bags per person. Shredding trucks will be in the parking lot during the scheduled time or until they reach capacity.
More info and register:
https://events.aarp.org/BigShredAlbanyNY
Hannaford Nutrition: Acid Reflux: Soothing Answers to a Burning Question
Monday, April 13, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am (Zoom)
Join Fran Weiss, our local Hannaford Dietician, for an engaging conversation on acid reflux. Free and open to the community. Participants will recieve a zoom link after they register.
Book Mavens
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Join us for a lively, thought-provoking discussion of After Abel and Other Stories by Michal Lemberger. This powerful collection reimagines biblical narratives through the eyes of the women who lived them, giving voice, depth, and agency to figures often overlooked in traditional texts. We'll explore a new story each month as part of this ongoing series.
Copies of the book may be ordered at the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza or online from your preferred retailer.
Schlep Squad (walking Group)
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm-ish
Join us every Tuesday for a 0.9 mile walk from the Albany JCC to the Stewart's Shop at Whitehall and New Scotland . It's an easy, feel-good way to get moving and meet other JCC Members.
BINGO with Albany NNORC
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and win some fantastic prizes.
Albany NNORC Breakfast Club: Downsizing & Decluttering
Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Open to JCC Members!
Join Michelle Kavanaugh of Organize Senior Moves for an informative presentation on practical downsizing tips. She’ll share valuable insights and strategies, along with empowering ways to rethink your space and belongings as you rightsize your home.
Watercolor Pencils for Botanical Art- Painting Crocuses
Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
In this 2 ½ hour class, students will learn how to use watercolor pencils (which are made with water soluble pigments) to create lovely botanical flowers. They will become familiar with and practice the different techniques using this specialized medium. By the end of class students will have created spring crocuses. Cost: $25.73 JCC Members/$29.84 Program Guests plus materials. A list of materials is available on the registration page.
IYUN Living the Jewish Calendar Yom Ha'atzmaut
Friday, April 17, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
What is a miracle and who gets to decide whether something counts as a "miracle" in Jewish history? Does God act in history today? Can we speak of "God doing things" or "God working" today, as we do regarding the Exodus? And if we can't, them what does that mean about the idea of God? Free and open to the community.
Shiri Zorn Quartet
Sunday, April 19, 2026 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Shiri Zorn is an innovative jazz vocalist whose fresh and intercultural sound reinvents standard jazz repertoire as we know it. She layers American Songbook tunes with Middle Eastern influences and unexpected time signatures, and reharmonizes Latin and Samba classics to evoke feelings of transcendence, temporarily rendering the listener lost to time and space.
Arranged by the Albany Musicians Association.
Sponsored by the Local 14 Music Performance Trust Fund.
Jam with Jordana
Wednesdays, April 22 and 29, 2026 from 11:00 am to 11:55 am
Come make some noise with us! Grab a djembe, shake a tambourine and jam out as we play along to our favorite songs together. instruments provided - or bring your own. Free for ages 60+ years.
Botanical Drawing with Colored Pencils - Wysteria
Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
In this 2 1/2 hour class participants will continue to learn the basics of Colored Pencils and Botanical Drawing. The process of Botanical Drawing begins with gradual toning with simple geometric shapes that turn into all the forms in nature. This process will make your piece three dimensional and pop off the page. We will begin our forms by layering neutral tones and putting on top color with colored pencils. By the end of class participants will have created a lovely drawing of Wysteria. Cost: $25.73 JCC Members/$29.84 Program Guests plus materials. A list of materials is available on the registration page.
Estate Planning Presentation
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
By definition, estate planning is a process designed to help you manage and preserve your assets during your lifetime, and to conserve and control their distribution after your death according to your goals and objectives. What estate planning looks like for you personally depends on your individual circumstances. Your age, health, wealth, lifestyle, life stage, goals, and other factors all shape your specific estate planning needs.
Learn more during this educational presentation offered by Evolution Retirement Solutions, LLC.
Please note: This presentation is for educational purposes only. The JCC does not endorse or assume responsibility for any services or recommendations provided by the speakers.
Botanical Drawing with Colored Pencils - Daisy
Thursday, May 14th, 2026 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
In this 2 ½ hour class students will continue to practice the process of Botanical Drawing, which begins with gradual toning with simple geometric shapes . We will begin our forms by layering neutral tones and putting on top color with colored pencils. This process will make your piece three dimensional and pop off the page. By the end of class participants will have created a beautiful Daisy on special paper called Kraft Paper. Cost: $25.73 JCC Members/$29.84 Program Guests plus materials. A list of materials is available on the registration page.
Painting a Floral Window Box in Soft Pastels
Thursday, May 28th, 2026 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
In this 2 ½ hour class, students will create a small pastel painting by using an underpainting, which gives the piece more depth. Color Theory and techniques will be discussed while students watch a quick demonstration. By the end of class students will have created a lovely painting of a floral window box. Cost: $25.73 JCC Members/$29.84 Program Guests plus materials. A list of materials is available on the registration page.
Botanical Drawing with Colored Pencils - Vintage Rose
Thursday, June 11, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
In this 2 1/2 hour class students will learn a little history on botanical women artists and the basics of Botanical Drawing. The process of Botanical Drawing begins with gradual toning with simple geometric shapes that turn into all the forms in nature. This process will make your piece three dimensional and pop off the page. We will begin our forms by layering neutral tones and putting on top color with colored pencils. By the end of class participants will have created a lovely vintage Rose. Cost: $25.73 JCC Members/$29.84 Program Guests plus materials. A list of materials is available on the registration page.
Happiness Habits
Check back for Fall 2026!
Happiness Habits is a secular, science-based course created by Action for Happiness. It combines expert-led insights, practical exercises, and supportive group discussions. Maximum: 18 participants.
Register online through the Action for Happiness website. For assistance, contact Lisa at lisam@albanyjcc.org
National DPP Lifestyle Change Program
Tuesdays from 10:00 am to 11:15 am
In this program, you'll get a full year of support and learn how to eat healthy, add physical activity to your routine, manage stress, stay motivated, and solve problems that can get in the way of your goals. This program is proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
Please note: This program is for adults who are at risk or have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes only. We'll meet weekly for the first six months then transition to once a month.
Email LisaM@albanyjcc.org for more information.
Class Cancellation Policy
We understand that life brings many surprises to us all, and sometimes people must cancel their class or workshop registration. Please help us continue to offer these wonderful classes and workshops, at the most affordable costs possible, by reading and adhering to our cancellation policy.
Registration
Registration is not complete and spaces not held, unless the class or event is paid in full.
Cancellations
Classes or workshops may be cancelled when enrollment minimums are not reached. Cancellations are determined no later than 2 business days before the class starts. If the
Albany JCC cancels a class or workshop, the participant will have the option to transfer to another class, as long as space is available, or receive a 100% refund.
If a participants chooses to cancel their registration for a class or workshop, the refund policies are as follows:
- 100% refund with seven or more days' notice prior to the start date of the class unless specified otherwise*
- No amount refunded after that time. However, you may transfer your registration to another individual not currently registered for the class or workshop*
*Account credit may be given in special circumstances at the discretion of the Jewish Cultural and Community Program Coordinator