NOVEMBER 2019 The Riverdale NEWSLETTER YM-YWHA Senior Center From The Director Each year, we are asked to forward copies of many of the documents that are posted around the Center to the New York City Department for the Aging. It occurred to me that many of our members may not take time to read these documents despite their importance. If you look in the glass case behind the volunteers when you sign in for lunch, you will see the Senior Citizen’s Bill of Rights; a poster reminding everyone that our suggested contribution for lunch is $2.50; and a grievance procedure should you have a complaint. On the door by the elevator, you will see our evacuation procedures and the rules for members of the Senior Center. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read these documents. We post this information not just because we are required to but to ensure you know your rights and feel safe and protected at the Center. If you would like hard copies or electronic copies of anything that is posted, let me know. The Center is a place where older adults should feel comfortable seeking help and I am very pleased that we have an expanding Social Service program. Please join me in welcoming two new part-time social workers to our team. Jennifer Raff replaced Jamee Adams as our Safe at Home Coordinator. Safe at Home provides case management to older adults in their homes as part of our UJA partnership with the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights. Jennifer will use the Riverdale Y as her home base as she works with Center members who are unable to access the Center. Stephanie Ortiz is a Social Worker joining the Center through the City’s Thrive NYC Mental Health Initiative. She will start her job off by screening interested members for mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. She will also lead groups. Once we receive the license to operate a satellite mental health clinic, Stephanie will be able provide individual and couples counseling to our members. While Stephanie is officially an employee of the Jewish Association for the Aged, she will be very much a part of our staff. She will be here on Tuesdays and Fridays. Of course, our Staff Social Worker, Lydia Ecker will continue to provide support, benefits and entitlement assistance and case assistance/case management, and lead groups with our members. Lydia is here on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Best, SharonStaff Asherman, News LMSW The Advisory Council thanked Winnie Berrios for her service and wished her the best in the next chapter of her life. New and Noteworthy at the Center Friday, Nov 1: 10:30 am Educational Workshop: Know the Ten Signs Monday, Nov 11: 10:30am for Early Detection of Dementia. Presented by Blood Pressure Screening :With Gabriela Elizabeth Benouaguef, MPH, Community Hutnanova, RN. Engagement and Education Manager. Alzheimer’s Association. The first in Monday, Nov 11: 1:00 pm a series of seven educational workshops. All Men’s Group: With Matt Abrams Gerber, LMSW are welcome to attend. and Chief Operating Officer of the Y. Friday, Nov 1: 12:45 pm Tuesday, Nov 12: 10:30 am Classical Music Concert: Featuring Evan Lecture: Emma Lazarus & The Statue of Drachman on Cello, Elizabeth Pitcairn on Violin, Liberty. Presented by Marilyn Kaufman, Historian. & Barbara Podgurski on Piano. Sponsored by Tuesday, Nov 12:45 pm the Piatigorsky Foundation. Celebrating our Members’ October & November birthdays before lunch. Warm greetings, gifts, Monday, Nov 4: 11:45 am Lunchtime & more. Presentation: Elderly Scams & Crime Prevention. With Officer Cintron from the 50th Tuesday, Nov 12: 1:00 pm Precinct. Dancing with Bryan Lammers. Latin, Salsa, MoTown, Oldies, & more Tuesday, Nov 5: 10:30 am Health Talk & Screening: Wednesday Nov 13: 10:00 am Dr. Evan Bernstein, Audiologist, will speak Lecture: Rose, Thorn, & Bud. A discussion on about hearing loss, tinnitus, and wax in the Mindfulness in our day to day living. Led by ears. Dr. Bernstein is from Advanced Care Ariella Aronowitz, Social Work Intern Audiology, in Riverdale, N.Y. Wednesday, Nov 13: 1:00 pm Wednesday, Nov 6: 10:30 am Lecture: Curbside Composting Collection. Blood Pressure Screening: With Diane An introduction to composting and to the brown Holmgren, RN. bin, curbside compost collection Wednesday, Nov 6: 1:15 pm Program. Presented by a representative from Film: Hummus! The Movie: 70 min. Sponsored the New York City Department of Sanitation’s Bureau of Recycling & Sustainability by the Riverdale Chapter of Hadassah as part of their chapter meeting. All are welcome to Thursday, Nov 14: 11:00 am attend. Balance & Walking Assessment: Do you think Thursday, Nov 7: 10:30 am you have good balance? Discover your balance Lecture: Analyzing The Results of Tuesday’s scores. With Physical Therapy Doctorate Election Presented by Morris Friedberg, MSW, students from Touro College. No pre registration Center Member. is necessary. Eligible participants will receive a gift card. Thursday, Nov 7: 1:00 pm Café Europa Concert: All are welcome to Thursday, Nov 14: 12:45 pm attend. Come enjoy Wii games with Ronnie Haber, Center Member. Friday, Nov 8: 10:30 am Educational Workshop: Healthy Living for Friday, Nov 15: 10:30 am your Brain and Body. Presented by Elizabeth Nutrition Lecture: Foods & Nutrition for the Benouaguef, MPH, Community Engagement Prevention of & Recovery From Depression and Education Manager. Alzheimer’s Presented by Julie Weiner- M.S. LMHC Association. All are welcome to attend. Friday. Nov 15: 10:30 am Monday, Nov 11: 11:45 am Educational Workshop : Effective Veterans Day Lunch: Brief Program before Communication Strategies. Presented by Elizabeth lunch, honoring our veterans. Benouaguef, MPH, Community Engagement and Education Manager. Alzheimer’s Association of N.Y. All are welcome to attend. New and Noteworthy at the Center Wednesday, Nov 20: 10:30 am Tuesday, Nov26: 10:30 am Blood Pressure Screening: With Diane Historical Trivia: Presented by Aaron Holmgren, RN. Goldman, Center Member. Wednesday, Nov 20: 12:45 pm Tuesday, Nov 26: 11:45 pm Educational Seminar: Leaving a Legacy for Thanksgiving Luncheon Your Grandchild. A gift they can’t outgrow. Thanksgiving Program Followed by a Festive Presented by Lashee Sosa & Valerie Connolly Holiday Lunch. Suggested Contribution. $4.00 Agents from N.Y. Life Insurance Company. in Advance; $6.00 Day of Event. Doors open Light Refreshments will be served after the 11:45 am. talk. Tuesday, Nov 26: 1:15 pm Thursday, Nov 21: 12:45 pm Concert: Claremont Strings Trio Ensemble. Will Book Club: A Separation by Katie Kitamura. perform Viennese Waltzes, Tangos, American December’s Book is Before We Were Yours by Showtunes, and more. Lisa Wingate. Facilitated by Adele Schwartz, Center Member. Wednesday, Nov 27: 12:45 pm Lecture: Three Ways To Be Happy Thursday, Nov 21: 1:00 pm Presented by Mari P. Saunders, Psychologist, Concert: Carol Daly, Vocalist, will perform Ph.D. Center Member. Broadway Showtunes. Sponsored by SelfHelp Community Services. Tuesday, Nov 19: 10:30 am Lecture & Audiovisual Clips : Jack Benny Friday, Nov 22: 10:30 am One of the Pioneers of Television Comedy: His Interactive Concert: Ron Doster, Singer/ unusual comedic method and expert timing Musician on Keyboards. He will sing oldies, made him a legendary success in U.S. radio and dance tunes, jazz standards, & more. He will television for more than 30 years. Through the take audience requests. use of audiovisual clips, this lecture will explore what made his humor timeless. Friday, Nov 22: 10:30 am Presented by Ira Epstein, Ph.D., Lecturer on Educational Workshop: Understanding and comedy & music. Responding to Dementia - Related Behaviors. Presented by Elizabeth Benouaguef, MPH, Community Engagement and Education Manager. Alzheimer’s Apostrophe Association of N.Y. All are welcome to attend. Sunday, Nov 24: OPEN SUNDAY Doors Open at 9:00 am 10:30 Talent Show with our members. Juan Ortega will accompany members on piano. 12 noon Lunch will be served 1:00 pm Dancing with Juan Ortega. Latin, Motown, Disco, Popular Songs and more. Monday, Nov 25: 10:30 am Men’s Group: Led by Matt Abrams Gerber, LMSW and Chief Operating Officer of the Y. SENIORS ON THE MOVE Advance registration is required for all trips and special events. Trips are in the Center’s passenger van unless otherwise noted. Popular trips may require last minute transportation changes, including the use of a school bus. If you have special needs regarding transportation, please alert staff when you register. Registration is at the Welcome Desk or call Vicki at (718) 548-8200 X204. MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE: In Lower Manhattan Thursday, November 13, 2019. Self guided tour of the temporary new exhibition Auschwitz: Not Long Ago. Not Far Away. This groundbreaking exhibition bringing together more than 700 original objects and 400 photographs from over 20 institutions and museums around the world was developed by a world renowned team of experts on the history of the Holocaust and Holocaust education. It is the most comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the history of Auschwitz and its role in the Holocaust ever presented in North America. The self guided audio tour, on three floors, gives us the opportunity to hear in depth information about the artifacts in each gallery as well as a comprehensive history at your own pace. The museum is wheelchair accessible. We plan to leave the Y at 11:00 am using our sixteen seat passenger van. There is a café to purchase food if you wish to supplement our bagged lunch. Sign-up begins October 11th. Cost $48; After October 28th cost increases to $53. The museum will provide substantial discounts for Holocaust survivors.