News

October is a wonderful time to take a walk!  Join us for another socially-distant walk at The Crossings of Colonie.  If you feel comfortable going out, bring your mask and join some of your NNORC friends to catch up.  Please plan to wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. (And don’t forget your mask!)

Join us on Wednesday, October 21 at 10 a.m.

Park by the playground (second parking lot on the right as you drive in) and we’ll meet by the pond.  The Crossings is located at 580 Albany-Shaker Road, Loudonville. 

The City of Albany’s Department of Planning and Development wants input from our older adults!  Representatives from the Planning Department will discuss current topics on walking and cycling around the City of Albany. The meeting will help inform the development of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

The goal of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is to update the 2009 Bicycle Master Plan to include a pedestrian plan and make policy and infrastructure recommendations that will encourage more residents and visitors to walk and bike in the City. To learn more about the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, you can visit the project website: https://tinyurl.com/y5pqaf8n, which has a project video. Scroll down to see a WikiMAP and to take a survey, which allows people to provide location-specific comments about cycling and walking in the city.

Join us on Wednesday, October 14 at 10 a.m.

NNORC has embraced Zoom (online video and audio conferencing) so we can continue to offer you programs. If you prefer not to use a computer or smartphone to participate, all you need is a telephone line to join in. Please call 518-514-2023 or email us at NNORC@jfsneny.org to sign up for a program. We will give you an access link or phone number for you to participate. You can also contact us for a one-on-one Zoom tutorial or refer to Zoom instructions on page 6. We look forward to seeing you or hearing from you!

Join us as we watch this enlightening documentary about how Shannon Harvey, an award-winning health journalist, puts mindful meditation to the test. This documentary is filled with stories and interviews with scientists about how she worked to improve her mental well-being.  If you prefer to watch the movie on your own, we can send you the link to access it.
Join us on Wednesday, October 28 at 1 p.m.

My Year of Living Mindfully – Post-viewing Discussion
Thursday, October 29th at 11 a.m.

Mindfulness has been defined as living in the present moment – aware of our constantly changing thoughts, sensations and emotions. Let’s discuss Shannon Harvey’s experience in the creation of her film and explore ways we can apply mindfulness practices to make our lives richer and more satisfying.

NNORC has embraced Zoom (online video and audio conferencing) so we can continue to offer you programs. If you prefer not to use a computer or smartphone to participate, all you need is a telephone line to join in. Please call 518-514-2023 or email us at NNORC@jfsneny.org to sign up for a program. We will give you an access link or phone number for you to participate. You can also contact us for a one-on-one Zoom tutorial or refer to Zoom instructions on page 6. We look forward to seeing you or hearing from you!

Didn’t you just love The Dick Van Dyke Show? We bet you can hear the program’s theme song in your head and picture Rob Petri hopping over the ottoman! NNORC has invited David Van Deusen, former publisher of the show’s newsletter called The Walnut Times, to share his unique experiences meeting and befriending Dick Van Dyke. Van Deusen’s presentation will include some fascinating stories about the rapport he established with cast members and fun photos that he collected through the years, as well as answer any questions that folks may have about the show. Join us for this unique insider’s view of Carl Reiner’s The Dick Van Dyke Show
Join us on Wednesday, October 7 at 10 a.m.

NNORC has embraced Zoom (online video and audio conferencing) so we can continue to offer you programs. If you prefer not to use a computer or smartphone to participate, all you need is a telephone line to join in. 

Please call 518-514-2023 or email us at NNORC@jfsneny.org to sign up for a program. We will give you an access link or phone number for you to participate. You can also contact us for a one-on-one Zoom tutorial or refer to Zoom instructions on page 6. We look forward to seeing you or hearing from you!

Do you know who your Common Council Member is?  Each Common Council Member functions to protect the interests of their residents.  They will speak about the work that they do on behalf of their residents and issues that may impact your neighborhood. Please help us welcome the Hon. Judy Doesschate, the Hon. Catherine Fahey and the Hon. Joseph Igoe.

Join us on Tuesday, September 22 at 5:30 p.m.

NNORC has embraced online video and audio conferencing using a service called Zoom, so we can continue to offer you programs. Prefer not to use a computer or smartphone to participate? No problem! All you need is a telephone line to join in. Please call 518-514-2023 or email us at NNORC@jfsneny.org to sign up so that we can give you the correct access link or phone number for you to participate. You can also contact us for a one-on-one Zoom tutorial with a staff member. We look forward to seeing you or hearing from you!

Jewish Family Services is offering scholarship opportunities for local undergraduate and graduate students.

The following JFS scholarships of $1,000-$2,000 are now available to support Jewish students with college-related expenses.

Scholarships are made possible by:

  • The David and Rose Udelson Bray Scholarship Fund
  • The Hessberg Trust
  • The JFS Scholarship Fund*

Eligibility requirements vary per scholarship. Students must be residents of Albany, the surrounding area, or attend college or graduate school locally. Applicants must be at least 17 years old and currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.

To be considered for a 2020 JFS scholarship, applicants must also write a brief essay on their understanding of Jewish Family Services’ impact on the community and suggest innovative ideas to reach and serve those in need.

If you know someone interested in applying, please share this announcement and have them complete our brief online application.

The deadline is October 30, 2020.

The recipients will be selected from submissions and will be awarded his or her scholarship mid-November. Please note we may choose to use the winning entry in JFS publicity and marketing communications.

* This fund is currently made up of the following funds: Frederick DeBeer Scholarship, Jewish Family Services Scholarship, Beatrice B. Levy Scholarship, George M. Simon Scholarship (restricted to a resident of Albany) and the Eli Werlin Scholarship.

** Application is for the 2020-2021 academic year. Student must provide proof of enrollment/admission prior to scholarship being issued.

THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN POSTPONED

Several parents expressed interest in attending this program, but back to school events created a conflict. We will reschedule.

VIRTUAL. IN PERSON. BUBBLES. PODS.
MASKS. FACE SHIELDS. STRESS!

Despite knowing your child better than anyone, there are so many
competing factors — it’s hard not to ask, “Am I making the right decision?”
Join us THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 7 – 8 p.m. for a conversation with Hope Pollock Seidel, MD and Tracy Levitt, MD* — physicians, Jewish moms, and life and parenting coaches — recently featured on Good Morning America and The Holderness Family podcasts.

They will address questions like:
• What is the most important thing we can do to help our kids during this challenging time?
• How can we make ourselves and kids feel better?
• How can we embrace the situations created by the pandemic?

Join the conversation and get help with today’s parenting challenges.
Register online here, or contact us at info@jfsneny.org or 518-482-8856 .

You will be emailed a link/phone number to join the group via Zoom. If you need one-on-one help with Zoom, please let us know.

JFS runs a virtual parenting group every Thursday at 8 p.m., and it will immediately follows this program. All are welcome! Please register separately here.

*Hope and Tracy work one-on-one virtually with clients to provide a safe space for parents to learn to connect deeply and intentionally with their children. In their work, parents find more confidence in their parenting, more connection in all of their relationships, and more balance in their lives.

Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. 

Curious about how Medical Marijuana is being integrated into health care?  Think that it may have value to you or someone you know? Join Rene Scavio, Services Educator at the Stram Center for Integrative Medicine, Delmar, NY and Yvonne Duco, Outreach Representative at Verilife, Albany, NY for this informative presentation. Get the facts – skip the hype – and learn from two professionals in the field of complementary care. Topics include:  1)How THC and CBD work within the brain and body; 2) Therapeutic uses of THC and CBD; 3) Contraindications for use; and 4) Accessing Medical Marijuana in New York State – Rules and Regulations.

NNORC has embraced online video and audio conferencing using a service called Zoom, so we can continue to offer you programs. Prefer not to use a computer or smartphone to participate? No problem! All you need is a telephone line to join in. Please call 518-514-2023 or email us at NNORC@jfsneny.org to sign up so that we can give you the correct access link or phone number for you to participate. You can also contact us for a one-on-one Zoom tutorial with a staff member. We look forward to seeing you or hearing from you!

Wednesday, August 26 at 10 a.m. (Rain date: Thursday, August 27 at 10 a.m.)
Be sure to sign up in case we have to change due to weather
: 518-514-2023

It’s time to enjoy some fresh air and stretch your legs.  Join us for another socially-distant, mask-protected walk around Buckingham Pond. We’ll gather at the Berkshire Boulevard parking lot.  Please plan to wear comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and sunscreen.

Please Note: If you are not feeling well, please stay home and forgo in-person programs.

Fall is a wonderful time of year locally for fresh produce – apples, pears, squash and more.  What are your favorite recipes?   We are going to try to meet outside again in October and hope that it’s a nice fall day!  We’ll let you know the location when you call to sign up.

Join us Thursday, September 15 at 1 p.m.

The next Cook the Book will be held on November 12.  The topic will be announced in the October NNORC News.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will “meet” over Zoom instead.  Please sign up so we know how to contact you if the plan changes!

Please Note: If you are not feeling well, please stay home and forgo in-person programs.

PROVIDING SUPPORT, SERVICES & RESOURCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY