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Classes, Courses, and Lectures

NOTE: As of March 12, 2020, BLL has canceled classes until further notice. We are currently offering remote classes for current members. Check here for updates as we receive more information.

Spring 2020

Monday

International Folk Dancing

Folk dancing is not only great exercise, it also involves the memory and increases cognitive agility. Most dances will be circle or line dances so partners are not necessary.

• Instructor: Elaine Sohn has been leading folk dance groups in Brooklyn Heights for more than 20 years.
• Time: 9:15–10:45 a.m.
• Dates: February 3–April 27 (weekly except February 17 and April 13)

The Short Story: From All Over

The art form of the short story offers a unique opportunity to explore how fiction can reflect and/or imitate life. Participants help choose stories that stimulate discussion and thought. Please read "Wives of the Dead" by Nathaniel Hawthorne before the first class. Copies will be available in the office.

• Instructor: Rotating Facilitators
• Time: 10:50–11:50 a.m.
• Dates: February 3–April 27 (weekly except February 17 and April 13)

Actor's Workshop

This is your opportunity to tap into your creative side and explore your hidden talents…but most of all to HAVE FUN! Come join us. Please be aware that this class runs from September through May, leading up to a final performance. All are welcome.

• Instructor:
  • Julie Kirshner graduated from Brooklyn College with a degree in theater and a master's degree in English.
  • Sunny Brandler is a retired professor from CUNY who holds a B.A., M.S.W., and M.A. in English literature, and a doctorate from Adelphi University.
• Time: Noon–3 p.m.
• Dates: February 3–April 27 (weekly except February 17 and April 13)

Spanish for Beginners (Level 1)

This course is based on a functional focus with special emphasis on oral communication and practical uses of the language. Students will learn about culture and useful, familiar and everyday expressions, basic grammar, vocabulary and phrases aimed to interact and survive in a Spanish-speaking context.

• Instructor: Nilita León, a certificated teacher with exceptional knowledge of Spanish-speaking countries.
• Time: 12:30–2 p.m.
• Dates: February 24–April 27 (weekly except April 13)

Energy and the Environment

This course will introduce some simple chemical and physical principles that will hopefully lead to a deeper understanding of environmental issues confronting us. Ozone depletion, climate change, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources will be discussed to the extent that will clarify the problems at hand.

• Instructor: Henry Brenner, a member of the chemistry faculty at NYU for 37 years. He taught "Energy and the Environment," a science distribution option for non-science majors.
• Time: 12:30–2 p.m.
• Dates: February 24–March 23 weekly

Hebrew Scriptures: Easter and Passover

We will delve into the origins, relationship, and meaning of the major spring holydays of Judaism and Christianity. We will watch videos of this Harvard University course and discuss them.

• Facilitators: Gail Weber and Charles Edelman
• Time: 2:15–3:30 p.m.
• Dates: March 2–30 weekly

BLL Walk Fit Program

• Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
• 1–2 p.m.
• Meet at the Brooklyn College Athletic Field
• Dates to be announced in our newsletter

Special Lectures

• February 3, 12:30–2 p.m.: "Say Yes! Flying Solo After Sixty." Pamela Hull, an interior designer and painter, and now author who writes that neither age nor being alone is an impediment to living a rich life.
• February 10, 12:30–2 p.m.: "Moments That Mattered." Recalling ordinary moments that, over time, proved to be life altering. Pamela Hull, lecturer.
• March 16, noon–1:30 p.m.: "Brooklyn." Photojournalistic images from the last 25 years, with Professor Kenneth Axen, an adjunct full professor at Brooklyn College. His training in photojournalism and documentary filmmaking enables him to create slide shows and short films of his world travels.

Special Event

• "Theater Art Performance." Featuring our students from the Actor's Workshop.
• Producer/Director: Julie Kirshner and Sunny Brandler
• May 4
• 1–3 p.m.

Tuesday

Contemporary Book Club *

We will discuss Empire Falls by Richard Russo, The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker, Sula by Toni Morrison, The Third Daughter by Talia Carner, and The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes.

* Pre-registration is required. Class is limited.

• Time: 10–11:45 a.m.
• Dates: February 4, March 3 and 31, May 5, June 2

Recognition and Prevention of Scams

We will cover various types of scams, how to avoid becoming a victim, and what to do if you become one.

• Instructor: Alan Podhaizer, a retired attorney who has published several articles on scams as well as lectures on the subject.
• Time: 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
• Dates: March 10–31 weekly

Yoga, Pilates, and Body Movement Awareness

This course will consist of a series of postures and breathing exercises combined with relaxation techniques and exercises.

• Instructor: Cynthia Arenson, a graduate of Brooklyn College who has a master's degree in exercise physiology from Queens College (CUNY). She has taught yoga for over 30 years.
• Time: noon–1:20 p.m.
• Dates: February 18–April 21 (weekly except April 7 and 14)

Painting With Acrylics, Intermediate

We will expand our use of color and different types and styles of artwork. Please bring paints, brushes, canvas boards, water container, and rags

• Instructor: Susan Tischler, a BLL member who has studied art and has been painting for over 10 years.
• Time: 12:30–1:50 p.m.
• Dates: February 18–March 17 weekly

History and Styles of Jazz

This course will include the history and characteristics of ragtime, traditional New Orleans jazz, swing, bebop, jazz funk, and free jazz. Audio selections will be played.

• Instructor: Robert Mishaan thought his love for jazz would be a fun way to contribute to our program.
• Time: 12:30–2 p.m.
• Dates: February 4–25 weekly

Great Documentaries

We will view and discuss Fog of War, Koyaanisqatsi, Bowling for Columbine, Point of Order, and other great documentaries.

• Facilitator: David Krupp attended SUNY Buffalo as a psychology major and taught in the New York City public schools for 45 years
• Time: 2:15–3:30 p.m.
• Dates: February 11–April 28 (weekly except April 14)

Intellectual Life Lecture Series

• All presented: 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
• February 11: "Life in Turkey Today." Goksel Guven, executive director of the Turkish Cultural Center.
• February 18: "Life in Ukraine Today." Father Michael Perry
• Date TBA: "Life in Zimbabwe Today." Sister Celia Deutsch, member of the Sisters of Sion.

Special Lectures

• 12:30–2 p.m.
• March 31: "What's Wrong With The New York Times 1619 Project?" The "1619 Project" focuses on demonstrating links between the harshness of slavery and white supremacy today. Does it rely on misrepresentations and misinterpretations of slavery with adverse ramifications for black Americans? Presented by Professor Robert Cherry, who has been teaching economics at Brooklyn College for almost 40 years and has published a number of articles on Jewish middlemen, and Herman Lubinsky, the owner of one of the more important jazz record companies, Savoy.
• April 21: "Identity Theft: How to Protect Yourself." Identity theft is the fastest-growing financial crime in the United States. Learn how to protect yourself and your assets. Presented by Marianne Gennari, who has 38 years of experience in the legal/compliance area with an expertise in money laundering and fraud investigation. She is a trainer for LiveOn NY. Dennis Hochbaum is a Certified Fraud Examiner with extensive experience in government auditing. He is a trainer for LiveOn NY.

Wednesday

TED Talks: Innovative and Exciting Ideas for the Future

TED talks are riveting videoed lectures (10–20 minutes each) by remarkable people. We'll stick to those which are highly informative, and we'll definitely choose ones likely to spark spirited discussions among those attending. Each session will be self-contained, and a wide variety of themes will be explored.

• Facilitator: Peter Sohn is committed to learning more as a retiree in an occasionally organized way than he did for the 40 years he worked in the information technology field.
• Time: 9:30–10:45 a.m.
• Dates: February 5–April 29 (weekly except February 12, and April 8 and 15)

Spanish, Intermediate and Beyond

We invite any student who has a reasonable background in Spanish study to attend. We read, converse, listen, and write in order to achieve the goal of mastering the language.

• Instructor: Edward Drayton's passion for Spanish began when he won the medal for Spanish at his junior high school. He graduated from Brooklyn College and went on to become a New York City public school teacher.
• Time: 10:30–11:45 a.m.
• Dates: February 19–April 29 (weekly except February 12, and April 8 and 15)

Reading The New York Science Times

Great things are happening in the world of science today. Read and bring the Tuesday New York Times Science Section to class for our informative discussions about the latest breakthroughs.

• Instructor: Leslie Jacobson, a long-time professor of health and nutrition sciences and a "founding mother" of IRPE/BLL, has been a major supporter of our organization since its beginning.
• Time: 11 a.m.–noon
• Dates: February 5–April 29 (weekly except February 12, and April 8 and 15)

Nathaniel Hawthorne's Short Fiction

The heritage of puritanism, sin, guilt, moral ambiguity, and magic realism in Hawthorne's short romances. First class: The Maypole of Merry Mount and My Kinsman, Major Molineux.

• Instructor: Brian Keener is a retired professor at NYC College of Technology and author of John Updikes's Human Comedy: Comic Morality in The Centaur and the Rabbit Novels.
• Time: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Dates: February 19, March 4 and 18, April 1 and 22

Current Events Discussion Group

This group will enlist rotating facilitators for discussions of local, national, and international news. Come tell us what you think.

• Instructor: Morty Marshack, an attorney who specialized in litigation, first for the Nassau County Legal Aid Society and then for the City of New York. Before that, he did agricultural extension as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal and taught public school in the South Bronx.
• Time: 12:30–2 p.m.
• Dates: February 5–April 29 (weekly except February 12, March 4, April 8 and 15)

BLL Walk Fit Program

• Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
• 1–2 p.m.
• Meet at the Brooklyn College Athletic Field
• Dates to be announced in our newsletter.

Thursday

Classic Book Club

We will discuss Middlemarch by George Elliot, The Leopard by Giuseppe de Lampedusa, 1984 by George Orwell, and Sentimental Education by Gustave Flaubert.

• Facilitator: Richard Redmond retired from the IT Department of a major investment bank. Prior to that he worked as a librarian for many years.
• Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
• Dates: February 27, March 26, April 23, May 14

Significant Presidential Elections in U.S. History

We are examining the critical election of 1968 conducted in the tumultuous era of the Vietnam war and antiwar protests, and of assassinations of revered leaders and widespread urban unrest. We will see how Richard Nixon exploited these conditions to usher in an era of relative conservatism in the White House.

• Instructor: Stephen Appell, Esq., an attorney who specialized in labor law. A graduate of Cornell and Rutgers Law School, he is an avid student and teacher of historical subjects.
• Time: 12:30–1:30 p.m.
• Dates: February 13–April 30 (weekly except February 27, and April 9 and 16)

Essays, Articles, and Op-Eds

This class will consist of open discussion on selected thought-provoking topics found in essays, articles, op-eds, and documentaries. Discussion will be enhanced by using PowerPoint slides, videos, and documentaries. Please read "Is the American School System Damaging Our Kids?" before the first class. Copies available in the office.

• Instructor: Annette Libert has been a registered nurse/administrator and educator for 45 years. She has facilitated training sessions for BLL.
• Time: 12:30–1:50 p.m.
• Dates: February 6–April 30 (weekly except April 9 and 16)

Walt Whitman Initiative Lecture Series

• 2:15–3:30 p.m.
• February 13: "The Wound Dresser: Whitman and the Civil War." Ian Maloney, St. Francis College.
• February 27: "Walt Whitman and the Making of Leaves of Grass." Matt Miller, Yeshiva University.
• March 12: "The Commercialization of Walt Whitman in Modern Society." Ed Centeno, Whitman collector.
• March 26: "Whitman's Poe: A Story of Literary Networks in Bohemian New York." Ed Whitley, Lehigh University.
• April 2: "Walt Whitman Goes to the Opera.” Greg Trupiano, director, Walt Whitman Project.
• April 23: "Walt Whitman: Brooklyn Housebuilder, Homeowner, Lifelong Learner." Karen Karbiener, NYU

Special Lecture—Presented by Professor Rochelle Cherry

• "Hearing Loss and Related Conditions." Depression, balance, social isolation, cardiovascular disease, etc.
• April 2
• 12:30–2 p.m.

Professor Rochelle Cherry taught audiology classes at the college level for over 40 years and was a certified clinical audiologist since 1970. She was head of audiology at Brooklyn College for over 20 years and has written several journal papers on this subject.

Friday

The Start of Something Mysterious Book Club!

Each month we will tackle a different mystery novel, enjoy a lively discussion based on its merits and review a brief biography of the author. Please read Still Life by Louise Penny before the first class. The next book will be selected in class.

• Instructor: Sharon Sturm, a retired New York City school teacher who loves reading serial mysteries in chronological order (though she is open to stand-alones as well).
• Time: 10:30–11:45 a.m.
• Dates: February 14, April 17, May 1

Dramatic Film Comedy—Part One

We will be watching dramatic film comedies this semester. The films to be viewed will include Groundhog Day, The Big Lebowski, Diner, etc. Discussion will follow each film screening.

• Instructor: Sol Makon's passion is film. He has an extensive knowledge of cinema, much of it gained through film courses he took at The New School.
• Time: 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Dates: February 7–May 1 (weekly except April 10)

The Constitution in the News

This course will examine the U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court cases relevant to abortion, immigration, guns, and public safety (vaccines).

• Instructor: Dianne Stillman practiced law for over 20 years, was an adjunct professor of law, and a high school English teacher. Currently she writes about public education.
• Time: 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
• Dates: March 13–April 24 (weekly except April 10)

Decorative Arts and Crafts

The classes will consist of creating functional dcoupage bowls, cardboard bracelets and marble painted initials. Please bring any kind of scrap paper including newspapers, magazines, and paper cartons as well as Mod Podge glue, brushes, and a small container.

• Instructor: Elaine Wilshire has worked in hospitals and health care management. Sheila Washington has worked flea markets, churches, and community centers in the arts.
• Time: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Dates: ON HOLD

BLL Walk Fit Program

• Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
• 1–2 p.m.
• Meet at the Brooklyn College Athletic Field.
• Dates to be announced in our newsletter.

Special Lectures

• 12:30–2 p.m
• .
• April 3: "Points Aren't Apples: Exploring the Mysteries of Infinity." Where does infinity come from? How big is infinity? Are there little infinities and big infinities? Can you take an infinite number of steps? How far would you get? Presented by Fred Friedland, who teaches mathematics at Baruch College (CUNY). He has given lectures at the IRPE/BLL since 1990.
• April 24: "The Best of Times: Nearly 100 Years of Time Magazine Covers That Have Both Delighted and Outraged Readers." We will conclude with a sneak peek at the latest cover not yet on the newsstands. Presented by Margery Marcu, a retired English teacher who holds a bachelor of arts degree, a master's degree, and doctorate in English. Marcus lectures frequently for OSHER Lifelong Learning programs in Florida.

Museum Walks and Talks*

• Coordinator: Linda Silverman is an avid museum-goer. She was a program director at NYC College of Technology/CUNY in adult and continuing education.
• Members travel independently to museums.
• All tours are on Fridays at 11 a.m. unless noted.
• Registration begins on the day of receipt of the catalog. Early pre-registration is advised.
• February 28, 12:30: 100 Years of Chinese Posters at Poster House. $10
• March 20: The Art of Impermanence: Japanese Works at Asia Society and Museum. $10
• April 3: Burke Prize and Exhibit Highlights at Museum of Arts and Design. $25
• April 24: Sahel: Art on the Shores of the Sahara at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. $25
• May 1: Mexican Muralists at the Whitney Museum of American Art. $24