Classes, Courses, and Lectures
Fall Session 2017
MONDAYS
A PLANT BASED LIFE – A GUIDE TO HEALTHY AND COMPASSIONATE LIVING
This class will be a guide for anyone interested in a plant based/vegan lifestyle. We will discuss the benefits and how to get started by making simple changes to one’s pantry and converting favorite dishes all while staying within your budget.
Instructor: Michaela Grob
Time: 10:00 - 11:00
Dates: September 25-November 20 (weekly except 10/9)
Michaela Grob has a background in the hospitality and travel industry which allowed her to explore the cultures and foods of many countries. She made the switch to a vegan diet six years ago and has never looked back.
THE SHORT STORY: HERE AND THERE
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 “The Full Glass” by John Updike for the first class (copies are available in the office, 3160 Boylan)
Instructor: Rotating Facilitators
Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Dates: September 11 – November 27 (weekly except 10/9)
ART AND OUR EMOTIONS
We will use artwork and the creative process to explore feelings, deal with emotional conflicts and behavior while reducing anxiety and boosting self- esteem.
Instructor: Vincent Blazewicz
Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Dates: September 11 – November 27 (weekly except 10/9)
Vincent Blazewicz is a parent, grandparent, cancer survivor, investigator and hospice volunteer who enjoys humor and music.
CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION GROUP
“May you live in interesting times” is a Chinese curse. This discussion group will consider the current events of a new administration and developments abroad. Tell us what you think.
Instructor: Gene Reiser
Time: 11:05 – 11:50
Dates: September 11 – November 27 (weekly except 10/9)
Gene Reiser has a lifelong passion for history and politics. He is a former labor relations manager for CUNY.
THE MAYORAL ELECTION
This is an opportunity to look at some of the issues facing New York City. How will the candidates deal with solving the problems of homelessness, education, finance and law enforcement. We will look at polling data to see how various groups are responding to the campaign and the results.
Instructor: Dr. Susan B. Prager
Time: 12:00 – 1:00
Dates: October 16 – November 20
Dr. Susan Prager taught sociology at Brooklyn College. Her interests include retirement and family.
SPECIAL LECTURE
“JACKIE ROBINSON’S NOBLE EXPERIMENT AT 70”
PRESENTED BY
PROF. JOSEPH DORINSON
OCTOBER 30 12:00 - 1:30
Joseph Dorinson is a Professor of History at Long Island University and has lectured on humor and culture for BLL/IRPE since 1990
*ACTOR’S WORKSHOP *Pre-registration required. Class limited to 18
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.
Instructor: Barbara Becker
Time: 12:00 – 3:00
Dates: September 11 – November 27 (weekly except 10/9)
Barbara Becker has been assisting Actor’s Workshop for the past 7 years as well as having been an active participant for over 11 years. Her acting experience began in early childhood having performed with the New York City Opera.
SPECIAL SLIDE SHOWS & LECTURES
“CYCLING FROM VIENNA TO BUDAPEST” PHOTOJOURNALISTIC IMAGES OF A 10 DAY TRIP ALONG THE DANUBE RIVER
SEPTEMBER 25TH 12:30 – 1:30
“CUBA” PHOTOJOURNALISTIC IMAGES OF A ONE WEEK TRIP TO CUBA
OCTOBER 23RD 12:30 – 1:30
BOTH PRESENTED BY PROFESSOR KENNETH AXEN
Kenneth Axen is 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.
THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND THE NEW DEAL
We will discuss the causes and impact of the Great Depression and the attempt of the New Deal to bring lasting reform.
Instructor: Martin Pasternak
Time: 1:10 – 2:10
Dates: September 11 – November 27 (weekly except 10/9, 11/6)
Martin Pasternak taught at the College of Staten Island CUNY, including an elective course on the Civil War and Reconstruction for the past 15 years.
SPECIAL MATHEMATICAL LECTURE
“WHERE YOU START DETERMINES WHERE YOU GO”
EUCLID STARTED GEOMETRY IN ONE PLACE. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU START SOMEWHERE ELSE?
PRESENTED BY: FRED FRIEDLAND
NOVEMBER 6TH 1:30 – 3:00
Fred Friedland teaches Mathematics at Baruch College. He has given lectures at the IRPE/BLL since 1990.
TUESDAYS
BROOKLYN HISTORY
Brooklyn during the Civil War, Coney Island and the Trumps; horseracing and automobile racing in Brooklyn’s past; the History of City Hall (Borough Hall) and more…
Instructor: Ron Schweiger
Time: 9:00 – 10:15
Dates: September 12 – October 10
Ron Schweiger is a retired school teacher who was appointed “The Official Borough Historian” by former Borough President, Marty Markowitz. He has 30 years of experience on aspects of Brooklyn History.
*BLL BOOK CLUB *Pre-Registration is required Classes are limited.
We will discuss: “On the Move: A Life” by Oliver Sacks; “The Sympathizer” by Viet Thanh Nguyen; “Ties” by Domenico Starnone; “Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead; “Notes from Underground” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Time: 10:00-11:45
Dates: 9/12, 10/10, 11/7, 12/5
A POEM A DAY
Students will write a complete poem each class. Various styles, formats and formulas will be modeled and students can write personal, descriptive ideas and experiences in poetic form.
Students must have a dedicated full sized notebook.
Instructor: Elizabeth DeMairo
Time: 10:30 – 11:50
Dates: September 12 – November 28
Elizabeth DeMairo has been a lifelong writer. She has taught students of all ages, and spent her last five years teaching writing to public school fifth graders.
SPECIAL LECTURE
CARETAKER
PRESENTED BY: HERZL EISENSTADT
OCTOBER 24TH 12:00 – 1:00
Herzl Eisenstadt is a New York attorney who has served as a caretaker and a court appointed supervisor of guardians.
YOGA, PILATES & BODY MOVEMENT AWARENESS
This course will consist of a series of postures and breathing exercises combined with relaxation techniques and exercises.
Instructor: Cynthia Arenson
Time: 12:00-1:20
Dates: October 3 – November 28 (weekly except 9/19, 11/21)
Cynthia Arenson is a graduate of Brooklyn College and has a Masters’ Degree in Exercise Physiology from Queens College. She has taught yoga for over 30 years.
MEMOIR WRITING
Students will connect with the memorable stories of their lives and produce a final piece of writing. Using a writing building process, they will enhance their stories and build from the inside out.
Students must have a dedicated full sized notebook.
Instructor: Elizabeth DeMairo
Time: 12:30 – 1:50
Dates: September 12 – November 28 (weekly except 9/19, 11/21)
Elizabeth DeMairo has had lengthy training in memoir study and enjoys assisting students bring their experiences to the written page.
SPANISH FOR BEGINNERS
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
Time: 12:30 – 1:50
Dates: September 12 – November 28 (weekly except 9/19 & 11/21)
Nilita León is a certificated Spanish teacher with exceptional knowledge of Spanish-speaking countries.
MEMOIRS BY AWARD-WINNING AUTHORS
Using “The Art of Memoir” by Mary Karr, we will discuss Memoir vs. Autobiography, and Memoir vs. Fiction in relation to the following books:
“The Liar’s Club” – Mary Karr
“Night” (2006 Edition) - Elie Wiesel
“The Year of Magical Thinking” – Joan Didion
“Patrimony” – A True Story - Philip Roth
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” – Maya Angelou
Instructor: Joan Ostacher
Time: 1:00 – 3:00
Dates: 9/12, 9/26, 10/10, 10/24, 11/14, 11/28
Joan Ostacher taught English in public school for almost 30 years. She continued to share her love of reading and writing at BMCC (CUNY) for several years. Joan is a graduate of Brooklyn College.
WEDNESDAYS
SPANISH INTERMEDIATE AND BEYOND
We invite any student who has a reasonable background in Spanish study. We read, converse, listen and write in order to achieve the goal of mastering the language.
Instructor: Edward Drayton
Time: 9:45 – 11:00
Dates: September 27 –November 29 (weekly except 11/22)
Ed 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 NYC public school teacher.
READING THE NEW YORK SCIENCE TIMES
Great things are happening in the world of science today. Read and bring the Tuesday, NY Times Science Section to class for our informative discussions about the latest breakthroughs.
Instructor: Dr. Leslie Jacobson
Time: 11:05-12:05
Dates: September 13 – November 29 (weekly except 9/20,11/22)
Leslie Jacobson has been a long-time Professor in the department of Health and Nutrition Sciences. She is a “founding mother” of IRPE/BLL and a major supporter of our organization since its beginning.
MOVIE MEMORIES AND HOLLYWOOD HUMOR
Famous movie dialogue, anecdotes, clichés, jokes, biographies, Oscar winners and losers, and songs from the movies.
Instructor: Leo Gerber
Time: 12:10 – 1:25
Dates: 9/6, 9/27, 10/11, 10/25, 11/8
Leo Gerber is a movie buff, lectures on American history, film facts and fiction, popular songs and singers, and the history of vampires. He enjoys researching and presenting background material for his classes.
LOOKING AT THE MODERN WORLD: ART FROM THE 19TH CENTURY TO NOW
We will examine some of the new ways of looking at and experiencing the world that started in the 19th century, continued to develop in the last century, and are still evolving. This course will include art activities.
Instructor: Peter Bazeley
Time: 12:10 – 1:25
Dates: 10/4, 10/18, 11/1, 11/15, 11/29
Peter Bazeley has a BFA from the Cooper Union and MPS in Creative Art Therapy and Creativity Development from Pratt.
FILMS NOMINATED FOR THE BEST PICTURE ACADEMY AWARD WHICH DID NOT WIN, PART II 1960’s AND EARLY 1970’sEDNESDAY (continued)
Every year the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences nominates several films for Best Picture. In each of our classes we will screen a film that did not win. All films will be screened in yearly chronological order, decade by decade. This ongoing series continues into the 1960’s and early 1970’s and will include “Charade,” Dr. Strangelove,” “The Graduate,” etc.
Instructor: Sol Makon
Time: 1:30 – 3:15
Dates: September 6 – November 29 (weekly except 9/20, 11/22)
Sol Makon is a film and music aficionado. His expertise was further developed by taking college courses in these fields. He also has a large media collection at his disposal.
THURSDAYS
THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF THE SIX DAY WAR
The Six Day War of June 1967 is a textbook case because of Israel’s military tactics. The historic diplomatic and political events which led to and followed the war are equally astounding. We will look at the before, during and after of the event that changed the map of the Middle East and echoes in today’s headlines.
Instructor: Gene Reiser
Time: 10:00 – 11:00
Dates: 10/5, 10/12
Gene Reiser has a lifelong passion for history and politics. He is a former labor relations manager for CUNY.
SIGNIFICANT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN U.S. HISTORY
We will continue examining the history of important presidential elections including their political and economic backgrounds, the candidates, the campaigns and election results and consequences. We will focus this term on the 1964 election of Lyndon Johnson and the resultant Great Society program.
Instructor: Stephen Appell, Esq.
Time: 11:10 - 12:10
Dates: 9/14, 9/28, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/16, 11/30
Stephen Appell is 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.
SPECIAL LECTURE
“MIDWOOD, BEFORE HOLLYWOOD” EXPLORE THE RICH HISTORY OF FILM AND TELEVISION IN MIDWOOD, WHERE THE FIRST MODERN FILM STUDIO ON U.S. SOIL WAS BUILT IN 1906. LEARN ABOUT THE EARLY DAYS OF FILM AND THE WORLD’S FIRST MOVIE STARS.
PRESENTED BY: NELLIE PERERA & MELISSA FRIEDLING
OCTOBER 5TH 11:10 – 12:30
Nellie Perera has worked in Theater-in-Education for 20 years as a teaching artist and workshop facilitator. She is currently an adjunct professor at Brooklyn College.
Melissa Friedling is the Assistant Professor of Filmmaking and Director of Undergraduate Programs in Media Studies at the New School University. She is currently working on a film project based on Midwood’s cultural significance and history.
SPECIAL LECTURE
“CERT” COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS
LEARN HOW TO PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES/DISASTERS/HAZARDS, INCLUDING FIRE SAFETY, THAT MAY IMPACT YOUR AREA
LECTURER: KATHERINE KOROLENKO
OCTOBER 12TH 12:15-1:15
OPERA AND THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE
9/14 - Verdi
10/5 – Pavarotti
10/26 – Bartolomeo Cristofori (inventor of the piano)
11/16 – The evolution of recorded sound
11/30 – The life of Thomas Edison and his first recording
Instructor: Commendatore Aldo Mancusi
Time: 12:30 – 1:50
Aldo Mancusi is the Founder and Curator of the Enrico Caruso Museum for over 25 years. He has been a faculty member at the IRPE/BLL since 2011.
DONALD TRUMP “QUO VADIS” The saga continues…
Instructor: Walter Higgins
Time: 12:30 – 2:00
Dates: 9/7, 10/5, 10/19, 11/2, 11/16
Walter F. Higgins was a news writer at CBS News and the owner of an advertising agency. He has taught courses on the Constitution and U.S. government at Brooklyn College and NYU.
AMERICAN POPULISTS, AUTHORITARIANS, AND DEMAGOGUES
We will examine the nature of populism and demagoguery in American politics through the experiences of Andrew Jackson, Huey Long, Joseph McCarthy, George Wallace, Richard Nixon and others.
Instructor: Earl Cantos
Time: 12:30 – 2:00
Dates: October 19 – November 16 (weekly)
Earl Cantos is a retired secondary Social Studies teacher who has avidly studied the history of the First World War. He currently is employed as a field supervisor and mentor for upcoming social studies teachers.
LANGUAGE TO IMAGE: FILM ADAPTATIONS OF LITERARY TEXTS
We will focus on the transformation from literary text to its movie adaptation. Should we expect fidelity to the original text or is the adaptation an independent, original work? What do literary texts and movies have in common? How do they differ? What can each of these media do that the other can’t because of the way they communicate?
Texts and their film adaptations include Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights” and its movie adaptations by William Wyler and Luis Buñuel; Guy de Maupassant’s “A Day in the Country” and several other stories by de Maupassant.
Note: Please read at least half of “Wuthering Heights” before the first class
Instructors: Prof. Lilia Melani and Liz Weis
Time: 1:00 – 4:15
Dates: September 7 – October 26 (weekly except 9/21)
Lilia Melani is an English Professor at Brooklyn College. Liz Weis is a faculty member in Brooklyn College’s Film Department.
MINDFULNESS – A PLACE TO BE
Take a moment to slow down, breathe, and simply be. You will notice a rich world of thoughts, feelings and sensory experiences that will keep your mind, brain, and body supple and your heart soft. Learn to listen to yourself by meditating, moving, using words and by being mindful. Bring your sense of curiosity and come play on a path of self-discovery.
Instructor: Peggy Horwitz
Time: 2:00-3:30
Dates: October 12 – November 9 weekly
Peggy Horwitz, LCSW is a psychoanalyst working with individuals, couples and families. She teaches mindfulness practices to individuals in business, health and service-oriented organizations. She currently practices in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
FRIDAYS
SOCIAL BRIDGE
For those with knowledge of bridge, come and enjoy supervised play in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Instructor: Ira Barnett
Time: 10:00-12:00
Dates: September 8 – December 1 (weekly except 9/22, 9/29, 11/24)
Ira Barnett has been supervising since 2008.
“MUSEUM WALKS & TALKS” You must be a member of BLL to participate in these walks and talks
COORDINATOR: LINDA SILVERMAN
DOCENT LED GUIDED TOURS
MEMBERS TRAVEL INDEPENDENTLY TO MUSEUMS.
ALL TOURS BEGIN AT 11 A.M. AND LAST ONE HOUR.
Call the BLL office and you will be given instructions on how to register for te
Please do not send checks until
your choices are confirmed.
WE WANTED A REVOLUTION: BLACK RADICAL WOMEN, 1965-1985
BROOKLYN MUSEUM
SEPTEMBER 15TH - $17
WHERE WE ARE: SELECTIONS FROM THE WHITNEY COLLECTION, 1900-1960
WHITNEY MUSEUM
OCTOBER 6 - $24
MODIGLIANI UNMASKED
THE JEWISH MUSEUM
OCTOBER 20TH - $23
JOHN LOCKWOOD KIPLING
BARD GRADUATE CENTER GALLERY
NOVEMBER 3RD - $7
RESTORING THE MINOANS
INSTITUTE OF THE STUDY OF THE ANCIENT WORLD
NOVEMBER 17TH - $5
Linda Silverman is an avid museum-goer. She was a program director at NYC College of Technology/CUNY in adult and continuing education, and collaborative academic programs for over 20 years.
