Welcome back to GENuine Connections. If you've already participated in the past or recently attended an orientation it's time to register for un upcoming workshop! We ask that you only register for one workshop per semester.
Here's how it works:
- Click on the title of the workshop you would like to register for.
- A new window will open up for Zoom Event registration, select an adult or teen ticket.
- Log into Zoom if prompted. Participating in GENuine Connections requires you to have a free Zoom account and to be logged into your account.
- If you have any questions, reach out to us at genuineconnections@dorotusa.org and we will be happy to help you log on.
New to GENuine Connections? Sign up for an orientation HERE.
GENuine Connections Weekly Workshop Schedule: March 20 - May 18, 2023 (Spring)
Monday Brain Games Begins Monday, March 20, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM EST
Playing games can reduce stress, increase energy, and improve brain function. That’s why you need to register today to play brain games. Brain games is an intergenerational group for nine weeks. Over our semester together, our intergenerational group will play Jeopardy, trivia, Pictionary and more. Help build intergenerational connections and have fun doing it!
Monday Story Circles Begins Monday, March 20, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM EST
We all have a story to tell. So, spend an hour each week engaging in Story Circles! You’ll gain experience as a storyteller by telling personal stories in a supportive group, guided by a Story Circle facilitator. Each Story Circle will have a different theme and every session will start and end with an informal gathering and mingling. Sign up to share your voice! We can’t wait to hear what you have to say.
Mindfulness Begins Monday, March 27, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM EST
New to meditation? Or already an experienced practitioner? Either way, practice with an intergenerational community. This workshop will open your eyes to how you can bring a little more mindfulness into your everyday life. The world can be a stressful place. Enroll in this workshop to discuss and practice ancient techniques to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.
About the Facilitator: Jennifer Monness has been mindfulness meditation facilitator for over 25 years. In 2016, she created the Meditation Lab, a program especially tailored to people who experience a tremendous amount of stress and pressure in their workplace and in their day-to-day lives. Jennifer is the mother of six and lives with her husband in Irvington, New York. In her spare time, she loves to hike, bike, and play Rummikub.
Chess Begins Tuesday, March 21, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST
Strengthen your skills and make a friend across the chess board! GENuine Connection's Chess Workshop fosters a setting where wisdom and curiosity meet face-to-face, building mutually beneficial relationships in the process! Play chess, share stories, and create meaningful intergenerational connections!
About the Facilitator: Sakima, aka Saki is a musician, educator and avid chess player. With 5 years of experience in education within school systems and museums, Saki brings aspects of fun and exploration to the communities they teach. Facilitating cultural growth is their passion. For Saki, there's no better way to do this than by connecting with people through the arts, games and education.
Tuesday Brain Games Begins Tuesday, March 21, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM EST
Playing games can reduce stress, increase energy, and improve brain function That’s why you need to register today to play brain games. Brain games is an intergenerational group for nine weeks. Over our semester together, our intergenerational group will play Jeopardy, trivia, Pictionary and more. Help build intergenerational connections and have fun doing it!
Tuesday Story Circles Begins Tuesday, March 21, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM EST
We all have a story to tell. So, spend an hour each week engaging in Story Circles! You’ll gain experience as a storyteller by telling personal stories in a supportive group, guided by a Story Circle facilitator. Each Story Circle will have a different theme and every session will start and end with an informal gathering and mingling. Sign up to share your voice! We can’t wait to hear what you have to say.
About the Facilitator: Arielle is a second-year Master's student at the Jewish Theological Seminary studying Jewish Gender and Women's Studies. Arielle has been working with DOROT since 2020 in multiple capacities. Their interests and workshops revolve around creativity, ways of expressing emotion and experience, and using different art mediums as a form of communication. Outside of work and school, Arielle can be found gardening on her fire escape, baking cookies, and biking around Brooklyn!
Current Events Discussion Group Begins Wednesday, March 22, 4:30 PM – 5:45 PM EST
Love to talk about what’s going on in the world? Teen and older adult volunteers come together each week for a series of meaningful intergenerational conversations. We will explore, discuss, and reflect on current events and issues as they relate to our lives. This group provides a structure for all participants to exchange ideas and opinions to learn from one another. Current issues to be discussed will incorporate the topic interest of the group. Enroll to learn more about yourself and the world around you.
About the Facilitator: Ruby Goodman is a sophomore at Tufts University studying American Studies and English. This summer, Ruby worked as a college intern for the Summer Teen Internship at DOROT, and had an absolute blast. She can’t wait for your time together this fall, and looks forward to seeing everyone soon!
Music Begins Wednesday, March 22, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM EST
Create connections by sharing the music that means the most to you. Music is a very powerful instrument: it can help calm our minds, boost energy when we feel tired, and bring to life many memories. We will explore different music genres during our sessions and share personal stories and memories while creating meaningful connections. Bring your favorite music with you, and discover the music that others hold dear.
About the Facilitator: Zhenya Lapotnik lives and works in NY. It is hard to pin down one field of her interests. She sings and composes music, creates art, and works as a Jewish Educator with different communities. Zhenya loves to work on different projects where a high level of creativity is needed. She adores working in a team, because she believes that cooperation between open-minded people can give birth to unique opportunities. Zhenya speaks five languages: English, Russian, Yiddish, Hebrew and Ukrainian, and is happy that all five cultures comprise her background. She is pleased to share it with you!
Wrinkle Salon Begins Wednesday, March 22, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM EST
Learn about how the way that we grow older affects how long we’ll live, and how ageism (prejudice against people because of their age) affects both old and young people. We’ll discover how to recognize and challenge negative stereotypes and thoughts about age and in doing so we can pave the way for happier, healthier and longer lives, and join a movement to make it easier to be our age, whatever it is, in today’s society.
About the Facilitator: Dr. Stacey Gordon, is NYU’s Program Director of Next Phase Adult Caregiving and Retirement and directs the Society of Retired Faculty, all based at NYU Work Life. Stacey provides thought leadership and programming to the NYU community on aging, caregiving and retirement and infuses every program (and conversation) with an anti-ageist approach. Prior to joining the Work Life team, Stacey founded and directed several organizations including ElderOptions Care Management in New York and Chicago. In 2012, she founded the first large-scale geriatric care management organization in Israel, called B’Lev Shalem. Stacey also founded The Wrinkle Project, an initiative to dismantle negative self and societal stereotypes. Stacey served as an Adjunct Lecturer at the Crown Family School of Social Work and Social Policy at the University of Chicago School Service Administration and is an Adjunct Professor at the NYU Silver School of Social Work.
Intergenerational LGBTQ+ Affinity Group Begins Thursday, March 23, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM EST
The world can be hard to navigate alone. Form meaningful connections with other LGBTQ+ community members in this affinity group. Connect about what it means to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community and to learn from one another's experiences navigating the world. The focus of each session will be based on the interest of the group, with each participant having a chance to prepare and lead the discussion. Join for real connection.
About the Facilitator: Sam Sheldon can't wait for the Intergenerational LGBTQ+ Affinity Group to continue this spring. Having joined DOROT last summer after graduating from Columbia University, Sam designed and facilitated the agency's first group of its kind. Sam looks forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming new people to our virtual community. Additionally, Sam is the Program Coordinator of GENuine Connections.
Thursday Story Circles Begins Thursday, March 23, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM EST
We all have a story to tell. So, spend an hour each week engaging in Story Circles! You’ll gain experience as a storyteller by telling personal stories in a supportive group, guided by a Story Circle facilitator. Each Story Circle will have a different theme and every session will start and end with an informal gathering and mingling. Sign up to share your voice! We can’t wait to hear what you have to say.
About the Facilitator: Elijah Wong is a Program Coordinator of Intergenerational Engagement at DOROT. He is also a singer, lyricist, and performance artist whose autoethnographical work explores the interstitial spaces of inner-city knowledge, violence and eros. He worked over a decade at Rikers Island providing counseling and post-release services for court-involved youth. He earned his B.A. in Critical Race Theory with a focus on Black and Asian American Studies from Sarah Lawrence College.
Theater Begins Thursday, March 23, 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM EST
This workshop will bring out the playful in you. Connect with our most childlike selves through playing acting games, improv, and playbuilding. Acting and improv games help build skills like active listening, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and risk taking. But most importantly, we will build community by playing, laughing, and having fun together, from the comfort of our own homes. Sign up for laughter and connection.
About the Facilitator: Claire Tumey (She/Her/Hers) is a playwright, actor, teacher, and theatre facilitator based out of Brooklyn, NY. She is currently pursuing her Master's in Applied Theatre from the City University of New York. She is thrilled to get the chance to use theatre to build strong intergenerational community with DOROT!