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Updated as of 12/20/22
SPRING 2023 - THE DIVISION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Greetings Students!
Thank you for your continued interest in the Lois E. Marshall
Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR). Come explore
a rich and diverse selection of courses. We have both
in-person and online courses available to meet the
needs of our students. We hope you’ll join us for the
ILR’s Spring 2023 Semester!
Courses will continue to be facilitated by dedicated
volunteer instructors who are passionate about the
content they share with you.
Registration begins on February 15, 2023. After purchasing
a spring semester membership for $125.00, students
can register online, over the phone or in-person for up
to five courses of their choosing.
If you are interested in volunteering to teach for the ILR
please call the ILR office at (201) 447-7156 or send us
an email at [email protected].
Cinzia D’lorio, Executive Director
Mary Kate O’Toole-Mellow, Program Supervisor
Dolores Hunt, Coordinator
Beverly Miller, Secretary
NOTE FROM PROGRAM STAFF TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Note from Program Staff 1
• Table of Contents 1
• Contact Us 1
• About the ILR and Membership Benefits 2
• Volunteer to Teach for the ILR 2
• Registration Information 3
• BCC General Information and Policies 4
• Week-at-a-Glance In-Person Courses 5-6
• Week-at-a-Glance Online Courses 7
• Campus Map 7
• Course Descriptions 8-13
• Instructor Bios 14-17
CONTACT US
Institute for Learning in Retirement
Main Number: (201) 447-7156
General Email: [email protected]
Website: ilr.bergen.edu
The Technology Building, TEC115, Paramus campus
Mary Kate Mellow, Program Supervisor
(201) 879-3571
Beverly Miller, Secretary
(201) 447-7156
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INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
Updated as of 12/20/22
About the Institute for Learning in Retirement
The Lois E. Marshall Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) at Bergen Community College serves the
intellectual and social needs of a vibrant community of lifelong learners. Our members have a thirst for learning
and intellectual stimulation. Membership is open to all persons, 55 years and older. Current members come from
a wide range of experiences and backgrounds. There are no educational prerequisites, no exams, and no grades.
Courses are taught by members and experts from the larger community who volunteer their time to share their
passions and knowledge. Each semester’s offerings cover a broad range of topics.
One fee of $125.00 per semester, entitles members to attend up to five (5) courses.
Why You Should Join
• To become part of a community created specifically to
meet the lifelong educational interests and needs of
mature adults.
• To have social interaction with other ILR members during
classes and other organizational activities.
• To enjoy classes and activities in a diverse and multi-
generational college campus setting.
• To have access and borrowing privileges at Bergen
Community College Sidney Silverman Library.
• To be able to use the Paramus campus Fitness Center
and pool during scheduled free-time hours.
ILR Instructors - Volunteer to Teach
Each semester we look to grow our course offerings. Should
you want to volunteer to teach a course, please send your
ideas to [email protected]. Please note, ILR Instructors are entitled
to free membership during the semester they are teaching.
Benefits of Membership
Cafeteria
BCC Campus Dining (Pitkin Building, 2nd Floor) is open
Monday to Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m. Starbucks is located in the Student Center (Pitkin
Building) and is open weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Hours
vary during holidays and breaks.
Dental Hygiene Clinic
This on-campus program is open to ILR members with a
Student ID card. Call (201) 447-7180 for an appointment.
There is a minimal charge for this service.
Paramus Campus Fitness Center (S-128) and Swimming
Pool
ILR members may use the facilities during scheduled free-
time hours (which may vary throughout the year). Members
should call the Bergen Community College’s main number
at 201-447-7100 to confirm hours of operation.
Fitness Center Schedule and Medical Release forms are
available in the Office of Health Service room HS 100 Pitkin.
You must complete a Medical Release form and return it to
room HS 100 to receive a medical card before you can use
the facilities. You must also present your Student ID card.
Sidney Silverman Library
ILR members have access and borrowing privileges at Bergen
Community College Sidney Silverman Library by presenting
their Student ID card at the desk.
Location
The ILR office is in The Technology Building, TEC115, on the
Paramus campus. ILR courses are held in various classrooms
on the Paramus campus.
Email [email protected] to sign up for the ILR email list.
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INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
Updated as of 12/20/22
ILR Registration Information
Important Notice: ILR courses start and end at various
times during the semester. You do not have to be
present for the entire semester to participate in the ILR.
Register
Online: Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses to register online.
By Phone: Call the ILR at (201) 447-7156.
In-Person: Visit the ILR office TEC-115 located in
The Technology Building on the Paramus campus.
Enroll
Before enrolling in courses, students purchase an ILR
membership for the semester. Memberships are purchased
during registration. For schedule changes contact the ILR.
Returning Students
If you are a returning ILR student, use your current username
(your email) and password to log in for Registration.
For help resetting forgotten passwords visit
https://bergen.edu/portalhelp/ or contact the HelpDesk at
(201) 879-7109.
To update your contact information contact the ILR at
Cost
ILR Membership is $125.00 for one semester and entitles
you to register for and attend five (5) courses per semester.
The ILR runs both a fall and spring semester. The ILR accepts
new members at any time during the semester but does
not prorate fees.
Payment
Payment is by credit card.
**Canceling your credit card payment through your credit card
company will result in a $35.00 processing fee from the ILR.
Failure to pay the fee will result in delayed registration.
Refund Policy
The ILR does not issue refunds.
Online Classes
Online classes are through Webex. Before your first class you
will receive a link to log on. This will be the same link for every
class. Log into your class 10 minutes in advance to address any
connection needs.
For assistance with Webex reach out to the HelpDesk Media
Technology Department at (201) 879-7109, ext. 3.
Minimum computing requirements for online classes:
• A reliable internet connection
• A laptop with a built-in webcam and microphone or a
smartphone or table
• An internet browser (Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox)
To learn more visit:
https://bergen.edu/online/getting-started-with-online- courses.
Classroom Locations
Your classroom location and parking tips will be emailed to
you before the start of your first class. You will be notified of
any changes to your classes by email or by phone. The ILR
phone recording at (201) 447-7156 will also have updates.
Registration for the Spring 2023 semester starts February 15, 2023!
The ILR Spring Semester 2023 begins Monday, February 27 and ends Thursday, June 1.
The ILR will not hold class on April 5-7 or May 29. The ILR offers a wide array of workshops and
courses, of various lengths, with offerings both in-person and online.
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INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
Updated as of 12/20/22
General Information and Policies
BCC Policies
For BCC General Information, Student Code of Contact and
Sexual Harassment Policy, and Drug Free Workplace Act,
please visit https://bergen.edu/ce/general-information-and-
policies
Directions and Paramus Campus Map
Bergen Community College
400 Paramus Road
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Visit this BCC webpage:
https://bergen.edu/about-us/locations/paramus
Public Transportation & Bergen Community College
inter-campus Shuttle (BCC Shuttle)
NJ Transit: Buses run regularly to campus. Check
www.njtransit.com for schedules and to verify they stop on
Campus.
Parking
Park in student parking only. Most classes on the Paramus
Campus are accessible from Parking Lot B. If you have a class
in the Evergreen building, you can park in the parking lot right
in front of this building.
Emergency Closings
In the event that the College will be closed or have a delayed
opening, official notification is available from the following
service:
BCC Emergency Notification System
• Register at
• https://bergen.sendwordnow.com/HomePage.aspx
BCC website: https://bergen.edu
• Call the College’s main telephone number (201) 447-7100
• Log on to www.1010wins.com to sign up for email
notifications of college closings.
• Listen to radio stations: WCBS/880, WOR/710, 1010
Wins, WVNJ 1160.
• Watch News 12 NJ TV Cablevision
Student ID Card
Student ID cards are not required to attend ILR classes. All
members who do not have a student ID Card and would like
to receive one need to obtain a Student ID Number from the
ILR, then stop by the Public Safety Department located in the
Pitkin Building, first floor, room L-154. Student ID cards for ILR
members cannot be applied for online. They must be done
in person at Public Safety Department.
ILR Photography/Video Policy for Members
NOTICE: While on the grounds of any Bergen Community College location, you may be photographed or videotaped.
Your presence at the college will serve as a voluntary grant to Bergen of the right to photograph your image and to own,
license, assign and/or use the same (and/or any portion thereof) forever and throughout the world in any manner
and/media including, without limitation, in programming and the advertisement and promotion thereof.
You will not receive any payment for such use and waive any right to bring any action in law or equity against the college
and its past, present, and future officers, agents, representatives, employees, successors and assigns for such use.
If you do not agree to the above terms and do not wish to be photographed/taped, please remove yourself from areas
where photography/videotaping are taking place.
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INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
Updated as of 12/20/22
Week-at-a-Glance IN-PERSON Courses (Page 1 of 2)
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
IR-640
Discovery Series: Ellis
Island, Jersey Shore,
Old Croton Aqueduct
3/6, 3/13, 3/27
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Mario Medici
IR-956
Native American
History
2/28, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21,
4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25,
5/2, 5/9
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Emily Ginder
IR-939
Senior Balance Yoga
3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 4/12
10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Rennie Ackerman
IR-619
Watercolors For All
3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23,
3/30, 4/13, 4/20,
4/27, 5/4, 5/11
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Barry Shiff
IR-961
How the West
Was Won
3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Janet Dinardo-White
IR-948
US Space Program
History, Apollo Soyuz,
John Glenn,
Apollo 15/Lunar Rover
4/10, 4/17, 4/24
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Joe Lennox
IR-930
Photography Potpourri:
"What does this button
do? And what to do
after you know!”
4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Harmon Kaplan
IR-958
Story of American
Steel: Andrew
Carnegie, Charles M.
Schwab, Sparrows
Point Legacy
3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Rick Feingold
IR-960
RMN: Road to
Resignation
3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30,
4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4,
5/11, 5/18, 5/25, 6/1
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Jim Devine
IR-919
Impact of Healthcare
and Claiming Social
Security Costs in
Retirement
3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24,
3/31, 4/14
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Theresa J. Yarosh
IR-964
America’s Funny
Ladies: Fanny Brice,
Molly Picon, Gilda
Radner, Joan Rivers
4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Dick Burnon
IR-955
Great Religions of
the World
3/21, 3/28, 4/4,
4/11, 4/18
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Gloria B. Thomas
IR-929
Fall in Love with Poetry
4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3,
5/10, 5/17
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Laura Freedgood
IR-970
Film Program 1 -
Conspiracy Theories
3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30
11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Theo Solomon
IR-954
Lively Discussions
on “Lessons from
the Light“
3/3, 3/10, 3/24, 3/31,
4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5
1:45 - 3:00 p.m.
(4/28, 5/5) end 3:45 p.m.
Rachel Wieland
IR-521
Current Topics in
Biology and the
Environment
2/28, 3/7, 3/21, 3/28
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Robert Dill
IR-963
Caring Clowns
3/22, 3/29, 4/12, 4/19,
4/26, 5/3
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Helene Kotzker
IR-957
Current Events Club
3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Herman Lindenbaum
IR-806 Write Away!
4/21, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12
11:00 am - 12:30 p.m.
Mary Blehl Walsh
IR-959
Poetry: A Generative
Workshop to Get You
Writing
2/28, 3/7, 3/28, and 4/4
5:00 - 6:00 pm.
John Findura
IR-921
Neurology 202
3/1, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29
2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Judith Lustig
IR-911
Mindfulness:
Theories and Practice
3/23, 3/30, 4/13, 4/20
2:15 - 3:15 p.m.
Peter Dlugos
Courses organized loosely by start date and time.
6
INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
Updated as of 12/20/22
Week-at-a-Glance IN-PERSON Courses (Page 2 of 2)
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
IR-962
Concussion & Brain
Injury:
A Silent Epidemic
5/9, 5/23
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Rachel Ishak
IR-088
AARP Smart Driver
Course
(Sign up for one date. Extra
cost for this course.)
3/ 29, 4/26, 5/10
10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Frank Biamonte
IR-971
Film Program 2 - Great
Beginnings, Middles,
Endings and Effects
Without Computers
4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Theo Solomon
IR-969
Financial Markets:
Stocks, Bonds,
Alternatives and Cash
4/20, 4/27, 5/4
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Traphagen CPAs &
Wealth Advisors
IR-952
Private Journey:
Understanding
Incontinence &
Bladder Retraining
May 2
1:00 – 2:30 p.m
Rosemary Donnelly
IR-676
Sketching For All
Thursdays In-person:
3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23,
3/30, 4/13, 4/20,
4/27, 5/4, 5/11
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Barry Shiff
IR-786
Selected Topics in
US History
Tues/Thur
5/18, 5/23, 5/25, 5/30,
6/1
1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
Tom DeStefano
IR-786
Selected Topics in
US History
Tues/Thur
5/18, 5/23, 5/25,
5/30, 6/1
1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
Tom DeStefano
IR-247
ILR Choir
Sing, Sing, Sing
4/4, 4/11, 4/18,
4/25, 5/2, 5/9
3:00 - 4:30 pm.
Barbara Heitmann
IR-808
Baseball: Oddities
and Ironies
4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4
1:00-2:00 p.m.
Dan Schlossberg
Courses organized loosely by start date and time.
7
INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
Updated as of 12/20/22
Week-at-a-Glance ONLINE Courses
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
IR-965
Makers of History:
Catherine the Great
Augustus Caesar,
Machiavelli, Darwin,
Galileo
4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Manfred Weidhorn
IR-724
Family History 101
3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4
12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Fred Voss
IR-437
Intro to Digital
Photography
3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Ray Turkin
IR-544
Art and Artists of Spain
2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20,
3/27, 4/3
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Sandra Hancock Martin
IR-393
Financial Fitness in
Retirement
3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/13
1:00 - 2:00 pm
David Chepauskas, CFP
and James Maimone,
Summit Financial
EVERGREEN HALL
(
/
<"
M. HElFF HALL
SKOSKIE HALL
·---
-·-·--·-
\
\
----
1. Evergreen Hall
2. Suzanne M. Helff Hall
3. Scoskie Hall
4. West Hall
5. Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre
6. Pitkin Education Center
7. West Entrance - Student Center
8. South Entrance - Student Center
9. Student Center
10. East Entrance - Student Center
11. South Entrance - Public Safety
12. East Entrance
13. Gym
14. Gym & Pool Entrance
15. Pool
16. Health Services
17. Health Professions Integrated Teaching Center
18. Technology Education Center
19. Moses Center & Buehler Observatory
20. Buehler Challenger & Science Center
21. Ender Hall
22. Greenhouse
23. Lab Theatre
24. Child Development Center
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INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
Updated as of 12/20/22
The Art and Artists of Spain IR-544
Explore the lives, study the paintings, and
learn about the time periods of Spanish
artists from the Renaissance through
modern times. We will study El Greco,
Ribera, Velázquez, Murillo, Goya, Sorolla,
Gaudí, Picasso, Dalí and Miró. Professor
Martin studied at the Prado Museum and
the Complutense (University of Madrid)
on a Rockefeller Fellowship. She has taught
this course in Spanish at Ramapo College
and at ILR. This class will be in English.
Mondays Online: 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20,
3/27, 4/3
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Instructor: Sandra Hancock Martin, M.A.T.
Discovery Series: Ellis Island,
Island of Hope, Island of Tears”,
“Highlights of the Jersey Shore”
and “Along the Old Croton Aqueduct:
A Historic Walk” IR-640
This course is led by instructor Mario Medici
of Mario Medici Lectures LLC. and it encom-
passes three different lectures each on a
different date, all featuring pictures and
photos. “Ellis Island: Island of Hope, Island
of Tears” on (3/6) covers the island’s earliest
days up to the present day. Relive some of
our immigrants’ experiences, and stories,
along with their fears and disappointments.
“Highlights of the Jersey Shore” on (3/13)
covers an array of fascinating towns and the
history to go with them. Lighthouses, beaches,
forts, historic buildings, shipwrecks, are
among the discoveries. “Along the Old
Croton Aqueduct: A Historic Walk” on (3/27)
will provide a brief history of the OCA and
how it transformed New York City. Built back
in the mid-nineteenth century, the OCA
provided NYC with its first supply of fresh water.
Mondays In-person: 3/6, 3/13, 3/27
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Mario Medici, MBA
America’s Funny Ladies:
Fanny Brice, Molly Picon, Gilda
Radner, Joan Rivers IR-964
America’s Funny Ladies will cover Fanny
Brice (4/3), Molly Picon (4/10), Gilda Radner
(4/17), and Joan Rivers (4/24).
Mondays In-person: 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Dick Burnon
US Space Program History: Apollo
Soyuz, John Glenn, Apollo 15 and
the Lunar Rover IR-948
Join us for a course on US Space History
featuring the following 3 lectures.
1
st
: “Apollo Soyuz - Enemies Become
Friends”: The U.S. and Soviet space programs
join together in a historic and ground-
breaking mission that was an initial step
in warming up the Cold War.
2
nd
: “John Glenn - An American Icon”:
Learn about the amazing life and
accomplishments of one of America’s
most dynamic heroes.
3
rd
: “Apollo 15 and the Lunar Rover”:
Roaming and exploring the lunar Hadley
Mountains and Hadley Rille in the world’s
first and most innovative space buggy.
Mondays In-person: 4/10, 4/17, 4/24
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Joe Lennox
Makers of History: Catherine the
Great of Russia, Augustus Caesar,
Machiavelli, Darwin, Galileo IR-965
Join us as well learn about 5 important
historical figures with each class meeting
within this course featuring a lecture on
one of them. The lectures are as follows:
Catherine the Great of Russia; Augustus
Caesar, the first, longest serving, and
possibly the best of the Roman emperors;
Darwin, one of the greatest scientists;
Machiavelli, one of the most notorious of
writers,
who offers many insights into human
behavior; Galileo, the father of modern
science and the most important person in
history.
Mondays Online: 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8,
5/15
Time: 10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Instructor: Emeritus Professor Manfred
Weidhorn
Native American History IR-956
We will learn about the history of the
United States from the perspective of the
American Indians who lived west of the
Mississippi River before and after the Civil
War. The class will include lectures,
documentaries, videos, and literature.
Discussion of the material will be
encouraged. Required Reading: "An
Indigenous Peoples' History of the United
States for Young People" by Roxane
Dunbar-Ortiz (ISBN 978-0-8070-4939-6)
Tuesdays In-person:
2/28, 3/7, 3/14,
3/21, 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Emily Ginder
Great Religions of the World IR-955
Our discussions will focus on three major
religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
These religions are called the Religions of
the Book, since the books of Scripture are
fundamental to their faith. These religions
are part of our daily global and local news.
Many of our family, friends, and neighbors
belong to one of these three religions.
Does understanding of these religions
help us understand today’s religions /
political turmoil?
Tuesdays In-person: 3/21, 3/28, 4/4,
4/11, 4/18
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Gloria B. Thomas, Ph.D.
MONDAY Course Offerings
Course Descriptions
TUESDAY Course Offerings
9
INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
Updated as of 12/20/22
Current Topics in Biology and the
Environment IR-521
This course will discuss biology and current
stories dealing with the environment and
other environmental issues such as energy,
pollution, climate change, sustainability,
and assorted topics.
In-person: 2/28, 3/7, 3/21, 3/28
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Room: S-343
Instructor: Robert Dill, MS & MA, BCC faculty
The Private Journey:
Understanding Incontinence &
Bladder Retraining IR-952
Over 25 million Americans experience
episodes of incontinence, with the
majority of us being over the age of 60.
Many people suffer in silence,
embarrassed and isolated. But it doesn’t
have to be this way. This workshop will
provide a deeper understanding around
incontinence as well as some practical
strategies to address common triggers
and strategies to manage symptoms.
Please note, the content of this workshop
is not to be considered medical advice.
Rather, it provides basic information to
supplement the advice of your medical
professional.
Tuesday In-person: May 2
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Rosemary Donnelly
ILR Choir “Sing, Sing, Sing” IR-247
This class is open to all for pleasure and
fun. We will sing popular music, old
standards, and show tunes. No auditions
necessary, just a desire to sing. In the fall
semester students perform a Holiday
Concert at Bergen Community College,
that is open to the public, at the end of the
semester. Membership in singing groups,
rehearsals, and engagements outside of
the classroom are at the discretion of the
instructor, independent of the class.
Tuesdays In-person: 4/4, 4/11, 4/18,
4/25, 5/2, 5/9
Time: 3:00 - 4:30 pm.
Room: A-104
Instructor: Barbara Heitmann
Poetry: A Generative Workshop to
Get You Writing IR-959
Over the course of four classes, each
participant will learn new ways of sparking
their writing and getting their poetry from
their head onto a page.
Student Materials: Notebook and a pen
Tuesdays In-person: 2/28, 3/7, 3/28,
and 4/4
Time: 5:00 - 6:00 pm.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Professor John Findura, MFA,
Ed.D, M.Ed, BCC Faculty
Family History 101 IR-724
Many people are interested in their
family’s past. This course covers the basics
of searching records, such as birth, marriage,
and death documents as well as ship
manifests, naturalization documents,
military, and census records. We will discuss
both traditional (paper) and online records,
therefore students must be familiar with
navigating the Internet.
This Course is sponsored by the
Genealogical Society of Bergen County.
Tuesdays Online: 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4
Time: 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Instructor: Fred Voss
Photography Potpourri: "What does
this button do? And what to do after
you know!” IR-930
These classes will remove the fear from the
"computer with a lens." Once you know a
few basics you will be able to photograph
friends and family events with confidence,
even add an artistic flair to your images.
The classes will be adaptable to the wishes
of the students including small fun
assignments if desired. Bring your camera,
a basic point-and-shoot to an advanced DSLR,
but to get the most from the class it should
be an "adjustable" DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Bring your questions and be ready to have
fun with your camera! Student Materials:
camera, charged battery, memory card,
camera manual (if possible)
Tuesdays In-person: 4/4, 4/11, 4/18,
4/25, 5/2
Time: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Room: S-343
Instructor: Harmon Kaplan
Selected Topics in US History IR-786
This course will cover the US
Constitution, Jefferson Davis, William
McKinley, World War I and World War II.
Note: this course is held on both Tues.
and Thurs.
Tuesdays/Thursdays In-Person: 5/18,
5/23, 5/25, 5/30, 6/1
Time: 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Tom DeStefano, M.A.
Concussion & Brain Injury: A Silent
Epidemic IR-962
Concussion in sports have been making
more news headlines than ever before.
However, concussions and other brain
injuries don't only impact athletes. In this
course, we will: Define brain injury and
concussion; Review prevalence of brain
injury and concussion in the United States;
Discuss the symptoms and impact of brain
injury on the individual; Identify groups
who are at greater risk for brain injury and
review risk factors; Discuss prevention and
management strategies.
Tuesdays In-person: 5/9, 5/23
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Rachel Ishak, MSW, Brain
Injury Alliance of New Jersey
Course Descriptions
TUES Course Offerings Cont’d
10
INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
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The Story of American Steel: Andrew
Carnegie, Charles M. Schwab and the
Sparrows Point Legacy IR-958
Scotsman Andrew Carnegie built a steel
empire, became wealthy, and then gave it
all away. Charles Schwab would become
wealthy leading Bethlehem Steel but died
bankrupt. In 1887, Sparrows Point was an
isolated stretch of marshland on the shore
of the Chesapeake Bay. By 1958, it was the
biggest steel mill in the world. In 2015, it
was a pile of demolished rubble. Sparrows
Point is a story of capitalism, labor unions,
race, gender, and civil rights. Lecture and
WYPR (Baltimore) documentary.
Wednesdays In-person: 3/1, 3/8, 3/15,
3/22, 3/29
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Rick Feingold, MBA
Neurology 202 IR-921
Come join us as we explore topics in
neurology. The topics presented will be:
Head Trauma, Seizures, Back Pain and
Parkinson's Disease. No prior medical
knowledge necessary.
Wednesdays In-person: 3/1, 3/15,
3/22, 3/29
Time: 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Judith Lustig, MD
Senior Balance Yoga IR-939
We will work on simple but effective moves
to help with balance, stability, and core
strength. These moves are easy to
incorporate into your daily life and are
beneficial to anyone who struggles with
balance issues or just wants an enjoyable
movement class. Wear comfortable clothing.
Wednesdays In-person: 3/15, 3/22,
3/29, 4/12
Time: 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Room: Tec-203
Instructor: Rennie Ackerman
Caring Clowns IR-963
This course provides an introduction to the
history of clowning and clown arts
including clown magic, balloon twisting
and face painting. Learn how you pick a
clown name, face, and costumes. We will
explain where we clown and what we do in
various venues. Bring a sense of humor!
Wednesdays In-person: 3/22, 3/29,
4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Tec-203
Instructor: Helene Kotzker, Call Us Clowns
Fall in Love with Poetry IR-929
Are you mystified by poems? Read lyrical
and accessible contemporary works and
discover how using your heart as well as
your head can unlock the door and make
poetry a pleasurable experience.
Course Materials: Please bring a pen and
notebook or computer
Wednesdays In-person: 4/12, 4/19,
4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Laura Freedgood, Ph.D
Course Descriptions
WEDNESDAY Course Offerings
AARP Smart Driver Course IR-088
The Smart Driver course is the nation's first and largest refresher course designed specifically for drivers 50 and older. For over
40 years the course has taught millions of drivers safety strategies so they can continue driving safely as long as possible.
The cost per attendee for the AARP Smart Driver 6-hour course is $20 for AARP Members and $25 for non-AARP members.
Attendees pay at the time for the class, by check made out to AARP, or CASH, (checks are preferred). NO CREDIT CARDS ARE ACCEPTED.
This 6 HOUR course is designed to help participants:
1. Learn research-based safety strategies that can reduce the likelihood of having a crash
2. Understand the links among the driver, vehicle, and the road environment, and how this awareness encourages safer behavior.
3. Learn how aging, medications, alcohol, and other health-related issues affect driving ability, and ways to adjust to allow for these changes.
4. Increase confidence.
5. Know how to drive safely when sharing the road with others.
6. Learn the newest safety and advanced features technology brings to vehicles.
7. Learn when driving may no longer be safe.
8. Explore other ways to travel.
Wednesdays In-person: 3/ 29, 4/26, 5/10 (sign up for one date)
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Room: S-343. Instructor: Frank Biamonte
11
INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
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Intro to Digital Photography IR-437
This course is for those who have a basic
knowledge of the fundamentals of digital
camera operation. You'll learn the concepts
of exposure, depth of field, lighting, and
composition to improve your photographs,
including pictures of family and friends.
You'll also learn how to download,
organize, and get your images printed. If
all this sounds complicated, don't worry,
we'll keep it simple.
Course Materials: Please have your digital
camera and user's manual available.
Thursday Online: 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Instructor: Ray Turkin
Watercolors For All IR-619
This course is designed for anyone with a
reasonably good understanding of how to
handle watercolor techniques. Discussions
and demonstrations provide students with
unlimited information regarding color
mixing, wet on wet painting, dry brush and
much more. Students are responsible for
their own supplies.
Supplies needed: watercolor set, watercolor
pad, 8X10 or 9X12 rough paper, mixing
tray, brushes: round #10, #8, flat #1/2,
rigger brush (long haired brush).
Thursdays In-person: 3/2, 3/9, 3/16,
3/23, 3/30, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Room: Tec-203
Instructor: Barry Shiff
Conspiracy Theories -
Film Program 1 IR-970
This course will feature movies with a
conspiracy theme chosen from the following
selection: “Conspiracy Theory” with Mel
Gibson and Julia Roberts; “Three Days of
the Condor” with Robert Redford and Faye
Dunaway; “Day of the Jackal” with James
Fox and Michael Lonsdale; “I Accuse (J’accuse)”
with Jose Ferrar and Anton Walbrook; “Il
Mafioso” (In Italian with English subtitles)
with Alberto Sordi and Norma Bengell;
“The Parallax View” with Warren Beatty and
Hume Cronyn.
Thursdays In-person: 3/2, 3/9, 3/16,
3/23, 3/30
Time: 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Room: A-104, Pitkin Educational Center
Instructor: Professor Theo Solomon,
retired BCC faculty
Current Events Club -
Open Discussion on Events of
the Week IR-957
Enjoy a weekly discussion of current events
led by ILR instructor Herman Lindenbaum.
Lindenbaum has been conducting an
ongoing current events club at the
Paramus JCC, and is excited to bring a
version of this club to the ILR at BCC. Topics
covered will include science, health care,
domestic politics, international events, and
other subjects of interest to the
participants. Lindenbaum will inform the
students of proposed subjects for the
following sessions, and research these
subjects in advance of class using a variety
of sources. Breaking news stories will also
be discussed.
Thursdays In-person: 3/2, 3/9, 3/16,
3/23, 3/30
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Herman Lindenbaum, BEE,
MBA, PE
Sketching For All IR-676
This course is designed for anyone with a
reasonably good understanding of the art
of sketching using pencils. Students are
responsible for their own supplies.
Supplies needed: 2H HB 2b 4b, 6b,
general sketching pencils 2b, 4b, 6b,
pencils, colored pencils, art stix, kneaded
eraser, sketch pad and photos to sketch.
Thursdays In-person: 3/2, 3/9, 3/16,
3/23, 3/30, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Room: Tec-203
Instructor: Barry Shiff
RMN: The Road to
Resignation IR-960
Born in controversy, Richard Milhouse
Nixon's political career ended in
catastrophe. From the contentious 1946
California House battle versus veteran
incumbent Jerry Voorhis to the final
firestorm over his pardon by the U.S.'s only
unelected president, the 39th President
dominated the political landscape for over
a quarter-century. This twelve-week, 2-hour
course will concentrate on the political
Nixon: the early California political battles
with Voorhis; Helan Gaughan Douglas and
Earl Warren; the bitter 1960 presidential
campaign; the disastrous 1962 California
gubernatorial race; the comeback that
culminated in 1969's Presidential
Inauguration; the three-way battle for the
Nixon Administration's soul; the Pentagon
Papers and other pre-Watergate scandals
and finally, the "long national nightmare."
Thursdays In-person: 3/9, 3/16, 3/23,
3/30, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18,
5/25, 6/1
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Jim Devine
THURSDAY Course Offerings
Course Descriptions
12
INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
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Financial Fitness in
Retirement IR-393
This 4-session course will cover the key
risks of retirement including inflation,
longevity, asset allocation, excess
withdrawals, and much more. We will discuss
how to invest money based off of different
retirement goals and objectives. Additionally,
we discuss how to add additional guaranteed
income to supplement social security,
pensions, and other guaranteed investments.
Session 1: “Main Risks of Retirement” -
high inflation, longevity, health care expenses
Session 2: “Investing” - asset allocation,
alternate investment vehicles, and more
Session 3: “Maximizing Income Streams” -
pensions, annuities, and social security
Session 4: “Comprehensive Financial
Planning” - long-term care, investment
accounts, roth vs traditional 401(k),
inheritance techniques and more
Thursday Online: 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/13
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Instructors: David Chepauskas, CFP and
James Maimone, Summit Financial
Mindfulness:
Theories and Practice IR-911
Would you like to quiet your mind, reduce
stress, and gain greater clarity and
emotional balance? Mindfulness meditation
is a mind-body practice that involves
focusing your attention on the present
moment, to be aware of your thoughts,
feelings and actions, compassionately and
without judgment. We will learn about the
benefits of mindfulness, and practice
together. Sessions will consist of a short
introduction,15 to 20 minutes of practice,
and following discussion. No experience
required
Thursdays In-person: 3/23, 3/30, 4/13, 4/20
Time: 2:15 - 3:15 p.m.
Location: TEC-201
Instructor: Peter Dlugos, Ph.D., BCC faculty
Film Program 2 - Great Beginnings,
Middles, Endings and Effects
Without Computers IR-971
Join us as we explore an exciting mix of
films which feature either a great
beginning, great middle, great ending, or
great effects created without computers.
You are sure to have a great time!
Thursdays In-person: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27,
5/4, 5/11
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Room: A-104, Pitkin Educational Center
Instructor: Professor Theo Solomon,
retired BCC faculty
Baseball: Oddities & Ironies IR-808
Baseball is America's national pastime
not only because it has the longest
sustained history, but also because it is
full of surprises, as the 2002 postseason
showed. This will be a fun class, with lots
of little tidbits and a few guest speakers,
as in my three previous years at ILR before
Covid struck everybody out! It will include
many items from my new 2023 book,
“Baseball's Memorable Misses”, to be
published February 7, 2023, such as
the number of Cy Youngs won by Nolan
Ryan, the number of RBI crowns for
Willie Mays, and the All-Star appearances
by Kirk Gibson -- all zero! This class is
guaranteed to be educational,
entertaining, and informative.
Thursday In-person: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27,
5/4
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Dan Schlossberg
Financial Markets: Stocks, Bonds,
Alternatives and Cash IR-969
For the first time since the Great Financial
Crisis, the Federal Reserve has transitioned
from an ultra-low interest rate regime and
accommodative monetary stance to a
restrictive policy with higher interest rates.
The impact over the past year has been
profound, with most asset classes being
materially affected. This class will look at
the role the Federal Reserve plays in
financial markets and the impact their
decisions have on stocks, bonds,
alternatives, and cash.
Thursday In-person: 4/20, 4/27, 5/4
Time: 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Room: S-343
Instructor: Traphagen CPAs & Wealth
Advisors
Selected Topics in US History IR-786
This course will cover the US Constitution,
Jefferson Davis, William McKinley, World
War I and World War II. Note: this course is
held on both Tues. and Thurs.
Tuesdays/Thursdays In-Person: 5/18,
5/23, 5/25, 5/30, 6/1
Time: 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Tom DeStefano, M.A.
THURS. Course Offerings Cont’d
Course Descriptions
13
INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
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How the West Was Won IR-961
Didn’t we all watch Gunsmoke, Wagon
Train, and, of course, Bonanza? Remember
the Lone Ranger and his faithful horse Trigger?
These TV shows shaped our images of what
the “Wild West” was like. Today, Yellowstone
is the story of a present day family in Montana
trying to hold onto this legacy. The settlement
of the West, a period that lasted only 25
years, is an era that has captured the
imagination of many Americans. This class
will explore both the myth and the reality
of this time period.
Fridays In-person: 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Janet Dinardo-White
Impact of Healthcare and
Claiming Social Security
Costs in Retirement IR-919
A comprehensive overview of the impact of
healthcare costs in retirement. How does
Medicare impact your decision of when to
take social security? What is the best way to
strategically design a plan with this healthcare
cost structure in mind? Bring your questions
to our thoughtful discussion. Claiming Social
Security? Learn the various strategies behind
Social Security Claiming. This course will have
a special focus on the impact of healthcare
costs as a result of Medicare.
Session 1: “Medicare 101”
Session 2: “Savvy Social Security Planning:
What Baby Boomers Need to Know About
Their Retirement Income”
Session 3: “The Impact of Healthcare Costs in
Retirement” This class is recommended after
taking “Medicare 101” and “Savvy Social
Security Planning”.
Fridays In-person: 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24,
3/31, 4/14
Time: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Theresa J. Yarosh
Lively Discussions on
“Lessons from the Light”
by Kenneth Ring Ph.D. IR-954
Research by the medical sector has been
occurring for the past 50 years on what
happens when people have a Near Death
Experience. We now have a potential road
map as to what to expect at the moment of
transition even though this knowledge is
not commonly known. Come join a group
of like-minded people who find spirituality
a topic of interest for lively discussions on
“Lessons from the Light” by Kenneth Ring
Ph.D. For the last two classes we will watch
and discuss movies related to “Lessons
from the Light” that score high on the
conscious frequency spectrum. Everything
and anything can lower or raise our
frequency from its typical set-point. These
two movies will immerse you in a high
level of joy, peace, and meaning.
Course Materials: Please come with a copy of
“Lessons from the Light” by Kenneth Ring,
Ph.D. If possible, students should read about
the first half of this book before coming to
the first class. Discussion will focus on the
various topics from the course book.
Fridays In-person: 3/3, 3/10, 3/24, 3/31,
4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5
Time: 1:45 - 3:00 p.m. with last two
classes 1:45 - 3:45 p.m.
Room: A-104
Instructor: Professor Rachel Wieland,
BCC Faculty
Write Away!
Write Away! is a light-hearted approach to
what some consider a serious endeavor:
putting the written word on paper (or
computer). The course is geared towards
those just getting started on memoir, or
those who have a work in progress.
Reflections on theme, purpose, audience,
selection of material and chronology will
assist in understanding this most popular
genre of the 21st century. A writer's toolbox
will be provided, as well as prompts for
homework assignments. The only
requirement is the willingness to listen
with an open mind to your classmates'
work, should they choose to read.
Course Materials: paper and pen
Fridays In-person: 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Room: Tec-201
Instructor: Mary Blehl Walsh
Please check the ILR website course page
(https:ilr.bergen.edu/courses/) for updates.
Self-Defense IR-918
Take control and don’t be a victim. Learn to
defend yourself. Classes are very
informative and contribute to one’s overall
general knowledge on how to stay safe
and avoid danger zones. Students will be
taught many offensive striking techniques
that are very effective for both men and
women.
Dates/Times: To Be Determined
Location: Fitness Center Gym
Instructor: Toni Plantamura-Rossi, BBC
Faculty
TBD Course Offerings
FRIDAY Course Offerings
Course Descriptions
14
INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
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Rennie Ackerman
A lifelong yoga enthusiast, Rennie
Ackerman is a certified yoga instructor
who specializes in yoga-based solutions
for specific needs, such as balance,
posture, anxiety, insomnia and more.
Frank Biamonte
Frank Biamonte has been teaching the
AARP Smart Driver courses since 2014,
except for AARP’s stop on all in person
courses for 2.5 years during the COVID
pandemic. Biamonte has a degree in
electrical engineering and worked in
the computer hardware and software
industry for most of his career.
Biamonte ended his career as president
of a computer systems company.
Dick Burnon
Fort Lee Historian Dick Burnon retired
eight years ago after a successful, 55-
year Journalism and Public Relations
Career. He holds a B.A. Degree in
Journalism from Rutgers University. In
retirement, he has been teaching at
Bergen Community College’s Institute
for Learning in Retirement for 10 years,
and the New City, NY, Jewish Center. He
has given hundreds of talks on more
than 30 topics in the past 10 years at
Bergen County venues and beyond. He
also is active with an American
Revolution Roundtable Group, a
Montvale baseball group, and the Dixon
Homestead Public Library Book Club in
Dumont, NJ. He also ran a senior group
in Tenafly, NJ, for seven years, and
worked with four-year-old children at a
Tenafly preschool program as the
"resident grandpa" for seven years.
David Chepaukas, CFP, Summit
Financial
David Chepaukas, CFP, has been
teaching retirement planning at the ILR
for over 20 years and has been a
financial planner for over 30 years.
David received his bachelor’s degree
from West Point Military Academy, a
master’s degree in Business
Administration from Long Island
University, and master’s degree in
Teaching from the University of Georgia.
He co-teaches Financial Fitness in
Retirement with fellow retirement
planning and wealth management
professional James Maimone, both of
Summit Financial.
Tom DeStefano, M.A.
Tom DeStefano taught American History
at Paterson’s John F Kennedy High
School for 30 years. Tom currently
teaches at Bergen Community College’s
Institute for Learning in Retirement and
the Learning Collaborative in New City,
NY. Tom holds a B.A. and M.A. in History
from William Paterson University. His
specialties include the Civil War and the
American Presidents.
James Devine
Commencing his twelfth-year teaching
at Bergen Community College’s
Institute for Learning in Retirement.
James Devine has presented over 50
courses in American and world history,
as well as several in creative writing. A
USAF Vietnam War Era veteran who
holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree
from Ramapo College of NJ in
Communications and American History,
Mr. Devine has authored two alternative
history novels, “The Dominion's
Dilemma: The United States of British
America” and “The Nixon Challenge” as
well as a marketing textbook. He was
formerly a journalist, working on
newspapers and magazines in both
New Jersey and Texas. Mr. Devine is at
work on his third alternative history
novel, “Calhoun's Confederacy”.
Professor Robert Dill, M.S. & M.A,
BCC faculty Robert Dill is a full
professor of Biological Sciences who has
been teaching at Bergen Community
College for 31 years. Professor Dill lives
in Glen Rock, NJ where he is currently
serving as a Councilman. He loves the
outdoors, running, hiking, fishing,
backpacking, and the works!!!!
Janet Dinardo-White, M.A.
Janet Dinardo-White taught high school
history with a focus on early American
history for over 20 years. She has a
master’s degree from The New School
for Social Research. She has been
teaching classes at Bergen Community
College’s Institute for Learning in
Retirement for several years.
Peter Dlugos, Ph.D., BCC faculty
Peter Dlugos, Ph. D is Professor and
Chair of the Dept. of Philosophy and
Religion at Bergen Community College
and a Wellness Instructor at Bergen
Community College. He designed and
regularly teaches a mindfulness class on
campus, and offers workshops to
campus groups and in the community.
Rosemary Donnelly
Rosemary Donnelly is the owner of
Midlife Yoga & Wellness and its parent
company You Are Right on Time LLC.
She offers classes and courses that help
us care for body, mind & spirit in midlife
and beyond.
INSTRUCTOR BIOS FOR SPRING 2023 ILR
15
INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
Updated as of 12/20/22
Rick Feingold, MBA
Rick Feingold has 30 years of teaching
experience and has lectured at over 50
libraries in New Jersey and New York.
Currently he teaches American Business
History at Bergen Community College’s
Institute for Learning in Retirement.
Rick Feingold has written for the Boston
Herald and Christian Science Monitor
on travel and Caribbean League
baseball. He holds a Bachelors’ degrees
in History and Business from Rutgers
University and an MBA from Penn State
University. Rick Feingold has extensive
work experience in the field of
marketing, and for more than 15 years
has operated an e-commerce business
specializing in automotive literature.
Professor John Findura, MFA, Ed.D,
M.Ed, BCC Faculty
Dr. John Findura is the author of the
poetry collection Submerged (Five Oaks
Press, 2017) and the chapbook Useful
Shrapnel (2022). He holds an MFA in
Poetry from The New School, an M.Ed in
Professional Counseling, and an Ed.D in
Educational Technology. He has served
as the Writing Center Supervisor at
BCC's award-winning Cerullo Learning
Assistance Center since 2009.
Laura Freedgood, Ph.D
Laura Freedgood has a Ph.D in Applied
Linguistics, a Master’s Degree in
English, and was a professor at
Queensborough Community College in
Bayside, NY. Ms. Freedgood has
published three poetry chapbooks and
has given readings of her work locally.
Her poems appear in Lips, Wisconsin
Review, Journal of New Jersey Poets,
The Stillwater Review, and in numerous
other journals and anthologies. She has
been nominated twice for a Pushcart
Prize and won a 3-year poetry grant
from the City University of New York.
Emily Ginder
Emily Ginder has a B.A. in Sociology
from the University of South Florida.
She is a former homeschooling mom
who brings her enthusiasm for history
and literature to class. Emily teaches
lifelong learners at several institutes
including Bergen Community College’s
Institute for Learning in Retirement. She
also moderates a book club with an
online discussion site at Goodreads.
Barbara Heitmann
Barbara Heitmann worked as a music
conductor, teacher, and a Performing
Arts Assistant Principal for the New York
City Board of Education for more than
41 years. She has taught and performed
with the ILR Sing Sing Sing Chorus for 12+
years. Currently she is the music director
for the Doo Wop performing group, the
‘WildCats’, who perform at various
places in Bergen and Rockland counties.
Rachel Ishak, MSW, Brain Injury
Alliance of New Jersey
Rachel Ishak holds a Master of Social
Work (MSW) from the University of
Pennsylvania. She is a Licensed Social
Worker and a certified School Social
Worker. Rachel has experience as a case
manager for adults with developmental
disabilities, working to connect them to
resources and services. She now serves
as a Community Outreach Specialist at
the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey,
where she is responsible for engaging
local organizations and educating the
community about brain injury prevention.
Harmon B. Kaplan
Since his youth Harmon B. Kaplan has
been passionate about photography. At
the age of fourteen he apprenticed at
The Hudson Dispatch, and in college he
continued his photography as a staff
newspaper photographer. After
completing college and dental school,
Harmon volunteered for the US Navy
and Vietnam. He attended the War
College in Newport, R.I. and then served
for two years aboard the USS Midway,
home ported in Yokosuka, Japan.
Harmon participated in “Operation
Frequent Wind”, the evacuation of
Saigon, Vietnam. In 2016 he was
selected an "Honorary Visionary" by
Panasonic for their Lumix cameras. His
work has been part of galleries and art
shows and is also in many corporate
and private collections including
President George W. Bush, Hasselblad
USA, B&W Magazine, Mayor Giuliani of
NYC, and Sean Hannity (WABC Radio).
Harmon is partially retired after 48
years practicing as a dentist. Currently,
Harmon’s HB Kaplan Studios, features a
wide variety of his work, including both
black & white and color photography.
Helene Kotzker
After retiring after 30 years of teaching
in the Bronx, Helene Kotzker, started
volunteering with Call Us Clowns, a group
that brings clowns into hospitals and
nursing homes, and does shows for
senior groups. She played music for
their shows for three years and volunteered
as a fully costumed clown for many
more. Currently for Call Us Clowns, she
volunteers giving classes on clowning
and also teaches people how to find
their persona, name, and physical look.
Joe Lennox
Joe Lennox is a space program historian
who has been a student of space
exploration for over 60 years. He is the
creator and curator of an extensive
private space history museum which
will belong to The Astronaut Hall of
Fame at Kennedy Space Center, in the
future. His extensive career in this field
includes his work with NASA, the
Intrepid Air and Space Museum, as well
as work as an educator, consultant,
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published author, membership, and
more. Joe is a member of The National
Space Society, The Space Explorers
Network, The Space Foundation, The
National Science Teachers Association,
and The Planetary Society. He served on
the election committee for The Astronaut
Hall of Fame and is a former President
of the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame
and Museum. He was a member of the
teaching staff at The Gifted Child
Society, Glen Rock, NJ for over 15 years.
Joe attended La Guardia Aeronautical
College and is a retired senior banking
officer for a major New York financial
institution based in Canada.
Herman Lindenbaum, BEE, MBA, PE
Herman Lindenbaum has extensive
experience in the fields of engineering,
business management and financial
management. His professional background
includes over 35 years in senior
management positions at 3 major
hospitals in New Jersey, and Rockefeller
University in New York City. He has
managed large departments in the field
of healthcare facilities management.
Lindenbaum has a BEE in Engineering
from CCNY and an MBA in Management
and Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson
University. Lindenbaum has
Professional Engineering Licenses in 3
states as well as a Gold Seal Operating
license in New Jersey. He is a member
of the American College of HealthCare
Executives. Lindenbaum leads a weekly
current event club at the Paramus JCC.
Judith Lustig, MD
Judith Lustig, MD is a retired, board-
certified general Neurologist who is also
fellowship trained in peripheral
neurology. Dr. Lustig has been teaching
at Bergen Community College’s
Institute for Learning in Retirement for
several years.
Mario Medici, MBA
Mario Medici, a retired Information
Technology executive who has traveled
the world, is New York City born and
raised. He completed his
undergraduate degree at Bernard
Baruch College (CUNY) and earned his
MBA at Long Island University. He is a
licensed New York City tour guide, a
passionate history enthusiast, and
nurtures his curiosity about all things. In
his presentations, Mario Medici
Lectures LLC, takes on New York City’s
interesting history as well as other
subject matter.
James Maimone, Summit Financial
James Maimone is a graduate of
University of Scranton where he
majored in Finance and minored in
Economics. He has been working at
Summit Financial as a Comprehensive
Wealth Investment Advisor for over 6
years. James co-teaches Financial
Fitness in Retirement with fellow
retirement planning and wealth
management professional David
Chepaukas, both of Summit Financial.
Sandra Hancock Martin, M.A.T.
Sandra Hancock Martin has a B.A. and a
M.A.T., plus 36 hours of graduate work
in Spanish. She has studied art formally
at the Prado in Madrid, The National
Gallery in D.C. and the Metropolitan
Museum of Art in NYC. For 32 years she
taught Spanish in Ramsey, N.J.,
followed by 18 years as an adjunct
professor at Ramapo College of N.J. At
Ramapo she audited many courses on
art and art history. This is her 10th year
teaching art history at Bergen
Community College’s Institute for
Learning in Retirement.
Toni Plantamura-Rossi
Toni Plantamura-Rossi has over 40 years
of training in the martial arts and is a
former police officer. Toni has been
teaching self- defense at Bergen
Community College for the last 18 years.
Traphagen CPAs and Wealth Advisors
For 50 years, Traphagen has served as a
dynamic leader and provider of
financial services. Unlike traditional
financial advisory firms, their
accounting team specializes in tax
planning strategies, financial reporting,
assurance services, mergers, and
acquisitions. Trapenhagen's wealth
management team manages client
investment assets and provides
comprehensive holistic fee-only
financial planning, portfolio
management, estate, and trust
planning, as well as wealth transfer
strategies.
Dan Schlossberg
Dan Schlossberg of Fair Lawn, NJ has
covered major-league baseball since
graduating from Syracuse University's
Newhouse School of Public
Communications in 1969. The award-
winning author of 40 baseball books,
his latest work is “Baseball's Memorable
Misses”, to be published February 7,
2023 by Skyhorse. Dan covers the game
for Forbes.com, Latino Sports, USA
TODAY Sports Weekly, Sports Collectors
Digest, and Here's The Pitch. Although
he's a lifelong North Jersey resident, he
doesn't root for the Mets or Yankees, but
he loves the 2001 World Champions!
INSTRUCTOR BIOS FOR FALL 2022 ILR
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INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Updated as of 12/20/22
Barry Shiff
Barry Shiff, a native of Massachusetts,
received his art training at the Museum
of Fine Arts in Boston and studied life
drawing at the Don La Cedra Copley
Society. He works primarily in pastels
and oils. His work is part of the permanent
collection of the Village Ridgewood NJ,
Easton Historic Society in Easton‚ MA
and many private collections in the
United States and around the world.
Working in a wide range of media, Shiff
sketches on location or paints in his Fort
Lee, N.J. studio. His favorite subjects are
animals, sailing ships and railroad
trains. Shiff also creates pet portraits and
portraits of home exteriors. Shiff is
President of the Fort Lee Artist Guild. He
is a board member of American Artists
Professional League, and an active
member of both the Fort Lee Historical
Society and the Hackensack Art Club.
Professor Theo Solomon, retired BCC
faculty
Theo Solomon, former professor of
Sociology and Anthropology at Bergen
Community College, is currently giving
his 19th lecture series for the Institute
for Learning in Retirement. In previous
lives, Professor Solomon has been an
actor, filmmaker, professional baseball
player (Detroit farm system), Impact
consultant on the MX Missile Project,
and most important of all, a film aficionado
since1936 when he saw his first film.
Gloria B. Thomas, Ph.D.
Gloria B. Thomas, Ph.D. has taught with
the ILR for many years. After she and
husband raised five children, Thomas
studied for and completed a Master’s
degree and Doctoral degree in Theology.
She spent most of her career teaching
theology at Marymount-Fordham
University. Upon retirement, Thomas has
enjoyed time with her family and 15
fantastic grandchildren.
Ray Turkin
Ray Turkin has enjoyed photography for
over 55 years. He has exhibited
extensively in solo and juried group
shows, including the Salmagundi Club
in New York City, and has received
numerous awards for his work. Turkin
also works as a commercial
photographer specializing in
photographing the work of artists. In
addition to teaching courses on
photography at the Bergen Community
College Institute for Learning in
Retirement, Turkin teaches at The Art
School at Old Church in Demarest and at
the Institute for New Dimensions and
gives private instruction. Since its
inception over 17 years ago, Turkin has
served as an official photographer for
the Teaneck International Film Festival.
Fred Voss
Fred Voss is a professional genealogist,
researcher, and educator. He has been
doing personal genealogy for over 25
years and is a Trustee and Education
Chair for the Genealogical Society of
Bergen County. His areas of interest are
Germany, Switzerland, and New
Hampshire, with special interest in DNA,
Immigration, and Naturalization. Mr.
Voss is a certificate holder of the Boston
University Genealogical Research
Certification program (OL13). He is a
member of the Association of
Professional Genealogists and the
International Society of Genetic
Genealogists as well as various regional
societies. He volunteers as a tour guide
at Ellis Island, leading both historical
and photographic tours of the
abandoned hospitals on the south side
of the island. He is a supporter of
SaveEllisIsland.org.
Mary Blehl Walsh, M.A.
Mary Blehl Walsh has taught college
courses for 10 years. She has been
teaching her continuing education
creative writing course, Write Away!, at
several locations. She has a Master's in
Instructional Technology from San Jose
State University, ESL Certification from
the state of New Jersey, and a B.A. from
Fordham University. Walsh is also a
published author and journalist. She is
the author of A Spy Is Not a Spy, a work
of historical fiction about the New Jersey
Revolutionary War. She coaches memoir
writing and is almost done with her
own!
Emeritus Professor Manfred
Weidhorn
Mandfred Weidhorn is an Emeritus
Professor at Yeshiva University, where he
taught for 51 years. He has published
many books and essays on such topics
as 17th century literature, with special
emphasis on Galileo, Shakespeare, and
Milton.
Professor Rachel Wieland, BCC
Faculty
Prof. Rachel Wieland is from the
Mathematics Department at Bergen
Community College. Prof. Wieland has
been at the college 22+ years and
enjoys the learning environment of
‘growers’ at any age. Lifetime learners
are a special bunch!
Theresa Yarosh
Theresa Yarosh has been in the financial
services industry for over 25 years. She
specializes in the impact of healthcare
costs in retirement plans. She has two
companies Macro Wealth Management,
LLC, and Main Street Medigap, LLC
which work in tandem to project out
healthcare costs in a retirement plan for
individuals and couples.
INSTRUCTOR BIOS FOR FALL 2022 ILR
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
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INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
Updated as of 12/20/22
NOTES
INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT SPRING 2023 (ILR)
Enroll Today! Visit ilr.bergen.edu/courses
Updated as of 12/20/22
Institute for Learning in Retirement Spring Registration Begins: February 15, 2023
Institute for Learning in Retirement Spring Semester: February 27 – June 1, 2023
ILR courses start and end at various times during the semester.
You do not have to be present for the entire semester to participate in the ILR.
Join the ILR email list! Contact us at [email protected]
SPRING 2023 DATES TO REMEMBER
The ILR is a program of the Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development.
For all Continuing Education Offerings please visit us at https://ce.bergen.edu
