Boulder Jewish News Arts, Culture, Events, Lifestyles, Holidays, Synagogues, Education
The Boulder JCC has announced its Fall 2026 Exchange Program, featuring a diverse lineup of daytime, non-credit educational courses designed primarily for adults aged 55 and older, though open to all learners. The program emphasizes accessible, stress-free learning with no homework, grades, or membership requirements.
Fall Open House & Registration Details
Prospective students can meet instructors, learn about the curriculum, and register in person during the Exchange Fall Open House on Wednesday, September 2, from 10-11:30 am at the Boulder JCC. Snacks and beverages will be served, and attendees are requested to bring their Amilia username (email) and password. General online registration opens immediately following the event at 11:30 am, with registration support available through Julia Price at julia.price@boulderjcc.org.
6-Week Course Offerings
Wednesdays, September 23 – October 28 | $68 | 6 weeks
Demystifying Artificial Intelligence | 10 am – 12 pm: Unlock the mysteries of artificial intelligence and move from technology-related anxiety to everyday mastery in this supportive and informative class. Designed specifically for adult learners, we begin with a safety-first, curious mindset. Learn to navigate the ‘Big Three’ systems – ChatGPT, Gemini & Claude – while protecting your private data and spotting common AI errors. In the second half of the class, build confidence as we shift to a hands-on workshop. Discover for yourself how to use AI for real-world projects. Imagine organizing travel logistics, analyzing recipes, managing DIY projects, becoming more informed about nutrition, and making personal investment decisions. Leave your fears behind and gain practical tools and knowledge for the digital age.
Your instructors:
Greg Trexler is an expert AI Solutionist, veteran, and professional project manager specializing in operations friction reduction and introducing practical tech frameworks to small businesses and adult learners.
Wilson Wiedenheft is a technical guide and implementation specialist focused on prompt mechanics, advanced digital workflows, data organization, and maximizing the day-to-day utility of emerging software.
Holidays, Holy Days, and Hellraising | 10 am – 12 pm: On the seventh day, God rested from his work of creation. How we spend our ‘time off’ defines our American Culture and our personal lives. Our leisure time creates personal and community identity. Let’s examine personal, cultural, and religious holidays and how they continue to shape our mutual American identity. How have our holidays changed over time, and how have they influenced what we believe and think? And of course, we will laugh and have a good time together.
Your instructor:
Jim Vacca is a retired teacher who loves being in a classroom with engaged and curious students. He is currently on the Colorado Editorial Board and writes a biweekly column for the Daily Camera. Last year, he gave a community-wide reflection on the 100th anniversary of the publication of The Great Gatsby.
Football: From Its Murky Beginnings to America’s Favorite Game | 1 – 3 pm: Kicking a ball and running after it is perhaps as old as humankind. America created its own brand of football, growing out of European mob ball that was often fatal. Where and how did football begin in America? How did it evolve, displacing baseball as our favorite sport? When was the first game? Who led the charge, and why the heck did Teddy Roosevelt want to ban it? Let’s also discuss quarterbacks and whether Tom Brady is really the GOAT. Learn about the Massillon Tigers and other charter members of the NFL. And have you heard about the Hupmobile? We begin each class with an Extra Credit question. Here’s our first one: What was football’s first piece of protective equipment?
Your instructor:
James Taylor holds an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and a graduate degree from Harvard University. He has taught the History of American Football through the University of Washington’s Life Learning Center.
Acting Your Age? Never! Improv for Grown-Ups | 1 – 3 pm: Want to have a blast? Try improv comedy: a vibrant form of live theater where plot, character, and dialogue are all created in the moment—and hilarity ensues! This exhilarating beginner workshop guides you from goofy warm-ups and collaborative games to creating short scenes alongside fellow students. If your funny bone hasn’t had much exercise lately, you’ll get it up and running while fully embracing the famous “Yes, and…” philosophy. Designed for all humans, no prior experience is necessary. Proudly sponsored by VIVA Theater, the session is not physically demanding, and participants are welcome to remain seated as needed.
Your instructor:
Rachel Trueblood has been involved in theater all her life as a writer, performer, and director, specializing in comedy. She founded the theater program at September School in Boulder. Rachel has been teaching and performing improv comedy for several decades, having trained and performed with Rise Comedy in Denver and, most recently, at Superior Improv Co (The Flipside Theatre), where she writes and performs sketches, standup, and other types of original comedy. She teaches an ongoing improv class to older adults in Boulder and VIVA Theater’s improv class at Boulder’s Age Well Centers.
3-Week Course Offerings
Mondays, October 5 – 19 | $36 | 3 weeks
The Air We Breathe IS NOT What It Used to Be | 10 am – 12 pm: This class examines the catastrophic climate warming tipping point. Through lecture and Q&A, we learn about permafrost in Arctic regions that hold as much carbon dioxide and methane as in all of the Earth’s oil and gas reservoirs. When we understand that Arctic warming is much faster than the rest of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans, we understand why Permafrost is starting to melt. What’s next? The composition of the Earth’s atmosphere is changing due to human-released gases. These increased concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane act just like feathers in a feather-filled blanket. When you produce heat, the feathers radiate heat back. Similarly, carbon dioxide and methane molecules radiate heat back down to Earth, causing heat to rise from the ground and oceans. Methane is destroyed in the atmosphere within a few weeks, but carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for 100s of years until it is absorbed into our oceans.
Your Instructor:
Dr. Russ Schnell was a contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore. Dr. Schnell has lived, traveled, or conducted research in 92 countries and on every continent. For seven years, he was director of the Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii, where the global increase in carbon dioxide was proven. He was deputy director of the NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory in Boulder for 12 years. The University of Alberta awarded Dr. Schnell an Honorary Doctor of Science degree in 2015.
The Science of Connection: Movement, Mindfulness & Social Dance | 10 am – 12 pm: Would you like to reduce stress while having fun? Build coordination, communication, and even connections? Somatic Wellness is a body-centered approach to health that uses movement, breathwork, and physical awareness to release tension and regulate emotions. Social Neuroscience is the study of how our brain and nervous system process social interactions, emotions, and relationships, exploring how these processes shape our behavior and mental health. Drawing from these two principles, this class offers a unique opportunity to learn, move, and connect with others. Participants begin with simple breathing and grounding exercises before learning accessible one-on-one movement patterns. Depending on participant interest, movement styles may include gentle ballroom, American Rumba, Salsa, Tango, to name a few. No prior dancing is needed. This engaging wellness experience promotes social connection, cognitive engagement, and joyful movement.
No partner is needed! Throughout the class, we’ll gently rotate pairings during a few guided connection activities so everyone can participate and meet others in the group. You’re also welcome to join with a friend or companion if you prefer.
Your instructor:
Kiana Schwendeman is currently pursuing a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling at Naropa University with a focus on somatic approaches and dance movement therapy. She is also an experienced ballroom dance instructor and facilitates community wellness experiences throughout Colorado, including workshops at Sacred Society in Denver. She is a founder of Mendora, a guided movement experience that uses partner-based movement to foster connection, confidence, and well-being.
Calm Within the Storm: Buddhism, Stoicism, and Finnish Sisu | 1 – 3 pm:
Ancient philosophers dealt with the same anxieties about living in the world as we do today. Two philosophies, Buddhism and Stoicism, emerged with similar ideas about how to meet reality. Through group discussion and lecture, we will examine their teachings and practices, the context of their times, and why these schools of thought thrive today. The Buddha brought insight into the cause and alleviation of suffering, while the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius revealed in his Meditations how Stoicism guided him through war, plague, and civil unrest. From another corner of the world, we explore Finnish Sisu – that gritty resilience likely contributing to Finland’s consistent ranking as the world’s happiest nation. Have the Finns arrived at a home-grown version of Buddhism or Stoicism? These age-old philosophies combined with our hard-earned wisdom may help us navigate calmly through today’s storms.
Your instructor:
Molly Gardner has studied and taught philosophy, history, geography, and world cultures throughout her adult life. She is a long-time student of Buddhism, and in recent years has become a student of Stoicism. Her curiosity about the source of Finnish happiness led her to Finland to study Sisu further. She doesn’t claim to be an expert on these topics, but rather a fellow explorer seeking calm in the storm. While trusty PowerPoint presentations will cover the basics of these life approaches, small- and large-group discussions will give room for participants to join in the exploration.
Jewish Stand-Up Comedy Legends | 1 – 3 pm: As a follow-up to last spring’s Jewish Film and Television Comedy, this class explores the world of stand-up comedy. From the Borscht Belt comics to the 60’s social satirists to the stars of today, we pay tribute to the Jewish funny men and women who take to the stage armed only with a microphone and a mad desire to make us laugh. We will watch a large collection of clips as we discuss a baker’s dozen of comedy legends and how they reflected and shaped the Jewish experience. And…you don’t have to be Jewish to love this!
1. The Catskills and Early TV: Henny Youngman, Jack Benny, Buddy Hackett, Milton Berle
2. Nightclubs and Talk Shows: Joan Rivers, Rodney Dangerfield, Don Rickles, Jackie Mason
3. The New Breed: Lenny Bruce, Mort Sahl, Andy Kaufman, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman
Your instructor:
Kathryn Bernheimer is the Founding Director of the Boulder Jewish Film Festival and the retired Cultural Arts Director at the Boulder JCC. A former film critic and the author of two books of film criticism, she has spent her life teaching, presenting, and writing about the arts.
