Senior Programs

Empty Nesters

The mission of Empty Nesters is to have “fun”! The group was formed in 1994 for active seniors under the leadership of Jerry and Jane Leff with the encouragement of Rabbi Folberg. At this time, we have 120 members who pay annual dues of $10 per person which cover the period from January to December.

During the year, the group plans a variety of social activities for its members, such as

Our fall International Dinner Party on Sunday, September 10, 2006.
On Thursday, November 16, 2006, 26 members climbed aboard two borrowed vans from the Austin Jewish Community Association and Dolly and Ed Golden’s van to go to Esther’s Follies in downtown Austin.
Our free Valentine Dinner was held on Sunday February 11, 2007.
On June 3, 2007, Empty Nesters enjoyed an hour cruise on Town Lake with Capital Cruises and then ventured over to Las Manitas for an early dinner.

The fall dinner party, Fall Fling, will take place on Sunday, October 28, 2007. This time, Iron Works will cater the dinner for our western theme with entertainment by Judy Lee Dancers. Click here for more information.

The group will also plan on attending a performance of River City Pops in November.

Membership is open to anyone who would like to join Empty Nesters. For more information, call Ruth Miller, 343-0816 or Sandi Winograd, 288-0606,

Second Sixty

Members of Second Sixty "Learn and Lunch" gather every third Thursday, September through May at Congregation Beth Israel, in Smith Auditorium, 10:45 am for a few moments of coffee, tea and schmoozing before our program which features varied and stimulating topics. About 25 seniors from the entire Jewish community attend each time. We send out a flyer with the programs twice per year and have a phone committee to remind folks about each meeting. Sisterhood feeds us royally each time. Reservations are important. [454-6806]

Some of our programs in the past year have been:

Silver Strings playing popular and classical pieces
Cantor David Reinwald and Rabbi Susan Lippe
TX State Representative Donna Howard
Hanukkah celebration with our clergy
Mike O'Krent, helping us with hints to create our remembrances for our families
Global Warming: fact and fiction
Abby November, comedian with "Vitamin H [humor]: coping with transitions
Judith Helburn bringing us up to date with latest brain research

The Second Sixty OWL memoir writing group has been meeting for three years of writing and telling stories. It is open to new members each Fall. [Women only please]

For information or to get on the mailing list, please call Judith Helburn at 454.7229.