Mosaic Outdoor Mountain Club of Greater New York

OUTINGS SCHEDULE – WINTER/SPRING 2008

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SATURDAY,  JANUARY 26  -   SNOWSHOE ADVENTURE - SLIDE MOUNTAIN – CATSKILLS
Joint with ADK  In the heart of the winter, in the heart of the Catskills experience the winter and the mountains in all their splendor on a seven mile snowshoe to the highest mountain in the Catskills, Slide Mountain el. 4,180 feet. Experience a quiet balsam forest and from various viewpoints experience inspiring vistas of snow covered mountains and the frozen Ashokan reservoir. Total roundtrip distance 7 miles + 1,800 foot el. gain. Full winter gear required and prior snowshoe experience required.. Rated D (Strenuous).  Joint with ADK.  Snow/rain date Sun Jan 27.   REGISTER BY WED JAN 23.   Lanny Wexler highpt40@optonline.net

SATURDAY,  JANUARY 26  -  TU B'SHEVAT SEDER/PARTY
Socialize and celebrate this  environmental holiday. Play board games and ping pong.  Bring fresh fruit.  Party starts at 7:30pm in central New Jersey.   Arthur Goldstein  (732) 222-8468  or  arthur.goldstein@gmail.com

SATURDAY,  FEBRUARY  2 - SEAL WALK - CUPSOGUE BEACH COUNTY PARK + ATLANTIS AQUARIUM
Guided seal walk with a CRESLI naturalist at Cupsogue Beach County Park in Westhampton Beach to see our furry marine mammals on their annual winter visit. Dress warmly for the beach. $5 voluntary contribution to CRESLI. Then come in from the cold and step into the Amazon Rain Forest at the Atlantis Aquarium in Riverhead. We’ll spend the afternoon at the Atlantis Aquarium to view its numerous marine exhibits. Admission to the Atlantis Aquarium is $19 +t ax. Seniors 62+ $16 + tax. Joint with ADK/NHOC.  Rated A (Easy).  Lanny Wexler  highpt40@optonline.net 

SUNDAY,  FEBRUARY 10  -   FOREST PARK -  KEW GARDENS,  QUEENS
 We will walk approx 2 miles from the Kew Gardens E and F train station, through the hiking trails in Forest Park on to the Band shell, stop and have lunch together then walk back. Total distance approx: 4.5 miles. Sneakers, okay, depending on snow conditions.  Heavy snow/rain/extreme cold cancels, regular winter conditions do not!  Bring lunch, water and dress in layers-we are gonna move!  Free to Mosaic and JCC members, others $5 non-member fee.   Contact  Sheri  sasgemgirl@aol.com or 718 544 8658 week of event for exact time and to register.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10 - BALLROOM BASH!  -  Co-sponsored with Ansche Chesed - 251 West 100th St (near Broadway).  
Let's harken back to the days of Frank Sinatra, Fred & Ginger and all the great Hollywood icons that defined an era of romance and elegance! The classic ballroom dances, like waltz and foxtrot, are so well loved because they are so easy to do, and they make such a great way to get to know people. (How many of our parents' and grandparents' generations met on the dance floor? That's gotta tell you something!) Empire Dance will teach the waltz and foxtrot, and may provide swing, disco and Latin breaks during the party to heat things up even more! The Ballroom Bash will be a very special evening to remember! DISCOUNT OF $5 for men who wear a full tuxedo (not a tuxedo T-shirt!) and for ladies who wear an appropriate equivalent (the strict on-site judge will have final determination of whether what you are wearing qualifies for the discount).    7:15-8:15pm: Basic Lesson in Ballroom    8:30-10pm: Open Dance Floor. Free delicious refreshments are available throughout the evening.  Cost is $20 ($15 AC/Mosaic members) per dance.   Volunteers are needed (in return for a reduced admission fee).  Contact Michael to volunteer.   For more information:  Call Michael at (212) 678-7881 (before 9:00pm) or visit us at http://www.AnscheChesed.org/activities/Outings/index.htm

SUNDAY,  FEBRUARY  17  -  WEST QUEENS WALK 
Enjoy winter with a walking tour of western Queens.  We will explore the historic areas of Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside and Jackson Heights.  Landmarks will include Sunnyside Gardens, Phipps Gardens and the Long Island City and Jackson Heights Historical Districts.  We will conclude with dinner at a vegetarian Indian restaurant in Jackson Heights.  Though this will be conducted at a moderate pace, it will be at least 7 miles and you will get a good workout. Public transportation is available and strongly encouraged. $5 fee for non-members.   Ira Haironson (718-854-4472)  or  Nestor Danyluk (718-796-3252).

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY 21  -   IMPROVING DATING PATTERNS
Come to this dating support group session at Ben’s Deli at 209 West 38th Street in Manhattan at 7:15 PM.  We’ll enjoy good kosher food and discuss varying topics of interest such as Internet Dating vs In Person Dating and Common Interests vs Personality vs Physical Attraction. Open to the first 15 sign ups.  Check out http://reladvice.meetup.com/86/ or http://adventurers.meetup.com/36/ for more information and to register. You can also contact Glenn Wiener at gjw0721@optonline.net or 914-422-8183  8 PM-10PM weeknights a week before the event. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 1  -  SCULPTURE GARDENS AND MUSEUM
Let’s take a walk at the Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens at Pepsico World Headquarters.  View 45 sculptures and  gardens on approximately 168 acres of carefully tended landscape.   Afterwards, we can go to the Neuberger Museum at SUNY Purchase.  Free Admission.  Register with the leader for time and place to meet. $5 fee for non-members.    Patti Kass   914-946-6414 or p.kass@att.net 

SUNDAY, MARCH 16  -   SQUARE DANCING – Co-sponsored with Ansche Chesed - 251 West 100th St (near Broadway)
Do-Si-Do! Swing your partner! If square dance caller Allan Brozek (of Camp Ramah Memorial Day weekend fame) can't get you dancing then you must not have feet. No partner, experience or reservations necessary. Lessons throughout the evening starting at 7:15pm. Free delicious refreshments are available throughout the evening.  Cost is $20 ($15 AC/Mosaic members) per dance.   Volunteers are needed (in return for a reduced admission fee).  Contact Michael (212/678-7881 before 9:00pm) to volunteer.   BTW, this is the dance series where there have been three engagements so far in the last five years!   For more information:  Call Michael at (212) 678-7881 (before 9:00pm) or visit us at http://www.AnscheChesed.org/activities/Outings/index.htm
                                                          LET'S DANCE! 

ABOUT THE BALLROOM LESSONS:
The free beginner lesson by Empire Dance gives you the basics you need to get out on the dance floor doing the "dance of the evening." The lesson covers the basic steps and rhythm of the dance, tips on leading and following, and cool moves and stylings. Partner dance is a great way to get to know people, learn a skill, and have lots of laughs while learning to coordinate four legs into one smooth dance step; you rotate partners throughout the class and dance with everyone at the party. No reservations, experience or partner necessary! All welcome.
ABOUT THE OPEN DANCE FLOOR:
The music is playing and the dance floor is open. Dance with friends old and new, stop by the refreshment table, and enjoy schmoozing in our cozy café-style setting. The music will be in the dance style of the evening, plus some fun variations for your dancing pleasure! We might even sneak in an additional mini-lesson and/or a dance performance.

 (B) SUNDAY, MARCH 23  -  POUND RIDGE HIKE 
Embrace the coming of spring with a moderately paced 6 mile hike in Northern Westchester.  We will explore the blue trail  which has ups and downs in elevation.  Rated B (Moderately Easy)  Bring a brown bagged lunch, 2 liters of water, and hiking shoes.  For those traveling via Metro North you want to take the 9:48 am Harlem Line Train from Manhattan and get off at North White Plains at 10:23 am to meet drivers for car pooling. Passengers should reimburse drivers for gas money and contribute to admission fee to Pound Ridge which is $8 per car.  A minimum of 5 definite attendees is needed by FRI MAR 21 in order for the hike to take place.  20 Person Maximum allowed on this hike.  The best way to register is sign up at http://adventurers.meetup.com/36/ where you get regular updates and driving directions.  You can also contact Glenn Wiener at gjw0721@optonline.net or 914-422-8183  8 PM-10PM Mon-Thurs before the event.  Non-Drivers looking for transportation from their area should call me Thursday before the hike. $5 non-member fee.

SUNDAY , MARCH 30  -  NYC BEGINNER HIKE – CITY SIGHTS AND ROOSEVELT ISLAND
 Approx. 6 miles - Meet the group and the coleaders, Ken King and Hanna Abolitz Benesch at the Hot and Crusty Bake Shop at Penn Station opposite K-MART at 10 AM, bring or buy lunch.   Walk along 5th Avenue from 34th St. to 53rd St.,  See the sights of midtown Manhattan, either Rockefeller Center or the Daily News building with its Art Deco lobby and huge rotating globe along the way.   Regroup and have lunch at Citicorp on Lexington Ave. between 53rd and 54th  St. at 12:30. Meet at the tables downstairs, get something hot to drink.   Some people might want to join the group at CitiCorp at 12:30 instead of Penn Station at 10 AM.  Take the tram from 59th St. and Second Ave. to Roosevelt Island.  Walk three miles around the perimeter of the Island with views along the water. Take the tram back around 4 PM.  Cost:  Tram $3.00 round trip, Non-member  fee $5.00.    Option to have an early dinner in NYC and go Israeli Folk Dancing in the Classic Tradition at Bridge for Dance, 2726 Broadway at 104th St., 7–10:30 PM, $10 fee. Take the #1 Broadway subway to the 103rd St. station.   Hanna Abolitz Benesch, 732-565-1125 (H), 732-236-4997 (cell)   benesch@optonline.net or  Ken King, 631-991-8179 (H), 631-398-0673 (cell)  nhochike@optonline.net

SUNDAY, APRIL 6 – SCAVENGER HUNT WITH SALUTE TO ISRAEL PARADE
Join both Mosaic members and volunteers for the Salute to Israel Parade for a fun-filled scavenger hunt.  We'll meet at 11:00 for coffee and a light breakfast.  Then we’ll split into teams to find answers to clues.  The hunt will take you on and around the parade route along Fifth Avenue.  Then, at about 2:00, we'll gather again for refreshments and prizes for winning teams!  Free Event.  Please RSVP to Gayle for exact meeting location at president@mosaic-gny.org or 212-628-0638.

SUNDAY, APRIL 13  -  SINGLES  PASSOVER  with AMC
Meet at 72 and CPW at 12:30 p.m.  We will travel to Brooklyn to see matzah being made and visit Crown Heights or Williamsburg or both.  Maybe we'll even bump into Rabbi Carson!  We will have an early dinner.  Larry Stack   212-787-9712.

SUNDAY, APRIL 13 – PYRAMID MOUNTAIN HIKE  -
A 5 mile (3 - 4 hour) hike of medium difficulty with some nice views and an unusual rock ("Tripod Rock"). Bring hiking boots, lunch, water, daypack, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, money, etc.  Co-sponsored  with Ansche Chesed and the JCC of  Manhattan.   Cost is $10 ($5 AC/JCC/Mosaic members). Limited to 30 people.  Telephone reservations are required by 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 7. Call Michael (212/678-7881 before 9:00pm) to reserve.  Rain cancels.   Car-pooling available, reserve early.

SUNDAY APRIL 27 – New WANAQUE RIDGE TRAIL in the RAMAPOS – C Hike an approx. 7 mile circular in Ramapo State Forest in Bergen County, NJ, about 45 minutes drive from the George Bridge in North Western Bergen County, NJ. Highlights include two panoramic views on the NEW Wanaque Ridge Trail, Castle Point with views of NYC and Ramapo Lake. I hike at a slow pace with stops for viewpoints, expect rugged terrain with some rock scrambling. Meet at 9:30 AM. Rain cancels hike, call the leader to register and confirm.  Leader: Hanna Abolitz Benesch, 732-565-1125, Benesch@optonline.net

SATURDAY, MAY 3  -   MOUNT TAURUS TO BREAKNECK RIDGE
Approximately 8 miles.   Some rock scrambling and mild bushwacking will be involved in the hike.  Great views of the Hudson River will be seen all day.  Easily acessible by public transportation.   Imported cookies will be served.  Call the leader for meeting place and time. $5 fee for non-members.   Howard Israel  718-639-0123 

SUNDAY,  MAY 4  -  LONG BEACH,  LONG ISLAND   
 Time to get moving!  Come along with the JCC and Mosaic Outdoors Club for a walk on the boardwalk in Long Beach, LI.  We will meet at the Long Beach LIRR station, walk to the beach, walk along the boardwalk, have lunch together and soak up the spring sun! Dress in layers as the weather at the beach can be unpredicable! Heavy rain cancels, light rain does not!  Bring lunch/water/sneakers okay. Free to Mosaic and JCC members, others $5 non-member fee Contact Sheri sasgemgirl@aol.com or 718 544 8658 week of event for exact time and to register.

SUNDAY, MAY 4 – RAMAPO TORNE & THE PULPIT
A  6 mile (5-6 hours) hike on somewhat hilly terrain of moderate difficulty (this is not an easy hike, hiking boots required) with some very nice views. Bring hiking boots, lunch, water, daypack, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, money, etc. Co-sponsored with Ansche Chesed and the JCC.  Cost is $10 ($5 AC/Mosaic members). Limited to 30 people. Telephone reservations are required by 6:00pm on Monday, April 28. Call Michael (212/678-7881 before 9:00pm) to reserve. Rain cancels. Car-pooling (reserve early).

SATURDAY,  MAY 10 – APPALACHIAN TRAIL HIKE  IN CONNECTICUT  (NEAR KENT) 
Approximately 8-9 miles on the Appalachian Trail reaching the summit of Schoghticoke Mountain. Moderately strenuous.   Bring lunch and at least 2 liters of water.  Non-member fee $5.  Call Monday,  May 5  -Thursday,  May 8  from  7 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. only.  Herb Gecht   718-743-5825.

SATURDAY - MON, MAY 12-21, 2008 TREK AND TOUR ISRAEL
Mountain Bike in the Tzin Valley.  Hike in the Golan.  Camp under the stars in the Negev Desert.  Climb Masada and Swim in the Dead Sea.  Tour the Western Wall Tunnels, Ir David and a special Shabbat walking tour.  Celebrate Shabbat with your Mosaic friends at a 4-star hotel in Jerusalem.
 See Israel a different way with the enjoyment of its fabulous outdoors. Jewish National Fund of Canada with Mosaic Outdoor Club of Ontario are offering an exceptional trip to Israel, tailored to Mosaic members. If you are an outdoors enthusiast, this trip is for you!  Never been to Israel before? Not to worry, we will be including many of the important Jewish heritage sites on our tour. And you can expect the camaraderie of Mosaic people and JNF supporters from across North America.
Last deadline for registration is March 1, 2008
More information and registration info is available here and on the MOCO website: www.mosaictoronto.org
To contact a volunteer about the trip: Mosaicisraeltrip@gmail.com

 

 Trail Maintenance Day
 SUNDAY, MAY 18 - TRAIL MAINTENANCE IN STERLING FOREST  Join us for a fun day of trimming bushes and clearing brush. We will start with a hike on the Appalachian Trail to Mombasha High Point and continue to the top of the Allis Trail for our trail maintenance. About 5 miles in total. Bring 2 quarts of water, lunch, daypack and hiking boots. Bring gloves and tools if you have, otherwise the club will provide. Free pizza after the trail maintenance. Rain cancels. Call leader to register and confirm. Meet at 9:30 AM at the Dunkin Donuts on Rt. 17 in Sloatsburg, NY. Accessible by public transit. Rated C (Moderately Strenuous). FREE EVENT TO EVERYONE.  Hanna Benesch    benesch@optonline.net   (732) 565-1125

FRIDAY, MAY 23 TO MONDAY, MAY 26: MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AT CAMP RAMAH
A fun filled weekend at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires.   This year's Weekend Director will be Michael Brochstein. Low cost early-bird rates are available; deadlines are May 1 (lowest price) and May 15.  All reservations are due by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20. Details and reservation forms are available at www.WingdaleUniversity.org

SATURDAY, MAY 31 – FREE SHAKESPEARE IN CENTRAL PARK
See Cymbeline outdoors in Central Park, presented  in a unique setting, adapted to work with the park's natural terrain.  Follow the performance from place to place, as the plot unfolds from scene to scene.  No tickets or reservations are necessary.   Meet Mosaic and  Ansche Chesed  promptly at 6:45pm at the entrance to Central Park on Central Park West at West 103rd Street for  7:00 p.m. show.   For more information check out New York Classical Theatre’s website at http://www.newyorkclassical.org/.  Heavy downpour cancels.

SUNDAY, JUNE 1 – SALUTE TO ISRAEL PARADE –  SAVE THE DATE!
Walk with Mosaic-GNY in the parade.  For more information about walking or helping Mosaic prepare for its part in the parade, contact Gayle at president@mosaic-gny.org or 212-628-0638.

SATURDAY, JUNE 7  -  PRE-SHAVOUTH
Meet at  8 p.m. at 72nd  Street  and  Central Park West  as we celebrate this wonderful holiday.  We will walk around the park and have a late dinner.  Rain cancels.   Larry Stack   646-284-2865

SUNDAY, JUNE 22 – WHITEWATER RAFTING ON THE LEHIGH RIVER
Class II & III whitewater - it's a dam release day!   Cost is $52.   Limited to the first 30 paid reservations (and more wanted to come last year).  No experience necessary.  "Our most fun trip of the year." Co-sponsored with the Ansche Chesed  and the JCC in Manhattan.  Paid reservations are due by Sunday, June 8.  Contact Michael at 212-678-7881 before 9:00 p.m. for payment information and meeting location.   Meeting time in NYC will be 6:00 a.m.

 SUNDAY, JULY 6   -   GOVERNORS ISLAND
See great views of lower Manhattan and New York Bay, along with fascinating history and cool sea breezes.  We will meet at the Governors Island ferry terminal, which is next to the Staten Island ferry terminal at the Battery. Rated A (Easy).   To register, call Ken King at 631-991-8170 or email  nhochike@optonline.net

SATURDAY,  JULY 19  -  SUMMER EVENING WALK IN CENTRAL PARK
Meet at 8 p.m. at  72nd  Street and Central Park West  as we celebrate this sad holiday.   We will walk around the park and have a late dinner.  Rain cancels.   Larry Stack  646-284-2865

 SATURDAY,  JULY 12 – THE JEWISH MUSEUM                                            
At over 100 years old and still going strong, the Jewish Museum is a special part of New York’s cultural scene. Enjoy a FREE (and air-conditioned) midsummer visit to the museum.   Meet on the north side of East 92nd Street near the corner of Fifth Avenue and the entrance to the museum at 3:15pm promptly.  No tickets or reservations are necessary (or will be taken).   More information about the museum is available at http://www.thejewishmuseum.org. A heavy and/or steady rain will cancel (although the museum will be open if you choose to go anyway).

                                                

SUNDAY,  JULY 27  - CANOEING ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
(Class I & II whitewater), $37.  No experience necessary.  Paid reservations required by Sunday, July 13. Co-sponsored with Ansche Chesed and the JCC.  Contact Michael at 212-678-7881 before 9:00 p.m. for payment information and meeting location.   Car-pooling available, reserve early! 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 – FREE THEATRE IN CENTRAL PARK
 “Misalliance” by George Bernard Shaw.  See live theatre in Central Park presented for free in a unique setting, adapted to work with the  park's natural terrain.  “Follow the performance from place to place, as the plot unfolds from scene to scene.  The separation between the performance and the audience is then blurred, as our spectators experience the play as if it were happening at this very instant and all around them”.  No tickets or reservations are necessary.   Meet Mosaic and Ansche Chesed at the entrance to Central Park on Central Park West at West 103rd Street promptly at 6:45 p.m. for 7:00 p.m. show.   For more information check out New York Classical Theatre’s website at http://www.newyorkclassical.org/. This activity is a “show & go” in that there will be no reservations taken. Heavy downpour cancels but a light drizzle may not (this play takes place outdoors!).

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 – SCHUNEMUNK MOUNTAIN
A 9 mile hike with great views.  Terrain of moderate to strenuous difficulty (1360' vertical rise, 7 hours of hiking, some rock scrambling, this is not an easy hike). Bring hiking boots, lunch, water, daypack, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, money, etc. Co-sponsored with the Ansche Chesed. Cost is $10 ($5 AC/Mosaic members). Limited to 30 people. Telephone reservations are required by 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 11. Call Michael at 212-678-7881 before 9:00 p.m. to reserve.  Rain cancels.  Car-pooling available, reserve early.