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The Himan Brown Program — 92NY’s community for individuals 60+

Lifelong learning, community and connection

Faculty & Staff Biographies

Staff

Julia Zeuner, LMSW

Program Director

Julia Zeuner, LMSW, is a licensed geriatric social worker with years of experience working with older adults at community based agencies, nursing homes and senior centers.

Julia Zeuner, LMSW

Program Director
Julia Zeuner, LMSW, is a licensed geriatric social worker with years of experience working with older adults at community based agencies, nursing homes and senior centers. She earned her MS in Social Work from Columbia University with a concentration in Geriatrics. Julia has also completed post-master’s certificate programs at the NYU Silver School of Social Work both in Advanced Clinical Practice and Executive Leadership in the Non-Profit Sector.

David Knapp, LMSW

Associate Director

David ML Knapp, LMSW is a licensed community social worker with over twenty years of experience working with a variety of populations including older adults, children and women and families.

David Knapp, LMSW

Associate Director
David ML Knapp, LMSW is a licensed community social worker with over twenty years of experience working with a variety of populations including older adults, children and women and families. David earned his MS in Social Work from Yeshiva University with a focus on geriatrics and community social work. For the last ten years, he worked for the New York City Department of the Aging overseeing the boutique Bill Payer Program—helping vulnerable older adults manage their meager finances to live a dignified life. He lives in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx with his wife and two adult sons.

Dafna Gorfinkle

Associate Program Manager

Dafna Gorfinkle joined the Himan Brown Senior Program’s staff in November 2017.

Dafna Gorfinkle

Associate Program Manager
Dafna Gorfinkle joined the Himan Brown Senior Program’s staff in November 2017. She will always greet you with a smile and hopefully be able to answer any questions that you may have.

She holds a BA in Middle East Studies from Brown University and an MA in Adolescent Math Education from Hunter College. She has worked in the fields of publishing, defense, and education. She is excited to bring her varied skillset to the vibrant Himan Brown community.

Erica Shein, Esq.

Intergenerational Program Coordinator

Erica Shein holds a JD from Brooklyn Law School and a BA in French and Marketing from the University of Pennsylvania.

Erica Shein, Esq.

Intergenerational Program Coordinator
Erica Shein holds a JD from Brooklyn Law School and a BA in French and Marketing from the University of Pennsylvania. She practiced entertainment law for several years before working at DOROT. She joined the staff of 92NY in 2013. Erica coordinates all intergenerational programming as well as leading a monthly book club, a French conversation circle and a discussion group called, Shoot the Breeze.

Arielle Silverman, LMSW

PCSA Social Worker

Arielle Silverman, LMSW, is a Licensed Social Worker whose passion is working with older adults

Arielle Silverman, LMSW

PCSA Social Worker
Arielle Silverman, LMSW, is a Licensed Social Worker whose passion is working with older adults. Arielle holds an undergraduate degree from Syracuse University in Public Health and an MSW from New York University Silver School of Social Work. Arielle currently works as an administrator and head facilitator for our Program for Cognitive Strength and Ability and is one of the founding staff members of the program.

Maureen Robinson-Frimpong

Operations Coordinator

Maureen Robinson-Frimpong, BS, Operations Coordinator, is the friendly face who greets members when they walk into the Himan Brown office.

Maureen Robinson-Frimpong

Operations Coordinator
Maureen Robinson-Frimpong, BS, Operations Coordinator, is the friendly face who greets members when they walk into the Himan Brown office. She attended SUNY Plattsburgh State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development Family Relations with a concentration in childcare management. Prior to joining the HB Staff, Maureen worked in Human Resource as a Benefits coordinator for Maimonides Medical Center.

Faculty

Ze’ev Aviezer

Ze’ev Aviezer earned a BA in Economics from Hunter College, an MS in Counseling from Lehman College CUNY and an MA in Religious Education.

Ze’ev Aviezer

Ze’ev Aviezer earned a BA in Economics from Hunter College, an MS in Counseling from Lehman College CUNY and an MA in Religious Education from Hebrew Union College’s Institute of Religion. He was granted the only certification as an Adult Educator by Hebrew Union College. He has taught adult education courses for Westchester Adult Jewish Education, Larchmont Mamaroneck Center for Continuing Education, Scarsdale Adult School, UJA-JCC Greenwich, Shamus JCC on the Hudson and Larchmont Temple, where he served as Executive Director for 22 years.

Sally Bliumis-Dunn

Poetry Writing Workshop

Sally Bliumis-Dunn teaches Modern Poetry at Manhattanville College and at the Palm Beach Poetry Festival.

Sally Bliumis-Dunn

Poetry Writing Workshop
Sally Bliumis-Dunn teaches Modern Poetry at Manhattanville College and at the Palm Beach Poetry Festival. Her poems appeared in New Ohio Review, The Paris Review, Prairie Schooner, PLUME, Poetry London, The Bellevue Literary Review, The NYT, PBS NewsHour, Terrain.Org, The Writer’s Almanac, The Academy of American Poets’ Poem-a-day and Ted Kooser’s newspaper column, American Life in Poetry, among others. Sally was also a finalist for the Nimrod/Hardman Pablo Neruda Prize in 2002.

Javor Bracic

The Art of Listening to Music

The Croatian pianist Javor Bracic is the first prize winner of international piano competitions in Italy, Croatia, and Belgium.

Javor Bracic

The Art of Listening to Music
The Croatian pianist Javor Bracic is the first prize winner of international piano competitions in Italy, Croatia, and Belgium. At his Carnegie Hall debut recital, he was hailed by New York Concert Review for “deep, genuine musicianship and an outstanding technique.” Bracic holds advanced degrees from the University of Mozarteum, Salzburg under Karl-Heinz Kämmerling and Mannes College, New York under Pavlina Dokovska. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at City University, NY under Ursula Oppens, Richard Goode and Norman Carey. His CD album Tribute to Haydn was released on Labor Records and his performance was broadcast on WQXR. He performs at festivals and conferences throughout the USA, Europe, China and South Africa. When not traveling, Bracic also teaches piano and lectures on music at the 92nd Street Y in NYC.

Doug Brin

Political Science Lecturer

Doug Brin is an historical raconteur, writer, artist, journalist and popular lecturer and discussion group facilitator.

Doug Brin

Political Science Lecturer
Doug Brin is an historical raconteur, writer, artist, journalist and popular lecturer and discussion group facilitator. He has taught both social studies and ethics at the Dalton and Ethical Culture Schools in New York City and written on entertainment and politics for the New York Daily News. Brin’s career has also included work in advertising, public relations, fine arts. He has been a regular lecture at 92NY since 2007.

Theresa Burns

Memoir Writing

Theresa Burns is a writer, editor, and teacher whose work has appeared in The New York Times, nytimes.com, Prairie Schooner, Bellevue Literary Review, and upstreet, among other publications.

Theresa Burns

Memoir Writing
Theresa Burns is a writer, editor, and teacher whose work has appeared in The New York Times, nytimes.com, Prairie Schooner, Bellevue Literary Review, and upstreet, among other publications. A book editor for nearly 20 years, she holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College, where she worked with Marie Howe, Billy Collins, and Pulitzer prize-winner Vijay Seshadri. She has taught writing at Seton Hall University, The Fashion Institute of Technology and 92nd St. Y.

Dee Cocoros

Balance and Stability

Diane Cocoros (Dee) is a Holistic Wellness and Fitness Consultant in NYC for over 20 years.

Dee Cocoros

Balance and Stability
Diane Cocoros (Dee) is a Holistic Wellness and Fitness Consultant in NYC for over 20 years. The foundations of her classes and sessions teach that True Power is strength, endurance, flexibility, agility, balance and coordination. When we address all of these we are able to move with power and grace. There is always a mind body component to her classes to enhance participants overall well-being. She has worked with older adults since 1998 and is extensively trained and experienced in anatomy, physiology, and neuroanatomy.

Kareem Collins

Fitness

Kareem Collins is an experienced senior fitness instructor. He facilitates the Parkinson’s Exercise Program (PEP) in the May Center and the Platinum Sneakers Program at Long Island University.

Kareem Collins

Fitness
Kareem Collins is an experienced senior fitness instructor. He facilitates the Parkinson’s Exercise Program (PEP) in the May Center and the Platinum Sneakers Program at Long Island University. He has completed the National Academy of Sports Medicine Functional Design Program, NASM/PT, and the FMS Functional Movement Screening and Corrective Exercise Program, and is currently working toward Cycling for PD patients. He has also coached boxing, cycling and USA Weightlifting.

Mary Copeland

Fitness

Mary Copeland is a former professional dancer and has been teaching dance and fitness in New York City for more than 30 years.

Mary Copeland

Fitness
Mary Copeland is a former professional dancer and has been teaching dance and fitness in New York City for more than 30 years. She has a Group Fitness Certification with the American Council on Exercise and Pilates Mat Certification with Pilates Institute of America. A dance education major at New York University, she studied anatomy and kinesiology and is certified by the American Council on Exercise. She is an experienced exercise teacher and dancer/ choreographer who has been on our staff since 2003.

Matthew H. Ellis

Matthew H. Ellis is a historian specializing in the social, intellectual, and cultural history of the modern Middle East and North Africa.

Matthew H. Ellis

Matthew H. Ellis is a historian specializing in the social, intellectual, and cultural history of the modern Middle East and North Africa. He currently holds the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation Chair in International Affairs and Middle East Studies at Sarah Lawrence College, in Bronxville, NY, where he teaches a range of courses on modern history and politics. He received his BA in history from Williams College, his M.Phil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Oxford, and his PhD from the Department of History at Princeton University. His first book, Desert Borderland: The Making of Modern Egypt and Libya, was published by Stanford University Press in 2018.

Donelle Estey

Painting and Drawing

Donelle Estey joined the faculty in August 2015. She holds an MFA from California State University and has had her art work exhibited at galleries throughout the world.

Donelle Estey

Painting and Drawing
Donelle Estey joined the faculty in August 2015. She holds an MFA from California State University and has had her art work exhibited at galleries throughout the world. She serves as an adjunct professor at City University of New York and has been a guest artist on numerous campuses. From 2002-2006, Donelle also worked as a painting instructor at 92NY School of the Arts.

Elizabeth Flamm, LCSW

Elizabeth Flamm, LCSW is an experienced licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist with a demonstrated history of working with individuals, couples, families, and groups

Elizabeth Flamm, LCSW

Elizabeth Flamm, LCSW is an experienced licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist with a demonstrated history of working with individuals, couples, families, and groups with diverse populations in different institutions. She received her MSW at Fordham University with a clinical concentration and completed her post graduate training at the Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy. Elizabeth was also an international business executive in product development, sales, and marketing prior to her career in social work.

Seth Gopin

Art History

During his 30 years at Rutgers University, Seth Gopin was a gifted professor and lecturer in Art History and a popular dean of academic affairs.

Seth Gopin

Art History
During his 30 years at Rutgers University, Seth Gopin was a gifted professor and lecturer in Art History and a popular dean of academic affairs. He also served as Director of Global Studies, which made him Rutgers’ ambassador to the world. Since leaving Rutgers, he has created Metro Insights, a company specializing in bespoke tours to Paris, New York and London. Gopin was granted the French award of Chevalier in the Order of the Academic Palm for his groundbreaking work popularizing the history of the city of Paris. In recent years he has renewed his interest in architecture and urban planning. He loves the intersection of art, history and culture, as is evident by in his most recent book, Skyscrapers of New York. Gopin frequently lectures around the world and aboard Cunard ships, including the Queen Mary II. He has also been a very popular lecturer at 92NY for the past 7 years.

Ken Gray

T’ai Chi Chih

Ken Gray has been teaching Qigong exercises and T'ai Chi Chih for 25 years, helping people to overcome discomfort and pain and achieve greater flexibility.

Ken Gray

T’ai Chi Chih
Ken Gray has been teaching Qigong exercises and T'ai Chi Chih for 25 years, helping people to overcome discomfort and pain and achieve greater flexibility, balance and serenity, with easy-to-follow movements and a lot of laughter.

Jess Joseph

Medicare, Patient Advocacy

Jess Joseph earned his Certificate in Patient Advocacy from UCLA and a BA in Humanities from the University of Chicago.

Jess Joseph

Medicare, Patient Advocacy
Jess Joseph earned his Certificate in Patient Advocacy from UCLA and a BA in Humanities from the University of Chicago. He trained as a Medicare Advocate with the Medicare Rights Center and has taught classes at the Stanley Isaacs Senior Center, the Sirovich Senior Center and the Carter Burden Luncheon Club in addition to 92NY. He is also a member of the 92NY Serves Committee.

Steve King

Baseball Historian; Chess Instructor

Steve King has been deeply passionate about baseball since early childhood. In his teaching, King combines his U.S. History background with his incredible knowledge of the sport, its statistics and its players.

Steve King

Baseball Historian; Chess Instructor
Steve King has been deeply passionate about baseball since early childhood. In his teaching, King combines his U.S. History background with his incredible knowledge of the sport, its statistics and its players. During his 20 years teaching chess in public and private schools, King would also incorporate baseball history into his classes. For many years, King has also been teaching both Chess and Baseball history to adults at 92NY and at other programs in NYC and Long Island.

Lucy Kirk

World Events

Lucy Kirk had a 33-year career in the Central Intelligence Agency’s Directorate of Operations.

Lucy Kirk

World Events
Lucy Kirk had a 33-year career in the Central Intelligence Agency’s Directorate of Operations. She rose to the level of Chief of Station and worked three years for the Office of Congressional Relations in the Director’s office. She holds a BA from Wellesley College and a graduate degree in International Relations from American University School of International Service. She has also been a member of HBSP since 2016.

Richard Larschan

Literature

Richard Larschan is an English Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts. He earned his PhD from UC Berkeley with a dissertation on Jonathan Swift.

Richard Larschan

Literature
Richard Larschan is an English Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts. He earned his PhD from UC Berkeley with a dissertation on Jonathan Swift. His academic honors include 2 Fulbrights (Trinity College Dublin; University of Wales) and 4 NEH summer grants. His publications include a critical introduction to Gulliver’s Travels and a co-authored book for cancer patients. He has also written and produced several essays and videos about Sylvia Plath and is featured in a televised biography of Plath and cited in a half-dozen scholarly books on Plath.

Gordon Levin

World Events and American History

Gordon Levin is the Dwight Morrow Professor of History and American Studies, emeritus, at Amherst College where he focused on American diplomatic history and Israeli history.

Gordon Levin

World Events and American History
Gordon Levin is the Dwight Morrow Professor of History and American Studies, emeritus, at Amherst College where he focused on American diplomatic history and Israeli history. He is the author of the book Woodrow Wilson and World Politics (1968, Oxford University Press) and the winner of the Bancroft Prize in American History, 1969.

Ellen Love, LCSW

Drop-In Groups, Necessary Conversations

Ellen Love earned her Master’s degree in social work from Fordham University and later studied at Hunter School of Social Work: Brookdale Center on Aging and Training Institute for Mental Health earning a certificate in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.

Ellen Love, LCSW

Drop-In Groups, Necessary Conversations
Ellen Love earned her Master’s degree in social work from Fordham University and later studied at Hunter School of Social Work: Brookdale Center on Aging and Training Institute for Mental Health earning a certificate in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. She has a private psychotherapy practice in Manhattan and facilitates several discussion groups which encourage the exchange of ideas and feelings, promoting self-awareness and growth.

Sara Lukinson

Lecturer

Sara Lukinson is a three-time Emmy award-winning writer and documentary filmmaker best known for her biographical films of artists and creators.

Sara Lukinson

Lecturer
Sara Lukinson is a three-time Emmy award-winning writer and documentary filmmaker best known for her biographical films of artists and creators. She produced film biographies for the Kennedy Center Honors for 30 years. Her films have been shown on network specials, PBS and HBO. She has written for national cultural events including New York City’s annual September 11 ceremonies at Ground Zero and the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Her personal essays have appeared in The New York Times and The Washington Post. Lukinson currently teaches at NYU’s School of Professional Studies and at 92NY.

Danny Pollock

Israeli and International Folk Dance

Danny Pollock has been teaching folk dance for more than 30 years at JCCs, synagogues, dance camps, dance weekends, festivals and special events.

Danny Pollock

Israeli and International Folk Dance
Danny Pollock has been teaching folk dance for more than 30 years at JCCs, synagogues, dance camps, dance weekends, festivals and special events. As a child, he learned Israeli and international folk dance, is ballet trained, and has trained in Jazz, tap, Afro-Caribbean, square, contra and Scottish dance styles. He has performed in several Israeli dance troupes and was Dance Assistant to the Director of New York’s annual Israeli Folk Dance Festival & Festival of the Arts. He has choreographed a repertoire of folk dances for children, and has trained teachers through specialized workshops.

Frances Richey

Poetry Workshop

Frances Richey is the author of two poetry collections: The Burning Point (White Pine Press, 2004) and The Warrior (Viking Penguin, 2008), and the creator and editor of Voices of the Guard, published in 2010 in honor of the Oregon National Guard.

Frances Richey

Poetry Workshop
Frances Richey is the author of two poetry collections: The Burning Point (White Pine Press, 2004) and The Warrior (Viking Penguin, 2008), and the creator and editor of Voices of the Guard, published in 2010 in honor of the Oregon National Guard. Fran’s work has appeared on the Lives Page of The New York Times Magazine, in Nicholas Kristof’s op-ed column, The Poets of War, “O” The Oprah Magazine, Woman’s Day, Verse Daily and in numerous literary journals. She has also received fellowships from the MacDowell Colony, Yaddo (2016), Blue Mountain Center and Hedgebrook.

Lucia Russett

Yoga Instructor

Lucia Russett has been teaching yoga since 2013, when she completed her training at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health.

Lucia Russett

Yoga Instructor
Lucia Russett has been teaching yoga since 2013, when she completed her training at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. A social worker in East Harlem for 18 years, she is now passionate about bringing yoga and mindfulness to diverse populations, including immigrant mothers, teens and seniors.

Simón Saad

The Art of Listening to Music

Simón Saad was born in Colombia and was educated in Italy and the USA.

Simón Saad

The Art of Listening to Music
Simón Saad was born in Colombia and was educated in Italy and the USA. He is an Opera Stage Director, Repertory Builder and lecturer whose work in the genre spans three decades and three continents. In addition to his directorial work, Simon has also coached some of the most celebrated singers of his generation and worked as a talent scout and artistic associate for several of the important opera houses in the Americas. Saad is also a regular lecturer in Music for 92NY.

Leo Schaff

Simply Shakespeare

Leo Schaff studied speech and theater at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and is a member of The Shakespeare Society of New York.

Leo Schaff

Simply Shakespeare
Leo Schaff studied speech and theater at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and is a member of The Shakespeare Society of New York. Loe studied with Stella Adler, performed at The Actors Studio and The Public Theater. He was named “New Yorker of the Week” by TV’s NY1 for his contribution to the senior citizen community through his Shakespeare classes. With great humor and a timely eye to Shakespeare’s eternal relevance, he shares literary critique and theatrical anecdote to further illuminate the bottomless study of the Bard.

Susan Scheuer

World Events

Susan Scheuer has degrees in Modern European History, Music Education and Conservation Biology.

Susan Scheuer

World Events
Susan Scheuer has degrees in Modern European History, Music Education and Conservation Biology. She has worked extensively in radio (National Public Radio and Public Radio International) as a writer, producer and narrator and is an experienced narrator of audiobooks.

Zach Seeger

Painting and Drawing

Zach Seeger is a painter and sculptor working in Brooklyn and upstate New York.

Zach Seeger

Painting and Drawing
Zach Seeger is a painter and sculptor working in Brooklyn and upstate New York. He received his BFA from Binghamton University and MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. He has exhibited in the stARTup Fair LA, Artspace Tetra in Fukoka, Japan and Life on Mars Gallery, Brooklyn. He has taught 3D Design, sculpture, painting, drawing and graphic design at Brown University, Berkeley College and Binghamton University. He is currently the director of This Friday or Next Friday gallery in DUMBO, Brooklyn and an instructor at 92NY School of the Arts.

Erica Shein, Esq.

Intergenerational Programming Coordinator
Discussion Group Facilitator

Erica Shein holds a JD from Brooklyn Law School and a BA in French and Marketing from the University of Pennsylvania.

Erica Shein, Esq.

Intergenerational Programming Coordinator
Discussion Group Facilitator
Erica Shein holds a JD from Brooklyn Law School and a BA in French and Marketing from the University of Pennsylvania. She practiced entertainment law for several years before working at DOROT. She joined the staff of 92NY in 2013. Erica coordinates all intergenerational programming as well as facilitating several classes for HB 60+.

Robert Silverman

Jazz

Pianist, trumpeter and composer Bob Silverman has been a fixture on the New York Jazz scene since 1985.

Robert Silverman

Jazz
Pianist, trumpeter and composer Bob Silverman has been a fixture on the New York Jazz scene since 1985. He has his own ensemble and has been featured on TV and radio. He won an award from the Bronx Council on the Arts for playing and teaching Jazz to senior adults.

Susan Stein

Author Your Life: Reading and Writing Memoir

Susan Stein is an actor, playwright, and teaching artist in NYC. Stein has spent the past eight years touring her original play, Etty, directed by Austin Pendleton, to theaters, universities, schools and prisons.

Susan Stein

Author Your Life: Reading and Writing Memoir
Susan Stein is an actor, playwright, and teaching artist in NYC. Stein has spent the past eight years touring her original play, Etty, directed by Austin Pendleton, to theaters, universities, schools and prisons throughout the United States and parts of Europe. Stein has an Artist/Scholar in residence at Cambridge University, Duquesne, Boston College, Vanderbilt University and Chapman University. She leas workships in writing and acting through the U.S. and U.K. Susan studied acting at NYU Graduate School and SUNY Purchase and received a Master’s in Writing at Wesleyan University. She was on the faculty of the Princeton Day School for 13 years.

Mark York

Musical Theater Workshop

Mark York, originally from Oklahoma, has worked in the Broadway-New York theater scene as a director and composer for the past 25 years.

Mark York

Musical Theater Workshop
Mark York, originally from Oklahoma, has worked in the Broadway-New York theater scene as a director and composer for the past 25 years.

Thank you to the generous supporters of the Himan Brown Program.

92NY Himan Brown Program is endowed by a generous grant from the Himan Brown Charitable Trust.

Major support for the Himan Brown Program is provided by the Lorraine Buch Music Appreciation Fund; Charina Endowment Fund; The Derfner Foundation; Richard P. Fishman and Marny Cherkasky; The Goatie Foundation; the Estate of Florence C. Golly; Madaleine and Arnold z”l Penner in memory of Rosalind Cohen Joelson; Richard H. Rubinstein; Lilian Sicular in memory of David R. Sicular; The Kathryn W. Stein Endowment; and an anonymous donor.

Additional support is provided by the Ginette Becker French Education Fund; Kate Arleen Bressler; Bonnie and Kenneth Davis; The Margot and Adolph Friedlander Endowment; Judith Fryer and Daniel Biggs; The Mildred and Emanuel Goldberg Endowment; Shirley M. Henschel; Joan M. Leiman; and The Dorothy and Sol Smolen Endowment.

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Contact Us

For registration information, please contact the Himan Brown Program office: 212.699.7261 / email

Please note that all 92Y regularly scheduled in-person programs are suspended.