Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter January - February 2012 San Fernando Valley Chapter Happenings
January/February 2012 Editors: Phyllis Davidson, Sarita Waldman President: Harriet Glass Ulmer
Brandeis National Committee San Fernando Valley Chapter Presents WORDS, WIT & WISDOM BOOKS & AUTHORS LUNCHEON
Thursday, March 22ndndnd 10:00 AM Temple Judea 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana, CA
Featuring
Moderator Sandy Banks Nationally Recognized Los Angeles Times Columnist
Authors Gregg Hurwitz Critically acclaimed best-selling author of mystery and crime novels
Judy Zeidler Well-known cookbook author and restauranteur
Charles Fox Two-time Academy Award nominee and two-time Emmy winning composer. Inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004
Additional information and Reservation Form inside
Co-Chairs: Dee November & Lynda Allen 1 January - February 2012 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Hello, 2012! Here we are at the half-year point and I am pleased to announce that we have reached 92% of our San Fernando Valley Chapter membership goal and are fast closing in on our financial goal, both established annually by the Brandeis National Committee. Highlights of the chapter’s past six months include: • The annual Bagel Brunch in July, honoring our Study Group Leaders and Coordinators for their outreach and constancy as “Keepers of the Flame” in supporting the BNC Mission. • The Polka Dot Luncheon and adjacent Shoppers Paradise Boutique in October that together comprised a beautiful, successful event. • The Ruby’s Diner “Funraiser” in November, our first “pop-up” event made possible through the use of our newly established eblast communication link with chapter members who have email. • Two of the four fabulous speakers in our Speakers Series have each presented to a full house in a lovely setting complimented by an appetizer buffet that caused us to linger and enjoy one-on-one conversations with the speaker and each other. The third Speakers Series event will be Friday, February 10th, featuring representatives from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. • As in years past, we gave our all in December for the annual Toy Drive benefitting the San Fernando Valley Child Guidance Center. • Theatre 40 in December introduced us to a local, intimate venue in a surprise location. The play was professionally executed, providing a convincing, emotional epistolary drama. Great fun! • University on Wheels last week featured, in person, the delightful and insightful Dr. Don Katz, Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Brandeis University, speaking on “What Makes One Food Taste Better than Another?”. Hmmm, so much food for thought…. And coming up: • New and Prospective Member Coffees: Held every few months, the next will be January 20th. • Our annual Words, Wit & Wisdom: Books & Authors Luncheon will be held March 22nd, featuring three exciting, well-known authors (one is a singer-composer as well) and moderated by Sandy Banks, noted Los Angeles Times columnist. Please join us at future events; be open to receiving our eblasts with news beyond the Bulletin; regularly visit our website (www.brandeissfv.org) to see what’s new from Brandeis, BNC, and SFV, for example: new Study Group and Learning Opportunity concepts; and—perhaps most importantly— share with your friends and neighbors the potential for intellectual stimulation, meeting new and interesting people, and experiencing comradery among peer groups (men, women, couples, Baby Boomers, etc.) by their joining BNC-SFV Chapter. Help us keep the Mission alive. Warm wishes, Harriet Glass Ulmer
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BRANDEIS NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
Cordially invites you to join us for a stimulating and exciting day
WORDS, WIT & WISDOM Books and Authors Luncheon
Thursday, March 22, 2012 10:00 AM
TEMPLE JUDEA 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana, CA
Proceeds from this event benefit Brandeis University’s Sustaining the Mind Program, providing funds for neurodegenerative disease research and scientific scholarships
RESERVATION DEADLINE: 3/09/2012
Tear Off and Mail with Check
Name: ______Phone: ______E-mail ______Donor $65.00 ______Angel $70.00 ______Patron $80.00 ______Please reserve ______seats (Make check payable to BNC. Tax deductible portion for each ticket is $30.00) Tables of Ten/Seat me with: ______Sorry I cannot attend, but would like to donate $______
Please check one: Vegetarian Salad of Baby Greens, Ricotta Salata, Dried Cherries, Spiced Walnuts in a Champagne Vinaigrette : ____Salad Only___ Add Salmon____ Add chicken____ Mail Reservation Form and check(s) to: Carol Sookman 4454 Ventura Canyon Avenue, #107 Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 **Guest Name(s) and meal selection ______
3 January - February 2012 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter OUR WORDS, WIT AND WISDOM AUTHORS
SANDY BANKS, Moderator SANDY BANKS grew up in Cleveland, Ohio — an avid reader with plans of becoming a teacher or lawyer. Journalism became her passion in college, when a class at Ohio State University required a stint on the campus newspaper. Her time at Ohio State was cut short when her mother was diagnosed with cancer in her sophomore year. Sandy moved home to help care for her mother, who died a few months later. The next year, Sandy graduated cum laude from Cleveland State University. Sandy began her journalism career in 1976 as a sports writer at a black weekly newspaper, then spent two years as a reporter at the Cleveland Press. In 1979, Sandy moved to California to begin 32 years at the Los Angeles Times, where she has been a reporter, writer, editor, columnist and editorial writer. Her work has won national recognition from journalism groups and organizations as varied as the National Council of Jewish Women and the Muslim Women’s League; the Watts Community Health Foundation and the Beverly Hills Rotary Club; the California Teachers’ Association and the Union of Medical Marijuana Patients. She was on the team awarded a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Los Angeles riots in 1992. She has also written for several magazines, served as a commentator on CNN and NPR, and is at work on a collection of essays and columns. Widowed in 1993, Sandy raised her three daughters in Northridge. The two youngest are attending college; the oldest graduated from Stanford.
JUDY ZEIDLER JUDY ZEIDLER is a well-known food authority and author of the widely acclaimed The Gourmet Jewish Cook and Judy Zeidler’s International Deli Cookbook, 30-Minute Kosher Cook and Master Chefs Cook Kosher, which is based on her syndicated television show “Judy’s Kitchen”. Judy has also co-authored a cookbook with French chef Michel Richard, entitled.. Home Cooking With A French Accent. Her newly published book is Italy Cooks, , a combination of fascinating memoirs of the people she has met in her travels, stories,, and recipes. She and her husband are founders of the popular Citrus restaurant in Los Angeles, The Broadway Deli and Capo and Cora’s restaurants in Santa Monica, Brentwood Restaurant in Brentwood, and the recently opened Brass Cap in Santa Monica. She is also consulting at Zeidler’s Cafe, which is located in the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
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GREGG HURWITZ GREGG HURWITZ is a critically acclaimed, internationally bestselling author of The Tower, Minutes to Burn, Do No Harm, The Kill Clause, The Program, Troubleshooter, Last Shot, The Crime Writer, and Trust No One. His books have been short listed for best novel of the year by International Thriller Writers, nominated for CWA’s Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, chosen as feature selections for all four major literary book clubs, honored as Book Sense Picks, and translated into sixteen languages. Gregg has written screenplays for Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Paramount Studios, MGM, and ESPN, developed TV series for Warner Bros. and Lakeshore, written Wolverine, Punisher, and Foolkiller for Marvel, and published numerous academic articles on Shakespeare. He has taught fiction writing in the USC English Department, and guest lectured for UCLA, and for Harvard in the United States and around the world. In the course of researching his thrillers, he has snuck onto demolition ranges with Navy SEALs, swam with sharks in the Galápagos, and gone undercover into mind-control cults. He has written and produced season two of the popular TV show “V”. Hurwitz grew up in the Bay Area. While completing a BA from Harvard (’95) and a master’s from Trinity College, Oxford in Shakespearean tragedy (’96), he wrote his first novel. He was the undergraduate scholar-athlete of the year at Harvard for his pole-vaulting exploits, and played college soccer in England, where he was a Knox fellow. He currently lives in Los Angeles.
CHARLES FOX CHARLES FOX was born in the Bronx, New York on Oct 30 1940. He graduated from the High School of Music and Art and continued his musical education in Paris for the next several years, studying with the most acclaimed composition teacher of the 20th century, Nadia Boulanger. Returning to the US he began his professional career in music, which has encompassed the worlds of film, television, records, ballet, and symphonic music, as a composer, pianist and conductor. Twice nominated for the Academy Award, the two-time Emmy winning composer and Songwriters’ Hall of Fame inductee, who has written music for the concert hall and the ballet, became part of America’s historic legacy at the Smithsonian Institute in late 2010. Among the hundreds of songs he has written is the Grammy Award-winning “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” a number one record in just about every country in the world, by two different artists: Roberta Flack in 1973 and the Fugees, 20 years later. Fox has composed the music for over 100 motion pictures and television films including the theme songs and scores for HAPPY DAYS, LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY, WONDER WOMAN, THE LOVE BOAT and LOVE AMERICAN STYLE, for which he won two Emmy awards for best song and best score. His film scores include BARBARELLA, GOODBYE COLUMBUS, SHORT CIRCUIT 2, OH GOD BOOK 2, and THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, for which he was nominated for Golden Globe awards for best score and best song, as well as receiving an Academy Award nomination for his song, “Richard’s Window” sung by Olivia Newton John. He also composed the music for NINE TO FIVE, ONE ON ONE, TWO MINUTE WARNING and FOUL PLAY for which he received his 2nd Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for the Barry Manilow performed hit song, “Ready to Take A Chance Again.” Charlie will be performing some of his music for us at the piano, as well as introducing his memoir: Killing Me Softly: My Life in Music.
5 January - February 2012 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter
UNIVERSITY ON WHEELS University on Wheels was held on January 11, 2012 at Temple Judea in Tarzana, California. The room was beautiful, brunch was wonderful and our speaker, Dr. Don Katz, was charming, good looking and very informative. We now know “What Makes One Food Taste Better Than Another.” Our thanks to our hard working committee for their dedication and diligence: Robin Pelter, Sandy Morgan, Carol Sookman and Marcia Gould. Our appreciation to Judy Livingston, Judy Cohn and Joanne Baulch who pitched in and helped at the event. It was our pleasure to co-chair this event and for this we thank our President, Harriet Glass Ulmer.
Bobbi Kostin and Renee Symans
6 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter January - February 2012
DON’T MISS THE LAST TWO REMAINING SPEAKER’S SERIES
Friday, February 10, 2012 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Linda Mundell, Representative: Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising FIDM was founded in 1969 in direct response to the growing needs of the fashion industry in California. Their Advisory Board includes industry giants such as Tim Gunn, Diane von Furstenberg, Emanuel Ungaro, and Fred Segal. Graduates go on to careers which include designing gowns for red carpet celebrities; creating television and movie sets, costumes, and posters, and launching their own fashion companies. Noted graduates include Randolph Duke, Monique Lhuillier, Kevan Hall, Karen Kane, Leanne Marshall (winner of Season 5 Project Runway), and Pamela Skaist-Levy (co-founder of Juicy Couture.)
Friday, April 27, 2012 1:00PM – 2:30 PM Carolyn Blashek, Founder of Operation Gratitude After the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, founder Carolyn Blashek felt the need to aid the war on terrorism. Starting from her home in California, the charity now encompasses churches, schools, businesses and service groups throughout the country. Their mission: to lift morale, put a smile on a service member’s face, and express the appreciation of the American people for their sacrifices and service. As of June 2010, Operation Gratitude has sent over 700,000 care packages to our service men and women serving overseas.
Location: The Village at Northridge 9222 Corbin Ave., Northridge, CA Reception immediately following each Speaker Event
To enter free parking, take Corbin Ave. to Prairie St. and turn east. Take the long driveway on the right to the parking structure. Make first right and then a left at the end of the row. Visitor Parking will be on your right, along the wall. Take main elevator from garage to the Lobby. Sign in with The Village Receptionist who will direct you to the location for the event.
Tear-off and mail with check to: Esther Cohen 10050 Melinda Way, #5, Northridge, CA 91325 Questions? Contact Dee November: 818-881-9040
___ I wish to attend both events. Enclosed is my check for $24 made out to BNC
___Enclosed is my check made out to BNC for $12 to attend the following individual event
______
Name______E-Mail______Phone______
Proceeds from the Speaker’s Series benefit Brandeis University’s Sustaining The Mind Program, providing funds for neurodegenerative disease research and scientific scholarships
7 January - February 2012 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter
DID YOU KNOW? Thanks to all of us, the BNC has raised $2,923,529 for the University Library from July 2010 through June 2011. Since it’s beginning, BNC has supported the Brandeis Libraries by helping to provide the necessary journals, books, technology, library work scholarships and special acquisitions. BNC is committed to the future, by providing scholarships via the “Fulfilling the Promise” campaign. Gifts for science research continue to come from chapter events and individual donations in support of science research in various labs throughout the sciences. When we work for the BNC we add important research journals to the library to keep faculty members, researchers and students in the know about the most up-to-date information. The most important thing about our work for Brandeis University is it sustains the university and has an impact on the future for the next generation. Lynne Reinschreiber Chapter Information Officer
The San Fernando Valley Chapter of Brandeis National Committee Presents “LOOKING GOOD WHILE DOING GOOD” A DAY OF SHOPPING AT CHICO’S The Calabasas Commons 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
An opportunity to help others by doing something special for yourself Chico’s will donate 10% of BNC member sales, before tax, to Brandeis National Committee in support of the Sustaining the Mind Campaign, providing funds for neurodegenerative disease research and scientific scholarships Please bring your friends and “Shop ‘til You Drop” at CHICO’S (Calabasas Commons Store only) on Monday, February 13ththth **CHICO’S coupons may not be used in conjunction with this fundraiser** Please tear-off and bring slip below to CHICO’S Calabasas on Monday, February 13th to identify yourself as a SFV BNC member
I am a Member of Brandeis National Committee, SFV Chapter. Please donate $10% of my pre-tax purchase to BRANDEIS NATIONAL COMMITTEE
NAME: ______
(If you forget to bring this tear-off, please identify yourself as a BNC member when making your purchases)
Thank You for your Support !!
8 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter January - February 2012
San Fernando Valley Chapter JOIN BRANDEIS NATIONAL COMMITTEE NOW BNC RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP FORM 2011-2012 Please PRINT legibly Ms Mrs. Mr. Dr.
NAME______AKA______
FOR NEW MEMBERS ONLY ADDRESS______
San Fernando Valley Chapter CITY______STATE______ZIP______NEW MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION HOME PHONE______FAX______Please PRINT legibly EMAIL______Ms Mrs Mr. Dr. SPOUSE’S NAME______NAME______AKA______ADDRESS______Yes, I want to renew my membership in Brandeis National Committee for CITY______STATE______ZIP______2011-2012 Check one category: HOME PHONE______FAX______Regular $ 60.00 EMAIL______Gold $ 85.00 CELL______SPOUSE’S NAME______Sustaining $125.00 _____ Yes, I want to join Brandeis National Committee for 2011-2012 _____ Couples $100.00 Check one category: _____ Regular $ 60.00 _____ Gold $ 85.00 Annual National dues apply from July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012 _____ Sustaining $125.00 ______Couples $100.00 ______Associate $ 15.00 Enclosed is my check for $______. Make checks payable to Brandeis National Committee or BNC. Annual National dues apply from July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012 REMEMBER: BNC membership is tax deductible. Make checks payable to Brandeis National Committee [BNC] Or REMEMBER: Dues are TAX DEDUCTIBLE Charge my BNC membership dues of $______to
Mail your MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION and CHECK to: ___Visa ___MasterCard ___AmEx Naomi Javitz, 3541 Green Vista Dr., Encino, CA 91436 Account number______Security No: ______(818) 783-5419;
Expiration date: ______Signature: ______For Membership Information, call: Lily Willigery (818) 349-4377Ð() Prospective Members;,y [email protected] LyndaMary Millman,Spector, (818) (818) 360-5585360-8743 Ð – [email protected] Associate Members If you belong to another BNC Chapter and wish to participate in our San Fernando Valley Study Groups, you MUST become a SFV Associate Member! Associate Membership is $15.00 a year. Please let us know in what Chapter you are currently a member. Contact Sylvia Addision at (818) 881-7381. 19115 Gayle Pl., Tarzana, CA 91356 9 January - February 2012 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter OFF THE BOOKSHELF Hello bookworms. I hope you enjoy this Your San Fernando Valley Chapter selection of books I’ve chosen for your is now an Amazon Associate! enjoyment. From now on, the SFV Chapter and Brandeis benefit whenever you make purchases from Amazon Sharon Heller through our website. Our chapter will get 10% [email protected] back on e-books, 5% on paper books, and 5% of (818) 884-3368 anything else that Amazon sells. Fiction: To use this amazing new connection, go to www.brandeissfv.org and click the Amazon button Jane Austen Made Me Do It – Author: on the left side of the Home page. No Keyword is Laurel Ann Nattress necessary. Then proceed as usual. When you place Original stories inspired by Literature’s your order, you will be asked where to bill and ship. most astute observer of the human heart. Enter your information as you have in the past. Amazon will credit our chapter account automatically as long as your purchase is made and completed The Welsh Girl – Author: Peter Ho Davies through our website. The Welsh Girl portrays the lives of people ONLY by using this port are you (and your family in a small Welsh town during WWII. There and friends) able to shop as always on Amazon and is a German POW camp outside of town. benefit our chapter at the same time. It costs you There are powerful themes, concepts of nothing — the price for your Amazon goods is the nationalism and prejudices. same as if you went directly to Amazon. So please help us in this innovative new way to enhance our contributions to Brandeis neuroscience research and Talk Talk – Author: T.C. Boyle student scholarships. A woman in pursuit of a man who has stolen her identity. Welcome New Members Running the Rift – Author: Naomi Marilyn Alper Benaron Evalyn Ausley Story takes place during the 1980’s in Laurence Bosworth Rwanda between the Hutu-Tutsi people. Lynne Davidson Jean Patrick is the center of this story. His Judith Hailpern dream of running in the Olympics is scuttled Sydell Katz because of the genocide and violence taking Helene Kimmel place. Carol Loden Non Fiction: Beverly Mednick Marsha Miller The Obamas - Author: Jodi Cantor Leah Nesel Marlene Newell Republic, Lost – Author: Lawrence Lessig Renee Tepper How money corrupts congress and a plan to Kay Wacker stop it. James Weiss Barbara Witkin 10 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter January - February 2012 Introducing Savannah Pearlman, our Brandeis University Student Ambassador Year of graduation: 2012 Areas of study: Philosophy, French, Politics Hometown: Calabasas, CA The Brandeis National Committee initiated the Student Ambassadors program in an effort to connect its chapters with Brandeis students. Understanding their unique mission of the BNC, these students have become extraordinary ambassadors in bringing their on-campus experiences to BNC members. Why Brandeis? ”From my first time on campus, I was truly impressed by Brandeis’ commitment to social justice. It’s palpable on campus, from the activism groups themselves to the sense of unity their benefit concerts, projects, and even protests inspire. Brandeis students are socially aware, environmentally responsible, and willing to take action. With a student body like that, how could I go anywhere else?” Dear members of the San Fernando Valley Chapter: As you know, I am the student ambassador assigned to your chapter through our adopt-a-chapter program. I have spent quite a bit of time in the library throughout my four years at Brandeis, and as always I am incredibly grateful for all of the things you do! Since it’s the start of a new semester (Fall 2011), I just wanted to update you on my life at Brandeis. My experience at Brandeis has been really the best I could possibly have hoped for. I am a Philosophy major with double minors in French and Politics. My professors are really top-notch, they are always open to help both in and outside of the classroom. The curriculum is academically rigorous, but has helped me grow to the challenge and inspired me to have a better knowledge of the world around me. I really am getting a wonderful education, and I want to thank you all for supporting it! Like most Brandeis students I’m very active in our campus community. I work as an interviewer in the Admissions Office, and as the Hosting Coordinator, organizing our “Lunch with a Brandeisian” and overnight stay programs. I’ve had such a great experience at Brandeis I want to share it with prospective students. In addition, I’m an editor for the Brandeis Hoot, one of our newspapers, the editor of “Philosophically Speaking,” our philosophy journal, and the Director of Academic Affairs for the Student Union. This last position is very exciting, as I have been able to meet with the new Provost and Dean of Arts and Sciences and talk about academic initiatives. These administrators are bringing new energy to Brandeis, and I’m very excited to be working with them! I also volunteer for the Alumni Association through the Future Alumni club keeping the Brandeis community connected. Brandeis has given me so much, my first job, my best friends and the skills I need to succeed as an adult. I am the person I am today because of the influence of the Brandeis community. Thank you for supporting Brandeis! Savannah 11 January - February 2012 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter BNC SFV STUDY GROUP SIGN-UP PROCEDURE 1. Review the list of study groups with current openings and new groups. 2. Select the Study Group(s) of interest to you. 3. Complete one “OFFICIAL STUDY GROUP REQUEST FORM” for each group you select. 4. If you have more than one request, you may copy the form or use a blank sheet of paper to enter the required information. 5. Mail the request(s) to the address at the bottom on this form. The Study Group Committee will process all requests and will refer the requests to the appropriate leaders. The Study Group leaders will contact you. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE LEADERS DIRECTLY REGARDING JOINING THEIR GROUP. WE WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO FULFILL YOUR REQUESTS AS RECEIVED. PLEASE ALLOW TIME FOR THIS PROCESS TO TAKE PLACE. If you have questions about your Study Group Request(s), you may e-mail us at: [email protected] or contact Study Group Committee member: Evelyn Perl at (818) 905-5393 or Fax: (818) 905-6556 ------CUT HERE ------CUT HERE------ SIGN UP OFFICIAL STUDY GROUP REQUEST FORM PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY USE ONE REQUEST FORM FOR EACH GROUP Date______Group Title______Group Number______ Meeting day ______Time______ Name______Home Telephone______ Address______City______Zip______ Email ______FAX ______ Comments and Suggestions: [Use other side if necessary] Please return this STUDY GROUP REQUEST FORM to the Study Group Committee: c/o Evelyn Perl, 4839 Rubio Avenue, Encino, CA 91436 For further information call Evelyn at (818) 905-5393 or e-mail [email protected] 12 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter January - February 2012 CURRENT STUDY GROUP OPENINGS BNC OPEN STUDY GROUPS January, 2012 Group # Group Name Meeting Day Time Description 2 Current Events 2nd Monday 1:00 Discuss current events 10 Current Events 3rd Thursday 1:30 Discuss Current Events 13 Melody Mavens 4th Friday 10:30 Entertain at local Senior Centers 14 Opera 1st Friday 10:00 Follow LA opera season w/ DVD’s and lectures 18 Conversations en Francais-Adv. 1 2nd Monday 1:00 Discussions in French. No beginners. 31 Literary Potpourri 3rd Monday 1:00 Discuss Books 66 Journal Writing 3rd Wednesday 10:00 Share writings 73 Understanding the Bible 4th Monday 12:45 Discuss Bible Stories 78 Couples Film Group 4th Sunday 7:00 PM Discuss films 88 Tea and Tiques 1st Friday Varied Afternoon teas and antique hunting 90 Lunch With Speakers 2nd Wednesday 11:30 Listen to talks on various topics 110 On The Town 4th Tuesday Varies Visit locations of cultural interest 111 Urban Explorers 4th Tuesday Varies Explore sites of interest around LA 116 On The Town 4th Wednesday Varies Visit different locations around LA 119 On the Town… Other sites 4th Wednesday Varies Go to different museums and other sites 142 GoGo Girls 3rd Tuesday Varies Visit different areas in LA 150 Rap Group 2nd Tuesday 10:00-12:00 Discuss everyday issues 156 The Movie Chicks 2ndTuesday 4:00 p.m. Select films to be seen and discussed 161 Exploring Poetry 3rd Tuesday 1:30 p.m. Explore poetry from around the world 165 Baby Boomers on the Town 2nd Tuesday Varied Visit different locations 166 3rd Thursday Book Club 3rd Thursday 1:00 PM Read and discuss books 167 Conversational Yiddish 3rd Friday 10:00 AM Speak Yiddish ( not for beginners) 169 World Religions 2nd Tuesday 10:30 Discuss World Religions NEW GROUPS B1 Impressionist Art 2nd Thursday 10:00 Study the Impressionist Masters I1 Couples Movie Group 2nd Sunday 4:00 PM View and discuss films J1 Baby Boomers Book Group 3rd Thursday TBD Read and Discuss Books L1 Couples on the Town TBD 10:30 Visit sites in L.A. M1 Singles Evening 1st Monday 7:00 Discussions on women’s issues O1 Men’s Sports Talk 2nd Tuesday 10:00 AM Talk About Sports P1 Couples Legal Issues 4th Tuesday TBD Discuss Legal Issues Q1 Legal Issues 4th Tuesday 11:00 AM Discuss Legal Issues S1 Jewish Women in History 1st Thursday 9:30 AM Discuss Amazing Jewish Women T1 Evening Book Club TBD 6:30 PM Discuss Books MISSION STATEMENT Brandeis National Committee is dedicated to providing philanthropic support to Brandeis University, a distinguished liberal arts and research university founded by the American Jewish community. Its membership is connected to the university through fundraising and through activities that reflect the values on which the university was founded: academic excellence, social justice, non sectarianism and service to the community. 13 January - February 2012 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter BNC LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES There are other organizations New ideas, study groups and chapter activities There are other good causes. BUT BRANDEIS EDUCATIONAL SNACKS Brandeis Prof. Don Katz’s University on Wheels BNC IS UNIQUE! presentation on “What Makes Us Like the Foods We BNC = Brandeis National Committee Like?” explored our relationship with food and how it has evolved through the eons. A new BNC Learning We support the only non-sectarian University Opportunity series called “Educational Snacks” is a founded by the American Jewish Community. natural follow-up. It carries the learning experience to a new level in a fun format that can be shared with Enrich your life while you help the students of others through a study group, special activity or event. today for they will be the leaders of tomorrow. It includes a variety of ways to learn about, cook, and enjoy food from various cultures. MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION Food is one of the most primal parts of our lives. Small wonder, then, that food—its smells, colors, tastes, PLEASE CALL textures—evokes visceral reactions of utmost pleasure Lily Williger - Prospective Members or utter revulsion, triggering fond memories of home (818) 349-4377 and away. We associate the warm smell of baked cookies Lynda Spector - New/Old Members with childhood memories of home; the pungent odor of camembert with backpacking in France during (818) 360-5585 college. Over the course of six sessions, “Educational Snacks” IMPORIMPORIMPORTTTANTANTANT will take a culinary tour of the tastes, texts and trails that link food with culture. Sample the clichés of cuisine In order to reduce our mailing and feast on fine literary and audio-visual treats while costs, it is imperative that you interrogating cultural assumptions about food’s relationship with travel, family, gender and ethnicity. notify us of any change of address or Table Topics 1. Food is Culture telephone number and 2. Soul Food PLEASE LET US KNOW 3. La Gastronomie Française YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS: 4. Bella Italia 5. Caribbean Cuisine 6. Dinner and a Movie Call Deyna Alexander at Serve hot with lots of food, drink and fine (818) 886-4735 or e-mail at: conversation. jodee903@sbcglobal.net If you would like more information on “Educational with any changes! Snacks”, a new concept for a Learning Opportunity, then click on this link: Support Fundraisers http://www.brandeis.edu/bnc/programming/brandeis- Please remember that any day a SFV Chapter educational-snacks.html fundraiser occurs, it is our Chapter-wide pri- ority. Consequently, all Study Groups sched- and/or contact our chapter’s Learning Opportunities uled to meet that day should either cancel the Librarian, Muriel Eiduson, at (818-346-3647) or meeting or reschedule it to accommodate all [email protected]. members being able to attend the Chapter event. 14 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter January - February 2012 NEWS FROM THE CALIFORNIA SENIOR LEGISLATURE In October the Senior Legislature had its 31st Building Standards—Staircase Handrails: Annual Session in Sacramento. I had my own Requires that handrails be required at all public seat in the State Assembly once again! staircases, including theaters, museums, stadiums and restaurants. After voting on our proposals, we selected our Ten Top State and Four Top Federal proposals Terminate Californias Reduction of Federal out of the 76 submitted during the year. COLA for SSI Recipients: Reinstate the federal COLA for SSI recipients that were removed by The following were our top ten state choices: the former governor. Silver Alert Program. Establishes a missing In January I visited the 12 legislators assigned persons program called Silver Alert similar to to me, presenting this information. February 7 the Amber Alert now in place for children. and 8 I return to Sacramento to follow up. Personal Amplifier Listening Devices. If you have any questions about any of these Authorizes and supports the sale of personal proposals, want to know about our federal OTC amplifier hearing devices. choices, or have an idea for a proposal, please Reverse Mortgage Transparency Act. Requires let me know. Marcia Gould, California Senior all potential reverse mortgage borrowers to Assembly Member have in-person HUD counseling before signing any contracts. Homeless Senior Veterans Increased Benefits. Creates the State Cal-Vet program to assist with housing for homeless vets. Taxation and Deductions: Raises the authorized mileage deduction for volunteer mileage to the same rate as the business mileage deduction. Planned Giving — Rates for Charitable Gift Annuities A Planned Gift is a gift that keeps on giving – to both the donor and to the Financial Elder Abuse—Money Transmitters: University. When you fund a gift annuity with cash or appreciated securities, Requires that money wire transfer services be you will receive: included in the definition of mandatory reporters Guaranteed fixed income for life for one or two people on suspected financial elder abuse. A payout rate often higher than CDs and other fixed-income investments A charitable income-tax deduction Emergency Transportation for Seniors and Disabled: Requires mobilization of Para-transit The current rates are: Your Age Rate of Return and others to move disabled seniors to safe 65 4.7% places in event of natural disasters. 70 5.1% 75 5.8% Identity Theft Punishment Enhancement: 80 6.8% 85 7.8% Requires a two-year punishment enhancement 90 9.0% be add for identity theft for a victim 65 years or Rates valid as of January 1, 2012 older. If you have any questions, please call Janice Fineman at 781-736-4179 or e-mail [email protected]. 15 January - February 2012 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter Book Fund News Book Fund Tribute Form ______$5.50 Blue and White Tribute Card When you want to say “Thank You” in a special way – or want to convey your condolences on the passing ______$10.50 Goldfarb Library at Night Card of a loved one – please remember to do so with a ______$18.50 Louis Brandeis Portrait Learned Research Journal for $35.00, or a Folio for $55.00, or a Book Collection for $100.00. Make check payable to BNC Your gift will assist in the purchase of journals and Mail with your check if your last name starts books that will benefit the students and faculty at with the following letters to: Brandeis University. These are crucial to the A-H Reddy Moss research that goes on at the University. 4784 Park Encino Lane #1-204 Encino, CA 91436 Please send check payable to BNC to: I – Z Sandy Schuffman 5334 Bayer Place Woodland Hills, CA 91367 Sandy Rifkin 23753 Welby Way West Hills, CA 91307 Send Tribute to: (818) 999-1512 NAME (please print)______ Please include the following information: ADDRESS ______Your name, address, & phone number, name and CITY ______address of the recipient, ccasion, with your message, and how you would like it signed. STATE ______ZIP ______Send Tribute From: LOOKING FOR NEW LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES?? NAME (please print)______Take a peek in our Chapter Library. ADDRESS ______Call Muriel Eiduson at 818-346-3647. CITY ______STATE ______ZIP ______CHECK ONE IN HONOR OF IN MEMORY OF CHECK MESSAGE ______OUT ______OUR NEW ______WEBSITE ______www.brandeissfv.org ______ 16 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter January - February 2012 Learned Research Journal DONOR RECIPIENT OCCASION SFV Chapter Don Katz Thank you for your informative lecture at “University on Wheels” Sunday on The Town Dorothy & Jerry Mendelson In appreciation. French Group ll Janine Krasnik Get well quick, we miss you. Special Tributes DONOR RECIPIENT OCCASION 4th Wednesday On The Town Eve Steinman Thank you for all the time you spent making Brandeis fun for us. 4th Wednesday On The Town Reddy Moss Thank you for all the time you spent making Brandeis fun for us. Stan & Helene Landsman Susie Kane In honor of your 65th birthday. French 2 Ted & Mireille Waterman Sending you our warmest wishes for happy & healthy years together. Adele & Irv Wiener Eve Steinman Condolences on the loss of your sister Dorie Lapin. Tuesday Yiddish Film Group Family of Dorie Lapin Condolences on the loss of Dorie Lapin Inga Zimmerman Sylvia Addison So sorry for the loss of your brother. Louis D. Brandeis Cards DONOR RECIPIENT OCCASION Elaine & Barry Moskov Elaine Gelbart In memory of your dear sister. Ellie Rabkin Pauline & Drew Pomerance Much happiness on your 25th wedding anniversary. Marcia Motkin Wasserman Family Deepest sympathy on the loss of your father, grandfather & husband. Naomi Javitz Barbara Kramer Condolences on the loss of your husband. Current Issues Study Group Helen Winokur Thinking of you and sending get well wishes. Michelle Salinger Eve Steinman Deepest condolences on loss of Dorie. 1st Mon. Literature Group Rose Freed We miss you. Hurry up & get back to us. Helen & Sol Bialeck Janet & Seymour Gottlieb Wishing you both a speedy recovery. Tributes DONOR RECIPIENT OCCASION Ted & Annie Haas Mr. Darrell Friedman Speedy recovery. Ted & Annie Haas Mr. Ron Speigel Speedy recovery. Ted & Annie Haas Mrs. Madeline Sanders Speedy recovery. Tues. Ladies On The Town Gloria Frank Wishing you a complete & speedy recovery. 4th Tues. On The Town Barbara Krupin Speedy recovery. 4th Tues. On The Town Ruth Fine “What a fall! Hope you’re up & about soon” Anna & Ted Haas Judy Berke Deepest sympathy on loss of mother, Nina. Anna & Ted Haas Judy Leventhal Speedy recovery. Joan & Alan Gottschalk Bea Shaffer Wishing you a speedy recovery. Marcia Motkin Sam Baron Wishing you a speeding recovery. Tues. Ladies On The Town Harriet Moretzsky In memory of your beloved husband, Aaron. Lunch with Speakers Marlene Seltzer Thank you for your very informative talk. The Legal Issues Group Pearl Leonard Speedy recovery after your recent surgery. 17 January - February 2012 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter DONOR RECIPIENT OCCASION Paula Hoffman Morrie Waters Wishing you many more happy birthdays. Brandeis Board Fran Zimmerman So sorry to hear of your mother 's passing. First Friday Opera Group Lee Gaines Our thanks for your always gracious hospitality in hosting the opera for all these years. First Friday Opera Group Louis Bernstein In appreciation of your always wonderful, stimulating and entertaining opera presentations. Books We Want To Read Group Fran Shuster Our sympathy on the loss of your brother. Legal Theory and Current Group Fran Shuster Our condolences on the loss of your brother. Muriel & Sid Eiduson Bob Feinstein Best wishes for a speedy recovery. 4th Tuesday Out and About Mary Millman Wishing you a speedy recovery. The Gadabout Faye Faraldo Glad your recovery has gone so well. Barbara Kramer Mr. & Mrs. Stan Waldman Congratulations on becoming grandparents to twin boys. Current Events Group Glenda Bensussen We wish you a quick recovery. Bobbi Kostin Deyna Alexander I’m so happy your surgeries went well. Sandy Schuffman Barbara Kramer and Sons My sincere condolences on the loss of your dear husband and father. 4th Tuesday Out and About Susan Firestone Wishing you a speedy recovery. 4th Tuesday Out and About Deyna Alexander Wishing you a speedy recovery. Barbara Kramer Harvey Factor Hope you are feeling fine soon. 2nd Thursday Celebrate Yourself Group Eve Ferkel Our sincere condolences on the loss of your dear brother. 2nd Thursday Legal Puzzlers Barry Pearlman Thanks for giving us the opportunity to learn and enjoy the legal world. 2nd Monday Book Group Sue & Len Sheridan In honor of your 65th anniversary. Marcia Motkin Blanche Gelman Thinking of you & wishing you a very speedy recovery. Ruth & Ed Young Janet Gottlieb Wishing you better times ahead. Ruth Young Ettie Schachter Keep getting better & better. 1st Sunday Film Buffs Libby Lemoine Our group wishes Emile a speedy recovery. Jeri & George Herman Lorraine First Thinking of you at this time. Beverly & Irv Garfunkel Madeline Sanders Thinking of you. Beverly & Irv Garfunkel Janet Gottlieb Wishing you a speedy recovery. Sandra Morgan The Root Family In memory of beloved husband Jack. Ruth Lenorovitz Shirley Golden Get well. The Gadabouts Pauline Cohen Wishing you the very best recovery. Gene & Barbara Kramer Charlene Waldman So glad your recovery has been so fast. 3rd Wednesday Literature Group Janet Gottlieb Wishing you a speedy recovery. Yiddish Lovers Study Group Ettie Schacter Wishing you a rapid and complete recovery. Lily Williger Ettie Schacter We miss you. Hurry & get well. Looking forward to see you up and around. 2nd Tuesday Celebrate Group Janet Gottlieb Hope you recover soon. We miss you. Marjorie Titcher Barbara Kramer In memory of your beloved husband Gene. Ladies On The Town Jerry Goldstein Wishing you a speedy recovery. Melody Mavens Aileen Feinstein Our very best wishes are with you & Bob at this time. Dorie Rosenwald Sharon Rosenwald With heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your husband Larry. Famous Jewish Women Fran Lapides Best wishes. Happy you are doing so well. Sylvia Addison Jerold Lankin Heartfelt condolences on the loss of your dear mother. Melody Mavens Carol Siegal Wishes for a speedy recovery. Lily Williger Family of Dorie Lapin With deepest sympathy. Dorie will always be alive in our hearts. Inga Zimmerman Eve Steinman Sorry for the loss of Dorie. She will be missed. Sylvia Addison Eve Steinman In loving memory of your dear sister Dorie. Life’s Ups & Downs Group Sharri Diamond Heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your dear mother. 18 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter January - February 2012 BOARD MEMBERS 2011 - 2012 OFFICERS: President ...... Harriet Glass Ulmer Vice Presidents Administrative ...... Sue Rosenfield Book Fund ($35 & Up) ...... Sandy Rifkin Book Fund ($5.50 – $34.50) ...... Reddy Moss - Sandy Schuffman - Adele Wiener Fund Raising ...... Robin Pelter Membership ...... Lynda Spector - Lily Williger Program ...... Dee November - Esther Cohen Registrar ...... Sally Hanes Study Group ...... Judy Cohn - Evelyn Perl Secretaries Corresponding ...... Inge Zimmerman Financial ...... Naomi Javitz Recording ...... Open Treasurer ...... Sandy Morgan Chapter Information Officer ...... Lynne Reinschreiber DIRECTORS: Lynda Allen Phyllis Davidson Linda Drescher Marcia Gould Jerri Hurwitz Rita Lipshutz Mary Millman Beverly Perla Fran Shuster Carol Siembieda Carol Sookman Renee Symans Sarita Waldman Molly Winnick REFERENCE LIST OF PHONE NUMBERS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE President ...... Harriet Glass Ulmer ...... 818-905-0179 Administrative VP ...... Sue Rosenfield ...... 818-789-3190 LRJs $35-100 ...... Sandy Rifkin...... 818-999-1512 Tributes $5.50 up A – H...... Reddy Moss ...... 818-906-1365 I – Z ...... Sandy Schuffman ...... 818-883-9992 Fund Raising ...... Robin Pelter ...... 818-591-0884 Membership ...... Lynda Spector ...... 818-360-5585 Lily Williger ...... 818-349-4377 Program ...... Dee November ...... 818-881-9040 Esther Cohen ...... 818-349-4198 Registrar ...... Sally Hanes ...... 818-789-5010 Study Groups ...... Evelyn Perl...... 818-905-5393 Judy Cohn ...... 818-709-5411 Financial Secretary...... Naomi Javitz ...... 818-783-5419 Treasurer ...... Sandy Morgan ...... 818-886-9305 Communication's Chair ...... Deyna Alexander ...... 818-886-4735 Learning Opportunities Librarian ...... Muriel Eiduson ...... 818-346-3647 Community Service ...... Linda Drescher ...... 818-345-6325 Publicity ...... Joan Kushell...... 818-343-3223 Supplies ...... Rita Lipshutz ...... 818-883-4280 Bulletin ...... Phyllis Davidson ...... 818-222-4252 Sarita Waldman ...... 818-998-8929 BNC- National Exec. Comm...... Ruth Young ...... 818-363-6970 Webmaster ...... Judy Cohn ...... 818-709-5411 19 January - February 2012 Brandeis Bulletin - San Fernando Valley Chapter Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 222 Van Nuys, CA 20644 Tribune Street Chatsworth, CA 91311 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED MAKE THIS A BRANDEIS YEAR BRANDEIS NATIONAL COMMITTEE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CHAPTER 2012 CALENDAR FEBRUARY Friday, February 10 ...... Speakers Series #3 (Linda Mundell FIDM) Monday, February 13 ...... Day of Shopping Chico’s Calabasas Thursday, February 16 ...... Board Meeting MARCH Thursday, March 15 ...... Board Meeting Thursday, March 22 ...... Books & Authors: Words Wit & Wisdom Luncheon, Temple Judea Friday, March 30 ...... Bulletin Deadline APRIL Friday Night , April 6 ...... 1st Night Passover Thursday, April 19 ...... Board Meeting (present 2012-2013 slate) Friday, April 27 ...... Speakers Series #4 (Carolyn Blashek, Founder of Operation Gratitude) MAY Thursday, May 17 ...... Board Meeting (vote 2012-2013 slate) JUNE Thursday, June 21 ...... Installation of Board for 2012-2013 All Board Meetings are held at 9:30 a.m. on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the Balboa Sports Center unless otherwise specified. All Chapter Members are invited to attend. 20 17015 Burbank Blvd., Encino