January- February 2013

January-February 2013
For the New Year, there are many interesting events, the two featured here are:
University on Wheels and Lunch with the Authors
University on Wheels Presents: Dr. Jonathan D. Sarna
Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University
Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
"Looking Ahead: American Judaism in the 21st Century"
This includes buffet lunch and a silent auction. Send your check payable to BNC
to Judy Stein, 8656 Solera Drive, San Jose, CA, 95135.
The proceeds from this event will go to Sustaining the Mind, which supports basic scientific research
When:
Where:
Donation:
Tuesday, January 29 2013 at 10:30 A.M.
Rinconada Clubhouse - 100 Avenida del Sol, Los Gatos
$30.00 / $25.00, for Early ‘Bird Special: for discount reservation must be received by January 15, 2013.
Reservation: Judy Stein at 1-408-270-0726
Questions: Lil Berman, chairperson, at 1-408-268-8935
at Brandeis University in the field of neurodegenerative disorders and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and establishing an endowed scholarship fund for students in the sciences.
See Page 4
Lunch With The Authors
Who:
An exciting group of Authors
When: Thursday, April 4, 2013 from 10:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.
Where: Villa Ragusa 35 South 2nd Street, Campbell, CA
Minimum Donation: $70.00 Bookmarks (special donors) begins at $90.00.
Watch for your Invitation in the mail.
To verify that you are on the mailing list or for information,
contact: Rocki Kramer at rockik@sbcglobal.net
See Page 5
With heavy hearts we offer our deepest sympathy to all the families who are touched by the
unspeakable tragedy in Connecticut. BNC - Santa Clara Valley Chapter
January-February 2013
President’s Letter
Judy Israel knitbee@gmail.com
My very best wishes to you and your family for a happy and healthy New Year.
Recent events: Showcase - Almost one hundred people attended this fun-filled
event co - chaired by Gail Fisher and Dorothy Frankel. We will greatly miss
Dorothy Frankel; her generosity and joie de vivre helped make Showcase a tremendous success.
“Living with Dying “- Dr. Turbow’s thoughtful, information talk drew seventy people to this Bonus program chaired by Glenda Dennis and co-sponsored with Hadassah. The audience
donated generously to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Fred Stern’s exciting free audiovisual program, George Gershwin‘s “Porgy and Bess”, (chaired by Joey Stern and also co-sponsored by Hadassah) had an audience of sixty.
Many thanks go to Estelle Kadis, Community Services Chair, for once again gathering donations of
new items and shopping for gifts for Jewish Family Services’ Embrace a Child/Family Program.
We are looking ahead to FIVE wonderful events in 2013: (Look for complete details in the Bulletin)
January 29th - University on Wheels : Brandeis Professor Jonathan Sarna speaks on “Looking Ahead: American Judaism in the 21st Century” at a buffet luncheon, Rinconada Hills Clubhouse, Los Gatos.
February 7th and February 28th - Fred Stern presents a free program "George Gershwin
His Life and Music” chaired by Joey Stern at The Foothill Center in The Villages.
February 16th - Bunco Nite chaired by Nancy Cherniss at The Vineyard Center in The Villages.
April 4th - “ Lunch with the Authors” co-chaired by Rocki Kramer and Diane Fabri at the
Villa Ragusa in Campbell.
May 1st - Fashionista Tea at The Villages’ Clubhouse (The Fashionista Team is coordinating this event with the expert help of Adviser Rita Blumstein).
The proceeds from almost all our fund-raising events go towards supporting basic scientific research
at Brandeis University in the field of neurodegenerative disorders and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and establishing an endowed scholarship fund for students in the sciences. It is very easy to make a direct contribution to this worthy cause by going online to
www.brandeis.edu/bnc and clicking on the “ Donate to Sustaining the Mind” button. The “Tributes” tab will then allow you to make gifts in honor of or in memory of someone. Our chapter gets complete credit for all donations made in this manner.
Next Board Meetings
Members and guests are welcome
9:30 Breakfast - 10:00 Business Meeting
January 7 and February 4
Denny’s Restaurant
1140 Hillsdale Ave, San Jose
to be on the agenda
Contact Judy Israel, knitbee@gmail.com
2
January-February 2013
Brandeis Confidential
By Iz Truman
There are so many interesting events happening on the Brandeis campus that I
have to wonder where students find the time to attend classes. How much is going
on, you ask? Well, if I’ve counted correctly, a whole lot. Keep reading and see if
I’m not right:
The Center for German and European Studies, supported by the German Embassy in Washington, D.C. will host a German-American Campus Week for a second year. The
first event, “Gesundheit: Comparing the Healthcare Systems in Germany and the US,” fea-­
tures Professor Stuart Altman, a nationally recognized expert on health-care policy, and
Sophia Schlette, MPH and senior international adviser to the Association of Statutory Health
Insurance Physicians in Berlin, Germany.
Jeanette Takamura, Ph.D,’85, dean of Columbia University’s School of Social Work, re-­
ceived the Order of the Rising Sun from the government of Japan for her contributions to the
promotion of social welfare policies and programs and the status of Japanese-Americans. Takamura has also served as first deputy of the Hawaii State Department of Health. (Germany
and Japan handing out awards and/or holding events at Brandeis? Wait, I’ll think of a joke later.)
On December 6th a debate will be held at Mandel Humanities Reading Room…and don’t I wish I could attend. The program: “The Debate About Infant Male Circumcision” with Professor Sander Gilman, a distinguished professor of the Liberal Arts and Sciences as well as Professor of Psychiatry at Emory University. The recent debates about infant male circumcision in
Germany (I’m shocked!) and California have highlighted what is an older and more complicated
discussion of ritual versus rights. This debate was of particular importance in Germany beginning in the Enlightenment as it defined the boundaries of acceptable practice for Jews in their
new role as full citizens of a national state. Today’s debate (unlike that of the 18th century)
stresses the need for collaboration between Jews and Muslims in the contemporary world in
redefining what it takes to be a good citizen. (I volunteered to be a model illustrating the “after” portion of the debate’s “before and after” section, but was coldly turned down. I know, it’s difficult to believe. Anyway, they said that 483 students had already volunteered and all of them were better
equipped than I am.)
OK, moving right along. The Brandeis Theater Company in November mounted “a king of
infinite space – HAMLET in a nutshell.” Created and directed by Marya Lowry, this production presents a creative encounter with Shakespear’s “Hamlet,” incorporating movement, music, martial arts, sound and song. The collaboration seeks to explore the flesh, blood and
bones of life in Elsinore through the shards and fragments of the lives of its well-known players. Lowry and guest artist, Kate Kohler Amory seek to discover the ways in which actors,
as artistic collaborators, can deepen their relationship to great texts by temporarily exploding
the elegance of established forms in order to uncover the depths of each character’s journey. (I probably wouldn’t understand it at all, but I’d love to see it. Doesn’t it sound fantastic?)
Tim Sanchez Ph.D.’12 to be honored by the American Physical Society. Sanchez, who
worked in Associated Professor of Physics Zvonimir Dogic’s lab and is a post-doctoral fellow,
will receive the Division of Biological Physics of the American Physical Society’s Award for Out-­
standing Doctoral Thesis Research in Biological Physics. His thesis was on “Self-Organization
in Active Cytoskeltal Mixtures: Cilia-like Beating of Microtubule Bundles and Spontaneous Bulk
Mixing.” (I think I dreamed about them last night.) He will receive a $1,500 prize, a certification
citing his contribution, a $500 travel allowance and a registration-fee waiver for the society’s next meeting and an invitation to present a 30 minute talk based on his work. ($1,500? I
dream of that, too.)
That’s about it for now. See you next time.
3
January-February 2013
.
By Iz Truman
University on Wheels Presents: Dr. Jonathan D. Sarna
Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University
Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
"Looking Ahead: American Judaism in the 21st Century"
To simply say that we are honored to have Dr. Sarna as our University on Wheels
guest speaker doesn’t even begin to reflect how fortunate we really feel. Nor does it accurately reflect how happy we are to welcome Jonathan Sarna, a universally acknowledged leading commentator on Jews in America, and on American Jewish history and life. Dr. Sarna is, of course, the Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish
History at Brandeis University’s Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. He is also the Chief Historian of the new National Museum of American Jewish History.
Dr. Sarna has written, edited, or co-edited more than twenty books, including The Jews and the Civil
War and A Time to Every Purpose: Letters to a Young Jew. He is best known for the acclaimed
American Judaism: A History. Winner of the Jewish Book Council’s “Jewish Book of the Year Award in 2004, it has been praised as being “the single best description of American Judaism during its 350 years on American soil.”
There is so much more I could write about Dr. Sarna’s achievements through the years, but space requirements prohibit my continuing. However, and isn’t there always a however, I did come across a little reported achievement that I would be remiss if I were to overlook mentioning. As noted in the
Brandeis student newspaper The Hoot, on December 7, 2007, the Hillel and Brandeis Academic Debate and Speech Society came together on the third night of Chanukah with the aim of answering
that age old question: Which is the quintessential Jewish food, latkes or hamantaschen? Professor
Jonathan Sarna and Professor Reuven Kimelman sought to answer this question at the first annual
Brandeis Latke vs. Hamantaschen Debate.
After a spirited debate, Professor Sarna, who advocated hamantaschen, was declared winner by a
vote of the audience members. I must however mention that I was particularly impressed by one of
Professor Sarna’s telling points that potatoes were a “New World vegetable” first discovered in the 16th century and that “Jews should be suspicious of this new innovation.”
Dr. Sarna, you are a person to be much admired. Welcome.
Reservations:
Donation:
$30.00 / $25.00, for Early ‘Bird Special: for discount, reservation must be received be fore January 15, 2013. ($10.00 is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law)
Reservation: Call Judy Stein 1-408-270-0726 and talk to her personally
Questions: Lil Berman 1-408-268-8935
Send your check to Judy Stein, 8656 Solera Drive, San Jose, CA 95135
4
January-February 2013
BNC Presents:
Lunch With The Authors
Thursday April 4th, 2013-10:30 A.M. -3:30 P.M.
VILLA RAGUSA
35 South 2nd Street, Campbell, CA 95008 1-408 364-1900
Minimum Donation - $70.00 Bookmarks (special donors) - begins at $90.00
Literary Line-up
Robert Dugoni is the New York Times best selling author of seven legal thrillers and the
non-fiction expose The Cyanide Canary. His latest The Conviction is the fifth in the David
Sloan series. It is a gripping novel about a father who takes the law into his own hands to
save his son. Dugoni’s books have been likened to Scott Turow and Nelson DeMille, and he has been hailed as the “heir to Grisham’s literary throne.” A civil litigator, he left full time practice to return to writing. He lives with his family in Seattle.
Deborah Feldman was born and raised in the Hasidic community of Williamsburg in
Brooklyn, New York. She is the author of the New York Times best selling memoir:
Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of my Hasidic Roots. It is a captivating odyssey
through adversity and a groundbreaking look into the Hasidic community. Currently, she is
working on her follow-up memoir which finds her embarking on independence as a single
woman and mother, finding a new kind of Jewish life for herself. Deborah lives with her son in New
York City.
Zoe Ferraris is the award-winning author of three mystery novels set in Saudi Arabia. She
combines thrilling fast paced mysteries with a rare and intimate look into women’s lives in the Middle East. She lived for a time in Saudi Arabia while married to a Saudi man. Her latest Kingdom of Strangers has received rave reviews. It is a page turner with zero predictability. Zoe lives with her family in San Francisco.
Matthew Gollub is a children's author, speaker, storyteller and musician. He has created 15
picture books and CDs which have garnered numerous national awards, as has his latest
title, Jazz Fly 2: The Jungle Pachanga. He presents in "English, Spanish, Japanese, and
jazz," while encouraging families to read for fun. He was one of our authors in 2003 and returns as our moderator and presenter. Matthew lives in Santa Rosa with his wife and their
teenage son.
Watch for your invitation in the mail.
To verify that you are on the mailing list or for info contact:
Rocki Kramer- rockik@sbcglobal.net
5
January-February 2013
BOOK FUND
Recipient
Frankel Family
Message
MEDICAL SCIENCE JOURNAL
memory of mother, Dorothy
Frankel Family
Frankel Family
LEARNED RESEARCH JOURNAL
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of mother, Dorothy
Frankel Family
Frankel Family
Frankel Family
Frankel Family
Frankel Family
Frankel Family
Judy Stein
Frankel Family
Frankel Family
Frankel Family
Frankel Family
Frankel Family
Frankel Family
Frankel Family
Frankel Family
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
LOUIS BRANDEIS CARD
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of mother, Dorothy
Get Well
GOLDFARB LIBRARY
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
6
Donor
Lil/Ray Berman
Judy/Art Stein
Yetta Miller
Fran/Dave Franklin
Gail/Clint Fisher
Glenda/Ulric Dennis
Marcy/Ed Forman
Rocki/David Kramer
Marilyn/Herb Meltzer
Judy/Reuben Israel
Janet/Iz Truman
Arlene DeMoss
Eileen/Dan Demick
Diane/Emery Fabri
Helen Ibsen
Judy Marlin
Joyce Mendel
Shell Rubenstein
Sandy/Henry Stein
Norman Shapero
Eileen/Dan Demick
Helen Ibsen
Judy Marlin
Shell Rubenstein
Gail/Clint Fisher
January-February 2013
BOOK FUND
Recipient
Frankel Family
Frankel Family
Judy Stein
Lil/Ray Berman
Glenda/Ulric Dennis
Joyce Mendel
Marilyn Meltzer
Mimi Pass
Jan Silver
Judy Stein
Message
MILLIONTH CARD
memory of mother, Dorothy
memory of mother, Dorothy
Get Well
Thank You
Thank You
Thank You
Thank You
Thank You
Thank You
Thank You
Donor
Iris Drotman
SUSTAINING THE MIND
memory of husband Milt
Diane/Emery Fabri
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
memory of husband Milt
Fran/Dave Franklin
Judy/Reuben Israel
Marilyn/Bob Katz
Rocki/Dave Kramer
Rita Loren
Helen/Bruce Matzner
Marilyn/Herb Meltzer
Maryanne/David Meltzer
Scott/Kathy Meltzer
Joyce Mendel
Yetta Miller
Judy/Art Stein
Janet/Iz Truman
Rita Loren
Lucille Delman
Rita Loren
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
Iris Drotman
DONATIONS MADE DIRECTLY TO
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
Frankel Family
memory of mother, Dorothy
Peter Browne
Frankel Family
memory of mother, Dorothy
JCC, Santa Clara Valley
7
January-February 2013
Brandeis Briefs….
Rita Loren, 408-379-8681, ritaloren@sbcglobal.net
The officers, board, and members of the Santa Clara Valley
Chapter of BNC wish:
Congratulations:
To Iz and Janet Truman on the engagement of their daughter
Andrea (Truman) Perras to Glenn Hallerman.
To Dr.Benjamin Stein, son of Judy and Art Stein, on being incoming President of the
Santa Clara County Dental Society
Our condolences to:
The family of Dorothy Frankel on the loss of Dorothy
Wife Iris Drotman and Family on the loss of Milt
Wife Lois Leiter and family on the loss of Lionel (Labe)
The family of Janice Kiefer on the loss of Janice
Arlene Zonder on the loss of her son, Alan
The family of Madelene Teifeld on the loss of Madelene
Our sharing of joys and concerns
is an opportunity for us to celebrate and support our
members. Unfortunately, due to space, we can only
report events for recognition such as graduations
with special honors, significant birthdays (85,90 and
over) weddings, births, hospitalizations, surgeries,
death, or any event that is noteworthy .
Please contact Rita Loren
1-408-379-8681 ritaloren@sbcglobal.net
with your Brandeis Briefs
8
to a BNC event,
or are willing to drive
fellow members, please
contact Judy Israel,
1-408-841-9555,
knitbee@gmail.com
January-February 2013
MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
Welcome New Members
LeRocker, Pat
3552 Lake Lesina Drive, San Jose, CA 95135 1-408-223-0424 patlerocker@gmail.com
Macon, Mitzi (Ken)
3236 Lake Albano Circle, San Jose, CA 95135 1-408-0605-8134 mitzimacon@yahoo.com
Change of Address and/or Contact:
Change of Address:
Jacobs, Marilyn - 800 Blossom Hill Road, #Q166, Los Gatos, CA 95032 - 1-408-356-0130
Kulstein, Edie - 8 Primrose Street, Aptos, CA 95003 1-831- 688-6356 e-mail: kulstein@att.net
Please remove from your membership Roster:
Drotman, Milton; Frankel, Dorothy; Teifeld, Madelene
Please delete the following E-mail addresses:
Bogomilsky, Barbara; Cahn, Marge; Cornbleet, Harry; Smith, Barbara
For the 2013 FASHIONISTA TEA
It's not too late to sign on as a volunteer and have fun with friends, making
this year's Tea a super successful BNC event. If you are interested in modeling, let us know.
We need models: of all sizes and shapes.
Right now, we need five more models. We have many task positions to fill
and need more than one person per task.
Wanted: Your gently used costume jewelry. These lovely items will be
sold at the next Fashionista Tea on May 1, 2013. Your donations will help
us meet our monetary goal. Any BNC board member (see p.14 for list of Officers) will be happy to
receive the jewelry. We will be collecting jewelry starting now until April 22nd.
Contact the Fashionista Team today! Judy Israel, Facilitator 1-408-841-9555 knitbee@gmail.com
New Address?
New Phone Number?
New E-mail Address?
Please report all changes to:
Janet Truman,
1-408-238-3803
Truman8471@yahoo.com
BRANDEIS BULLETIN
Co-Editor
Co-Editor
Coordinator
Design/layout
E-bulletin circulation
Judy Stein
Joyce Mendel
Judy Rogers
Judy Eskinazi
Janet Truman
9
January-February 2013
Did You Forget to Put That String on your Finger?
Please send me your dues (individuals $60 - couples $100) and
Study Group fees (individual $25 and couples $35).
Be sure to write out separate check (s) payable to BNC and mail them to me,
Janet Truman 8471 Grenache Court, San Jose, CA 95135-1420.
Please continue to support this unique university.
First ever recorded: "Senior Moment”
“I am not young enough to know everything.” ― Oscar Wilde
We are pleased to sponsor this two-part Gershwin program by Fred Stern.
George Gershwin
His Life and Music
On Thursdays, February 7 and February 28, Fred will present two new
programs covering George Gershwin’s life and his extraordinary music. These programs will start at 7:00 p.m. at the Village’s Foothill Center. All are welcome to attend. There are no tickets and admission is free.
Using narration and illustrative video clips, Fred will present selections of
Gershwin's music, both popular and classical, such as Lady Be Good, I Got Rhythm, ‘S Wonderful, Somebody Loves Me, An American In Paris, and Rhapsody In Blue.
Although Gershwin (1898–1937) died at the age of 38, his contributions to American music were
enormous. His music has been used on Broadway, in numerous films and on television. Several of
his songs have become jazz standards. So many singers and musicians have recorded Gershwin
(including Louis Armstrong, Fred Astaire, John Coltrane, Bing Crosby, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald,
Billie Holiday, Diana Ross, Frank Sinatra, and Barbra Streisand) that George Gershwin’s music now belongs to our popular culture.Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this wonderful program.
Coffee and refreshments will be served.
We are sponsoring this program along with Hadassah.
January 29th University on Wheels
February 7th George Gershwin Program - first part
February 16th Bunco Night
February 28th George Gershwin Program - second part
April 4th
Lunch with the Authors
May 1st
Fashionista Tea
May 14th
BNC Meeting with the Western Region co-presidents,
Sharon Cohen and Honey Bencomo
10
January-February 2013
Editors' Column
By Judy Stein and Joyce Mendel
Thank you, Estelle Kadis, for working hand-in-hand with the Jewish
Family Services of Silicon Valley to run the Embrace A Family 2012
program which pairs need with generosity. Many of our members
purchased clothes for needy children and adults for the holidays, or
sent money to Estelle who purchased the gifts requested, and delivered them to the Family Service . Yetta Miller, Estelle’s little elf, was an enormous help in this project. Thank you for helping to
make lives a little happier this holiday season.
Thank you, Glenda Dennis, for bringing to us Dr. Mike Turbow, a retired Oncologist from Stanford University, who interacted with us in his speech about Living
with Dying. We learned from Dr Turbow about how to make our last days full of
meaning and life. It was a very worth-while and interesting program. Glenda, you
have been researching exceptionally exciting Bonus programs, and we appreciate
your dedication and creativity.
Thank you, Joey Stern, for sharing your husband Fred with us, as he presented another exciting musical program Porgy and Bess in his inimitable
style of using narration and illustrative video clips. He will continue the study
of George Gershwin, his Life and Music, in a two-part Gershwin program in
February, 2013. Fred is also starting a study group revolving around Broadway musicals, once a month, starting February 1. Fred’s wife, Joey, our Study Group and Learning Opportunities chairperson, has done an outstanding job
in setting up a variety of interesting programs. What a team!
Photos by Judy Stein
Some attendees at Fred
Stern’s and Mike Turbow's events.
11
January-February 2013
Two new study groups will be starting this year:
The History of Religion
A new study group, led by Gail Fisher, on The History of Religion will start in January.
Gail will use DVD lectures and educational materials from "Great Courses". Twenty four lectures by Professor Amy-Jill Levine, of Vanderbuilt University Divinity School, will be used to study The Old Testament, and twenty four lectures by Professor Bart Ehman, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, will be used to study the New Testament.
The group will meet at the Villages. The exact time and location will be decided in January. If you are
interested in this study group and you did not sign up for it at Showcase, you can contact Gail Fisher at
1-408 238-3899 or g.fisher25@comcast.net.
Broadway Musicals
Fred Stern’s Broadway Musicals Study Group will start Friday, February 1, 2013, and will continue to meet the first Friday of every month thereafter. Using audio and video clips each month, Fred will lead
a discussion of various Broadway musicals of the twentieth century. Meetings will be the first Friday of
the month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Villages, at Foothill Center.
If you have not already signed up, and if you are interested in this study group, please contact Fred at
sternfj@pacbell.net or 1-408-238-4890.
Please mark your calendars now for Saturday, February 16th, for a great evening of Bunco,
noshes, desserts, prizes and fun!
You don't have to know how to play. Bunco is so easy it can be learned in a few minutes. It’s a great way to socialize and meet new people since we move from table to table. It is open to couples and singles, but please note there is limited space available.
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
COST:
RSVP:
Saturday, February l6, 2013
7:30 p.m.
VIneyard Center at the Villages
$15 per person
February l, 2013
Your check is your reservation. Please make your check out to BNC and send it to:
Linda Gottlieb, PO Box 2874 Saratoga, Ca 95070
For questions e-mail Linda at Lingott3@aol.com
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January-February 2013
Brandeis Book Nook
By Iz Truman
Faculty Books
The Last Great Senate: Courage and Statesmanship in Times of Crisis
By Ira Shapiro ’69, PublicAffairs
In April, Gallup charted Americans’ approval of the U.S. Congress at a dismal 17 percent – the
highest this rating had climbed since the previous July. To remember a time when the country
had reason to applaud what its legislators were doing, Shapiro steps back to the 1960s and
‘70s to chronicle the “last great” Senate, a body willing to throw off partisan ties to pass Civil Rights legislation and hold Nixon accountable for Watergate. An eyewitness to the work of formidable senators – Javits, Kennedy, Baker, Humphrey, Dirksen, Mansfield – Shapiro brings the
negotiations and personalities of these titans to life.
Alumni Books
A Tour of Reconstruction: Travel Letters of 1875 by Anna Dickinson
Edited by J. Matthew Gallman,Ph.D.’86, University Press of Kentucky
In the late 19th century, Anna Dickinson was one of the most famous women in America, an
orator who made her name advocating tirelessly for the rights of women and blacks. In 1875,
on a speaking tour of the South, she was able to see firsthand how far the region had come
since the end of the Civil War. Her sharp observations, recorded in letters she wrote to her
mother, capture the concerns, hopes and biases of the Southerners she met. Yet, as Gallman
notes, Dickinson wasn’t entirely free from bias herself – her letters reveal an unsettling tendency to poke fun at the former slaves she had worked so hard to free.
A Bench in London: The Story of an American Soldier
By Carolyn Feigenbaum ’55, Self-published
Feigenbaum wrote this illustrated children’s book in honor of her uncle, Selig Altschul (fictionalized here as “Zelig Oldeschool”) who loved sitting under the trees of Berkeley Square when he was a U.S. soldier in London during World War II. After his death, Zelig’s family me-­
morializes his affection for London with a bench plaque, just as Selig’s loved ones did. A charming story about the importance of remembering the people and places that matter.
Painting the Corners: A collection of Off-Center Baseball Stories, Volume I
By Bob Weintraub ’55, Iguana Books
Longtime Fenway enthusiast Weintraub has penned a collection of short stories that revolve
around baseball, told from a variety of perspectives – player, fan, broadcaster, owner, coach.
In a clever twist, each story is prefaced by a sly real-life quotation, like this one from former
Red Sox manager Jimmy Williams: “In retrospect, you are always looking back.” 13
January-February 2013
Quick reference to
BNC Santa Clara Valley Chapter Officers
you may need to contact
President:
Judith Israel
1-408-841-9555
knitbee@gmail.com
VP, Membership:
Phylis Davis
1-408-223-1202
phylisdavis@sbcglobal.net
Josephine Stern
1-408-238-4890
sternjo@pacbell.net
VP, Chief Information Officer:
Iz Truman
1-408-238-3803
itruman@comcast.net
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer:
Herb Meltzer
1-408-268-2186
hmeltzer@bigfoot.com
Financial Secretary:
Janet Truman
1-408-238-3803
truman8471@yahoo.com
Corresponding Secretary:
Ellie Kiss
1-408-532-9135
sanjosekiss@aol.com
Recording Secretary:
Janis Silver
1-408-274-6605
grannyjts@aol.com
VP, Study Groups
and Learning Opportunities:
If you wish to refer to our full BNC Santa Clara Valley Chapter 2012-2013 Board of Directors, please go to
http://www.santaclarabnc.org
Please note that our Regional Liaison is now: Pauline Green (619) 993-4656 greenp2@att.net
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 fund-raising and through activities that reflect the values on which the
University was founded: academic excellence, social justice, nonsectarianism, and service to the community.
Iris Drotman says, "Thank you, thank you, and thank you! The coming together of the
wonderful Brandeis women and men who took over and set up a marvelous and moving
Memorial service for my husband, Milt, who was a Life Member, is priceless. I express
my heartfelt appreciation and thanks to all the people who sent book funds and condolence cards and expressed their condolences to me."
Estelle Kadis thanks to all the Brandeis members who helped to make the Holidays happy for the families in
need through the Embrace a Family program. Everyone who contributed had smiles in their hearts as well as
on their faces. A special thank you goes to Yetta Miller for all of her fantastic help.
14
January-February 2013
Leadership: the act of inspiring and guiding others towards a goal
UOW --- What Is It?
By Ray Berman
If you guessed that UOW stands for the “University of Washington”, you’re dead wrong. In fact, it actually refers to another university on the opposite coast, BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY. Well, how does UOW refer to
BRANDEIS U? More on that in a moment.
Most of our Santa Clara Valley Chapter members of BNC, (which stands for “Brandeis National Committee”) are
familiar with this outstanding university. We are familiar with this school because we have supported it since its
inception in 1946. The ladies of our great country organized to support this first non-sectarian Jewish University
in the USA when it opened its doors. They raised funds for the BRANDEIS library and then for many other worthy causes. Ultimately when they had created a thriving support structure for BRANDEIS U. they allowed men
to join their organization and participate in its great work as well as to enjoy the BNC social activities.
Many of our BNC members have only seen photos of BRANDEIS U. They have never visited the campus nor
seen the buildings or met the members of the faculty. So to recognize the wonderful support of the BNC Chapters, BRANDEIS has brought the university to the BNC by creating UOW, “University On Wheels”. Every year (with some exceptions) BRANDEIS dispatches a prominent faculty member to visit BNC Chapters. It is our opportunity to meet with the professors up close and to listen to an outstanding lecture.
This is not an ordinary event, as those of us who have attended the yearly meetings can testify. These are lectures on extremely interesting subjects, and the professors usually keep the audience spellbound. In past years
we have heard lectures and had discussions on the following subjects,
WHAT IS MODERN ART?
IMAGES OF JEWISH POWER IN AMERICAN FILM
THE NOT SO NUCLEAR FAMILIES
WHAT ARE THE ACTUAL ROOTS OF HAPPINESS?
MAKING TOUGH MORAL CHOICES
THIS YEAR WE HAVE ANOTHER INTERESTING SUBJECT
AMERICAN JUDAISM IN THE 21ST CENTURY
AND AN OUTSTANDING PROFESSOR.
DR. JONATHAN SARNA,
PROFESSOR OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY AT BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
See Front Page and Page 4 for further information
15
January-February 2013
Express your
Thoughtfulness
$14 per package Art Cards
With a Book Fund Card
$5.50 Millionth Book Card
$10.50 Goldfarb Library Card
$18.50 Louis D Brandeis Tribute
$36.50 Learned Research Journal
$56.50 LRJ For Medical Research
$100 Special Book Collection
$200 Research Journal File
$500 Major Book Collection
Sending a Brandeis tribute card is a quick, meaningful and philanthropic way to express support, congratulations, get-well wishes,
sympathy and appreciation. No more running to
the store to look for an appropriate card – just
contact Yetta or Sharon and the card you are thinking of sending
will be mailed quickly. The person to whom the card is sent is
acknowledged in the Bulletin so others can learn about the simcha or the sorrow and respond to this appropriately. Not only is this donation a beautiful means of recognition and thoughtfulness, but it is an important way to help
Brandeis on an ongoing basis. Show how much you care – send a Brandeis card!
You can also order blank cards to be sent to you, for you to inscribe and mail at your
convenience. We recommend the six millionth-book-card packet for $25, saving you $5. Call us after sending
a card for announcement in the Bulletin.
The BNC is excited and proud to introduce Brandeis Art Cards
These all-occasion cards feature original works of art from Brandeis students. The four different designs come
wrapped in packages of four and are sold for $14 per package. All cards are blank on the inside and feature the artists’ information on the back.
Sharon Kundin 1-408-223-2136 slk29@att.net
Yetta Miller, 1-408-395-6870
16
January-February 2013
BOOK FUND TRIBUTE — MAIL ORDER FORM
Complete this form and mail it with your check to:
Sharon Kundin
or
Yetta Miller
5380 Cribari Crest
San Jose, CA 95135
15400 Winchester Blvd #22
Los Gatos, CA 95030
For telephone orders call: Sharon Kundin 1.408.223.2136 or Yetta Miller 1.408.395.6870
For email orders email:
Sharon Kundin slk29@att.net
$5.50 Millionth Book Card
$10.50 Goldfarb Library at Night Card
$18.50 Louis Brandeis Portrait Card
$36.50 LRJ with Newly Designed Inserts
$56.50 Medical Science Journal Folio
$14/package Brandeis Art Cards
Other Major Donations
Send Tribute to:
NAME (please print): ________________________________
ADDRESS: ________________________________________
Brandeis Art Cards
CITY: STATE: ZIP: __________________________________
Send Tribute From:
NAME: ___________________________________________
PHONE NUMBER: __________________________________
ADDRESS: ________________________________________
CITY: STATE: ZIP: __________________________________
CHECK ONE:
IN HONOR OF: ___________________________________
IN MEMORY OF: __________________________________
OCCASION: ______________________________________
Note: Orders must be accompanied by a check. Use a separate form for each tribute.
Forms may be photocopied.
17
January 2013
Go to www.santaclarabnc.org for events’ description
Sun
6
13
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
7
8
10
11
12
Board Meeting
9:30 AM
Sassy Ladies’ Lunch Bunch
11:30 AM
9
American Film
Institute
1:00 PM
US Bank in
Village
Parkway
14
15
16
17
Afternoon
Readers
1:00 PM
Rabbi Aron’s
Women’s Study
Group 10:30 am
Shir Hadash
World Today
Cribari Center
7:15PM
18
19
25
26
Movie Group
7:15 pm
Cribari Center
The Villages
My Book Club
7:00 PM
20
Knitzvah
10:30 Chai
House
27
21
Hands on
Gourmet
10:30 AM
22
Travel the
Globe Lunch
11:30 AM
23
28
29University
on Wheels
Rinconada
Hills
Clubhouse
Los Gatos
10:30 AM
30
24
Joanne’s Bon Appetit
11:30 AM
31
February 2013
Go to www.santaclarabnc.org for events’ description
Sun
3
Mon
4
Tue
5
Wed
6
Board Meeting
10:00 AM
10
17
Knitzvah
10:30 JCC
Los Gatos
11
18
Hands on
Gourmet
10:30 AM
12
Sassy Ladies’ Lunch Bunch
11:30 AM
13
19
20
American Film
Institute 1:00 PM
US Bank in
Village Parkway
Thu
7
Gershwin
Foothill
Center
Villages
7:00 PM
26
Travel the
Globe Lunch
11:30 AM
27
1
Broadway
Musicals
Foothill Center
Villages
10:00 AM
2
8
9
World Today
Cribari Center
7:15PM
15
16
Bunco
VIneyard
Center Villages
7:30 PM
21
22
23
Movie Group
7:15 pm
Cribari Center
The Villages
Rabbi Aron’s
Women’s Study
Group 10:30 am
Shir Hadash
7:00 PM
25
Sat
14
Afternoon
Readers
1:00 PM
My Book Club
24
Fri
28 Joanne’s Bon
Appetit
11:30 AM
Gershwin
Foothill
Center
Villages
7:00 PM
Santa Clara Chapter
8471 Grenache Court
San Jose, CA 95135-1420
Return Receipt Requested
Why Are You Reading This in Black and White
If the postal service delivered this bulletin to you, you are reading this in black and white.
The SCVC bulletin is available in glorious color if you have an Internet connection. To receive notice
of publication of the bulletin by e-mail and save us the printing and postage fee, contact:
Janet Truman, 1-408-238-3803 Truman8471@yahoo.com
The new Entertainment 2013® book is in!