January-February 2016

Volume 16, Number 1
January-February 2016
Happy New Year
Lunch With The Authors
Featuring the return of some of our FAVORITE AUTHORS
Thursday, March 31, 2016, 10:30 A.M.-3:30 P.M. VILLA RAGUSA-Campbell
Lawrence Grobel is a novelist, jour nalist, biogr apher , poet and teacher . He has wr itten 25 books, and r eceived national attention for his controversial Playboy interviews with Barbra Streisand, Marlon Brando, Gov.
Jesse Ventura, and Coach Bob Knight. (Joyce Carol Oates called him “The Mozart of Interviewers.”) Born in
Brooklyn, New York, he came west to attend UCLA. His latest books are a memoir Y ou Show Me Y ours, and the
novels Catch a Fallen Star and Begin A gain Finnegan. He and his wife, artist Hiromi Oda, live in Los Angeles.
Tonya Sharp Hyche was bor n and r aised in Alabama. She then moved to Texas to begin a teaching car eer .
After 12 years, she began her second career writing crime mystery novels. She and her husband travel the world
promoting her 10 novels. Her latest book, Trick Play, is a fast paced mystery with many twists and turns. When
not traveling, Tonya and her husband spend time in Alabama & Texas.
Kathryn Otoshi is an awar d winning author and illustr ator , national and inter national speaker , best known
for her character-building number/color book series: Zero, One and Two. Her latest book, Beautiful Hands, was
written to inspire children to use their power to help themselves and others achieve their dreams. Kathryn has
lived all over the bay area and now resides in Novato.
Ellen Sussman is the author of four national bestselling novels. All have been tr anslated into many languages and French Lessons has been optioned to be made into a movie. Her latest, A W edding in Provence, is a
moving novel of love, forgiveness and trust, set among the beaches and vineyards of southern France. Originally
from New Jersey, Ellen now lives with her family in Sebastopol.
Josh Braff r etur ns this year as our moder ator . He is a contempor ar y author who deals with family themes.
His latest book, Daddy Diaries deals with themes of parenting, marriage, & fidelity. It is a humorous but sensitive
look at one family that could be any family in America today. Josh is the middle of three talented brothers: Adam,
a screenwriter, and Zach, an actor and director. Josh lives with his family in Oakland.
Minimum Donation- $72.00 Bookmarks (special donors) - begins at $90.00
Invitations will be mailed the first week in February. To verify that you or a guest are on the mailing list or
for Information, contact: Rocki Kramer [email protected]
DON’T MISS UNIVERSITY ON WHEELS , WITH DON KATZ, PH.D.
Associate Professor and Investigator of Behavioral Neuroscience
What Makes Us Like the Foods That We Like?
Thursday, January 7th, 2016, 11:30 AM Hong Fu Gour met Chinese Restaur ant Cuper tino
For additional information, please contact: Diane Fabri at 408-238-5166 or [email protected]
Broadway Musical Gems
Presented by Fred Stern
sponsored by Hadassah and Brandeis
February 25th, Foothill Center, The Villages
See page 4
January 4, 2016
January 7, 2016
February 1, 2016
February 25, 2016
March 31, 2016
June 2016, TBA
See page 7
Board Meeting,
University on Wheels
Board Meeting
Fred Stern’s Musical Program
Lunch with the Authors
Installation
www.santaclarabnc.org
President’s Letter
January-February 2016
Janet Atkins
[email protected]
I am writing this letter as we bring 2015 to a close. What a busy year we’ve had! A final reminder: if
you have not yet RSVP’d for University on Wheels you have until January 4th. The event features a
discussion by Don Katz, PH.D on “What Makes us Like the Foods that we like? I should learn why I
like chocolate so much and maybe I can change my addiction! We return to Hong Fu Gourmet Chinese
Restaurant and last year no one left hungry!
Other events for the 2016 year include Fred Stern’s annual music program on 2/25/16 at Foothill Center in the
Villages. We sponsor this event with Hadassah and it is a highlight for Villagers. Mark your calendar for 3/31/16
as that is the Lunch with the Authors event. Rocki Kramer and her committee have quite an array of authors for
us to enjoy. This is a must attend!
New Officers will be elected, and installation will happen in June. If you are at all interested in co-chairing one of
our events or have ideas for our 2016-17 year, please come forward (give me a call 408-270-6127). This is a
wonderful way of getting to know other members and to learn more about Brandeis. Remember this is one organization where everyone pitches in to help.
We are working towards supporting Brandeis University. This year we have been asked to support their scholarship program. We have been somewhat lax in pushing the scholarships campaign as we have annual
programs supporting Sustaining the Mind, and it takes us time to change. The Board is looking to change our focus to support this need. Most students attending Brandeis receive some form of financial aid. The
research cannot be done if the students aren’t there! Let me know if you have any ideas for fundraising.
I hope this year is a good one for all of us. My wish is for a more peaceful and caring environment. I for one am
going to work towards gun control legislation. I don’t think anyone of us needs assault weapons.
Vivez Joyeux,
Board Meeting
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
COME TO OUR OPEN BOARD MEETINGS.
NEXT MEETING
Co-Editor
Co-Editor
Coordinator
Design/layout
E Circulation
Hard Copy Circulation
Calendar
Monday, January 4th 2016
9:30 Breakfast - 10:00 Business Meeting
Denny’s Restaurant, 1140 Hillsdale Ave, San J ose.
To be on the agenda Contact:
Janet Atkins , 1-408-270-6127, [email protected]
Judy Stein
Joyce Mendel
Judy Rogers
Judy Eskinazi
Arnie Pinck
Herb Meltzer
Emery Fabri
Our new campaign is called the BNC Scholarship Campaign. Our goal over the next two
years is to raise $1 million dollars for the campaign to provide scholarships to ensure that the
best and brightest students are able to enroll at Brandeis. We appreciate your support.
2
www.santaclarabnc.org
Brandeis Confidential
January-February 2016
By Iz Truman
The following New York Times headline appeared on October 17 this year: “Brandeis at 50 Is
Still Searching, Still Jewish And Still Not Harvard”
And, before you say, “Oy Veh!” once again, first let me ask you, “So what’s wrong with this
statement? Isn’t this what Brandeis is supposed to be? Sounds OK to me, but let’s go back to
the beginning anyway and see if we did get it right:
Half a century ago, when a group of uneducated immigrant Jews scraped together enough money to buy
a bankrupt medical and veterinary school in Waltham, Massachusetts, west of Boston, they named it
Brandeis University and set out to found the Harvard of the Jews. The new university was, of course,
named after Louis D. Brandeis, the first Jewish Justice of the Supreme Court. (Still you may have heard
from my mother and her lady friends that the university should, rightfully, have been called “iz u” (but, I feel
that Lou Brandeis deserved a break, too.)
By the way, you can, if you want to, interrupt me here to remind me that almost everyone dismissed the
plan as mere pie in the sky. That’s OK too. Remember though, that it really was a propitious moment. The
Nazis had been defeated, Israel had been created, the civil rights era was still a baby, higher education
was on the brink of explosive growth and American Jews were still restricted in their access to many institutions.
So, when the new university with its illustrious Supreme Court name quickly became home to renowned
intellectuals like Leonard Bernstein, Max Lerner and Herbert Marcuse, everything seemed to be going according to plan. However, in the intervening decades something happened that Brandeis founders could
not foresee.
The Times article points out that “the Jews fervent drive for acceptance, prosperity and a role in shaping
American culture succeeded so well – partly through the efforts of Brandeis – that Brandeis never became
the Harvard of the Jews. Harvard became the Harvard of the Jews, as did Yale, Columbia, the University
of Pennsylvania and the rest of elite American colleges. As a matter of fact, in the rest of the elite American colleges, Jews who make up two-and-one half percent of the American population typically make up
twenty percent of students and faculty members. “Jews are no longer trying to get into the American academic establishment,” said Rabbi Arthur Herzberg, a historian of American Jewry. “They are the academic
establishment. The problem Brandeis had come to solve has been solved.
"So, Brandeis, please accept my best wishes for a Happy, Very Happy, 50 th Birthday. The best is yet to
come…they say. And, I for one have no reason to doubt that my 50 th was, indeed, the beginning of 30
plus years of wonderfulness. I just don’t remember it. Meanwhile, enjoy your birthday cake and save a
slice for me. I’ll sneak a bite or two when my doctor is not looking.
See you soon
"A house divided against itself cannot stand,"
“I have decided to stick with love….hate is too great a burden to bear,”
3
Abraham Lincoln
Martin Luther King Jr.
www.santaclarabnc.org
Social Justice and Community Service Committee
January-February 2016
By Estelle Kadis
Social
Justice
Santa Clara Valley
It is fantastic to announce that this year our Chapter has accomplished the spectacular feat of getting many wonderful volunteers to donate in making wishes of less fortunate people in our community receive what they wished for over the holiday season. Every dreidel given to Brandeis National Committee
with a specific wish has been purchased by a giving group of wonderful people supporting this great cause.
Most of the thanks must go to Marcie and Marty Hutchinson who are responsible for this achievement. I supplemented gifts by shopping with money received from some of our charitable members. It is a pleasure to be involved
with such a generous and giving group of individuals.
If you would like to donate food for the food bank and/or women's supplies for homeless women, please contact
Marcie Pais Hutchinson at 408-622-4600 or e-mail [email protected]
or contact Estelle Kadis at 408-293-8084 or e-mail [email protected]
In 2018, the Santa Clara Valley Chapter of
Brandeis National Committee will celebrate
the 50th Anniversary of our founding. Talks
are being initiated as to how to celebrate
this date, to pay homage to the group of
women who built this fine organization.
By Joey Stern
Study Group Corner
Broadway Musical Gems Presented by Fred Stern
On Thursday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m. in Foothill Center at the Villages,
Fred Stern will present another wonderful musical program. This year he will
bring you some of the greatest songs that have appeared in more than 100
years of Broadway musicals. Admission is free.
Using video clips and commentary, Fred will cover American musical giants
including Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Irving Berlin,
and Cole Porter. The songs are from such Broadway musicals as Guys and
Dolls, My Fair Lady, Cabaret, Cats, and Les Miserables.
Brandeis and Hadassah are sponsoring Fred’s program. We will be serving
coffee and light refreshments afterwards.
We know you will enjoy Fred’s special presentation. Please mark your calendar now for February 25. You won’t want to miss this delightful evening of
entertainment.
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www.santaclarabnc.org
January-February 2016
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
I WANT TO JOIN!
I would like to become a member of BNC, Santa Clara Valley Chapter
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
____ Single Membership $60.00 fee includes National and Pr imar y (Home Chapter ) member ship.
____ Couples Membership $100.00 is discounted to $100.00.
____ Associate Membership $18.00 cover s member ship in a second local Chapter .
____ Contributing $85.00
____ Sustaining $125.00
Name ________________________________________________________________Date__________
Significant Other’s Name _____________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________________
Phone________________________Cell________________________EMail_____________________
Birthday (Day/Month)______________________________
Enclosed is my check for $__________, made payable to BNC. Dues payments are tax deductible.
Please indicate:
New Membership ___How did you find out about BNC? ________________________Renewal___
What is your passion? Do you have a special expertise or knowledge?________________________
Note: Annual dues apply through the following June 30th
Return the form, with your check to:
Jan Silver
5526 Cribari Circle
San Jose, CA 95135
1-408-274-6605
[email protected]
5
www.santaclarabnc.org
Brandeis Briefs….
January-February 2016
Rita Loren, 1-408-379-8681, [email protected]
The officers, board, and members of the
Santa Clara Valley Chapter of BNC wish:
Welcome new members:
Karen Davidsen
Nellwyn Doornbos
Elizabeth Wegner
Michael Rogers
Congratulations to:
Larry and Cy Axelrad on their 62 Wedding Anniversary
th
Get well wishes to:
Ann-Lita Friedman (recovering from surgery),
Helen Matzner (in Woodlands Health Center),
Anita Salsberg (in Plum Tree Nursing Home)
Harriet Siegel
Our heartfelt condolences to:
Bobbi Lotman and family on the passing of her dear son, Jonathan Lotman.
Dr. Sid Sogolow and family on the passing of their dear wife, mother, and grandmother Rosalie (Cookie) Sogolow
Daughter Judy Stubbs and family of Claire Ludwig Peterson, 100 years young, who started the Peninsula Chapter of
Brandeis University National Women’s Committee (BUNWC), was instrumental in getting the Santa Clara Valley
BUNWC started, and was Regional President of BUNWC. Claire also initiated the first Lunch with the Authors event.
BOOK FUND
Recipient
Message
Donor
LOUIS BRANDEIS CARD (CHAI)
Meril and Barbara Smith
Memory of Grandson, Brennen
Rocki Kramer
Memory of son-in-law, Kevin Saul
Judy Stubbs
Memory of mother Claire Ludwig Peterson
Gelt.com Club
Herb and Marilyn Meltzer
Rita Loren
GOLDFARB LIBRARY CARD
Ann-Lita and Sheldon Friedman
Ann-Lita Friedman
Memory of Aunt Claire Ludwig Peterson
Get well soon
6
Judy Stein
Judy Stein
www.santaclarabnc.org
January-February 2016
MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
New Address? New Phone Number? New E-mail Address?
Please report all changes to: Jan Silver, 1-408-274-6605 [email protected]
Welcome New Members
Nellwyn Doornbos 2093 Matar o Way San J ose, CA 95135 408-223-2721 [email protected]
Elizabeth Wegner 8447 Chenin Blanc San J ose, CA 95135 408-532-6082 [email protected]
Karen Davidsen 2028 Folle Blanche Dr . San J ose, CA 95135 408-274-2888 [email protected]
Michael Rogers 8051 Char donay Cour t San J ose, CA 95135 408-223-9020 [email protected]
Changes of Contact Information
Shari Saul has a new addr ess 16422 Hilow, Los Gatos, CA 95032
BRANDEIS - UNIVERSITY ON WHEELS PRESENTS:
DON KATZ, PH.D.
What Makes Us Like the Foods That We Like?
Associate Professor and Investigator of Behavioral Neuroscience.
Winner of the 2012 Brandeis University Lerman-Neubauer '69 Prize for
Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring. The learned and lively Dr. Katz will discuss how
our brains combine a welter of information such that most of us end up liking sweets,
some of us end up liking beer, and all of our tastes are subject to change.
Please Join Us for This Challenging and Thought-Provoking Conversation
Thursday, January 7th, 2016, 11:30 AM
Hong Fu Gourmet Chinese Restaurant
20588 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Cupertino, CA 95014
$28.00 per person ($10.00 tax deductible) Check payable to BNC and mail to:
Diane Fabri, 7650 Falkirk Drive, San Jose, CA 95135
To arrive not later than Monday, January 4, 2016. Your check is your reservation.
Proceeds to benefit “Sustaining the Mind”
Neurodegenerative research at Brandeis University.
For additional information, please contact:
Diane Fabri at 408-238-5166 or [email protected]
7
www.santaclarabnc.org
January-February 2016
Express Your Thoughtfulness
With a Book Fund Card or Journal Donation
Sending a Brandeis Book Fund Card or Journal Donation is a quick, meaningful, and philanthropic way to express
support, congratulations, get-well wishes, sympathy, and appreciation. Not only is this donation a beautiful means of
recognition and thoughtfulness, but it is an important way to help Brandeis on an going basis. No more running to the
store to find an appropriate card — Show you care—send a Brandeis card!
Complete this form and mail it with your check to:
OR Yetta Miller
Debbie Pinck
7649 Falkirk
15400 Winchester Blvd #22
San Jose, CA 95135
Los Gatos, CA 95030
1-408-629-2901
1-408-395-6870
[email protected]
� $10.50 Goldfarb Library at Night Card
� $18.50 Louis Brandeis Portrait Card
� $36.50 LRJ with Newly Designed Inserts
� $50 or more Sustaining the Mind Tribute Card
� $56.50 Medical Science Journal Folio
� $14/package Brandeis Art Cards
� Other Major Donations
Send Tribute to:
NAME (please print): ________________________________
ADDRESS: ________________________________________
CITY: STATE: ZIP: __________________________________
Send Tribute From:
NAME: ___________________________________________
PHONE NUMBER: __________________________________
ADDRESS: ________________________________________
CITY: STATE: ZIP: __________________________________
CHECK ONE:
� IN HONOR OF: ___________________________________
� IN MEMORY OF: __________________________________
� OCCASION: ______________________________________
Note:
Phone and email orders must be accompanied by a check.
Use a separate form for each tribute. Forms may be photocopied.
8
Brandeis Art Cards
January-February 2016
www.santaclarabnc.org
OFFICERS
President
Vice President, Membership
Vice President, Study Groups &
Learning Opportunities
Vice Pres., Chief Information Officer
Treasurer
Financial Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
Recording Secretary
Janet Atkins
Gail Fisher
Josephine Stern
1-408-270-6127
1-408-238-3899
1-408-238-4890
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Isidore Truman
Janet Truman
Janis Silver
Eleanor Kiss
Marcie Pais
1-408-238-3803
1-408-238-3803
1-408-274-6605
1-408-532-9135
1-408-622-4600
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Brandeis University policy for sharing names
It is the policy of Brandeis University, the Brandeis National Committee and the Santa Clara Valley Chapter that membership lists and
event registration lists may not be shared with other organizations. They are the property of the Santa Clara Valley Chapter. In order to
insure the privacy of each individual, our members may not use our lists for any purpose other than that for which they were created.
BRANDEIS NAMES RONALD LIEBOWITZ AS ITS NINTH PRESIDENT
Ronald D. Liebowitz has been named the ninth president of Brandeis University.
Professor Liebowitz will begin his leadership role at Brandeis on July 1, 2016.
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.
PLANNED GIFTS CAN:
protect your assets - guarantee you an income for life - often provide you a much better return - offer significant tax
breaks - AND advance the mission of Brandeis and allow our members to support one of their favorite charities.
9
January 2016
Go to www.santaclarabnc.org for study groups and events’ description
Or contact: Josephine (Joey) Stern, 408-238-4890 or [email protected]
Jewish holidays begin sundown the night before the date specified
Sun
3
Mon
Tue
4
5
6
Board Meeting
9:30 am breakfast
10:00 am meeting
The Write Stuff
1:30 pm
The Intelligent
Brain 1:00 pm
11
17
18 MLK
24
25
12
Making Friends With Sassy Ladies’
Your iPhone Group Lunch Bunch 11:30
C 4:00 pm
am
19
26
Making Friends
With Your iPhone
Group C 4:00 pm
The Well Planned
Journey 10:00 am
Sat
2
7
8
9
University
on Wheels.
VILLA
Broadway
Musicals
10:00 am
Let’s Talk
10:00 am
World Today
7:15pm
14
15
16
21
22
23
Women’s
Literature 10:30
am Shir Hadash
My Book Club
7:00 pm
Religion From a
Historic Point of
View 10:30 am
Movie Group
7:15 pm
28
29
30
Cy’s Film Class
Afternoon readers
1:00 pm US Bank 1:00 pm
20
The Write Stuff
1:30 pm
Meditation Plus
11:00 am
Making Friends With
Your iPhone Group
D 4:00 pm
Travel the Globe
Lunch 11:30 am
31
13
Fri
1
RAGUSA
Campbell
TED talks
1:00 pm
10
Thu
Wed
27
Joanne’s Bon
Appetit
11:30 am
February 2016
Go to www.santaclarabnc.org for study groups and events’ description
Or contact: Josephine (Joey) Stern, 408-238-4890 or [email protected]
Jewish holidays begin sundown the night before the date specified
Sun
Mon
1
Tue
2
Board Meeting
The Write Stuff
9:30 am breakfast 1:30 pm
10:00 am meeting
TED talks 1:00 pm
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
3
4
5
The Intelligent
Brain 1:00 pm
Crafts With
Debbie 1:00 pm
Broadway
vided against
Musicals 10:00 am itself cannot
6"A house distand,"
Making Friends
With Your iPhone
Group D 4:00 pm
7
8
9
10
Sassy Ladies’
Lunch Brunch
11:30 am
Cy’s Film Class
Afternoon Readers
1:00 pm US Bank 1:00 pm
Women’s Discussion Group – Let’
Women’s Discussion Group
Let’s Talk 10:00
World Today
7:15 pm
15
16
17
PRESIDENTS’
DAY
The Write Stuff
1:30 pm
Super Bowl
14
The Well-Planned
Journey 10:00 am
19
20
23
24
25
26
27
Joanne’s
Bon Appetit
11:30 am
Religion from a
Historic Point of
View 10:30 am
Movie Group
7:15 pm
Broadway
Musical Gems
by Fred Stern
7:00 pm
28
29
Making Friends
With Your iPhone
Group D 4:00 pm
13
My Book Club
7:00 pm
Making Friends
With Your iPhone
Group D 4:00 pm
22
18
12
Women’s
Literature
10:30 am
Shir Hadash
Meditation Plus
11:00 am
21
11