OUR BNC DESERT CHAPTER IS MORE ACTIVE THAN EVER!

December 2018

Volume XXIII - Issue 2

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear Friends,

I intended to write this message as a chronicle of Brandeis Desert Chapter events in our new

season. And I will do that, but first I feel compelled to comment on the horrific massacre of Jews in Pittsburgh last week.

The Tree of Life synagogue has some familiarity for me. I have family who live in Squirrel Hill, the Pittsburgh neighborhood where 11 Jews were murdered. I attended a bat mitzvah at the synagogue a number of years ago and I remember that place as an unusually friendly and welcoming one. To envision the sanctuary as a murder scene is about as unreal as any nightmare can be.

The rise of hatred in America is staggering. I suppose it’s always been simmering in the background, but events of late have brought that hate up close and personal. So personal that it should impel each and every one of us to remember that we carry a responsibility to accept and, indeed, to celebrate the differences among us; differences of ethnic, religious, and even political beliefs and practice kindness and civility in all we do.

On a happier note: our season began with Showcase on October 23. Approximately 80 people attended to renew friendships and sign up for Special Events and Study Groups. You will be receiving e-blasts for the events that will be held in the next few months. Please pay attention to those events that have limits on the number of attendees, and register well in advance of the event.

I want to particularly focus on our Gala Cocktail Party at CODA Gallery on February 9. This event is our big fundraiser for this season. There will be music, food, wine and wine tasting, entertainment and valet parking at this very special event, all included in the price. JOIN US!

We are experiencing some very pleasant changes in involvement in our chapter. A few of our new members have stepped up to serve on our Board, coordinate study groups, and work on the Planning Committee. There is always room for more volunteers. So please consider extending your helping hand. You are always welcome.

Marcia Plumleigh

President

SAVE THE DATE

ANNUAL GENERAL BOARD MEETING

January 21, 2019

Board Meeting, 9:30 am

General Meeting with Keynote Speaker, 10:30 am

12169 Turnberry Drive, Rancho Mirage

home of Gail Baum and Larry Fox

RSVP TO GAIL BAUM, [email protected]

Keynote Speaker

Ron Celona, Artistic Director of Coachella Valley Repertory will give us an inside look at CV Rep, what it takes to put a new play together and also an inside look ar what it took to establish CV Rep's new home. Click here for Ron Celona's bio.

All Brandeis Members are invited and encouraged to attend and bring prospective members. Guests can attend the Board Meeting and General Meeting to learn more about who we are and what we do!

Visit our website

Click for BNC Board

President of Brandeis University, Ron Liebowitz, addressed the campus community on Oct. 29 in a speech titled "A Framework for our Future." You can read his remarks and his "framework for the future" by clicking here .

It's definitely worth a read! Lots of exciting plans for the future.

Brandeis members take Tour

of Tolerance Center

On June 26 our members were treated to a tour of the Tolerance Education Center led by Talia Lizemer-Hawley, Curator of the Center. Following the tour, the movie, Big Sonia, was shown.

SPECIAL EVENTS

BRANDEIS NATIONAL COMMITTEE DESERT CHAPTER

2018-2019 SEASON AT A GLANCE

DECEMBER

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018 10AM-5PM

SHOP TIL YOU DROP AT CITY LITES WOMENS APPAREL IN BERMUDA DUNES

DONATION 20% OF PURCHASES TO BRANDEIS

Click here for City Lites flyer. No registration form require

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018, 11:00 AM AND 2:00 PM

BAGELS OVER BERLIN

FREE SHOWINGS AT TOLERANCE EDUCATION CENTER

CLICK HERE F OR FLYER. EMAIL BOB STARR (SEE FLYER) TO RSVP

LET BOB KNOW WHICH TIME YOU WILL ATTEND

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2018, 11:30 AM

HOW DO I MOVE FORWARD WHEN MY SPOUSE DIES?

LUNCH AND PRESENTATION AT BELLATRIX AT THE CLASSIC CLUB.

COST: $30

Click here for How Do I Move Forward When My Spouse Dies flyer. No registration form required. List entree choice on check and send to name and address on flyer.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2018, 10:30 AM

BRANDEIS MEETS BRANDINI

TOUR OF BRANDINI TOFFEE FACTORY.

COST: $10

Click here for Brandeis Meets Brandini flyer. To register, send check to name and address on flyer.

JANUARY

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019, 10:30 AM

UNIVERSITY ON WHEELS,

LUNCH PLUS PRESENTATION FROM DR. WILLIAM FLESCH, PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AT BRANDEIS.

MISSION HILLS COUNTRY CLUB

COST: $60

Click here for University on Wheels flyer.

Click here for University on Wheels registration form.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019, 10:30 AM-4:00 PM

GAME DAY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SABRA HADASSAH,

SUN CITY SHADOW HILLS MONTECITO CLUBHOUSE

COST: $65; $70 AFTER JANUARY 6, 2019

Click here for Game Day flyer.

Click here for Game Day registration form.

Make checks payable to Sabra H adassah and send checks and form to address on registration form.

FEBRUARY

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2019, 6:30-9:00 PM

SEASON'S GALA AND COCKTAIL PARTY

AT THE AMAZING CODA ART GALLERY, EL PASEO

COST: $75

Click here for Gala and Cocktail Party flyer. No registration form required. To register, send check to name and address on flyer.

MARCH

SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2019, 10AM TO NOON

ART IN PUBLIC PLACES.

TAKE A DOCENT-LED WALK DOWN THE FAMOUS PALM DESERT EL PASEO MEDIAN AND VIEW THE NEW ART EXHIBITION.

COST: $25

Click here for Art Walk on El Paseo flyer. No registration form required. To register, send check to name and address on flyer.

APRIL

SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2019, 11AM-1:30 PM

WOMAN OF THE YEAR BRUNCH. PAY TRIBUTE TO SALLY BROCKMAN FOR HER OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO BRANDEIS.

AT VENTANA, MOUNTAIN VIEW CLUBHOUSE IN SUN CITY

COST: $65

Click here for Woman of the Year Brunch flyer.

Click here for Woman of the Year Brunch registration form.

STUDY GROUPS

Study Groups are a wonderful way to meet new people, learn new things, engage in interesting discussions and have fun! As a dues-paying member of the Brandeis National Committee you may join the Desert Chapter’s various open study groups. The cost for each group is $15 per person per year.

If you have a talent or interest and would like to facilitate a new group, please contact Carol Radin, Study Group Vice President at 760-565-0029 or by email at [email protected]

Note: The following groups still have openings. Please contact Carol Radin, 760-565-0029 if you are interested in joining one of these study groups.

Book Group 4 ^th Monday 10 am

Coordinator: Sharyn McKee [email protected]

Description: Group meets each month and discusses plot, characters and themes. The members choose the books that best relate to the group’s interests.

Early Bird Dinner 2 ^nd Friday at 5 pm

Coordinator: Candy Warner [email protected]

Description: Meet new people for an early dinner at various restaurants in the Valley. Singles and couple welcome.

Men’s Game Group 3 ^rd Thursday at 1:00 pm

Coordinators: Bob Starr bobstarr1@ gmail.com

Bruce Blank [email protected]

Description: A good way for the men to get together and enjoy various games such as Putters, Bocce, Billiards etc.. No skills are needed.

Lunch Bunch 2 ^nd Friday at Noon.

Coordinator: Beverly Ross

Description: Gather at a different local restaurant every month for a fixed price lunch. Members pay cash. No more than $25.

Current Events Group (New) Time to be decided by group

Coordinator: Carol Radin (temporary) [email protected]

Description: Group meets monthly to discuss topics involving local, state, national and world news.

Movie Group 2 ^nd Tuesday 10:30 am

Coordinator: Wendy Rudlin [email protected]

Description: A daytime movie group that sees a movie and goes out to lunch at a local restaurant.

Short Story Group 3 ^rd Tuesday 7:00 pm

Coordinator: Nancy Polacheck [email protected]

Family Dynamics Group 2 ^nd Friday 9:30 am

Coordinator: Caroline Weintraub [email protected]

Women Who Make a Difference 2nd Monday 1:30 pm

Coordinators: Yarol Rudman [email protected]

and Judith Levine [email protected]

Celebrating a birthday, milestone or looking for the best way to honor the memory of a loved one? Brandeis National Committee offers Tribute Cards

from $10-$500. Your donation goes towards education opportunities, scientific advancements, and supporting the Brandeis Libraries.

To donate directly through the BNC Desert Chapter, CLICK HERE for the

mail-in form. You can choose to donate using a credit card through Brandeis,

by clicking the link within the form. That link will also provide information on other giving opportunities .

Magnify the Mind: Advancing Neuroscience Research

Join us in supporting BNC's campaign to raise $500,000 toward the purchase of a two-photon resonance microscope. This essential technology will allow Brandeis researchers and science students to observe brain activity in real time. These powerful observations will help our scientists develop world-changing discoveries that could lead to cures or treatments to neurodegenerative diseases.

RECENT TRIBUTES SENT OUT FROM BRANDEIS BOARD AND MEMBERS

SPREAD A LITTLE SUNSHINE

If you know of a Brandeis member who has been ill, in the hospital or is facing a serious life challenge, let Flo Tenzer know and a Sunshine card will be sent from Brandeis. You can reach Flo by email, [email protected] or by phone, 760-341-2887. spital

Brandeis Desert Bulletin is a publication of the Desert Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee, a non-profit organization. Fed ID#04-2103552.

Editor: Gail Minkow, 310-933-7454, [email protected]

Please note: we make every attempt to ensure accuracy of the information provided with all BNC Desert Chapter communications.