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Our Authors
Elizabeth George, Marjan Kamali, Madeline Martin, Matthew Quirk, Tracy Sierra
| See the Author page of our website for Author bios and news | | | | | | | |
Scroll down for details of additional Upcoming Events:
the Annual Meeting & Program, Spring Luncheon and Summer Camp
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Greetings to all our members and friends,
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Our Phoenix Chapter has certainly been busy! In December we had two fabulous events. Our Theatre Night, chaired by Bev Gordon, Carol Kadet and Lissa Miller was a huge success. Those in attendance enjoyed the Lite Bites reception and the play, The Madwoman of Chaillot. Then we enjoyed playing Canasta, Mah Jongg, Bridge, Mexican Train and other games at Game Day, chaired by Terriann Kleiner, Ruth Lerner, Jan Lebovitz and Linda Ullman.
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Last month we also had a lovely brunch, to celebrate and thank the Book & Author Table Captains. Thank you to our chairs, Hillary Kaminsky, Ellen Kirschenbaum, Ruth Lerner, Susie Sacks, and Linda Ullman and their entire committee. Thanks also to Julia Libling for the use of her beautiful home.
| Our signature event, the 36th Annual Book & Author, is coming up this month at the Westin Kierland. The Event VPs Patti Grossman, Ileen Herberg and Brina Pepper, along with their committee chairs, are working tirelessly. We know we will have an amazing event, with five famous authors, a luncheon and shopping at the boutiques. The luncheon and boutique sales are on February 23. Please consider being a Bookmark Donor this year and attending the Cocktail Party with the authors, or the intimate Donor Dinner Party with the authors, both on February 22. Registration for all B&A events closes on February 13, so don’t delay. Registration links are in this month’s Bulletin and on our website. | |
Coming up on March 18 is our Annual Meeting & Program, chaired by Leith Baletin and Ellen Widoff. Board members will vote on the new slate of officers for 2026-2027. We will have an interesting program about wine and owning a winery by Mo Garfinkle. This is a free event for all members.
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While we always enjoy meeting new friends and reconnecting with long-time friends at Study Groups and social events, we must keep in mind that the Brandeis National Committee (BNC) is a philanthropic organization. Our Phoenix chapter, along with other chapters across the country, is a fundraising arm for the university. Please come to our social events and support BNC's current campaign, Engineering the Future: BNC Chair in Engineering Science.
For details and updates on these programs and other chapter happenings, please visit brandeisphoenix.org.
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Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year,
Joyce and Stephanie
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Seating
at Book & Author
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What does it mean to be a Table Captain?
Table Captains gather their friends together to form one or more tables of 10 at the event and inform the committee chairs below. One table can have two co-Captains.
Your friends register and pay for the luncheon on their own, and will enter your name in the box that asks about seating.
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Table Captains will have a ribbon attached to their name badge, allowing them to enter the ballroom early, in order to put down place cards for each person at their table(s), if they choose to do so.
If you would like to be a Table Captain or would like more information, contact Linda Ullman
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Hillary Kaminsky • Ellen Kirschenbaum • Ruth Lerner • Susie Sacks • Linda Ullman
Table Captain Committee Chairs
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Calling all Book & Author Volunteers!
Volunteers are needed before, during and after the event -
If you were unable to attend the Author Reveal and Volunteer Sign-Up meeting, it’s not too late!
To learn more or to volunteer, contact the Volunteer Committee chairs:
Laurie Burns • Terriann Kleiner • Kathleen Witkin
phxbavol@gmail.com
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Event chairs (left); with host Julia Libling, and Barb Schwartz, who made the table decor (right) | | | |
Next Event - Annual Meeting
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Annual Meeting & Program
Wednesday, March 18
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Speaker, Mo Garfinkle, Los Milics Vineyards
How I Failed in My Plan to Retire and Succeeded in Building a “World Class” Winery and
Destination
More information to follow
Ellen Widoff and Leith Baletin, Event Chairs
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Spring Luncheon and Installation
Thursday, April 16
More information to follow
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Summer Camp
Amazing how time flies! We are starting to plan for Summer
Camp (June, July and August, 2026). Put on your thinking caps
and let us know if you wish to lead a Summer Camp activity.
Please send us an email with a brief description, tell us whether
the activity is in-person or on Zoom, and we will contact you.
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University on Wheels 2026
Jazz and the Civil Rights Movement
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Speaker Michael Heller of Brandeis University with Ingrid Schorr, Director of BNC
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Professor Heller with Elaine Howard, Sue Karp and Helen Abrams, Event Chairs
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Jazz and the Civil Rights Era
January 9
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Carol Kadet, Stephanie Klopper, Judy Rosen and Joyce Steinberg
~•~
Ellen Widoff and Judy Rosen
Photos: Gale Gradus
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Strategic Planning & Leadership Developement
Board members at Natural Grocers on January 21
| | | | Joyce Grant and Gale Stam | | | |
See the Takeaways from the Leadership Development activity here
Joyce Grant • Terriann Kleiner • Gale Stam
Strategic & Leadership Planning VPs
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Spotlight on Study Groups
| | | Study Groups Need Facilitators! | | We are having another successful Study Group season, with 103 study groups. The chapter continues to attract new members and a major part of that attraction is the availability of many and varied study groups in which people can participate. | | To continue this success, we need your help. As we begin to think of next season (yes, your Study Group Team is already looking ahead), we are looking for facilitators with ideas for new groups. | | Ask yourself the following questions: | |
- Is there anything you are specifically interested in seeing offered as a study group? (Note: we welcome input from members of our men's study groups.)
- Are you interested in starting a group (hiking? film? lunch?) that meets on weekends?
- Would you enjoy participating in or leading a limited group discussion (4 sessions) on a favorite topic or activity?
- Do you have a special interest, talent or skill that you want to share with others?
- Are you a winter resident who wants to create a group (i.e. weekly Mah Jongg or Canasta games) that starts later in the year?
- Do you want to meet interesting people and make new friends?
| | SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FULL GROUPS: Even a group that has reached its maximum enrollment may have openings from time to time - if you are interested in a particular group, contact the facilitator(s) to see if space is available. Very often there is! A $5 guest fee will apply. | | Community Outreach: Through the generosity of Linda Perlman who volunteers at the Mustang Library and rescues used books for us, Pearle Wisotsky Marr and Ellen Kirschenbaum deliver some books to the Wisotsky Boys and Girls Club in Peoria. Additional books are being donated for elementary and preschools to Rosie's House. | | Mitzvah Mavens and another Dream Bus Volunteer at Cholla Middle School in December | |
A new group, Brandeis Brewsaders, for beer buffs, ale enthusiasts and IPA aficionados along with Wine Not! | | |
Gale Gradus showcasing wines from Portugal
Photos: Gale Gradus
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Singles Supper Club on select Tuesdays
at Urban Fraiche on Camelback,
just east of Central
Photo: Marcy Strauss
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The Studio Art group visited Kristin Kleyer Mangum, who works with a variety of fabrics and mixed media.
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Kristin's International Fiber Mixed Media sculptures are all pure materials, no glues or synthetics.
She personally travels for all the fiber-seeking out fiber shops and farms in all the different countries, which is her ultimate treasure hunt!
| | She only uses local, pure fiber, which she brings back home. The fiber “hangs out” on her wall (shown behind the group), which she calls her "ever-changing art installation." She can also look at the wall and know when it’s time to take another trip! | | |
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Appreciating Nonverbal Communication
and Gesture
Gale Stam
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Wednesday, February 11
1:00 pm
JCC • Scottsdale
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What is nonverbal communication?
How does it affect the way we interact with others?
What are gestures and why do we gesture?
| Dr. Gale Stam is a Professor Emerita, with an MA in Linguistics and a PhD in Psychology (Cognition and Communication). She is a researcher and published author on several subjects including communication, language and integrating gestures. | In her talk, Gale will discuss the many aspects of nonverbal communication and how it affects communication with others. She will explain what gestures are, how they can differ cross-culturally, and why they are important. | | Gale's talk will begin at 1:00, preceded by lunch at the J’s in-house eatery, Milk and Honey, at noon. | |
Guests (men and women) are welcome for a $5.00 guest fee.
ALL participants must RSVP to the facilitator in advance in order to attend.
For additional information or to RSVP, contact the facilitator:
Leith Baletin • lbaletin@gmail.com
480-874-9434
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Book & Author 2026
Sunday, February 22 • Bookmark Donor Cocktail Reception &
Donor Dinner with the Authors
Westin Kierland Resort
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Annual Meeting
Wednesday, March 18
10:00 am - 12:00 pm • Temple Solel
More information
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Spring Luncheon and Installation
Thursday, April 16
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Summer Camp
June 1 - August 31
Registration begins in May
More Information to follow
| | See photos and slideshows from our 2025-2026 events here | | |
Membership Milestones since our last issue
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Congratulations to Marilyn and Allan Reinfeld on the birth of their new granddaughter, Frankie Rose Reinfeld. Proud parents are Katherine and David Reinfeld.
- Our sincere condolences to Diane Leonte on the passing of her husband
- Our sincere condolences to Esta Mitchell on the passing of her husband, Bob
- Our sincere condolences to life member Rhona Ozer on the passing of her husband, Sidney (Sid)
- Our sincere condolences to Adrienne Polster on the passing of her husband, Howard
- Our sincere condolences to Abby Portney on the passing of her mother, Evelyn Kelman
- Our sincere condolences to Barbara Schlein on the passing of her husband, Jeffrey
- Our sincere condolences to Marilyn Starrett on the passing of her husband, Michael
- Our sincere condolences to the family of Annette Stein, on her passing
- Our sincere condolences to Ellen Tuckman on the passing of her brother, David Shulman
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We welcome our new members:
Judith Carter, Karla Dulic, Lee Eisenberg, Andy Eshkar, Susan Eshkar, Debra Federman, Joe Federman, Robert Kaplan, Linda Leebove, Jeffrey Leonard, Gadi Maier, Loren Michelson, Arlene Polonsky, Sue Stobinsky, Abe Wagen, Barbara Worth
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To report life-cycle events here, please contact:
Marilyn Reinfeld • mkr1227@cox.net • 480-620-5601
| | We apologize for any errors or omissions. For inclusion in future bulletins, please contact Marilyn Reinfeld. | | |
Chapter Roster
To report a change in email address, phone number (cell or landline) or mailing address, please contact:
Carol Kadet • carolkadet@gmail.com
She will update our membership roster and ensure that you receive Chapter mailings and information.
| | A Social for New and Prospective Members | |
We hold socials several times throughout the year to welcome new and prospective members
Our next social will be:
Monday, March 9 • 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
| | Membership Committee Meetings | |
Our next Membership Committee meeting will be Monday, March 23 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm via Zoom.
If you are interested in learning more about membership or are interested in joining the committee,
please contact the Membership VPs.
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Name Tags
Would you prefer not to wear the stick-on name tags used at Chapter functions?
We are offering personalized, magnetic BNC name tags for $18.00, including shipping. You can get your name tag by filling out the order form and mailing it to the listed address.
Order Form
Note: Replacement magnetic backs for existing name tags are available; contact the Chapter at info@brandeisphoenix.org
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Community Service is a fundamental part of the mission of BNC. Throughout the year, we collect items for various non-profits in the greater Phoenix area, and your support is much appreciated.
Additionally, our Mitzvah Mavens Study Group provides participatory activities for our members to volunteer directly with specific agencies.
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Creating a Culture of Giving
We need you! Please consider a small donation of items for our underserved population in the greater Phoenix metro area
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New Veterans Center
This year Community Outreach will be supporting the newly-created M.D. Hawkins Veterans Center in central Phoenix. The Center includes a small transitional housing unit, counseling services, day center activities, and food and snacks for drop-in vets. At this time, we will be focusing on helping to provide snacks for them. Next time you are at the grocery store, please consider picking up:
- Individually wrapped peanut butter crackers or Goldfish crackers
- Granola bars
- Individual cookie packages or pretzels or popcorn
- Any easy “Grab & Go” snack would be appreciated
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For the Homeless
Empty, clean prescription bottles are still being collected and used by our friends at Nourish, along with your gifts of personal care items.
- When you travel, please consider taking the “freebies” at the hotels or onboard airlines/cruises to donate.
- When you visit a dentist, please ask for extra samples of toothbrushes/toothpaste/floss for donation.
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We will be collecting your donations at all big chapter events!
We are very grateful for your kindness and compassion.
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Contact our Community Outreach co-chairs,
Debbie and Gale, for pick-up of any of these items.
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Knit A Mitzvah
Do you Knit? Do you Crochet?
Help us make Scarves, Newborn Baby Caps,
Lap Blankets and Chemo Caps
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We donate newborn baby caps and lap
blankets to Honor Health Medical
Center, scarves to Sojourner Center
and chemo caps to
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center.
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For more information, please contact:
Ronee Siegel
ronees@aol.com 917-273-0393
Joan Davis
davis6j@gmail.com 602–499-8357
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Mitzvah Mavens
Participants in this study group volunteer at a variety of Valley non-profit organizations. We meet at the specific locations of the organizations on various dates, lending helping hands as needed. If there are activities that can be done at home, participants will be notified.
| | | Mitzvah Mavens Facilitators: | | |
To make a donation online using a credit card, click here
In order to include your online tributes in the bulletin, please email the details -
Fund, Donor(s), Recipient(s) and Occasion only - to Beth Messer at bethmae721@gmail.com
For future inclusions, please notify Beth Messer
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Your donations make a difference!
Diana Garcia Saucedo is a recipient of our chapter's endowed scholarship to Brandeis. She is very appreciative and graduates in 2026.
About Diana
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More about the BNC Engineering the Future Campaign
See what's happening on the Brandeis campus here
and in the Brandeis Magazine
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Did you miss one of Brandeis'
virtual events and would like to access a recording of it?
Visit the on-demand Virtual Event Library
| | General Chapter Information | | Founded in 1948, 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, nonsectarianism and service to the community. | | The Phoenix Chapter Bulletin is published 4 times a year. Our next issue will come out in April. | |
Presidents: Stephanie Klopper and Joyce Steinberg
Editor: Donna Germuska • Assistant Editor: Ronee Siegel
Layout: Sara Leopold
bncphxbulletin@gmail.com
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