Registration Details
How to Register:
  • Form your team! You will be entering the names of everyone on your team on the registration form. 
  • Select your Level of Giving (Heritage Square, Orpheum Theater or San Carlos Hotel)
  • Select the date you want to participate (Saturday, October 30th or Sunday, October 31st)
  • Select THREE possible start times between 8 am and 3 pm on the date you have selected
  • BE SURE THAT ALL TEAM MEMBERS ARE SELECTING THE SAME THREE POSSIBLE START TIMES!
  • Complete payment information
  • Submit!
  • You will be notified via email of your time slot after registration closes on October 15th.

NOTE: REGISTRATION CLOSES ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 15!!

We will be unable to accept any registrations after this date.
If you are unable to form a team, please email us.
 
Event Co-Chairs: 
Lyn Walter and Susan Sacks   
***BNC-Phoenix Chapter COVID-19 Protocols for In-Person Study Groups and Events***
 
The health and safety of our membership community is of paramount importance.
 
Until further notice, the BNC Phoenix Chapter COVID-19 protocols
for in-person study groups and events are as follows:

  • All participants must provide proof of vaccination prior to attending any in-person chapter study groups or events.
  • Masks must be worn indoors, except when actively speaking, eating or drinking. Masks are not required outdoors.
  • To provide proof of vaccination:
  • Take a picture of your vaccination card with your phone and email it to: vaxproof.bncphx@gmail.com
  • Include your name and preferred phone number in your email.
  • Deadline: Proof of vaccination must be submitted 2 days prior to your first in-person study group meeting or October 15, whichever comes first.
  • In the absence of proof of vaccination, the assumption will be that registrants are not vaccinated, and will not be permitted to participate.

Since the situation is evolving, we will continue adhering to guidance from Brandeis University and the Brandeis National Committee (BNC), while keeping current local health conditions in mind.
 
By registering for events or study groups, participants agree to comply with BNC Phoenix safety guidelines and understand that only participants in compliance with chapter policy will be permitted to participate. BNC does not assume responsibility for the health of any participant.
 
If you have questions, contact: vaxproof.bncphx@gmail.com, or 480-359-7262

Presidents' Message
Happy New Year! L’Shana Tova to all who celebrate!

We wish you a very happy, healthy and sweet New Year! We hope that you were able to be with family and/or friends. We have so much to be thankful for, but no one could have foreseen this endless pandemic and how it has affected us all. We hope that our world can normalize, so that we can move forward and just enjoy life. We are heading into cooler weather and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors again. Make the most of it – whether it be hiking or enjoying restaurants – in a safe way.

We are so excited with our membership renewals and we welcome our new members. Thank you to everyone involved.

Everyone is looking forward to a wonderful year ahead. There are so many events being planned by our fantastic fundraising/program VPs and committees. The first event is our Phoenix Adventure from A-Z, an outdoor scavenger hunt in downtown Phoenix on October 30th & 31st. Stay tuned for more events to come.

Our study group guide offerings are incredible and registration has been fabulous. We have about 90 study groups and more than 1900 spaces have been filled by over 500 registrants. We can’t thank our amazing Study Group VPs and their committee enough. They worked endlessly to bring us these groups. As we head into Fall, enjoy your picks from the “cornucopia” of study groups, which keep us active, educated and entertained.

Every facilitator will decide whether to meet in person, on Zoom or a hybrid. All study group participants attending groups in person are required to send in proof of vaccination. Masks must be worn indoors, except when actively eating, drinking or speaking. We know that this isn’t what everyone wants, but we’re concerned with health and safety. Take care and have fun!

Our nominating committee has been meeting to fill positions for the 2022-2023 Board. A Chapter of our size, with all of our offerings, needs members to step up and be involved in organizing and leading these events. We encourage you to get more involved – you will meet more people, make more friends and have fun doing it! We welcome calls from any of you, to help you get more involved!

Thank you, everyone, for all you do to make our Chapter so special! 
Enjoy the cooler weather (hopefully) and stay safe!

Linda & Jan
Book & Author
BRILLIANT&BOLD
BOOK & AUTHOR 2022
You are invited to a
Volunteer Meeting and Get-together
Monday, October 25th ~ 2:00 pm
JW Marriott Desert Ridge
 Hear it here first!
The 2022 Authors and Moderator will be announced -
along with details about the
Book & Author Event ~ Friday, March 18, 2022
JW Marriott Desert Ridge

This is your opportunity to join a committee -
Help is needed before, during and after the event!

Refreshments will be served! 
Everyone is welcome ~ Bring your friends ~ Get familiar with the hotel layout
RSVP by October 20th to: bncphxbavol@gmail.com
Book & Author Volunteers Co-Chairs:
Hillary Kaminsky 602-369-2943 • Terriann Kleiner 314-761-3132
Stephanie Klopper 480-251-0815 • Carol Kadet 415-828-1299
Need more information about all Book & Author 2022 Events?
Please contact the Event Chairs:
Iris Wigal • Nancy Sacks-Goldberg
bncphxba@gmail.com 480-442-9623
Study Groups
Study Group Registration Continues!
PARTICIPANTS: If you registered for study groups after September 10, please contact your facilitators and make sure you are on their group list.

FACILITATORS: If a participant informs you that they registered for your group after the group lists were sent, please verify with the Study Group VPs.

*This Link is for your initial registration only. For additional registrations, use the link to "edit your registration information" from your previous confirmation email.

See below for details about some of our groups!!
Spotlight on Study Groups
 
Each month we will highlight some different study groups that you might be interested in joining.

Consider these interesting groups:
RAISE YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS, CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Are you interested in exploring ideas where spirituality meets science, such as healing modalities, the mind-body connection, meditation, mindfulness, being healthier, visualization, the power of thought or unlocking your full potential? If you want to join a "mind, body, spirit/metaphysical" nonfiction book group that focuses on issues related to health and well-being, this is the group for you. We will also explore topics such as energy systems in the body, reincarnation and levels of consciousness. The first meeting will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 26, via Zoom. The first book details will be emailed to participants.
For more information, contact the facilitator: Carol Wolf peanuts526@aol.com 847-207-9954
MANAGING LIFE'S CONFLICTS *NEW*
This group will be addressing the various types of conflicts that occur between parents and their adult children. We will also address interpersonal conflict between senior adults and how to mediate, negotiate and resolve those conflicts. Our goal is to provide strategies and techniques that maintain and strengthen these relationships while resolving the conflict. The first meeting will be November 2 via Zoom. Maximum 30.
For more information, contact the facilitators:
Larry Waldman, PhD larrywaldmanphd@cox.net 602- 418-8161
Cary Silverstein, MBA csilve1013@aol.com 414-403-2942
ASPECTS OF INTERIOR DESIGN *NEW*
If you ever wanted to gain some perspective on what it takes to enhance your home,
this is the study group you must attend.
Just a few of the topics we will discuss together will be:
Starting a design renovation, the Scaled Floor Plan, analyzing the home - its liabilities vs. its attributes - and many other issues.
The first meeting will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 6 at the facilitator’s home.
This group will be presented by David Landy, formerly from NY, now residing in Scottsdale. His firm was a leading force in the field of Interior Design for 35 years.
David is: a past president of the NY Metro ASID, NCIDQ qualified, a lecturer for Royal Caribbean, Azamara and Crystal Cruise lines, and a past lecturer/workshop leader at Barnes and Noble and Bloomingdale's. Past attendees have always found his discussions lively and informative.
For more information, contact the facilitator: David Landy dsign4u4@gmail.com 516-297-7831
We look forward to a wonderful Study Group season for 2021-2022.

Stephanie, Joyce and Barbara
2021-2022 Study Group Vice Presidents
Stephanie Klopper, Joyce Steinberg and Barbara Stern
Monday, October 18
12:30 - 2:00 pm
12701 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale

Our first meeting for the 13th season of Arizona Authors will be on Monday, October 18, from 12:30- 2:00 pm.
 
This year's opening speaker will be Karen Odden.
 
Karen received her B.A. from Cornell University, her M.A. from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and her Ph.D. in English Literature from New York University. She taught literature and critical theory at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and served as Assistant Editor for the academic journal Victorian Literature and Culture (Cambridge University Press). Her essays on Victorian literature have appeared in numerous journals and books.
 
Karen sets all her novels in 1870s London, in which young women solve mysteries that require them to delve into some aspect of the past. Her first novel, A Lady In The Smoke, drew on her research of Victorian railways and was a USA Today bestseller; her second, A Dangerous Duet, set in a Soho music hall, won for best Historical Fiction at the New Mexico-Arizona book awards; and her third, A Trace Of Deceit, is about a young woman artist at the Slade School of Art.
 
Guests are welcome with a $5.00 fee at the door.
RSVPs are required to:
Merrill Kalman at mskbflo@aol.com
Wednesday, October 13
1:00 pm
12701 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale

On October 13 at the Martin Pear JCC, Men For Brandeis Activities (MBA) will meet in person for the first time since March 2020. We plan to resume our normal meeting activities at the J, such as having a nosh at their Milk & Honey cafe around noon before we hear from our speaker at 1:00 pm.
 
Our speaker will be Paul Messinger. As mentioned in Phoenix Magazine:
 
“The young man’s can-do spirit led to a lifetime of adventure and public service. Years after milking his last cow, Messinger bought the land where he toiled as a lad and made it the headquarters of his business, Messinger Mortuaries. He also worked as a newspaper columnist, served as a community leader and City Councilman, and rose to prominence as a state legislator. At age 92, he continues to put in 60-hour work weeks at the mortuary, and has continued pursuing new goals and Valley-based betterment projects.”
 
Paul last spoke to our group several years ago. He will spend the hour taking us back in time to learn about Scottsdale’s history.
 
For additional information, contact the facilitator:
Leith Baletin lbaletin@gmail.com 480-874-9434
Nominating Committee
We are currently seeking BOARD MEMBERS!
 
Do you want to have the most fun, meet more friends and feel glad that you are doing something worthwhile? We suggest that you get involved in the Phoenix BNC Board. 

The nominating Committee will be meeting soon to discuss nominees for the BNC Board for the 2022-2023 Board year, beginning in the spring of 2022. 

If you are interested in receiving more information about this opportunity or would care to submit a name, please email the co-chairs:
Marcia Langer (marciala@msn.com) and Judy Levine (judithlevine43@yahoo.com)
Fundraising Programs
Please Join Us to Plan Events!
There’s always room for more members of this fun committee! If you would like to help plan and implement fabulous programs and events for our BNC Phoenix Chapter, we meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Please join us on Wednesday, October 27 at 10:00 am for our next Zoom meeting. Just email or call to let us know you’ll attend and we will send you the meeting link. We look forward to hearing from you!
Fundraising Programs Vice Presidents
Patti Grossman 602-885-0158 (phone or text) and Terriann Kleiner 314-761-3132 (phone or text)
Save the Date
In-Person Events Planned for this Season:

Book & Author Event - Volunteer Meeting
Monday, October 25, 2:00 pm
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

Fall Event
Phoenix Adventure from A to Z
Saturday, October 30 and Sunday, October 31

New and Prospective Members Social
Friday, November 5, 10:00 am
 
University on Wheels (may be virtual or in-person)
Winter 2022

Winter Event
February 2022

The Annual Chapter Meeting
The Face of Ballroom Dance: A Multimedia Presentation
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
32nd Annual Book & Author Event
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
Friday, March 18, 2022

Bookmark Donors Cocktail Reception
Thursday, March 17, 2022

Dinner with the Authors
Following the Cocktail Reception
Spring Event and Installation of the 2022-2023 Board
Spring 2022
Membership News
Membership Milestones
  • Congratulations to Carol Kadet on receiving the Congregation Beth Israel Volunteer of the Year Amdur Award. It was presented to her at services on Rosh Hashanah.
  • Congratulations to Sara and Jay Leopold on the birth of their granddaughter, Zoey Evan Sonken. Proud parents are Caren and Brian Sonken.
  • Congratulations to Terry and Lon Taubman on the birth of their grandson, Alex Samuel Reuben. Proud parents are Renee Neier and Jacob Reuben.
  • Our sincere condolences to the family of Selma Glass on her passing.
  • Our sincere condolences to Debbie and Michael Shapiro on the passing of Debbie’s mother, Virginia Spergel.
We Welcome Our New Members
Ellen Cheek, Stephanie Dishman, Mindy Franklin, Steven Gordon, Morris Henken, Beth Hoffman, Linda Immerman-Stoffers, Ellen Kaplan, Michael Kaplan, Ethyle Komie, Helen Locke, Marc Minkus, Terri Minkus, Stuart Pack, Susan Pack, Ruth Rotkowitz, Lisa Samuel, Jerrold Schwartz, Sandy Schwartz, James Sobel, Karen Stein, Linda Stevens, Richard Stevens, Bill Stoffers, Hermi Stone, Steve Sukenik, Adriana Weiner

New and Prospective Members Social - Join us!
Friday, November 5 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, hopefully in person
Email the VPs at brandeismembershipphx@gmail.com for more information or to RSVP.
To report life-cycle events, please contact:
Susan Sacks at 480-860-5256 or susan.sacks@gmail.com

To report a change in email address, phone number or mailing address, please contact:
Ms. Bruce Galin, bruce.phxbnc@gmail.com.
She is our Data Manager and will ensure you receive Chapter mailings and information.
Name Tags
Would you prefer not to wear the stick-on name tags used at Chapter functions?
Here is an alternative.
We are offering personalized, magnetic BNC name tags for $13.00, including shipping. You can get your name tag by filling out the order form and mailing it to the listed address.
Note: Replacement magnetic backs for existing name tags are available; contact the Chapter office.
Membership Vice Presidents
Carol Kadet and Gale Gradus
brandeismembershipphx@gmail.com
Community Outreach
Charitable Organizations Need Our Help!
Jewish Family and Children's Services is maintaining a school supply pantry. Any school supplies such as pencils, colored pencils, folders, spiral notebooks, composition books, pencil sharpeners, wide-ruled paper, blunt scissors, pink erasers, Kleenex, hand sanitizer and especially… reams of printer paper!

This list is not complete – all school supplies are welcome. 

Note: Costco currently has a 36-item school supply sale for $8! 

Walmart and Target have excellent sales as well.

School began in early August, but supplies are always needed. They can be brought to Wendy’s house and left at the front door whenever you like. 

Stay safe and stay well!
Ellen Kirschenbaum and Wendy Cohen
FEEL GOOD WHILE DOING GOOD!
Knit A Mitzvah

Do you Knit?
Do you Crochet?
Help us make Scarves,
Newborn Baby Caps and
Lap Blankets

We donate newborn baby caps and lap
blankets to Honor Health Medical
Center, scarves and adult lap blankets
to JFCS and chemo caps to Virginia G.
Piper Cancer Center.

For more information, please contact:

Ronee Siegel
ronees@aol.com 917-273-0393

Joan Davis
davis6j@gmail.com 602–499-8357
Mitzvah Mavens

Participants in this study group volunteer at a variety of Valley non-profit organizations. They meet at the specific locations of the organizations on various dates when possible. This year, they plan to begin in January, but if there are activities that can be done at home, participants will be notified.
Mitzvah Mavens Facilitators:
Patti Grossman psgrossman717@gmail.com 
Ileen Herberg iherberg@aol.com 
Ellen Kirschenbaum ellenk102@gmail.com
Nan Waldman nanlarry46@gmail.com
For more information, contact the Community Outreach Chairs:
Wendy Cohen wencohen@cox.net ~ Ellen Kirschenbaum ellenk102@gmail.com
Volunteer Opportunities
A wonderful way to get involved with our local BNC Chapter is to share your expertise with us. It’s a win-win! You get to meet some of the other members, maintain your skills and learn new ones, and the Chapter benefits from your experience.
The current skill sets needed are:
Website, Marketing, Publicity, Technology, Study Group Facilitator

If you would like to volunteer in these or any other areas, please contact Ruth Lerner ruth.bncphx@gmail.com
Donations
For more information about the Honoring Our History campaign, or to make a donation, see the BNC website.
Brandeis University Happenings
Brandeis students return to study abroad

Students traveled to Siena and Copenhagen this summer, and more than 50 are abroad this semester.
Sept. 3, 2021
By Sydney Gross

[Nineteen] Brandeis students who studied abroad during summer 2021 [were] the first Brandeis students to go abroad since global academic programs were paused due to the pandemic in March 2020. 
 
Eighteen of those students studied in Brandeis-run programs—six on the Brandeis in Siena: Making, Seeing, and Mastering Art in Tuscany program and 12 in Brandeis in Copenhagen: Business and Economics in Denmark. One studied abroad on another approved program in Ghana.

This fall, Brandeis has more than 50 students going abroad for the semester or the year in places like Mexico, Ecuador, Ghana, South Korea, and throughout Europe.

[The] Office of Study Abroad took extra health and safety precautions this summer to make sure students could travel securely and still have a rewarding academic experience, and will continue to do so for programs throughout the year. The office considered shifting quarantine requirements and testing policies in determining the safety of programs and developed plans in case any student got sick while overseas.
All Brandeis students are required to be fully vaccinated prior to studying abroad.

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
Chapter Board Meetings

Board meetings are conducted virtually, via Zoom.
Chapter members are welcome to attend all meetings,
which are generally held on the 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10:00 am.

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 20 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

RSVP: Email Corresponding Secretary Joyce Grant
at jhgrant35@gmail.com in order to receive the Zoom link.

Chapter Presidents: Jan Lebovitz and Linda Ullman
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, nonsectarianism and service to the community.

Presidents: Jan Lebovitz and Linda Ullman

Editor: Kathleen Witkin ~ Copy & Layout: Sara Leopold ~ Assistant Editor: Ronee Siegel