Harmony Chapter
Spring 2016
A
President’s Message
s my second term as co-president of the Harmony
Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee draws to a
close, it is with mixed emotions that I reflect on our collective accomplishments in the past two years. I have learned
a great deal from all of our talented volunteers and committee members. With great pleasure, I want to thank you
all for your assistance and those ideas that have made my
job ever more pleasurable. It was with trepidation that I
accepted the position, but I am so glad I did.
As I reflect, so many stimulating, exciting and edifying programs created and facilitated by our Brandeis
team come to mind. We traveled to New York City to view the Lady in Gold at the Neue Gallery, we
toured the waters of Manhattan, we watched in awe as hot air balloons filled the sky with their glorious
shapes and colors, we celebrated the wonder of the holiday season as we walked through the magical
displays at Longwood Gardens and we mourned for those lost at the 9/11 Memorial.
We read, we ate, we toured, we ate, we discussed, we ate, we toured, we ate, we were entertained, we
ate, we played and we ate. We addressed the health and welfare of our bodies as we stretched, danced,
learned and relaxed.
And, we never forgot those in need – books for our servicemen, food for the food pantry, clothing for
Family Resources, books and readers for first graders, holiday gifts for those in need, hats and gloves for
children in difficult situations, glasses to enhance sight and dress clothes for interviews.
Again, thank you to all the committee members for their dedication and creativity in developing and facilitating the many activities that we have shared together this year. Your hard work makes our chapter
special.
It has also been my pleasure collaborating with Sandy Tilis, whose dedication to the job, and commitment to me and our Brandeis Chapter has made my tenure so much easier. Thank you, Sandy.
As always, we welcome active participation and need the input of new and seasoned members so that
our committees can remain vibrant and fresh. Please come and be part of the Harmony Brandeis Chapter family.
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BRANDEIS NAMES RONALD LIEBOWITZ
AS ITS NINTH PRESIDENT
randeis University’s Board of Trustees announced that Ronal D. Liebowitz has
been named the ninth president of Brandeis University. The former president of Middlebury College, in Middlebury, Vermont, Liebowitz will begin his leadership role at
Brandeis on July 1st, 2016.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ron Liebowitz to our community,” said Perry M. Traquina “78, chair of Brandeis’
Board of Trustees. “He is a proven visionary and leader
who helped a great institution scale even greater
heights and deftly managed it through challenging
times. Brandeis will benefit so much from his exceptional experience and passion.”
Liebowitz, 58, enjoyed a 31-year career on the Middlebury faculty as a professor of geography, including seven years as provost. He served as president for 11 years,
from 2004 until June 2015. Under his leadership, Middlebury made enormous academic, programmatic, reputational and financial gains, including the successful
completion of a $500 million capital campaign, which
surpassed its goal.
During Liebowitz’s tenure, Middlebury expanded its
impressive roster of immersive language schools, including launching, seven years
ago, what has become its renowned School of Hebrew. During this time, the college
also acquired the Monterey Institute of International Studies, a graduate school with
a distinguished history; added 23 Schools Abroad sites; and opened a Center for Social Entrepreneurship as well as an intensive summer School of the Environment.
In 2009, Time magazine named Liebowitz on of the 10 best U. S. College presidents.
He is a political geographer who specializes in Russian economic and political geography. A native of New York City, he earned a BA in economics and geography from
Bucknell University and a PhD in Geography from Columbia University.
Ron, Jessica and their three children will remain in their home in Newton, Mass.
2015 Distinguished Career Contribution to Gerontology Award
argie E. Lachman, PHD, of Brandeis University has been chosen by the Gerontological
Society of America, the largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of
aging, to be the 2015 recipient of the Distinguished Career Contribution to Gerontology Award.
Lachman is the Minnie and Harold Fierman Professor of Psychology and
director of the Lifespan Development Psychology Lab at Brandeis University. She is also director of the Brandeis University Lifespan Initiative on
Healthy Aging. She also co-directs a National Institute on Aging-funded
pre and post doctor training program, Cognitive Aging in a Social Context.
Her research has included; disparities in health and cognition, intervention
studies designed to enhance perceived control over memory and physical
exercise.
Among her many awards are; The Archstone Award for Excellence in Program Innovation
from the American Public Health Association She has published more than 100 chapters and
journal articles. She has served as an advisor to organizations such as AARP and the Boston
Museum of Science for the traveling exhibit on the secrets of Aging. Her research has been
featured in the New York Times and on CBS & NBC news
“My Life As A Scientist”
randeis biologist Eve Marder, Brandeis class of ’69, the Victor and Gwendolyn Beinfield
Professor of Neuroscience, was interviewed in the October issue “The Scientist”. The
title of the article is: My life as a scientist. Here are some highlights:
In her sophomore year she took a post-WW2 European history
course. “It was all alphabet soup and boring, with an odious black
textbook with double columns of text. I forgot all of it on purpose
and changed my major to biology.”
Marder says, “She and her fellow female students stuck out in grad
school. There was a lot of hubbub about it. ‘What are we going to do with all these women?
Civilization as we know it will end!’ was how the professors talked about it.”
When asked if she had what it takes to make it in the sciences, she replied, you can take the
best undergrad students, and they may not be the best graduate students. And the ones who
complete the best PHDs may not be the ones that stay in the field. I think it comes down to
drive, persistence, willingness to confront failure, creativity, passion – all of the other attributes that we can’t measure easily on an application.
3
Share
Talents
And Skills
Make
New
Friends
Make
A Difference
Get Involved
Share
Ideas
Step up! Be an Integral part of our Team! Reach out! Volunteer! Get
involved in our Award Winning Chapter. The Bulletin will be presenting future articles about the workings of the Board and its appointed
positions. Hopefully, these articles will inspire you to contribute to
keeping this Brandies Chapter vital, growing and exciting
What Does Working On A Harmony Chapter Committee Do For Me?
When I first joined Brandeis I had recently retired and was looking forward to sleeping
late, reading all day and having absolutely no responsibilities. That lasted for about
three months before I realized I needed much more if my retirement was going to be
everything I hoped for.
Hence, Brandeis Harmony Chapter… Now, never having been much of a joiner, I needed to find my place in this organization so I attended one (or two or three) different
committee meeting to see if there was anything that interested me. Lo and behold, I
found my new home.
I have met and worked with some of the most dedicated, intelligent and creative women. I feel truly blessed to have their companionship and friendship. The excitement and
mental stimulation that these women provide is priceless. Certainly it is work but it is
mostly fun and very rewarding.
It doesn’t matter which committee interests you. Try them all. The women are welcoming and happy to have you there. Give it a try. I guarantee it will be worth your
while.
Ruth Pashkin
Recording Secretary
The job description of the recording secretary is namely: to record minutes of each
monthly board meeting, read minutes of the previous month, take note of any corrections, and send a copy of minutes to the presidents and to BNC.
The success of Harmony Chapter is dependent on good leadership skills. The presidents carefully prepare the agenda
and direct discussions so that the opinions of the different
committee members can interact at the board meetings. It is
important to have records of completed committee action
items, in addition to the information that requires future
attention at subsequent board meetings.
The responsibility of recording secretary is to ensure that all discussions are accurately
incorporated into the minutes so that the organization can work efficiently. In addition, the meeting minutes are reported to National and they can see why Harmony
Chapter has contributed to the success of Brandeis.
4
THE CULTURAL COMMITTEE
Do you enjoy day trips to museums, botanical gardens, theaters, and historical sites? And would you like to travel in the company of like-minded women,
creating friendships and lasting memories? Then welcome to the Cultural
Committee, whose purpose is to plan just such outings.
Where have we been:
McCarter
Theatre
Grounds for
Sculpture
Kykuit
911
QVC
MOMA
Harlem
Longwood
Gardens
Chinatown
NY Botanical
Gardens
Barnes
Museum
Lincoln Ctr
Backstage
Pearl Buck
House
Rockerfeller
Center
Lower East
Side
Hyde
Park
Phila Flower
Show
Met Opera
Backstage
The committee is co-chaired by Linda Werner and
Wendy Rahn. We meet several times a year, and we
welcome you to just come and listen, to offer suggestions for trips, and of course, to join us in planning
them. Our members are bursting with ideas and enthusiasm, and our meetings are fun and informative. We bring ideas and suggestions, and two or
three people volunteer to facilitate each trip. We
have a mentoring program, so no one is ever “out on
a limb” with no guidance. We try to plan trips 6-12
months in advance, to avoid conflicts with other
groups and activities in the community.
Once a trip is researched and on the calendar, contracts are signed, buses are reserved, and flyers
are created. Signup is usually two months before
the trip. Then begins the “buzz,” with women asking their friends
if they’re signing up for the next trip. Response over the years has been wonderful, and we hope to continue for many more years to come.
We need your help to plan where we’re going:
?
?
?
Please feel free to contact any of our committee members with ideas, or just drop by
our next meeting. (Call or e-mail Wendy or Linda to let us know you’re coming.)
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for your donations
So many members participated in making the
holiday happy for some Jackson families. We
also collected over $400 in gift cards for our
adopted families.
Thank
You!
Thank
You!
Our 4-legged, furry neighbors asked their friends at Metedeconk if they could help replenish their dwindling food supply because their owners were facing some hard-time financial problems. As always, the
folks at Metedeconk had a food drive and their outpouring of love and understanding resulted in such a
phenomenal response that we will be okay, at least, for the time being.
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for your donations
The Brandeis community and friends generously donated hats, scarves, mittens and baby
blankets to the Department of Children and
Families, Ocean South Local Office. These
items were used to decorate the tree for clients to select their gifts. The tree remains up
through March and thanks to our efforts will
continuously be replenished. ToniAnne
Cusmano happily accepted our contribution.
Thank you for your generous donations.
Our gazebo was filled with household
products on Feb. 8th. The donations
were given to Providence House.
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BNC Community Service/Social Justice
The Community Service Committee meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 11 am in the Clubhouse
APRIL
12 – Ronald McDonald House—see page 9
MAY
2 – Dottie’s House - linen and toiletry drive
19 – Reading Buddies Book Giveaway
21 – ACS Relay For Life of Jackson
23 – Family Resource Associates clothing drive
LOOK FOR OUR E-MAIL
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SPECIFIC
UPCOMING PROGRAMS.
For information about our
committee and its programs, contact:
Cindy-(cindywas18@gmail.com)
or
Pat-(paemmerman@gmail.com)
Girls Love Mail is a nonprofit organization, founded by Gina Mulligan, that
gives the gift of handwritten notes to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Brandeis Harmony Chapter held a letter-writing get-together and sent 52
letters for distribution. We left feeling good because we were spreading good
wishes!
The Reading Buddies had a successful Book Giveaway on December 17th at the
Crawford Rodriguez School in
Jackson, New Jersey. Each
First Grader selected 2 soft
covered books as a gift from
the Oceans Of Reading Program sponsored through the
Ocean County Retired Senior
Volunteer Program. The
Brandeis Harmony Chapter at
Four Seasons at Metedeconk
Lakes coordinates the volunteers. The children were excited to choose the books
to keep!
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BNC Community Service/Social Justice
Ronald McDonald House
Drop Off April 12, 2016
Here is an opportunity for you to make a difference to
the residents of New Brunswick Ronald McDonald
House. Our dinner program helps families to come
home to RMH after a long day at the hospital to enjoy
good food, connect with other families, and share their
feelings.
COOKING NEEDS
Homemade soup, muffins, casserole, stew, chicken dish, dessert, vegetable, vegetarian entrée, etc.
No pasta dishes or food containing nuts.
All food items should be labeled with ingredients in case of food allergies.
HOUSE NEEDS
Tide, Era laundry detergent, disinfectant wipes, Shout spray, 30 gal. heavy duty trash bags, 12 gallon
clear storage box w/attached lid, food storage to-go containers, heavy duty aluminum foil, double AA
batteries, power strips, standard size waterproof pillow protectors, copy paper
FAMILY NEEDS
Individual snack pack of chips, cookies, granola bars, crackers, organic snacks, Soup-to-Go (tomato),
Apple & Eve, Honest Kids, Juicy Juice boxes, Kraft or Annie’s macaroni & cheese, bottled water
(cases), Bel Vitas, Annie’s, Horizon, white albacore tuna fish, beauty sets (nail, skin, hair, body), Boy
and girl clothing newborn—4T, Youth M & L
GIFT CARDS
Home Depot, Office Max, Shop Rite, Bed Bath & Beyond, Costco, and Target in any denomination are
greatly appreciated. These gift cards are used to purchase perishable and much needed items.
If you would like to help please contact Sharon Weiss at jsw5148@aol.com or 732-9282296 or Gloria Dino-Guida at nando2908@aol.com or 732-928-2745 to inform us what
you plan on contributing. This will assist the delivery of all contributions.
Drop off will be Tuesday, April 12th, 2016
at 27 Hardwick Ct. between 8:30-9-15 AM
If there are circumstances that prevent you from delivering your contribution at the designated time,
please contact Sharon or Gloria. The Community Service/Social Justice Committee is requesting that
you pass on or forward this information to a friend.
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Past Workshops
Wire Crocheting
An easy and fast way to make necklaces and bracelets—wire crocheting.
Each necklace was unique and you didn’t even have to know how to crochet. Facilitators: Angie Troike and Linda Ballen
Pop Up Cards
Pop-up Chanukah and Christmas card
workshop presented by Vicki Vitale.
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Picturing America
Past Workshops
The Newark Museum comes to Metedeconk. The
speaker, Patsy Vance, highlighted American artists
who have interpreted the people, culture and tenor
of the times in which they lived, from colonial portraiture to today’s contemporary (and sometimes
controversial) art.
Line Dancing
On November 12th, choreographer Nancy Carole gave a free
line dancing class to Brandeis
members. It was a lot of fun
and very successful
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Past Workshops
Hocus Pocus
Amazement and laughter abounded as Marilyn McGinn, resident
magician, taught Brandeis ladies magic at our Hocus Pocus study
group.
Anthony Dissen, a holistic health instructor from CentraState Health
and Wellness Center, joined us once again for a new program combining stretching, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. In the
past he has led us in qi gong, yoga and acupressure sessions.
12
Past Workshops
Mah Jongg
Brandeis women are learning about
bams, cracks and dots as Julie
Greenberg teaches Mah Jongg.
La Cipollina
On a beautiful Fall afternoon in
late February Brandeis members
enjoyed a scrumptious four
course lunch at La Cipollina Restaurant in Freehold last October.
Matt, the chef, demonstrated
how the dishes were prepared.
He was assisted by a few of our
very talented ladies. A lovely afternoon was had by all.
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Past Event - General Meeting
Guest Entertainer: Maggie Worsdale
Facilitators: Diane Ireland
and Lu Certo
One hundred and fifty Brandeis members experienced a delightful evening
December 8th at our chapter's general meeting. President Sandra Tilis and
other board members spoke of the chapter's accomplishments and future
plans. Tablescapes of silver with tulle, tea lights and duplicates of Frank
Sinatra CD's added to the fabulous entertainment of Maggie Worsdale as she
celebrated Sinatra's 100th birthday in song. A lovely presentation of a
delicious buffet followed by desserts was enjoyed by all.
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Past Event
Trinity Church & 9/11 Museum
Trinity Church, built
in 1840, was visited
in November. This is
a beautiful Gothic
Revival
Episcopal
Church near Ground
Zero, which is still
active today. Alexander Hamilton is
buried in the ceme-
tery on the Church
grounds. We then
visited the 911 Museum. The exhibits
and films left everyone present in a
ve ry
re fle ct ive
mood. All in all, it
was a most thought
provoking day.
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Past Event
Longwood Gardens
Amidst the sparkle and
glory of holiday decorations, the Conservatory
Ballroom was enhanced
by the glorious voices of
the Philadelphia Chorus
as hearts and souls were
warmed
and
smiles
abounded.
The superb
renditions of holiday music were the perfect end to
a magical evening.
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Save the Date
SILLY MAGIC SHOW
AMAZING!!!
HILARIOUS!!!!
BEYOND BELIEF!!!!!
A SPECIAL EVENT FOR CHILDREN
AGES 3-12
HOLD THE DATE – APRIL 17, 2016 1PM
OPEN TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, FRIENDS AND FAMILY
PRESENTED BY BRANDEIS HARMONY CHAPTER
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Save the Date
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Save The Date
I Remember Mama
June 22nd, 2016 - Two River Theatre
An American classic reborn, “I Remember Mama” is about a Norwegian working class family at
the turn of the century. The ongoing story of a loving Norwegian family living in San Francisco in
the 1910s through the eyes of the elder daughter, Katrin. Katrin would be seen looking through the
pages of the family album at the start of each episode with the opening narration:
"This old album makes me remember so many things in the past. San Francisco and the house on
Steiner Street where I was born. It brings back memories of my cousins, aunts, and uncles; all the
boys and girls I grew up with. And I remember my family as we were then. My brother Nels, my
little sister Dagmar, and of course, Papa. But most of all when I look back to those days so long ago,
most of all, I remember ... Mama."
On Wednesday, June 22nd, Brandies will be going to Two River Theater in Red Bank to see this acclaimed play.
This play is truly one to warm the spirit.
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Save the Date — July 21
Join us on July 21st for a visit to
Mandir, the Bochasanwasi Akshar
P u ru c h o tt a m S w a m in a r a ya n
Sanstha (BAPS) Shri Swaminarayan temple. This is the first phase
of what will be the world's largest
Hindu temple and it is located in
Robbinsville, NJ. The New Jersey
structure is made of Italian marble
-- more than 13,000 stones' worth,
according to BAPS -- which traveled first from Italy to India where
it received traditional carvings
from 2,000 artisans in Rajasthan before making the journey to New Jersey. The finished pieces were then assembled in New Jersey by a team of
master craftsmen.
We will tour this amazing temple and learn about the BAPS culture and religion. Lunch will follow.
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Save the Date - August 11, 2016
St Patrick’s Cathedral and Metropolitan Museum of Art
Cloaked in scaffolding inside
and out, St. Patrick’s Cathedral
underwent an extensive restoration begun in 2012 and lasted 3
years at a cost of $177 million. It
has been unveiled and we are
going to check it out. The 1878
Neo Gothic structure had it’s exterior marble cleaned, stained glass windows repaired,
and ceiling plastered, among other restorations.
“The Metropolitan Museum of
Art Costume Institute's spring
2016 exhibition will explore the
impact of new technology on
fashion, and how designers are
reconciling the handmade and
the machine-made in the creation of haute couture
and
avant-garde
ready-to-wear. The
exhibition will propose a new view in
which the hand
(manus) and the
machine (machina),
often presented as
oppositional,
are
equal protagonists.
With more than one
hundred ensembles,
dating
from
an
1880s are on display.”
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New Members
Cards For All Occasions
Francine Aufderheide
Flo Bolton
Addie Capaldo
Roslyn Eichenbaum
Nancy Schaen
Paula Seigel
Judy Wolff
The Book Fund
established by Brandeis University National Women’s Committee to help permit Brandeis
Scholars to keep current in their fields, and to support medical research and the Brandeis
Libraries.
$10.00 Louis D. Brandeis
Tribute Card
$18.00 Teak and Gold
Tribute Card
$35.00 Donation toward Learned Research Journal
A personalized card can be sent for you
To purchase cards in honor of a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary, a milestone
or to memorialize the passing of a loved one, please call Bobbi Schwinger at (732) 202-8550.
Thank You Book Fund Donors
Wendy Rahn, Joan Carr, Marcy Kupferman
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Notes
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.
The Brandeis National Committee has a Facebook page.
This page is a way to keep in touch with what is going on
at Brandeis National Committee.
The Facebook page is available to everyone and can be accessed at:
http//www:Facebook.com/BrandeisNationalCommittee
Changing Email Address or Phone Number?
Send new information to:
Emlamby@optonline.net
23
Elected Officers
Elected Officers
Presidents
Marlene Labelson
928-8831
Sochmar@aol.com
Sandra Tilis
792-3336
stilis@optonline.net
Corresponding Secretary
Amy Riggi
409-0286
abriggi@optonline.net
Membership/Financial Secretary
Emily Lambariello
534-4244
emlamby@optonline.net
Sheila Mendelsohn
833-4462
sheilaanddavid@verizon.net
Nominating Committee Chair
Martie Ross
534-6386
missesmross@gmail.com
Recording Secretary
Sharon Weiss
928-2296
jsw5148@aol.com
928-3297
Brandeislona@yahoo.com
Treasurer
Lona Steiner
Appointed Positions
and chairpersons
Appointed Positions and Chairpersons
Assistant Treasurer
Esther Hilzer
534-4481
eh404@aol.com
202-8550
norman31@optonline.net
Angie Troike
598-7648
aebusiness@aol.com
Pat Russo
928-2256
prusso210@optonline.net
Gladie Stein
833-8702
gladie@optonline.net
833-1565
pashkin@optonline.net
Book Fund
Bobbie Schwinger
Bulletin
Chief Financial Officer
Ruth Pashkin
Chief Information Officer
Judy Harris
833-4467
judyharris@optonline.net
Wendy Rahn
833-6808
Wendyra@Optonline.net
Gae Maurer
994-7002
gmmarino@aol.com
Communications
24
Appointed Positions and Chairpersons Continued
Community Service
Pat Emmerman
492-1060
paemmerman@gmail.com
Cindy Wasserlauf
536-9490
cindywas18@gmail.com
536-2927
Bunnymarin@gmail.com
Wendy Rahn
833-6808
wendyra@optonline.net
Linda Werner
276-53710
ldwerner@optonline.net
833-8126
yettacohen@optonline.net
Diane Ireland
483-4414
dianeireland@optonline.net
Lu Certo
428-7262
jcerto@comcast.net
Michele Sweifach
928-1345
michelego@optonline.net
Ilene Garlock
928-9571
garlocks@optonline.net
Arline Schubert
928-3073
Schooby1@aol.com
Contracts
Bunny Marin
Appointed positions
and chairpersons
Cultural
Member at Large
Yetta Cohen
Programming
Public Relations
Special Events/Fundraising
Marie Santoro
276-5393
mariesantoro@optonline.net
Vickie Vitale
252-6862
vvitale@optonline.net
Beverly Grush
928-7085
bevg123@optonline.net
Marcy Kupferman
928-2866
marcyannz@yahoo.com
Steffi Isaac
833-7414
sisaac@optonline.net
Study Guide
Past Presidents
Ilene Garlock
Beverly Grush
Sheila Mendelsohn
Gladie Stein
Marie Santoro
Emily Lambariello
Pat Russo
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