the
update
F E B R U A RY - A P R I L 2 0 1 6
BNC Los Angeles
invites you to hear
The Hollywood
Reporter Awards
Journalist
Scott Feinberg, ’08,
on Feb. 25, 2016
9:30 meeting
Westside Pavilion, Room A.
Scott Feinberg, ’08, is one of Hollywood’s most widely read and trusted awards analysts,
covering all things Oscars, Emmys and Tonys. He has served as the awards columnist for
The Hollywood Reporter since 2011 — his THR blog “The Race” recently won the Los Angeles
Press Club’s National Entertainment Journalism Award for best entertainment blog — prior
to which he served in the same capacity at the Los Angeles Times and his own website,
ScottFeinberg.com. Scott has built one of the world’s best track records at forecasting the
Oscars, so join us the week before the Academy Awards!
FEBRUARY - APRIL 2016 | BRANDEIS UPDATE | 1
Hanukkah Party December 2015
With Diane Jublier’s Lights, Music and Songs
LOU BERNSTEIN
JANUARY SPEAKER
‘STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON’
Louis Bernstein, member of the Men’s Group, lawyer,
actor, opera devotee, was our Speaker for January
Meeting. He discussed the exciting film STRAIGHT
OUTTA COMPTON and recommends we see the film
to learn about the music, the people who made the
music and life at that period in Compton.
2
Co-Chairman
Bernie Schneier
Bernie Schiffer
Presidium:
Ruth Getzoff
310.470.1017 rgetzoff@verizon.net
Treasurer
Bob Margolis
Roberta Kampner
310.277.6322 ducksgalor@sbcglobal.net
Secretary
Louis Bernstein
Interest Groups
John Harris
Mimi Rotter
310-479-0259
mimirotter@hotmail.com
Trips
Rich Cohn
Joan Satt
310.657.8257
jsrecycle@sbcglobal.net
Newsletter
Richard Cohn
Beverley Wiener
818.386.0134 grandmabeverley@gmail.com
Shirley Pollock, Advisor
310.659.8883 shrlmar@roadrunner.com
Telephone
Alan Gottschalk
Membership
Arnie Geffner
Vice Presidents:
Book Fund:
Beverley Wiener (Tribute Cards)
818.386.0134 grandmabeverley@gmail.com
Membership:
Joan Satt
310.657.8257
jsrecycle@sbcglobal.net
Beverley Wiener
818.386.0134 grandmabeverley@gmail.com
Special Interest Trips:
TBA
Study Groups:
Rehla Schneier (Book Groups)
310.827.4930
bschneier@yahoo.com
Steering Committee
Bob Bienfeld
Louis Bernstein
Abe Cohen
Richard Cohn
Arnie Geffner
Alan Gottschalk
Dick Harmetz
John Harris
Irv Kierman
Bob Margolis
Victor Penso
George Rothman
Gerry Sallus
Harold Savinar
Bernie Schiffer
Bernard Schneier
Al Wilner
IN THIS ISSUE:
1
COVER: FEBRUARY MEETING SPEAKER
2
HANUKKAH PARTY
LOU BERNSTEIN - DECEMBER SPEAKER
3
LIST OF OFFICERS, MEN’S GROUP & UPDATE TABLE OF CONTENTS
4
PRESIDIUM MESSAGE
UNIVERSITY ON WHEELS
5
UNIVERSITY ON WHEELS
IN MEMORIAM
6
BRANDEIS NEWS
SUNDAY ON THE TOWN
BRANDEIS DINERS
7
ART VENTURES GROUP
CURRENT ISSUES GROUP
8
SAVE THE DATE
CALENDAR
T H E U P D AT E
IS THE OFFICIAL
Jean Cohen (Current Issues)
310.397.6209 jcohenlwv@aol.com
PUBLICATION OF THE
BRANDEIS NATIONAL
COMMITTEE, LOS ANGELES
Helene Friedman (Film)
310.657.7551
lalahelene.gmail.com
WEBSITE:
WWW.BNCLA.ORG
Secretaries:
Roberta Kampner (Financial)
310.277.6322 ducksgalor@sbcglobal.net
UPDATE EDITOR:
Shirley Pollock
Nancy Pollock
Jave Tripp
Esther Cooperband (Recording)
310.393.6168 estherrc@yahoo.com
Treasurer:
Flossy Liebman
310.824.4126 grammyflos@aol.com
Fund Raising
Irv Kierman
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Brandeis Men's Group LA
OFFICERS FOR 2015 - 2016:
PROOFREADERS:
Ruth Getzoff
Beverley Wiener
FEBRUARY - APRIL 2016 | BRANDEIS UPDATE | 3
Message from the Presidium
“UNIVERSITY ON WHEELS” EVENT A HUUUUGE SUCCESS!
Applause, applause to Sylvia Crasnick and Jo Kierman, co-chairs of UNIVERSITY ON WHEELS, and
their committee, Roberta Kampner-Reservations, Joan Satt and Beverly Padway-Centerpieces, Gloria
Stone and Marilyn Goldman, Registrars, Mimi Rotter, plus many Hostesses. This day of learning, January
6, 2016, was a smashing success!
Despite El Nino, only 5 persons from our reserved list could not get there. We had 100+ men and women
happy to be able to attend.
The room looked gorgeous, all blue and white. The centerpieces were baskets filled with food for SOVA
(Feeding the Hungry and the Homeless, via Jewish Federation)...all wrapped in clear cellophane...
stunning.
Our speaker, Professor Joyce Antler was outstanding; a wonderful presentation with slide show depicting
Jewish Comedians from Sophie Tucker to Sarah Silverman. It was really well received by our adult
students, who loved their teacher and the seminar.
The Skirball Center Continental Breakfast and Poached Salmon Luncheon food was gorgeous to look at
and delicious to eat! Everybody raved about everything. Our thanks to Caterer Susie.
But the icing on the cake was that one of our members, David Kavner, donated a large check for a Matching
Gifts Campaign...and we raised a good amount of money for Brandeis University SCHOLARSHIPS!
Joyce Krasnow, former National President BNC, conducted the Pledge Drive.
So, all in all, we had a really great University on Wheels and successful campaign for Scholarships.
Same place, same time, next year, UNIVERSITY ON WHEELS...... you won’t want to miss it.
Shirley Pollock for the Presidium: Ruth Getzoff, Roberta Kampner, Mimi Rotter, Joan Satt, and Beverley Wiener
UNIVERSITY ON WHEELS 2016 with Professor Joyce Antler
4
UNIVERSITY ON WHEELS 2016 with Professor Joyce Antler
Our appreciation to Bernie Pollock for the UoW photos
IN MEMORIAM
DAVID KAVNER
April 4, 1917 – February 1, 2016
Brandeis University and BNC Los Angeles Chapter lost a very dear friend with
the passing of David Kavner. 98 years and 10 months old – David did not go
gently into that good night. Nobody loved life more. The best Husband, Father,
Grandfather, Uncle and Friend ever. He will be so sorely missed.
Donations in his name may be made to Brandeis University, c/o Shirley Pollock,
8883 Collingwood Dr., Los Angeles CA 90069.
FEBRUARY - APRIL 2016 | BRANDEIS UPDATE | 5
BRANDEIS NEWS
BRANDEIS NEWS: SERIOUS ABOUT SIRI AND ADAM CHEYER, ‘88
Adam Cheyer, ’88, developed the first prototype for Siri, the voice-activated personal
assistant now found on Apple products like the iPhone, twenty years ago, at the
nonprofit research institute SRI International. Then in 2003 it evolved as part of the
largest artificial-intelligence project in U.S. history. In 2007, SRI spun off Siri Inc. to
commercialize the technology for consumers. It went public in 2008 and was purchased
by Steve Jobs for Apple in 2010 for between $100-200 million dollars.
Cheyer has recently become interested in harnessing computer technology for social change and was part of the
founding team at Change.org, the world’s largest online petition platform.
Coffee Bean Flour: Brandeis’ newest invention since Smart Balance
Two decades ago,Brandeis biophysicist Dan Perlman ‘68
and nutritionist K.C. Hayes developed the “healthy fats”
blend in the buttery spread, Smart balance. Perlman has
now come up wiuth a new invention - the parbaked coffee
bean. According to Perlman, this method of rasting green
coffee beans enhances the health benefits of coffee. Perlman is developing the flour milled from parabaked beans
both as a food
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG VISITS CAMPUS TO CELEBRATE
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF LOUIS BRANDEIS ‘ NOMINATION TO THE SUPREME COURT
On Thursday, Jan. 28 -- a hundred years to the day that Brandeis
University’s namesake Louis D. Brandeis was nominated to the nation’s
highest court -- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg spoke to
more than 2,500 gathered at Brandeis about his legacy and continued
influence on public discourse and American jurisprudence.
SUNDAY ON THE TOWN
March 13, 2016
CRAFT AND FOLK ART MUSEUM
5814 Wilshire Blvd.
A self-guided tour of two interesting Exhibits
BRANDEIS DINERS
Going into its sixth year, members of our Dining Around Town are usually gathering on the second Thursday for an
evening of good food and friends. Recent dinners have been at The Main Course in West L.A., Bedford and Burns in
Beverly Hills and Javan Restaurant.
Attendance varies from 20 to 25 and the cost from $35 to $45 which includes tax and tip. Members are responsible for
chairing or co-chairing a dinner every two years.
Jean Cohen • jcohenlwv@aol.com
6
Art Ventures Group
This exciting Special Interests Group is facilitated by Andrea Swerdlow and Marian Price. There are two sessions left and then
you may register for next year, 2016-2017. They have met with outstanding artists this year, a great success.
Current Issues Group #7
This Study Group would like to thank Manager Paul, at Restaurant Louise’s on Pico, for his kindnesses and consideration at
their monthly meetings.
Photos by Marian Price
FEBRUARY - APRIL 2016 | BRANDEIS UPDATE | 7
Brandeis National Committee
Los Angeles Chapter
2816 Tilden Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90064
ADDRESS SERVICE
REQUESTED
Brandeis National Committee
Los Angeles Chapter
2816 Tilden Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90064
ADDRESS SERVICE
REQUESTED
BNC
at
GENERAL MEETINGS are held at 9:30 am at Westside PavilCALENDAR
ion, Room A on the FOURTH Thursday of each
month except
General
Meetings are
General Meeting
in November and December when it is heldopen
on the to
THIRD
all members,
Thursday. We welcome all members ! Coffee and Refreshand we welcome your
ments before speaker.
General Meeting
2012
bncla.org
Thursday, February 25
Scott Steinberg, ‘08 The Hollywood Reporter
Thursday, March 24
attendance at 9:30
Christine Maasdam, Wondrous Jewish Art
a.m., the 4th Thursday
General Meeting
Thursday, Aprl 28
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: PLEASE
of each month,
WestReading of the Play by Theatre 40
NOTIFY US IF YOU CHANGE
YOUR
side Pavilion, Room A.
General Meeting
Thursday, May 26
HOME ADDRESS, E-MAIL ADDRESS
Dr. Jeffrey Penso, Member of the Men’s Group, Jewish life in Cuba
OR PHONE NUMBER.
M I S Thursday,
S I June
O 23N S T A T E M E N T
INSTALLATION
We would be lost without you! Write or
Venue to
be announced
Brandeis National
Committee
is dedicated to providing philanthropic supcall Flossy Liebman, 310-824-4126
General Meetings are
port to Brandeis University, a distinguished liberal arts and research Unigrammyflos@aol.com
open to all members,
BNC
at
2012
and we welcome your
UPDATE MAILING NEWS
attendance at 9:30
Keeping up with the times, and in order
to 4th Thursday
a.m., the
save money for our cause, we will continue
of each month, Westto send future Updates via e-mail. side
DO WE
Pavilion, Room A.
HAVE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS?
If you wish hardcopies, please send check
for $12.00, payable to BNC, and mail to
Flossy Liebman, 947 Tiverton Avenue, #715,
L.A., CA., 90024 for copies, July 2015 - July
2016.
8
Bring
SOVA
Food
to All
BNC
events
bncla.org
versity founded by the American Jewish community. Its membership is
the values on which the University was founded: academic excellence,
social justice, nonsectarianism and service to the community.
M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T
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
the values on which the University was founded: academic excellence,
social justice, nonsectarianism and service to the community.