Presentation will be via ZOOM

Wednesday

10:00am - 11:00am

Guest Speaker: Emily Lindsey, PhD

Topic: "Climate Change and Extinction Events"

Dr. Emily Lindsey is Assistant Curator and Excavation Site Director at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, and Adjunct Faculty in the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at UCLA. 

Presentation was via ZOOM

 Wednesday

Topic: "Up All Night - Ted Turner, CNN, and the Birth of 24 Hour News"

The Los Angeles Brandeis Men's Group (LABMG) was pleased and honored to have journalist and author Lisa Napoli give a most interesting presentation on Ted Turner and the origins of the Cable News Network (CNN).

This was another example of the excellent monthly speakers that the BMG continues to bring to our members via ZOOM.

Tyler Hill is the recipient of the 2020 - 2021 BNC LA Men's Group Endowed Fellowship in Neuroscience.

"I chose Brandeis Neuroscience because I knew that the program and department put out world-class research and train world-class scientists, but still maintain a small-school setting. The Brandeis neuroscience program is special because it has such a wide range of projects, from molecular to behavioral, and a very collaborative environment that allows students to interact with and explore many scientific avenues."

"Receiving fellowship support means the world to me. It means that there are people who believe in me and the research that I'm doing, and are willing to give their monetary support. I do not take that lightly, and it inspires me to work even harder to answer the questions that fascinate me. It also means that my lab has more money to spend on making our research run smoothly. I really appreciate the support that I have been given. It is a true honor."

The Investment SIG is up and running and welcoming any and all BMG members. The meetings are being conducted via ZOOM under the capable stewardship of Myron Forst.

Members desiring to join or wishing for more information can contact Myron Forst at 310-925-8996, or at email myronvending@yahoo.com

The History SIG is being rejuvenated and will be hosted by Louis Bernstein. For more information, check with Louis at 1-310-275-7736 or email louislaw@icloud.com 

WESTSIDE WALKING GROUP

The Westside Walking Group is back on track and has resumed its weekly strolls. The BMG saddles up in Palisades Park each Thursday morning at 9:30am, near the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Marguerita Avenue in Santa Monica. Members walk down to the Fairmont-Miramar Hotel near Wilshire Boulevard for coffee, conversation, and (sometimes) bagels or pastries. Once everyone is finished, the members return to the trailhead. The round-trip distance of these excursions is less than 1.75 miles. For additional information please contact Gerry Sallus at phone 1-310-559-2536, or email gsallus@twc.com.

The Current Events Group meets via ZOOM at 10:00am, on the third Tuesday of each month. Discussion is moderated by SIG chairman Louis Bernstein. For additional information please contact Louis at phone 1-310-275-7736, or email at louislaw@aol.com.

The Legal SIG is currently in recess due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, members wanting more information, or who may be interested in joining the Legal SIG, can contact Bernie Schiffer at phone: 1-323-855-1789, or email: schiffer_b@yahoo.com

Myron Forst and members of the Chess SIG have been meeting and playing chess via ZOOM. Members interested in joining this group are encouraged to contact Myron at 1-310-923-8996, or email at myronvending@yahoo.com.

The Sports Discussion SIG held its first meeting via ZOOM on Monday, September 7th. Members interested in joining should contact John Harris at phone 1-323-650-0664, or email jdhesq@sbcglobal.net.

The Brandeis Men's Group has a number of "Special Interest Groups" (SIG) which are either meeting via ZOOM, planning to meet via ZOOM, or anticipating an eventual return to normalcy. To find out more about the various groups, or to suggest adding new ones, contact Bernie Schiffer (1-323-855-1789), or the individual group chairman below.

 1. At 10:04 AM, the Zoom meeting of the BMG Steering Committee (BSC) was

called to order by President Louis Bernstein. A quorum was established.

2. Louis Bernstein, Al Dubin, Sheldon Ellis, Arnie Geffner, Bernd Givon, Mike

Goldberg, Howard Green, Phil Greenwald, John Harris, Harold Katzman, Bernie Schiffer, Bernie Schneier, Stan Weinberg and Jerry Weinstein were present. Absences were Randy Barnes, Murray Kornblit, Mel Miller, Gerry Sallus, Bernie Schweitzer, Marv Alperin, Tony Borwick, Myron Forst, and Richard Hirschkoff.

3. President Bernstein commended Secretary Sheldon Ellis for promptly distributing the minutes. The minutes from Wednesday, February 24, 2021, were then approved.

4. President Bernstein introduced Mike Goldberg whom the President sponsored for BSC membership. Mike told us about his involvement with the Northern Virginia Chapter of BNC, and his group of neighbors who helped Senior Citizens.

5. Treasurer Bernie Schneier gave his report. Bernie’s report was accepted.

6. Bernie Schiffer, chairman of the Special Interests Group (SIG), reported the present status of our various SIGs: the Current Events, Chess, Investments, Opera, and Walking groups are active. The History group will soon be reactivated by President Bernstein, but the Legal group is not active. A discussion then ensued about possible new SIGs for Computers, Outings and Theatre. Bernie’s report was approved.

7. President Bernstein raised the topic of resuming in-person General Meetings with potential arrangements for Zoom speakers provided by BNC with an $18.00 charge. President Bernstein tabled this discussion pending more information about the subject from BNC.

8. President Bernstein complimented and thanked Harold Katzman, chairman of the Speakers Committee, for his excellent efforts to obtain speakers for our General Meetings. Harold announced the Speaker for the April 21, 2021, General Meeting is Doctor Emily Lindsey, Assistant Curator and Excavation Site Director at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. Her topic will be, "Climate Change and Extinction Events."

9. President Bernstein commended Stan Weinberg, Chair of the Telephone Committee. Stan reported that his Committee members tried to elicit suggestions for General Meeting Speakers from our members, but there was no response. Stan also contacted our caterer, who is ready for the next in-person General Meeting scheduled for September, 2021. Stan’s report was approved.

10. No old business.

11. New Business. President Bernstein instructed the Membership Committee to contact all BMG members by eMail and postcards to invite them to join us in our General Meetings.

12. President Bernstein adjourned the meeting at 11:06 AM.

BNC Mission

The 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.

Following a return to its pre-pandemic schedule, the BNC women will meet on the 4th Thursday of each month, 10:00am, in the Annex room of Temple Akiba in Culver City.

With ZOOM meetings, emails, and phone chats, members will stay connected as a chapter, and get through this challenging year.

BNC membership is July 1 - June 30 of each year. Membership dues can be paid by writing a check made out to BNC for $60 (single) or $100 (couple) and sending to Treasurer Bernie Schneier (address below in BMG section). National dues can also be paid by forwarding the BNC check to Brandeis University at their below address, or by going online (link is below).

Annual dues in the amount of $30 are also expected for Los Angeles Brandeis Men's Group (BMG) members. If there are any questions please contact Treasurer Bernie Schneier. If you haven't paid yet, please remit a check made out to BMG for the sum of $30, and send to Bernie. 

And for each SIG, the yearly amount is $10, paid to the appropriate SIG chairman!