NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2021
Volume XXV - Issue 6
Dear Friends,

It is said, “Be careful what you wish for.” Well, I’m throwing caution to the winds and I am going to wish for an exciting new year for our Brandeis Chapter. In a previous message I mentioned my prescient self -- foreseeing good things ahead. It seems that I am an excellent prognosticator.

On October 5th we had a Wine and Cheese party at the lovely home of Barbara and Bob Friedman. Everyone who came was properly vaccinated and attendance was so large that the party moved out into the backyard. The food and flowers made a wonderful display and the wine flowed freely. It was so good to be with our members in person instead of on a small screen. We all agreed that our opening event was a success.
October 26 was our season kick off Showcase Luncheon at the Renaissance Hotel in Indian Wells. Personally speaking, I had a wonderful time greeting our members and seeing a number of new faces. Chalk up another well-attended event! The fashion show from City Lites was charming and the socializing provided a real feeling that life is slowly returning to normal.
On November 19 Brandeis of the Desert invited members and prospective members to a Coffee Meet and Great at the elegant home of Gail Minkow and Bob Meyers. Board member Jean Carrus was our informative guest speaker. No one tells our Brandeis story better. We had a full capacity attendance including quite a number of new members. Carol Radin, Vice President in charge of study groups, spoke and was bombarded with questions about available groups. No one left the event hungry for food or information. I confess, I had to restrain myself at the sweet table.
We are currently in the planning stages for the rest of our year. We still don’t know about UNIVERSITY ON WHEELS, an annual January event provided by Brandeis National Committee. We may have to meet on Zoom…as soon as we know, we will announce to our membership.
I want to wish all our members and new friends a very happy and healthy holiday season.

Charlene Williamson
President, Brandeis Desert Chapter

ADDENDUM:  I never thought that I would have to add a “cancellation clause” to my messages. We have been planning some wonderful events for the last few months in the hope that we could continue to enjoy getting together as before. With new Covid mutations arriving with frightening frequency we realize… our well-planned occasions are subject to change. Please bear with us as we navigate these difficult times.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Monday, February 21, 2022, 10:00 am.
Annual General Meeting/Speaker at home of Gail Baum. Look for flyer in January.

Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Book and Author Mystery Writers Luncheon at Omni Hotel. Flyer coming soon!

Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Luminary Brunch to honor past President, Marcia Plumleigh. Venue to be determined. More information in a few weeks.

Please note: All dates are subject to change due to Covid restrictions.
DON'T DELAY! Now is the time to renew your membership for 2021-2022.

For those who are not yet members, we invite you to join our Brandeis Desert Chapter and participate in our upcoming events and study groups. To pay with a credit card, click here. To pay by check, click below to use our Brandeis Desert Chapter Membership Form. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Questions about membership: Call Eleanor Blank, 818/645-4193 or email eleanorblank1@gmail.com.
JOIN A STUDY GROUP!

Most of our groups are functioning well with some meeting in person and others still on Zoom. As soon as our membership grows significantly we can form new groups.

Currently there are openings in book groups, both fiction and non fiction, current events, both evening and afternoon, an afternoon film group, writing about our lives, and Yiddish. We are taking a list for a new Ted Talks group.

If you are interested in any of these please contact: Carol Radin, 805-630-3026.
Some scenes from Brandeis 2021
Beverly Ross organized our first event of the season, lunch at El Corso.

It was so great to finally see our friends in person.
Barbara and Bob Friedman graciously hosted our Wine and Cheese Event at their lovely home in September.
Maddi Murphy, Susie Kaye, Carol Radin and Beverly Troop (not pictured) did a great job modeling City Lites clothing at our Showcase Luncheon.
Celebrating a birthday, milestone or looking for the best way to honor the memory of a loved one? Brandeis National Committee offers Tribute Cards
from $10-$500. Your donation goes towards education opportunities, scientific advancements, and supporting the Brandeis Libraries.

To donate directly through the BNC Desert Chapter, CLICK HERE for the
mail-in form. You can choose to donate using a credit card through Brandeis,
by clicking the link within the form. That link will also provide information on other giving opportunities.

Honoring Our History -- Transforming Unique Collections Highlighting Social Justice
BNC is returning to its roots!

We are proud to announce that our new campaign will support the Brandeis library.

In light of increasing anti-Semitism, restrictions on immigration, and institutionalized sexism, the unique collections at the Brandeis libraries that speak to such topics are more important than ever. Providing electronic access to these materials will help to preserve the originals while inviting new forms of digital scholarship and ensuring global and continuous access to our valuable, one-of-a kind research collections.