Presentation will be via ZOOM

Wednesday

10:00am - 11:00am

Returning to our LABMG virtual stage following his recent October 2021 presentation, Dr. Tranah this month will speak on how the uniqueness of certain persons can result in novel and revealing discoveries in science and human nature.

Dr. Tranah currently is the Executive Director of Precision Medicine at Sutter Health. He is also the Scientific Director of California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, and an Adjunct Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, at the University of California, San Francisco.

In his role as Director of Precision Medicine, Dr. Tranah oversees next-generation sequencing of primary tumors, tumor cell lines, circulating tumor DNA, and patient-derived tissues to identify genomic predictors of treatment response.

Guest Speaker: Dr William Estrada PhD, Curator of History of the Natural History Museum

Topic: The History of Exposition Park and the Present and Future of the Natural History Museum

As presented by guest speaker Dr. William Estrada, the final LABMG meeting of 2021 could not have been more interesting or entertaining!

A native Angeleno whose life and achievements mirror many of the changes occurring in Los Angeles during the the first half the 20th century, Dr. Estrada was clearly the right person to describe the history and development of Exposition Park and the Natural History Museum. His knowledgeable and animated presentation was an excellent ending to a year that has seen many trials and difficulties.

The final monthly meeting of 2021 was a catered breakfast affair, with all members and guests being vaccinated.

As Covid-19 and its variants continue to resist our struggle to regain normalcy, the first monthly meeting for the year 2022 finds the LABMG reluctantly returning to ZOOM.

As all surely understand, there is still considerable concern regarding the wisdom of large group gatherings, and therefore out of an abundance of caution we continue to gather by ZOOM until it is safe to do otherwise.

The Special Interest Groups (SIG) have long been a way for members to meet and socialize outside the bond of monthly breakfast meetings. Several SIGs have been affected by Covid-19 restrictions, but others are up and welcoming to any and all BMG members.

Members desiring to join a SIG, or desiring more information can contact Bernie Schiffer at 1-323-855-1789, or at email schiffer_b@yahoo.com

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

WESTSIDE WALKING GROUP

The Westside Walking Group is continuing weekly perambulations each Thursday morning at 9:30am in Palisades Park near the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Marguerita Avenue, Santa Monica. Members walk to the Fairmont-Miramar Hotel near Wilshire Boulevard, then mask up before going inside for conversation, coffee, and cookies while sitting outside next to the koi pool. The one-way distance of these excursions is less than a mile. For additional information please contact Bernie Schiffer at phone 1-323-855-1789, or email schiffer_b@yahoo.com.

The Current Events Group has resumed meeting in person at 10:00am, on the third Tuesday of each month. Discussion is moderated by SIG chairman Louis Bernstein. Members are expected to be vaccinated to attend. For additional information please contact Louis at phone 1-310-275-7736, or email at louislaw@aol.com.

The Legal SIG is back in court and convening monthly. Any members wanting to sit in jury, or needing more information, should contact SIG host Michael Goldberg at phone 1-310-968-3068, or email: mlgoldberg@msn.com. This is a vaccinated, well-attended group and no prior legal background is required.

Members of the Chess SIG have been meeting and playing chess via ZOOM. Anyone interested in joining this group are encouraged to contact Howard Green at 1-310-429-7721, or email at howbetgren@aol.com.

The Sports Discussion SIG is temporarily on hiatus awaiting the return to health of host John Harris.

The Brandeis Men's Group has a number of Special Interest Groups (SIG) which are either meeting in person, 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 10:38 AM, the meeting of the Steering Committee (BSC) of the Brandeis Men’s Group (BMG), was called to order by President Louis Bernstein. A quorum was recognized.

2. Attendees: Randy Barnes, Louis Bernstein, Al Dubin, Sheldon Ellis, Michael Goldberg, John Harris, Murray Kornblit, Mel Miller, Gerry Sallus, Bernie Schiffer, Bernie Schneier, Stan Weinberg and Jerry Weinstein.

Absentees: Arnie Geffner, Howard Green, Phil Greenwald, Harold Katzman Bernie Schweitzer. Bernd Givon, and Richard Hirschkoff.

3. There was no Quorum in attendance at the BSC meeting on November 24, 2021. So, no actions were taken. The Minutes of that meeting were informally recognized.

4. Treasurer Bernie Schneier gave his report and noted that we have only 35 dues-paying BMG members. There were 33 members and one guest at our November 17, 2021, General Meeting, and 22 members and ladies at our December 22, 2021, General Meeting.

5. Bernie reported that Irwin Levin had re-joined BMG. Bernie and Gerry Sallus explained the rental obligation for our Culver City Veterans’ Memorial Center meeting room. Michael Poizner and Elliot Silverstein resigned from their BMG memberships.

6. A Motion was made, seconded, and discussed. It was to provide a complimentary breakfast an enticement to members whose dues are in arrears. Upon a vote, the Motion failed.

7. A Motion was made, seconded and discussed. It was to extend a “Special Breakfast Invitation” to BMG members whose dues are lapsed. Upon a vote, the Motion failed.

8. Harold Katzman, Speakers Committee Chairman, was absent, and President Louis announced that the Speaker for the January 2022 General Meeting had not been selected. Secretary Sheldon noted that the lead-time for publication of free Public Service Announcements in the Jewish Journal and Beverly Hills Courier is about three weeks. If the January 2022 Speaker is not timely reported to him, we will not have such publicity in that month.

9. A Motion was made, seconded, and discussed. It was to have our January 2022 General Meeting by Zoom. Upon a vote, the Motion failed. A discussion ensued in which it was determined that President Bernstein, in consultation with Murray Kornblit, will decide whether or not the January 2022 General Meeting is to be held in-person or by Zoom.

10. Bernie Schiffer, Chair of BMG Special Interest Groups (SIG), reported the group status as follows.

11. New Buisness: Motion was made, seconded, and discussed. It was to exclude from SIG meetings any BMG member who has not paid his dues. Upon a vote, the Motion carried.

12. John Harris, Chair of the Sports Watching SIG, presented invitation to attend its meeting on Monday, January 10, at 5:00 PM at the residence of member Jerry Weinstein. The charge is $25.00 for catered deli dinner, drinks and watching the College Championship football game on TV. Booster Shots are required!

13. Stan Weinberg, Telephone Committee Chair, reported on the efforts of his nine-man committee. Stan also oversees BMG Caterer’s affairs. He reported that the substitute caterer in December was without incident. Bernie Schiffer asked for regular eMail announcements of our General Meetings to be sent in addition to Telephone Committee contacts

14. Old Business: Murray Kornblit reported that his efforts to have a new BMG Meta Page are on hold because of technical problems.

15. New Business: President Louis appointed Murray Kornblitt as Chair of the new BMG Publicity Committee and Jerry Weinstein as Co-Chair. A Motion was made, seconded, and discussed. It was to increase the price of our monthly breakfasts from $15.00 to $20.00. The Motion was amended to provide for a free monthly breakfast to each BMG member who brings a prospective member to a General Meeting and to that Member, as well. As

amended, the Motion carried.

16. Gerry Sallus informed us that the January 2022 General Meeting will not be held in the Garden Room. Instead, the Meeting will be in a alternative room.

17. Good and Welfare: None

18. Meeting adjourned at 11:30.

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.

Note:  There will be a charge of $18 for the Feb. and March meetings, sponsored by BNC, LA Chapter.

All members are reminded that in order to belong to the Los Angeles Brandeis Men's Group (BMG - annual dues $50), one must first join the Brandeis National Committee (BNC - annual single dues $60).

1. Write a check made out to BNC for $60 (single membership) or $100 (couple) and send to Treasurer Bernie Schneier.

Your BMG annual dues in the amount of $50 are also expected for Los Angeles Brandeis Men's Group members, and can be mailed to our Treasurer. If there are any questions please contact Treasurer Bernie Schneier. 

Nota Bene: This year the BMG dues have been increased to $50 per annum. The additional amount allows a member to participate in as many SIG's as desired, without incurring additional fees. All funds support Brandeis University.