September 2020 e-Mail Edition
Our Website: www.bncla.org 

Our e-Mail: labrandeismensgroup@gmail.com
SEPTEMBER 12TH ZOOM GENERAL MEETING
Presentation is via ZOOM

!!! Saturday !!!
September 12, 2020
9:30am - 10:30am

Here's the Link to Join ZOOM Meeting:
Meeting ID: 9297136474
Password: 037932

Guest Speaker: Representative Mike Bonin
Representative - Los Angeles City Council District 11.
Chairman - Los Angeles City Council Transportation Committee.
Member - LA County Transportation Authority Board of Directors.

Topic: Homelessness in Los Angeles

Representative Bonin has been District 11 representative since 2013, being re-elected in 2017. Prior to 1996, he worked as a reporter in Massachusetts and Los Angeles, and subsequently served on the staffs of former L.A. City Councilmembers Ruth Galanter and Bill Rosendahl. He is considered a Progressive Democrat, and has been active in environmental and transportation issues, as well as seeking solutions to the problem of homelessness in L.A.

The September BMG ZOOM meeting will be on a Saturday in order to accommodate Representaive Bonin's busy schedule.
OCTOBER 7TH ZOOM GENERAL MEETING

Presentation is via ZOOM

Wednesday
October 7, 2020
9:30am - 11:00am

Here's the Link to Join ZOOM Meeting:
Meeting ID: 9297136474
Password: 037932

Guest Speaker: Howard Slavin
Topic: "So, You Want to be an NFL Referee!"

Howard Slavin is a retired lawyer in Los Angeles. As a high school defensive back and running back, Howard hoped to play football at USC during his freshman year, but quickly decided he was neither big enough nor good enough to play at that level. His love of the game, however, led to coaching youngsters in the Pop Warner football leagues where he first learned how to be a football official.

Howard started officiating football in the mid-1970's, beginning at the Pop Warner junior level then moving steadily upward to high school, junior college, small colleges, and the Pac-10 Conference.

In 1987, he was hired by the NFL and spent the next 29 years as a Side Judge and Replay official for the NFL, retiring in 2016. In 2002, he officiated at Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans. That exciting contest between the New England Patriots and the then Saint Louis Rams ended with the Patriots winning 20-17 on a last-second field goal.

Due to a knee injury Howard later retired from on-field judging, but was asked to continue until 2016 as a NFL Replay Official.

Aside from officiating, Howard is also an instrument-rated private pilot.
He has been selected numerous times as a "Super Lawyer" in California!
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP ACTIVITIES
HISTORY SIG

The History SIG is hosted by Arnie Geffner. He is currently using ZOOM to discuss the topic of the Mongol Empire. These meetings occur on a Tuesday of each month and consist of a video presentation followed by lively discussion and commentary. For more information, check with Arnie at 1-310-839-3235, or email arniegeff@aol.com 
WESTSIDE WALKING GROUP

The Westside Walking Group is up and walking again. The group meets in Santa Monica at 10:00am on Tuesday of each week. These casual hikes begin near the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Marguerita Avenue in Palisades Park, and continue to the Fairmont-Miramar Hotel near Wilshire Bouledvard. for coffee and conversation. When everyone is ready, the walkers get up and return to the starting point. Total distance is about 1.75 miles. For additional information please contact Gerry Sallus at phone 1-310-5592536, or email gsallus@twc.com.
CURRENT EVENTS GROUP #1 SIG (ZOOM)

The Current Events Group #1 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 louislaw@aol.com.
LEGAL SIG

The Legal SIG is currently in recess, but normally meets at 1:00 pm on the fourth Thursday of each month at the residence of Marvin Alperin. This very popular group is moderated by Constitutional Law expert Harold Orchid who presents notable legal cases for discussion and debate. Marvin's goal is to reconvene the SIG via ZOOM. Members interested in joining the Legal SIG should contact Marvin Alperin at phone: 1-323-931-7172, or email: marvinalperin@gmail.com
CHESS SIG

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.
SPORTS DISCUSSION SIG

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.
MEN'S INTEREST GROUPS
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES 
The Brandeis Men's Group has many "Special Interest Groups" (SIG) which are either meeting via ZOOM, planning to meet via ZOOM, or anticipating an imminent return to normalcy. To find out more about the various groups, or to suggest adding new ones, contact Marv Alperin (1-323-931-7172), or the individual group chairman below.
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
BRANDEIS MEN’S GROUP STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES
 
Wednesday August 26, 2020
 
1.  At approximately 10:00 AM, the August ZOOM meeting was called to order by President Louis Bernstein.

2.  Attendance.
Present: Louis Bernstein, Harold Katzman, Howard Green, Jerry Weinstein, Mel Miller, Richard HIrschkoff, Bernie Schiffer, Marvin Alperin, Sheldon Ellis, Bernd Givon, John Harris, Stan Weinberg, Randy Barnes, Bernie Schneier, Murray Kornblitt, Myron Forst, Arnie Geffner, Tony Borwick, Phil Greenwald, and Stephen Vener.
Absences: Gerry Sallus.

3.  The Treasurer, Bernie Schneier, gave his report, and noted that the Men's Group currently has 70 members.

4.  A discussion, led by Bernie Schiffer ensued concerning potential speakers for future General Meetings. City Councilman Mike Bonin was suggested as a choice for September, and former NFL referee Howard Slavin would be the speaker for October.

5.  John Harris reported that a Sports Discussion SIG would be starting soon via ZOOM. The Legal SIG chaired by Marvin Alperin will be reconvening as soon as moderator Harold Orchid is able to update his computer. The Chess SIG with Howard Green is ongoing. The Westside Walking Group anticipates a revival within a couple of weeks. Arnie Geffner reported that the History SIG will soon commence lessons via ZOOM. Myron Forst reported that he is playing Bridge on-line.

6.  The Telephone Committee, chaired by Stan Weinberg, was once again recognized for its efforts.

7.  President Bernstein assigned Randy Barnes to be in charge of publicity and to explore ways of contacting local media outlets to advertise the group.

8. Under New Business, Tony Borwick recommended volunteering for "Reclaim Out Vote", a non-partisan organization that seeks to get citizens out to vote.

9. The President announced the next ZOOM meeting of the Steering Committee would be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, September 23, 2020.

10. The meeting was adjourned shortly after 11:00 AM.
BNC - WOMEN
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
BRANDEIS NATIONAL COMMITTEE (BNC)

Greetings from Brandeis National Committee - LA Chapter! 

WOMEN GENERAL MEETING CALENDAR 2020
(subject to change)
 
Following a return to pre-Covid19 normalcy, the BNC women will meet on the 4th Thursday of each month, 10:00am, in the Annex room of Temple Akiba in Culver City. Contact Ruth Rose, 1-323-651-1833.

  • September - No ZOOM General Meeting.
  • September 18 (Friday) - A Happy and Healthy New Year 5781.
  • September 27 (Sunday) - Yom Kippur "Day of Atonement".
  • October 11 ( Friday) - League of Women Voters to Review Election Propositions.
  • November 3 (Tuesday) - Get Out and Vote!
  • November 22 (Sunday) - To be Determined.
  • December 17 (Thursday) - Holiday Party.
BNC Mission – The Brandeis National Committee is dedicated to providing philanthropic support tp 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. 
**JOIN US AND BRING A FRIEND**
DUES...DUES...DUES...DUES...DUES...DUES
2020 - 2021
All members are reminded that in order to belong to the Los Angeles Brandeis Men's Group (BMG), one must first join the Brandeis National Committee (BNC). The Brandeis National Committee previously sent notices for the 2020 - 2021 annual dues.

BNC membership is July 1 - June 30 of each year. Membership dues can be paid either 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), by forwarding the BNC check to Brandeis University (at their below address), or by going online (link is below).
 
Brandeis University
MS122
415 South Street
Waltham, MA 02453
Phone 1-781-736-7767
The quickest way to renew BNC membership is by going online:
 
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. 
 
Bernie Schneier
311 Bora Bora Way, #204
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
 
And for each SIG, the yearly amount is $10, paid to the appropriate SIG chairman!
 
Let's support our BMG and BNC by paying our annual dues!!!