Presentation is via ZOOM

Wednesday

10:00am - 11:00am

Here's the Link to Join this ZOOM Meeting:

Guest Speaker: author Lisa Napoli

There was a time in American television history when an evening's recap of national and world events could only be found by tuning into one of three major networks. The undeniable truth of broadcast journalism in those days was that if it wasn't on ABC, NBC, or CBS then it wasn't news! This all changed on a seminal day in June, 1980, and the world that was, became the world that wasn't, and news broadcasting was forever altered! Enter stage right, one Ted Turner, an irritatingly charismatic son of the South, a media interloper and nouveau riche character who had a vision for a 24-hour cable news service that only someone who was totally unexperienced and a dreamer could imagine. He was in many ways, a Bre'r Rabbit to the networks' Bre'r Foxes and Bre'r Bears, and it was his wits and brashness that succeeded where the authority figures of the time could not. Truth being told, nobody enjoyed being in the "briar patch" more than Ted Turner!

The speaker for this month's general meeting is noted author and journalist, Lisa Napoli. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Lisa has lived for the last dozen years in southern California. In her three decades as a journalist, she’s worked for The New York Times, MSNBC, the public radio show Marketplace, and a variety of other outlets. She’s covered everything from presidential campaigns, to hacker conventions and a hostage standoff, to the dawn of the World Wide Web (Lisa's bio courtesy of Penguin Books.)

Presentation was via ZOOM

 Wednesday

Topic: "Juno - A New Renaissance"

BMG members, guests, and interested persons attended the ZOOM monthly meeting on February 17th, and were rewarded with the presentation by our guest speaker, Theo Clarke, as he entertained and educated us with his personal and professional history of the NASA space probes to the planet Jupiter. Theo focused especially on the 2011 Juno mission to Jupiter, and explained how the efforts and results of this event should be seen as analogous to the benefits to civilization brought about by the Renaissance.

This was another example of the excellent quality of 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."

As of Monday, February 15th, The Investment SIG is up and running and welcoming with interest (pun intended) 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 hosted by Arnie Geffner to discuss the topic of great battles in history. It temporarily is not meeting, but normally is a monthly ZOOM presentation consisting of a video presentation followed by 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 again is back on track and has resumed its weekly strolls. The BMG posse saddles up in Palisades Park each Thursday morning at 9:30am, near the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Marguerita Avenue in Santa Monica. Then members walk down to the Fairmont-Miramar Hotel near Wilshire Boulevard and stop for coffee, conversation, and (sometimes) pastries. Once everyone is ready, the members head back to the trailhead. The combined distance of these excursions is an easily doable 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 10:06 AM, the Zoom meeting of the BMG Steering Committee (BSC) was called to order by President Louis Bernstein. A quorum was established.

2. Randy Barnes, Louis Bernstein, Tony Borwick, Al Dubin, Sheldon Ellis, Myron Forst, Phil Greenwald, John Harris, Richard Hirschkoff, Murray Kornblit, Bernie Schneier, Bernie Schweitzer, and Stan Weinberg were present. The absences were Howard Green, Harold Katzman, Jerry Weinstein, Mel Miller, Gerry Sallus, and Bernie Schiffer.

3. The minutes of the Wednesday, January 27, 2021, meeting of the BSC were approved. President Bernstein and John Harris complimented Secretary Ellis for writing excellent minutes.

4. Treasurer Bernie Schneier reported 60 current and dues-paying members, and noted that last year at this time there were 72 active members. A discussion ensued regarding Steering Committee members who have not made an obligatory $100.00 contribution to BNC. The Treasurer’s report was then accepted.

5. Harold Katzman, chairman of our Speakers Committee was absent. Nonetheless, the speaker for our March 17th General Meeting was discussed.

6. President Bernstein complimented Stan Weinberg, chairman of the Telephone Committee, for having his committee contact members about the February 17th BMG General Meeting and the February 25th meeting of the BNC Women of Los Angeles. Stan gave us his Committee Report and it was accepted.

7. Myron Forst, chair of the Membership Committee, gave us his report. Public Service Announcements for new members to attend our March 17th General Meeting were discussed. Secretary Ellis emphasized the importance of updating the BNC Women of Los Angeles Newsletter in time to meet PSA publishing deadlines.

8. President Bernstein inquired about the present status of our various SIGs. It was reported that “Current Events,” “Chess,” “Investments” and “Walking” groups are active. The “Sports” group is to be reactivated, in a different format, at 1:00 PM on Monday, March 6th.

9. Old Business. A motion to defer awarding an honorarium of up to $150.00 for especially notable guest speakers was made and seconded. However, that Motion was then tabled.

10. Old Business. Murray Kornblit brought up the BNC Phoenix Chapter’s charging $18.00 for a Zoom meeting with BNC speakers, with proceeds going to BNC.. A suggestion was made for LABMG to do the same for BNC. No action was taken. Murray also reported his efforts to get experts from the Phoenix Chapter to help him with a BMG Facebook page.

12. New Business. None.

13. Good and Welfare. Arnie Geffner reported that he has information for any member needing the Covid-19 vaccination.

14. President Bernstein adjourned the meeting at 11:26 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!