Dear Friends,
It’s hard to believe a year has passed since we accepted the position of BNC Phoenix Chapter Co-Presidents.
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As we look back at this year, we feel very grateful to have worked with our leadership to be able to offer you an impressive array of summer activities, a multitude of diverse study groups, program events that informed, entertained and connected us, and a very successful Book & Author Event.
We offer immense gratitude to every Study Group Facilitator. You make it possible to meet the many needs of our membership.
We offer abundant thanks to each Event Chair for coordinating the Events throughout the year.
We wish to thank our 2022-2023 outgoing board members. You have each helped our Phoenix Chapter move forward with your time, energy, leadership skills and commitment to Brandeis University.
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We extend a warm welcome to our new 2023-2024 leadership. We look forward to working closely with you to help us continue to provide an abundance of services to our membership and financial support to the world-class university we all love.
A special shout-out to all our board members holding appointed positions, who reach out in different ways to make our chapter effective.
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These are the 2022-2023 metrics we are pleased to share with you as a result of your support:
Membership
79 new and prospective members attended 4 new member socials
Summer Camp 2022
130 individuals and households attended 64 summer camp activities
Study Groups
582 people participated in 84 study groups
Program Events
Approximately 1400 people participated in our events including:
Book & Author • the Annual Meeting • Dance Fever • University on Wheels • Conversation
and Performance with Allan Naplan • Brandeis Alumni Making a Difference in Arizona
Community Outreach and Mitzvah Mavens
Supporting:
Purse Impressions, Janice’s Women’s Center, Nourish Phoenix, Scottsdale schools, Sojourner Center,
HonorHealth (newborn baby caps), the International Rescue Committee, Soma, Assistance League,
the Alzheimer’s Gala, Gesher Disability Resources, Desert Mission and St. Mary’s Food Bank
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Thanks to all of you for helping to make 2022- 2023 a very productive year.
We wish everyone a wonderful summer and hope to see many of you at summer camp activities.
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The 2023- 2024 Board of Directors | |
Presidents
Leith Baletin and Ellen Widoff
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Executive Vice Presidents
Stephanie Klopper
Joyce Steinberg
VPs of Book & Author
Ileen Herberg
Joellyn Pollock
Marcy Strauss
VPs of Study Groups
Marcia Langer
Myral Robbins
Harriet Schwartz
VPs of Membership
Gale Gradus
Kathleen Witkin
VP of Strategy & Leadership Planning
Patti Grossman
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Immediate Past Presidents
Jan Lebovitz
Linda Ullman
Recording Secretaries
Geri Gould
Sara Leopold
Treasurers
Joan Davis
Bonnie Furst
Community Outreach Co-Chairs
Wendy Cohen
Ellen Kirschenbaum
Corresponding Secretaries
Joyce Grant
Linda Perlman
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Members at Large
Jeri Benoit
Susan Block
Linda Burech
Laurie Burns
Michelle Fischler
Helen Greenberg
Elaine Howard
Terriann Kleiner
Beth Messer
Jytte Methmann
Marilyn Reinfeld
Barbara Schwartz
Gale Stam
Andrew Tievsky
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Executive Administrator
Chief Information Officer
Chapter Advisors
Tributes and Donations
Bulletin Editor
Bulletin Assistant Editor
Summer Camp Chairs
Internal Communications Coordinator
External Communication Coordinator
Parliamentarian
Chapter Calendars
Liaison to the NEC
Contract Liaison to Event Chairs
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Linda Burech
Sue Karp
Carol Kern, Nancy Sacks, Iris Wigal
Beth Messer
Sara Leopold
Ronee Siegel
Harriet Schwartz, Ronee Siegel
Sara Leopold
Carol Kadet
Barbara Stern
Martha Patrick
Michelle Fischler
Michelle Fischler
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We are excited to announce that the 34th Annual Book & Author event will take place on Friday, February 2, 2024 at the Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale. The cocktail reception and donor dinner with the authors will take place on Thursday evening, February 1st. | |
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We hope you’ll mark your calendars and plan to attend!
Ileen Herberg • Joellyn Pollock • Marcy Strauss
2024 Book & Author Event VPs
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Spotlight on Study Groups | |
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Study Groups Need Facilitators! | |
Once again BNC Phoenix Chapter had a very successful Study Group Season. Offering a wide variety of study groups not only engages current members, it also promotes the continued growth of our membership. As we have seen, people want to participate!
Facilitators with a fresh perspective are needed to maintain and increase the quality, quantity, and variety of our study groups. Becoming a facilitator – either alone or with a friend - is also a great way to begin new friendships, enrich ongoing relationships and engage with others in exploring creative and/or intellectual pursuits.
- Is there anything you are specifically interested in seeing offered as a study group?
- Would you enjoy participating in or leading a limited group discussion (4 sessions) on a favorite topic or activity?
- Do you have a special interest, talent or skill that you want to share with others?
- Are you a winter resident who wants to create a group (a weekly Mah-Jongg or Canasta game) that starts later in the year?
YOU CAN FACILITATE A STUDY GROUP!
If you answered 'yes' to any of the questions above, you already have all you need to be
a wonderful Study Group Facilitator.
We are here to help facilitators get started.
Here are some ideas for new groups:
Netflix limited series discussion group
Book discussion group covering a specific era (we can never have too many book groups!)
Film Group dedicated to movies for a specific actor, director, etc.
A new craft (crochet, knitting, needlepoint, diamond dots)
Sunday Morning Walking Group
Reel Men Movie Group (pick movies from a specific era aimed for men to discuss over lunch)
Sunday Funday (games or other activities for couples and singles)
The rewards are many: interact with like-minded people in an activity that you already enjoy, see your efforts appreciated by your group participants, make new friends and most of all - HAVE FUN!
The time commitment is modest and in return, the approval, acclaim and admiration you receive is beyond measure.
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STUDY GROUP GUIDE ORIENTATION • THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 • 10:00 am | |
The Leisure Hikers at
Lost Dutchman State Park and
Phoenix Mountain
Preserve
Photos: Simon Burrow
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The Cake Decorating study group finished the year with gooey, glittery cake pops.
The group thanks the awesome Marilyn Reinfeld for a wonderful experience!
Photos: Allan Reinfeld
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Summer Camp
June 1 - August 31
In-Person and Virtual Activities
Membership Committee
Study Guide Orientation
Thursday, August 3
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Book & Author 2024
Thursday, February 1 • Cocktail Reception and Donor Dinner with the Authors
Friday, February 2 • Luncheon/Authors/Boutiques
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
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Membership Milestones
- Congratulations to Judy Lohr-Safcik on the birth of her great-granddaughter, Liliana. Proud parents are Holly and Joshua Lohr-Safcik
- Congratulations to Marilyn and Allan Reinfeld on the marriage of their son, David, to Katherine Zekanoski
- Our sincere condolences to the family of life member Jacqueline Amper
- Our sincere condolences to the family of life member Pat Fogelson
- Our sincere condolences to Sandy Golden and family on the passing of her husband, Larry
- Our sincere condolences to Donna Germuska on the passing of her mother, Mary Lou (Dolly) Becker
- Our sincere condolences to Debby and Michael Horn on the passing of his brother, Steve
- Our sincere condolences to Marc Lato and family on the passing of his wife, Sherry
- Our sincere condolences to Cheri and Art Rolnick on the passing of his brother, Michael
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We welcome our new members:
Ellen Bresnick, Laurie Carron, Debby Eisenberg, Helen Finke, Cindy & Larry Glick, Joanne Gordon, Lorraine Kroul, Georgeanne Levy, Jean & Stanley Margul, Babs & Sheldon Migdal, Barbara Parker, Mark Passell, Denise Silverstein, Myrna Spiegel, Marilyn & Michael Starrett
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To report life-cycle events, please contact:
Marilyn Reinfeld • mkr1227@cox.net • 480-620-5601
Chapter Roster
To report a change in email address, phone number (cell or landline) or mailing address, please contact:
Carol Kadet • carolkadet@gmail.com
She will update our membership roster and ensure that you receive Chapter mailings and information.
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Study Group Guide Orientation for new and prospective members
Thursday, August 3 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
An evite will be sent in July
Information, including the address, will be sent to those who RSVP
The orientation will be in advance of the 2023-2024 Study Group Guide, so that
you will be prepared to register, once registration is open, in early September
For more information or to attend, contact Membership VPs
Gale Gradus and Kathleen Witkin at phxbncmembership@gmail.com
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Now is the time to
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!
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Online Membership Registration and Renewal is open for the 2023-2024 year - and what a fabulous year we have planned! If you renew or join our chapter on or after April 1, your membership will be in good standing through June 30, 2024.
In order to take part in Study Groups in the fall, your Membership must be current.
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The Membership page of our website has a link to step-by-step instructions for online renewal.
If you have questions about online payments for membership renewals or study group payments,
please contact Irene Lubin, Financial Coordinator, at 480-948-3773
New members: We look forward to having you join our Chapter, meeting and welcoming you at one of our fabulous functions and making your BNC experience extra special!
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Name Tags
Would you prefer not to wear the stick-on name tags used at Chapter functions?
We are offering personalized, magnetic BNC name tags for $15.00, including shipping. You can get your name tag by filling out the order form and mailing it to the listed address.
Order Form
Note: Replacement magnetic backs for existing name tags are available; contact the Chapter at 480-359-7262
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Community Service is a fundamental part of the mission of BNC. Throughout the year, we collect items for various non-profits in the greater Phoenix area, and your support is much appreciated.
Additionally, our Mitzvah Mavens Study Group provides participatory activities for our members to volunteer directly with specific agencies.
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Our Knit a Mitzvah ladies have been very busy this year. They have donated 509 new born baby caps and 18 baby lap blankets to Honor Health! Way to go!
Summer Camp has several opportunities to reach out to the community. Check the activities calendars.
Why not “play it forward?" Rosie’s House accepts used instruments. They are a non-profit organization that provides music education to low-income children.
Gently used handbags, totes and purses for Purse-Impressions, are still welcome. They collect new and used handbags, fill them with toilet articles and distribute them to women coming out of rehab. You can read about this charity on the Purse-Impressions website.
We’re still collecting bras, and pill bottles without labels. Safety caps only, please. You DO make a difference!
We look forward to more opportunities to serve the community this year. For more information or collection addresses, please contact us.
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Wendy Cohen and Ellen Kirschenbaum
phxbnccommunityoutreach@gmail.com
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Knit A Mitzvah
Do you Knit? Do you Crochet?
Help us make Scarves, Newborn Baby Caps,
Lap Blankets and Chemo Caps
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We donate newborn baby caps and lap
blankets to Honor Health Medical
Center, scarves to Sojourner Center
and chemo caps to
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center.
For more information, please contact:
Ronee Siegel
ronees@aol.com 917-273-0393
Joan Davis
davis6j@gmail.com 602–499-8357
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FEEL GOOD WHILE DOING GOOD!
For more information, see our website.
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Mitzvah Mavens
Participants in this study group volunteer at a variety of Valley non-profit organizations. We meet at the specific locations of the organizations on various dates, lending helping hands as needed. If there are activities that can be done at home, participants will be notified.
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The Legacy of Louis: Inspiring Inquiry
The Brandeis National Committee is proud to announce its newest campaign, The Legacy of Louis: Inspiring Inquiry, as the university nears its milestone 75th anniversary in 2023.
The campaign will reinvigorate the Brandeis Library's mission to empower its community to become scholars, creators, and innovators through the creation of two interactive additions to the Library. The first will be the construction of a research archive of original letters, photographs, documents and family objects that shed light on the life and the lasting contributions of Justice Louis D. Brandeis.
The second addition to the Brandeis Library will be the creation of a new Judaica reading room in the library. This space will provide the Brandeis community with a place to engage with Jewish texts outside of the typical classroom and religious environments. By presenting Jewish texts in conjunction with writings from cultural and religious traditions from around the world, the room will serve scholars and students alike.
In 1948, the BNC (formerly BUNWC) was founded alongside the university to provide philanthropic support and now, nearly 75 years later, continues to support the mission and principles upon which Brandeis was founded.
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Judy Levine to Sue and Bob Karp • In honor of their 60th wedding anniversary | |
To make a donation online using a credit card, go to giving.brandeis.edu/bnc
In order to include your online tributes in the bulletin, please email the details -
Fund, Donor(s), Recipient(s) and Occasion only - to Beth Messer at bethmae721@gmail.com
This list is current as of the date of publication. We regret any errors or omissions.
For future corrections or inclusions, please notify Beth Messer.
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Brandeis University freshmen launch popular pickleball club | |
April 2, 2023
WALTHAM — Brandeis University is now part of the pickleball craze thanks to two freshmen who charted a pickleball club at the university, making them the first Boston-based collegiate pickleball team.
Parker Press and Jack Granahan are avid picklers and came up with the idea to create a pickleball club over winter break, wanting to bring the sport they love to their school.
Now, the latest sports craze is taking the university by storm.
"Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America, but most people associate it with middle school gym classes or retirement communities, so you don't see a lot of college students super excited to play pickleball, but that's what we got," Granahan said.
What began with just the two of them is now a club with 50 members.
More
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Did you miss one of Brandeis' virtual events and would like to access a recording of it?
Visit the on-demand Virtual Event Library.
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General Chapter Information | |
Chapter Board Meetings
Board meetings are conducted via Zoom
Chapter members are welcome to attend all meetings,
which are generally held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 10:00 am
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 17, from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
NOTE: There are no meetings in June or July; the next scheduled meeting
will be on August 16, 2023
RSVP: Email Corresponding Secretary Joyce Grant
at jhgrant35@gmail.com in order to receive the Zoom link
Chapter Presidents: Leith Baletin and Ellen Widoff
Board of Directors 2023-2024
Report a Change of Contact Information
Privacy Policy
Zoom Protocols
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Founded in 1948, 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, nonsectarianism and service to the community. | |
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