We are honored to be your new Co-Presidents. Thank you for the opportunity to serve in this role for our wonderful Brandeis National Committee - Phoenix Chapter. However, we are only two members of a much larger team. Without the passion and commitment of so many, none of our chapter’s successes would happen and we would not be able to fulfill our mission to raise funds for the Brandeis University library and current fundraising campaigns. | As your new Co-Presidents, we want everyone in this chapter to feel welcome and to know they can reach out to us to share ideas. We want to thank our two outgoing Co-Presidents, Leith Baletin and Ellen Widoff, for their mentoring and guidance to help us become the best leaders of this organization we can be. Over the past two years they have given boundless time and energy and accomplished so much; we will have big shoes to fill. | |
On April 17 at the Spring Event, we enjoyed a wonderful program and we thank the event chairs: Carol Kadet, Hillary Kaminsky and Marilyn Reinfeld. In addition, we had the Installation of new members and continuing members of our Board. We expect great things from this group of talented individuals. We want to thank everyone who served on the previous Board and all members for their contributions towards making this such a successful Chapter.
| For those of you who do not serve on the board, there are always opportunities to get involved, at whatever level feels comfortable. Whether helping out in planning an event, joining a committee or working in the community, all are welcome and all efforts are needed and appreciated. If you are interested in participating in any way, you can reach out to us or to the VPs of the various events and committees Their contact information is always in the bulletin. | We are gearing up for Summer Camp and Fall Study Groups. We would love your ideas and your involvement. We need participants for Summer Camp and facilitators for Study Groups in the Fall. Everyone loves attending, but we need your help leading these groups. It’s a wonderful way to get to know people in a smaller setting. | |
To those who celebrate, we wish you a happy and meaningful Passover, and to all a happy spring season. Thank you again for all you do to keep our chapter growing and thriving, and for putting the “FUN” in fundraising. We both look forward to reconnecting with friends and meeting new members during Summer Camp and at upcoming chapter events and Study Groups in the Fall. Please come up to us and say “Hello.”
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Warm regards,
Stephanie and Joyce
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The 2024-2025 Board of Directors | |
We welcome these chapter leaders who were recently installed - we wish everyone the best in their new positions! | |
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Presidents
Stephanie Klopper and Joyce Steinberg
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VPs of Book & Author
Patti Grossman
Ileen Herberg
Joellyn Pollock
VPs of Study Groups
Carol Kadet, Harriet Schwartz,
Barbara Stern
VPs of Event Planning
Wendy Cohen
Ellen Kirschenbaum
VPs of Membership
Laurie Burns
Gale Stam
VPs of Strategy & Leadership Planning
Joyce Grant
Terriann Kleiner
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Immediate Past Presidents/
Nominating Committee
Leith Baletin
Ellen Widoff
Recording Secretaries
Geri Gould
Kathleen Witkin
Treasurers
Joan Davis
Bonnie Furst
Community Outreach Chairs
Debbie Gordon
Gale Gradus
Corresponding Secretaries
Helen Abrams
Myral Robbins
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Sheri Bretan
Linda Burech
Lisa Del Valle
Michelle Fischler
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Donna Heller
Elaine Howard
Craig Hibbs
Beth Messer
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Jytte Methmann
Marilyn Reinfeld
Barbara Schwartz
Andrew Tievsky
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Bulletin Assistant Editor
Bulletin Editor
Chapter Advisors
Chapter Campaign Coordinators
Chapter Historian/CIO
Contract Liaison to Event Chairs
Event Registrar
External Marketing Coordinator
Internal Communications Coordinator
Liaison to the NEC
Parliamentarian
Summer Camp Chairs
Tributes and Donations
Webmaster
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Ronee Siegel
Donna Germuska
Iris Wigal, Nancy Sacks
Carol Kern, Judy Levine
Sue Karp
Michelle Fischler
Sheri Bretan
Carol Kadet
Sara Leopold
Andrew Tievsky
Barbara Stern
Susie Sacks, Ronee Siegel
Beth Messer
Craig Hibbs
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Photos from Recent Events | |
Spring Event and Installation • April 17 | |
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Event Chairs: Carol Kadet, Marilyn Reinfeld,
Hillary Kaminsky
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See photos and slideshows from these and other 2023-2024 events here | |
Please Join Us to Plan Events! | | |
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There’s always room for more members of this fun committee!
If you have an idea for an event or would like to help plan and implement fabulous programs and events for our Chapter, please contact us.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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Spotlight on Study Groups | |
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Time to Plan for 2024-2025 Study Groups
Study Groups Need Facilitators!
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Thank you to all BNC Phoenix Chapter study group facilitators and participants for a very successful Study Group Season.
The wide variety of study groups we offer engages current members and attracts new members.
As we have seen, people want to participate. The availability of the many and varied groups is key to our success.
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We need your help. As we plan for next season, we are looking for facilitators. The Study Group committee will be contacting existing Study Group facilitators. We hope that you will offer the same and/or new Study Groups for next year. | |
We also need new facilitators to maintain and increase the quantity and variety of our study groups. Becoming a facilitator – either alone or co-facilitating with a friend - is 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 facilitating 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 that starts later in the year? Or facilitate via Zoom ?
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We are here to help facilitators get started. A few ideas for new weekday or weekend groups include:
Netflix Limited Series discussion group
Book Group covering a specific era or type of book (we can never have too many book groups!)
Film Group dedicated to movies for a specific genre, actor, director, etc.
Art or Craft Group (drawing, knitting, needlepoint, diamond dots, etc.)
Walking, hiking, or a group for a different sport or physical activity
Funday (games or other activities for couples and/or singles)
Lunch, Brunch or Dinner group
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YOU CAN FACILITATE A STUDY GROUP! | |
Please email your ideas or questions to the Study Group VP’s at phxstudygroups@gmail.com | |
The rewards are many: interact with like-minded people in an activity that you 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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Please contact us with any study group questions and ideas:
Carol Kadet, Harriet Schwartz and Barbara Stern
phxstudygroups@gmail.com
Study Group Vice Presidents
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Mitzvah Mavens participated in the Read Across America - Operation School Bell program on Dr. Seuss’s birthday. | |
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Pizza Pizza! Andiamo's on Scottsdale and Shea
Real NY thin crust from Brooklyn! Yummy!
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The Wine Not group celebrated their
last meeting of the season
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For their last session this season, the Movers and Shakers were at Orit Feinberg's studio in Scottsdale | |
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Summer Camp is coming!
June • July • August
Enrollment begins May 1
See the Calendar of activities
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Book & Author 2025
Monday, February 24, 2025
Luncheon • Authors • Boutiques
Sunday, February 23
Cocktail Reception and Donor Dinner with the Authors
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
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Membership Milestones
- Congratulations to Sheila Shapiro on the birth of her seventh great-grandchild, a girl named Noa
- Congratulations to Andrew Tievsky on the birth of his granddaughter, Sasha Beth Jeske. Proud parents are Dana Tievsky and Brett Jeske.
- Congratulations to Linda and Robert Ullman on the birth of their grandson, Gavin Rhett Ullman. Proud parents are Adrianne and Michael Ullman.
- Best wishes to Laurie Herman for a speedy recovery
- Best wishes to Gale Stam for a speedy recovery
- Our sincere condolences to Bonnie Clewans on the passing of her partner, Sam Summer
- Our sincere condolences to the family of Nancy Siefer on her passing
- Our sincere condolences to Loreen Silverman on the passing of her husband, Perry
- Our sincere condolences to Susan Sloan and family on the passing of her husband, Dennis
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We welcome our new members:
Avram & Sheryl Greenspan, MaryBeth Kravets, Pat Kutzbach, Lynn Levin, Joan Lowell, Lisa Penn, Debbie & Harry Popeil, Marcia Reynolds, Leon & Marianne Rubin, Livia Russell, Jack Shartsis, Devra & Ilan Shiba, Janet & Larry Sills, Peter Winkler, Michael & Roberta Zatkowsky
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To report life-cycle events, please contact:
Marilyn Reinfeld • mkr1227@cox.net • 480-620-5601
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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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A Social for New and Prospective Members
We hold socials several times throughout the year to welcome new and prospective members
Our next event will be a study group orientation in the summer, date to be determined.
If you are a new member or are interested in learning more about membership, please join us.
For more information or to attend, please contact the Membership VPs.
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Membership Committee Meetings
Our next Membership Committee meeting will be Monday, May 20 (the third Monday instead of the fourth because of Memorial Day) from 10:00am to 12:00 pm.
If you are interested in learning more about membership or interested in joining the committee, please contact the Membership VPs.
| If you join or renew now, your membership will be in good standing through June 30, 2025 | |
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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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Pet Shelter
The shelter we have chosen is: Home Fur Good
Items that are needed are:
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Gently used clean towels; NO linens or blankets
- Bleach
- HE unscented laundry detergent
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For the Homeless
Over the summer, we will continue to collect items that are desperately needed for the homeless:
- Empty and clean medication bottles with safety lids
- Personal care items such as: shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, bath soap, washcloths, sanitary care products.
- We will continue to collect costume jewelry, bras, glasses, books and purses.
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Contact our new Community Outreach co-chairs,
Debbie and Gale, for pick-up of any of these items.
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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.
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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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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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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
For future inclusions, please notify Beth Messer.
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A Special Gift is Appreciated | |
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Leith and Judy Baletin are planning to create a permanent legacy gift at Brandeis, with the intention of donating to support a fully endowed scholarship for future engineering students. Brandeis does not currently have an Engineering Program, but is developing one to be offered by 2026-27.
Stephen Rodriguez, VP of Development at Brandeis, expressed a heartfelt thank you to Leith and Judy, in part as follows:
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Your thoughtful gift promises a future where bright, aspiring engineers can pursue their dreams without the burden of financial constraints. This scholarship will not only be a testament to your legacy but also a beacon of hope and opportunity for generations of students to come. It embodies the essence of what we strive for – empowering students to innovate, excel, and contribute significantly to our communities and beyond. | We are deeply moved by your willingness to make such a profound impact on the lives of students who wish to explore the boundless possibilities of engineering. Your proposed gift stands as a pinnacle of philanthropy, inspiring others to consider how they, too, can make a lasting difference. | |
We understand that estate planning is a deeply personal and significant process, and we look forward to ensuring your legacy is honored exactly as you envision. | |
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Thank you for your belief in our mission and for all you do as a BNC leader in the Phoenix chapter.
Best regards,
Stephen
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General Chapter Information | |
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. | |
The Phoenix Chapter Bulletin is published 4 times a year. Our next issue will come out late this summer. | |
Presidents: Stephanie Klopper and Joyce Steinberg
Editor: Sara Leopold • Assistant Editors: Donna Germuska, Ronee Siegel
bncphxbulletin@gmail.com
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