2012-2013 M.I.D. Brochure

First Conservative Synagogue in the San Fernando Valley Celebrating Its 75 th Diamond Jubilee Year ADAT ARI EL SISTERHOOD S MULTI-INTEREST DAY (M.I.D.) EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM 2012-2013 M.I.D. Brochure ENTERING ITS 52 nd YEAR UNDER THE DIRECTION OF: ADAT ARI EL SISTERHOOD DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CLASSES START ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2012 Adat Ari El Synagogue 12020 Burbank Boulevard, Valley Village, CA. 91607 818 766-9426

FIRST SEMESTER Classes at a Glance Fall Semester: October 17, 2012 - January 23, 2013 Early Bird 8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M. Low Impact Exercise Program: Necia Sukonig (Exercise weekly) Necia Sukonig, Certified Arthritis Foundation Instructor Period 1 9:40 A.M. - 10:40 A.M. New A New Vision for Age-Enriched Adulthood Jerry Binder, Ph.D. Period II 10:50 A.M. - 11:50 A.M. Torah Study: Weekly Portion Rabbi Deborah Silver Period III 1:30 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. Writing Club Susie Katz Coordinator Imagining Jewish Music Neal Brostoff New Jewish Short Stories Interpretation & Discussion Jack Hirschberg, Ph.D. Eyewitness to the Events of the Day Jack Hirschberg, Ph.D. New Am Yisroel - The Jewish People Live! Jerry Binder, Ph.D. New Interior Design Workshop Sonya Roos Mah Jongg/Scrabble at M.I.D. All are Welcome for Open Play after Contemporary Challenges LUNCH: 12:00 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. ($4.50 if you purchase lunch) CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES: 12:00-1:30 P.M. A myriad of entertainers and/or guest speakers who will present contemporary issues affecting our lives. The program consists of a 45 minute presentation, and 15 minutes Q&A. Guests are welcome to attend for $4 payable at the door (this does not include lunch). Special Program: CREATIVE COOKING Dates are: 12/12/12, 1/16/13, 2/20/13, and 4/17/13 Coordinator: Arlene Bloom This popular program features cooking lessons in private homes and conducts food tours in the Los Angeles area 9:30 A.M. to 12 noon. Total tuition for this program is $250 that includes all M.I.D. classes and materials.

MID CLASS DESCRIPTIONS EARLY BIRD CLASSES - 8:30 A.M. TO 9:30 A.M. Low Impact Exercise Program (Both Semesters) Instructor: Necia Sukonig, Certified Arthritis Foundation Instructor The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is a fun-filled, low-impact course that can help everyone with or without arthritis. It offers arthritis prevention techniques and remedies. PERIOD I - 9:40 A.M. to 10:40 A.M. A NEW VISION FOR AGE-ENRICHED ADULTHOOD (Fall Semester) Instructor: Jerry Binder, M.A., Ph.D. This class will focus on a new approach to adulthood. Does life in America today include the voice and view, the experience and expertise, the inertia authenticity of the older adult? Don t you think it should? The unique class is full of stereotype-busting ideas about a new vision for a new age-enriched adulthood in a new American century. Dr. Binder is on the faculty of the Emeritus Institute at Saddleback College. His interdisciplinary education includes a doctorate in psychology, a master s degree in the psychological foundations of education and an undergraduate degree in the liberal arts. He also presents programs at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UC Irvine and UCLA Extension. BRAIN FITNESS: LET S WORK ON IT! (Spring Semester) Instructor: Ingrid Horowitz, B.A., M.A. This course will look into enhancing cerebral power. Through our own efforts, we can increase the power of our brain. We will learn how the brain works, how it develops, and its plasticity, meaning the brain s response to experiences. We will discuss and practice cognitive reserve, which means storing new information. Ingrid Horowitz is a longtime member of Adat Ari El. She holds a B.A. from UCLA, has a Lifetime Teaching Credential (UCLA), a Master s Degree in Special Education (CSUN), and a Special Education Teaching Credential (CSUN). She has taught a course previously at M.I.D. in Comparative Religions, and we look forward to her return. IMAGINING JEWISH MUSIC (Both Semesters) Instructor: Neal Brostoff, B. Music, M.A., Teaching Credential The course will explore sacred and secular Jewish musical traditions with particular emphasis on the confrontations of Jewish music with modernity as well as issues of Jewish music identify. Music has played a significant role in Jewish civilization in ancient homelands and far-flung diasporas. The explosion of Jewish art music in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries prompts related conversations about aesthetics, gender and postmodernism. This course comprises lectures, discussion, recorded music and video, and suggestions for concert attendance. Mr. Brostoff is well-known at Adat Ari El, where he was the organist and musical director for years. He also teaches at the American Jewish University and UCLA.

JEWISH SHORT STORIES INTERPRETATION & DISCUSSION (Both Semesters) Instructor: Jack Hirschberg, Ph.D., English This course will include a comprehensive examination of the great Jewish Short Stories of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, with emphasis on their important contribution to the historical and cultural aspects of our society. Together, the class will explore the Jewish authors and their literary achievements through their classic short stories. Just some of the outstanding Jewish authors will be Isaac Bashevis Singer, Delmore Schwartz, Bernard Malamud, Saul Bellow, Grace Palley, among many others. Dr. Hirschberg has taught at Los Angeles Valley College, and has worked for various philanthropic organizations in Los Angeles. He earned a Ph.D. in English from UCLA.. PERIOD II - 10:50 A.M. to 11:50 A.M. TORAH STUDY (Fall Semester) Instructor: Rabbi Deborah Silver This course will review and discuss the Torah portion of the week, and/or other Jewish texts. No prerequisite or knowledge of Hebrew is required. Rabbi Silver currently serves as Assistant Rabbi at Adat Ari El. Rabbi Silver attended the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the American Jewish University where she was ordained. In addition, Rabbi Silver was a practicing lawyer in England before her calling to the rabbinate. We are pleased that Rabbi Silver will continue teaching us about Torah and other Jewish texts in her upbeat and thoroughly engrossing manner. TORAH STUDY (Spring Semester) Instructor: Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe Bernhard This course will review and discuss the Torah portion of the week. No prerequisite or knowledge of Hebrew is required. Rabbi Bernhard is Senior Rabbi at Adat Ari El where he has led the congregation for many years. Rabbi Bernhard attended the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, and is a native New Yorker who now makes Los Angeles his permanent home. We are delighted that Rabbi Bernhard will continue teaching us about Torah in his enthusiastic, sensitive, and thought-provoking manner. EYEWITNESS TO EVENTS OF THE DAY (Both Semesters) Instructor: Jack Hirschberg, Ph.D., English This course will stimulate discussion and encourage awareness of the latest domestic and international news events through the study of current events. Living in Los Angeles, we are always facing news at the local, national, and international levels that make our heads spin from over saturation. We are delighted that Mr. Hirschberg focuses on local, national, and international issues of interest for the week, and brings about lively discussion that clarifies the

meaning of the news. Dr. Hirschberg has taught at Los Angeles Valley College, and has worked for various philanthropic organizations in Los Angeles. He earned a Ph.D. in English from UCLA. AM YSROEL - THE JEWISH PEOPLE LIVE! (Both Semesters) Instructor: Jerry Binder, M.A., Ph.D. This course will expand our understanding and appreciation of the remarkable contributions made by Jewish people. Throughout the ages there has been much fascination with the miracle of the continual existence of the Jewish people. Studying our history makes it more relevant and more meaningful in our lives today, and gives a deeper understanding of who we are and why we are here. Dr. Binder is a highly-respected teacher of adult studies throughout Southern California. INTERIOR DESIGN WORKSHOP (Both Semesters) Instructor: Sonya Roos, A.S. Interior Design, B.S., Education This course will continue to draw from the talents of our highly-successful interior designer, Sonya Roos, who has over 30 years experience in the art of interior design. This class, in particular, will focus on problem areas in design and attempt to correct them through the expertise of our esteemed designer, Sonya Roos, who has operated on the East Coast specializing in residential and commercial design. Ms. Roos has been featured in Architectural Digest and Orange Coast Magazine. Further, Ms. Roos has appeared on HGTV programs that include Designer s Challenge and Designing for the Sexes, and has taught design on the college level for 18 years. We are pleased that that Ms. Roos will continue to share her knowledge and experience to assist students with tips and ideas to correct flaws, and to improve overall beauty and functionality of their homes. PERIOD III - 1:30 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. WRITING CLUB (Both Semesters) Coordinator: Susie Katz, B.S., Math This class is returning this year by popular demand. Susie Katz will facilitate the process whereby you will express yourself through your writing. Re-create for yourself and others by means of your never-to-be forgotten memories and experiences. This class has assisted many MID members to express their literary talent through writing. MAH JONGG/SCRABBLE AT M.I.D. (Both Semesters) We have the tables and the coffee. Bring your own group or form a new one. Bring your sets for Mah Jongg and/or Scrabble.

SELECTED DAYS AS SCHEDULED CREATIVE COOKING AT M.I.D. (Both Semesters) This popular program features cooking lessons in private homes and conducts food tours in the Los Angeles area 9:30 A.M. to 12 noon. Total tuition for this program is $250 that includes all M.I.D. classes and materials. This class is led by Arlene Bloom. M.I.D. Special Scheduling November 14, 2012 - No Contemporary Challenges (Chanukah Boutique) Nov 21, 2012 - No classes (Thanksgiving) Dec. 19 to December 26, 2012 - No Classes (Winter Break) January 23, 2013 - Torah Fund Dinner - No Contemporary Challenges February 6, 2013 - No classes - (Intergenerational Day Adat Ari El) March 13, 2013 - Women s Seder - No Contemporary Challenges March 20-27, 2013 - No Classes (Passover Holiday and Spring Break) May 8, 2013 - Culmination - Last day of classes

GENERAL INFORMATION Now in its 52 nd year, MULTI-INTEREST DAY (M.I.D.) is one of the longest running adult educational programs in the nation. Adat Ari El Sisterhood proudly presents this program to its members and to the community at large at other local synagogues. We are very interested in encouraging men to participate at MID. PROGRAM YEAR: October 17, 2012 to May 8, 2013-24 sessions TUITION AND FEES: Paid tuition entitles you to attend ALL non-cooking classes of your choice and the Contemporary Challenges presentations. Tuition includes a non-refundable $20 registration fee. Sisterhood Sustaining Members/Special Contribution*... $300.00 Sisterhood Members, Associate Members and Men... $130.00 Non-Sisterhood Members... $165.00 Guest Fee for Contemporary Challenges and all non-cooking classes per day... $15.00 Creative Cooking Program Includes tuition for all M.I.D. classes... $250.00 Classes with insufficient enrollment will be canceled. Scheduled lecturers are subject to change. REGISTRATION OPTIONS: Complete registration card and return it in enclosed envelope to our Registrar by October 17, 2012, or pay by check at the Sisterhood Membership Event on October 16, 2012. You may also pay for each class day from 9:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. in the Sanctuary Foyer starting on October 17, 2012. Also, please pick up your name tag in the foyer on October 17. For further information call: Dr. Rosa Lee Pechersky, Co-VP of Education... 818 360-0437 Adina Melnick, Co-VP of Education... 818 980-2191 Pearl Denner and Carol Gompertz Registrars... 818 990-4567 Adat Ari El... 818 766-9426, Ext. 207 Thanks to the M.I.D Committee for their generous work and time and to our advisors: Dr. Lena Labowe, Sisterhood President, Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe Bernhard, and Rabbi Deborah Silver. *Sustaining membership will help guarantee the future success of MID.