Discussion Groups

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• Book Discussion Group

  • Start
    August 10, 2023
  •  
  • End
    March 14, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    8 sessions
  • Location
    Zoom (for now)

  Register

  MCA Book Group

  Lead by Stan Farb

  Meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 2:30 PM EST,
  usually, though not always, after the MCA Luncheon. 

  The books we discuss which are recommended by group members may be on any subject, whether fiction or non-fiction. The discussions, led by a group member, will focus on the theme, character development and quality of writing.

  If you enjoy reading books of substance and discussing with peers, you will definitely enjoy this group.

  For additional information, contact Stan Farb.

  Books Selections

  September 14  “ The Heat Will Kill You First : Life and Death on a Scorched Planet “ by Jeff Goodall -  A well researched examination of the impact heat will have on our lives and what we can do to stop it .
  October 12  - “ A Rip in Heaven “ by Jeanine Cummings - This memoir recounts a horrible event in the author’s life .

  November 9 - “ Small Mercies “ by Dennis Lehane - A novel  that takes place in Boston as that city is undergoing school desegregation .
  December 14 - “ Trust “ by Herman Diaz - This  Pulitzer Prize winner is an ingeniously constructed historical novel with the world of finance playing a major role .

  All sessions listed are in Zoom only mode.

  Questions? Email Stan Farb at stan4mignon@earthlink.net

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• Current Issues Discussion Group

  • Start
    September 21, 2023
  •  
  • End
    April 18, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    8 sessions
  • Location
    Zoom

  Register

  Current Issues Discussion Group

  Lead by Ron Mutchnik

  Meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 1:00 PM

  
  

  Each month the group engages in an interesting, relevant and often controversial discussion.  A shared magazine article is used as a spur for the interaction.  If you enjoy stimulating conversations about current issues with a group of critical thinkers, please join us.

  
  

  For additional information, contact Ron Mutchnik .

  
  

  Topics

  September 21 - How Christian is Christian Nationalism

  October 19 - 

  November 16 -

  December 21 -

  .January 18 -

  February 15 -

  March 21 -

  April 18 -
  

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• Israel Discussion Group

  • Start
    October 09, 2023
  •  
  • End
    April 08, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    7 sessions
  • Location
    Hybrid (in-person and on Zoom)

  Register

  Israel Discussion Group

  Lead by Harvey Cohen and Colin Lewis

  Meets on the second Monday of the month at 10AM

  
  

  Hardly a day goes by without some news coming from Israel, be it political, economic, military-related or social.

  This new discussion group will be devoted to these current events. With a limited audience, participants will have an opportunity to dig into these pressing issues of the day and share opinions with fellow MCA members.  

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• Lifestyle-Health Discussion Group

  • Start
    November 08, 2023
  •  
  • End
    April 10, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    6 sessions
  • Location
    Zoom or the Iser Center Board Room
  • Spaces left
    17

  Register

  Lifestyle-Health Discussion Group
  

  Lead by Jerry Kumin MD

  Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 1:00 PM at the Iser Center and on Zoom

  The purpose of this group is to discuss the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. The monthly discussions about a living a healthy lifestyle will focus on the following:

  • November 8 - Heart disease, Alzheimer, diabetes result from poor dental health
  • December 13 -  New improved drugs for diabetes
  • January 10  - Are you at risk for colon cancer?
  • February 14 - Updated clinical studies of adequate blood Vitamin D levels and disease prevention
  • March 13  - Disease reversals with plant based diets
  • April 10 - Do you have non alcoholic liver disease?

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• Science Discussion Group

  • Start
    November 14, 2023
  •  
  • End
    April 09, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    6 sessions
  • Location
    Iser Center and on Zoom
  • Spaces left
    193

  Register

  Science Discussion Group

  Lead by Bob Davidson and Mel Kaplan

  Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 1:00 PM. 
  

  This group will meet in the Iser Center Board Room and on Zoom.

  The group is designed to introduce MCA members to ideas in science and its history and to have interesting discussions. Our group is not for presenting highly technical, peer reviewed papers. It is to introduce one another to ideas in science and its history and to have interesting discussions.

  This Season's Topics 

  November 14:  Liquefied Natural Gas Technology and the 1944 Incident - Ted Lemoff

  December 12:  Jewish Genetics - Hilliary Regelman (in partnership with Temple Shalom's Men's Club)

  January 9:  Product Liability - Richard Hertzberg

  February 13:  The Hubble Telescope - Wayne Kargher

  March 12:  Chemical Exposure: Making Safety Decisions - Alan Leibowitz

  April 9:  The Science Behind mRNA Vaccines - Ron Yasbin

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• Talmud Study Group

  • Start
    January 16, 2024
  •  
  • End
    March 26, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    6 sessions
  • Location
    Nina Iser Center
  • Spaces left
    24
  • Registered
    1 registrant

  Register

  
  

  Talmud Study

  Lead by Sid Freund

  
  

  Meets "biweekly'ish" on Tuesdays at 2:30 PM EST (January - March)

  Talmud Study Group will focus on ancient Jewish civil laws, many of which formed the foundation of our modern laws. Below is a description of this year's focus: 

  Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?” 

  We will learn how to apply the Talmud’s sages methodology and use of psychology in ancient courts to determine the veracity of witnesses and parties in legal cases.

  Participants will sit as judges and lawyers and engage in spirited debate on the merit of cases, and unravel the thinking of our sages. Knowledge of Hebrew is not a prerequisite to experience the challenges and satisfaction of these discussions.

  Facilitator Sid Freund has been Superintendent of Schools in New York and Connecticut. He attended eight years of Yeshiva studies in New York City, and has had a longtime interest in Hebrew texts.

  Questions? Email Sid Freund at sidfreund@gmail.com

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