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Learn and Discuss

These events occur throughout the year. Some meet weekly and others on a periodic basis. 

Scroll down to read about each event and click for additional information and to register. 

Learn and Discuss - Special

  • Israel Discussion Group

    • September 09, 2024
    • November 10, 2025
    • 15 sessions
    • Zoom
    Register

    Israel Discussion Group

    Lead by Colin Lewis and Allan Pilver

    Meets on the second Monday of the month at 10AM

    Zoom only beginning in April 2025


    The current multi front crisis facing Israel weighs on us all.  The MCA Israel Discussion Group is an opportunity to share, listen and learn in these times of constant crisis and hopefully times of quiet.  

    This 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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  • Current Issues Discussion Group

    • October 31, 2024
    • April 17, 2025
    • 7 sessions
    • Zoom Only
    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

    Jan. 16 - "Do You Know What You Mean by That?" (Revolution)

    Feb. 20 - "The Forgotten History of Hitler's Establishment Enablers" (Enablers) 

    March 20 - "Have the Liberal Arts Gone Conservative?" (Old School) 

    April 17 - "Why are Americans Still Uncomfortable with Atheism?" (Without a Prayer)


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  • Book Discussion Group

    • November 20, 2024
    • September 17, 2025
    • 11 sessions
    • Iser Center Board Room and Zoom
    Register

    Book Discussion Group

    Meets on the  3rd Wednesday of the month at 2:30pm 

    Currently Zoom Only

    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.

    Books Selections

    1. November: The Incorruptibles; A true Story of Kingpins, Crime Busters, and the Birth of the American Underworld by Dan Slater. This is a story of particularly Jewish crime in the early 20th century. 

    2. December: Frostbite by Nicola Twilley. This is the story of refrigeration, how it developed and how it has changed our lives.

    3. January: Ain't No Grave by Mary Glickman. This is a novel about the precariousness of Black and Jewish life in the south around the time of the Leo frank Lynching in 1915. 

    4. February: Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson. Explores the turbulent times between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the actual beginning of the American Civil War.

    5. March: The Art Thief by Michael Finkel

    6. April: Fat Leonard by Craig Whitlock. How one man bribed, bilked, and seduced the U.S. Navy. (Bob Maisel)

    7. May:  The Sequel by Jean Korelitz. A mystery novel by one of the authors who presented at the Book Festival this year. You may wish to read her book, The Plot, first. (Larry Goodman)

    8. June: The Man Who Broke Capitalism by David Giles. The story of Jack Welch as GE chairman. How his influence changed GE and hoe US businesses behave. (Neil Stein)

    9. July: The Island at the Center of the World by Robert  Shorto. A non-fiction story of Dutch Manhattan and how that time and place shaped what America became. (Howard Gilbert)

    10. August: Deacon King Kong by James McBride. A novel set in 1969 Brooklyn dealing with " substance abuse, race, power, community, and religion"; but also " love, hope, and redemption". The author was interviewed in Hayes Hall at Artis-Naples this year. (Larry Goodman)


    For more information contact Howard Gilbert



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  • Talmud Study Group

    • January 14, 2025
    • April 22, 2025
    • 8 sessions
    • Nina Iser Center
    • 1
    • 29 registrants
    Register

    Talmud Study
    Led by Sid Freund

    "Biweekly'ish" on Tuesdays at 2:45 PM 

    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: 

    "On Bearing False Witness"

    We will study the debate between sages of the Talmud on the laws and consequences of giving false testimony and the punishment for conspiring witnesses. 

    We will learn how to apply the methodology of the Talmud's sages, through their use of psychology and logic, 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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  • Wine Club- Brunello Blind Tasting

    • April 21, 2025
    • 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Nina Iser Center - BBYO Room
    • 2
    Register

        

    Wine Club-Brunello

       A Blind Tasting


    The sixth and final meeting of the MCA Wine Club for this season will be held on Monday April 21st from 3:00 to 5:00 PM in the Iser Center. This tasting will highlight the Italian wine Brunello.

    Please note that this will be a blind tasting with each wine compared to the others.


    You must re-register for this event, even if you have registered previously

    Please let Barry Denkensohn know if you plan to bring a bottle  so we can estimate how many bottles are needed, depending on the number of attendees. At the tasting, please provide some information about the winery and any details the attendees will find helpful, as this is also a learning experience.

    Cheese and crackers will also be served, so please let Barry know if you will volunteer to do this. We need at least two members to help with this chore.

    Attendees need to bring their own wine glasses to the tasting. It is recommended that they bring 4 glasses so that a side by side comparison can be made.

    The first tasting for next season will be held on Monday November 17th. The wine for that meeting will be determined at the April 21, 2025 final tasting..

    Please contact Barry Denkensohn with any questions and please make sure that you register if you wish to attend


    Anyone who wants to bring an interesting or favorite bottle of white wine should do so.  Please let Barry know what you're planing to bring.  As we're tasting whites, you won't need to open the bottles in advance, so if we have a lot of wines, we may not open them all.   You should also be prepared to speak about the winemaker, vineyard, year and the wine.
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