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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.
Book Discussion Group
Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 4:30 pm
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 for 2025
April: Fat Leonard by Craig Whitlock. How one man bribed, bilked, and seduced the U.S. Navy. (Bob Maisel)
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)
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)
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)
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)
September: Culpability by Bruce Holsinger. A novel about an accident involving a self driving vehicle and the aftermath of the accident
October: Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow. A novel exploring our justice system and various factors that influence it.
For more information contact Howard Gilbert
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
Topic for October
LUDDITE LESSONS TNY 4_21_25.pdf
Israel Discussion Group
Co-leaders Al Pilver, Colin Lewis and Peter Sherer
Meets on the second Monday of the month at 10AM
Zoom only until November 2025
"The best of times, the worst of times".
We have the most supportive US Administration in years. We have defeated Hezbollah and Iran, badly damaged the Houthi's and now control about 75% of Gaza.
Yet on the world stage, we are a pariah.
Western countries are lining up to recognize a Palestinian state. UN is telling the world there is a famine in Gaza and the mainstream media is full of very negative stories about Israel.
Where do we go from here?
How can we re-build bridges and get some positive PR?
A Holocaust Memoir
presented by MCA member Andrew Dahl
Click HERE to register.
In Partnership With:
Meets on the second Monday of the month at 10:00 AM
In person and Zoom starting November 2025
You must re-register for this new season
Topics vary from month to month and will be emailed in the monthly reminder.
Sample topic:
Reducing Medical Expenses
Allen Weiss, M.D., MBA
Moderated by Michael Feldman, J.D, CFP®
Registration Opens 9/12/25
Dr. Allen Weiss will discuss healthcare economics and techniques for individuals to reduce medical costs and obtain the highest value for their healthcare dollars. Dr. Weiss was CEO of Naples Community Hospital from 2001 to 2019 and currently is the Chief Medical Officer of Blue Zones. Note: Financial Health is a monthly program held on the second Wednesday of each month during season. Chaired by MIchael Feldman, the program will cover a different topic each month, with knowledgeable speakers selected by Michael. Registration for future months will open one day after the prior month's program - e.g., registration for the December program (Annuities and Stock Options) will open on November 13.
Dr. Allen Weiss will discuss healthcare economics and techniques for individuals to reduce medical costs and obtain the highest value for their healthcare dollars. Dr. Weiss was CEO of Naples Community Hospital from 2001 to 2019 and currently is the Chief Medical Officer of Blue Zones.
Note: Financial Health is a monthly program held on the second Wednesday of each month during season. Chaired by MIchael Feldman, the program will cover a different topic each month, with knowledgeable speakers selected by Michael.
Registration for future months will open one day after the prior month's program - e.g., registration for the December program (Annuities and Stock Options) will open on November 13.
Wine Club 25-26 Season Opening Event
Registration Opens 9/17/25
The MCA Wine Club is dedicated to wine education and wine enjoyment. We know and accept that members will bring varying levels of wine knowledge, experience and understanding to our meetings. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Please join the group if you want to learn and enjoy wine with like-minded MCA members at each of the six monthly meetings, from November, 2025 to April, 2026. All participants will contribute $25 at each tasting, to offset costs, including wine, refreshments and supplies.
Our initial meeting for this season will be a special tasting of four outstanding, aged cabernet sauvignon wines from the personal cellars of three MCA members (Jim Aronson, Jim Simon and Jay Weintraub). It will be a great event, with wines from the following well-known California estates: Mondavi, Caymus, Realm and Maybach. We will also taste Bordeaux from Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron, for comparison with the cabernets.
The unusual nature of this special tasting will require that we limit the number of participants, so register early! Future tastings, where the wines will be provided by members who volunteer to bring a bottle, will not be so limited.
Please contact Jim Aronson with any questions.
The Twilight Zone: Real and Imagined Failures
Richard Hertzberg, PhD
Registration opens 9/18/25
Richard Hertzberg will discuss examples and causes of engineering failures of aircraft, ships, bridges and other load-bearing structures.
He will show that most structural failures are traced to combinations of excessive loads, presence of preexisting defects, and inadequate material toughness.
He recently created a short video that eerily connects two literary works of fiction with two subsequent structural failures that shocked the world. In one instance, the “failure” of a fictional airliner foretells by four years the failure of the Comet, the first commercial jet aircraft. In addition, the events surrounding the sinking of the fictional Titan passenger liner in 1898 are compared with the actual catastrophic failure of the Titanic cruise liner in 1912. These stories are reminiscent of Rod Serling’s "Twilight Zone” TV episodes.
Professor Hertzberg received bachelor (CCNY), master (MIT), and PhD (Lehigh University) degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science. At Lehigh University, he was an educator, researcher, industrial consultant, courtroom expert witness, book author, department chair, and public speaker. He has lectured in twelve countries on four continents.
In person and on Zoom
For questions contact David Shepard
Book Discussion Group 2025-2026
Zoom Only
You must register for the upcoming season (November onwards) in order to get email reminders
Books Selections for 25-26 TBD
Keeping Our Teeth Healthy
as we Age
Preventing more than just cavities from sweets
Registration Opens 9/21/25
Dr. Spencer Forman, Dr. Avi Goldstein, Dr. Michael Swartz
This program will discuss dental issues that tend to confront us as we age. A panel of MCA member dentists - Drs. Forman, Goldstein and Swartz - will share pragmatic perspectives on dental care and the variety of diagnostic and treatment procedures available today.
MCA Medical Seminars are intended to help our members become better informed through down-to-earth discussions led by experienced professionals. An active Q&A is encouraged.
MCA Medical Seminars are in-person events
Led by Ron Mutchnik
In person and Zoom
Registration Opens 10/20/25
You must re-register for this upcoming season
Topic will be sent in the monthly reminder
Annuities & Stock Options
Registration Opens on 11/13/25
Michael Feldman will moderate a review of Annuities and Stock Options at December's Financial Health Discussion
Annuities: NY Life agent Peter Lovely will apply his decades of experience to provide information on annuities and life insurance.
Stock Options: MCA member Marty Feins, who worked as a floor trader on multiple exchanges, will discuss his longstanding options strategies - methods he continues to apply at 93 years of age.
Registration for future months opens one day after the prior month's program - e.g., registration for the January program will open on December 11. January's topic will be "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" led by Naples Senior Housing Advisor Bruce Rosenblatt.
Vitamin D in Daily Life: Understanding How Adequate Vitamin D can Keep You Healthier
Robert Greenfield, PhD
Topics discussed will include the nutritional benefits of vitamin D and how vitamin D deficiency may be involved in many pathological disorders including cancer, multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
Email David Shepard with any questions
Registration opens 11/19/25
Age-Appropriate Forgetfulness
vs. Dementia
An Understanding
Dr. Marc Dichter
Registration opens 11/21/25
We all worry about losing our cognitive abilities as we age. MCA member and neurologist Dr. Marc Dichter will discuss the vexing issue of normal forgetfulness vs. unfolding dementia. Where do we draw the line? What can be done following a troubling diagnosis? The discussion will include a review of recent encouraging, cutting-edge innovations in brain science.
Talmud StudyLed by Sid Freund
Eight sessions starting 1/5/26 and ending 3/23/26. Always at 2:30 PM on Mondays
Registration Opens 10/21/25
Talmud Study Group will focus on ancient Jewish civil laws, many of which formed the foundation of our modern laws.
This season we will analyze the judicial principles related to cases where two different sentences are applicable. Should one or more sentences be administered? The primary categories of punitive liability will be introduced and then we will discuss the imposition of two consequences for the same transgression. We will learn the judicial principle of only applying the more severe penalty and then compare and contrast different scenarios where this principle may or may not apply.
Note: Prior year attendance is not a requirement. All classes and provided materials are in English.
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
Going With the Flow
Urology Update
Dr. Neil Stein
Registration Opens 12/7/25
Many of us are concerned about urological issues - from urinary frequency to prostate cancer. MCA member and physician Dr. Neil Stein will discuss these issues and update us on the diagnosis and treatment of urological difficulties, including innovative approaches to problems in this sensitive part of our anatomy.
Registration Opens 11/13/25
Equities? Fixed Income? Real Estate? Mutual Funds? Puts/calls/options? Join your MCA friends in a monthly round table discussion to share your investment experience and expertise and to learn from others.
TOPICS TO BE ANNOUNCED PRIOR TO EACH SESSION
For more information, contact Gene Briskman
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Evaluating Our Housing Options
Bruce Rosenblatt, Senior Housing Advisor
Registration Opens 12/11/25
Registration opens November 14
America’s Opioid Epidemic
How Big Pharma’s Profit Motive fueled Opioid Addiction and Overdose Deaths and how the Justice System Worked to Abate the Epidemic
Much has been written about the Sacklers’ and Purdue Pharma’s development and false marketing of oxycontin that fueled the opioid epidemic in our country. At its height, the epidemic killed more than 175,000 people annually and afflicted more than 3 million people with opioid use disorder. But the epidemic was caused not just by the Sacklers’ illegal conduct but was reinforced by other opioid manufacturers and the drug distributors and pharmacy dispensers who ignored their obligations under the Federal Drug Enforcement Act.
Lawyers representing more than 3000 cities and counties, in conjunction with state attorney generals, brought lawsuits that have resulted in more than $70 billion in settlements earmarked for addiction treatment centers, foster care facilities, drug courts, and drug law enforcement agencies. They have paid for the wide dissemination of overdose antidote drugs such as Narcan and opioid treatment drugs such as suboxone. The lawsuits have also required that the entire drug distribution chain change its behavior.
Recent reports reveal that these programs, funded by the settlements, have reduced opioid related deaths by more than 30% in 2024.
Pete Weinberger was appointed by the Federal Judge who managed these lawsuits as one of the lead litigators. He will detail how the case was litigated, how his litigation team was established and funded, and the evidence that was uncovered. That evidence is now documented in a national archive so that researchers and scholars can learn and report about how this man-made epidemic developed.
COED
Is Your New Programmer a North Korean Spy?
Rob Brown
You’ve probably heard the warnings — don’t click on suspicious links, watch out for phishing emails, and keep your software up to date. Those are the basics of how to protect your computer from cyber threats. But what if the real danger isn’t a link or a virus, but someone working at your company?
For questions email David Shepard
Registrations open 12/21/25
Reservations opens 11/21/2025
Apple Tech Forum
Got a question about your iPhone or your Mac? Not sure whether to upgrade to the next release of IOS? Not sure what product to buy?
Learn more about popular features and topics, and find resources that will help you with all of your Apple products.
Come to this tech forum with you questions, your iPhones or iPads and speak with Rabbi Chorny, an Apple expert, and get those questions answered.
Hands on CPR Training and More!
Registration opens November 22
What to do until the EMT gets to you? This will be live training First Aid, CPR, AED, Auto-Injector, Opioid Antidote and other topics decided by the group.
This experience is designed to provide participants with training and confidence in an emergency situation. You will learn what to do until the EMTs arrive to take over.
Topics will be:
Hands On Practical Experience (HOPE) Chest compression-only CPR/AED, Stop the Bleed is a national curriculum created by US Dept of Homeland Security as a response to increased gun violence and mass casualty incidents. The recognition of the Auto-Injector and use of an epi-pen. The recognition and use of different Opioid Antidote like Naloxone/Narcan.
This is the real deal but without certification.
Refreshments will be provided.
This program is open to MCA and WCA members.
If the program is full, please add your name to the waitlist.
Reviewing
the Hematology Disease
Spectrum
Internal Medicine/ Oncology/Hematology
Dr. Peter Sherer
Registration Opens 12/22/25
People are often befuddled and anxious if lab work says their blood results are atypical. MCA member and physician Dr. Peter Sherer will provide background on the relatively confusing issue of blood diseases - their diagnosis, symptoms and treatment.
Photography Discussion Group
The 4th Friday of Each Month
Registration for this New Season Opens 11/24/25
The Photography Discussion Group offers members The opportunity to share their enthusiasm for photography in a casual way.
While the facilitator (Neil Stein) guides each monthly meeting, it’s the participants who encourage learning by suggesting topics and sharing their related images, knowledge, creativity and support.
Friendly discussion always energizes these very positive gatherings. Interactive and welcoming, the group also provide a comfortable social atmosphere.
Bring your best photos to share with the group.
Sam Harris, Child Survivor of the Holocaust:
A Personal Story
In commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, hear the gripping account of a child caught in the horror of the Holocaust. Sam Harris is the subject of a short film produced by actress Sharon Stone, called “An Undeniable Voice”. We will see the film, followed by Sam taking questions from the audience. Sam’s story is a testament to the enduring resilience of faith and the strength of the human spirit. Sam was instrumental in the construction of the first Holocaust Museum in the United States, located in Skokie, Illinois, which today is the third largest Holocaust museum in the world.
Wine Appreciation - Great Wines From Around The United States
A coed event
Registration opens 12/3/25
Please join us for a wine tasting at Total Wine, Naples. We will sample eight (8) wines from different US regions. The Wine Educator will discuss the characteristics and local geography of each wine. To complete the tasting experience, hors d'oeuvres will be served.
The cost is $20/person
For questions contact Rob Brown
Protecting Your Wealth For Your Heirs
George Wilson, Esq.
Kyle Bacchus, Esq.
Registration Opens 1/15/26
Note:
Financial Health is held on the second Wednesday of each month during season. Chaired by Michael Feldman, the program covers a different topic each month, with knowledgeable speakers selected by Michael.
Implantable Cardiac Pacemakers and Defibrillators
Bob Werner
Registration opens 1/21/26
This session will explore the development, history, application and technology of implantable cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators.
For questions email Larry Goodman
MCA/WCA Joint Event
Is Falling in My Future?
Part II
I'm Down but I'm Not Out
Dr. Michael Poss (Orthopedics),
Dr. Larry Weiss (Emergency Medicine),
Dr. Larry Goodman (Radiology),
Jeanne Morgenstern (Physical Therapy)
You asked after last year's session that we revisit the issue of falls this season. As we all know, the risk of falling grows as we seniors get older. What can we do to reduce our risk? What should we do if the "inevitable" happens? A panel of experts will address this widespread concern and offer helpful insights and strategies.
MCA
Six Day Trip to Cuba
March 8 - 13, 2026
This trip has sold out the last 2 years !!
Join MCA for a special 6-day Adventure to Cuba. Visit Jewish sites, historical sites and soak in Cuban culture. Destinations include:
The all-inclusive price:
$3885 pp in DBL (Including Air)
$4220 pp in SGL (Including Air)
including airfare, lodging, meals and local transportation.
Contact Neil Chessin for additional information or to register.
Your IRA and Charity Strategies
Gary Sanders, CPA
Registration Opens February 12, 2025
IRAs and Charity Strategies
Conspiracy Theories: Past, Present and in the Future
Ron Yasbin, PhD
Registration opens 2/18/26 In person and on Zoom
Conspiracy theories have been around since recorded history began. Many of them were aimed at the Jewish people. We will discuss how a number of these theories affected and are still influencing the safety, health, welfare and economics of society and minority groups. These conspiracy theories include the spread of TB, the supposed use of human blood in rituals, world economic domination, space lasers causing wildfires, genetically modified foods and organisms, the use of arsenic to cure cancer, the dangerous side effects of vaccines, fluoridation of water, the cause of AIDS and Covid-19 and the man-made cause of Autism
Understanding
Cardiology
Diagnostics
Conventional and New
Procedures Available Today
Dr. Ronald Riner
Registration Opens 2/20/26
Cardiac care is top of mind for seniors. Dr. Ronald Riner will bring his more than 50 years of experience as a cardiologist to bear, discussing the many conventional and new procedures and diagnostic tools available today. He will also raise our awareness of the role of various types of providers and diagnostic centers in cardiac care today.
Registration opens January 23
Beginners Beekeeping Workshop
An Introduction to the art of Beekeeping
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
WHY SO MANY PEOPLE CHOOSE TO KEEP BEES,
HOW TO WORK SAFELY AROUND THEM,
WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED,
HOW TO CHOOSE AND PREPARE AN APIARY LOCATION, AND
HOW TO KEEP THE COLONIES HEALTHY
The cost of the workshop will be $25.00 per person, this price includes a small jar of the honey that was extracted.
Using Trusts to Save on Taxes
Andy Krause, Esq.
J.P. Bratcher, Esq.
Registration Opens March 12, 2025
This is the final program in the 2025-26 Financial Health series, held on the second Wednesday of each month during season. Chaired by Michael Feldman, the program covered a different topic each month, with knowledgeable speakers selected by Michael.
From Fear to Fascination: The Science and Conservation of Sharks
Maggie Winchester-Weiler, M.Sc.
Registration Opens 3/18/26
This talk will be in person only
Sharks are vital to healthy ocean ecosystems, yet they face increasing challenges from human activities. The Atlantic is no exception, with fishing pressures, habitat loss, and climate change threatening their survival. Join Maggie Winchester-Weiler, Florida Conservation Program Manager for Ocean Conservancy, for an engaging dive into the biology of sharks, the physiological impacts of catch-and-release fishing, and the critical conservation efforts needed to protect these apex predators. Together, we’ll explore what divers and ocean lovers can do to ensure a thriving future for sharks in our waters.
For questions, email Michael Sobol