Book Discussion Group 2025-2026

Meets on the  3rd Wednesday of the month at 4:30 pm 

Zoom Only

You must register for the upcoming season (November onwards) in order to get email reminders

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.

November 19: Apeirogon by Colum McCann. The story of a Palestinian and a Jewish Israeli, each of whom has lost a daughter in the conflict. Discussion led by Bob Maisel.

December 17: The Aviator and the Showman by Laurie Gwen Shapiro. The story of Amelia Earhart and George Putnam and the relationship that created her legend. Discussion led by Neil Stein

January 21: Fluke by Brian Klass. A discussion of how unexpected or random events can lead to important happenings and outcomes. Discussion lead by Doug Zipes.

Future books TBD

For more information contact Howard Gilbert

Current Issues Discussion Group

Led by Ron Mutchnik

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

Zoom Only

Registration Opens 10/20/25

You must re-register for this upcoming season

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 will be sent in the monthly reminder

Annuities & Stock Options 

Moderated by Michael Feldman, J.D, CFP®

Registration Opens on 11/13/25

Michael Feldman will moderate a review of Annuities and Stock Options at December's Financial Health Discussion 

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

In person and on Zoom

Wine Club 

Register once for the season and receive a reminder for each upcoming session announcing the wine selections for that month

If you were registered for the Special Opening Event you will still need to register once for this regular season

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 come if you want to learn and enjoy wine with like-minded MCA members. For this season, all participants will contribute $25 at each tasting. This is to offset costs of wine and  refreshments, which will be brought by those who volunteer. Whoever brings wine or refreshments will be partly reimbursed to the extent available from the entry fees collected.

December 17th- At this meeting we will be tasting wines made from different red grape varietals -- cabernet sauvignon, syrah, merlot, pinot noir and malbec. Can we taste the difference, and identify which is which?

January 19th-TBD

February 19th-TBD

March 16th-TBD

April 20th-TBD

Wines for upcoming meetings will be chosen at the preceding meeting.

Please contact Jim Aronson with any questions.

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.

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

Registration Opens 10/21/25 

Talmud Study
Led by Sid Freund

Seven sessions starting 1/5/26 and ending 3/23/26. Always at 2:30 PM on Mondays

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 12/4/25

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.

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

Investment Club

 Registration Opens 11/13/25

       In person and on Zoom

Equities? Fixed Income? Real Estate? Mutual Funds? Puts/calls/options?  Join your MCA friends for a monthly round table discussion to share your investment experience and expertise and to learn from others. An optional lunch at a local restaurant to continue the discussion will be considered each month.

January 12: MCA member Steve Einhorn will lead a discussion reviewing the results of the 2025 Equity Markets and analyzing the Market outlook for 2026

February 9: A guest speaker will focus on International Equity Markets

March 9: Discussion to center around alternative investments including commodities, precious metals, crypto, options trading, etc.

April 13: A guest speaker will focus on fixed income investments

We are looking for someone to lead the March discussion. If you know of someone who specializes in alternative investments and would be available, please let Gene know

For more information, contact Gene Briskman

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Evaluating Our Housing Options  

Bruce Rosenblatt, Senior Housing Advisor

Moderated by Michael Feldman, J.D, CFP®

Registration Opens 12/11/25

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

The Pentagon Papers

Registration Opens Nov 16

MCA Member Neil Adelman

Neil Adelman will speak about Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers. Ellsberg copied a secret government report on the Vietnam War. Nixon tried to stop its publication, culminating in a Supreme Court case. Ellsberg was then tried for espionage. Just as the Alger Hiss case began Nixon’s career, the Ellsberg case helped end it.

Was Ellsberg a hero or a traitor?

This will be Neil’s fourth talk on the great trials of the mid-20th century.

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

In person and on Zoom

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.

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. 

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

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

A coed event

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.

Call Centers Explained

Ever Been Stuck in Call Center "Hell"?

Couldn't Speak to an Agent?

Felt Like You Were Going in Circles?

Get the Answers 

MCA Member Rob Brown

(Registration Opens Nov. 30)

Hear from an industry insider how call centers are designed and work. Get answers to questions we all have:

• Do they really take calls in the order received?
• Do they use Artificial Intelligence?
• Why is it so hard to get to a live person?
• If I have them call me back, will I keep my place in line?
• What is their objective? Do they care what I want?

Rob Brown:

Rob worked for AT&T (Bell System), designing and implementing Service  Centers for AOL and Time Warner Cable, among others. Upon retiring from AT&T, Rob went to work for Citibank, where he had responsibility for voice and chat technology in Citi's Treasury organization. Rob will provide a "behind the curtain" view of the technology and business strategy within modern service centers.

MCA

Trip to Disney World

February 1 - 4, 2026

Join MCA for a special 4-day Adventure to Disney World.  

The all-inclusive price:

including airfare, lodging, meals and local transportation.

Contact Frank Muller for additional information. 

Registration opens 12/3/25

Wine Appreciation - Great Wines From Around The United States

A coed event

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

Once again we have arranged a fascinating 2 hour, docent led tour for MCA car guys, including private access to the workshop behind closed doors. 

The cost of the tour is $45.00.

Limited to 12 guests.

Click HERE to learn more about the collection and its location.

Questions email Les Nizin.

Protecting Your Wealth For Your Heirs

George Wilson, Esq.

Kyle Bacchus, Esq.

Moderated by Michael Feldman, J.D, CFP®

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.