"CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES"
MONDAYS
Dates: January 30, February 6, 13
Time: 10:30 - 12 noon Fee: 3 sessions = $45 Course Number: SMAM3
January 30 - "The United Nations: Global Force or Global Farce?"
Course Instructor: Rabbi Eli Kavon
The mission of the United Nations has been to promote global peace and the protection of human rights. Has the United Nations succeeded in this goal? Explore this question in the context of the Israeli-Arab conflict in the Middle East, tracing the United Nation's policy from 1947 to the present.
February 6 - "Diplomacy Past and Present"
Course Instructor: Ambassador Asher Naim
Diplomacy is the practice of conducting negotiations between states and in international forums on subjects such as: war and peace, economic treaties, cultural issues, science and many other subjects of interest to the countries concerned. After forty-two years of personal experience Ambassador Naim, will explain what is required of a good diplomat; how diplomacy developed; in what ways does modern diplomacy differ; what is diplomatic immunity; the daily work of an Ambassador and much more!
February 13 - "Understanding the Dead Sea Scrolls"
Course Instructor: Hilda Naim
Learn from a senior docent at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, why the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is such a significant archaeological find and the most talked about subject among archaeologists and historians to the present day. Explore what the Scrolls tell us about Judaism and early Christianity and learn about the writers of the Dead Sea Scrolls - a Jewish sect called the Essenes who were highly critical of the political and religious environment in Jerusalem at the time.
"THE PLAY'S THE THING"
MONDAYS
Dates: January 30, February 6, 13
Time: 2 - 3:30 pm Fee: 3 sessions = $45 Course Number: SM3
Course Instructor: Ruth Ann Kalish, Ph.D.
Shakespeare's Hamlet declares "the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king". Plays have been staged for thousands of years from ancient Greece to present times so let us ponder what is "the thing" of Shakespeare? Plays capture the essence of social and political dialogue, they reflect cultural divides and cultural cohesion are the moral conscience of a society, and they provoke, and entertain. This course explores how each of these elements has been artfully brought to audiences. Examine theater as media for social and political dialogue during periods of war; theater as moral conscience for the Ancient Greeks and for American audiences. Some of the plays that will be examined are: South Pacific, West Side Story, Twelve Angry Men and more!
"HUMOR: THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE"
MONDAYS
Dates: March 5, 12, 26
Time: 10:30 - 12 noon Fee: 3 sessions $45 Course Number: SMAM3a
Course Instructor: Dr. Joyce Saltman
Join Dr. Saltman, Professor Emeritus, Gestalt Therapist, Laughter Consultant who is often called, "The Guru of Laughter" as she discusses ways to laugh through some of life's most difficult events. Learn useful techniques and practical suggestions that will help lighten your life and bring more laughter and joy into it. In this experiential workshop examine the physiological benefits of laughter, the mind-body connection the useful scientific data to provide a mirth-provoking educational experience. Participate in activities designed to promote laughter and learning.
March 5 - "Laughter: Rx for Survival"
March 12 - "The Single Life: On-line and Up a Creek"
March 26 - "Head Lice: How to Avoid Nitpicking with your Adult Children"
"THE NEW YORKER SHORT STORY: HOW IT WORKS & HOW TO WORK IT!"
MONDAYS
Dates: March 5, 12, 19, 26
Time: 2 - 3:30 pm Fee: 4 sessions = $45 Course Number: SM4
Course Instructor: Judith Klau
The New Yorker magazine is probably the country's most popular venue for contemporary short fiction. With the help of stories from recent issues, as well as other classic examples, the genre of the short story itself will be discussed. An exploration of the clues to the kinds of stories that the magazine uses will unfold. Starting with a story brief enough to read together in the first class, participants will be provided with photocopies of other stories to use in brief 'homework' assignments. The goal is to make the audience better readers and help get ideas for short stories of their own.
"THE LIFE & WORKS OF HEMINGWAY"
TUESDAYS
Dates: February 7, 14, 21
Time: 2-3:30 pm Fee: 3 sessions = $45 Course Number: ST3
Course Instructor: Dr. Jeff Morgan
This course will explore Ernest Hemingway in three chronological stages: France and the early years, Key West and Cuba, and the later years. During each session participants will look at his work and his life, since Hemingway's work is a very autobiographical. In the first session the emphasis will be placed on his writing style and how it is an extension of his experience; the second session will focus on the development of the "Papa" myth and the third the instructor will provide first-hand accounts of his weeklong January 2012 trip to Cuba and the sites that focus on Hemingway.
"SOCIAL NETWORKS AND THE VIRTUAL YOU"
TUESDAYS
Dates: February 7, 14, 21
Time: 6 - 7:30pm Fee: 3 sessions $45 Course Number: STPM3
Course Instructor: Robert Swaine
Fiction writers have explored the nature of self for hundreds of years, imagining virtual and alter egos of your identity. In our interconnected modern world, social networks are rapidly bringing fiction to reality. Online networks such as Match.com, MySpace and Facebook began to carve out virtual versions of ourselves. These virtual profiles often reflect an idealized version of who we want to be. The latest mobile devices and new ways to connect are giving your virtual identity more impact than the real-world you. For the younger generations, the online community is becoming essential to their identity more than their local, physical community. This course will explore these topics and the implications they have for you as an individual living in a digital society. It will also touch upon privacy issues, the changing face of family, friendships, dating, work, and changing democratic principles.
"SEVEN QUESTIONS FOR LIVING OUR LIVES"
TUESDAYS
Dates: March 13, 20, 27
Time: 6 - 7:30 pm Fee: 3 sessions $45 Course Number: STPM3
Course Instructor: Rabbi Randall Konigsburg
Based on the book by Dr. Ron Wolfson, "The Seven Questions You're Asked in Heaven", these questions cut to the heart of what it means to live a good life. Life is not about how much money you make, fame you possess or how much power you have, but rather it is in the ethical way we choose to live our lives. These seven questions (you have to provide the answers) are the way we can cut through the noise of life to find the essential elements to living a meaningful life.
"HOW DIFFERENT RESPONSES TO SUCCESS AND FAILURE AFFECT YOUR LIFE"
TUESDAYS
Dates: March 13, 20, 27
Time: 2 - 3:30 pm Fee: 3 sessions $45 Course Number: ST3a
Course Instructor: Dr. Renato Bellu
This course examines different ways people interpret and explain to themselves "the bad and good things" that happen in their lives. Examine how creating an appropriate style of responses to success and failure can affect one's life. Strategies for learning reactions aimed at developing an optimistic mindset will be discussed and how changing your mind can fend off depression and heighten your sense of life's satisfaction and happiness. The course is structured in a non-academic mode encouraging interaction, lively discussion and question-answer components
"MEMORY MATTERS"
WEDNESDAYS
Dates: February 1, 8, 15, 22
Time: 2 - 3:30 pm Fee: 4 sessions = $45 Course Number: SW4
Course Instructor: Barbara Klau This interactive course is designed to reduce anxiety about normal age-related memory issues by using proven and valid memory retention techniques. We will discuss and practice a number of techniques which are easily incorporated into your everyday life to help you feel more empowered and in control. Some of the techniques covered will be Environmental Change, Self-Instruction, Remembering Names, the Roman Room, Visualization, Mindfulness, and others. It will also talk about lifestyle choices that aid brain fitness.
"NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY MUSEUM ART SERIES"
WEDNESDAYS
Dates: February 1, 8, 15
Time: 6 - 7:30 pm Fee: 3 sessions $45 Course Number: SWPM3
Back by popular demand this series will feature highly knowledgeable, museum-trained docents from the Museum of Art/Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University. Each class will give an in-depth visual experience, including many of the artist's most important masterworks. The unique and colorful personal histories of the artists will be discussed in the context of their art.
February 1 - "Matisse and the Fauves: aka "The Wild Beasts"
In 1904 a French art critic dubbed this group of artists Fauves - or "wild beasts" for their use of outrageous color. Explore the advancement of Modern Art through the works of Matisse, Derain, and others.
February 8 - "Jewish Artists and the Immigrant Experience"
This informative program shows how a group of artists expressed their Jewish identity as influenced by two World Wars, the Russian Revolution, and the immigrant experience.
February 13 - "The American Art Colony in Giverny"
Enjoy this journey through the French countryside northeast of Paris with a group of young American Impressionists who created their own artists' colony in the midst of Claude Monet's village.
"SPIES IN AMERICAN HISTORY"
WEDNESDAYS
Dates: March 7, 14, 21
Time: 2 - 3:30 pm Fee: 3 sessions $45 Course Number: SW3
Course Instructor: Myrna Goldberger
Throughout American history, espionage has played a major role in how this country evolved into the international power it is today. While a critical contributor to the creation and growth of the nation, spying and related intelligence gathering efforts have often gone unacknowledged. Although most people think of spies as a Cold War phenomenon, they've actually been around for hundreds of years. Spying has been called the second oldest profession in the world. Explore the careers of such infamous spies as Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, Ted Hall, Amy Pack Thorpe, Emma Edmonds, Belle Boyd, Robert Hanssen and Aldrich Ames. For money, ideology and or adventure, these individuals built a spy legacy that is intriguing as well as incredible.
"CHINA: THE EMERGING SUPERPOWER"
WEDNESDAYS
Dates: March 14, 21, 28
Time: 6 - 7:30 pm Fee: 3 sessions $45 Course Number: SWPM3
Course Instructor: Jerry Cooke, J.D.
China is poised to challenge the United States as the sole superpower in the world. That nation's unprecedented economic growth, its' increasing military strength, and growing global influence, requires the United States to adapt to this new reality of China's power. While continuing to pursue our national goals and objectives, we should focus on areas where our two nations can cooperate, and make certain that we manage our differences so as to avoid unthinkable armed conflict.
March 14 - "China and the Presidential Election 2012"
Foreign policy will be a significant issue in the upcoming Presidential nominating and election process. China will be a main focus of the policy debate because of China's growing economic, military, and political power. It is essential that we better understand the issues the Presidential candidates will be discussing and debating.
March 21 - "Confronting China's Growing Military Power"
In this session we will look at China's history regarding Japan and western imperialism and attempt to understand China's rationale for its present-day military modernization program. We will review the elements of this program and determine whether China's military is a threat to the security of the United States.
March 28 - "Chinese Sovereignty vs. American Exceptionalism"
The United States is committed to democratic institutions and human rights and we seek to spread these values throughout the world. China holds that national sovereignty is a sacred value and wants to conduct its internal affairs without interference from any outside party. These values are in conflict. This discussion will explore, the issue of human rights and censorship, the future survivability of the Chinese Communist Party as the autocratic ruling authority of China, the treatment of Tibet, and our commitment toward Taiwan.
"GENEALOGY: TRACING YOUR FAMILY ROOTS"
THURSDAYS
Dates: February 2, 9, 16, 23
Time: 2:00 - 3:30pm Fee: 4 sessions $45 Course Number: STHPM
February 2 - "Researching Ancestry - Computers and Genealogy"
Course Instructor: Gerald Naditch
February 9 - "The "Z" Family - A Genealogical Journey from 1789 to the Present" Course Instructor: Dennis Rice
February 16 - "Researching Your Long-Lost Family" Course Instructor: Mona Freedman Morris
February 23 - "Genealogical Panel Discussion - Q & A" facilitated by Sylvia Nusinov
"WORDS AND MUSIC"
THURSDAYS
Dates: March 8, 15, 22
Time: 2 - 3:30 pm Fee: 3 sessions = $45 Course Number: STH3
March 8 - "Irving Berlin: One of the Greats Who Fueled the Golden Age of Movie Musicals"
Course Instructor: David Novek
One of the great anomalies of American cultural history is how a comparatively small group of composers and lyricists, many of them Jewish immigrants or children of immigrants living on the Lower East Side of New York, transformed the course of American popular music during the first half of the 20th Century. These songwriters were at the heart of Tin Pan Alley, from which flowed thousands of songs that touched every aspect of American life and many of which resound to this day. This lecture, with film clips, will survey the life of probably the greatest, Irving Berlin, especially his tunes that fueled the Golden Age of the Movie Musical.
March 15 & March 22 - "Broadway #101 - The Great White Way"
Course Instructor: Harry Shapiro
In these two sessions you will look at and hear about the works of Eugene O'Neil, George M. Cohan, Irving Berlin, Al Jolson, the Ziegfeld Follies, and others, and enjoy the melodies of the 30's and 40's. Film clips, anecdotes, and soundtracks will keep the audience jumping into the aisles.
For information about programs call: 561-266-9490 or 561-266-0194 or email Bonnie Stelzer, the Director of Community Relations: bonnie.stelzer@delraylibrary.org