Brandeis National Committee

Chapter Events

Online Chapter Events

The Online Chapter of BNC is an extension of the community created by active chapters and members from all over the world. Online events are open to all BNC members.

The Man Behind "Hava Nagila"

November 3, 2025

2-3 pm Eastern, on Zoom.  

Everyone knows it. Everyone has sung it. Everyone has danced to it … but do you know who wrote it? Abraham Zvi Idelsohn was one of the great musicologists in our Jewish history. His great-niece Denise Wolpert, co-president of the BNC South Miami-Dade chapter, will trace his life from his roots in Feliksburg, Russia to his burial in South Africa, offering insight into his personal life and familial ties. The presentation will be accompanied by Alan Mason on piano. 

The $18 registration fee is a tax-deductible contribution to the BNC Engineering the Future Fund.

About the speakers

Denise Wolpert is president of the South Miami/Dade chapter of BNC. Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Denise studied art history, music history, and sociology at the University of the Witwatersrand. Since 1979, Denise's home has been the Miami area, where she has held leadership positions at the South Dade Jewish Community
Center and the Bass Museum of Art. She currently serves as president of the board of Dance Now! Miami.

Dr. Alan Mason, the musical director at Bet Shira Congregation in Pinecrest, Florida, retired from Barry University in Florida as an associate professor of music in 2014. He is one of the nation's most noted accompanists to cantors and sacred Jewish music concerts, conferences, conventions, and events. 

Register for The Man Behind 'Hava Nagila'

Study Groups

Law Study Group

Meets on the third Tuesday of every month, 4-5:30 pm ET / 1-2:30 pm PT

This study group is for attorneys and retired (or semi-retired) judges. Come together with fellow lawyers for exhilarating conversation that will help strengthen your memory into retirement.

For attorneys who miss the intense, intellectual stimulation of discussing issues of legal significance, this is a unique opportunity to participate in diverse conversation with attorneys from around the country.

The group is open to men and women. Potential topics include recent U. S. Supreme Court decisions, appellate cases, pending litigation of significance to the country, as well as non-constitutional issues, including legal-political cross-over issues. There’s no end to topics of contemporary and historic importance to discuss and debate. The group is led by BNC member Paul Fisher, a retired mediator/arbitrator/attorney.

The $25 registration fee is a donation to the BNC Professorship in Engineering Science. 

Questions? Please email facilitator Paul Fisher at poluxe2015@gmail.com 

register for the law study group

National Current Events Group
Meets on the second Tuesday of every month, 4-5:30 pm ET / 1-2:30 pm PT

Members of the Brandeis National Committee are invited to join a monthly current events study group hosted by the Conejo Valley/ San Fernando Valley Chapter. Share your opinion and hear a diversity of opinions from BNC members around the country.

Topics are proposed and voted on by members a week before each meeting. Group protocols support stimulating discussion without interruptions. Everyone has an opportunity to contribute to the discussion. The group is led by BNC member Paul Fisher, a retired mediator/arbitrator/attorney.

The $25 registration fee is a donation to the BNC Professorship in Engineering Science.

Questions? Please email facilitator Paul Fisher at poluxe2015@gmail.com 

This study group is currently full. When you register using the link below, you will be assigned to the waiting list (but not charged the registration fee).

register for the current events group

Previous Online Chapter Events

Other Chapter Events