Meet the Make a Difference Special Interest Group
In a previous posting, the Banner began publication of segments from an upcoming directory of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and committees in which many members will have the opportunity to participate. Additional information on this new initiative will be coming soon, but here’s another sample of what’s to come: profiles of BOLLI’s Make a Difference SIG, which transforms political knowledge and passion into meaningful action.
The group investigates important current issues and organizes activities such as letter/postcard writing and text and phone-banking to influence local, state, and national policies. Their strategic work seeks to improve the treatment of immigrant families, both in Massachusetts and at the Mexican border, and influence local, state, and national policies.
Make a Difference members were active in the 2020 presidential election and the Georgia senatorial run-offs. Their 2021-2022 agenda focuses on voting rights, climate change, the economy, and systemic racism. All BOLLI members are welcome to join. If you have any questions, or want to receive emails and a link to upcoming meetings, contact group leader Rosalie Fink at RosaliePFink@gmail.com or 617-699-1833.
Rosalie Fink joined BOLLI in 2014. She was a modern dancer and choreographer and eventually became an educator, teaching extensively and earning a doctorate in literacy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Rosalie combined her experience in dance and literacy as a Professor of Literacy at Lesley University, publishing many articles and books, such as Reading, Writing, and Rhythm. She has traveled widely presenting her dyslexia research. At BOLLI, she has taken courses in literature, law, theatre, and feminism. Rosalie is enthusiastic about Make a Difference, the special interest group she leads, which fits with her lifelong interest in social justice. For example, as a dancer she created dances about lynching and the Holocaust; as a teacher, she taught about racism and voter suppression. Rosalie lives in Chestnut Hill; she has two daughters, four grandchildren, and a wonderful husband. Rosalie is delighted to have made new friends at BOLLI!
Eleanor Jaffe has been at BOLLI for twelve years. She is a liberal democrat who created courses on aging, immigration, and literature. Teaching, learning, and committing her beliefs to action are a wonderful combination for her. She is a co-founder of Make a Difference, which provides an arena for political discussions and provides paths to action. Eleanor’s first career was as a high school English teacher; she then became a school counselor and social worker. She has always been interested in the welfare of children. Eleanor has two children, four grandchildren, and a great husband. When she lived in a small town in New Mexico in 1968, she became the county coordinator of “McCarthy for President.” From this heady experience, she became a delegate to the Democratic Convention in Chicago—an exciting and transformational political experience. Make a Difference helps assuage Eleanor’s political angst these days.
Elaine Dohan has been a happy BOLLI member since its inception 21 years ago in the Brandeis gym, after many challenging and rewarding years teaching and writing curriculum in the Sudbury Middle School. In addition to taking exciting classes in history and the arts at BOLLI, she feels privileged to have helped initiate the inclusion of field trips, the short story discussion group, BOLLI support for international graduate students at Brandeis, and the vitally important “Make a Difference” political action group, now enthusiastically and ably chaired by Rosalie Fink.
Steven Ostrow joined BOLLI in 2020 after retiring from a teaching career in Greek & Roman antiquity. He is an active, enthusiastic contributor to two special interest groups: “Current Events” and “Make a Difference”. Over the past half century, he’s lived for many years in Rome, engaged in study, teaching, and research, and has been lucky to lead dozens of archaeological tours across Italy. To date BOLLI has pulled him happily toward ever fewer ancient centuries on a wide variety of fronts: historical (World War II); political-philosophical (“Climate Justice,” “Ethics in an Age of Pandemic and Racial Reckoning,” “Religious Existentialism”); musical/art historical (“Four Rivalries in 20th Century Art” and Mozart opera; “All that Jazz” and “Paris in the ’20’s”). Steve loves talking about BOLLI’s liberal arts for mature adults! Among his interests outside of BOLLI, Steve sings baritone in the Yiddish Chorus (A Besere Velt) of the Boston Workers Circle.