Senior Connections
Senior Connections is normally held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month throughout the year. Currently we are bringing our programs by Zoom. Please check your Temple Weekly email or contact Melissa for the link. All programs are curated by seniors and are open to members as well as the wider Santa Cruz community. All programs are free.
Please scroll down to the bottom of this page to find links to recordings of previous programs.
Programs are offered every Monday through June!
They begin at 2:00 PM, but you can join at 1:30 to schmooze and make sure you are comfortable with Zoom.
The Zoom link is the same every week. It can be found in the Temple Weekly email, on the website home page for logged in members, or you can contact Melissa.
June 8 ~ UCSC Professor Emerita Ronnie Gruhn
The World in Crisis
The ongoing fallout from the Covid virus, the murder of George Floyd and what has followed, is changing how we think about ourselves as a nation and how the world looks at the US. The fallout from climate change is also on the horizon. It is not enough to simply feel depressed about a changing world but we need to start thinking constructively about our domestic and international options and to engage as citizens. We need to think creatively about what can be done and what needs to be done. We must to try to face up to our current situation but we also need to imagine and help bring about a new future.
June 15 - An Afternoon of Soulful Jewish Violin Music with Claudia Bloom
On Monday, April 13, we had a wonderful presentation by Bob Kibrick, Retired Research Astronomer at University of California Observatories/Lick Observatory entitled Challenges to Democracy: Insecure Voting Systems, Gerrymandering, Voter Suppression, Electoral College and Current Efforts to Address each Challenge. If you missed it, there is a Zoom recording of Bob's talk here.
Since 2006, Senior Connections has been providing an eclectic mix of lectures, discussions, films, musical and dramatic performances, arts and health panels, rabbinic roundtables and annual luncheons. Visit with friends, make new friends and learn something new.
Call ahead if transportation arrangements are needed (see contact information below). Programs are subject to change.
Free and Open to the General Public!
Programs are on the 2nd & 4th Monday of each month
1:30 - 2:00 PM Nosh and Schmooze
2:00 - 3:30 PM Featured Presentation
CURRENTLY, THESE PRESENTATIONS ARE POSTPONED
Sam Leask of the Community Foundation: Smarter Giving: Use Your IRA Required Withdrawals for Charity (and Skip the Taxes)
The 14th Annual Senior Connections Luncheon with special musical entertainment by the local Klezmer group, Hoo-tza-tza!
Reservations and payment in advance are required only for the luncheon.
1200-1:00: Catered luncheon with delicious offerings (vegan and vegetarian friendly).
1:15-2:30: The Lively Dance Rhythms of Klezmer Music, a presentation by Laurie B. Tanenbaum and Hoo-tza-tza.
For transportation needs, further information, and/or suggestions for future programming, please email Marlene Pitkow or call her at (831) 818-4809.
Why not honor your loved ones with a donation to the Senior Connections fund and help us to continue these great programs twice a month? Senior Connections is a self-sustaining group within the Temple family. Our success is due to the support of people like you. Contributions of any amount to Senior Connections are greatly appreciated and will go toward honorariums for our speakers, film licensing dues, luncheon expenses and assistance to seniors in our Temple and in the larger community.
Previous Programs:
Bruce Tompkins Jews and the Wizard of Oz
Ed Weingold A Map of the World Book Talk
Bob Kibrick Challenges to Democracy