The idea for Handmaker to host Brandeis Lectures in their Great Room originated about five years ago when Brandeis Lecture Coordinator Ellie Eigen was visiting a friend of hers at Handmaker, Carol Zuckert. Eigen had been coordinating the Brandeis Tucson Museum of Art Docent Talks and was looking for a new venue to host them. Carol introduced her to Nanci Levy, Handmaker Community Outreach Coordinator. It was a win-win for all. Handmaker provided the space, Eigen and the Tucson Museum of Art coordinated and provided the lecturers, and Brandeis attendees and Handmaker residents have been enjoying these wonderful lectures ever since, except for an 18-month or so break during the height of COVID.
These Brandeis Art Talks at Handmaker worked out so well for everyone involved that over the years other Brandeis Lecture coordinators have asked to hold their lectures there too, and Handmaker has obliged. Currently, Handmaker is hosting four different Brandeis lecture series! So clearly, this mutually beneficial relationship continues to thrive.
Tucson Museum of Art Docent Talk
Handmaker residents and Brandeis attendees enjoyed learning about renowned artist Roy Lichtenstein with Tucson Museum of Art Docent, Alinda Hakanson, at the first Brandeis Art Talk of the season on January 9th. Alinda put together a wonderful PowerPoint presentation that included images that were the inspiration for many of Lichtenstein’s iconic works of art. All in attendance agreed that he was not the “Worst Artist in the World”, as Life Magazine referred to him in 1964. Next month’s Art Talk will be about Vincent Van Gogh with Tucson Museum of Art Docent Chuck Tampico, and the Art Talks will continue this year through April.
Talk it Over
Ellen Aldelstein had been attending some Brandeis Lectures at Handmaker and was thinking about leading a lecture series of her own. She had been the host of a public affairs program “Talk it Over” in Tucson, from 1976-1984 on KZAZ-TV. She thought that it would make an interesting series of lectures to talk about her experiences doing this show, and she thought that Handmaker would make a great venue. In October 2022, Aldelstein began this new Brandeis Lecture series. During each lecture, she shows a video of one of her interviews, talks about her experience with the show and guest, and then answers questions. So far, lecture attendees have heard some great behind-the-scenes stories about Aldelstein’s interviews with Michael Landon, Connie Stevens, Jim Kolbe and Don Newcombe. The next lecture in February will be about Fred Snowden, with more monthly lectures continuing through May.
Classical Music, with Harvey Wolfe
Every Friday morning at 10am from February 3rd through March 3rd, Handmaker residents and Brandeis members will be treated to a fabulous lecture series on Classical Music by Harvey Wolfe. Wolfe is a cellist and was a member of the famed Cleveland Orchestra for 37 years. Seasonally retired to Tucson, he still performs chamber music and recitals. At every lecture in this series, he will talk about each classical music piece before playing a recording of it, giving attendees an even better appreciation for what they are listening to. This is Wolfe’s second year lecturing at Handmaker, but he has been doing lectures with Brandeis for years.
How the Books of the Bible Came to Be, with Stu Berger
On Friday afternoons at 3pm from January 13 through February 17th, Stu Berger is teaching a class on how the Books of the Bible came into being. Berger researched the development of the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible, by reading relevant books and articles, while also viewing over 100 hours of video courses given by experts. The New Testament material was developed by Deacon Tom Driscoll (ret.) in collaboration with Berger. During the class, he explores the geopolitical circumstances that led to the formation of the Hebrew and New Testament Bibles and the other factors that enabled their status as great literature. It is very heady stuff!
Handmaker is proud to host these Brandeis Lectures, and residents are happy to be able to learn with and from Brandeis Club members.
If you would be interested in attending any of these lectures as a guest of Handmaker, please contact Nanci Levy at nlevy@handmaker.org. If you would like information about the Tucson Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee, including other lectures, study groups, and events, go to tucsonbnc.org.
