Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Stimulating conversation, enlightenment about current events, some adult learning, and a nice evening out with friends are what Congregation Ohev Shalom and the Roth JCC bring to the community in the upcoming spring series of the 92Y Live.

"Congregation Ohev Shalom and the Roth JCC consistently bring the best and the brightest to our doorstep for the cost of going to a movie. Once again, the new series promises to be enriching and interesting," said Lisa Schwartz, chairwoman of Adult Programming at Ohev.

The series will open Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 8 p.m. with Amy Chua (author of "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother") and Jed Rubenfeld talking about success in America. It may be taboo to say, but some groups in America do better than others. Mormons have recently risen to astonishing business success. Cubans in Miami climbed from poverty to prosperity in a generation. Nigerians earn doctorates at stunningly high rates. Indian and Chinese Americans have much higher incomes than other Americans; Jews may have the highest of all. The husband-and-wife team-both Yale professors-discuss their new book, "The Triple Package," and expose the three unlikely traits that explain the rise and fall of cultural groups in America.

Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m., journalist and author Warren Kozak will tackle the difficult topic "The United States, Iran and Israel: What next?" in an interview with acclaimed Middle East expert Dr. Michael Doran. The United States embarked on a historically unprecedented engagement with Iran at a moment when the Middle East has never seemed more volatile and unpredictable. What has it achieved? Dr. Doran has served as assistant secretary of defense and senior director at the National Security Council. He writes and lectures widely the Middle East.

What is a Jewish lecture series without some Jewish history? On Monday, March 9, at 7:45 p.m., storyteller Simon Schama will tell "The Story of the Jews," full of rich detail and a keen sense of how people really lived. Schama's "The Story of the Jews: Finding the Words 1000 B.C.-1492 A.D." (a new book and television series soon to air on PBS) takes listeners all over India, Spain, Oxford, Syria, Paris, Cairo and beyond to show how Jews everywhere lived not as a people apart, but as a vital force in any society they joined, inspiring and being inspired by everything around them.

The series concludes Tuesday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m., with Jane Pauley being interviewed by Tom Brokaw. These two household names will be discussing "Your Life Calling." The pioneering television anchors will reunite for an inspiring discussion about the "lucky generation"-boomers who, at 50 and up, are finding their true callings. Pauley shares practical ideas and motivating advice from her new book, "Your Life Calling, "as well as her own personal story of reinvention. A not-to-be-missed evening for anyone who knows the yearning for "something different" or "something more."

Jed Rubenfeld

All of these programs will be presented via satellite broadcast from the famous 92nd Street Y in New York City, and will be viewed on a large screen in the sanctuary at Congregation Ohev Shalom. Most of the lectures offer the local audience a chance to be a part of the question and answer time, with questions from Orlando emailed to New York. "The audience really does feel like they have been transported to New York City (at no cost) for a wonderful evening, and refreshments are always served," added Schwartz.

Linda Amon, Adult Program vice president at the Roth JCC added, "This series absolutely has something for everyone of any age. We really want to encourage people who haven't experienced the pleasure of these programs to come and check it out."

The cost for the series of four programs is $30. Individual program tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 per program or $15 at the door. Anyone wishing to purchase tickets can do so at either COS or the Roth JCC. Call Ohev Shalom at 407-298-4750 for more information, or to purchase tickets by phone.