Since 1918, the Foreign Policy Association has served as a catalyst for an open, objective, and non-partisan public discourse on world affairs and American foreign policy. Great Decisions is an annual series that examines eight critical foreign policy issues. The topics for this course are selected by the Foreign Policy Association. Each lecture in this series includes background information, current American policy, and foreign policy options for the United States. An additional ninth lecture on March 12th, entitled "It's A Wrap," updates attendees on developments on each of the topics discussed since the beginning of the course. For more information about Great Decisions, please visit: https://www.fpa.org

"He's a Rockstar. I would probably attend any program he presents."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads

2. U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy

3. U.S.-China Relations

4. International Cooperation on Climate Change

5. The Future of European Security

6. Artificial Intelligence and U.S. National Security

7. India: Between China, the U.S. & the Global South

8. After Gaza: American Foreign Policy in the Middle East

9. It's a Wrap!

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Since 1918, the Foreign Policy Association has served as a catalyst for an open, objective, and non-partisan public discourse on world affairs and American foreign policy. Great Decisions is an annual series that examines eight critical foreign policy issues. The topics for this course are selected by the Foreign Policy Association. Each lecture in this series includes background information, current American policy, and foreign policy options for the United States. An additional ninth lecture on March 12th, entitled "It's A Wrap," updates attendees on developments on each of the topics discussed since the beginning of the course. For more information about Great Decisions, please visit: https://www.fpa.org

"He's a Rockstar. I would probably attend any program he presents."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads

2. U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy

3. U.S.-China Relations

4. International Cooperation on Climate Change

5. The Future of European Security

6. Artificial Intelligence and U.S. National Security

7. India: Between China, the U.S. & the Global South

8. After Gaza: American Foreign Policy in the Middle East

9. It's a Wrap!

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Since 1918, the Foreign Policy Association has served as a catalyst for an open, objective, and non-partisan public discourse on world affairs and American foreign policy. Great Decisions is an annual series that examines eight critical foreign policy issues. The topics for this course are selected by the Foreign Policy Association. Each lecture in this series includes background information, current American policy, and foreign policy options for the United States. An additional ninth lecture on March 12th, entitled "It's A Wrap," updates attendees on developments on each of the topics discussed since the beginning of the course. For more information about Great Decisions, please visit: https://www.fpa.org

"He's a Rockstar. I would probably attend any program he presents."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads

2. U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy

3. U.S.-China Relations

4. International Cooperation on Climate Change

5. The Future of European Security

6. Artificial Intelligence and U.S. National Security

7. India: Between China, the U.S. & the Global South

8. After Gaza: American Foreign Policy in the Middle East

9. It's a Wrap!

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

It seems the average South Floridian has been here about ten minutes. And most of what you think you know is wrong! Longtime journalist, author, and lecturer explores the history of Florida, South Florida, and Palm Beach County. All talks use PowerPoint and handouts.

“Excellent presenter, class. Looking forward to attending next semester.” – OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Florida's amazing history and why you should care

2. Best of Florida's historical sites

3. Palm Beach County history

4. History of hurricanes in Florida

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

The Bill of Rights is 230 years old, but it continues to regularly impact our daily activities and fuel lively political and policy debates. This series will use constitutional/legal analysis, history, current events, logic/common sense, and a little humor to examine some key issues and landmark Supreme Court decisions.

" I will take any course Klein teaches Great combination of knowledge and wit"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. First Amendment: Freedom From and Freedom of Religion -The Very First Clauses of the Bill of Rights.

2. Second Amendment: Gun Rights and Regulations - What in the World Does the Amendment Mean?

3. Fourth and Fifth Amendments: Your Rights When Confronted by the Police.

4. Sixth through Eighth Amendments: The Rights of Criminal Defendants (Because no one is below the law).

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

 

Reversing its initial reservation, the Biden administration has provided Ukraine with advanced weapons and allowed their use for limited military targets inside Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that a coalition of countries agreed to send military trainers to Ukraine, indicating a willingness to put NATO troops on Ukrainian soil. Russia responded swiftly, with President Vladimir Putin threatening to arm enemies of the West with precision weapons and hinting at nuclear weapon use. Peace talks have vanished from the discourse, risking escalation toward a world war. Dr. Rabil argues that continuing the Ukraine war is detrimental to U.S. and Ukraine interests and potentially catastrophic if it leads to a world war. In this lecture series, Dr. Rabil will discuss critical geostrategic, security, and military issues to prevent such a conflict.

"I consider Dr. Rabil  to be one of the best lecture series, if not the best, that I attend at FAU OLLI" - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Iran-Russia Relations: Implications for U.S. and Israel

2. The E.U. and the U.S.-China Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific

3. Pakistan and the rivalry between the U.S. and Russia-China

4. The Struggle for Central Asia: Implications for NATO

5. Iran-Venezuela Relations and US-China (and Russia) Rivalry: Implications for U.S.

6. The Arab Gulf, U.S. and Israel: Post October 7

7. North Africa, U.S. and Israel: Post October 7

8. The Ukraine Crisis: The Coming World War?

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Ordinary men and women go about their lives thinking that things will never change. In places far removed from them, powerful people make decisions that will transform their lives, sometimes for better but very often for worse.

"Professor Berk as a lecturer and a scholar is as good as it gets. It is a privilege to attend his lectures." - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The Kaiser gives an ally a free hand, and the Great War begins. Lenin strikes for power and the world trembles.

2. Roosevelt creates the New Deal, and American Democracy is saved. Hitler makes the greatest mistake of his life, Barbarossa. Truman drops the bomb.

3. LBJ and MLK start the civil rights revolution. Fidel Castro brings communism to the Caribbean.

4. America goes to war in Asia, and Gorbachov destroys the Soviet Union.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

TV shows and films often glamourize the legal profession, but real law offers even more stimulation. This series delves into current, highly publicized legal and Constitutional issues in federal and state courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics include post-January 6th judicial decisions, legal challenges involving former President Trump and associates, and conflicts among federal judges. The increasingly polarized views of Supreme Court justices on critical issues like abortion and gun rights are also explored, as well as its most recent split decision assuring Presidential immunity in circumstances never before contemplated under the Constitution or all existing precedents to the contrary.  Expect a dynamic semester, not for the faint-hearted.  Returning participants are welcome

"Professor Labovitz is engaging, extremely erudite, knowledgeable and possesses great presentation skills." OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

"The Arabian Nights" is a timeless collection of stories narrated by the beautiful Scheherazade over 1001 nights to capture the imagination of her husband, the powerful Sultan, and save herself each dawn from execution. The tales were collected from many sources over hundreds of years, and old as they are, their brave heroes and cunning villains continue to influence fiction and film in the modern world. In this four-session seminar, we'll spend the first three sessions exploring famous and lesser-known tales and the fascinating times and rich cultures in which they evolved. In the final session, we'll examine some of the many works of later fiction and film that the stories have inspired. Handout listing books and films referenced. Seminar format with PowerPoint slides. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

“Cora is smart, interesting and a great presenter.” – OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1: Deceit and Trickery: Tales of tricksters, liars, con artists, and other untrustworthy folk.

2: Adventure and Revenge: Sword-wielding, rollicking adventurers and their deeds and misdeeds.

3: Love and Longing: Endings both happy and sad for lovers both loyal and star-crossed.

4: A Million and One Inspirations: Stories and films that took the tales as their guide to thrill and delight us.

Modern China is a fascinating and unique place with a history and culture that is not well-known or understood by the West. Chinese civilization dates back thousands of years but is now also shaped by 19th and 20th-century ideas, including Marxism. This course will look at the factors that have shaped China today, from the long wave of history to the tumultuous period of civil war through the evolution of communist control. Today under Xi Jinping, China is claiming its place on the global stage as a major power. What this means and how the Western government responds to this emerging challenge is one of the major themes of the course. Without understanding China's evolution, policy mistakes can lead to conflict.

"Great Professor! Great and engaging lectures!"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. China's Long Imperial History

2. The Century of Humiliation

3. Sun Yat-sen's Failed Vision: An American Revolution with Chinese Characteristics?

4. The Mao Years

5. Deng Xiaoping and the Modernization of China

6. Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road, and China's Global Ambitions

5. Deng Xiaoping and the Modernization of China

6. Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road, and China's Global Ambitions

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

 

Remember the “Bull” sessions in college, fortified by beer and other libations? In this program, we recreate that heady experience with heavenly discourse on baseball, basketball, football, tennis and golf. We ponder many questions. Does Babe Ruth still rule the roost in baseball folklore despite the advent of Japanese import Shohei Otani? Will Bill Russell’s 11 championships in 13 years of Boston Celtic supremacy stand? Is Tom Brady the best QB in football? Or will Patrick Mahomes eclipse Brady’s bunch of NFL titles? Our subject offers a bountiful feast of food for thought and talk. Join us for a blast from the past, game for the present, and a ball (crystal?) for the future. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

LECTURES:

1. Baseball: Babe Ruth, Rogers Hornsby, Walter Johnson, Joe DiMaggio. Stan Musial, Ted Williams. Warren Spahn, Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige. Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle.

2. Football: Red Grange, Jim Thorpe, Bronco Nagurski, Don Hutson, Sammy Baugh, Sid Luckman, Marion Motley, Otto Graham, Dick Lane, Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas, Emlen Tunnell, Walter Payton, Joe Montana, and Lawrence Taylor.

3. Basketball: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, and Kobe Bryant.

4. Golf & Tennis: Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus. Tennis: Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Margaret Court, Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver.

TV shows and films often glamourize the legal profession, but real law offers even more stimulation. This series delves into current, highly publicized legal and Constitutional issues in federal and state courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics include post-January 6th judicial decisions, legal challenges involving former President Trump and associates, and conflicts among federal judges. The increasingly polarized views of Supreme Court justices on critical issues like abortion and gun rights are also explored, as well as its most recent split decision assuring Presidential immunity in circumstances never before contemplated under the Constitution or all existing precedents to the contrary.  Expect a dynamic semester, not for the faint-hearted.  Returning participants are welcome

"Professor Labovitz is engaging, extremely erudite, knowledgeable and possesses great presentation skills." OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

The Gilded Age was a glittering era in the United States in the wake of the Civil War when financial heft brought the nation to the world stage. It was also a time of increasingly rapid change. In this edition of the Book Club series, we will be reading and discussing short fiction by a selection of writers from the Gilded Age: Henry James, Edith Wharton, Kate Chopin, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman. This program is being presented with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Dr. Hagood initiates interesting discussions about the material and is respectful of opinions that differ from his own. I would sign up for any class he taught."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Henry James, "Daisy Miller"

2. Edith Wharton, "Roman Fever"

3. Kate Chopin, "The Awakening"

4. Charlotte Perkins Gilman, "The Yellow Wallpaper"

 

 

 

Let Us Sing! Invites one and all! If you love to sing, this is the class for you! Reading music is not required. Enjoy singing in an ensemble while learning vocal and choral techniques through each score and bringing the music to life one note at a time! Each session will include vocal warm-ups, choral singing, and vocal techniques through repertoire. This 9 week series culminates with a performance for your OLLI friends and family!

The American Film Institute released a list of the best film scores that includes many well-known classics and some surprises. The composers of those scores had fascinating lives and solid careers. With the help of plenty of audiovisuals, stories, and anecdotes, let’s enjoy the ride through the process of creating those historical pieces that convey what the movie is trying to say without words and evoke an emotional response even the most brilliant bit of dialogue cannot. With the participation of the participants, we'll build our alternative top 25 film scores of all time!

LECTURES:

1. The American Film Institute List. The First European Invasion. The amazing generation that became The Fathers of Film Scores: “The Adventures of Robin Hood” (Erich Korngold), “Gone with the Wind” (Max Steiner). “Sunset Boulevard” (Franz Waxman), “ High Noon” (Dimitri Tiomkin).

2. American Composers bring Innovations, new styles, and new ideas for new realities: “How the West Was Won” (Alfred Newman), “Psycho” (Bernard Herrmann, “A Streetcar Named Desire” (Alex North), “To Kill a Mockingbird” (Elmer Bernstein), “Planet of the Apes” (Jerry Goldsmith).

3. The Second European Invasion. A new flexible scheme is open to new standards of creativity and sound: “Lawrence of Arabia” (Maurice Jarre), “Out of Africa” (John Barry), “The Godfather” (Nino Rota), “The Mission” (Ennio Morricone).

4. Consolidation and Versatility:  “On the Waterfront” (Leonard Bernstein), “The Pink Panther” (Henry Mancini), “On Golden Pond” (Dave Grusin), and “Star War” (John Williams). The alternative lists, and let's build our own Top 25.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

The Gilded Age was a glittering era in the United States in the wake of the Civil War when financial heft brought the nation to the world stage. It was also a time of increasingly rapid change. In this edition of the Book Club series, we will be reading and discussing short fiction by a selection of writers from the Gilded Age: Henry James, Edith Wharton, Kate Chopin, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman. This program is being presented with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Dr. Hagood initiates interesting discussions about the material and is respectful of opinions that differ from his own. I would sign up for any class he taught."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Henry James, "Daisy Miller"

2. Edith Wharton, "Roman Fever"

3. Kate Chopin, "The Awakening"

4. Charlotte Perkins Gilman, "The Yellow Wallpaper"

 

The Six-Day War of 1967, triggered by Israel's preemptive strike in response to Arab neighbors' mobilization for war, reshaped Middle East dynamics profoundly. Beginning on June 5 and concluding by June 10, Israel swiftly defeated Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, capturing the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, Old City of Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. This war tripled Israel's territory and led to U.N. Resolution 242, a cornerstone of subsequent peace proposals in the Arab-Israeli conflict spanning over five decades. The status of these territories remains a contentious issue in Israeli domestic politics and Arab-Israeli relations. Historian Ralph Nurnberger will explore the roots and lesser-known events preceding the war, along with its lasting impact on the Middle East's geopolitical landscape.

"He is extremely knowledgeable and his sense of humor makes his programs very interesting. I wish that I had history professors like him when I was in college."- OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Though many artists have their biggest successes in their early careers, the greatest artists continue creating and presenting better work as the years go by. From Fred Astaire, whose movies still appear regularly in best-of listings and television, to Bob Dylan and Wille Nelson, who continue to win accolades well into their 80s, to the blues of Ma Rainey and the jive of Louis Jordan, to Oscar Hammerstein II and Stephen Sondheim's award-winning revivals, to Reba McIntire and Bonnie Raitt's stellar performances decades after their initial hits, the music of great artists remains timeless. This course will examine these musical artists' work, lives, and legacies and attempt to sort myth from reality with videos, live performances, and research materials.

"Rod is fantastic! His love of music is exhilarating! The classes are wonderful"- OLLIPaton

LECTURES:

1. The Lady Stands Alone: Ma Rainey, Reba McIntire

2. Keepin’ It Cool: Fred Astaire, Louie Jordan

3. Lyrics On Broadway: Oscar Hammerstein II, Merrily We Roll Along

4. Other Voices: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jacques Brel

5. The Great American Sound: The Eagles, Bonnie Raitt

6. The New Classical Music: John Williams, Pinchas & Natalia Zukerman

7. Dance With Somebody: Donna Summer, Whitney Houston

8. Into the Sun: Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

The Six-Day War of 1967, triggered by Israel's preemptive strike in response to Arab neighbors' mobilization for war, reshaped Middle East dynamics profoundly. Beginning on June 5 and concluding by June 10, Israel swiftly defeated Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, capturing the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, Old City of Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. This war tripled Israel's territory and led to U.N. Resolution 242, a cornerstone of subsequent peace proposals in the Arab-Israeli conflict spanning over five decades. The status of these territories remains a contentious issue in Israeli domestic politics and Arab-Israeli relations. Historian Ralph Nurnberger will explore the roots and lesser-known events preceding the war, along with its lasting impact on the Middle East's geopolitical landscape.

"He is extremely knowledgeable and his sense of humor makes his programs very interesting. I wish that I had history professors like him when I was in college."- OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

In Part II of his 3-part series, Dr. Offenkrantz will discuss Verdi's late masterpiece, "Aida," which is being given the first new production by the MET in decades, as well as Beethoven's only opera, "Fidelio," a testament to the power of love and human freedom. Verdi: Aida (Broadcast on January 25) Beethoven: Fidelio (Broadcast on March 15)

"I appreciated the presenter's passion and knowledge of opera, past and present." OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Though many artists have their biggest successes in their early careers, the greatest artists continue creating and presenting better work as the years go by. From Fred Astaire, whose movies still appear regularly in best-of listings and television, to Bob Dylan and Wille Nelson, who continue to win accolades well into their 80s, to the blues of Ma Rainey and the jive of Louis Jordan, to Oscar Hammerstein II and Stephen Sondheim's award-winning revivals, to Reba McIntire and Bonnie Raitt's stellar performances decades after their initial hits, the music of great artists remains timeless. This course will examine these musical artists' work, lives, and legacies and attempt to sort myth from reality with videos, live performances, and research materials.

"Rod is fantastic! His love of music is exhilarating! The classes are wonderful"- OLLIPaton

LECTURES:

1. The Lady Stands Alone: Ma Rainey, Reba McIntire

2. Keepin’ It Cool: Fred Astaire, Louie Jordan

3. Lyrics On Broadway: Oscar Hammerstein II, Merrily We Roll Along

4. Other Voices: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jacques Brel

5. The Great American Sound: The Eagles, Bonnie Raitt

6. The New Classical Music: John Williams, Pinchas & Natalia Zukerman

7. Dance With Somebody: Donna Summer, Whitney Houston

8. Into the Sun: Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Dr. Taylor Hagood brings a new live music event on the life and music of Elvis Presley. This program will include the early songs that made the King of Rock and Roll famous and the later, more obscure songs that show how he grew as an artist. While presenting the life of this iconic figure, Dr. Hagood will also share entertaining perspectives on Elvis based on family memories from North Mississippi and even encounters with Elvis impersonators from around the world. This is NOT an Elvis impersonation!!!!!! But it will be fun!

"Excellent experience in every way- Dr. Hagood is a talented, knowledgeable and engaging instructor. A+ all the way!"- OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Did you know that Houdini was a Spy for the U.S. Secret Service? This is just one of the fascinating facts you’ll uncover in Harry Maurer’s unique presentation! As a professional magician, Maurer offers an insider’s view into magic’s history, a field filled with remarkable individuals who impacted world events in unexpected ways. Discover how one magician illuminated his backyard with electricity before Edison’s light bulb, another served as a spy for two countries, and one even tried to prevent a war with his magic. Learn about a magician who wrote CIA manuals and one who used his skills to influence a key World War II battle. Join this one-hour PowerPoint presentation with a touch of magic, don’t miss it!

Ancient Greek literature is a treasure trove of allegories, epic poems, and myths that have captivated readers worldwide. This lecture will examine Greek mythology, its origins, purpose, and influence on Greek culture, as well as ancient literature. We will explore some of the most fascinating myths and legends from antiquity, with a focus on women as strong or tragic characters. We will examine the stories of Perseus and Medusa, Medea, and Theseus and Ariadne, among others. In addition to familiarization through instruction and visuals, we will discuss these stories' importance to modern literature and their influence on popular culture. Space is limited.

Dr. Nikolopoulos is one of the most gifted presenters at OLLI! - OLLI Patron

Ordinary men and women go about their lives thinking that things will never change. In places far removed from them, powerful people make decisions that will transform their lives, sometimes for better but very often for worse.

"Professor Berk as a lecturer and a scholar is as good as it gets. It is a privilege to attend his lectures." - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The Kaiser gives an ally a free hand, and the Great War begins. Lenin strikes for power and the world trembles.

2. Roosevelt creates the New Deal, and American Democracy is saved. Hitler makes the greatest mistake of his life, Barbarossa. Truman drops the bomb.

3. LBJ and MLK start the civil rights revolution. Fidel Castro brings communism to the Caribbean.

4. America goes to war in Asia, and Gorbachov destroys the Soviet Union.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Born in Quebec, Canada, as the 14th child in a musical family, Céline Dion began singing publicly at age five. Discovered by manager René Angelil, her unique voice transitioned her from local fame to international stardom. Initially celebrated in French-speaking countries, her English hits, including "Beauty and the Beast," "The Power of Love," and "Because You Loved Me," cemented her status. The Titanic anthem "My Heart Will Go On" catapulted her to global fame. Dion's successful Las Vegas residency, the longest-running and most successful, was performed in a theater built especially for her. However, a few years ago, she revealed a rare and debilitating disease affecting one in a million people. Versteeg will guide the audience through Céline’s remarkable career, highlighting her triumphs and challenges, with music and interviews.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Reversing its initial reservation, the Biden administration has provided Ukraine with advanced weapons and allowed their use for limited military targets inside Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that a coalition of countries agreed to send military trainers to Ukraine, indicating a willingness to put NATO troops on Ukrainian soil. Russia responded swiftly, with President Vladimir Putin threatening to arm enemies of the West with precision weapons and hinting at nuclear weapon use. Peace talks have vanished from the discourse, risking escalation toward a world war. Dr. Rabil argues that continuing the Ukraine war is detrimental to U.S. and Ukraine interests and potentially catastrophic if it leads to a world war. In this lecture series, Dr. Rabil will discuss critical geostrategic, security, and military issues to prevent such a conflict.

"I consider Dr. Rabil  to be one of the best lecture series, if not the best, that I attend at FAU OLLI" - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Iran-Russia Relations: Implications for U.S. and Israel

2. The E.U. and the U.S.-China Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific

3. Pakistan and the rivalry between the U.S. and Russia-China

4. The Struggle for Central Asia: Implications for NATO

5. Iran-Venezuela Relations and US-China (and Russia) Rivalry: Implications for U.S.

6. The Arab Gulf, U.S. and Israel: Post October 7

7. North Africa, U.S. and Israel: Post October 7

8. The Ukraine Crisis: The Coming World War?

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Based on his research, Dr. Wagner will examine the causes and reasons for our increasingly divided politics. Cutting through the noise, this program will show what to take from newscasts, campaigns, and polls and where conventional wisdom is often wrong. Dr. Wagner will present survey results, media reports, and analysis of the latest happenings in American Politics. The lecture will illustrate how the political system is shifting with new technology and unrestricted money from political interest groups. Combining visuals, data, and a little humor, Dr. Wagner will show how events, technology, media, and politicians shape the political discourse and what it means for America.

"Excellent lecture with wonderful audience interaction."- OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Join us as we explore resources like podcasts and free audiobooks, which unlock new worlds. This engaging and entertaining class equips the OLLI community with practical tools to navigate the ever-changing landscape of books and technology. E-books, audiobooks, podcasts, library and bookstore updates, top book lists, award lists, and fascinating apps and websites will be reviewed. Each resource will be explained with step-by-step instructions in a fun, approachable manner. Attendees receive a summary sheet of the discussed websites, apps, and opportunities. The program includes a PowerPoint presentation, live website interaction, engaging discussions, a game, video screenings, and a Q&A segment catering to visual and auditory learners. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

This course explores the dynamic relationship between interest-rate risk, real estate markets, and the banking sector in the context of the U.S. economy. Students will delve into how changes in interest rates impact real estate values, mortgage markets, and banking profitability. The course also examines historical trends and future projections to understand potential economic scenarios. Through case studies, interactive discussions, and expert guest lectures, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between these critical financial components and their implications for the future of the U.S. economy.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

In response to Dr. Taylor Hagood's popular lecture on Rome, he will lecture on another great Italian and world city: Venice. This romantic island city with canals for streets has a fascinating history filled with colorful characters and events. As with all of his travel lectures, Hagood will explore the culture alongside the history, including the city's food, music, ghosts, art, literature, architecture, and much, much more. Prepare to enjoy a trip to La Serenissima!

"I follow Dr. Hagood in whatever he’s teaching; he is so talented in so many fields, a real renaissance man.” - OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Rumor has it that Prince Rainier of Monaco initially considered Marilyn Monroe before marrying Grace Kelly. Marilyn and Grace, both blonde actresses who died young, shared few similarities. Born Norma Jean Mortensen, Marilyn had a troubled youth, spending time in orphanages and foster homes. The 1953 hit “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” made her a star. After two failed marriages, her death at 36 led to numerous theories. Grace Kelly, the daughter of multimillionaire John Kelly, acted in 11 films between 1951 and 1956, winning an Academy Award for “The Country Girl” at 25. In 1956, she married Prince Rainier and became Princess Grace of Monaco. She significantly transformed Monaco into a cultural hub. She died in a car accident in 1982. René Silvin will recount anecdotes about Princess Grace and Hollywood glamour.

"This was one of the best programs I have been to. He had such a relaxed way of presenting, but giving us so much info. He was marvelous!!!!!!"- OLLI Patron

In this session, as we continue our exploration of world cinema, we’ll encounter a diverse range of voices and stories from across the globe.

"Shelly Isaacs truly brings the magic of movies to life. I’ve been seeing films with his various programs for almost ten years now and always look forward to a new semester of film"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. "Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara" - Italy, 2023: Edgardo Mortara, a young Jewish boy living in Bologna, Italy, who in 1858, after being secretly baptized, was forcibly taken from his family to be raised as a Christian. His parents' struggle to free their son became part of a larger political battle that pitted the papacy against forces of democracy and Italian unification. Running time 2hr 14min.

2. "All Your Faces" - France, 2023: Restorative justice programs offer a safe space for dialogue between offenders and victims -- supported by professionals and volunteers. In this emotional and difficult journey, they must overcome resentment to find solace and forgiveness. And perhaps, at the end of the road, some of them might even find healing. Running time 118 min.

3. "Monster" - Japan, 2023: When her young son Minato starts to behave strangely, his mother feels that there is something wrong. Discovering that a teacher is responsible, she storms into the school, demanding to know what's going on. But as the story unfolds through the eyes of mother, teacher, and child, the truth gradually emerges. Running time 2hr 7min.

4. "La Chimera" - Italy, 2024: Everyone has their own Chimera, something they try to achieve but never manage to find. For the band of tombaroli, thieves of ancient grave goods and archaeological wonders, the Chimera means redemption from work and the dream of easy wealth. In an adventurous journey between the living and the dead, between forests and cities, between celebrations and solitudes, the intertwined destinies of these characters unfold, all in search of the Chimera.  Running time 2 hr 13m.

Weekly titles subject to change.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Dr. Taylor Hagood brings a new live music event on the life and music of Elvis Presley. This program will include the early songs that made the King of Rock and Roll famous and the later, more obscure songs that show how he grew as an artist. While presenting the life of this iconic figure, Dr. Hagood will also share entertaining perspectives on Elvis based on family memories from North Mississippi and even encounters with Elvis impersonators from around the world. This is NOT an Elvis impersonation!!!!!! But it will be fun!

"Excellent experience in every way- Dr. Hagood is a talented, knowledgeable and engaging instructor. A+ all the way!"- OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

 

 

Born in Quebec, Canada, as the 14th child in a musical family, Céline Dion began singing publicly at age five. Discovered by manager René Angelil, her unique voice transitioned her from local fame to international stardom. Initially celebrated in French-speaking countries, her English hits, including "Beauty and the Beast," "The Power of Love," and "Because You Loved Me," cemented her status. The Titanic anthem "My Heart Will Go On" catapulted her to global fame. Dion's successful Las Vegas residency, the longest-running and most successful, was performed in a theater built especially for her. However, a few years ago, she revealed a rare and debilitating disease affecting one in a million people. Versteeg will guide the audience through Céline’s remarkable career, highlighting her triumphs and challenges, with music and interviews.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Step into the enchanting world of visual storytelling with a fascinating lecture on the evolution of the camera and the art of photography. Feeney, dressed as a 19th-century photographer, will share the humble origins of the camera obscura and explore how ingenious minds transformed this optical device into the first primitive cameras, leading to the birth of photography. Discover the works of pioneers like Louis Daguerre and Henry Fox Talbot, who forever altered visual communication. The lecture highlights how the camera became a powerful tool for sharing historical events, such as the American Civil War, with photographers like Alexander Gardner, Timothy O'Sullivan, and Mathew Brady. Join us to delve into iconic photographs and artifacts from Feeney's collection, celebrating the art, science, and cultural significance of photography. Space is limited.

"He was one of the best and knowledgeable speakers I’ve heard at FAU" - OLLI Patron

What do "Tumbalalaika," "Hava Nagila," and "Sunrise Sunset" have in common with "California Dreamin'," "Up on the Roof," and "It's My Party?" There's a Jewish Connection! Spend a delightful afternoon singing pop songs by Jewish artists such as Carole King, Bette Midler, Billy Joel, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, and so many more, and learn fascinating stories about the songs, the artists, and their Jewish backgrounds. This program opens with a Yiddish song, closes with a Hebrew hora medley, and is packed in the middle with fabulous Billboard hits, all by Jewish artists. As always, there will be slides with photos and lyrics for you to sing along. Be ready for some surprises!

“Superb performance and very educational” - OLLI Patron

5150 Chocolate Co. in Delray Beach invites OLLI patrons on a journey that redefines chocolate-making. This tour reveals how a chocolatier's crazy idea turned an apartment into a makeshift lab, transforming raw cacao into extraordinary chocolate. Discover the difference between a chocolatier and a chocolate maker, and see how tools like juicers and lentil grinders played a role in this creative process. Learn how respecting the unique qualities of cacao and honoring the farmers who cultivate it led to a product that's as thoughtful as it is delicious. Experience firsthand the passion, creativity, and relentless curiosity that fuel 5150 Chocolate Co., where tradition meets innovation, and chocolate is truly crazy good. 5150 Chocolate Co. is located at 1010 N. Federal Hwy, Delray Beach, FL 33483. Please arrive at least 10 minutes early to check-in. The deadline for enrollment is Friday, January 31st. All participants will receive free samples and discounts on purchases just in time for Valentine's Day! Space is limited, so register early!

The Bill of Rights is 230 years old, but it continues to regularly impact our daily activities and fuel lively political and policy debates. This series will use constitutional/legal analysis, history, current events, logic/common sense, and a little humor to examine some key issues and landmark Supreme Court decisions.

" I will take any course Klein teaches Great combination of knowledge and wit"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. First Amendment: Freedom From and Freedom of Religion -The Very First Clauses of the Bill of Rights.

2. Second Amendment: Gun Rights and Regulations - What in the World Does the Amendment Mean?

3. Fourth and Fifth Amendments: Your Rights When Confronted by the Police.

4. Sixth through Eighth Amendments: The Rights of Criminal Defendants (Because no one is below the law).

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

 

Join us for a delightful journey through the funniest and most beloved nightclub and television skits by the great comedians of the 20th century. We'll share little-known facts and anecdotes about their careers, featuring legends like Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, George Burns, George Carlin, Totie Fields, Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks, Milton Berle, Bill Cosby, Jackie Mason, Alan King, and many others. Trace the evolution of comedy from burlesque and vaudeville to radio, TV, film, nightclubs, comedy clubs, the internet, YouTube, and streaming video. Discover their origins, learn their original names, and enjoy their skillful jokes and skits. We will analyze and present the comedy stylings of 20 comedians in their original form, accompanied by visual images and audio and video clips throughout the program.

"I really enjoyed this class!!!  He was awesome!!” - OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

The stories of the settlement of Jews in Medieval England and in Argentina after the Spanish Inquisition are two fascinating and contrasting communities. In England, from Norman times to blood libel and expulsion, only to return in the 17th century and gradually become leaders of world Jewry. The Argentine community, part Sephardic, part Ashkenazi: from politics to cowboys to prostitutes, a colorful history of one of the largest Jewish communities in the world. Lectures with PowerPoint presentation.

"She is knowledgeable, clever, very well spoken and has a great sense of humor!"- Olli Patron

LECTURES:

1. A look at early Jewish settlement in England, beginning in 1066. Who were these Jews? Blood libels and the expulsion of the Jews from England. The portrayal of the Jew in early English literature from Chaucer to Shakespeare.

2. After the return of the Jews, their changing legal status. Sephardic and Ashenazi Jewish communities in Victorian England. 20th century developments. Treatment of the Jew in modern English literature.

3. The early history of Argentina and its Jews beginning in the 16th century. Later Sephardic and Ashkenazi migrations.

4. Modern history of the Jews of Argentina. Development of the Jewish community. Jewish gauchos and Jewish prostitutes. Dealing with antisemitism. Recent political issues.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

The name Estée Lauder today ranks among the best-known in the world of cosmetics. But who was the person behind the celebrated name? In this historical portrayal, actress and scholar Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., brings Jewish cosmetics legend Estée Lauder to life. It is 1969 and Estée has decided to share stories of how she launched her beauty business by selling skin creams developed by her chemist uncle. She prioritized beautiful packaging and targeted high-end stores, eventually breaking into Saks Fifth Avenue. Her Youth-Dew bath oil took the world by storm, launching Estée Lauder, Inc. and helping to build her company into a million-dollar-a-year business. Meet the woman whose extraordinary sales ability turned her love for beauty into a cosmetics empire.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

In this series, Dr. Taylor Hagood will explore the American Civil War through the perspectives of literary writers. From Mary Boykin Chesnut's behind-the-scenes political insights to Ambrose Bierce's first-hand battle accounts and Stephen Crane's vivid imaginings, this program delves into the minds of those most affected by the war. It also revisits later interpretations by Evelyn Scott, William Faulkner, Michael Shaara, and Natasha Tretheway. Major causes, battles, and weaponry will be discussed, bringing this transformative moment in American history to life. Blending history and fiction, Dr. Hagood will highlight how the Civil War tested democracy, unity, and human rights. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Dr. Hagood is one of the most knowledgeable, versatile, clever, upbeat, and attention-holding professors I have ever had.” - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The Eyewitnesses: Mary Boykin Chesnut recorded her personal war experience from the home front in her famous diary, while Ambrose Bierce wrote tales based on his service in the Federal Army.

2. The War Belongs to All: The Civil War profoundly affected the generation immediately after it, and Stephen Crane famously captured that perspective on the conflict.

3. The War Continues: A forgotten but major Civil War book is Evelyn Scott's "The Wave"; she played a role in introducing Nobel Prize winner William Faulkner, who wrote powerfully of the war from a grandchild's viewpoint.

4. Latter-Day Perspectives: Michael Shaara's "The Killer Angels" breathes new life into a classic battle, and Natasha Tretheway considers race and combat from an often-ignored angle.

Former presidential appointee, prosecutor, and investigative journalist Jeffrey Scott Shapiro discusses the dangers of expanding presidential power and the failure of the judicial and legislative branches to act as effective checks and balances, as required by the Separation of Powers doctrine. With experience as a prosecutor and senior U.S. official, Shapiro is well-versed in the complexities of balancing executive power with Congress and the courts. In this course, he examines four key threats to American democracy: the erosion of the independent counsel's role in holding the President accountable; the misuse of executive orders, proclamations, and agreements; the expansion of presidential immunity; and the use of executive power to undermine the legal protections of inferior officers and career appointees. The course includes a PowerPoint presentation and handouts for attendees.

"When Jeffrey Shapiro was my student, I knew that he was special and would do amazing things. He has exceeded my highest expectations." Jeffrey S. Morton

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Please join Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, in partnership with the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College as a part of their 25th-anniversary celebrations, for a fascinating conversation with best-selling author Jeannette Walls. Walls’ memoir, “The Glass Castle,” has been a New York Times bestseller for more than eight years. She is also the author of the instant New York Times bestsellers, “The Silver Star” and” Half Broke Horses,” which was named one of the ten best books of 2009 by the editors of The New York Times Book Review. “Glass Castles” was adapted to a film starring Brie Larson and Woody Harrelson, and her novel “Hang the Moon” is being adapted for television. A book sale and signing will follow.

Whether it is Kamala Harris or Donald J. Trump, our new president will not be in short supply of foreign policy challenges. Join Foreign Policy Association Fellow Jeffrey Morton and his undergraduate professor & mentor, Dr. Harry Chernotsky, for their advice, warnings, and words of wisdom for the next U.S. president across an array of foreign policy issues. The one-hour exchange will be followed by a Question & Answer session.

"Been a long-time follower of Dr. Morton. I intend to remain so as long as possible!” - OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

This program tells the fascinating story of Jewish immigration to America, beginning with Jewish life in Europe during the Late Middle Ages, the Spanish Inquisition, and the expulsion from various European countries. The lectures will explore the earliest Jewish settlers in the Western Hemisphere, their role in the English colonies, and how they made a living while maintaining their identity. Topics include Jewish involvement in the Revolutionary War, the Westward expansion, and the Civil War, along with the influx of Central and Eastern European Jews in the 19th century. The program will also examine U.S. immigration policy, including the 1920s restrictions, FDR’s policies, Soviet Jews’ immigration, and today’s political context.

"She is knowledgeable, clever, very well spoken and has a great sense of humor!” - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The Age of Discovery and the Colonization of America. The earliest years of migration.  Jews in Colonial America.

2. From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. The growth of the Jewish population in America. The spread of Jewish communities. Who was coming, and how did they fit in?

3. Post-Civil War America. The great immigration of the second half of the 19th century and how this changed the composition of the Jewish population. Experiments in utopian communities and religious diversity.

4. The 20th Century and Beyond. The closing of the gates. A review of American immigration policies, up to the present.  American policy towards Jews fleeing Europe during the rise of Hitler.  U.S. policy on Soviet Jews.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

For 3000 years, storytellers have recounted Homer's tales of heroism, love, betrayal, and tragedy in "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey." "The Iliad," the story of the Trojan War, speaks of the anguish and futility of war. Eventually, the Trojan Horse ploy ends the ten-year-long war. Odysseus, the Greek mastermind behind that trick, will then spend ten years wandering at sea before arriving home to Ithaca. Before reuniting with his wife and son, he braves monsters, the wrath of the gods, and even a trip to the underworld. Join Dr. Margery Marcus for an adventure back in time, first to ancient Troy, then to the land of the Lotus Eaters, the cave of the Cyclops, Circe's Island, and even a descent into Hades. And more perils awaited once he finally arrived home! This lecture includes a colorful PowerPoint. Space is limited.

"Dr. Marcus ALWAYS gives a flawless, beautifully and thoroughly researched presentation"- OLLI Patron

Since the earliest years of the American republic, there have been anti-democratic forces at play. We will look at a fascinating rogue's gallery of anti-democratic groups’ efforts to undercut American democracy. What has their legacy been, and how have they played out in contemporary American politics and the 2024 presidential election?

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Between 1934 and 1947, actors Wm. Powell and Myrna Loy made a total of 6 movies in which they starred as “Nick & Nora Charles,” a madcap, gin-swilling husband-and-wife team who solved murder mysteries. Originally based on crime writer Dashiell Hammett’s 1934 novel “The Thin Man,” the movie-going public found them so ideally paired that a huge chunk of them actually believed they were married to one another in their off-screen life. In matter of fact, off screen they were just the best of friends. All in all, Myrna and Bill starred in a total of 14 films together. In this first part of the this two-part series, we will watch the first picture they made together, and the first three films in the "Thin Man" series. All films will be shown in their entirety, to be followed by questions and Dr. Stone’s “ well-known “behind the silver screen tales from Hollywood and Vine.”

Lectures:

1. “Manhattan Melodrama” (1934) In their first pairing, Myrna and Bill join Clark Gable and the then 14-year-old Mickey Rooney in a story about two childhood friends who go in opposite directions, one a D.A., the other a crook.

2. “The Thin Man” (1934) Newly-married Nick and Nora drink their way through a case involving the disappearance of an inventor. Costarring Maureen O’Sullivan and Cesar Romero.

3.” After the Thin Man” (1936) Back home in San Francisco for New Year’s, Nick and Nora (along with Asta and “Mrs.” Asta) reluctantly hunt for the murderer of Nora’s cousin’s husband. Co-starring James Stewart in his earliest films.

4. “Another Thin Man” (1939): Returned to New York with Asta and son Nickie, Jr., the couple seeks to find out who killed Nora’s late father’s business partner. With C. Aubrey Smith.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

5150 Chocolate Co. in Delray Beach invites OLLI patrons on a journey that redefines chocolate-making. This tour reveals how a chocolatier's crazy idea turned an apartment into a makeshift lab, transforming raw cacao into extraordinary chocolate. Discover the difference between a chocolatier and a chocolate maker, and see how tools like juicers and lentil grinders played a role in this creative process. Learn how respecting the unique qualities of cacao and honoring the farmers who cultivate it led to a product that's as thoughtful as it is delicious. Experience firsthand the passion, creativity, and relentless curiosity that fuel 5150 Chocolate Co., where tradition meets innovation, and chocolate is truly crazy good. 5150 Chocolate Co. is located at 1010 N. Federal Hwy, Delray Beach, FL 33483. Please arrive at least 10 minutes early to check-in. The deadline for enrollment is Friday, January 31st. All participants will receive free samples and discounts on purchases just in time for Valentine's Day! Space is limited, so register early!

Medical Science in the modern era has achieved major breakthroughs, yielding vastly improved health and longevity for most people. Last year, Part I of this series traced these accomplishments in history to the successes and failures of medical practitioners from ancient Egypt through the European Middle Ages. Part II will further explore medical triumphs and tragedies from the Muslim €œGolden Era€ to the dawn of modernity. Numerous PowerPoint slides will be projected to illustrate the evolution of disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention from their earliest roots to the present time. Prior attendance at Part I is not required. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Best course I have ever taken. Dr Bloch is knowledgeable, well prepared engaging speaker." - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Medicine in the Muslim “Golden Age,”ca. 750 -1250 AD

2. The Renaissance: Background in history, culture, science, and technology, ca. 1400 - 1700 AD.

3. The Renaissance: Revolutionary thinking and discoveries in medicine and surgery.

4. Medicine in the Dawn of Modernity, ca. 18th to early 20th century.

Modern China is a fascinating and unique place with a history and culture that is not well-known or understood by the West. Chinese civilization dates back thousands of years but is now also shaped by 19th and 20th-century ideas, including Marxism. This course will look at the factors that have shaped China today, from the long wave of history to the tumultuous period of civil war through the evolution of communist control. Today under Xi Jinping, China is claiming its place on the global stage as a major power. What this means and how the Western government responds to this emerging challenge is one of the major themes of the course. Without understanding China's evolution, policy mistakes can lead to conflict.

"Great Professor! Great and engaging lectures!"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. China's Long Imperial History

2. The Century of Humiliation

3. Sun Yat-sen's Failed Vision: An American Revolution with Chinese Characteristics?

4. The Mao Years

5. Deng Xiaoping and the Modernization of China

6. Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road, and China's Global Ambitions

5. Deng Xiaoping and the Modernization of China

6. Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road, and China's Global Ambitions

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

 

Join Jeffrey Morgan, Ph.D., on a journey into nineteenth-century Civil War America through the poetry of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. Morgan will reveal new insights into their work, offering a fresh perspective on these titans of American poetry. Through close readings and formal analysis, you'll discover why their writing, often overshadowed by their iconic lives, is foundational to modern American poetry. Classics and lesser-known pieces will be explored, with Morgan bringing them to life through readings and discussions. Each session features their work projected on a screen, allowing you to experience these poems in a whole new way. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your appreciation of Whitman and Dickinson!! This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Great teacher - kept me interested and engaged!"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Whitman: Letter from Emerson; excerpts from Preface to Leaves of Grass; selections from Song of Myself and When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer.

2. Whitman: Beat, Beat, Drums!; When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd; O Captain! My Captain!; A Noiseless Patient Spider, and I Hear America Singing.

3. Dickinson: This is my letter to the World; Tell all the truth but tell it slant; There is no Frigate like a book; I taste a liquor never brewed; Much Madness is divinest Sense; Success is counted Sweetest, and The Soul selects her own Society.

4. Dickinson: Hope is the thing with feathers; A Narrow Fellow in the Grass; It sifts from Leaden Sieves; Some keep the Sabbath going to Church; Faith is a fine invention; I heard a fly buzz; The Bustle in a House, and Because I could not stop for Death.

In the 1980s, 'corporate social responsibility' (CSR) gained popularity as companies recognized the importance of being responsible and transparent about their societal and environmental impact. However, it wasn't until the 2000s that ESG became a commonly used term in the investment world. This lecture reviews the historical development of CSR leading to ESG, including examples of pre-ESG capitalists and philanthropists who prioritized stakeholders like customers, employees, and communities. It also covers the development of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the growing push for ESG regulation, concluding with a look at the future from multiple perspectives. Space is limited.

Besides writing some great songs together, Marvin Hamlisch and Carol Bayer Sager wrote the hit Broadway musical, They’re Playing Our Song, based on their personal relationship. Marvin wrote the music for the multi-Tony Award-winning "Chorus Line," along with many other film and stage scores. He is among only a handful of EGOT winners (Emmy, Golden Globe, Oscar, and Tony Awards). Carole is the Oscar-winning lyricist of a whole host of great popular songs. Among the songs you'll hear are: "What I Did For Love," "The Way We Were," "Come in From the Rain", "Nobody Does It Better," "Midnight Blue," "Through the Eyes of Love," and "They're Playing Our Song," among many. The program will combine live performance with great videos and "inside" stories from Granat's family relationship with Carole Bayer Sager.

"This presenter was superb, personable, talented, and knowledgeable"- OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

On January 20, 1942, in a grand villa on the shore of Berlin’s Lake Wannsee, a conference of 15 Nazi officers got together to discuss the “Final Solution to the Jewish Question.” The meeting produced the “Wannsee Protocol,” which has mystified us ever since it was discovered in 1947 in Berlin. How should we understand this methodical business-like discussion of holocaust laid down in it? Why was the meeting even necessary? Hundreds of thousands of Jews had already been shot in Russia or gassed in the camp at Chelmno. Holocaust deniers sometimes contend that, because Hitler was not present at this meeting and because the genocidal nature of the "Final Solution" was not spelled out explicitly, somehow this means that there was no deliberate policy from the top ordering the destruction of the Jews of Europe. This lecture seeks to unravel the reasons behind the Wannsee Conference, what happened there and explain how it was that, on a snowy day, fifteen well-educated young men met to talk murder. 

"The instructor was excellent. Great asset for OLLI." - OLLI Patron

Past evidence suggests our memory declines with age, and with that, many media advertisements tout various supplements and exercises promising to improve memory. Unfortunately, most of these products have minimal impact on real memory performance. The effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of memory improvement products is due, in part, to a lack of empirical evidence. However, there is good news: new scientific research is providing real data that shows that our memory stays intact much longer than we believed. In addition, there is empirical evidence for various memory-enhancing activities. This one-time lecture will include a discussion of past and current research that provides a foundation for maintaining our memory as we age. We will also discuss evidence-based research demonstrating activities that can aid memory. The audience will have opportunities to experience popular memory tasks. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Excellent speaker - very dynamic and motivating. Would love to attend more of his courses" - OLLI Patron

You’ve been secretly programmed for great success. You’ve also been programmed for stress and conflict. How? It happened during your childhood, and you had no choice or control over it. Trained therapist Pavel Mischenko will explain how to unlock the mysteries of your birth order habits. The “Birth Order Typical Habits” Model provides you with a deeper understanding of your personal resources, the habits that were formed early in life. If you are aware of your Birth Order habits, you can dramatically improve your relationships, avoid conflict, and pursue a more positive, purposeful life! This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

Does taking a break feel impossible right now? The simple idea of taking a break seems out of reach; let's talk about how to rest and feel renewed! Join us for an empowering and enlightening series dedicated to building awareness of the importance of Rest and how to incorporate it into our lives. We will change our mindset on what Rest is; Rest is not simply about stopping. It's about restoration. It's about pouring back into our deficits to serve the people we love and the areas where we felt called to impact. It will be about evaluating where you can begin to bring a sense of healing and restoration within your physical body. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

LECTURES:

1. Stress Reduction: We need to Rest and Reduce production activities.

2. Self-Care: Rest and engage in Relaxing activities.

3. Restore our being through Mindfulness self awareness activities.

4. Rest and Relax our minds and bodies through sleep.

Join your fellow OLLI patrons for a fun afternoon exploring Old World and New World wines at Tequesta's cozy Via Proxy Shop and Wine Club! Owners Tish Sawyer and Brian Chamis, both certified sommeliers, will guide you through five exquisite wines. To complement your tasting, charcuterie boards featuring delicious fare will be an accompaniment. Bring your friends and enjoy this unique OLLI excursion! The enrollment deadline is Friday, February 7th. Via Proxy Shop and Wine Club is located at 389 Tequesta Dr, Jupiter Inlet Colony, FL 33469. Space is limited, so be sure to register early!

Former presidential appointee, prosecutor, and investigative journalist Jeffrey Scott Shapiro discusses the dangers of expanding presidential power and the failure of the judicial and legislative branches to act as effective checks and balances, as required by the Separation of Powers doctrine. With experience as a prosecutor and senior U.S. official, Shapiro is well-versed in the complexities of balancing executive power with Congress and the courts. In this course, he examines four key threats to American democracy: the erosion of the independent counsel's role in holding the President accountable; the misuse of executive orders, proclamations, and agreements; the expansion of presidential immunity; and the use of executive power to undermine the legal protections of inferior officers and career appointees. The course includes a PowerPoint presentation and handouts for attendees.

"When Jeffrey Shapiro was my student, I knew that he was special and would do amazing things. He has exceeded my highest expectations." Jeffrey S. Morton

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

We Americans profoundly believe in the pursuit of happiness and our unalienable right to obtain it. We view unhappiness as abnormal and strive to eliminate psychological pain as quickly as possible. The American Psychological Association lists at least nine psychotherapies to reduce emotional distress. Over the last forty years, a different approach has emerged, asserting that emotional suffering is normal and that attempting to eliminate it may worsen the issue. Supported by over 12,000 participants in numerous studies, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) has proven effective for various emotional disorders. This PowerPoint lecture will briefly review other therapies and present the basic principles of ACT, highlighting its unique approach to handling emotional challenges. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"I have attended many of Dr Diamant's lectures over the years. He is still spot on!" - OLLI Patron

Between 1934 and 1947, actors Wm. Powell and Myrna Loy made a total of 6 movies in which they starred as “Nick & Nora Charles,” a madcap, gin-swilling husband-and-wife team who solved murder mysteries. Originally based on crime writer Dashiell Hammett’s 1934 novel “The Thin Man,” the movie-going public found them so ideally paired that a huge chunk of them actually believed they were married to one another in their off-screen life. As a matter of fact, off-screen, they were just the best of friends. All in all, Myrna and Bill starred in a total of 14 films together. In this 8-week course, we will watch the first and the last pictures they made together, sandwiching all 6 “Thin Man” films in order, from “The Thin Man” (1934) to “Song of the Thin Man” (1947). All films will be shown in their entirety, to be followed by questions and Dr. Stone’s well-known “behind the silver screen tales from Hollywood and Vine.”

“Really enjoyed Kurt's vast cinematic knowledge and his openness in discussions.” – OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The Thin Man (1934) Newly married Nick and Nora drink their way through a case involving the disappearance of an inventor. Costarring Maureen O’Sullivan and Cesar Romero.

2. After the Thin Man (1936) Back home in San Francisco for New Year’s, Nick and Nora (along with Asta and “Mrs.” Asta) reluctantly hunt for the murderer of Nora’s cousin’s husband. Co-starring James Stewart in his earliest films.

3. Another Thin Man (1939): Returned to New York with Asta and son Nickie, Jr., the couple seeks to find out who killed Nora’s late father’s business partner. With C. Aubrey Smith.

4. Shadow of the Thin Man (1941) While at a local race track hoping for a pleasant afternoon, a jockey is killed. Nick and Nora are enlisted to look for the murderer by their friend, police Lt. Abrams (Same Levene).

5. The Thin Man Goes Home (1945) While on a visit to Nick’s home town, the local criminals assume he’s there on a case. When a corpse shows up on Nick’s father’s doorstep, Nick Nora’s vacation turns into yet another case.

6. The Song of the Thin Man (1947): Nick and Nora are on a gambling ship where a murder occurs. 2 leading suspects come to them for help. The couple turns them over to the police and then looks for the real murderer.

7. The Senator Was Indiscreet (1948): The 14th and last Powell/Loy film. A bumbling, long-winded, crooked Southern senator, considered by some as a dark horse for the Presidency, panics his party when his tell-all diary is stolen.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

To some people in the mid-1950s, rock & roll music seemed to come out of nowhere. The radio played hit records by Doris Day, Perry Como, and Patti Page. Then, all of a sudden, there was Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bill Haley and His Comets, and Elvis Presley. Rock & Roll had actually been slowly brewing for decades from a mix of music that included blues, rhythm and blues, country, bluegrass, and more. Each of these musical genres included elements from both black and white cultures. This program explores these musical roots and the birth of Rock & Roll through lectures, historical images, and recordings.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Join OLLI as we welcome New York Times Opinion columnist David Brooks.

We’re living in dire times. People don’t know their neighbors. We disregard someone’s entire personhood based on a single political view. Individualism often supplants social responsibility when it matters most. At the center of our many societal ills, David Brooks argues, is the fact that we simply don’t treat each other well. We’ve forgotten how to connect with one another on a human level. Fortunately, these skills are learnable and have far-reaching effects, from healing personal and familial relationships to making you a more effective leader and strengthening your business impact. Based on his bestselling book, “How to Know a Person,” this talk is ultimately a guide to becoming a better person, living a more connected and fulfilling life, and repairing our torn social fabric.

 

 

In this thought-provoking two-part program, we explore the unique art and architecture of early man and how these creations served their way of life. From there, we will reflect on how modern art forms contribute to our society's goals. Cro-Magnon man, our prehistoric ancestor, was a nomadic hunter who settled in Europe around 40,000 to 10,000 BCE. He created the first art, notably animal paintings hidden deep in caves, raising the question: Why so far from daily life? By 3,000 BCE, humans had become settled farmers, leaving behind megalithic stone circles like Stonehenge. What do these designs reveal about Neolithic social and spiritual life? Just as Michelangelo's work reflects the Renaissance, these ancient complexes offer insights into early cultural values.

“Dr. Roberts takes the taken-for-granted basic appreciation of art to another level. Bring her back as often as you can!!! I, amongst others in the class, would sign up!” OLLI Patron

Sandra Day O'Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan are the first four females to serve as Supreme Court Justices. Each had an interesting journey to her confirmation hearings and life appointment as a Supreme Court Justice. Sandra Day O'Connor was the first female Justice; the other women were "firsts" in other positions. Discover how each woman's family, early life, and education laid the foundation for the fortitude and other attributes that enabled them to overcome the hurdles in their lives. Get to know each woman's personality and characteristics from her own words and the perceptions of others. This lecture emphasizes the fascinating life journey of each Justice. Pictures and video clips via PowerPoint enhance this lecture.

"Well presented"- OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Join OLLI as we welcome New York Times Opinion columnist David Brooks.

We’re living in dire times. People don’t know their neighbors. We disregard someone’s entire personhood based on a single political view. Individualism often supplants social responsibility when it matters most. At the center of our many societal ills, David Brooks argues, is the fact that we simply don’t treat each other well. We’ve forgotten how to connect with one another on a human level. Fortunately, these skills are learnable and have far-reaching effects, from healing personal and familial relationships to making you a more effective leader and strengthening your business impact. Based on his bestselling book, “How to Know a Person,” this talk is ultimately a guide to becoming a better person, living a more connected and fulfilling life, and repairing our torn social fabric.

 

 

Join Florida Atlantic’s Composer-in-Residence for a walk through the music composition process. This program is designed for music lovers curious about how classical music is created. With several opportunities to contribute suggestions, audiences will collaborate with the host as basic musical ingredients are combined, stretched, developed, and orchestrated into a new composition for symphony orchestra. No technical musical knowledge is required, as this process will be presented in general terms that anyone can understand. By the end of the session, the audience of co-composers will get to hear a realistic rendering of their new work and will be able to download a score and recording to share. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

Join OLLI as we welcome New York Times Opinion columnist David Brooks.

We’re living in dire times. People don’t know their neighbors. We disregard someone’s entire personhood based on a single political view. Individualism often supplants social responsibility when it matters most. At the center of our many societal ills, David Brooks argues, is the fact that we simply don’t treat each other well. We’ve forgotten how to connect with one another on a human level. Fortunately, these skills are learnable and have far-reaching effects, from healing personal and familial relationships to making you a more effective leader and strengthening your business impact. Based on his bestselling book, “How to Know a Person,” this talk is ultimately a guide to becoming a better person, living a more connected and fulfilling life, and repairing our torn social fabric.

 

 

There is much discussion today about the divisions between the views of American and Israeli Jews. Both feel the other does not understand their concerns. Americans do not believe the Israelis appreciate their anger over the treatment of non-Orthodox Jewish movements, pluralism and political decisions unpopular in America. Israelis feel American Jews do not understand or appreciate the dangers they face and the fact that their children serve in the army to defend the state while American children are enjoying college. This course will explore these divisions, their sources, and the possible solutions.

"He was excellent" - OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Antisemitism is a very peculiar category of hostility or hate. It appeared for the first time in the ancient world, then in Christendom and Muslim countries. As enlightenment broke with religion and traditional life, a new antisemitism emerged due to nationalism and liberalism. It later evolved into racism and genocide. The victorious Soviet Union and the rule of Stalin brought a new antisemitism associated with hostility to the State of Israel, which affected the Western left. Anti-Zionism gained significant intensity and hostility in the Arab world. Antisemitism in the Western world has reappeared, particularly in academia and sectors of the Western left, primarily associated with the State of Israel and aggravated with the current war in Gaza. Likewise, there is currently an awakening of right-wing antisemitism. The course will analyze, in general terms, antisemitism from ancient times to these days. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

LECTURES:

1. What is Antisemitism? The Historical Roots of Antisemitism: Early Christianity and the Middle Ages.

2. Antisemitism after Jewish Emancipation during the French Revolution.

3. The 19th-Century Rise of Conspiracy and Racial Theories: From religious anti-Judaism to racist and nationalist antisemitism in late 19th-century Germany and Russia.

4. Antisemitism in the Arab and Muslim World: From Arab nationalism to Radical Islam.

5. Left-wing Antisemitism and anti-Zionism: The Soviet tradition.

6. Contemporary Antisemitism: The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel: Western apathy to the Jewish plea; and the rise of anti-Semitic right-wing groups in the United States.

Most attention on the Arab-Israeli conflict centers on the land dispute, often seen as two groups fighting over the same territory each claim. But what land are we talking about? How has it changed over the centuries? This lecture will discuss the conflict by examining maps that illustrate the history of the land Palestinians call “Palestine,” and Jews refer to as the “Land of Israel.” We will look at the area before it was called Palestine, how it acquired that name, Churchill's division creating Transjordan, the UN's partition plan, the impact of Arab-Israeli wars, Jewish settlements in the West Bank, and the prospects for peace based on these maps.

"He was excellent." - OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

The War in Gaza has drawn Israel into international controversy like no other. We explain how and why Israel has been brought before various “courts of the world,” particularly in the United Nations and its legal institutions. We explore how “lawfare” has been turned against Israel in the UN, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the International Criminal Court (ICC). Are these actions due to fair legal calls, an adverse balance of power, or plain anti-Semitism? These actions are unprecedented and bound to affect Israel’s right of self-defense, yet are largely unenforceable against non-state actors like Hamas and Hezbollah. Non-state actors shield themselves behind civilians, while legitimate states are constrained by the “laws of war.” Is it time to update international rules to reflect current conflicts?

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Germany and Japan were defeated, and Europe and Asia were kaput. Every year is important in history, but this year was special.

"He is an amazing wealth of information and a pleasure to listen to." OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Join NY Times bestselling author Allison Pataki discussing her career of ten books and spotlighting her latest book "Finding Margaret Fuller," named the PBS Readers' Book of the Month, voted the March Book of the Month by CBS News and featured on The TODAY Show, Town & Country, People Magazine, Good Morning America and more!

An epic reimagining of the life of Margaret Fuller, America’s forgotten leading lady and the central figure of a movement that defined a nation. With a star-studded cast and epic sweep of historical events, "Finding Margaret Fuller" is a story of an inspiring trailblazer who changed history for millions. A book sale and signing will immediately follow the presentation.

Join NY Times bestselling author Allison Pataki discussing her career of ten books and spotlighting her latest book "Finding Margaret Fuller," named the PBS Readers' Book of the Month, voted the March Book of the Month by CBS News and featured on The TODAY Show, Town & Country, People Magazine, Good Morning America and more!

An epic reimagining of the life of Margaret Fuller, America’s forgotten leading lady and the central figure of a movement that defined a nation. With a star-studded cast and epic sweep of historical events, "Finding Margaret Fuller" is a story of an inspiring trailblazer who changed history for millions. A book sale and signing will immediately follow the presentation.

When a family gathers for Thanksgiving in a daughter’s new Chinatown apartment, a family’s love is challenged by fears of aging, abandonment, poverty, and death. This Tony Award-winning play blends drama and comedy with the excitement of an eerie foreboding permeating an unusual holiday gathering. In this interactive discussion about the Palm Beach Dramaworks production, PBD’s Gary Cadwallader examines the characters, their relationships, and the themes of love and truth. Multimedia clips supporting the discussion are utilized to enhance and support the story. Participants will receive a copy of the play beforehand, and a comprehensive, informative PBD Dramaguide will be written specifically for this discussion. After an in-depth conversation, participants leave with a deeper understanding of the play. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Gary is amazing! I marvel at his vast knowledge and analysis of each show! He is a #10 and counting!!" - OLLI Patron

In the rainy summer of 1816, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, alongside her husband Percy Shelley and Lord Byron, visited Geneva for an extended holiday. By summer's end, at just 18 years old, Mary had penned "Frankenstein," a groundbreaking novel that revolutionized British literature by blending science fiction and horror. This lecture delves into Mary Shelley's unconventional upbringing by an anarchist father, her scandalous romance with the married Percy Shelley, the genesis of her masterpiece, and her extraordinary life following her husband's death. We'll explore her enduring legacy as one of the most significant Western writers of the 19th century, defying societal norms and expectations. Through lecture and PowerPoint slides, attendees will discover the trials and triumphs of this pioneering female author. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

This course delves into the history and evolution of social media, exploring its economic, political, cultural, and psychological impacts through recent research and theorizing. Participants will gain enhanced media literacy and a deeper understanding of the shift from analog to digital media and its implications for individuals, businesses, and society. They will learn to differentiate between interpersonal, mass, and social media and theorize its effects on politics, education, family, and economics. Upon completion, attendees will be equipped to navigate the dynamic landscape of social media with insight and discernment. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"There should be more classes like this and a sequel." - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Introduction to social media and the history of social media.

2. How mass media and social media have been theorized and researched by sociologists.

3. The technological and economic aspects of social media.

4. Social-psychological aspects of social media.

5. Cultural and political issues surrounding social media.

6. Considering the future of news, art, entertainment, and social media.

In this thought-provoking two-part program, we explore the unique art and architecture of early man and how these creations served their way of life. From there, we will reflect on how modern art forms contribute to our society's goals. Cro-Magnon man, our prehistoric ancestor, was a nomadic hunter who settled in Europe around 40,000 to 10,000 BCE. He created the first art, notably animal paintings hidden deep in caves, raising the question: Why so far from daily life? By 3,000 BCE, humans had become settled farmers, leaving behind megalithic stone circles like Stonehenge. What do these designs reveal about Neolithic social and spiritual life? Just as Michelangelo's work reflects the Renaissance, these ancient complexes offer insights into early cultural values.

“Dr. Roberts takes the taken-for-grantedbasic appreciation of art to another level. Bring her back as often as you can!!! I, amongst others in the class, would sign up!” OLLI Patron

When a family gathers for Thanksgiving in a daughter’s new Chinatown apartment, a family’s love is challenged by fears of aging, abandonment, poverty, and death. This Tony Award-winning play blends drama and comedy with the excitement of an eerie foreboding permeating an unusual holiday gathering. In this interactive discussion about the Palm Beach Dramaworks production, PBD’s Gary Cadwallader examines the characters, their relationships, and the themes of love and truth. Multimedia clips supporting the discussion are utilized to enhance and support the story. Participants will receive a copy of the play beforehand, and a comprehensive, informative PBD Dramaguide will be written specifically for this discussion. After an in-depth conversation, participants leave with a deeper understanding of the play. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Gary is amazing! I marvel at his vast knowledge and analysis of each show! He is a #10 and counting!!" - OLLI Patron

In the ancient homeland, the Jewish people worked in the land. The Exile transformed them into an urban people. In the modern period, European cities became great centers of Jewish life and creativity. In the aftermath of the Second World War, Israel and the United States became the centers of Jewish gravity.

"Berk is a dynamic brilliant man. His presentations are outstanding." OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The Polish Center: Warsaw, Krakow and Vilna

2. Central Europe: Prague, Budapest, and Berlin

3. Russia and Ukraine: St. Petersburg, Moscow and Odessa

4. Two New Pillars: New York and Tel Aviv

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

The existence of God is perhaps the most important question many of us ask during our lifetimes. We will explore this question through the eyes of religion, philosophy, and science. Using religious studies, we will explore how the classical theism of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam developed. Using philosophy, we will look at attempts by major philosophers to prove the existence of God and the traditional challenges to those proofs. Finally, we will ask whether God's existence fits into modern science. In the end, the speaker, a rabbi, philosopher, and lover of science, will present his own answer. This program is being presented with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"He is informative, entertaining and inclusive. We enjoyed his class immensely." - OLLI Patron

This course will examine the life and policies of Israeli politician and statesman Benjamin Netanyahu. After serving at the UN and in the Finance Ministry, Netanyahu won the premiership and held it longer than any other prime minister. He was influenced by his father and inspired by his older brother Yoni, who was tragically killed during the Entebbe hostage rescue operation. Netanyahu first ran for prime minister against Shimon Peres and the Oslo Accords. Despite his attacks on the peace agreement, he honored its commitments. Considering himself “Mr. Security,” Netanyahu was in power when Israel experienced its worst terror attack on October 7, 2023. How did he rise to power and stay so long? How was Israel changed during his tenure? How were Israel’s relations with the U.S. and other countries affected? These are some questions we’ll explore in this lecture.

"He was excellent." - OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Being sensible can be excessively boring. At least, Jack thinks so. While assuming the role of dutiful guardian in the country, he lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy takes on a similar facade. Unfortunately, living a double life has its drawbacks, especially regarding love. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate. Max Webster (Donmar’s Macbeth; Life of Pi) directs a joyful and flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy. Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom; Doctor Who) is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) and Hugh Skinner (W1A; Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) in this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance. Running time 180 minutes.

England’s King Richard III continues to inspire mystery and controversy 540 years after he was defeated and slain by Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth. Ever since Shakespeare’s indelible and influential portrayal, Richard has been largely depicted as a monstrous crooked-back king whose lust for power led him to usurp the crown by killing the young, legitimate heir and his brother. But is this reputation for villainy and murder warranted? Recently, this narrative has come under intense historical scrutiny. Could Richard be the victim of Tudor propaganda to justify Henry’s invasion and seizure of the throne? This PowerPoint lecture will look at the man, the debate, the evidence, and the historical setting of the Wars of the Roses. Space is limited.

"Great program. Great presenter."- OLLI Patron

Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein's bewildered creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the Creature determines to track down his creator. Directed by Academy Award-winner Danny Boyle, featuring Jonny Lee Miller as the creature and Benedict Cumberbatch as Victor Frankenstein. Run time: 120 minutes.

This program explores the evolution of Gianni Schicchi, not as a medieval knight, but as a character from 13th-century Florence. Join us as we delve into Schicchi's transformation from Dante's Inferno into a comedic figure in Puccini's opera "Gianni Schicchi," part of "Il Trittico." Using an interdisciplinary approach, we will combine literary analysis and musical listening to examine Dante's original text and Puccini's libretto, comparing characters, plots, and themes. We will also evaluate how Puccini's vision of Schicchi differs from Dante’s and how this is influenced by historical and cultural contexts. Through visual analysis and critical discussion, participants will appreciate the artistic and cultural legacy of Gianni Schicchi, gaining a nuanced understanding of his journey from a condemned soul to an opera star. Space is limited.

Four unique stories of contemporary women overcoming the obstacles that work, society, and family throw at them.

"Shelly, thank you for presenting such thought-provoking, meaningful and touching films. They really resonate with a Capital R."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. "Full Time" - France, 2021: Julie, divorced, lives outside Paris with her two children. Receiving no maintenance from her ex, she commutes to the city, working as a chambermaid in a luxury hotel. On the day she gets an interview for a better-paying job, she runs into a national transit strike and must get across a city dead in its tracks. Running time 1h 27m.

2. "Marguerite's Theorem" - France, 2023: Marguerite is a brilliant mathematics student at France's top university, the Ecole Normale Supérieure. On the day of her thesis presentation, a mistake shakes up all the certainty in her planned-out life; she decides to quit everything and start over. Running time 113 min.

3. "Writing with Fire" - India, 2021: Armed with smartphones and tenacity, a fearless group of journalists from India's only women-led news outlet confronts social injustice while fighting for marginalized voices in the world's largest democracy. Running time 93 min.

4. "Toni" - France, 2023: Toni is raising her five children alone. A full-time job. She also sings at bars and had a hit single 20 years ago. Today, as her two eldest prepare to go to college, Toni wonders: what will she do when all of her offspring have left home? Running time 96 min.

Weekly titles subject to change.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.