JASA’s Next Act Lecture Series is exploring two fascinating recent bestsellers—In the Garden of Beasts, by Erik Larson, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot. “JASA’s NextAct is one of many opportunities JASA offers to help quench the thirst for learning that exists in the 55+ community,” said Alexandra Collier, director of special projects for the Jewish Association for Services for the Aged (JASA). “We know that older New Yorkers want to use their time wisely, pursue their passions, explore new interests, meet new people, and have fun! That’s what Next Act is all about.”
On Thursday, October 27, Sheila Isenberg will lead a discussion on In the Garden of Beasts. The book offers a portrait of Berlin during the rise of the Nazis as seen through the eyes of William E. Dodd, U.S. ambassador to Germany during the 1930s, and his daughter, Martha. An adjunct professor of English at Marist College, Sheila has appeared nationally and internationally in documentaries and on multiple media platforms, including NPR, CNN, 20/20, The Today Show and Good Morning America. Isenberg is the author of A Hero of Our Own: The Story of Varian Fry, named a Notable Book of the Year by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Muriel’s War: An American Heiress in the Nazi Resistance.
On Thursday, November 3, Joshua Halberstam will give a lecture on The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. The book offers a look at the story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor African American farmer whose cells were taken without permission as she was dying from cancer. For over 50 years, HeLa cells have been used by scientists and medical researchers around the world and have led to developments in vaccinations, cloning, gene mapping, and more. Halberstam received his PhD in Philosophy from New York University. He has taught at NYU, Teachers College, Columbia, and City University of New York. His publications include a novel, A Seat at the Table, as well as pieces on philosophy and culture, including comparative studies of Islam and Judaism.
A wine and cheese reception follows each event, which will be held at UJA, 130 E. 59th Street, 7th floor, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Each lecture is $20 with advance registration and $25 at the door.
To Register online for these lectures please click here.
To register over the phone or for both sessions at a discounted rate of $35 contact Sara Tornay at (212) 273-5304 or by email at stornay@jasa.org.
