Jennifer Weiner Featured at National Council of Jewish Women’s Opening Program W orld-renowned author, Jennifer Weiner, brings her charm and wit to Cleveland on Wednesday, September 17, as the featured speaker at the National Council of Jewish Women/Cleveland’s (NCJW/Cleveland) Opening Meeting. The program takes place at 1 p.m., at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, 23737 Fairmount Boulevard, Beachwood. The cost is $25, which includes a dessert reception. The program will be preceded by a luncheon at 11 a.m., where Weiner will provide personal anecdotes and stories. The luncheon costs $75 for Patrons and $125 for Benefactors. A Princeton University graduate, Weiner has authored 11 books, including the popular Good in Bed; and In Her Shoes, which was made into a major motion picture in 2005, starring Cameron Diaz and Shirley Maclaine. Weiner’s newest book, All Fall Down, takes on the controversial topic of women and addiction, with a sparkling comedic touch. Weiner worked as a journalist for ten years before her first book was published. Prior to the success of Good In Bed, Weiner worked as a staff writer and Pictured: Sol Jacobs, Carol Jacobs and Sherry Kovacs follow along as Rabbi Haim leads a plaque- rededication service. columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer, where her stories ranged from profiles of Wendy the Snapple Lady and Adam Sandler to long Sunday stories, about teenage drug abuse, sex and college students, and her grandmother’s gefilte fish. Weiner has been a vocal critic of what she sees as the male bias in the publishing industry and the media, alleging that books by male authors are reviewed more often and are more highly praised by critics than those written by women. Weiner lives in Philadelphia with her family. Barb Shane and Leslie Levine are co-chairs for the program. To purchase tickets, please call 216.378.2204. For more information, visit www.ncjwcleveland. org. BHS Class of ‘74 Remembers Classmates Struck by Lightening O n September 8, 1970, 65 Beachwood boys went out on the field for football practice. Shortly after they began their drills the rain began. It was the first day of school for these 9th graders and the day was anything but ordinary. Thunder clapped, and six boys along with the freshman football coach were down on the ground. Two boys didn’t get up. Arny Finkle and Robert Jacobs were both struck by lightening and pronounced dead at 5:15 p.m. Since that day, the class of ‘74 never forgot the two boys and still cringe when there is a thunderstorm. Today, a rock holding a plaque in memory of Finkle and Jacobs sits on the football field in their memory. On Friday, August 1, following a tour of the renovated high school, Rabbi Rosie Barron Haim of The Temple-Tifereth Israel led a plaque-rededication ceremony in the boys’ memory. Rabbi Haim is the wife of Marshall Barron, BHS class of ‘74, who was on the field on that tragic day. In attendance at this ceremony, along with classmates, were Jacobs’ parents Sol and Carol Jacobs, and his older sister, Sherry Kovacs. Also present were Finkle’s older sisters, Maureen Kapasi and Barbara DiScenna, and his nephew, Brandon Finkle. Beachwood Elderclass T he Beachwood Elderclass is proudly celebrating its 25th year! This popular group, sponsored by the Beachwood Board of Education, affords residents an opportunity for learning and entertainment in our high school environment. Excellent luncheons and stimulating, varied programs are provided on a monthly basis during the school year. If you are not on Elderclass the mailing list and would like to be, please call the Beachwood Board of Education at 216.464.2600 to be added. With somewhat limited space in Beachwood High School’s Bistro, Beachwood residents are given first preference for lunch. Programs, free and open to the public, are currently held in the High School Community Room and do not require a reservation. Lunches, catered by the vocational culinary arts class, are still only $5 for Beachwood residents and, if space is available, $8 for non-residents. Paid reservations are required for lunch and are compiled on a first-come basis. Reservations will be accepted by mail only. No walk-ins will be accepted. Refunds will be made if reservations are filled by the time yours is received. However, you may still attend the program. Elderclass programs are held on Thursdays with lunch at noon and presentations beginning at approximately 1 p.m. Programs generally end about 2 p.m. Flyers are sent to our mailing roster prior to each program, requesting that tear slips and money for lunches be mailed to the Board of Education. A school bus is available to transport attendees to the school entrance from the parking lot. Further specific information is in the flyer. Here is the exciting lineup for our first three programs: n Thursday, 10/9/14 - Carl Topilow, clarinetist, and Marshall Griffith, pianist n Thursday, 11/13/14 - Evelyn Wright, singer, and piano accompaniment n Thursday, 12/11/14 - Steven Greenman, violinist, with accompaniment 22 Beachwood Buzz n September 2014