"Great Ideas" is discussing "Zionism--Implementation in Israel" on Thursday, July 31, 2014. We meet at the Northbrook Village Hall.

Here is a link that will allow you to review, download and print the slides we will show and discuss at each session: IsraeliHistory

On July 31 we will conclude the discussion of the Eichmann Trial beginning at Slide #250....and Hannah Arendt’s controversial analysis in her book "Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil". We will also be referring to Deborah Lipstadt’s book, “The Eichmann Trial” and the chapters on the Eichmann trial in Leora Bilsky’s book “Transformative Justice Israeli Identity on Trial”. To gain a good understanding of the events of the trial read the first 150 pages of Lipstadt’s book first, then Arendt’s book, then the last 50 pages of Lipstadt’s book and finally chapters 4-6 of Bilsky’s book.

NOTE: July is a month with five Thursdays. So "Great Ideas" meets again on July 31 and "Current Events" meets next on August 7.

Below is a list of books mentioned during our sessions:

• “The Secret War Against The Jews: How Western Espionage Betrayed the Jewish People” by John Loftus and Mark Aarons
• “A Safe Haven: Harry S. Truman and the Founding of Israel” by Allis Radosh and Ronald Rados
• "Truman" by David McCullough
• “Louis D. Brandeis: A Life” by Melvin Urofsky
• “The Prime Ministers: An Intimate Narrative of Israeli Leadership” by Yehuda Avner
• “George C. Marshall” by Forest Pogue (a 4 volume work- the most definitive biography)
• “1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War” by Benny Morris
• “Woodrow Wilson: A Biography” by John Milton Cooper, Jr
• “A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East” by David Fromkin
• "Constantine’s Sword: The Church and the Jews": A History by James Carroll
• "The Making of Modern Israel 1948-1967" by Leslie Stein
• "Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict" by Charles D. Smith
• “Transformative Justice: Israeli Identity on Trial” by Leora Bilsky
• “In the Garden of the Beasts” by Erik Larson
• “My Promised Land - The Triumph & Tragedy of Israel” by Ari Shavit
• “The Iron Wall: Israel & The Arab World” by Avi Shlaim
• "A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide" by Samantha Power
• "The Physician" by Noah Gordon
• "Start-up Nation: the Story of Israel's Economic Miracle" by Dan Senor and Saul Singer
• "Eichmann in Jerusalem: a Report on the Banality of Evil" by Hannah Arendt
• "The Eichmann Trial" by Deborah Lipstadt
• "The House on Garibaldi Street" by Isser Harrel

"American Politics" discussion topics for Monday, August 4, 2014

In an interview with Charlie Rose, the Hamas leader flatly rejected recognizing Israel as a Jewish state. What are alternatives to Israel being a Jewish state? Are Israelis of one accord on the issue of Israel being “a Jewish state”? 

What is the significance of Europe taking the lead in imposing greater sanctions on Russia in the energy, arms and finance sectors because of Putin's actions in Ukraine? 

The House is voting on suing the President for acting outside the Constitution with his executive actions.  The President says "he is doing his job".  If Republicans are doing this to gin up their "base", will it work?  How do you feel this action will sit with Independents?

The typical American family is about 1/3 poorer than a decade ago.  Net worth was $88,000 in 2003 vs. $56,000 in 2013, primarily due to the dramatic decline in housing. What are the ramifications?

By a margin of 53% to 44% in a CNN poll, Americans now say they wished Gov. Romney had won the 2012 election. Your thoughts.

How important are teachers' unions in the Illinois Governor's Race?  If Rauner wins, could we see a shake-up here?

A fist bump is a safer alternative than handshaking according to health professions, especially during flu season. Your thoughts.

President Obama refuses to change his schedule in reaction to world events, and continues to hold fund-raising events, saying that making changes to his calendar would send the wrong message to America and the rest of the world. Your thoughts.

If Hillary doesn’t run, would John Kerry be the Democrat’s strongest alternative?

Pat Buchanan: "Will America remain one nation, or are we are on the road to Balkanization and the breakup of America into ethnic enclaves?" Is Diversity America's strength...or is it our weakness? Who, ethnically, is a "typical American"?

Why do many Americans consider Islam itself, and not just radical terrorists, dangerous to America? Are Islamic extremists a greater risk to America than other radicals, domestic or foreign?  How Americans view Arabs and Muslims has gotten worse in recent years, with negative feelings strongest among Republicans and Seniors. Only 27% of Americans have a favorable opinion of Muslims, down from 35% in 2010.

There are futurists who believe that by the year 2045, technologically, we will achieve a "singularity" event where artificial intelligence reaches a tipping point and begins to exceed human intelligence--to a point of replication and self-expansion without human assistance. If this is possible, should we embrace the opportunity...or be fearful of the risks?

Germany's Merkel said spying on allies is a waste of time as she promptly kicked out America's top spy. What's the point of spying on Germany? Are our relations with Germany more important than any secrets gleaned by spying?

The Supreme Court says police must obtain a warrant to search your cell phone. What do you feel was the greater risk--to your personal freedom, or to your personal security?

The First Lady is taking on Republicans who want to walk back school lunch guides. Michelle Obama lobbied for the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which requires more fruit, vegetables and whole grains in school meals, along with less sodium, sugar and fat. It was designed to make school meals more nutritious. The School Nutrition Association originally supported the standards, has now turned against them. The association says it fully supports getting kids to eat healthier but says many districts are losing money because students aren't buying the healthier lunches. Your thoughts.

What are the ramifications of America's birthrate having dropped from just under 4 in 1957 to just over 2 today? (2.1 birth rate is considered the right number to replace both parents over their life).

"Current Events" topics for Thursday, August 7, 2014. We meet at the Northbrook Village Hall.

Topics for August 7 will be posted several days before we meet.

Northbrook Library Discussion Groups have moved to Northbrook Village Hall during Library Renovation.

Renovation of Northbrook library meeting rooms began in March 2013 and will continue for approximately one year. The Library will remain open during this renovation.

Click this link to visit the Northbrook Library website, take a short "virtual tour" and see details about the renovation: http://www.northbrook.info/renovations

During this time, "Current Events" and "Great Ideas" will be held next door at the Northbrook Village Hall at the usual 10-11:30am time.

We meet in the Village Hall Board Room on the first floor

Please do NOT park in front of Village Hall. Park at the Library or across the street If you have a handicap sticker you can park in the south lot in back of Village hall for better access to the board room.

Coffee will NOT be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own in a covered cup

Here are future Thursday dates when we will NOT conduct discussions:

October 23 - No "Great Ideas" - Early Voting taking place in Village Hall

October 30- No "Great Ideas" - Early Voting taking place in Village Hall

December 25 - Christmas Day - No "Great Ideas" - Library Closed

January 1 - New Year's Day - No "Current Events" - Library Closed