This thought-provoking course will explore four powerful philosophical books that shed light on today’s chaotic world. From the struggle to uphold moral ideals to the complexities of truth, meaning, and happiness, these discussions will challenge your perspective and inspire deeper reflection.

Instructor: Michael Heinsdorf, BA (Muhlenberg College, University of Goettingen) MDiv, STM, MA, is an ordained clergyman, former German instructor at Northeast High School and adjunct at LaSalle University. His focus is on a contemporary religious paradigm for our time.

Improvisation is more than just games—it’s a fun way to boost creativity, adaptability, and connection. Through engaging games, you'll sharpen your thinking, enhance collaboration, and rediscover the joy of play in everyday life.

Instructor: Jess Carpenter is passionate about improv, which he explored for fun and comedy. He created the award-winning “Comedian Deconstruction” format. As an instructor, he fosters a fun safe environment. Jess helps people embrace unpredictability, better communication, enhances personal relationships and learn to have fun again!

Would you like to learn better ways to understand and relate to your family members: your adult children, your aging parents, your grandchildren? It can be difficult to navigate your family relationships as they change over time. Let’s talk together about how to make these relationships more successful and loving. These sessions will provide useful information on these topics and encourage a friendly, supportive discussion among the participants.

Instructor: Linda Schenker, MSW, has maintained a practice in psychotherapy in Philadelphia and Blue Bell for the past 40 years. She has specialized in relationship issues, family dynamics, and issues around aging and intergenerational relationships. She has run groups on parenting, relationship and aging issues, and has taught and supervised other clinicians.

TWO-PART LECTURE ON 6/3 & 6/20

While many memories are personal, a vast swath of recollection comes not from individual encounters but from group experience. This latter category can be considered social memory rather than personal memory. Along the way, we will engage with thinkers such as the sociologist Maurice Halbwachs, Egyptologist Jan Assmann, and historian Alison Landsberg. This two-part program will provide an introductory exploration of social memory, how it is discussed and why it is useful to understand. 

Presenter:Joel Horst Nofziger is the executive director of the Mennonite Heritage Center (Harleysville, Pa.) and a postgraduate researcher with the Centre for Anabaptist Studies (Bristol, UK). 

The ability of evolving humans to embrace musical expression predates language. It is a skill fundamental to the character of our species and is an essential part of human development. This talk will address how music is inherently bound to the acquisition of language, rhythm and improvisation as well the utility of music for convalescence from neurological disease.

Presenter: Dr. Rosenberg is a retired Temple neurologist with 45 years of clinical experience as well as more than 50 years of musical performance of Irish, classical and jazz flute. He has lectured extensively on music, the brain and the neuroscience of melody.

Retired at fifty-eight and living the good life with a relaxed Zen attitude—is this possible? Yes, as I will show with the story of my life, a journey across three continents. Financial planning, personal decisions, education, health, family, attitudes and aptitudes, all work together in planning for and enjoying retirement. My goal was to live the stress-free life of a Zen Bon Vivant. I achieved that relatively easily. You can too, if you want. Join me in a stimulating, interactive discussion.

Presenter: Ranjan Mukherjee Ph.D., has worked in the US pharmaceutical industry. After retiring he is living his dream as a writer, traveler, photographer and speaker. He gives educational and entertaining talks on his travels and experiences in different countries; Nepal, China, India, Canada and Mexico. 

This presentation will focus on how neurological disorders resulted in impairment of musicians and composers whose extraordinary musical talent endured despite profound disability. We will explore the diagnosis of Beethoven hearing loss, Gershwin's brain tumor and Ravel's loss of brain function among others music legends.

Instructor: Dr. Rosenberg is a retired Temple neurologist with 45 years of clinical experience as well as more than 50 years of musical performance of Irish, classical and jazz flute. He has lectured extensively on music, the brain and the neuroscience of melody.

Sing along to familiar and new songs, enjoy a Bach viola suite to sharpen your ears, and delight in witty tales from Lancashire, England. A lively mix of music and storytelling awaits!

Presenter: Lynn Mather is a professional violinist and violist and has performed with the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Young Audiences of Southeast PA, and founded the Germantown Avenue String Stop. Specializing in both classical and Baroque violin, she plays with early music ensembles. She is also the proud mother of renowned jazz musician Ari Hoenig.