Bucket Course: "Humanities Iowa Open Book Series"

Overview

Bucket Course: "Humanities Iowa Open Book Series"

In partnership with Humanities Iowa and CultureALL, Open Book invites participants into small-group conversations centered on real Iowans sharing meaningful life stories. This facilitated program fosters empathy, understanding, and connection through listening, reflection, and respectful dialogue.

Imagine a library full of stories – not written in books, but told through the lessons learned by people with real life experiences.

Meet today’s books:

• Abe Goldstien.  Abe Goldstien was born and raised in an orthodox Jewish community in Rochester, NY. He moved to Des Moines in 1969 to pursue an education and career in advertising. During college at Drake University, and for several years later, Goldstien had very little to do with Des Moines’ Jewish community or the religious customs of his youth. It wasn’t until he started to perform Yiddish (Easter European Jewish) music on his accordion that he reconnected with his heritage. Today, Goldstien is the leader of the Java Jews, Iowa’s only klezmer music band.
• Debra Madison-Levi.  Deb Madison-Levi retired in 2024 after working for 50 years in a variety of sectors that all involved helping people: supporting executives in healthcare, law, nonprofits, government, aviation, construction, credit unions, and hospitality. Madison-Levi serves on the boards of Central Iowa Shelter & Services and First Friday Breakfast Club. She has previously served on the boards of Des Moines Downtown Neighborhood Association, Iowa CareGivers, Simpson College Alumni, and the Child & Family Policy Center. Madison-Levi graduated magna cum laude with her communications degree from Simpson College. She is the proud owner of a vintage ice cream bike, always eager to share joy and community connection.

Bucket Courses are free educational programs held in the Katherine Howell Weingart ’61 Civic Innovation Pavilion at Renfrow Hall (1033 Broad St.) and coordinated through a group dedicated to life-long learning – Grinnell College in collaboration with the Bucket Course committee. 

This series of weekly classes explores specific topics taught by experts in their fields, including Grinnell College professors, medical professionals, and career scientists. Topics have included history, psychiatry, music, science, biotechnology, philosophy, theatre, astronomy, religion, and classics.

No pre registration required, no fee to attend, and everyone is welcome.

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