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A Test Case for America: Washington, Longfellow and the Jewish Community at Newport

DL — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:00:29 +0000

Ted Widmer, director of the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University, speaks about George Washington’s 1790 letter to the Jewish community in Newport, Longfellow’s poem on the same theme, and the curious career of religious tolerance in American politics.

Wednesday, June 13 @ 7:00 pm

Co-sponsored by the National Park Service, Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters NHS, the Friends of the Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters, the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati, and by Ann Daily. In honor of Frances Ackerly.

Gentlemen:

While I received with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens.

The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security.

If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good government, to become a great and happy people.

The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy—a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration and fervent wishes for my felicity.

May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants—while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.

May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.

G. Washington

Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China

PSuhrcke — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:43:55 +0000

Harvard China scholar Ezra Vogel discusses his highly acclaimed biography of transformational Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. How did Deng succeed in finding a path to make China a wealthy and powerful member of the international community? What personal and cultural factors contributed to his success? What obstacles did he face? How did Vogel go about researching and writing this masterful study of Deng’s life and legacy?

Recorded March 21, 2012

The Rise of China and American Power

PSuhrcke — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:20:01 +0000

Joseph Nye of the Harvard Kennedy School examines the future of American relations with China. As China has become a more powerful player in the Pacific, how has it projected its strength? How have strategic alliances among its neighbors changed in response to China’s growing economic and military might? What does the Obama administration’s new emphasis on the Pacific mean for the future of American relations with China? Moderated by PRI’s The World’s Lisa Mullins.

Tuesday, April 10 @ 7 pm

Co-sponsored by a Friend of Cambridge Forum.

Being Alive and Having To Die

DL — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:58:47 +0000

Author Dan Cryer discusses his biography of the Rev. Forrest Church, the foremost Unitarian Universalist of our time. Church championed the separation of church and state, and a religion that respected the mind and fostered tolerance. He wrote books on theology, pastoral meditations, and histories, while building his All Souls Church into a congregation committed to social justice. Being Alive and Having to Die chronicles Church’s life’s journey.

Wednesday, January 25 @ 7 pm

The Alzheimer’s Prevention Program

DL — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:00:03 +0000

UCLA neuroscientist Gary Small looks at what Alzheimer’s disease actually is and reviews the research on preventing its onset. Small challenges the widely held notion that Alzheimer’s is not preventable and discusses a variety of ways to keep the brain healthy–there’s more to it than a crossword puzzle a day!

Thursday, February 9 @ 7 pm

Challenges of Globalization: Global Engagement

DL — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:30:08 +0000

Cambridge Forum hosts a mini-conference on the impact of global engagement on America’s sense of security and well-being. During the afternoon session, speakers will examine challenges posed by the European debt crisis, changing relationships in the Middle East, and the war on terror. A new grad strategy for American global engagement in the 21^st century is the focus of Stephen van Evera’s evening keynote.

Monday, February 13 @ 2:00 pm – Keynote @ 7:00 pm

This Program is funded in Part by Mass Humanities. Co-sponsored by an Anonymous Friend of Cambridge Forum.

Obama and Iran: A Single Roll of the Dice

DL — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:20:34 +0000

Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council, assesses the high-stakes diplomatic sparring between Washington and Tehran.

Have the diplomatic efforts of the Obama administration toward Iran failed? Was the Bush administration’s emphasis on military intervention, refusal to negotiate, and pursuit of regime change a better approach? How can the United States best address the ongoing turmoil in Tehran?

Recorded March 14, 2012

Co-sponsored by Don and Jeannette McInnes

Challenges of Globalization: Economic Globalization

DL — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:16:14 +0000

A mini-conference on economic globalization explores the impact of globalization of labor, capital, and markets on American workers, investors, and consumers. Robert Kuttner of Demos moderates.

2 pm Globalization of Labor: Is the Race to the Bottom Inevitable? Robert Pollin, University of Massachusetts

3 pm Globalization of Capital: The Rise of the Multinationals Robert Scott, Economic Policy Institute

4 pm Globalization of Markets: Do American Corporations Need American Consumers? Harold Meyerson, The American Prospect

7 pm Keynote: The Globalization Paradox Dani Rodrik, Harvard Kennedy School of Government

Monday, April 16 @ 2pm Keynote @ 7pm

This program is funded in part by Mass Humanities. Co-sponsored by Mullane, Michel & McInnes, Counselors at Law

Creativity And Stress

DL — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:15:57 +0000

Actors from the Underground Railway Theater read a selection from But the Giraffe! , the curtain-raiser Tony Kushner wrote for the Broadway revival of Brundibar. A panel discussion follows about the relationship between stress and creativity. Does creativity help people cope with stress? How does stress stimulate or impede creativity? Panelists include Debra Wise, Artistic Director of Underground Railway Theater; Dr. Michael Grodin, Professor of Health Law, Bioethics and Human Rights at Boston University School of Public Health; and Guila Clara Kessous, Carr Center’s Initiative in Theater and Human Rights at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Click here for more info about her new play.

See photos from the event here.

Sunday, April 22 @7 pm

This is a ticketed program. $5 (Members) and $10 (General Admission). Call 617-495-2727 to reserve your tickets or purchase here:

Wealth Inequality: The Gilded Road to Ruin?

PSuhrcke — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:10:01 +0000

Chuck Collins, director of the Institute for Policy Studies Program onInequality and the Common Good, and journalist Linda McQuaig explore the impact of the growing wealth gap, and suggest ways to reverse the increase in economic inequality. What role does the call for austerity play in reinforcing or overcoming economic inequality? Where do they see the political will to make the necessary policy changes? Recorded April 25, 2012