BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Jewish Senior Citizen’s Centre - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Jewish Senior Citizen’s Centre X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.jdicseniors.ca X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Jewish Senior Citizen’s Centre REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Edmonton BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20250309T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20251102T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20260308T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20261101T080000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261201T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261201T150000 DTSTAMP:20260911T174220 CREATED:20260911T191346Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T191346Z UID:10006353-1796130000-1796137200@www.jdicseniors.ca SUMMARY:The False Promises of Direct Democracy DESCRIPTION:Instructor: Elizabeth Smythe\,\nProfessor Emerita of Political Science \nFee: $65 Members | $80 Non-Members \nTuesdays November 17\, 24\, December 1\, 8\, and 15 at 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. \nTools of direct democracy such as referendums\, recall\, initiatives and consultations with citizens are often depicted as a way to enhance the direct voice of citizens on important issues and to hold governments accountable. They are designed\, it is often claimed\, to counter the limits of representative democracies where those elected to represent citizens are often seen to be unresponsive to citizen’s concerns outside of election campaigns. But it is also clear that such tools can be open to manipulation and abuse\, especially by authoritarian governments\, who often use them to enhance their own power. \nThese lectures will examine the criticisms of representative democracy and critically assess tools of direct democracy drawing on examples and case studies\, including that of the Alberta October 2026 referendum. They will address how vulnerable these tools are to manipulation by governments and other actors. Moreover\, in the age of social media and artificial intelligence they leave citizens susceptible to disinformation produced\, either for profit or in aid of foreign interference. \nFinally\, the course will offer suggestions as to what can be done to both address the limits of representative democracy and provide real opportunities for citizens to have a voice in ways that enhance and deepen democracy rather than threatening it. \nAbout the instructor: Elizabeth Smythe Dr. Smythe is a professor emerita of political science. Her PhD is from Carleton University. She taught undergraduate courses in political science\, including comparative\, Canadian and International Politics and Canadian Foreign Policy for over 30 years at Concordia University of Edmonton until her retirement in July 2022. URL:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/event/the-false-promises-of-direct-democracy-3/ LOCATION:The Centre\, 10052-117 St. NW\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, T5K 1X2\, Canada CATEGORIES:Learning in Retirement ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/false-democracy.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="JDIC":MAILTO:programmer@jdicseniors.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261202T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261202T120000 DTSTAMP:20260911T174220 CREATED:20260911T191547Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T191547Z UID:10006367-1796205600-1796212800@www.jdicseniors.ca SUMMARY:Is Freud A Fraud? | Lecture 2 DESCRIPTION:Instructor: David Wangler\, Professor Emeritus\nFee: $50 members | $60 non-members \nWednesdays November 25\, December 2\, 9\, and 16 at 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. \nLecture 1 Most humans\, especially those who have never read him\, hate him. Why?\nLecture 2 Freud claimed that human nature was the same everywhere in that all human minds were made up of 3 parts\, the ego\, superego and id.The conflict among these 3 is the source of all human problems which were for him\, unavoidable. He recommends resignation to this.\nLecture 3 Is there a dark\, highly irrational\, selfish\, sexual and aggressive component in every human being?\nLecture 4 250 yrs ago\, Ben Franklin said there are only 2 certainties in life\, death and taxes. Many older humans are terrified of one of these. Why??\nFreud claimed that the absolute reality of death cannot be rationally considered by most humans. Is this true? URL:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/event/is-freud-a-fraud-lecture-2/ LOCATION:The Centre\, 10052-117 St. NW\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, T5K 1X2\, Canada CATEGORIES:Learning in Retirement ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/freud.png ORGANIZER;CN="JDIC":MAILTO:programmer@jdicseniors.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261202T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261202T120000 DTSTAMP:20260911T174220 CREATED:20260911T191808Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T192247Z UID:10006655-1796209200-1796212800@www.jdicseniors.ca SUMMARY:Tai Chi with Master Ben DESCRIPTION:Tai Chi is performed as a gentle\, low-impact movement in which practitioners perform a series of deliberate\, flowing motions while focusing on deep\, slow breaths. \nWednesdays at 11a.m. \nFee: Drop-in: $7 | Card of 10 Classes: $60 URL:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/event/tai-chi-with-master-ben/2026-12-02/ LOCATION:The Centre\, 10052-117 St. NW\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, T5K 1X2\, Canada CATEGORIES:Learning in Retirement ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/taichi.png ORGANIZER;CN="JDIC":MAILTO:programmer@jdicseniors.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261208T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261208T150000 DTSTAMP:20260911T174220 CREATED:20260911T191347Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T191347Z UID:10006354-1796734800-1796742000@www.jdicseniors.ca SUMMARY:The False Promises of Direct Democracy DESCRIPTION:Instructor: Elizabeth Smythe\,\nProfessor Emerita of Political Science \nFee: $65 Members | $80 Non-Members \nTuesdays November 17\, 24\, December 1\, 8\, and 15 at 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. \nTools of direct democracy such as referendums\, recall\, initiatives and consultations with citizens are often depicted as a way to enhance the direct voice of citizens on important issues and to hold governments accountable. They are designed\, it is often claimed\, to counter the limits of representative democracies where those elected to represent citizens are often seen to be unresponsive to citizen’s concerns outside of election campaigns. But it is also clear that such tools can be open to manipulation and abuse\, especially by authoritarian governments\, who often use them to enhance their own power. \nThese lectures will examine the criticisms of representative democracy and critically assess tools of direct democracy drawing on examples and case studies\, including that of the Alberta October 2026 referendum. They will address how vulnerable these tools are to manipulation by governments and other actors. Moreover\, in the age of social media and artificial intelligence they leave citizens susceptible to disinformation produced\, either for profit or in aid of foreign interference. \nFinally\, the course will offer suggestions as to what can be done to both address the limits of representative democracy and provide real opportunities for citizens to have a voice in ways that enhance and deepen democracy rather than threatening it. \nAbout the instructor: Elizabeth Smythe Dr. Smythe is a professor emerita of political science. Her PhD is from Carleton University. She taught undergraduate courses in political science\, including comparative\, Canadian and International Politics and Canadian Foreign Policy for over 30 years at Concordia University of Edmonton until her retirement in July 2022. URL:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/event/the-false-promises-of-direct-democracy-4/ LOCATION:The Centre\, 10052-117 St. NW\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, T5K 1X2\, Canada CATEGORIES:Learning in Retirement ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/false-democracy.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="JDIC":MAILTO:programmer@jdicseniors.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261209T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261209T120000 DTSTAMP:20260911T174220 CREATED:20260911T191602Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T191602Z UID:10006368-1796810400-1796817600@www.jdicseniors.ca SUMMARY:Is Freud A Fraud? | Lecture 3 DESCRIPTION:Instructor: David Wangler\, Professor Emeritus\nFee: $50 members | $60 non-members \nWednesdays November 25\, December 2\, 9\, and 16 at 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. \nLecture 1 Most humans\, especially those who have never read him\, hate him. Why?\nLecture 2 Freud claimed that human nature was the same everywhere in that all human minds were made up of 3 parts\, the ego\, superego and id.The conflict among these 3 is the source of all human problems which were for him\, unavoidable. He recommends resignation to this.\nLecture 3 Is there a dark\, highly irrational\, selfish\, sexual and aggressive component in every human being?\nLecture 4 250 yrs ago\, Ben Franklin said there are only 2 certainties in life\, death and taxes. Many older humans are terrified of one of these. Why??\nFreud claimed that the absolute reality of death cannot be rationally considered by most humans. Is this true? URL:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/event/is-freud-a-fraud-lecture-3/ LOCATION:The Centre\, 10052-117 St. NW\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, T5K 1X2\, Canada CATEGORIES:Learning in Retirement ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/freud.png ORGANIZER;CN="JDIC":MAILTO:programmer@jdicseniors.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261209T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261209T120000 DTSTAMP:20260911T174220 CREATED:20260911T191808Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T192247Z UID:10006656-1796814000-1796817600@www.jdicseniors.ca SUMMARY:Tai Chi with Master Ben DESCRIPTION:Tai Chi is performed as a gentle\, low-impact movement in which practitioners perform a series of deliberate\, flowing motions while focusing on deep\, slow breaths. \nWednesdays at 11a.m. \nFee: Drop-in: $7 | Card of 10 Classes: $60 URL:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/event/tai-chi-with-master-ben/2026-12-09/ LOCATION:The Centre\, 10052-117 St. NW\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, T5K 1X2\, Canada CATEGORIES:Learning in Retirement ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/taichi.png ORGANIZER;CN="JDIC":MAILTO:programmer@jdicseniors.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261215T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261215T150000 DTSTAMP:20260911T174220 CREATED:20260911T191349Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T191349Z UID:10006355-1797339600-1797346800@www.jdicseniors.ca SUMMARY:The False Promises of Direct Democracy DESCRIPTION:Instructor: Elizabeth Smythe\,\nProfessor Emerita of Political Science \nFee: $65 Members | $80 Non-Members \nTuesdays November 17\, 24\, December 1\, 8\, and 15 at 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. \nTools of direct democracy such as referendums\, recall\, initiatives and consultations with citizens are often depicted as a way to enhance the direct voice of citizens on important issues and to hold governments accountable. They are designed\, it is often claimed\, to counter the limits of representative democracies where those elected to represent citizens are often seen to be unresponsive to citizen’s concerns outside of election campaigns. But it is also clear that such tools can be open to manipulation and abuse\, especially by authoritarian governments\, who often use them to enhance their own power. \nThese lectures will examine the criticisms of representative democracy and critically assess tools of direct democracy drawing on examples and case studies\, including that of the Alberta October 2026 referendum. They will address how vulnerable these tools are to manipulation by governments and other actors. Moreover\, in the age of social media and artificial intelligence they leave citizens susceptible to disinformation produced\, either for profit or in aid of foreign interference. \nFinally\, the course will offer suggestions as to what can be done to both address the limits of representative democracy and provide real opportunities for citizens to have a voice in ways that enhance and deepen democracy rather than threatening it. \nAbout the instructor: Elizabeth Smythe Dr. Smythe is a professor emerita of political science. Her PhD is from Carleton University. She taught undergraduate courses in political science\, including comparative\, Canadian and International Politics and Canadian Foreign Policy for over 30 years at Concordia University of Edmonton until her retirement in July 2022. URL:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/event/the-false-promises-of-direct-democracy-5/ LOCATION:The Centre\, 10052-117 St. NW\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, T5K 1X2\, Canada CATEGORIES:Learning in Retirement ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/false-democracy.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="JDIC":MAILTO:programmer@jdicseniors.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261216T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261216T120000 DTSTAMP:20260911T174220 CREATED:20260911T191604Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T191604Z UID:10006369-1797415200-1797422400@www.jdicseniors.ca SUMMARY:Is Freud A Fraud? | Lecture 4 DESCRIPTION:Instructor: David Wangler\, Professor Emeritus\nFee: $50 members | $60 non-members \nWednesdays November 25\, December 2\, 9\, and 16 at 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. \nLecture 1 Most humans\, especially those who have never read him\, hate him. Why?\nLecture 2 Freud claimed that human nature was the same everywhere in that all human minds were made up of 3 parts\, the ego\, superego and id.The conflict among these 3 is the source of all human problems which were for him\, unavoidable. He recommends resignation to this.\nLecture 3 Is there a dark\, highly irrational\, selfish\, sexual and aggressive component in every human being?\nLecture 4 250 yrs ago\, Ben Franklin said there are only 2 certainties in life\, death and taxes. Many older humans are terrified of one of these. Why??\nFreud claimed that the absolute reality of death cannot be rationally considered by most humans. Is this true? URL:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/event/is-freud-a-fraud-lecture-4/ LOCATION:The Centre\, 10052-117 St. NW\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, T5K 1X2\, Canada CATEGORIES:Learning in Retirement ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/freud.png ORGANIZER;CN="JDIC":MAILTO:programmer@jdicseniors.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261216T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261216T120000 DTSTAMP:20260911T174220 CREATED:20260911T191808Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T192247Z UID:10006657-1797418800-1797422400@www.jdicseniors.ca SUMMARY:Tai Chi with Master Ben DESCRIPTION:Tai Chi is performed as a gentle\, low-impact movement in which practitioners perform a series of deliberate\, flowing motions while focusing on deep\, slow breaths. \nWednesdays at 11a.m. \nFee: Drop-in: $7 | Card of 10 Classes: $60 URL:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/event/tai-chi-with-master-ben/2026-12-16/ LOCATION:The Centre\, 10052-117 St. NW\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, T5K 1X2\, Canada CATEGORIES:Learning in Retirement ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/taichi.png ORGANIZER;CN="JDIC":MAILTO:programmer@jdicseniors.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261223T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261223T120000 DTSTAMP:20260911T174220 CREATED:20260911T191808Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T192247Z UID:10006658-1798023600-1798027200@www.jdicseniors.ca SUMMARY:Tai Chi with Master Ben DESCRIPTION:Tai Chi is performed as a gentle\, low-impact movement in which practitioners perform a series of deliberate\, flowing motions while focusing on deep\, slow breaths. \nWednesdays at 11a.m. \nFee: Drop-in: $7 | Card of 10 Classes: $60 URL:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/event/tai-chi-with-master-ben/2026-12-23/ LOCATION:The Centre\, 10052-117 St. NW\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, T5K 1X2\, Canada CATEGORIES:Learning in Retirement ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/taichi.png ORGANIZER;CN="JDIC":MAILTO:programmer@jdicseniors.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261230T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20261230T120000 DTSTAMP:20260911T174220 CREATED:20260911T191808Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T192247Z UID:10006659-1798628400-1798632000@www.jdicseniors.ca SUMMARY:Tai Chi with Master Ben DESCRIPTION:Tai Chi is performed as a gentle\, low-impact movement in which practitioners perform a series of deliberate\, flowing motions while focusing on deep\, slow breaths. \nWednesdays at 11a.m. \nFee: Drop-in: $7 | Card of 10 Classes: $60 URL:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/event/tai-chi-with-master-ben/2026-12-30/ LOCATION:The Centre\, 10052-117 St. NW\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, T5K 1X2\, Canada CATEGORIES:Learning in Retirement ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.jdicseniors.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/taichi.png ORGANIZER;CN="JDIC":MAILTO:programmer@jdicseniors.ca END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR