When: Sunday, June 22 at 2 p.m.
Where: 19 Restaurant, Rooms 1-3
Tickets: Free for members, $5 entrance fee for guests (goes towards purchase of author’s book)
Springboks is delighted to announce that Elie Kaplan Spitz, a celebrated author, will be joining us at Laguna Woods Village to discuss how gossiping hurts us all. This thought-provoking event is initiated by Rachel, President of the Springboks, who invited her good friend and esteemed speaker to address this critical issue.
Elie Kaplan Spitz has graciously agreed to speak at no cost, but let’s show our support by purchasing one of his four books.
Gossiping can be easy to fall into when a group of people gathers together; it only takes three individuals to create a gossip triangle. Rachel believes that gossip hurts all three parties involved—the person sharing the gossip, the listener, and the subject of the gossip. Although the impact may vary among individuals, it inevitably damages everyone in the triangle.
There are techniques to break free from this cycle. For instance, Rachel uses assertive body language, such as extending her hand to signal “stop,” a technique she developed while teaching. While changing the subject can sometimes redirect the conversation, habitual gossipers require a more concerted effort to address their behavior.
As Rachel emphasizes, combating gossip requires a collective effort—it truly “takes a village.” When we all speak out against gossip, the positive effects return to us. By refraining from gossip, Rachel has built trusting friendships, as her peers recognize her integrity and develop greater awareness of how harmful gossiping can be. This transformation is inspiring and demonstrates the power of collective action and conscious choices.
It is worth noting that there are rare instances when sharing information about someone might be necessary to ensure safety or prevent harm, but this should be done cautiously and ethically.
Let’s join together to learn from Elie Kaplan Spitz’s insights and support this important cause.
RSVP: springbokslwv@gmail.com
More info: Contact Rachel Barnes at 714-471-2225/springbokslwv@gmail.com.
