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April 2014
Save The Dates - 
Upcoming Events

23rd ANNUAL WOMEN'S SEDER

"We Were Strangers Too" 

Monday, April 7 At 6:30 p.m.

Location: Point East, 27500 Cedar Road, Beachwood

Cost: $25 Adults and $15 Children under 13 (includes dinner provided by Chicago Deli) 

RSVP: By March 31st, to the NCJW office

Vice Presidents: Wendi Shapera and Amy Zlotnik


Recipes from the last few years of the NCJW/Cleveland Passover Recipe Tastings are posted on our website.  Click here  to find some very unique and tasty recipes. 

  

120th ANNUAL MEETING AND BUFFET BRUNCH

Wednesday, May 14th at 11:00 a.m. at Beechmont Country Club

Please join us in celebration of our new leaders, when we install our 52nd President, Linda Barnett, and the Officers and Board of Directors for 2014-2015.  Invitation will be in your mailbox shortly.

 

CELEBRATION OF GENERATIONS

An Intergenerational Fashion Show and Brunch

Sunday, June 8th at 10:00 a.m.

Annual Fundraising Event

Please mark your calendar for Sunday, June 8th and plan on attending our annual fundraising event at Landerhaven. This year's event will honor present and former NCJW/Cleveland board members who have also served in leadership roles at NCJW's national level. 

 

We will be recognizing Debbie Hoffmann, NCJW's National President Susan C. Levine, NCJW's National Treasurer, as well as Isabelle Brown*, Barbara Mandel, Ellen RossenToni ScherzerBarbara Sobel, and Lois Zaas*, who have all served on our National Board in the past. This event promises to be a very exciting morning. (*of blessed memory). To RSVP, call the office at 216-378-2204. 

Convention Chatter
By Barb Shane

 

So - did you hear the one about the 18+ Cleveland Section NCJW women heading to St. Louis for National Convention?

 

No, well neither had I, but now I have!  We headed to Convention in St. Louis a couple weekends ago just for the "Chai" of it!  Always lead with a joke!

 

While we did enjoy some fun and entertaining bonding time, the Convention was dynamic, thought-provoking and exhilarating.  Those are pretty strong adjectives I know, but as a new Board member, it was an amazing experience to see it all come together and experience first-hand what makes NCJW such a special organization.

 

I learned so much about the breadth of what NCJW does and got a chance to exchange ideas with other Section members.  I even found someone on the National Board who I attended grad school with and found several people in the Essex County Section who had siblings that attended high school with me.  It was a Jewish Geography bonanza!

 

Back to the nuts and bolts of the Convention, we held several business 'plenary' sessions, where we updated and voted on Amendments and Bylaws and voted in new Board officers. We also heard from professional and passionate speakers talking about important social change issues like reproductive rights and Human Trafficking. We are hoping to adopt human trafficking prevention as one of NCJW/Cleveland's new advocacy initiatives. The breakout sessions were interesting on topics ranging from Engaging Progressive Women in NCJW to Immigration Reform to Marriage Rights in Israel. We learned what other sections were doing to engage members: everything from a Mah Jongg murder mystery dinner to a training and leadership seminar series for young professionals.

 

Now, back to the fun parts - the setting was beautiful, the weather great and the Cleveland Section women were awesome and organized. We were known wherever we went for our impressive section and successful programs.

 

The closing dinner included heartfelt speeches by outgoing national leadership and new leadership--- our own Debbie Hoffmann and Susan Levine, who proudly acknowledged their roots in our Cleveland Section.  I felt proud to be an NCJW/Cleveland member!

 

Three years from now when requests are made for people to attend the National convention- which will be in Miami-- I know my hand will go up.  I hope yours will too.  

 

Want to hear Debbie Hoffmann's recent radio interview as the new President click here.

Program/Education
Ilene Nolish, Vice President

CURTAIN UP: MUSICAL THEATER WITH ROY BERKO

Roy Berko, a Cleveland and New York theater critic, will use facts and anecdotes to trace the journey of the American musical from THE BLACK CROOK to KINKY BOOTS.

He will also discuss why many musicals have a cantorial sound and social message. 

Date:               Thursday, April 10

Time:               1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Location:         Cleveland Clinic Beachwood Medical Bldg. - 

                        26900 Cedar Rd.

                        Complimentary Valet parking available at the 

                        Cedar Rd. entrance.  Please tip generously.

Cost:               $10

RSVP:             NCJW office.  Reservations required.

Chair:              Judy Simkow

 

NCJW BOOK GROUP

Date:                First Thursday of the month

Book Title:        April 3 - How It All Began by Penelope Lively

                         May 1 - Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain

Time:               1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Those who wish may bring a bag lunch to eat                                    before the discussion.)

Place:               Beachwood Library

                         25501 Richmond Road

                         NOTE:  The May 1 meeting will be held at the NCJW office.

Cost:                $5 per session (cash donation for leader)

Chair:               Susan Kahn

 

ART BIO LECTURE

Tamara de Lempicka was born in Warsaw, Poland and "the first woman artist to be a glamour star."  She became a well - known portrait painter with a distinctive Art Deco manner.  Quinte

ssentially French, Deco was part of an exotic and glamorous Paris that epitomized Tamara's living and painting style.

Felicia Zavarella Stadelman presents a fascinating lecture. 

Date:             Tuesday, May 6

Time:             10:30 a.m.

Location:        Beachwood Community Center - 25325 Fairmount 

Cost:              $10

RSVP:            NCJW office.  Reservations required.

Chairs:           Ellen Young & Ethel Shultz

 

MUSICAL THEATER PROJECT: SALUTE TO ETHEL MERMAN

Ethel Merman was one of the most important and influential vocalists of the 20th century, liberating herself (and us) by presenting a new kind of woman on Broadway - the "brassy dame."  Her trademark "belt" was nothing less than a declaration of independence written by such masters of the musical theater as Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim and Jerry Herman.

Co-hosted by Bill Rudman and Nancy Maier/ Featuring Adina R. Bloom and Cassie Goldbach.

Date:           Sunday, April 13

Time:          3:00 p.m.

Location:     Notre Dame College/ Regina Hall

Cost:           $26/ $18 Discount for NCJW Members

Tickets:       Tickets available through the TMTP Box Office. Call 216-245-8687 and                               mention the discount code: NCJW 13.   To order tickets online: 

                    www.MusicalTheaterProject.org  Insert Code: NCJW13 

     All seating is assigned. 

Chair:          Claire Biel

Advocacy
Susan Reis, Vice President

Are you interested in changing our community from "The World As It Is" to "The World As It Should Be"?  

  • Voter Suppression Laws?
  • Human Trafficking?
  • Women's Inability to Access Healthcare in Ohio?
  • Issues of Domestic Violence?
  • Whatever issue you care about?

Join us!  Whether it's educating ourselves on the issues or finding out what we can do, NCJW/Cleveland can be the vehicle for change to make our world a better place for women, children and families. Contact Susan Reis[email protected].

 

To learn more about Greater Cleveland Congregations click here.

Community Service

Shelly Friedman, Vice President

 

KOSHER FOOD BANK

On Wednesday April 9 the Kosher Food Bank will receive 16,000 pounds of donated food to hand out to 150-200 local residents in need of assistance. Volunteers are needed to ensure the operation runs smoothly. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available from registration to stamping recipients' hands to helping clients select food from the bin.

 

This will be an ongoing NCJW/Cleveland project, occurring the second Wednesday of each month through October. Please consider giving of your time to help those in need within our own community.

Date:          Wednesday, April 9

Time:          3:30 - 6 p.m.

Location:    1980 Green Rd. S. Euclid, Ohio 44121

RSVP:       Shelly Friedman at 440-247-7900
 
SAVE THE DATE FOR A DONE IN A DAY
Heart Pillows Project - making pillows that are given to women post breast cancer surgery.

Date:   Friday, May 30, and Friday, June 20, 2014

Time:  10:00 a.m.

We are in great need of fabric! We need lightweight cotton fabric of any pattern or color, each piece should be at least 16" by 16". Please bring any fabric to the NCJW/Cleveland Office. We appreciate it!

 
Membership

Fran Steinbock, Vice President

 

Are you a new member - or looking to get re-connected? Contact NCJW/Cleveland's vice president of membership, Fran Steinbock at [email protected] or 216.464.9066.

 

 

IN MEMORIAM

Charlotte Goldberg

Ruth Klein

Barbara Rooney

  

NEW ANNUAL MEMBERS

Katie Banahan                        Sheri Gross

Marcia Berezin                           Carey Joseph

Jamie Cohen                           Nancy Levin

Sharon Cohen                         Kathy Marsh

Betsy Fenell                            Laurie Rose

     Leah Golub                           Donna Sulzer

 

NEW LIFE MEMBERS

Nancy McCann

Cindy Polster 

Fund Development

Adrienne Siegel, Vice President

 

Are you aware that planned giving is a way that both NCJW/Cleveland and you can benefit?

Please consider remembering us while preparing your estate planning.  There are many opportunities available to keep NCJW alive. If you have any questions please call Mindi Axner at 216-378-2204.

 

Click here to see the TRIBUTES for March 2014.

Letter From Director of Volunteers

Becky Brouman

 

April is national volunteer month, a time when thousands of workers around the country dedicate a few hours or days to giving back to their community. And if they are perceptive, if they are open to the experience, they will find what you, dear NCJW/Cleveland member already knows: That volunteering is one of the quickest, most efficient ways to find fulfilment, contentment, and purpose in life.

 

In February, the Labor Department published a troubling report: Volunteering the United States had hit an all-time low, they said. In the past year, only 25% of Americans had spent any time volunteering at all. This is the lowest rate of volunteering the Department has ever seen. Around the same time, another national report came out-this one from the Harris poll, claiming that only one in three Americans say are living happy, fulfilling lives. I am not a social scientist or a statistician, but I don't think it's a stretch to see a strong correlation between these two polls. Volunteering has long been proven to be one of the best ways to escape your own problems, and feel the natural rush and flush of happiness that comes with giving back.

 

Perhaps that's why NCJW/Cleveland members are some of the cheeriest people I know.

In my two years as Director of Volunteer at NCJW/Cleveland, I've had the privilege and honor of visiting MetroHealth Hospital when NCJW Dig-knitters handed out their hand-made stuffed animals, scarves, and hats to sick children. I've watched Traditions in the Kitchen members pack and ship mishloach manot packages to Jewish service members overseas. I've seen hundreds of foster and kinship children break into smiles as they were handed new school supplies and backpacks for the first time in their life, thanks to Share What You Wear volunteers.

 

Partaking in these moments take only a few hours each month, but the impact-- for both the volunteer and the recipient-lasts a lifetime.  

 

I want to take this moment to thank all of NCJW/Cleveland's 500 volunteers for your time and passion and dedication. I am proud to say that-- unlike the national average-- our numbers and impact continue to grow every day and every year. Thank you for all you do! And for anyone who was looking for the right minute or time to get involved, there's no time like the present. Call or email or stop in at any time. Our doors are always open. We would love nothing more than to get you volunteering.

Happy Volunteer month!

Becky

Retail - Thriftique and DDD

Linda Barnett, Vice President

 

It's Time For Spring Cleaning - Bring Us Your Tired, Your Worn!

 

Your designer dresses, dishes, furniture, bric a brac and artwork too.  Spring may or may not be here but it is time! Time to clean your closets and cupboards- They will find a very temporary home at Thriftique and Designer Dress Days thus

supporting NCJW's many worthy projects.

 

You can drop off your items at the NCJW Main Office/Warehouse located at:

26055 Emery Road, Warrensville Hts, 44128


We supply the tax deduction form.
Monday thru Friday 

9 :00 am - 4:00 pm 

 

NEED A FREE PICK UP FOR FURNITURE?

CALL ABBE TODAY AT 216.378.2264

Things to take note of....
 
OFFICE/WAREHOUSE CLOSURES: April 15 and 21 in celebration of Pesach. 
 

HOW TO REACH THE OFFICE

 

Faye Bass

President 

ext. 102


Mindi Axner 

Executive Director 

ext. 103

  

 
 
Becky Brouman

Director of Volunteers

ext. 105

  

Jeannie Citerman-Kraeger

LiveSpecial Coordinator

ext. 104

Julie Hayes

Operations Administrator

ext. 100


Annette Paley 

Administrative Assistant

ext. 106


Meryl Simon

Finance Administrator

ext. 107

 

MISSION 

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedom.

 

Contact:
NCJW/Cleveland
26055 Emery Road
Warrensville Heights, OH  44128 |  216.378.2204

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