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 Rossen, Toni Scherzer, Barbara 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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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!
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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Becky Brouman
Director of Volunteers
ext. 105
Jeannie Citerman-Kraeger
LiveSpecial Coordinator
ext. 104
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Julie Hayes
Operations Administrator
ext. 100
Annette Paley
Administrative Assistant
ext. 106
Meryl Simon
Finance Administrator
ext. 107
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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.
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Contact:
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NCJW/Cleveland 26055 Emery Road
Warrensville Heights, OH 44128 | 216.378.2204
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