A message from the Executive Director
As we barbecue, picnic and play in water parks this July 4th; as we watch fireworks light up the skies, let us also celebrate the ways in which NCJW volunteers work continually to maintain the many freedoms won so many years ago. Let us delight in how we light up the lives of those we serve in our community projects. And let us savor the "knowledge is power" we gain from NCJW's educational programs taking our inspiration from the words of John Adams: "Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people."
As advocates, NCJW/Cleveland volunteers have fought 120 years for the rights guaranteed by our Constitution. We continue to fight for the freedom of women to make their own reproductive choices. We are vocal for freedom to vote without unnecessary encumbrances. We work hard for freedom from fear of gun violence - from the fear of the basic right to send our children to school in freedom of senseless shootings. We volunteer to equalize the freedom to receive good education, no matter your socio-economic status.
Let us reflect on the transient nature of our freedoms and the need to guard them rigorously. Let us resolve to stand up for those whose freedoms are in jeopardy - the freedom to find jobs, feed families and protect our reproductive rights as women.
NCJW/Cleveland's initiatives, projects and programs are geared to protect the many freedoms we enjoy in the United States. As Clarence Darrow said, "You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom."
In July, we have many opportunities to keep these freedoms alive:
- We can fuel the freedom of families to have enough to eat: Provide food to a kosher family on July 9th.
- We are helping young people aging out of foster care find a college program to suit their needs. Ride the bus with these kids as they discover opportunities at schools around Ohio. We can help them prepare for interviews, encourage them when they are fearful and help them find a level playing field with other college aspirants with nurturing families. Volunteers are needed.
- We are sorting clothes and stuffing backpacks in preparation for Share What You Wear, NCJW's back to school give-away for children who lack the basics of school supplies, shoes and appropriate clothing.
For in the end, we must heed the words of Thomas Paine, which I take the liberty of editing: "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like 'wo'men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
Fondly,
Mindi
P.S. THRIFTIQUE ON PARADE
Come cheer the Thriftique staff and volunteers who will be participating in the 4th of July Bedford Heights parade at 10:00 this Friday. For information about the parade route go to www.bedfordoh.org.
|
|
|
Community Service
Shelly Friedman, Vice President
Please Share What You (No Longer) Wear 
We are still accepting clothes and new school supplies for Share What you Wear, NCJW's program to provide back-to-school clothing and accessories for foster and kinship care families in Cuyahoga County. We especially need baby and toddler items. Please label your bags "SWYW" and drop them at the warehouse, located at the back of the NCJW building at 26055 Emery Road.
We need your help as we sort and fold clothes from 10:30-12:00 on the following Wednesdays: July 9, July 23, and August 6. Bring your children and grandchildren to assist as well, for this is a young person-inspired and run activity.
|
Membership
Fran Steinbock, Vice President
Time to Renew
The beginning of summer is also the beginning of NCJW/Cleveland 's membership  year -- July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015. That means it's time to renew your membership. Please continue to support the important work of NCJW/Cleveland to improve the lives of women, children and families. It is also the beginning of the organization's 120th Anniversary Year. In honor of the Anniversary, we are offering NCJW/Cleveland members the opportunity to gift a free one- year membership to a friend, relative or acquaintance. We will send a welcome letter and information about NCJW/Cleveland to your guest.
If renewing your membership by mail, write your giftee's contact information on your renewal form or call the office to notify us of your gift.
NCJW welcomes and needs your support as we join with the voices of over 90,000 NCJW members nationwide to create social change for women, children and families. To renew your NCJW Cleveland Section membership call Suzanne at the NCJW office at: 216.378.2204 ext. 101 or visit our Website at:
Welcome New Annual Members
Marcy Baum Gail Sands
Kimberley Blauch Janine Scher
Alice Dub Linda Schwin
Debbie Goetz Paula Seger
Doris Heller Jesse Weinberger
Terri Lurie Eileen Zimmerman
New Life Members
Karin Axner Ludmilla Cohen Debbie Emerman Shani Spiegel
Our thoughts go out to the families of those recently deceased
Mildred Kronheim
Carol Tolchinsky
|
Advocacy
Susan Reis, Vice President
Righting the Wrongs
There are so very many wrongs to right in this world.  For example, did you know that female prisoners are shackled during labor and delivery? Or that teenagers without adults with legal authority to sign for them cannot receive epidurals during labor and delivery? Shocking but true, and two of the many reasons that Women's Reproductive Justice is one of the Advocacy issues to be addressed by NCJW this year.
A second issue upon which we'll focus is Human Trafficking, a tragedy that happens equally in Beachwood, Mentor, or Independence as it does in Euclid, East Cleveland or the city. The Lois Zaas Advocacy Lecture in November will focus on Human Trafficking, and we need volunteers to help plan this event. Contact Susan Reis sixreis@gmail.com if you are interested in working on this year's event.
NCJW/Cleveland continues to be an integral member of the very effective Greater Cleveland Congregations organization (GCC) Contact Lynn Kleinman lekchoral@aol.com to be a part of this important and effective group. The following are the meetings in July: - The Healthcare Team meets Tuesday, July 1 at 7 pm.. at Trinity Cathedral Church, 2230 Euclid.
- The Education Team meets Tuesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. We will inform you of the location when you indicate your desire to attend.
- The Gun Violence Team's next meeting is Tuesday, July 22, 7 p.m. at Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2727 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights.
|
Program Education
Ilene Nolish, Vice President
What's New in Old Downtown?
"From Strength to Strength And From Treasure to Treasure" 
Join us on Wednesday, August 27, to discover what's new in old downtown Cleveland. We will meet at the Shaker-Green Rapid station at 9:30a.m and travel downtown together. The tour will begin at Cleveland Public Library, where we will discover the many treasures housed within the outstanding library, including the new Technology Center.
From the library we will hop, skip and jump to our next destination, House of Blues,
where we will have lunch and be treated to a brief presentation on what's new in downtown Cleveland. A tour of the House of Blues will conclude the program.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27th
TIME: 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION: DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND
COST: Rapid fare and the cost of lunch
Non-members $5.00 may RSVP after July 14
RSVP: SPACE IS LIMITED contact Suzanne at the NCJW office 216.378.2204
ext.101 by AUGUST 13TH
CHAIRS: Judy Eigenfeld, Roberta Herman, Ellen Leavitt and Judy Simkow
|
Fund Development
Adrienne Siegel, Vice President
We raised a lot of money thanks to you!
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Annual Fund and participated in the June 8th Celebration of Generations benefit. We raised over $35,000 at the event. Your generosity enables NCJW to continue its work to support, women, children, and families locally, nationally and in Israel.
|
Retail Operations - Thriftique and DDD
Wendy Elconin, Vice President
The Excitement is Building
Mark your calendars for DDD 2014. Preview day is Friday, October 24. The entrance fee for this special day of shopping is $20 and the sale officially opens on Sunday
 October 26-28. Be watching the next few bulletins for information about how you can help by volunteering during set up, tear down and the sale itself. We will also be sending a sign-up form to all members via actual mail and in the ebulletin, early in August.
Our warehouse is already bursting with fabulous clothes and accessories but we can handle it so please don't wait until the last minute to send us your gently used clothes, purses and jewelry.
Please drop off your donations at the NCJW warehouse on Emery Road and then come visit, shop and/or volunteer at Thriftique on Richmond Road.
PLEASE NOTE WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING WORKING APPLIANCES...
DONATIONS ALWAYS ACCEPTED
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 OR APPLIANCES? CALL ABBE TODAY AT 216.378.2264
|
Things to take note of....
The NCJW/Cleveland office will be closed July 4 for Independence Day.
|
Linda Barnett
President
ext. 102
Mindi Axner
Executive Director
ext. 103
Suzanne Troll
Administrative Assistant
ext. 101
|
Becky Brouman
Director of Volunteers
ext. 105
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 freedoms.
|
|
|
Contact:
|
NCJW/Cleveland
26055 Emery Road
Warrensville Heights, OH 44128 | 216.378.2204
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
