September 2014
Letter from the President

 

Dear Friends,

 

The late Maya Angelou penned many marvelous pieces of wisdom.  This one hits home for me, both personally and professionally: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

 

We can be assured that NCJW will never be forgotten by the hordes of people we make feel wanted, needed and loved. Let me share with you an excerpt from one of the letters we receive each month. 

 

                "NCJW: How can I ever thank you enough  for all the new school supplies and clothing                   you provided for my children at Share what You Wear? They've already chosen their first                 and second day outfits and for the first time are excited to start school! God bless you."

                                                                                                       A Grateful SWYW parent

 

Multiply this letter by the 120 years NCJW has been in Cleveland, and we've made deep impressions on thousands and thousands of women, children and families who've been recipients of our time, our talents and our caring.

 

As we begin a new year, let us resolve to continue making people feel happier --  through our advocacy initiatives to fight gun violence, preserve women's reproductive rights and guard voter rights;   through our community service projects to teach children, feed families and provide basic services to women; through our education programs to increase knowledge.  Every one of these NCJW efforts makes people feel important-both our members and the recipients of our services.

 

Maya Angelou also said:  "Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. Nothing will work unless you do."  This past month, our Jewish teens, through Share What You Wear, were the rainbow in the cloud of children without new clothes for school, new pencils in their backpacks and new shoes on their feet.

 

Every month, NCJW/Cleveland gives each of us opportunities to make life more meaningful for someone.  How can we be the rainbow in the new year?  Let us begin to count the ways through the September opportunities presented in this newsletter.

 

With warm wishes for a happy and healthy New Year,

Linda
JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON WITH JENNIFER WEINER


Wednesday, Septermber 17th 
Fairmount Temple

Author's luncheon at 11:00am
Editors $75
Publishers $125
Program and dessert at 1:00pm
        Admission $25

RSVP to Suzanne at 216.378.2204 ext.101

 

Retail Operations - Thriftique and DDD

Wendy Elconin, Vice President

 

THE EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING!  

THE NCJW WAREHOUSE IS BURSTING WITH FABULOUS FASHIONS FOR DESIGNER DRESS DAYS 2014

 

Preview Day: Friday, October 24 ($20 entrance fee to shop)
Sale Dates: Sunday, October 26 - Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Location:  Mandel JCC

 

 ** To get a sneak peak at some of this year's great DDD finds, check out our website:

http://ncjwcleveland.org/what-we-do/designer-dress-days/and like us on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/dddCleve) for  a chance to win a free entrance fee to our Preview Day

 

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP TO VOLUNTEER AT DDD?

Click on this link to download the application for volunteering at DDD this year or contact Elise Goldner at 440-461-5952 or Rita Langer at 216-381-2877.

 

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO DONATE TO DDD

There's still time to donate your clothing, jewelry and furs, too! Simply bring them to the NCJW office and add to our growing collection of exciting items for DDD.  PLEASE SEND CLOTHING ON HANGERS!!!!!  

If you need help getting your designer donations to us, please call the NCJW office (216-378-2204) to make arrangements.

 

DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS ACCEPTED FOR THRIFTIQUE

Please drop off your items at the NCJW Main Office/Warehouse located at 26055 Emery Road, Warrensville Heights, 44128

Monday thru Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 

We supply the tax deduction form.

 

NEED A FREE PICK UP FOR FURNITURE and APPLIANCES?

CALL ABBE TODAY AT 216-378-2264

 

Come visit, shop and/or volunteer at Thriftique Showroom, 5055 Richmond Road in Bedford Heights.

PROGRAM AND EDUCATION
Ilene Nolish, Vice President

 

Art Bio Lecture: Norman Rockwell

Few people really know very much about the man who tells stories in his paintings.  He has been so many contrasting things:  a city boy, a country gentleman, a high school dropout, devoted family man, bon vivant swinger, international playboy and a recluse.  "People like to think that Rockwell painted Middle America.  The truth is, Norman Rockwell invented Middle America."  He invites the viewer to chuckle, sigh, and react.  He entertains and provokes our imagination.

 

Join us for a fascinating lecture and slide presentation by Felicia Zavarella Stadelman. 

Location:  Beachwood Cleveland Clinic Medical Bldg - 26900 Cedar Rd. (Complimentary               Valet parking is available at the Cedar Rd. entrance - please tip generously)

Date:              Tuesday, October 14

Time:             10:30 a.m.

Cost:              $10 members     $15 nonmembers after October 7

RSVP:            NCJW Office, Suzanne Troll   216 -378-2204 Ext. 101 

                      Reservations are required.  Space is limited

Chairs:            Ethel Schultz, Ellen Young and Laurie Biales

 

Book Group: 
The Goldfinch is the September Selection

Books are for sharing- join the NCJW Book Group!

 

Book Group resumes Thursday, September 4, 1-2 p.m. at the Beachwood Library with a discussion of The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.

 

The group meets on the first Thursday of every month from September - June at the Beachwood Library. Lively discussions, led by moderator Amy Rosenfield, will deepen appreciation of current literature.  Open to NCJW/Cleveland members only and free of charge with an optional $5 donation for the moderator fees.  Members may bring a lunch and socialize prior to the discussion.

Future dates and book selections:

October 2 - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

November 6 - Snow Hunters by Paul Yoon

December 4 - Clever Girl by Tessa Hadley

January 8 - The Good Lord Bird by James McBride

 

To join, please send your current email address to [email protected].  I'm looking forward to seeing new faces and welcoming back veterans in September.

Chair: Susan Kahn

 

Siegal College

Case Western Reserve Mini Series

Topic:    Building The Jewish State: Israel in the 1950's

The young state of Israel faced major challenges and successes during its first decade of statehood. The course will focus on internal dynamics during this period, examining the political, social and cultural difficulties.

Lecturer:   Dr. Brian Amkraut

Dates:      November 11 - December 2

                4 Tuesdays: 7 - 9 pm

Location:  Siegal College of Jewish Studies

Cost:        $54

RSVP:      Siegal College of Jewish Studies :  Sheryl Hirsh  216-368-2091

Chair:       Carole Faiman

 

The Musical Theater Project   -   TMTP

The Song Is You!

TMTP is offering discount tickets to NCJW/Cleveland members for upcoming performances for the 2014-15 year.

September - October Programs

"Babes In Arms"

Date: September 18 at 8 pm

Location:  Beck Center for the Arts

Cost for NCJW members:  $22

Date:  September 21 at 2:00 pm at Kent State Univ., Stump Theater.

Cost for NCJW members:  $12

 

Ethel Merman: "Loud but Honest".

Date:   October 12 at 2:00 pm

Location:   Stocker Arts Center, Lorain County Community College.

Cost to NCJW members:  $12

 

Mary Martin:  America's Sweetheart

Date:     October 26 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Location:    Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall

Cost: NCJW members:    $22

 

Ethel Merman and Mary Martin two-concert pass for $30 if purchased by October 1st.

 

Tickets may be purchased by calling TMPT box office at 216-245-8687.

Order your discount tickets by saying you are an NCJW member. 

Unless indicated, all tickets are reserved seating.

Chair: Claire Biel

Membership

Fran Steinbock, Vice President


NCJW/Cleveland is GROWING! We are so excited to welcome 57 new members
(click here for listing) over the summer. What a wonderful way to celebrate Cleveland Section's 120th Anniversary.

 

You make NCJW grow by telling your friends about the organization, giving gift memberships in honor of the 120th anniversary and renewing your own Annual Membership.

Advocacy

Susan Reis, Vice President

 

SAVE THE DATE

The Lois Zaas Memorial Advocacy Lecture will be on the topic of "Human Trafficking."  It will be held on Wednesday, November 12 at 7 p.m. at Temple Emanu El.


 

New Human Trafficking Initiative

Begin your education on the very complex and tragic issue of human trafficking.  On Friday, Sept 5, we will hear from the experts at The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking about the history of human trafficking in the United States and how to advocate for the prevention and abolition of human trafficking.

Date: Friday, September 5

Time: 9:30 a.m -11 a.m

Location: NCJW office

Cost: Free

RSVP: NCJW Office, Suzanne Troll, 216-378-2204, [email protected]

Chair: Elaine Geller  

 

Voter Registration 2014 Initiative

Midterm elections take place this November. At stake this year arethe governor, attorney General, treasurer, and county executive positions. To help get out the vote, NCJW/Cleveland will holding voting registration drives. If you are interested in helping, contact Chair, Rita Rome at 216-896-9906.

 

Women's Reproductive Justice Initiative

NCJW/Cleveland will be launching a series on reproductive rights in Ohio and what we can do to help safeguard women's rights. If you are interested in helping with this topic, contact 

Chair: Cyndy Fellenbaum at [email protected] or CindyGlazer at [email protected].

 

GCC News  

Education:  The Cleveland Metropolitan School District Needs You!  On September 9,  Cleveland Metropolitan School District holds its Open House. Voter registration will also take place. Open House is from 6-8 p.m.

We need NCJW members to:

*Have conversations with parents, teachers, and administrators concerning their understanding of      the important Bond Renewal Levy.

*Register voters. Even if you have experience with voter registration, you will need a brief training

 session as requirements have changed. These sessions will take place at Elizabeth Baptist  Church at 6114 Francis Avenue at 6 p.m. You can choose to attend either on Wednesday,  September 3 or Monday, September 8.

 

YOUR HELP IS IMPERATIVE TO IMPROVE THE CLEVELAND SCHOOLS!

Please contact GCC Committee Chair, Lynn Kleinman at [email protected]

 

Gun Violence Reduction: 

On Tuesday, Sept 16 at 7 p.m. at Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Boulevard, Cleveland Heights, there will be a gun violence team meeting to celebrate our campaign's accomplishments.  If you have not already signed a letter thanking your mayor for supporting the request for Information (RFI) or asked them to sign on, contact Roberta Herman at [email protected] for information.

Community Service

Shelly Friedman, Vice President

 

Welcome to a new year of Community Service.  Volunteers are always needed for a wide variety of hands-on opportunities within the Cleveland community.

 

Kosher Food Bank

Volunteers are needed to pack, sort and distribute fresh produce to children and families in need. This Food Bank is the kosher department of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and serves all people in need, regardless of race or religion.

Date: Wednesday, September 10

Time: 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Location: 2004 South Green Rd.

RSVP: Shelly Friedman 440-247-7900

 

Judaic Outreach

Help cook a traditional dish at your home, then serve lunch to Jewish Family Service clients to celebrate the High Holidays. These are special clients with chronic mental illness with whom NCJW has connected with for over 50 years.  We serve six luncheons a year and offer a little education about the holiday, along with a lot of friendship and good cheer.

Date: September 19 

Time: 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Location: Jewish Family Services

24075 Commerce Park, Beachwood

RSVP: Shelly Friedman 440-247-7900

 

Dig-Knitty

Are you a knitter - or are looking to learn? Join a community of knitters who meet every week at the NCJW/Cleveland office to socialize and knit scarves, hats, and teddy bears for those in need. For the fall schedule (click here).

 

*Dig-Knitty is also taking requests for knitted items from any group or special place ( hospital, children's home, etc.) that may need donations.Contact Sandy Cole at 440-442-8777, Sandy Levine at 216-464-4299 or Anita Pups at 440-498-2166 for more information.

 

Traditions In The Kitchen

Volunteers are needed on several new initiatives for our Jewish cooking group. Help teach low-income children at the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority how to cook easy, healthy dinners or volunteer at the annual pre-Thanksgiving lunch for children in foster care. For more information on these or other projects, contact Annette Paley at 216-381-6422.

 

Reader's Theater

Reader's Theater is a volunteer program that uses drama/literary techniques to help 4th graders improve their reading skills.Volunteers work in teams of 6-8 students to perform a play using scripts. This is a three week program, with volunteers meeting with students for an hour each week in October and November. NCJW/Cleveland will provide training for all volunteers. If interested, contact Wendie Forman at [email protected] 

 

Reading Buddies

Join us once a month to listen to first graders at Roxboro Elementary School in Cleveland Heights read to their "buddy" (that's you!)  These reading sessions help students build confidence and foster a love of literature. As one Roxboro teacher says; "Our students are motivated to pick a favorite book and read then reread it until they are fluent. This gives purpose to everything we are trying to do in first grade."

 

Sessions take place the last Monday of the month from 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. If you are interested, please contact Rita Langer, [email protected]or 216-381-2877

 

1-2-3 Read

NCJW/Cleveland has partnered with the Cuyahoga County Library System to help provide tutors to first and second grade student in danger of failing the third grade reading tests. Students enrolled in last year's 1-2-3 Read program showed significant gains in their literacy skills.


Volunteers are needed for one or two afternoons a week from 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. All training will be provided by library staff, and sessions take place at the beautiful new Warrensville Heights Library located at the corner of Emery and Northfield Road.  For more information please contact Debbie Joseph at 
[email protected].

EVENING BRANCH

Wendi Shapera and Amy Zlotnik

 

Announcing our cabinet for 2014-15:

Arielle Cohen                           Denise Gold                  

Sandy Arnovitz                         Laura Halpert

Elaine Eisner*                          Lauren Werber

Lauren Feldman*                      Marcy Robbins

Susie Friedman                        Lori Riga

Michele Kaminsky                    Joy Stoler 


 

*New to our Cabinet                             

FUND DEVELOPMENT

Adrienne Siegel, Vice-President

 

Click here for August Tributes

 

Annual Fund

L'Shana Tova to all our members.  We wish you and your loved ones a year of health, fulfillment and peace.  And we thank you for your dedication to NCJW/Cleveland this past year.

Our 2014-2015 Annual Fund is on its way!  We hope that we can count on your continued support.  Your donations make it possible for us to provide the services and programs that support our mission...... to improve the lives of women, children and families throughout Cuyahoga County and Israel.

With our sincere appreciation,

Chairs: Myrna Arlen Bloch and Elise Goldner

SHARE WHAT YOU WEAR ROCKS IT!

Jill Braun and Kelly Markowitz, Chairs 

 

The seventh annual  Share What You Wear event at the Double Tree by Hilton, Tudor Arms Hotel was a huge success!  We passed out more than 300 new backpacks, books and school supplies to hundreds of families in need along with thousands of pieces of  gently-used clothes.

Our thanks to the following for their help:

The teen co-chairs Dakota Davis (Orange High School) and Emily Braun (Solon High School) for a fantastic job.

All the teen and adult volunteers who worked the whole year soliciting and sorting clothing, then spent time at the event setting up, registering and helping clients, and tearing down. 

Weiss Movers for donating their time, their trucks, and resources to help us move all the clothes and supplies. 

We are already looking for volunteers for next year! For more information, contact Jill Braun at [email protected] or Kelly Markowitz at [email protected].
 
 

COMMUNICATIONS

Leslie Resnik, Vice President


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