NCJW/Cleveland December Bulletin

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Friends,

December is a busy time of year with many different holiday celebrations. It is also the season when we are all thinking about giving and receiving gifts. I like to remember that Chanukah is really not about the gifts, but about the rededication to our beliefs and our values. The theory of the word Chanukah states, "with enough dedication and commitment, God creates miracles."

For NCJW it is the time of year when we rededicate ourselves to the mission of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and striving to improve the lives of women, children, and families - not just in the Jewish community, but in the greater community of people in need.

As we celebrate the Festival of Lights and acknowledge all of our "gifts," I encourage you to donate generously to our Annual Fund, and urge others to join you in this mitzvah.

I thank you for your generous financial support, your dedicated volunteering, your attendance at our programs throughout the year, and your meaningful membership in NCJW/Cleveland.

I wish you and your families a Happy Chanukah and a healthy New Year.

Linda

PROGRAM & EDUCATION

IIene Nolish, Vice President

THE MIKVAH

Yesterday and Today......Living Waters

Ever wonder what goes on behind the walls of a Mikvah? This is an opportunity to get your

questions answered as you tour Cleveland's non-denominational Mikvah. Take the mystery out of the Mikvah as you learn about its historical and traditional uses, as well as some of the more innovative and modern experiences both women and men are creating.

Presenter and Tour Guide: Kyla Epstein Schneider, MAJE, MSW

Date: Sunday, December 7

Time: 10:00 a.m. - Noon

Location: The Charlotte Goldberg Community Mikvah

Park Synagogue Main

Cost: NCJW Members $10 Non members $15 after November 28

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

LIMITED SEATING

CHAIRS: Roberta Sears & Susan Shapiro

ART BIO LECTURE

Michelangelo

Michelangelo was considered the greatest living artist of the Italian Renaissance, and ever

since then he has been held to be one of the greatest artists of all time.

A number of his works in painting, sculpture and architecture rank among

the most famous in existence.

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

Date: Tuesday, December 16

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Beachwood Cleveland Clinic Medical Bldg. - 26900 Cedar Rd.

Conference room A&B located at the Westside entrance.

Complimentary Valet Parking is available at the Cedar Rd. entrance,

please tip generously.

Cost: $10 member $15 non-member after December 10

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

Pre-paid reservations are required. Space is limited.

No walk-ins, please.

Co-Chairs: Laurie Biales, Ethel Schultz & Ellen Young

NCJW BOOK GROUP

The NCJW Book Group will meet Thursday, December 4 at the Beachwood Library. The group is open to NCJW members and there is no fee but a donation of $5 is suggested for our discussion leader, Amy Rosenfield.

December 4- Clever Girl by Tessa Hadley

January 8 - The Good Lord Bird by James McBride

February 5 - All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Chair: Susy Kahn

MALTZ MUSEUM TOUR

"Propaganda is a truly terrible weapon in the hands of an expert," wrote Adolf Hitler in 1924.

Organized by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and presented by the

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda examines the Nazis' keen understanding of mass communications and how they manipulated it in their quest to acquire power.

Please join us for a docent-led tour of this exhibit.

Date: Thursday, January 15, 2015

Location: The Maltz Museum, 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood

Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Cost: Members of the museum are free

NCJW members $10

RSVP: Reservations by January 9 to Suzanne Troll 216-378-2204 Ext. 101

Space is limited

Chair: Penny Levine

DINNER AND A MOVIE

Bring a friend and join us as we view a newly released film at the Cedar Lee Theatre followed by dinner at Joey's Italian Bistro on Lee Road.

Donna Cherin Kurit, former Plain Dealer film and drama critic will lead the discussion during dinner.

Movie will be announced one week prior to the program.

Date: Monday, January 12

Time: 4:00 p.m. (approximately)

Cost: Purchase your own ticket.

You will receive an individual dinner check.

RSVP: Suzanne Troll 216-378-2204 Ext. 101

Reservations required by January 5. Space is limited

at the restaurant.

Chair: Judy Simkow

THE MUSICAL THEATER PROJECT(TMTP)

The Song Is You!
Once again, TMTP is offering discount tickets to NCJW members for the upcoming
performance, "Over the Rainbow ; the Songs of Harold Arlen. " The date is Sunday, January 18,
2015 at 3:00. Tickets may be purchased by phone. - Call the TMPT box office at 216-245-8687.
Identify yourself as a member of NCJW.
Please note: This program will be held at Tri-C East Campus, not at the Metropolitan Campus
as previously advertised

For questions or further details, contact Claire Biel, 216-464-8970 or email cmbiel@yahoo.com

ADVOCACY

Susan Reis, Vice President

Committee to Stop Human Trafficking

As a follow up to the Lois Zaas Memorial Advocacy Lecture on Human Trafficking, the Committee to Stop Human Trafficking will be meeting to discuss what action steps we can take to make a difference on this horrific crime.

DATE: Friday, December 5

TIME: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

LOCATION: NCJW office

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

Women's Reproductive Justice Committee meeting

Ohio is one of the least progressive states when it comes to women's reproductive rights. Join us for our next two committee meetings as we discuss actions we can take to support women's rights in Ohio. New members are always welcome!

DATE: Monday, December 8, Monday, January 12

TIME: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

LOCATION: NCJW office

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

"Heartbeat Bill" Clears Ohio House Committee

Legislators are trying to push the so-called "Heartbeat Bill" through the lame duck legislature. H.B. 248 would ban abortions in Ohio once a fetal heartbeat is detected. Such a prohibition would effectively outlaw abortions before many women even realize they are pregnant. It passed the House Health and Aging committee last Thursday after the panel was altered to help ensure passage. This measure, one of the most extreme in the nation, now appears to be headed to the House floor for a vote. Please take action now and contact Cuyahoga County's representatives to demand a NO vote on H.B. 248.

District

6 Marlene Anielski (R) (614) 644-6041

7 Mike Dovilla (R) (614) 466-4895

8 Armond Budish (D) (614) 466-5441

9 Barbara Boyd (D) (614) 644-5079

10 Bill Patmon (D) (614) 466-7954

11 Sandra Williams (D) (614) 466-1414

12 John Barnes Jr. (D) (614) 466-1408

13 Nickie Antonio (D) (614) 466-5921

14 Mike Foley (D) (614) 466-3350

15 Nicholas Celebrezze (D) (614) 466-3485

16 Nan Baker (R) (614) 466-0961

Once again, legislators are determined to focus on controlling women's lives, bodies, and health. Please call and email. Women must be heard, since our right to make sound medical decisions for ourselves, with the advice of our doctors, is at stake.

If you would like to go to Columbus on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd to rally on the Statehouse lawn against this law at 10:30 a.m., please contact Cyndi Fellenbaum cfellenbaum@gmail.com or Roberta Herman roberta110@roadrunner.com

Reducing Gun Violence Bus Campaign

NCJW's "I Will Ask" campaign, which teaches caregivers proactive ways to protect children from accessible guns in homes, has received a grant to provide informational posters on the interior and exterior of 20 Cleveland-area buses. Look for the buses in the coming 3 months.

"Do you have social issues you want to see NCJW take action on? Do you want to understand what's being done on gun violence reduction, improving the Cleveland Schools and making our courts fairer? Then come to our next NCJW GCC meeting"

DATE: Thursday, December 4

TIME: 9:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Beachwood Public Library

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

SAVE THE DATE: GCC UNIVERSITY

Want to know how GCC works? Attend a three-day "university-style" training session on Presidents Day Weekend (Sunday, Feb 15th - Tuesday, Feb 17th). Details to follow.

Questions? Contact Lynn Kleinman lekchoral@aol.com or Susan Reis sixreis@gmail.com

RETAIL Operations - Thriftique and DDD

Wendy Elconin, Vice President

Designer Dress Days 2014 is history, and the wheels are already in motion for 2015. Mark your calendars and save the dates October 23-27, 2015 for next year's sale, which again will be held at the JCC. In the meantime you can:

We accept artwork, collectibles, household items, clothing, purses, and shoes at

out warehouse located at

26055 Emery Road, Warrensville Hts., OH 44128

Monday thru Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

YEAR END DONATION TIME:

Each donor is provided with a signed

letter acknowledging the donation with an IRS approved pricing guide to be used for tax purposes.

Find Furniture, Fashions, Collectibles and More at

Thriftique Showroom

5055 Richmond Rd,

Bedford Heights, 44143

We offer FREE furniture pick ups..... call 216.378.2264

Visit our website at

www.ncjwcleveland.org/thriftique

Many thanks to all the volunteers who have helped at Thritique throughtout the year. Please

click here to see the list of Thriftique volunteers.

Our volunteers are busy year round helping at Thriftique and also for DDD. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Becky Brouman at the NCJW office, 216-378-2204 Ext. 105.

Ginn Academy Empty Bowls

Thriftique is once again partnering with the Ginn Academy to support The Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Please join us for a bowl of soup offered in a handmade bowl made by students of the academy. Click here for more information. If you are interested in participating with us on December 11th from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. please contact Abbe at Thriftique at 216-378-2264. Donation to the event is $10.00.

FUND DEVELOPMENT

Adrienne Siegel, Vice President

Many thanks to all of our members who have contributed to the NCJW/Cleveland Annual Fund. Your donations make it possible for us to provide services and programs that support our mission to improve the lives of women, children and families throughout Cuyahoga County and Israel. It's not too late to make a difference! We sincerely appreciate your generosity.

Feel free to call Suzanne at 216.378-2204, ext.101 to make a donation or click here to make your Annual Fund donation on-line.

Annual Fund Co-Chairs: Myrna Arlen Bloch and Elise Goldner

Click here for November Tributes

MEMBERSHIP

Fran Steinbock, Vice President

We have Something for Everyone!

NCJW/Cleveland is celebrating our 120th Anniversary. We are preparing a new NCJW/Cleveland Membership Directory. Make sure that you are included in the Directory by renewing your membership, and updating your information. To be included in the directory, your information or updates must be sent in by January 1, 2015.

2014 IS ALMOST OVER! Please pay your yearly dues now for a 2014 tax deduction. You can renew your membership by phone at: 216.378.2204, or click here to renew your membership online. Thank you to everyone who has already renewed their membership.

Welcome to our new NCJW/Cleveland members:

Deanna Cowan Beth Innenberg Adrienne Meyer Phyllis Weinberger Cheryl Weinstein

We hope you have had the opportunity to attend some of our interesting programs through Advocacy, or Program and Education, and to participate in our Community Service projects. To learn more about our programs, contact: Becky Brouman, Director of Volunteers at: rbrouman@ncjwcleveland.org or call, 216.378.2204 x 105, or contact Fran Steinbock, Membership VP at: fsteinbock@yahoo.com.

We are saddened to learn of the passing of:

Harriet Mandel and Marjorie Paller

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Shelly Friedman, Vice President

OPERATION WARM UP - Donations Needed

NCJW is once again leading the coordination of

Operation Warm Up - the only community service collaboration including the entire Cleveland Jewish community.

Operation Warm Up provides warm clothing, jackets, and other supplies for the city's homeless population. These items are given out in January, during the annual Homeless Stand Down event, a heart-warming day-long program where the homeless can get free medical care, haircuts, and warm clothing that our community has collected. This year the Jewish community has been asked to supply:

Pre-packaged (new) socks
Adult women's Pre-packaged (new) underwear
Adult men's Pre-packaged (new) underwear
Winter hats (for men, women and children)
Adult hoodies (XL and up)
Adult waterproof winter gloves

Please bring donations to the NCJW office by December 19, 2014. Questions? Contact Becky Brouman at 216-378-2204 ext 105, or email her at rbrouman@ncjwcleveland.org

TEEN OPPORTUNITY: OPERATION WARM UP SORTING

Are your teens looking for a volunteer project during the holiday break? Join volunteers from

Youthability to sort and bag Operation Warm Up donations.

Date: Wednesday, Decembr 24, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 29, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Location: NCJW office

RSVP: Becky Brouman at 216-378-2204 ext 105 or email: rbrouman@ncjwcleveland.org

KOSHER FOOD BANK

Volunteers are needed to pack, sort and distribute fresh produce to children and families in need at the first INDOOR kosher food bank. The 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, December 10

Time: 3:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Location: Greenview Elementary School ( off Green Rd. )

RSVP: Call Shelly Friedman at 440-247-7900

GIFT WRAPPING

Volunteers are needed to help wrap gifts at Barnes & Noble. Any donations received for our services will be given to NCJW.

Dates: Thursday, December 11: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and

Wednesday, December 17: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Please call Shelly Friedman at 440-247-7900 if interested in helping.

DONE IN A DAY

Celebrate Chanukkah with residents of the Weils, a senior living facility. Volunteers

will help make latkes, narrate the story of the holiday, and sing songs with NCJW member and song leader Jane Friedman.

Date: Thursday, December 18

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Location: The Weils of Bainbridge, 16695 Chillicothe Rd,

Chagrin Falls, OH 44023

RSVP: Shelly Friedman at 440-247-7900

* We are in need of extra electric frying pans.

DIGKNITTY

Thank you to our fabulous DigKnitters! In the past year, members of DigKnitty, knitting group, have donated more than 300 hand-crafted scarves, hats, blankets, and teddy bears to children and families in need. Recipients of their gifts include children at MetroHealth Hospital, foster children living at the Applewood group homes, teens who have aged out of the county's foster care support program, JFSA residents, and handicapped residents at Koinonia homes. If you are interested in getting involved with DigKnitty, contact Sandy Cole at 440-442-8777, Sandy Levine at 216-464-4299 or Anita Pupa at 440-498-2166.

COMMUNICATIONS

Leslie Resnik, Vice President

NCJW In the News

Take a look at the ads and article appearing in the media in November at www.ncjw/Cleveland.org/inthenews

ARTICLES

DDD Follow up: Chagrin Sun, Volunteer profile on Karen Golovan, Thursday, Nov. 6

DDD follow up: CJN, Fri., Nov. 7, CJN, Arlene Fine's column

DDD follow up: Scene, Fri., Nov. 14.

Lois Zaas Memorial Advocacy Lecture preview: Fri., Nov. 7, CJN

DDD mention: PD, Sun., Nov. 8, in Fashion Flash on Barbara Feldman

ADS

NCJW Face-to-Face with Cindy Glazer: CJN, Friday, Nov. 7

NCJW Thank you ad for DDD volunteers.

EVENING BRANCH

Wendi Shapera and Amy Zlotnik, Co-Presidents

ANNUAL EVENING BRANCH HOLIDAY GIFT DONATION AND GIFT WRAP EVENT FOR THOSE IN NEED

Evening Branch is collecting and wrapping holiday gifts to be donated to the Bellefaire JCB. All NCJW members are welcome. Bring your children for an afternoon of community service, crafts and snacks. Contact Amy Zlotnik at amyzlotnik@gmail.com or Wendi Shapera at wendishapera@yahoo.com for specific wish list items. Otherwise bring something from JCB's most wanted list including $25 gift cards to Target, Walmart or Old Navy; MP3 players and puzzles.

If you are unable to attend and would still like to donate, please feel free to bring your donations to the NCJW office.

DATE: Sunday, December 7, 2014

TIME: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Location: Arielle Cohen's House*

RSVP: ariellecohen31@yahoo.com

*Specific address will be supplied upon receiving RSVP's.