LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEERS
 

Dear friends:

 

Judaism has long understood and emphasized the power of numbers.  That is one interpretation of why ten people are required to be present, in order for a mourner to recite the mourner's kaddish or for a couple to receive the seven blessings on their wedding day.  As humans, we draw strength and comfort from others.  And having other people present attests to the importance of a moment, or an event.

It is a societal fact, too, that, when large swells of people come together, they are more likely to be heard. When 1,000 people, including dozens of NCJW members, rallied for gun safety at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, it got the attention of people like Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim  McGinty, and Craig Tame of the United States Attorney's Office, who- faced with such a large body of constituents vowed, out loud, to make reducing the trafficking of illegal guns a priority.

 

Numbers matter.

 

As the Director of Volunteers at NCJW/Cleveland, I make a lot of recruitment calls for membership.  Often people will tell me: "I receive your emails. I support NCJW. But I don't see why I have to be a member." There is the easy response: You get to RSVP early for events! And you get discounts on programs! But there is a deeper rationale, too.  By becoming a member of NCJW/Cleveland, you are showing pride and support for an organization you believe in. Your membership allows NCJW/Cleveland to continue running, and having an impact in the community. Your membership also helps give NCJW a bigger voice - and a bigger audience -for the issues you care about: from reducing gun violence to stopping human trafficking to helping to improve the lives of women, children, and families in Cuyahoga County.

Sometimes a membership is not just about what accrues to you individually - but what it means to a community of people you support. Thanks for all you do!

 

All my best,

Becky

**To renew your membership, you can click here or call the office at 216-378-2204***

SAVE THE DATE

           

  

SAVE THE DATE

SAVE THE DATE

Understanding the Issues: Human Trafficking

Making it Personal - Stories of Hope

As a follow-up to NCJW/Cleveland's moving symposium on human trafficking in November, we hope you will join us for a panel discussion, featuring a survivor of human trafficking, a mother of a former victim, and local advocates. Learn why we should care and how we can help.

Date:        Thursday, February 5, 2015

Time:       7:00 PM

Location: TBA

 

LAST CALL!

In order to be included in the new NCJW/Cleveland 120th Anniversary membership directory, your 2014-2015 dues (July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015), must be paid by January 15, 2015.  Also, if your personal information has changed over the last five years, (name change, eliminated land line, added cell phone, changed email address, relocated, etc.) PLEASE contact the office no later than JANUARY 15, 2015!  That is the absolute final date for updates to the new directory.  Email Annette at: [email protected] with your updates.

 

In memoriam - Stanley Adelstein

NCJW/Cleveland has lost an incredible friend.  Stanley Adelstein has been a guiding force, advisor, confidant and inspiration to our organization for many years.  He was aligned with our mission of improving the lives of women, children, and families.  He constantly helped us with new ideas, listened to our questions, and helped us reach our goals with his caring and intelligent ways.  We have been so fortunate to know and love both Hope and Stanley and will miss Stanley's wit and quiet helping hands.

PROGRAM & EDUCATION
Ilene Nolish, Vice President

 

DINNER AND A MOVIE

Bring a friend and join us as we view a newly released film at the Cedar Lee Theatre follow

ed 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

 

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.

Location:  The Maltz Museum, 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood

Date:         Thursday, January 15, 2015

Time:        10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Cost:         Members of the museum are free

                  NCJW members $10

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

                  Space is limited

Chair:         Penny Levine

 

 

ART BIO LECTURE

Please join us for a fascinating lecture and slide presentation by art historian, Felicia Zavarella Stadelman.

ARTIST:  WILLIAM BOUGUEREAU (1825 - 1905)

Bouguereau was one of the most important and influential artists of his time, yet his work is largely ignored in art history books.  He was a French painter and used mythological themes, making modern interpretations of classical subjects with an emphasis on the female human body.

An artist you may not know but will never forget.

Date:         Thursday, February 26

Time:        10:30 a.m.

Location:   **NEW LOCATION** Beachwood Community Center, 25325 Fairmount Blvd.

Cost:         $10 NCJW members     $15 non-member after February 19

                 Pre-paid reservations are required.

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

                 Space is limited.     No walk- ins, please

 

 

NCJW BOOK GROUP

The NCJW Book Group will meet Thursday, January 8 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.

January 8 -    The Good Lord Bird by James McBride

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

Chair:            Susy Kahn


 

THE MUSICAL THEATER PROJECT (TMTP)

The Song Is You!

Once again, TMPTP is offering discount tickets to NCJW members for the

upcoming performance: "Over the Rainbow; the Songs of Harold Arlen."

Date:         Sunday, January 18

Time:        3:00 p.m.

Location:  Tri-C East Campus

RSVP:      TMPT box office at 216-245-8687

                 Identify yourself as a member of NCJW

Chair:       Claire Biel

ADVOCACY
Susan Reis, Vice President

 

SAVE THE DATE: GCC University

  • Leadership development for any work you do for NCJW
  • Meet people from a diverse cross-section of our community
  • Learn how to make social change in Cleveland in a powerful way 

SOUND INTRIGUING? Want to learn how to BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION?

DATE:President's Day Weekend, Sunday, February 15-Tuesday February 17  

When was the last time you learned something very powerful and met wonderful people from a diverse cross-section of our community?  And it's absolutely free to NCJW members. 
Contact:   Lynn Kleinman at lekchoral@aol.com or Susan Reis at [email protected] for more information. 

NEXT NCJW GCC COMMITTEE MEETING: 

Date:        Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at 9:30-10:30 a.m. 

Location:  Beachwood Library

 

COMMITTEE TO STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING:

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Sunday, January 11 is Human Trafficking Awareness day.

Book Talk:  We will be having a book discussion

Date:           Friday, January 16 at 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Book:         Girls Like Us by Rachel Lloyd 

Location:    NCJW Office

RSVP:        Suzanne Troll at [email protected]  or call 216-378-2204.

                  Bring a brown bag lunch. 

 

Monday, January 26 there will be a Human Trafficking Awareness event at Tower City.  Anyone is welcome to attend.  Contact Elaine Geller for more information: 

 

WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE (WRJ)

  • Did you think the abortion issue was settled with Roe v. Wade?
  • Do you believe prevention of unwanted pregnancies and health care for women and children should be decided by our state government or dictated by religious bias?
  • Were you enraged when the 2014 Ohio State budget made Ohio one of the most regressive states regarding WRJ

The WRJ committee has a goal to educate our membership and to build a strong community of coalition members that will have the power to lobby the legislature to address this flawed process. The outrage of women in Ohio is real, the restrictions are only getting worse.

 

Become part of the solution! Join the Reproductive Justice Committee  to work in this important area for all women! 

Meeting:  Monday, January 12, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Beachwood Library

Community Service

Shelly Friedman, Vice President

 

HOMELESS STAND-DOWN

Volunteers are needed to help homeless youth and individuals "shop" for personal hygiene, and clothing items** at this year's Homeless Stand Down event, a day-long event that provides free medical care, haircuts, and clothing for the city's neediest populations.

Date:          Saturday, January 24th

Time:         Meet at the NCJW office at 10:30 a.m. to carpool down, shift starts at 11:15

Location:   Public Auditorium, 500 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland

RSVP:        Rebecca Brouman at [email protected] or 216-378-2204 ext 105 

**Many of the clothing items were provided by Operation Warm Up, the community-wide clothing collection sponsored by NCJW/Cleveland.    

 

DIGKNITTY

Are you a knitter or would you like 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. 

January schedule: 

Thursday, January 8 - Beachwood Library

Wednesday, January 14 - NCJW Office

Thursday, January 22 - NCJW Office

Wednesday, January 28 - NCJW Office

 

  

UPDATE

LiveSpecial.com, a free and comprehensive online resource guide for the special needs community put together by NCJW/Cleveland volunteers, has a new face. Special needs consultant Wendy Spitz is helping spread the word about the project.  Be sure to read her postings at www.livespecial.com and check out her updates on Facebook and twitter. If you have any questions contact Wendy directly at [email protected].

MEMBERSHIP

Fran Steinbock, Vice President

2015 NCJW Membership New Year's To Do List!

Choose at least two, hopefully many more. We know you'll enjoy it!

 

1. Identify at least one NCJW advocacy initiative to learn abo

2. Invite a friend to accompany you to an NCJW Program and Education offering: Art Bio, Book Club,               Museum Tours.ut: Human Trafficking, Gun Safety, Women's Reproductive Rights.

3. Try a Community Service volunteer opportunity: Reading Buddies, Knitting, Kosher FoodBank, Thriftique,     DDD.

4. Participate in NCJW's Annual Fund drive:  Make a donation in honor or memory of someone you care           about, buy NCJW notecards.

5. Attend a major meeting: Winter Meeting: February 11th, Gala: April 29th, Annual Meeting: June 3rd.

6. Gift a free NCJW annual membership to a friend who has not been a member during the last five years.

 

We can't wait to see you and to share NCJW's incredible opportunities with you!

 

Welcome to our new NCJW/Cleveland members! (Click here).

 

We are saddened to learn of the passing of:

Stanley Adelstein     Lillian Gordon     Vilma Kohn     Ina Lazerick 

THRIFTIQUE
Wendy Elconin, Vice President

Welcome new Thriftique volunteers, Alice Wyman & Phyllis Weinberger!


DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS ACCEPTED FOR THRIFTIQUE SHOWROOM

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 or KAREN TODAY AT 216-378-2264

 

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

EVENING BRANCH
Wendi Shapera & Amy Zlotnik, Co-Presidents

Our next Evening Branch Book Club meeting will take place on Sunday, January 25, at 10:00 a.m. at Panera Bread, Harvard Square.

We are reading Garden of Letters by Alyson Richman. 
December Tributes (Click here)