LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

"Those who expect moments of change to be comfortable and free of 

  conflict have not learned their history," said historian Joan Wallach Scott.

 

And this year, politically, there's been a lot of change.

 

There are now 37 states that allow same sex marriage (and an upcoming Supreme Court case that could legalize same sex marriages in all states).  The Senate unanimously passed a bill, acknowledging that victims of human trafficking are just that - victims, and imposed harsher sentencing laws on the johns that prey on these women.  And medical marijuana - which patients once had to move to countries like Israel to use - is now legal in 23 states.

 

As an organization that advocates on behalf of women, children and family, NCJW/Cleveland applauds these changes. Yet we continue to fight every day - in the midst of counter-protests, reduced budgets, and spreading anti-Semitism - for more reforms that will benefit our community. We realize - as we look at things like Kansas banning the most common second trimester abortion procedure and Ohio re-introducing the Heartbeat bill - that we're nowhere near done.

 

 But May, with its warm weather and its language denoting hope, is a month of wishfulness and optimism. In keeping with this theme, we have enclosed a list of 12 changes - one for every month - we'd like to see this year:

 

1.      May we have fewer human trafficked victims.

2.      May we have a more literate and literacy-loving student body.

3.      May we see less guns that are irresponsibly owned, used and stored.

4.      May we witness fewer gun deaths.

5.      May we enact better gun safety laws.

6.      May we see better police/community relations.

7.      May there be more productive lives and options for children aging out of foster care.

8.      May there be better access to resources for people with special needs.

9 .     May there be an abundance of nourishing food for those in poverty.

10.    May more voters in America take part in democracy.

11.    May there be better protection of women's reproductive health.

12.    May there be less incidences of anti-Semitism around the world.

 

And of course, may you continue to work with, and view, NCJW/Cleveland as an effective agent of these changes.

 

All my best,

 

Mindi Axner


SAVE THE DATE


JOIN US ON JUNE 3rd

 

PROGRAM AND EDUCATION
Ilene Nolish, Vice President

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE ART OF BOOK FOLDING

PLEASE NOTE BELOW: NEW DATE AND LOCATION

Our Opening Meeting centerpieces were books that had folded pages.

Each book was a beautiful piece of art!

These were produced by the creative hands of Rhona Jacobson and Sandi Bohl.

Please join us to learn how to make a folded book and enjoy making this craft.

We will follow up at another date to teach residents book folding art at a senior facility.

Bring a hard bound book that is 300-350 pages and the willingness to teach others.

Date:          Thursday, May 28

Time:          10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Location:   Orange Public Library (New Library-Stanley & Hope Adelstein - Room B)

                     31300 Chagrin Blvd; Pepper Pike

Cost:           No fee      NCJW/Cleveland Members

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

                     Space is limited.  No walk-ins.

Chairs:       Rhona Jacobson & Sandi Bohl


 

CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTE BUS TRIP

Please join us for the NCJW/Cleveland annual bus trip to Chautauqua Institute.

Roger Rosenblatt will be the featured speaker for the day. Rosenblatt is a renowned American journalist and author, who previously worked as a columnist and essayist for The Washington Post, Time,  and  "PBS News Hour" and as literary editor for The New Republic.  Currently, he is working on his 17th book, and serves as the Distinguished Professor of English and Writing at Stony Brook University.

Date:    Tuesday, June 30

Time:    Bus leaves B'nai Jeshurun Synagogue at 7 a.m. and returns at  4:30 p.m.

Cost:     $65 Members     $68 Nonmembers (after May 12)

               Price includes admission ticket, box lunch, snack, transportation and gratuity.

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

               Reservations are required by May 29, 2015.

               Space is limited.  

               Cancellations must be made to Suzanne no later than Friday, May 22

               in order to receive a refund.

Chairs:  Sandy Pearl & Judy Simkow

 

LAKEVIEW CEMETERY TOUR

Please join us for a fascinating 1 ½ - 2 hour guided walking tour of Lakeview Cemetery.

This nationally recognized landmark is home to the James A. Garfield Memorial and the Wade Memorial Chapel, which features an interior designed by Louis Tiffany.  Fittingly called, "Cleveland's Outdoor Museum, "  it is also the final resting place of John D. Rockefeller, Elliot Ness, Frances Bolton, John Hay and many other notables.

On our tour you will learn about the history, architecture, landscape, sculptures and monuments of this local treasure.

Date:         Wednesday, June 17 (Rain date: Thursday, June 18)

Time:        10:00 am

Location:  We will meet at the Garfield Memorial which you can access by

                    entering at the Mayfield Rd. entrance and curve to the left.  There will

                    be a Y in the road and you'll stay to the left.  There will                       be a white line painted in the road that will lead you to                       the Garfield Memorial, located at Section 15.  Plenty of                       parking is available around Section 20.

Cost:          $5 Members      $8 Nonmembers

RSVP:        NCJW/Cleveland Office - Suzanne Troll: 216-378-2204                      Ext. 101 by June 7

Chair:         Gail Weintraub

 

NCJW BOOK GROUP

The NCJW/Cleveland Book Group will meet at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 7th at the Beachwood Library on Richmond Road. The book we are discussing is Pioneer Girl by Bich Minh Nguyen.  At this time, we are uncertain whether Amy Rosenfield will be available to lead the discussion.  If she is available, a $5 donation per participant is suggested.  The book group will conclude this season on June 4 and take a summer hiatus, resuming in September. The group is open to NCJW/Cleveland members. 


 

May 7       Pioneer Girl by Bich Minh Nguyen

June 4     Me and My Baby View the Eclipse by Lee Smith

Chair:      Susy Kahn
 

 

 

 

 

 

NCJW/Cleveland SUNDAY BOOK CLUB MEETING 

We will be reading The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins

 

Date:         May 31

Time:        10:00 a.m.

Location:  Home of Lori Riga in Pepper Pike

RSVP:       Denise Gold at: dmg19@aol.com and/or for more information.

                    You will be supplied with the address after you RSVP.

ADVOCACY

Susan Reis, Vice President

 

WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE

DON'T STEP ON OUR RIGHTS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE RALLY AT THE OHIO STATEHOUSE

 

Ohio has re-introduced some of the strictest anti-choice legislation in the country.  This legislation, if passed, would:

· Make abortion illegal after the detection of a fetal heartbeat
· Prohibit abortion at the time that the most serious birth defects could be detected
· Cut many women from Medicaid eligibility
· Eliminate Family Planning Programs for women in need
· Eliminate breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment programs for women in need

Join us to let legislators know we won't give up our rights.
Date:     Wednesday, May 6

Time:     Buses leave Beachwood Place Parking Lot by Saks at 8 a.m., and will return by 5 p.m.

Cost:     $30

RSVP:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dont-step-on-our-rights-rally-lobby-day-istration-tickets-16241038383 or call Suzanne Troll at: 216-378-2204 ext. 101.                                                     

 

 

REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE MEETING

Join us to strategize what action steps and research NCJW/Cleveland, in coordination with the Greater Cleveland Congregations, can do to reduce gun violence in Cuyahoga County.

Date:          Wednesday, May 13, 2015 *

Time:          9:30-10:30 a.m.

Location:  Fairmount Temple Library, 23737 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood, Ohio 

RSVP:        Suzanne Troll at 378-2204 ext. 101 or Lynn Kleinman at lekchoral@aol.com

Chair:         Lynn Kleinman

*Please note the meeting is a week later than usual due to our Columbus advocacy day the week before.

 

STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS EVENING- DOCUMENTARY DISCUSSION

"A Path Appears" is a must-see documentary for anyone who wants to make a difference in our world.  From renowned authors and reporters Nicholas Kristof and Sherry WuDunn, the film presents compelling stories about human rights violations and caring people who are fighting to correct these violations.  We will view and discuss episode one which focuses on sex trafficking in the US, including the stories of a 12-year-old who was sold into sex slavery by her mother, a founder of support agency for survivors, and an Illinois sheriff who is fighting to stop the purchase of commercial sex.

Date:         May 21, 2015

Time:         7:00 p.m.

Location:  Home of Shelly Friedman

RSVP:       Registration is required.  Call Suzanne Troll at 216-378-2204 ext. 101

 

STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING COMMITTEE MEETING

Date:         May 15th

Time:         9:30 a.m.

Location:  NCJW/Cleveland Large Conference Room


COMMUNITY SERVICE
Shelly Friedman, Vice President

 

DIGKNITTY

Wednesday, May 6    NCJW/Cleveland Lg. Conf. Rm. 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 14      NCJW/Cleveland Lg. Conf. Rm. 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 20 NCJW/Cleveland Lg. Conf. Rm. 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Thursday, May  28     NCJW/Cleveland Lg. Conf. Rm. 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

 

OUTDOOR KOSHER FOODBANK - Held the second Wednesday of the month

Date:         Wednesday, May 13

Time:         3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Location:  Green Road Synagogue, 2437 Green Road in                               Beachwood

Chair:        Shelly Friedman at 440-247-7900

 

CAKE MIX COLLECTION(continual)

NCJW/Cleveland is collecting boxes of cake mixes and cans of icing to help provide cake for children in foster care, whose birthdays are often forgotten.  Drop off your cake mixes at the NCJW/Cleveland office, c/o Becky Brouman.  Questions? Contact Becky  at: rbrouman@ncjwcleveland.org or 216-378-2204 ext. 105.

 

 

 


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Volunteers are needed to help promote LiveSpecial at a variety of upcoming fairs and conferences.  This is one of the best ways to interact with community members who could best benefit from our service.  No former training needed. We need help at all shifts.  Contact Becky Brouman at 216-378-2204 ext 105 or Wendy Spitz at: waspitz@aol.com if you are able to help at any of the upcoming events:

1. The Tolerance Fair, Sunday, May 3rd  11 a.m. - 5 p.m. at The Wolstein Center

2. The Wellness Fair, Saturday, May 30th  11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Legacy Village.

3. Milestones 13th Annual Autism Conference, June 18th-19th, The IX Center. Times TBD


MEMBERSHIP

Fran Steinbock, Vice President

 

NOW WHAT? CONTINUING TO COMPOSE YOUR LIFE

For those looking to pursue the conversation about finding meaning in the next chapter, we want to tell you about  Encore Cleveland's presentation: Define Your Next Chapter.  Hosted by Fred Griffith and featuring Marci Alboher, author of the Encore Career Handbook, the program discusses ways to develop your own plan for the Encore years. The FRED talk is followed by an exploration of Encore opportunities in Cleveland, a free lunch, and admission to the zoo.

Date:         Tuesday, May 12

Time:         9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m

Location:  Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Stillwater Place, 3900 Wildlife Way

                    Cleveland, OH 44109 

Cost:          Free

Register:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fred-talks-encore-cleveland-define-your-next-chapter-registration-16447162907 

 

 

WELCOME TO OUR NEW ANNUAL MEMBERS
Judith Berenholz     Patricia Chaitoff     Jennifer Grossman
Lisa Hacker      Elizabeth Krantz     Diane Shalom

WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU OF THE PASSING OF
Madeline Bernbaum
Evelyn Bonder
Enid S. Hexter
Lillian Silverberg

 

TRIBUTES FROM APRIL (CLICK HERE)


RETAIL OPERATIONS

Wendy Elconin, Vice President

             

IT'S MAY!

MAY  we clean our closets!

MAY  we donate our gently worn designer            clothing, purses, accessories,                        jewelry,  and furs to DDD.

MAY  we continue spring cleaning and donate our unwanted household items and furniture to                Thriftique.

MAY  we visit Thriftique to shop and see the new "Tique Boutique!"

 

YOU  MAY  call Abbe and Karen for a free pick up of furniture and large items: 216-378-2264.

YOU  MAY  also donate unwanted electronics.

YOU  MAY  call Becky to volunteer (volunteers needed at Thriftique on Thursday, Friday and                              Saturday afternoons).

 

With your continued support DDD and Thriftique MAY have their best year ever!

 

Please drop off your items at the NCJW Main Office/Warehouse located at:

26055 Emery Road, Warrensville Hts.  44128

Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

We supply the tax deduction form.


COMMUNICATIONS

Leslie Resnik, Vice President

 

NCJW IN THE NEWS

 

Take a look at the 11 articles and 5 ads appearing in the media in March and April, 2015.

 

Articles

  • Women's Seder highlighted in CJN's Boker Tov Cleveland as "Today's Best Bet"
  • Leslie Resnik's letter to the editor in CJN March 13
  • Laugh Out Loud announced in "Shop Talk" in Current's April issue
  • Article about Laugh Out Loud in Beachwood Buzz, April issue.
  • Laugh Out Loud announced in CJN, April 10.
  • Shelli Zasa announced as Alice and Eugene Weiss Award Winner in April 3 CJN.
  • Don't Step on Our Rights article in April 3 CJN
  • Article and picture from NCJW's Women's Seder in April 3 CJN .
  • Interview with Susie Essman and Judy Gold's appearing at Laugh Out Loud  in April 17 CJN.
  • Announcement of Laugh Out Loud in Plain Dealer's Friday Magazine, April 17
  • Interview with Susie Essman and Judy Gold's appearing at Laugh Out Loud in Plain Dealer's Friday magazine, April 24.

Ads

  • Two-page spread highlighting NCJW's history of the past 120 years in the March 20 CJN
  • Thriftique ad in the March 20 CJN
  • Thriftique ad in the March 27 CJN
  • Happy Passover/Thriftique ad in the April 3 CJN.
  • Laugh Out Loud/Face to Face ad in the April 17 CJN featuring Susie Essman and Judy Gold.