Summer 2017

BULLETIN

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN ROCKLAND SECTION

Co-Presidents Janet Stravitz 634-3624 Brenda Greenberg 354-4070 Co-VP Communications Janice Beibin 638-0197 Susan Grill 357-1963 Co-VP Community Service Rochelle Welsh 406-3493 Marcia Scheer 362-1429 Co-VP Fund Raising Judy Greenberg 354-6042 Minna Kaufman 356-9588 Co-VP Membership Gilda Miller 201 825-8904 Karen Sherman 638-4513 Co-VP Public Affairs Rhoda Appel 354-3925 Barbara Etelson 357-7749 Administrative Secretary Devra Kanter 638-1691 Financial Secretary Marilyn Benblatt 406-4511 Recording Secretary Judy Fishlin 638-4149 Co-Treasurers Helene Leibowitz 354-5431 Rhoda Lonow 623-5326

DIRECTORS

Janet Burton Beverly Kaplan Lauren Laffer Roberta Leitner Marsha Milich

VERY IMPORTANT CHAIRPEOPLE

Tribute Cards Ellen Levine 354-2875 Yad b’Yad Cards Gwenn Canfield 709-6200 ShopRite Certificates Jackie Solomon 357-4019

BULLETIN COMMITTEE

Editor: Janice Beibin Proofreaders: Iris Kramer, Rochelle Welsh Mailing: Iris Kramer Flyers: Susan Grill

Please let us know about your family events (if you wish to share) such as bar/bat mitzvahs,

graduations, births, marriages, and of course, get well wishes.

CELEBRATE A SIMCHA Sponsor a General Meeting's refreshments.

We'd love to acknowledge your Simcha at the meeting, and accept a $50 donation.

Contact Susan Steinfink (845) 634-0864.

Visit our website www.ncjwrockland.org for the location of each meeting. Look under Meetings and Events.

NCJW Rockland Phone: (845) 405-3331

JULY/AUGUST

Have a great 4th of July. We have 2 exciting Socials

coming up. Get together for Summer fun at our Ice Cream Celebration for our members on August 9

th and

our Wine, Cheese and Dessert Social on September 10

th. (See fliers on pages 4 & 5). Join the lively

discussions at our Book Club meetings on July 19th and

August 23th. Join us on August 15 at the New York

Botanical Gardens as we tour the beautiful Dale Chihuly glass exhibit.

Marsha Milich and Marsha Fixler Co-Chairs of Programming

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GENERAL MEETINGS 2017 - 2018 Schwartz Family Social Hall B

JCC Rockland (Jewish Community Campus) 450 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY

At 7:30pm unless otherwise noted.

September 6 October 18 November 1 December 6 – (afternoon - 1:30 pm) March 7 April 11 May 2 June 6

See Schedule on page 8 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TRIBUTES Get Well to... Speedy recovery to Judy Greenberg’s husband Larry Speedy recovery to Sheila Miller Speedy recovery to Vivian Sadler

Congratulations to... Fran and Bob Berliner on the marriage of their son Iris Kramer on the college graduation of her granddaughter Shelly and Mike Berger on the high school graduations of their grandson and granddaughter Rickie and Ed Werfel on the high school graduation of their grandson Rhoda and Marty Lonow on the high school graduation of their grandson Robin Levine on the college graduation of her daughter Minna and Sherwin Kaufman on their granddaughter receiving her Masters Degree Leslie Heitman-Weinberg on the engagement of her daughter

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JOT THESE DATES DOWN NOW!!! June 28 Make Fleece Blankets and Teddy Bears July 12 Budget Meeting - 7pm July 19 Book Club Aug. 9 Ice Cream Social Aug. 9 Board Meeting - 7pm - New Date Aug. 15 Afternoons with NCJW Aug. 23 Book Club Aug. 27 Soup Kitchen Sept. 10 Wine, Cheese and Dessert Sept. 12 Afternoons with NCJW

PRESIDENTS’ MESSAGE

As I sit here writing our first Presidents’ message, I am still in shock that Brenda and I said, “YES” when asked to serve as Co-Presidents of NCJW Rockland. We want to thank all our friends and families that came to the Installation Dinner. Many thanks to the Installation committee headed by Rochelle for a beautiful evening with lots of socialization, laughter, speeches, and good background music. AND, the food was delicious and plentiful. As I sit here writing the summer bulletin, it is a rainy, 55-degree day. We can only hope that summer is coming soon. While the summer is a time for rest and relaxation, the mission of the NCJW does not stop. The needs of our community continue throughout the year. Our friends who serve as Vice-Presidents, Committee Chairs, and Directors continue to plan and develop wonderful programs and projects for the summer and next year. We have “Afternoons with NCJW” trips for August 15 to the NY Botanical Gardens, and September 12 to “Broadway Up Close”. On Sunday, August 27, we will be preparing and distributing meals at the soup kitchen in Suffern. Our book club will be meeting in July and August (see the list in the bulletin). Please try one of our many offerings and become “involved”. We are planning “END OF SUMMER” socialization activities—Ice Cream Social on August 9th at Niki Plaut’s home and a WINE, CHEESE, and DESSERT PARTY on Sunday, September 10 at 2:00 pm at Barbara Etelson’s home. These are great opportunities for new and current members to meet and socialize. National Council is a Jewish organization that provides support to many worthwhile causes and groups that transcend gender and religion. The homeless, the food insecure, families in crisis, the elderly, school children, and equal rights are just a few of the causes for which we provide financial assistance. Your membership dues, your program support (through participation and monetarily), and your generous personal giving helps our organization provide much needed services to those less fortunate in our community and in Israel. When you receive your membership dues letter, please respond promptly. Elie Weisel has said, “As long as we help one man, one woman, one child live one hour longer in safety and dignity, we affirm man’s right to live.” Help us help those needing support and assistance.

Shalom,

Janet Stravitz and Brenda Greenberg Co-Presidents

A Faith in the Future

A Belief in Action. ®

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.

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INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS 2017

Janet Stravitz Brenda Greenberg

Rochelle W., Marcia S., Rhoda A., Barbara E., Gilda M., Karen S., Susan G. Janet S, Judy G., Brenda G., Janet B., Marsha M., Marilyn B., Judy F., Helene L., Rhoda L., Marsha F., Minna K.

Judy Greenberg and Rochelle Welsh Some Members Mingling performed the Installation Ceremony

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MEMBERSHIP NCJW is an exciting and fun way to connect with other women in our community who, like you, share a commitment to NCJW’s mission to support women and families in need locally, nationally and internationally. You will be receiving your renewal for next year’s NCJW membership in the mail this summer. Here are some reasons that we hope you will want to return it as soon as possible:

You can be involved at any level that suits your interests and time schedule. There are programs such as Luggage for Freedom, Making Fleece Blankets for children and teens in need, buying cleaning supplies for the Center for Safety and change, who in turn help women get a fresh start, and many more ways to reach out to those less fortunate than us.

You might want to speak out on behalf of those who have no voice, for child welfare or women’s rights and freedoms.

Please check the box for Program Support when you send in your yearly dues. This is important to the support of NCJW’s mission in our community, on the national level and internationally as well. The following are just a sampling of the myriad ways, you might not know, that our donations are used:

National conventions to educate our members, training and advocacy

Section support via leadership and resource development, speakers, advisors

Advocating public policy in Washington and in our state

NCJW Action Center and Advocates Network, websites and emails

Our brochures, logos and letters to the national press

National programs: Promote the Vote, Domestic Violence Campaign, Reproductive Choice and judicial nominations

International programs: Gender Studies at Tel Aviv University, Research Program at Hebrew University

Representation in the United Nations, Conference of Presidents Major Jewish Organizations, International Coalition of Jewish Women

To empower NCJW and each member to achieve our mission we need your support!

We wish you a wonderful, relaxing, rejuvenating and reenergizing summer. Please stay connected by joining us on our cultural trips, book club meetings and other ongoing programs scheduled during the summer months. Although we don’t have General Meetings in July and August we are still busy.

We hope to see you! Gilda Miller (201) 825-8904

Karen Sherman (845) 638-4513 Co-Vice Presidents, Membership

SHOPPING CORNER

NCJW ShopRite SCRIP

Do your grocery shopping with NCJW.

Buy ShopRite Scrip with your check (or cash).

Receive a ShopRite card for the same amount.

NCJW will earn 5% of your order.

JACKIE SOLOMON, (845) 357-4019 (Pick up and delivery of scrip available)

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Thinking of Summer Reading?

Here’s an easy way to donate to National Council of Jewish Women, Rockland Section. The next time you

make a purchase through Amazon.com, use the following link:

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/51-0215240 After that, every time you go to Amazon, sign in at:

smile.amazon.com. Amazon will contribute 0.5% of the purchase price for

most purchases. Nothing could be easier!

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same services.

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DeCicco’s Community Rebate Program

Here’s how NCJW can benefit from your shopping at DeCicco’s in New City. Use your DeCicco’s rewards card when you check out, but BEFORE the cashier begins, tell him/her that you want your reward points to go to National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW). You still get all of the sale prices for your groceries, and NCJW gets points that will turn into a donation from DeCicco’s. Don’t have a rewards card? Sign up for one at the service desk.

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FUNDRAI$ING

Greetings and felicitations from Judy Greenberg and Minna Kaufman, newly installed Vice-Presidents of Fundraising. In keeping with the fundraising philosophy established by people who have preceded us, we aim to keep the FUN in fundraising, ever mindful that our ultimate goal is to raise the money necessary to continue making lives better for women, children, families, the elderly, the food insecure, the homeless…and the list goes on…and so must NCJW, Rockland Section!

On Wednesday, August 9th, from 2 – 4ish at the home of Niki Plaut, 4 Center Lane, New City, NY, we are planning an ice cream celebration for our members.

MAKE YOUR OWN ICE CREAM SUNDAE ON A WEDNESDAY! (Personal comment…YUMMO!!!)

The cost is a voluntary donation to be used to fund a project benefiting the Center for Safety & Change, (formerly Rockland Family Shelter); if paying by check, please make the check payable to NCJW. RSVP by August 2nd to Judy (845) 354-6042 or Minna (845) 356-9588.

On Sunday, September 10th, at 2 P.M., come to a Wine, Cheese, and Leave-Room-for-Dessert Social at the home of Barbara & Arnie Etelson, 2 Catherine Lane, Suffern, NY. The cost is $10 per person. RSVP: Judy or Minna by Sunday, September 3rd.

PLEASE SEE MORE IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR THESE EVENTS IN THE FLYERS IN THIS BULLETIN! REPEAT: PLEASE SEE MORE IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR THESE EVENTS IN THE FLYERS IN THIS BULLETIN!

P.S. Seeing a play in the Fall is in the hopper, stay tuned!!!

Shalom,

Judy Greenberg (845) 354-6042 Minna Kaufman (845) 356-9588 Co-Vice Presidents Fundraising

General Meeting Dates 2017-2018

NCJW Rockland will hold General Meetings On Wednesday evenings at the JCC at 7:30 pm during 2017-2018

September 6 October 18 November 1 December 6, 1:30 pm

January (no meeting) February (no meeting)

March 7 April 11 May 2 June 6

July (no meeting)

August (no meeting)

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We get letters, notes, messages,

reminders, advance notices…

Thank you from Center for Safety and Change

Dear Judy and NCJW,

Thank you so much for supporting the Center for Safety and Change. National Council has been helping us with warm-up suits, suitcases filled with linens, and money for years. Your contributions allow us to help those who need our support and to rebuild lives that have been shattered. Fondly, Cynthia Diamond

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NCJW Rockland Receives Grant

From JCC Teens

Once again our section is the proud recipient of a grant from the JCC Teen Leadership Initiative. The Teen Initiative is an elite program which offers high school sophomores and juniors the opportunity to learn about community service and philanthropy from a Jewish perspective. The teens review, fund, and select grant proposals, funding the program(s) of their choice. NCJW Rockland will use the funds to support the Sunday Soup Kitchen with lunches for the homeless and needy, to provide additional fleece blankets for children in shelters, and to improve our service to Rockland Psychiatric patients at Purim Time. To all the project chairs and wonderful volunteers who participated this past year—thanks to you we are making a difference in the lives of so many in our community!

Rochelle Welsh (845) 406-3493 Co-VP Community Service

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued implementation memos on February 20 for

President Trump’s two executive orders issued on January 25, “Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements” and “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States.” These memos instruct immigration enforcement officials to detain all

undocumented immigrants they encounter, further militarize the border, penalize asylum seekers and family members who help their children get to the US, and forces local law enforcement to serve as immigration agents. In sum, the memos are a blueprint for a mass deportation machine. Raids in the wake of the executive orders and memos have swept up six men at a hypothermia shelter in Virginia, a woman in a Texas courthouse seeking protection from domestic abuse, and recipients in Washington and Texas of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, among others

Rhoda Appel (845) 354-3925 Barbara Etelson (845) 357-7749

Co-Vice Presidents Public Affairs

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SAVE THE DATE Opening Program Sept. 6th, 7:30 PM

Social Media 101 Are your Social Media tech skills slowing you down? Learn the latest lingo, how to connect

with family and friends, and tips to stay safe online.

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COMMUNITY SERVICE

Luggage for Freedom

Thanks to all the people who donated linens and luggage! Volunteers packed 31 suitcases and bags filled with helpful household items for victims of abuse who are starting anew upon leaving the shelter at the Center for Safety and Change.

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Fleece Blankets & Teddy Bears

Come join the fun making cuddly blankets and bears for children in emergency shelter. No experience necessary, Bring scissors.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017, 12:30 PM

Home of Rochelle Welsh 24 Woodhaven Dr, New City

Pot Luck Lunch—Please call Rochelle at (845) 406-3493 to let her know what you’ll bring.

Chairs: Susan Steinfink (Blankets) Rickie Werfel, Blanche Langer (Bears)

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Camp Scholarships

We have just awarded eight scholarships for summer camp programs in the county to children of single working parents. Chairperson Niki Plaut worked with Big Sisters, Big Brothers to identify families who would really need a partial scholarship to a day camp program this summer. The families are so grateful!

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Sunday Soup Kitchen: 2017 Dates WE NEED VOLUNTEERS

Once again we will prepare and distribute 36 meals at the soup kitchen at Christ Episcopal Church in Suffern. This popular program, which serves a needy population, has drawn an outpouring of volunteers. Mark your calendars for:

Sunday, August 27, 10:45 AM Sunday, November 12, 10:45 AM

Call Minna (845) 356-9588 or Marcia (845) 362-1429 to get involved. This project is supported in part by a

grant from the JCC Teen Leadership Initiative.

High School Service Awards

The scholarship committee for our Committee Service Award met recently and chose 3 winners from the applicant pool. There were 15 Rockland County seniors who applied for our scholarships. The young people came from 7 public county high schools. Each applicant had to submit information about her/his community service activities, 2 letters of recommendation and to answer 4 questions. We asked: what was done at the volunteer site(s), why this (these) activity was chosen, what the young person gained and what are the future plans. The community service activity had to amount to a minimum of 100 hours.

Winners of this Year’s Awards Rachel Weinfeld - Clarkstown North

Stephanie Klein - North Rockland

Jessica Lewis - Tappan Zee

Among her many community service activities, Rachel has been active as a religious school teacher's aide and as a participant in Youth Court. Jessica's community service activities included participation in her local ambulance corps and as a religious school teacher's aide. Stephanie's long list of community service activities included volunteering at the Hi Tor Animal Shelter and as the lead violinist in two teen orchestras.

Each winner received a check for $1000 and an Award Certificate.

My thanks to Rochelle Welsh and Brenda Greenberg who assisted me in evaluating and making the selections.

Beverly Kaplan (845) 352-6922 Chair, High School Service Awards

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Community Service Committee News

Next Community Service meeting will be: Friday, July 28 at 12 noon, at the Airmont Diner.

Please join the conversation as we plan new activities. All are welcome!

RSVP to Marcia (362-1429) or Rochelle (406-3493).

Enjoy your summer! Rochelle Welsh (845) 406-3493 Marcia Scheer (845) 362-1429

Co-VPs Community Service

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AFTERNOONS WITH NCJW

New York Botanical Gardens

Date: Tuesday, August 15. Time: 11:00 to Noon Cost: $40, Parking: $15 per car I have arranged a private tour of the beautiful Dale Chihuly glass exhibit which should be spectacularly positioned, together with the exquisite flowers and plants normally displayed here. People can explore the rest of the gardens on their own after the exhibit. Please note: there is a 15 person minimum.

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Broadway Up Close Walking Tour – Act 2

Date: Tuesday, September 12. Time: 11 - 12:45 Cost: $40 Meet on 45th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues, outside the Lyceum Theater.

You will hear about the Schubert Brothers, the audition process of a musical, the origin of the Tony Awards and an exploration of some of Broadway's most famous musicals from “Oklahoma” to the “Phantom of the Opera.”

Send checks made out to NCJW per trip to: Edythe Carr, 21 Loraine Dr., New City, NY 10956 Phone: (845) 638-1426

NCJW Rockland Book Club

June 21, 12 Noon -The Train to Crystal City by: Jan Jarboe Russell Hosted by: Niki Plaut 4 Center Lane, New City 10956 Facilitator: Eva Nordhauser (Please call Niki at (845) 356-3469 to tell her what you'll bring for the potluck lunch)

July 19, 12 Noon - Sisters in Law by: Linda Hirshman Hosted by: Susan Steinfink 329 Strawtown Rd., New City 10956 Facilitator: Judy Fishlin (Please call Susan at (845) 634-0864 to tell her what you'll bring for the potluck lunch)

Aug 23, 12 Noon – The Nest by: Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney Hosted by Judy Fishlin 4 Crum Creek Rd., New City 10956 Facilitator: Jenny Kalsner (Please call Judy at (845) 638-4149 to tell her what you'll bring for the potluck lunch)

Shelly Berger, (845) 358-3906 Book Club Chair

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VISIT OUR WEBSITE & FACEBOOK!

www.ncjwrockland.org Find out what’s going on at NCJW Rockland Section, such as meetings, events, community service activities and more. Tell your friends to visit us.

www.facebook.com/ncjwrs

Celebrate happy occasions with your friends at NCJW by sponsoring the refreshments at our

General Meetings.

For details about sharing your Simcha, contact: Susan Steinfink (845) 634-0864

National Council of Jewish Women Rockland Section 3 Crabapple Court Monsey, New York 10952

Dated Mail Do Not Delay

August 2017 AV / ELUL 5777

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Wednesday Wednesday 1 2 3 4 5

June 28 MAKE

BLANKETS & TEDDY BEARS

July 19

BOOK CLUB MEETING

BULLETIN ARTICLES DUE

CANDLES 7:50 PM

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ICE CREAM SOCIAL

BOARD MEETING

CANDLES 7:41 PM

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

AFTERNOONS WITH NCJW

CANDLES 7:31 PM

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BOOK CLUB

CANDLES 7:20 PM

27 SOUP

KITCHEN

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Sunday September 10 WINE, CHEESE

& DESSERT

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No.341

Monsey NY 10952