National Council of Jewish Women Contra Costa Section - September/October 2015 NCJWCCS.ORG Page 1 Contra Costa Section, Walnut Creek, California September/October 2015 Wishing all Members a Healthy and Happy New Year Celebrating 5775 NCJW CONTRA COSTA SECTION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2015, OPENING BREAKFAST GENERAL MEETING FIRESIDE ROOM, GATEWAY AGENDA - 9:30AM – BREAKFAST, 10:00AM - BUSINESS MEETING 10:30AM - SPEAKER GEORGE BRESLAUER Our first guest speaker of the section’s new year will be George Breslauer, of the Magnes Museum . Mr. Breslauer will discuss The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life. The Museum is located at the Bancroft Library at the University of California at Berkeley. In addition to our speaker, we NCJW Board will be hosting a light breakfast, bagels, schemer, and other examples of fine cuisine to whet your appetites, and induce you to join us at 9:30 a.m. on September 30th. Please note that this is the 5rd Wednesday and an exception date, in respect to the 4th Wednesday being the observance of Yom Kippur. Also, this meeting is being held in the Fireside Room not at the Donner Room. We are looking forward to a great year, with a new staff of officers and activities to interest everyone. Wednesday, October 28, 2015 General Meeting: Back to the Donner Room at the Event Center. 9:30 for coffee and chat, 10:00 a.m. business meeting, 10:30 our guest speaker who will speak on Universal Health Care for all. Please note that October is Public Affairs Month, and this issue is definitely of interest to all of us.
Transcript
National Council of Jewish Women Contra Costa Section - September/October 2015
NCJWCCS.ORG Page 1
Contra Costa Section, Walnut Creek, California September/October 2015
Wishing all Members a Healthy and Happy New Year
Celebrating 5775
NCJW CONTRA COSTA SECTION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2015, OPENING BREAKFAST GENERAL MEETING
Our first guest speaker of the section’s new year will be George Breslauer, of the Magnes Museum . Mr. Breslauer will discuss The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life. The Museum is located at the Bancroft Library at the University of California at Berkeley. In addition to our speaker, we NCJW Board will be hosting a light breakfast, bagels, schemer, and other examples of fine cuisine to whet your appetites, and induce you to join us at 9:30 a.m. on September 30th. Please note that this is the 5rd Wednesday and an exception date, in respect to the 4th Wednesday being the observance of Yom Kippur. Also, this meeting is being held in the Fireside Room not at the Donner Room. We are looking forward to a great year, with a new staff of officers and activities to interest everyone.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 General Meeting:
Back to the Donner Room at the Event Center. 9:30 for coffee and chat, 10:00 a.m. business meeting,
10:30 our guest speaker who will speak on Universal Health Care for all. Please note that October is Public Affairs Month, and this issue is definitely of interest to all of us.
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MISSION 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.
NCJW CONTRA COSTA SECTION BOARD
President: Rose Jackson 239-0735 Treasurer: Jane Salzfass 954-1817 Vice Presidents:
Community Affairs: Judy Lichtenstein 949-4797 Event Planning: Elaine Brown 289-5886 Debra Deitch 954-1624 Membership: Janet Ladner 943-7044 Co-chairs: Harriet Davis 408-391-6075 Michele Partnoy 230-821-5332 Program: Shoshana Elihau 366-4743 Public Affairs:
Secretaries: Corresponding Helen Field Recording Claire Rosenzweig Financial Doris Miller
Chairpersons: Book Club Sheila Silver General Tributes Jan Schneider Historian Marilyn Lustig Knitting Claire Rosenzweig Photographer Lee Herschman Publicity Helene Magen Scholarship Marcia DeVries Shalom Bayit Melle Rosen Shelter Elaine Brown
Linda Spiegelman Website Developer Rose Jackson
Editorial Staff: Editor Janet Ladner Proofreader Marcia DeVries Design & Layout Rose Jackson
Liaison to National Charlene Spielvogel Past President/Advisor Marilyn Blaj
Reminder: YAD B YAD - OUR ONCE A YEAR FUND RAISER
TO SUPPORT NCJW PROJECTS IN ISRAEL Yad b Yad is closer than you think, please get your requests to vendors, and with letters (ask Rose) to them early as it takes time to clear with main offices. Remember, you are not asking for yourself, but for your organization and for a very worthy cause, granting programs in Israel. Like Starbucks, Lunardis, Trader Joe, restaurants that you frequent etc. Our luncheon is on December 16th beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Event Center will be $20.00 and feature for our entertainment portion, the terrific Isaac Zones, Jewish folk singer. He had been with us at another Yad b Yad event and everyone loved him. So mark your calendars and get out and work to gathering items for the Silent Auction. Contact Rose Jackson if you have donations or questions. 925-279-0735.
National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and Rite-Aid Pharmacy are Sponsoring
a Free Flu Clinic on Wednesday afternoon, October 21, 2015 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in Multi-Purpose Room #3, Gateway
Clubhouse. The clinic is available to ALL
Rossmoor residents (except Kaiser Members) who subscribe to Medicare and Medicare
Advantage Insurance. Any questions or request for more
information, please call Rose Jackson, NCJW President 925-279-0735.
Coordinated by Elaine Brown.
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President’s Message I am very excited about our organization and the things planned for 2015 – 2016. Just to start, we have had several very successful events that have helped some of our major projects. First, our book sale held at the Rossmoor Flea Market on Saturday, June 20, 2015 was a success. We still have a lot of books left over. We will keep some of the leftover books to sell at the General Meetings and some will be donated to the local libraries. Any other suggestions are appreciated. The money made on this event was donated to the Blue Star Moms. Next, the 30th Anniversary, Installation luncheon, and presentation of scholarships event was wonderful with great attendance. We received plaques from Assembly Women Catherine Baker and Supervisor Candace Andersen. Their speeches were right on track with our mission. I will display the plaques at our next meeting in September. The speeches by the scholarship winners were very impressive. What a good job done by the scholarship committee in their selection. Last but not least, the August 15 Event William Florian and his band was a spectacular event. William was a great performer and also had great stage presence. He walked around the audience before the performance and also engaged the audience during the performance. Thank you to all members who baked and helped in any way. The decadent dessert table was plentiful and delicious. Also, thank you to the bartenders. Our year has started off great and I hope we can continue the momentum. We have some new events planned for our 2015 -2016 year. Just to whet your appetite, special luncheon, fashion show, flu clinic, maybe mystery theatre, and an author as our speaker to name a few. Come get involved. I look forward to working with all members to continue to make this an active section supporting our mission. We will need help from all our members to make this a successful year. Remember you can help in three ways:
1. By volunteering to work on an event 2. By attending all of our events 3. By donating time or money to support the section’s projects
But remember “Ask not what NCJW can do for you but ask what you can do for NCJW”.
Regards, Rose Jackson, NCJW Contra Costa Section, President 279-0739 [email protected]
P.S. Please remember to send in your 2015-2016 dues.
NEW SIGN ENTRANCE OF ROSSMOOR In case you have not seen our new sign as you
enter Rossmoor, it’s mounted on the large board if you enter through the extreme right
side gate. The sign was conceived and paid for by Judy Lichtenstein whose dedication and
work for all causes within NCJW is unbounded. Thank you Judy for all that you do and care
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Community Affairs-Judy Lichtenstein
949-4797 Our mission at Crestwood Healing Center is to partner with Contra Costa County clients, employees, families, business associates, and the broader community in serving individuals affected by mental health issues. Together, we invest our energies to enhance the quality of life, social interaction, community involvement and empowerment of mental health clients toward the goal of creating a fulfilling life. Clients are assisted and encouraged to develop life skills, participate in community-based activities, repair or enhance primary relationships, and enjoy leisure activities. We believe that being supportive, compassionate and inclusive increases motivation and commitment. NCJW partners with Crestwood with their “Friendly Visitors” program. We are paired with a client, who is in the healing process, ready to reach out to people other than their professionals, who will talk about the world outside of their current scope (sports, knitting, sewing, and drawing, religion in some cases, a walk to the 7-11, a cup of coffee at Starbucks or just a stroll around the campus) and sometimes just a quiet corner of the building. We are set up for an hour visit, once a month and each “visitor” has the same client, so that a friendship is established. Time is as you can make it, unless the client has outside appointments, it is recommended that the visitor keeps to the schedule. This is an easy task to enhance the life of another person, who may not have any other visitors or family, men are most often alone with a greater need for friendships. Our newly forming men’s auxiliary would be a great fit for this program. Please give it consideration and male or female, contact Judy Lichtenstein for more detailed information. We also support the efforts of “Shelter, Inc.” and “Shalom Bayit” a shelter for Jewish Women and Children caught up in domestic violence. A full knitting program of layettes donated to the County Medical Center in Martinez. Caps and lap blankets are knitted for our Veterans Hospitals. We also support Wardrobe for Opportunity by donating clothing for job interviews and training sessions. Other groups supported are Blue Star Moms, Winter Nights, and the Contra Costa Food Bank; we are a busy group and are open to suggestions for additional volunteer (service) options.
Question about NCJW that are on your mind?
Have a question about NCJW Contra Costa Section and haven’t had the opportunity to talk to anyone about? Well, here’s your chance. Send your questions to our President, Rose Jackson at [email protected]. If appropriate she will respond in the next newsletter or by email, whatever you prefer.
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It was perhaps the most gratifying experience I have had in many years of installations that this years also revolved around the celebration of our 30th year as a section. Our honored guests included, our own Sharon Fisher, part of the original founding group with Edith Goodman, and our state assembly woman Catharine Baker and her chief of staff Cindy Chin, also our district supervisor Candace Anderson and her chief of staff, Laurie Byers. Each woman spoke with great sincerity about the work of NCJW here in Contra Costa and its value to the community. We were presented with a beautifully mounted plaque marking our anniversary, each of our Scholarship winners were presented with certificates of acknowledgement of their achievements. Charlene Spielvogel our installing officer, once again did a beautiful job of presenting each new board member with a flower to form the full bouquet of the body of women working together to better our section programs and watch them grow. Our newly installed President, Rose Jackson, gave a great acceptance speech outlining her desires for a cohesive group and expansion of services to the community. Our outgoing President, Elaine Brown gave a wonderful talk about her past term and thanked all of her board members for their cooperation and assistance. Sharon Fisher, as I mentioned a part of the founding group, spoke in some detail about the formation by Edith Goodman of our section, who over her lifetime, had such a strong belief in NCJW that she was instrumental in starting several sections in areas that she lived in, and thrived on its early activities, goals and objectives. Finally, our Scholarship recipients took turns and knocked our socks off with their eloquence, their goals and their determination to improve their lives. We were so very pleased with our selections. It makes working towards the goal of
supporting these scholarships that much more rewarding. In summation, this was a rousing, emotional and thoroughly satisfying day and I wish to offer my congratulations to the committee that put this great day together. With thanks to all,
Janet Ladner
Event Participants
LADIES MIXER LUNCHEONS
Let’s breath life back into our LADIES MIXER LUNCHEONS. No host lunch mixing our members, both new to our section, and those who have been around for a while. Social only and it’s a definite getting to know you. Call the editor if you are interested, everyone enjoyed them and you get to go to lunch as many times as you wish to meet new people we don’t always get the opportunity at meetings. Call Janet Ladner 925-943-7044. We’ll try for Tuesday or Thursday at noon place to be determined.
Editorial Recap of our Installation, Anniversary, and Scholarship program this
past June 24, 2015.
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in
THE WOMEN'S RE-ENTRY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2015 Scholarship Recipients The Women’s Re-Entry Scholarship program is, as the name implies, a program for women returning to college, specifically Diablo Valley College, to continue their education, and hopefully to go on to further schooling and complete the necessary degrees for their chosen fields. The Contra Costa section of the National Council of Jewish Women has been raising funds for these scholarships for 20 years. The scholarship program was the brainchild of the late Leona Siegel. She was a strong proponent of helping women go back to college for their education. So, we are continuing her vision. The funds for the scholarships are raised solely through donations, the majority of which are from donations for tribute cards which we mail to the recipient of your choice, to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, simchas, and in honor or memory of your friends and loved ones. The donation can be $5, $10, $15, or as much as you’d like. Occasionally, some generous members give a special donation to the Scholarship fund, which helps boost the total. We coordinate with Diablo Valley College to select the scholarship winners. In March or April of each year we get 10 to 12 packets of information about each woman. The student also writes a short biography, what her future hopes and dreams are, and how she intends to achieve them. Our committee reads every one of the packets thoroughly. We also try to determine the women’s potential to go forward based on that information given, and then, we choose the recipients based upon money available. Currently, we give $500 to each recipient. Each recipient must be a single mother. The money we give them helps toward child care, transportation, books, lunch, and other expenses.
On June 24, 2015, at our scheduled meeting, we awarded three scholarships to Quintessa Louis, Melinda McGee, and Daniella Zitani. These three women personify the qualities we look for.
Marcia DeVries Chair, Scholarship Committee
Hello , Mrs.Devries,here is the picture of my first cert. earned as promise, thanks so much you & the ladies of NCJW I appreciate the help that you have giving me, I look forward to sending the picture of my next accomplishment, Quintessa
REMEMBRANCES of EDITH GOODMAN Part One FOUNDER OF THE CONTRA COSTA SECTION IN 1984
Zichrona livreha 1917 – 1993 THE EARLY YEARS IN NEW YORK… Edith McClosky Goodman was born in New York in 1917. By the young age of 16, Edith was working at a ladies hat shop in the Empire State Building, soon becoming the store manager. During those hat shop years, Edith and Ted met and were married in 1938 in New York. Sometime during their years in NY, Edith joined NCJW. From the age of 16, when Edith managed the hat shop, and throughout her work years and lifelong NCJW membership, Edith was refining her leadership skills and honing her sales and customer service skills – all of which would serve her well in her many years of leadership roles with NCJW. On a personal note, Edith had a great sense of style, color and fashion! Edith was also a gourmet cook and enjoyed gourmet foods with friends and family! And she always presented a positive point of view, whatever the topic. There was much laughter and camaraderie with Edith, whatever the topic of discussion! Continued on Page 10 . Part Two in November/December Newsletter
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General Tributes-Jan Schneider Chair- 925- 689-4563 (no email)
Tributes for Scholarship Marcia DeVries Chair - 954-7455
To: Rhoda Conrad from: Pearl Schwartz, to celebrate your 95th Birthday.
To: Helen Field from: Janet Ladner, on the loss of your brother.
To: Doris Miller from: Janet Ladner, on the celebration of your 90th Birthday
To: Doris Miller from: Board on the celebration of her 90th Birthday
To: Ronnie Gorlick from: Board wishing her a speedy recovery
To: Ronnie Gorlick from: Marcia DeVries wishing her a speedy recovery
To: Helen Hillman from: Marcia Baskin wishing her a speedy recovery
To: Helen Hillman from: Janet Ladner wishing her a speedy recovery
To: Helen Hillman from: Board wishing her a speedy recovery
To: Helen Field from: Marcia DeVries on the loss of her brother
To: Doris Miller from: Helen Field in celebration of her 90th Birthday
To: Doris Miller from: Debra Deitch in celebration of her 90th Birthday
To: Doris Miller from: Rose Jackson in celebration of her 90th Birthday
To: Helen Hillman from: Debra Deitch wishing her a speedy recovery
To: Ethel Osit from Rose Jackson in celebration of her 80th Birthday
To: Doris Miller from: Sheila Silver and Family in celebration of her 90th Birthday
To: Helen Hillman from: Rose and Stan Jackson, wishing her a speedy recovery
To: Helen Hillman from: Doris Miller wishing her a speedy recovery
To: Shirley Cohen from: Doris Miller wishing her a speedy recovery
To: Minette Gutfriend from: Sheila Silver in memory of Esther Trigger
To: Ken Trigger from: Sheila Silver in memory of Wife Esther
To: Hannah Felder from Sheila Silver in celebration of her 95th Birthday
To: David Levin from Rose Jackson: in honor of his 80th Birthday
NCJW – Wine, Women and Words (Book Club)
September – December 2015 Last Monday of the Month at 3:00pm in the Bunker Room, Creekside Clubhouse
Sheila Silver – Book Club Committee Chair 945-1432 August 31 - "The Jew Store” by Stella Suberman , Facilitator - Marlene Melis September 28 - "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Satterfield, Facilitator - Rose Jackson October 26 - "City of Women" by David R. Gillham , Facilitator - Doris Miller November 30- "Everything I Never Told You" by Celeste Ng, Facilitator - Sheila Silver December 28 - "Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown, Facilitator - Judy Gordon
National Council of Jewish Women Contra Costa Section - September/October 2015
This has been such a productive time for my ladies who knit - I am overwhelmed by the many blankets, sweaters and caps that have been brought to me by my Rossmoor ladies and those that live outside!! And my thanks to Judy Lichtenstein for schlepping all the goodies to the hospital for us. I have bought beautiful new yarns and have some really interesting patterns. So give me a call; I am always willing to help those who want to do such a mitzvah for "our babies" at the hospital. My thanks to: Vonie Dondero ,Janice Green , Mary Sue Hutchins ,Ann Riley ,Jerry Hoff, Louise Enderlin, Harriet Davis ,Diane Nyland , Susan Dennis. And thanks to Karen Lee for her donation of sweaters (knit by her mother), and to Elaine Kimko for donating yarn.
Welcome to our newest Members: by Janet Ladner Membership Chair We have been most
fortunate to have a substantial number of new members join us over the summer , please find the list of names below and our heartiest welcome to you all, and we look forward to your participation in all of our activities and charities. Changing status from Regular to Life Member: Alice Goodman, new member Sheila Levinsky, Harvey Samuels (first for the new men’s division) Toby Cowen, Eileen Teitel, Linda Speigelman, Lorraine Wunsch, Lynn Letteris, Karen Swift, Stanley Jackson, Mary Sabin and Judy Yudof, a transfer and life member. Welcome to one and all, we will look forward to meeting you at our September opening meeting on the 30th , light brunch, general meeting and speaker at 9:30 a.m. at the Donner Room (Event Center). Tell your friends and neighbors about National Council of Jewish Women, as we are the oldest women’s’ charity organization in the Nation, it is also the best kept secret. We need to spread the word about the great work that we do and the strength that we have in making changes in all areas concerning women, children and families.
Note to Members: Make your families aware of your keen interest in being part of NCJW and the Contra Costa Section when making out your wills and trusts. Keep NCJW in mind. All donations are greatly appreciated, most families are not aware of the entire Mom and now Dads do to help their community world.
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Saturday, August 15th, 2015 - An Evening of Folk Music and Desserts Featuring THE SHOW: “THOSE WERE THE DAYS” The Spirit & Songs of the 60’s
Debra Deitch and Elaine Brown Chairpersons Event Planning/Fund-Raising
Our fabulous event featuring William Florian and his band, not to mention our
unbelievable Decadent Dessert tables , was a full blown success with thanks to our attendees, our unbeatable volunteers and our wonderful bakers or providers of all the desserts. The profit from this fund raiser will go to THE WOMEN'S RE-ENTRY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. Thank You, Thank you goes to: Harriet Davis, Claire Rosenzweig, Michele Partnoy, Judy Lichtenstein, Betty Brandel, Sheila Levinsky, Rose Jackson, Lee Herschman, Cherrie Shiffman, Doris Miller, Marlene Melis, Eileen Sheffrin, Helen Field, Janet Ladner, Sherman Brown, Stan Jackson, Ken Cordes, Jackie Segal, Marcia DeVries, Helene Magen, Sharon Fisher and husband Dan for getting the chocolate fountain going, Sheila Silver, Edie Sandberg, Harriet Alperin, and Elaine Brown. If I have forgotten anyone, please blame it on just another senior moment, none-the-less I thank each and every one of you for your combined efforts to make this our first foray into Event Planning/Fund Raising such a rousing success. Everyone appeared to be into the music, the patter of William Florian and eating all that good (really bad) stuff. Our thanks to Jeff Ladner for the cleanup; he was on duty until midnight, to leave the kitchen in perfect order. It is extremely gratifying to work with a great team and again
our deepest thanks. Debra and Elaine
NCJW Men’s Auxiliary We are planning on adding a men’s auxiliary to our section. We now have two men who have signed into our section and we would love to have more. We will work up programs for volunteer efforts and some just for men’s social programs. Please ask your spouses or friends who might be interested in our charity work to let Rose know of your interest and we will go from there.
Contact Rose Jackson 279-0735
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HISTORY OF OUR CONTRA COSTA SECTIONS
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Directory Update: please cut out and add to your green directory. Evelyn Barnett 1840 Tice Creek Drive #2217 925-464-
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National Council of Jewish Women Contra Costa County Section 3288 Terra Granada Dr. 3A Walnut Creek, CA 94595
Time Sensitive Return Service Requested
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Walnut Creek, CA PERMIT NO. 1154
UPCOMING EVENTS -- PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS WAY IN ADVANCE.
Book Club meets Last Monday of each month at the Bunker Room at Creekside 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. August 31, September 28, October 26, November 30, December 28 Public Affairs: 2nd Tuesday, Gateway MPR #3, 1:00 pm to 3:00pm (open to all members) Board Meeting: 2nd Wednesday, Gateway, MPR #3 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon August 12, September 9, October 14, November 11, December 5. General Meeting- Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon September 30 (Fireside Room, Gateway), October 28 Donner, Event Center, November 18 (special Program 2:00 p.m. at Fireside Room (Gateway) Special events: December 16th Wednesday Event Center, Tahoe Room YAD B YAD. Tuesday, February 16, New Member Luncheon (Invitation Only) Dollar Clubhouse Wednesday, March 9, Event Center to Be Announced Saturday, August 13, 2016 Diablo Room, To Be Announced
Please Mark Your Calendars To Reserve These Dates.
NOTE: AS OF DECEMBER 2015, THE PRINTED MAILING OF THE BULLETIN WILL CEASE. If you do not have a computer to view on our website (ncjwccs.org) and wish to receive a printed copy, please call Janet Ladner 943-7044 or Rose Jackson 239-0735. We will provide a printed copy. Thank you for your cooperation and helping our section to reduce the cost of printing/mailing. We would like all of our members to receive copies of our bulletin so don’t be left out. Copies of the new bulletin will be available at our General Meetings and in our mailbox at Gateway.
