Letter From the Director of Volunteers
Happy New Year!

As you think about the goals and resolutions you hope to accomplish in 2016, we
hop e that  volunteering is on your list!

A recent study by Happify, a happiness training service, found that of those people who volunteer regularly:
  • 94% say it improves their mood
  • 78% says it lowers their stress levels, and
  • 96% say it enriches their sense of purpose in life.
Giving back lets you escape from your own worries and problems for a few hours, while providing the community with much-needed help and services.  
 
From in-school literacy support programs to sorting donations for Operation Warm Up, NCJW/Cleveland offers dozens of ways, both small and large, to give back. ( Click here  for a recent front page article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer about the impact NCJW/Cleveland makes on the community).

Your time and skills matter. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, the estimated value of the work of all 2013 American volunteers was $173 billion!
If you are interested in learning about ways to get involved, don't hesitate to schedule a time to meet with me. I can be reached at rbrouman@ncjwcleveland.org or by phone at 216-378-2204 ext 105. My door is always open.

Wishing you and your family all the best!

Warmly,
Rebecca Brouman
UPCOMING EVENTS

Featuring: Richard Soren Arnoldi from the Ritz, Chris Hodgson from Hodge's, and Doug Katz from fire
Invitations are in the mail!
Our fabulous Winter Meeting and Boutique is quickly approaching. Lunch and a lively, informative program about the food scene in Cleveland with our guest Chefs should make for an exciting event!  The revamped Boutique will include some new vendors and food product vendors that will fit well with our theme.  

During the luncheon, we will also present our Emerging Leaders Award, which is awarded to the chairperson(s) of a committee or a board member who has served less than 5 years and has shown great potential for the future community and NCJW leadership.
 
If you have any questions, contact Julie Hayes at 216-378-2204 ext. 100  
Date:                 Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Time:                Boutique - 10:00 a.m., Luncheon - 11:30 a.m.
Location:           Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven Dr., Mayfield Heights
Cost:                 $36
Chairs:              Ann Eland & Ellen Young
RSVP by February 2, 2016

Infant Mortality: A Third-World Problem in a City with First-Rate Medical Care
Date:                Friday, Feb. 19
Time:               1:00-3:30 p.m.
Location:          Point East, on Cedar Rd. between                 
                        Beachwood Place and I-271
Cost:                Members $10, Non-members $15, "Seasoned 
                        Seniors" (over 80) $6
RSVP:              Register on our website or by calling the NCJW office at 216-378-2204.

Join us for an informational session to learn about this critical problem in Cleveland. Our guest speakers are experts in the field, including  Lorrie Considine RN, Program Manager, Cuyahoga County Board of Health;  Marc Collin MD, Medical Director, MetroHealth Medical Center NICU; and  Justin Lappen MD, Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow, MetroHealth Medical Center.
Your registration fee covers refreshments and the donation of a baby "Halo" Sleep Sack for families in need at Hillcrest Hospital NICU. You will also learn about other ongoing initiatives in the Cleveland area, as well as what NCJW is doing to combat this problem.
FUND DEVELOPMENT
Barb Shane, Vice President

Thank you to our many generous donors to the Annual Fund.  We are still working on attaining our goal. If you haven't yet made a contribution, it is not too late.  All funds support the offerings and opportunities of community service, programming, and the advocacy work that are highlighted in this bulletin.  
 
Please contact me at BShane@roadrunner.com or 440-498-1126 or anyone at the office to help you set up an endowment fund or tribute fund or to assist you in transferring stock as a financial asset for your donation.  It's an easy and effective step, with tax benefits for you, and provides necessary funds for NCJW to continue the wonderful work that we do.  

ADVOCACY
Roberta Herman, Vice-President

WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE
A Candidates Night is planned for the spring.  If you'd like to help plan this event; call Laura Kuntz at 216-299-4700.
 
Our committee works closely with NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio and Planned Parenthood.  Help us fight this uphill battle in Ohio for Women's Reproductive Justice.  Please join us at our next meeting:
Date:                 Monday, Jan. 11
Time:                9:00 a.m.
Location:          Beachwood Library.
 
For more information, contact: Cyndy Fellenbaum at 216-346-3159, Dana Trau at 216-407-5545, or Laura Kuntz at 216-299-4700.

Did you know that belonging to NCJW /Cleveland automatically entitles you to membership in Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC)?  ( GCC website )
 
This month, GCC core teams from NCJW , Kol HaLev, and St. John African  Methodist Church are joining together to discuss critical issues such as Gun Violence Prevention, Criminal Justice, and Education in Cleveland.  We will share effective strategies to mobilize our organizations to voice opinions, attend rallies or programs, educate our groups, and involve more member participation.  Please join us to see how together we can make a real difference!
Date:                 Wednesday, Jan. 13
Time:                7:00 p.m.
Location:           2261 E. 40th Street, Cleveland  (we will carpool to the church)
RSVP:               Lynn Kleinman at Lekchoral@aol.com.


FOCUS ON FOSTER CARE
NCJW/Cleveland's Focus on Foster Care Committee has evolved into three subgroups with these missions:
 
Housing - To work on solutions for permanent housing as foster kids age out of the system. Meet with various individuals and organizations to see how NCJW can be instrumental in obtaining these goals.
 
Self-Esteem - To develop a four-week self-esteem curriculum for teens in foster care who participate in Beech Brook's independent living program. We will also run self-esteem sessions at the Renee Jones Empowerment Center and the Purple Project, and are looking for other potential partners.
 
Ad hoc - To provide programming support, supplies, and outreach to organizations who work with vulnerable youth.
 
Volunteers are welcome to join in on any of these endeavors. If interested, please contact Marilyn Oif at maroif1@yahoo.com or Jeannie Citterman-Kraeger at jeannieck@aol.com.
MEMBERSHIP
Amy Zlotnik, Vice President

JANUARY 20, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. - Noon
We Have "Lox" To Tell You!
New and Prospective Member event at our Thriftique store. New members can come and shop ($10 OFF your $50 purchase) while finding out more about NCJW/Cleveland and the amazing programs that the store proceeds help support!
 
If you know a prospective member, please bring them to this event. 
Please  RSVP to Becky Brouman at rbrouman@ncjwcleveland.org

Welcome to our new Lifetime
Tami Caplan                     Beth Krasnow

Welcome to our new Annual Members
Maxine Brand
Carolyn Friedland
Ashley Gabelman
Carolyn Goodman Whittington
Marjory Klein
 
We regret to inform you of the passing of
            Shirley Rose            Maxine Schaefer
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Debbie Joseph, Vice-President

OPERATION WARM UP 2016
Julianna Senturia and Susan Ringel, Co-Chairs
 
Please continue to bring new or gently used coats and boots and new underwear and warm socks to NCJW to donate to the Homeless Stand Down in January.
 
Help needed!  Here are some volunteer opportunities regarding the Homeless Stand Down:
 
Homeless Stand Down Set Up
Date:                 Friday, Jan. 22
Time:                Two shifts: 9 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location:          Public Auditorium, 500 Lakeside Ave. E., Cleveland
RSVP             By Jan. 8 or sooner -- Susan Ringel at susanringel@att.net
 
Volunteers will move donations and set up for the big event. Tasks may include hanging signs, setting up donations, cleaning the food area, and putting tablecloths on tables. We can have up to 10 volunteers for each shift. Please give us your name, phone number and email.
 
Parking is available next door at the Willard Garage, 601 Lakeside. (We will need to pay to park.)   Please dress warmly as we may be outside unloading donations from cars.
 
Homeless Stand Down Event
Date:              Saturday, Jan. 23
Time:             Two shifts: 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 
                      11:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location:        Public Auditorium, 500 Lakeside Ave. 
RSVP:            By Jan. 8 or sooner - Susan Ringel at susanringel@att.net
 
Please be available the whole shift. We will be working at the distribution table, helping to stack, sort, organize, refill, and help recipients find sizes. The address and parking locations are the same - but this time parking is free for volunteers if their name is on the list, so we must pre-register. Please give us your name, phone number and email.
 
Dress comfortably. Closed-toe shoes only. Do not bring valuables. Modifications to the project may be made to accommodate volunteers with limited mobility.
 
Age Limits : This project is for volunteers age 14 and up. Volunteers under the age of 16 must serve alongside a parent or guardian. *All volunteers under 18 must fill out and bring a youth waiver form   signed by a parent or legal guardian.
 
DIGKNITTY 
NCJW/Cleveland's knitting group meets weekly from 9:30 am to noon.  
January Meetings
Thursday, Jan. 7 at NCJW/Cleveland Office
Wednesday, Jan. 13 at NCJW/Cleveland Office
Thursday, Jan. 21 at NCJW/Cleveland Office
Wednesday,  Jan. 27 at NCJW/Cleveland Office
Chairs : Sandy Cole, Sandy Levine, and Anita Pupa.
PROGRAM & EDUCATION
Esther Spott, Vice-President

UPCOMING PAINTING NIGHT....SPACE IS LIMITED
 
JOIN AN NCJW BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
Susan Kahn, Chair
NCJW is pleased to offer two monthly Book Discussion Groups to accommodate people's busy schedules.
 
NCJW/Cleveland THURSDAY BOOK MEETING
Our January title is Life Drawing by Robin Black
Date:                 Thursday, Jan. 7
Time:                1:00-2:00 p.m.
Location:           Beachwood Branch Library on Richmond Road
RSVP:               Call 216-378-2204 or email apaley@ncjwcleveland.org
 
Led by moderator Amy Rosenfield, the discussion is open only to NCJW members.  There is no fee to participate, however we collect an optional ($5 suggested) donation per session for our moderator.    Future dates and book selections:
February 4        Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi
 
NCJW/Cleveland SUNDAY BOOK CLUB MEETING
Our January discussion will be on Judy Blume's In the Unlikely Event.
Please note the change in date for this meeting and the February meeting (see below).
Date:         Sunday, Jan. 24
Time:        10:00 a.m.
Location Panera at Harvard/Richmond
RSVP:      amyzlotnik@gmail.com
 
Future Book Club meeting: Sunday Feb. 21, The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan
COMMUNICATIONS
Leslie Resnik, Vice-President

DODGE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL FIFTH-GRADER SHARES LOVE FOR BOOKS
Twinsburg -- Dodge Intermediate School fifth-grader Abby Weissberg loves to read.   Since third grade, she has shared that love with children who may not have access to books or libraries through book donation drives.   And recently she got her school involved.

With support from Principal Reginald Holland, Abby rallied Dodge students and teachers, who donated more than 2,000 books for Building Bridges with Books.

"I had a goal of 2,000 books," Abby said. "When we were counting them, I was like, 'we're going to make it."

Building Bridges with Books is pilot program of the National Council of Jewish Women, under the Partners in Literacy umbrella.
TO READ MORE CLICK HERE
RETAIL OPERATIONS
Wendy Elconin and Michele Kaminsky, Co-Vice President

Help stock our store for the winter months!
As the end of the year approaches, we greatly appreciate your clothing, shoes, purses, artwork,furniture, collectibles and anything else you can think of for our Thrfitique Showroom. If possible, clothing on hangers is greatly appreciated!

All donations are tax deductible.

Warehouse Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm
FREE pick-ups for larger items.  Contact the store at 216-378-2264 to schedule today!
2015 ISRAEL STUDY TOUR
Special Section by Susan C. Levine, NCJW, Inc. Treasurer

A sparkling blue sky welcomed us to Jerusalem as our study tour embarked on a 
deep dive intothe life of Israeli women. Every day, our every visit and every meeting was devoted to unpacking the complicated lives facing women in every part of Israeli society. From our opening "book club" discussion with Elana Sztokman, NCJW colleague and author of "The War on Women", to the sensitive presentation of NCJW's Israel Granting Program grantee: the Jerusalem Open House (JOH) who updated our delegation about their groundbreaking transgender counseling program. Of particular poignancy, was the silent meeting room as we accepted the appreciative feelings from both the JOH Professionals and their clients who acknowledged NCJW as not only their first major donor but also the sender of their first check for emergency medical support following the tragic stabbing attacks and murder of Shiri Bank at last summer's pride parade....

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
NCJW/Cleveland | 216-378-2204 | Website 
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