Letter From the Executive Director,  Mindi Axner

Great news! After the month-long 50% sale at the Thriftique Showroom, we were able to clear
At Thriftique we sell quality and class
out so much merchandise at unbeatable prices! Results: successful fundraising for NCJW/Cleveland and very satisfied customers. And not just the middle-aged and vintage crowd.

I received a very excited phone call from my 18-year-old nephew (he's the handsome young man in the photo...of course, I'm probably biased). He needed some clothes for college rush so my sister suggested going over to Thriftique. Matthew couldn't wait to tell me that he was able to get everything he needed for under $21! Imagine this....the Joseph Abboud suit he's wearing along with the blue shirt, two ties, a belt, and a navy blue blazer. He was so proud of his purchases, he had to come over that evening to model them for me.

At first, he was hesitant about letting me write about him. But I explained that he would be providing a great service to our organization:

1. People can see the excellent quality of the merchandise we sell.

2. People will see that it doesn't matter what your age is, you can always find something at Thriftique.

So, now we're looking for more merchandise to refill our racks and floor space. February is usually a slower month of donations because many people cleaned out their closets and homes at the end of the year. If you're not one of those people - or if there are a few more things you'd like to clear out -- please consider making your donations this month. Remember to tell anyone you know that we always have free pickups for larger items such as furniture.

We hope to see you and your donations soon!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Featuring: Richard Soren Arnoldi from the Ritz, Chris Hodgson from Hodge's, and Doug Katz from fire

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 5, 2016 - TIME IS RUNNING OUT

Infant Mortality
a 3rd world problem in a city with 1st rate medical care
Friday February 19, 2016 1:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.  at Point East 
Featuring:
Lorrie Considine RN , Program Manager, Cuyahoga County Board of Health
Marc Collin MD , Medical Director, NICU, MetroHealth Medical Center NICU
Justin Lappen MD , Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow, MetroHealth Medical Center
Join us for an informational session to learn about this critical problem in Cleveland. Find out why we have an infant mortality rate that would exist in a 3rd world country - not a city with top medical care!

Your registration fee includes refreshments and the donation of a baby "halo" for a needy mother. Learn more about how these garments help! You will also learn about other on-going initiatives in the Cleveland area, as well as what NCJW/Cleveland is doing to combat this problem

Members $10, Non-members $15, "Seasoned Seniors" (over 80) $6

Register today by calling Lisa at the NCJW office at 216-378-2204 ext. 101
WELCOME NEW STAFF MEMBER
Lisa Hazylett, Administrative Assistant

We have a new addition to our NCJW staff!  Her name is Lisa Hayzlett, and she is the Administrative Assistant to our President, Linda Barnett and Executive Director, Mindi Axner.  Lisa grew up in Beachwood, OH, and lived in several different states before moving back to Cleveland in 1987.  She has two grown boys who also went through the Beachwood School System.  Lisa comes to us from many years in the banking industry and is looking forward to being a part of NCJW.  "I am very excited to work with such an incredible organization that makes such a difference in so many people's lives.  The staff and the volunteers that I have met are amazing in their professionalism, dedication, and passion!".
FUND DEVELOPMENT
Barb Shane, Vice President

As a result of the generosity of many NCJW/Cleveland supporters, we have made great progress toward reaching our goal for our Annual Fund.  We will continue to reach out to those of you who have not yet made your pledge for this fiscal year.  We welcome your donations which enable us to carry out worthy programs and events.  A special thank you to chairs Elise Goldner and Adrienne Siegel for their hard work on this campaign. 

Stop by the office to purchase Tribute Cards and Note Cards to use when you want to recognize a birthday, send a thoughtful thank you or make a memorial or honorary donation while promoting your support of NCJW. Are you interested in setting up a named endowment or tribute fund to honor a loved one?  Let us help you build your Jewish legacy!

Fund Development continues to research and explore fundraising events.  If you have any ideas, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Barbara at  [email protected]  440-498-1126
ADVOCACY
Roberta Herman, Vice-President

GCC Criminal Justice Action Event
From Anger to Action: The System on Trial
In response to this crucial time for criminal justice in our city, Rabbi Josh Caruso, co -chair of Greater Cleveland Congregations, has called for a 1,000 person Action at Fairmount Temple on Tuesday, February 16. The action calls for a powerful show of motivated citizens to e ngage both candidates running for the position of County Prosecutor. Both McGinty and O'Malley have promised to be there.
           
Because of our strong numbers, NCJW has pledged 50 members to attend this Action. Know that numbers are a powerful message and will result in making our voices heard. Please RSVP to the NCJW office at (216) 378-2204, or Lynn Kleinman at  [email protected]We need a count to ensure our pledge of 50. The Action begins at 7:00 but we are asked to be seated by 
6:30 p.m.

Click here  for more information.
Date:               Tuesday, February 16
Time:               7:00 p.m. (seated by 6:30 p.m.)
Location:         Fairmount Temple       
RSVP:              Lynn Kleinman  or call the office at 216-378-2204, ext. 101   

Focus on Foster Care
The Focus on Foster Care Committee focuses on three areas:
Self Esteem Program - We have presented at the Renee Jones Empowerment C
enter, working  with women who have previously been in the sex industry and/or trafficked. We will be collaborating with The Purple Project at Beech Brook to present a multi-session self esteem program with kids who are in foster care.

The Sullivan-Deckard Scholars are 10 students who have been in foster care receiving full tuition and board at Cleveland State University. During Winter Break we provided activities for these students and staff. We are investigating further activities.

Housing - Many young people who age out of foster care become homeless. We are researching the possibility of providing housing for this population.

If you are interested in joining us, please contact: Marilyn Oif, [email protected] or Jeannie Citerman-Kraeger at [email protected]

Stop Human Trafficking
Join us for the next meeting featuring a discussion with Kate Hanna of The Ohio Alliance to End Domestic Violence.
Date:         Thursday, February 17, 2016
Time:         1:30 p.m.
Place:        NCJW office conference room

RSVP: Registration required due to limited space. Email Elaine Geller at  [email protected] 
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Debbie Joseph, Vice-President

ARE YOU ORGANIZED?
Do you like to volunteer on your own schedule, when it is convenient for you?  Are you comfortable at home, in your PJs, writing emails? 
 
There are community service projects for you!  Many programs need organized administrators who can communicate with organizations and volunteers through email from home. 
 
If you are this organized person who wants to help maintain a well-run program, contact Debbie Joseph, vice president of community service, at [email protected]
Let's talk and see what is available for you.
 
Dig-Knitty Knitting Group
Our busy knitters work tirelessly to provide warm clothing, blankets, and comfort toys to many organizations who distribute them to families and children who are in need of them.
Thursday, Feb, 4, 9:30 a.m. - Noon, Beachwood Library
Thursday, Feb. 18, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., NCJW/Cleveland large conference room
Weekly meetings in March: 3, 9, 17, 23, and 31
Chairs: Sandy Cole, Sandy Levine, and Anita Pupa
PROGRAM & EDUCATION
Esther Spott, Vice-President

NCJW Artist Bio Series: Leonardo DaVinci
-- Please Note Time Change --
Join us for another fascinating lecture and slide presentation by Felicia Zavarella Stadelman.  Few people know the amazing story behind the man often described as the embodiment of the Renaissance
Date:                Tuesday, Feb. 23 
Time:               9:30 a.m.
Location:         Beachwood Cleveland Clinic Medical Bldg. - 26900 
                       Cedar Rd. Conference rooms are located at the west      
                       entrance to the building 
Cost:               $10 member, $15 non-member after February 14th
RSVP:             NCJW Office, 216 -378-2204, ext. 101   
Co-Chairs:      Laurie Biales, Judy Weingold, & Ellen Young
Pre-paid reservations are required.  Space is limited. No walk-ins, please!
(Complimentary Valet Parking is available at the Cedar Rd. entrance - please tip generously)

The Art of Healing
Please join David Mansur, MD, Vice Chair for Proton Therapy, and Tom Huck, Art Curator of
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, to explore the relationship between the art of effecting a cure and the power of visual art.   Dr. Mansur will lead us on a behind-the-scenes tour of the new UH Seidman Cancer Center Proton Therapy Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to precisely target a tumor and reduce radiation.  Tom Huck will guide us through some of the 2,000 works of art displa
yed throughout UH, including a visit to the Kline Sky Lobby and the rooftop garden of the Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital's Angie Fowler Cancer Institute. The tour will help us understand the uplifting, calming, and comforting effect art has on patients and their families.
 
Tour followed by lunch in Ruhlman Tower, overlooking the city
Date:                Thursday, March 3rd
Time:                9:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location:          University Hospitals (meet in Lerner Tower lobby)
RSVP:                [email protected] Note: limited to 30 guests.
Chairs:             Jackie Rothstein and Joyce Wald
 
Complimentary valet parking at Lerner Tower provided with the donation of a new, unopened toy to the children who are being treated by proton therapy.  Please select from the following list:  Books, Fisher Price doctor kits, Fisher Price little people, Matchbox cars and trucks, dolls (culturally and racially diverse), Magna Doodle, markers, crayons and coloring books, Gameboys, and 24-piece puzzles.
Carpooling appreciated

THURSDAY BOOK MEETING
Date :                Thursday, Feb. 4
Title:                  Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi
Time :                1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location :          Beachwood Branch Library on Richmond Road
RSVP :               Call 216-378-2204, ext. 101  or     
                          email   [email protected]
 
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:
March 3          The Seven Good Years: A Memoir by Etgar Keret
March 10        Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee at 6:30 p.m. (Please note the evening 
                        time)  at Taza
April 7              My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

SUNDAY BOOK CLUB MEETING
Please note the change in date for this meeting.
Date :               Sunday, Feb. 21
Title:               The  Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan
Time :              10:00 a.m.
Location :        Panera at Harvard Square
RSVP:            [email protected] 
COMMUNICATIONS
Leslie Resnik, Vice-President

While it's wonderful to see NCJW/Cleveland in the news so often (see below for some of the
topics covered), what gives me the greatest pleasure is to see our work on significant issues and projects featured.  Several of the articles from November, December and January stand out and deserve special attention.

Susan Reis, NCJW's Greater Cleveland Congregations liaison and highly respected GCC member, was sought by CJN to give an update of progress made in Cleveland in the past two years since the Arizona shooting of Gabby Gifford.  CJN's outreach to NCJW was occasioned by a past NCJW letter to the editor published after the Arizona shooting.  CJN was interested in the Jewish perspective given the recent California office building shootings and President Obama's "tough talk on guns."  Susan did a great job explaining NCJW's efforts along with GCC.  The articles are linked below.
Shelly Freidman was featured in the Sun papers for the NCJW Chanukah party given yearly for JFSA clients.  Shelly does most of the cooking - briskets, latkes and all.
NCJW's Operation Warm Up efforts for Homeless Stand Down
Click here -  Article 

You can see some of the other articles on upcoming events such as the Feb. 19th Understanding the Issues:  Infant Mortality and the Feb. 10th Major Meeting on our website.

If you know of a great NCJW story about our Community Service, Advocacy or Educational programs, please give me a call and we'll see what media would like to cover it.
MEMBERSHIP
Amy Zlotnik, Vice-President

New Annual Members
Lenore Benjamin         Julia Blumin          Rhoda Brafman
Gail Cohen               Jonathan Katov       Miriam Kleinman
Phyllis Liska                  Heidi Reis               Susan Speizer        Ellen Ticktin

We regret to inform you of the passing of
June Biskind          Lois Bruck         Sylvia Simon

Click here for the January 2016 Tributes
RETAIL OPERATIONS
Wendy Elconin and Michele Kaminsky, Co-Vice President

DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS ACCEPTED FOR THRIFTIQUESHOWROOM
Please drop off your items at the NCJW Main Office/Warehouse located at 26055 Emery Road, Warrensville Heights, 44128
Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.   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
NCJW/Cleveland | 216-378-2204 | Website 
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