LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Friends,
 
Robert Redford said, "Problems can become opportunities when the right people come together."   NCJW/Cleveland is made up of all the right people because we see the opportunities in the problems of our society and we come together to make a difference.   As president of NCJW/Cleveland these past two years, I have seen firsthand how much we do to make our world a better place.  Our members work hard to effect social change and enhance the lives of so many in our community through advocacy, direct service, and education. NCJW women are a powerful community force and resource in Cleveland...we do make things happen. 
 
As my term as president draws to a close, I think about our wonderful NCJW/Cleveland community and the many amazing people who crowd under our tent: from our partner organizations to our enthusiastic and hardworking volunteers to our supporters and dedicated staff. I feel blessed to have met so many incredible people. I extend my thanks, appreciation, and love to everyone that I have had the pleasure of working with these past few years.  A very special thank you to the membership at large for continuing to support the important work that we do.
 
I feel honored and humbled to have been given the opportunity to lead Cleveland's premier Jewish women's organization, following in the footsteps of some of this city's best and brightest...our past presidents.  I now join the ranks of these fine ladies and I am filled with excitement and confidence that under the leadership of Myrna Arlen Bloch and Susie Gordon, NCJW/Cleveland will continue to thrive.  I wish them much success!
 
Ultimately, it is you - our amazing NCJW community - who continue to drive this amazing organization forward. I look forward to seeing what you accomplish!  
 
Fondly,
Linda
AWARDS
Leslie Levine

Two NCJW/Cleveland Volunteers Recognized  
On April 18, two NCJW/Cleveland members were honored for their contributions in 2015 at the Stanley and Hope Adelstein Volunteer
Recognition Brunch.
 
Ellen Leavitt  
Professional librarian Ellen Leavitt, NCJW board member, is the 2016 recipient of the Arline B.  Pritcher Award for outstanding community service.  Ellen chaired Building Bridges with Books, the newest Partners in Literacy program, which establishes libraries in underserved schools.  For two years, she has guided the due  diligence and hard work necessary to set up a library in a school where need was critical and administration cooperation essential -the Warner Girls' Leadership Academy. She volunteers in literacy programs at the school.  Ellen will help NCJW establish a second library in a school to be selected.
 
Cheryl Gutmacher  
NCJW board member Cheryl Gutmacher is the 2016 winner of the Alice and Eugene Weiss Esteemed Service Award given to an outstanding volunteer who donates her time to NCJW's non-community service programs.  Cheryl's contributions to NCJW/Cleveland are a natural outgrowth of her 25 years of
retailing expertise honed as a sales professional at both Nordstrom and Talbots. She diligently, enthusiastically and professionally applies those talents to Designer Dress Da ys, Thriftique Showroom, and the NCJW warehouse, sorting, bagging, tagging, hanging, helping and selling with the service ethic that encourages customer loyalty.  
SAVE THE DATE

MAKING A DIFFERENCE 2GETHER!
NCJW/Cleveland's 122nd Annual Meeting Buffet Brunch 
Please join us in celebration of our new leaders, when we install our Co-Presidents, Myrna Arlen Bloch and Susie Gordon, and the Officers and Board of Directors for 2016-2017.  
Date:                Wednesday, May 25
Time:                Doors open at 11:00 a.m.; 
                         program begins promptly at  11:30 a.m.
Location:          Beechmont County Club, 29600 Chagrin Blvd.
Cost:                $36 per person. Complimentary valet parking
RSVP:              NCJW office 216-378-2204 ext. 101;   
Co-Chairs:         Leslie Levine and Annette Paley

CHAUTAUQUA TRIP
Featuring Jane Pauley, morning television personality,
and Garry Trudeau,  creator of Doonesbury!
Date:               Monday, June 27
Time:              7:00 a.m. departure, returning at 5:00 p.m.
Location:        Chautauqua Institution, NY. Depart from 
                       B'nai Jeshurun Congregation, Pepper Pike
Cost:               $65 members; $70 non-members
RSVP:             By May 27 - NCJW office 378-2204 ext. 101;
                       Non-members may register after May 12
Chairs:           Sandy Pearl and Judy Simkow
In addition to hearing two fascinating speakers, we'll be able to walk around the beautiful grounds, enjoying the flowers and the serenity of the lake, and .... shopping!  Lunch will be on the veranda of the Everett Jewish Life Center.  Here is a link:  Chautauqua Trip
Note:  Fee includes transportation, admission ticket, box lunch, snack, and gratuity. Bus ride each way is about 2 hours 15 minutes, with bathroom on board.
DESIGNER DRESS DAYS
Wendy Elconin and Michele Kaminsky
Co-Vice Presidents

SAVE THESE DATES:
Oct. 28, 30, 31 and Nov. 1, 2016 
at the MANDEL JCC   
It's Spring Cleaning Time Again!!
Designer Dress Days needs your beautiful clothing, fur coats, costume and fine jewelry, fashion accessories, and purses.  What a great way to start spring!
 
Donations can be dropped off at our Warehouse, located at 26055 Emery Road, Warrensville Heights, from 9 to 4, Monday thru Friday.
 
Thank you so much!

MEMBERSHIP
Amy Zlotnik, Vice President

Welcome to our new Annual Members
Eileen Drechsler       Gene Phillips
Marjorie Falk            Shelley Robinson

We regret to inform you of the passing of:
Doris Stark
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Debbie Joseph, Vice President

As our school-year programs wind down, please consider volunteering at Cleveland Kids' Book Bank as a summer alternative.  See details below.
 
We appreciate our school-year volunteers.  If you would like to volunteer next year with Reading Buddies, Readers' Theater, or Book Club, please contact Debbie Joseph at josdeb@aol.com . These are worthwhile ways to spend a few hours per month.
 
A New Volunteer Opportunity - Book Sorting  
During the past year, Little Free Libraries, now Cleveland Kids' Book Bank, has placed thousands of books in the hands of low-income children, through 50 Little Free Libraries installed in Cleveland neighborhoods.  In February, Cleveland Kids' Book Bank expanded capacity, establishing a 7,000 sq. ft. warehouse space as a centralized community repository for collecting and distributing books to low-income children. They recently received their first shipment of 40,000 books.
 
Cleveland Kids' Book Bank would like help sorting these new and gently used books that come in.  We will be among the first to partner with this organization and it is very exciting to imagine so many books getting into the hands of children who otherwise wouldn't have them.  
Date:                 Thursday mornings, May 5, 12, and 26
Time:                10:00 a.m. to noon
Location:           Cleveland Kids' Book Bank, 3635 Perkins Avenue, Cleveland, OH
RSVP:               Contact Debbie Joseph at josdeb@aol.com if you are interested.  
Come join NCJW on "our" morning for sorting! Carpool available.

DIGKNITTY (KNITTERS)
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.

Meetings are on May 4, 12 (at Sandy Levine's home, the 12th only), 18, and 26
Chairs: Sandy Cole, Sandy Levine and  Anita Pupa
FUND DEVELOPMENT
Barbara Shane, Vice President

I look forward to serving as NCJW/Cleveland VP of Fund Development again next year and involving many of you in planning for NCJW's financial future!  Thank you for making this past fiscal year so successful for NCJW/Cleveland.  We have established our Fund Development cabinet for the coming year and are starting to think about programs for the year.  

We thank Elise Goldner and Adrienne Siegel for serving as Annual Fund Chairs this past year and appreciate their help with the transition for our incoming Annual Fund Chairs, Debbie Kalette and JoAnn Salon.  With your support, we know it will be a successful endeavor!  We still offer our beautiful note cards and tribute cards for sale.  Stop by the office to purchase them.  They are a great way to benefit NCJW Cleveland while offering congratulations, condolences or recognizing  a special occasion.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or suggestions related to fund development. 
 
Thank you, Barbara Shane, 440-498-1126,  BShane@roadrunner.com


ADVOCACY
Roberta Herman, Vice President

Women's Reproductive Justice  
The war against reproductive justice rages on.  A RollingStone article, "The War on Planned Parenthood: Inside the Republican stealth campaign to dismantle women's reproductive rights" provides an excellent, thorough update and summary.  Written in first person, the author relates her own and other women's frustrating sometimes heartbreaking experiences while trying to access health care, pre-natal care, and abortion services from Planned Parenthood clinics that are being devastated by new laws cutting their funding.
 
A few statistics: Since 2011, more than 280 laws have been passed across 31 states limiting or eliminating access to abortions.  Our own governor and state Legislature is right up there with other states enacting extreme measures.  Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said, "I think Gov. Kasich is trying to sign more bills restricting women's access to health care than anyone in the country.  He's quietly done it, year after year."
( Note: Click on the title of the article, above, to read it.)
 
Our Women's Reproductive Justice Committee is working closely with other advocacy committees and the League of Women Voters to plan a local candidates' night for early fall.  This event will give the community an opportunity to better understand where the candidates stand on issues of critical importance before elections. We welcome help and input from all advocacy committees as well as any member interested in working on this event.  For more information, contact Cyndy Fellenbaum, cfellenbaum@gmail.com; Laura Kuntz, laurajkuntz@att.net; or Dana Trau, danatrau@gmail.com 
 
 
GCC has many exciting and participatory events in May! 
May 12 -- Come hear CEO Eric Gordon speak on priority issues that affect the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.  The Education Team is partnering with parents, teachers and students for this event. Time and location TBA.  Contact Lynn Kleinman ( lekchoral@aol.com) for up
dates.
 
If you are alarmed by the increasing toll on children and adults from guns, don't miss "Making a  Killing: Guns, Greed, and the NRA".  This documentary features personal stories from people across the 
country who have been affected by gun violence, including survivors and victim's families.  The film exposes  how the powerful gun companies - who make billions of  dollars -- and the NRA are resisting responsible legislation for the sake of profit. The film looks into gun tragedies that include unintentional shootings, domestic violence, suicides, mass shootings and traff icking.  Join other GCC members to view 
the film and discuss what we can do to put an end to this profit-dr iven crisis.  
Date:                Tuesday, May 17
Time:                6:30 p.m., film begins at 7:00 p.m.
Location:          Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Blvd, Cleveland Heights
Contact:             info@greaterclevelandcongregations.org  
                         or call 216-769-8732 for more information
Cost:                This event is free and open to the public, but donations to support GCC are                                    welcome.  

Have you ever attended a Sunday morning church service to hear a fabulous choir rock the
building? Here's your chance!  Affinity Baptist Church just joined GCC. Our NCJW Core Team invites you to reach out with us to welcome the congregants and expand our knowledge of religious communities. We will drive together and raise the roof with song on the way home!  
Date:                Sunday, May 22
Time:               10:45 a.m.
Location:          Affinity Baptist, 4411 E. 175th St. Cleveland
RSVP:              Lynn Kleinman at lekchoral@aol.com
   
UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES --
The Culture of Poverty: A Tale of Two Clevelands  
Date:                Thursday, May 19
Time:                Registration 6:30 p.m. Program begins promptly at 7:00 p.m.
Location:          Point East, 27500 Cedar Rd., Beachwood
Cost:                $10 members, $15 non-members
                        ($5 goes toward membership if you join that evening)
Chair:               Cindy Glazer  
Poverty in Cleveland is really a tale of two cities - the Cleveland of prosperity and the Cleveland of poverty, including poverty in the Jewish community.  Because poverty underlies so many of the issues NCJW works to improve, we need to develop a true understanding of the subject - the language, the needs, and the values.  Our guest speakers will share their experience of poverty and their knowledge on how to bridge the culture gap.
 
Speakers:  Rev. Richard Gibson, St. Elizabeth Baptist Church; Amber Donovan, Metrohealth & Open Table; Richey Piiparinen, Center for Population Dynamics at CSU; and Rabbi Alan Joseph - Gesher, the Cleveland Benefit & Resource Center.
 
Join us by registering now!  Call NCJW/Cleveland at (216)378-2204, ext. 101; or  Click here to register online.
* Please bring a donation of new underwear in packages or socks for Share What You Wear.  All sizes are needed.
THRIFTIQUE
Abbe Froimson, Manager

So, it's used!  
I USED to wear these clothes and shoes.  This furniture USED to look nice in my space.  I USED these decorative items and don't need them now. I USED to like these antiques.
 
Get "USED" to donating to THRIFTIQUE Showroom! 
Call Karen or Abbe 216-378 2264 -- Free pickup for furniture.

PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ALL ORGANIZATIONS ASKING FOR YOUR RECYCLABLES ARE NON-PROFITS.  DONATING TO THRIFTIQUE KEEPS THE ITEMS DONATED AND THE MONIES RAISED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
PROGRAM & EDUCATION
Esther Spott, Vice President

JERRY GRAHAM IS COMING TO NCJW (Location Change)
Back by popular demand and just in time for the 2016 election, political expert Jerry Graham will be presenting two exciting sessions.  On May 9, "Electoral Dysfunction" will explore how we nominate and elect our president.  On June 6, "Looking into that Cloudy Crystal Ball" asks the question: Who will we be calling president-elect on November 9th?

For those of you who have heard Jerry before, you know this will be a sell-out program.  Come to one or both sessions but you must pay by the deadline.*
Date:             Monday May 9 and Monday June 6
Time:            10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location:      Temple Emanu El, 4545 Brainard Rd., Orange
Cost:             $10 per session - members (deadline May 2)
                     $15 per session - non-members (after May 2)
RSVP:           NCJW office 216-378-2204 ext. 101;  or  Click here to register online
Chair:            Loramae Simkoff
*Note Location Change:  Because of overwhelming response the location has been changed to accommodate all participants.  Pre-paid reservations required.  No walk-ins, please!

THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP  
Date:                Thursday, May 5
Title:                True Grit by Charles Portis
Time:               1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. 
Location:          Beachwood Branch Library on Richmond Road
Chair:               Susan Kahn
RSVP:              If you are new to the group, call 216-378-2204, ext. 101
                        or email  lhayzlett@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.   
 
*Note Schedule Change:  Because of a scheduling problem, the book group will not meet in June as previously announced. After a summer hiatus, we will resume meeting  Sept. 1, same time and location. The title for September is My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout.

SUNDAY BOOK CLUB  
Title:                The People of Forever Are Not Afraid by Shani Boianjiu 
Date:                Sunday, May15
Time:               10:00 a.m.
Location:          Panera, Harvard Square
RSVP:              goldd@ccf.org
Chair:               Denise Gold  
* A reminder will be sent out with a request for RSVPs a week prior to the meeting.
NCJW/Cleveland | 216-378-2204 | NCJWCLEVELAND.ORG 
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