It is my great pleasure to announce the promotion of Becky Brouman to Director of Volunteers, Community and Program Development.  Becky has been with NCJW/Cleveland as Director of Volunteers for four years and has helped the organization move forward in many new directions. As she has grown in her position, she has become adept at building stronger partnerships and collaborations with community agencies and finding new projects to accomplish NCJW's mission.  Additionally, she has helped increase our social media reach and diversified our partnership outreach initiatives.  

 

Becky is proudest of  bringing a new initiative called "The Open Table" to NCJW. We had been doing a lot of Done in A Day projects like donating duffle bags and providing thanksgiving lunches - but our members wanted to go deeper and have a more sustainable impact on kids aging out of foster care. The Open Table program allows us to fulfill the Judaic imperative -- if you save one life, it is as if you've saved the entire world. Who is saying the following - and I really thought this program had the potential to truly impact and change the trajectory of one person's life. It also has given its volunteers a greater understanding of the challenges facing a sector of a population's experiences we really know little about first hand. The learning curve continues to rise as The Open Table volunteers carry on weekly meetings with the foster child whom they are helping to build a life plan to avoid poverty and live a more trusting life

 

It is no surprise that Becky has been so successful in her position with NCJW/Cleveland.  In her previous position as the Engagement Manager at Hillel Kent, (or Jewish ambassador), she created an engagement strategy for Kent's Jewish students by planning, promoting, and recruiting for numerous campus-wide Hillel programs and helping develop student leadership.

 

Next time you see Becky, I hope you will wish her a mazel tov on this well-deserved promotion.  And if you don't know Becky, come in and introduce yourself or seek her out at the event of your choice.  Her smile will captivate you!

 

Mindi

NCJW/Cleveland's 122nd Opening Meeting

Date:    Wednesday, Sept. 14

Place:   Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple

Featuring JESSICA YELLIN, television journalist who served as Chief White House correspondent for CNN. Invitation to follow.

LESLIE RESNIK TO RECEIVE HANNAH G. SOLOMON AWARD

The Hannah G. Solomon Award is the National Council of Jewish Women's highest honor.  This award is given to someone who has enriched a chapter through her leadership, service, and contributions.

NCJW/Cleveland is thrilled to be giving the Hannah G. Solomon Award to Leslie Royce Resnik, to be presented at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, September 14, 2016. 

Leslie first volunteered with NCJW when she was a young mother, then took a long break when she went back to full-time work.  After her retirement from Liggett Stashower in 2011, Leslie stepped in to assist NCJW with public relations, her specialty.

As Vice President of Communications, Leslie has raised awareness of NCJW/Cleveland's advocacy, community service, and retail projects.  Her contacts in the public relations world and her commitment to bringing NCJW's contributions to the attention of the Cleveland community have resulted in a substantial increase in attendance at our events, membership, and esteem for our organization and the work we do.  Leslie's hard work and many hours of attending meetings and familiarizing herself with the whole of our organization - a herculean task - and her eagerness to spread the word of our achievements have resulted in a revitalized "face" of our organization.  For that, we owe her our thanks.

The Countdown Continues . . . .  

Preview Day:    Friday, Oct. 28 ($20 entrance fee to shop)

Sale Dates:       Sunday, Oct. 30 - Tuesday, Nov. 1

Location:          Mandel JCC

 

**SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER AT DDD  

Click Here to download the application for volunteering at DDD this year - or you can register online, where there is an online volunteer sign-up form - it's an easy way for volunteers to choose their preferred departments and the times that they are available to work  Click Here. Or call Elise Goldner at 440-461-5952 or Rita Langer at 216-381-2877.  You will love it!

 

DONATE TO DDD  

Donate your jewelry and furs, too! Simply bring them to the NCJW office and add to our growing collection of exciting items for DDD.  Please deliver clothing on hangers.

 

If you need help getting your designer donations to us, please call Julie at the NCJW office (216-378-2204) to make arrangements for pick up.

 

Designer Dress Days is grateful to our followers on Facebook     www.facebook.com/DDDCleve.

"I tried the Japanese method of decluttering where you hold every object that you own and if it does not bring you joy, you throw it away.  So far, I have thrown out all of the vegetables, my bra, the electric bill, the scale, a mirror, and my treadmill."

[-- womenafter50.com --]

So as you're decluttering, consider donating those objects that no longer bring you joy -- furniture, clothing, household items, even a treadmill -- to NCJW!

Call Karen or Abbe 216-378 2264 -- Free pickup for furniture.

Tour of Downtown Public Library

with Optional Lunch at Urban Farmer

(in The Westin)

You won't want to miss this amazing guided tour of Cleveland's downtown treasure.  Explore the historic spaces and architecture, incredible artwork, TechCentral (including a 3-D printer), fantastic book collections...and even a Megillah! The tour is free but space is limited to 30 people.  Lunch at the Urban Farmer is optional.

Date:       Monday, August 22

Time:      9:30 a.m. (Train leaves at 9:38)

Place:     Meet at the Green Road Rapid Stop

Cost:      Library tour is free; lunch is up to you

RSVP:    By August 17 to Lisa Hayzlett at 216-378-2204, ext. 101 (tour OR tour and lunch)

              Non-members can RSVP after August 10

Chair:     Rochelle Solomon

NCJW/CS and the CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART SERIES 2016-2017

Sunny days ahead for NCJW/Cleveland!  

Since I've been active in NCJW, I've been pleased with the new projects we've taken on.  I think we do a great job of picking projects that improve the quality of life for women, children, and families!  At the same time, we've increased our understanding of the cost associated with new initiatives and the ongoing need to find ways to fund them.

 

One crucial fundraiser is our Annual Appeal.  Our beautiful, annual Jewish New Year card will again be sent to every NCJW member and, along with it, a request for a donation.  During this reflective time of year, as we look back with pride at all that we accomplished, we hope each and every one of you will be able to help. We need your financial support so our mission can be met now as well as in the future.  I hope you will help us achieve our goal with a generous contribution.  We thank JoAnn Salon and Debbie Kalette for taking on the chair positions for Annual Fund. 

 

In other Fund Development news, we are working on a couple of exciting events.  Fran Doris and Loree Potash are chairing our high-level donor event planned for late fall.  High-level donors will be invited to a fun and thoughtful gratitude event.  This is a joint event sponsored by Membership and Fund Development.  Also, initial planning is underway for a fabulous spring gala to be held in May 2017.  Shani Spiegle, Julie Soble and Faye Bass are our triumvirate of fabulous chairs.  Stay tuned for details of this fun event you will not want to miss. 

 

As always, it is my honor to serve as Fund Development VP and I welcome your suggestions and involvement in our fund development process.  

Thank you, Barb

[email protected] , 440-498-1126

All of our projects in August can be Done in a Day! 

Come try something out. 

Done in a Day: Heart Pillows

Our stuffing and sewing hands help give comfort to women who have just had breast cancer surgery. Join us as we stuff and sew heart-shaped pillows. The pillows will already be sewn. We will stuff them and hand-sew a 4-inch seam. If you can't sew, that's fine; come to stuff and make cards! 

Date:    Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Time:   10:00 a.m.

Place:   NCJW/Cleveland Office

RSVP:  Becky Brouman at 216-378-2204 ext.105 or   [email protected] 

            with questions

Co-chairs:  Joanne Grossberg and  Susan Ringel

 

NOTE:  We are in need of FABRIC for our Heart Pillows. The best fabric is clothing-weight cotton. All colors, patterns and solids are welcome! If you have fabric scraps, we need at least 18-inch squares. We welcome your donations! Please bring them to the NCJW Office.

Share What You Wear: Volunteer Opportunity for Teens and Adults!

Share What You Wear is finally here! 

We have been collecting and sorting clothes and planning all year. Now we need volunteers, adults and teens, to set up the event and work it at the Tudor Arms Hotel.  Safe parking available. Please consider working a shift to help with this heartwarming event where students can get school supplies and clothes for the coming year.

Date/Time:        Monday, August 8, at 1:00 p.m.

Date/Times:      Tuesday, August 9, Shift 1 9:00 am - 12:30 pm or Shift 2 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Contact:            Debbie Rosenthal at  [email protected] or Jill Braun at  [email protected] with questions, or to let them know you are coming!  (We will have snacks if you let us know you will be there)

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.

Digknitty meets at the NCJW office unless noted

Meetings are on:  Aug. 4,  Beachwood Library---Aug. 10--- Aug. 18, Beachwood Library---

Aug 24

 

Book Sorting at Cleveland Kids' Book Bank

Book sorting continues at the Cleveland Kids' Book Bank ( kidsbookbank.org) on Thursday mornings in August.  It's easy, fun and rewarding, if a little dusty!  Simple training provided at site. Come once or more often, all are welcome!

Dates:   Thursdays, August 4, 11, 18,  25

Time:    10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Place:    Cleveland Kids' Book Bank, 3635 Perkins Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114 (carpool may be available)

Contact: Debbie Joseph at [email protected]

 

Children's Books Wanted

Though we happily accept all children's books, gently used hardback children's books are especially needed right now. 

 

As we embark on our second chapter of Building Bridges with Books, at Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School in Cleveland, we need hardback children's books, especially early elementary school chapter books, like Junie B. Jones or Dork Diaries books, or later chapter or young adult books, like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games series. These books will be placed in the Cleveland School libraries we support, Warner Girls' Leadership Academy, or Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School.

 

Please bring the books to the back of the NCJW office, the same place you bring your donations for Thriftique and Designer Dress Days.  Thank you!  

Operation Warm Up  

Hats! Boots! Mittens! Long underwear!  Our annual fall program, "Operation Warm Up", is a community-wide collection of winter clothing for those in need. We were jumping-up-and-down excited about the success of last year's collection!  Let's do it again this year and aim for even better results!

 

Operation Warm Up Kick-Off Meeting!  

Date:      Tuesday, Aug. 23

Time:      Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Place:     NCJW office

RSVP:    Becky Brouman 216-378-2204, ext. 105 

              or [email protected]

Notes:    Bring your lunch and we will provide dessert.

Co-chairs: Julianna Senturia and Susan Ringel

 

Committee members will "adopt a site" - a drop-off a bin at a nearby site (temples around town) - and collect donations during and at the conclusion of the drop-off period. Our committee welcomes newcomers.  Come join us for this rewarding and fun task! 

Get Social: 

It's Easy, Enriching - for NCJW - and Mind Expanding - for You  

Hey there, members.  I've said it before and I'm saying it again.  To publicize the great programs, projects, and initiatives in which NCJW volunteers work, we've got to learn to SHARE, INVITE AND POST.

 

Those of you who are social media pros, stop reading and just do it!

 

But, those of you (and don't be embarrassed, because you are the majority) who are scratching your heads because you don't get at least one of those terms, listen up.

 

You are invited, at no cost, to learn how you can reach out to your social media friends to help them understand what NCJW does, get them excited about our results, and enlist their support.  It's particularly important that we become social divas at this time of year because of DDD.

 

Women's Reproductive Justice  

Please mark your calendars:  We are collaborating with the League of Women Voters on the upcoming Candidates' Forum. The focus will be on local contested races for the Ohio House and Senate.  It will be a great opportunity to hear the candidates' positions on a variety of issues facing Ohio today.  If you are interested in helping out with the event or joining the committee, please contact Dana or Laura.

Date:     Thursday, Sept. 22

Time:    TBA

Place:    Brush High School

RSVP:   Dana Trau at [email protected] or Laura Kuntz at  [email protected]

 

Lois Zaas Advocacy Lecture  

We are excited to announce the topic for the 2016 Lois Zaas lecture:  "Embracing Diversity: Uncovering Hidden Bias"  The lecture will be held the evening of November 17, speakers in progress. If you are interested in working on this event, please contact: Gail Sands at  [email protected] or Wendie Forman at  [email protected].

 

Greater Cleveland Congregations and NCJW are reaching out to other GCC congregations and organizations. If you are interested in meeting new people from diverse backgrounds, listening to the stories of their families and neighborhoods and recognizing similarities in diversity, and sharing recipes and music, do we have a place for you!

 

Recently, our team visited Affinity Baptist Church located near the border of Cleveland in Warrensville  Hts. and St. John AME, located in the city. We  loved these exchanges so much that we would like to arrange another opportunity for more NCJW members to join in this experience.

 

Interested? Contact Lynn Kleinman at lekchoral@ aol.com and watch this space for more information.

 

Understanding the Issues  

Are you interested in Women's Health? Join our committee as we work on determining and planning the next "Understanding the Issues" event, which will take place in the fall.  Contact:  Cindy Glazer at  [email protected] or Cyndy Fellenbaum at [email protected].

NCJW/Cleveland is a partner of the Interfaith CommUnity Rally; join us!