LETTER FROM THE CO-PRESIDENTS
Susie Gordon and Myrna Arlen Bloch

The clock strikes twelve and a new year begins. We can still remember the joy we felt as college students, counting down those last minutes until midnight, imagining what the New Year would bring and all the possibilities that might yet unfold in our lives.
 
Two weeks ago, we got to experience that same feeling again, when we along with a few members of NCJW/Cleveland's Focus on Foster Care Committee took 13 students from Cleveland State to see A Christmas Carol.  These young adults - all of whom had aged out of the foster care system -- had been accepted into the Sullivan-Deckard Scholarship program. This innovative and nationally acclaimed program, where thanks to the generosity of two Cleveland families (one of whom we are honored to call an NCJW member!) provides students with free tuition, free meals and board and year-round education. The program offers not only academic classes but also social support and life skills lessons on things like relationship building. But most importantly, The Sullivan-Deckard Scholarship Program allows these children from foster homes see their dreams become a reality. Studies show that nationally fewer than ten percent of foster youth attend college. And of the ten percent of foster care youth who are successful in enrolling in a post- secondary program, only 26 percent of them will complete any kind of degree or certificate.
 
Every day, these Sullivan-Deckard scholars fight against stereotypes and data about who they are supposed to become and what their future is supposed to look like. But at dinner after the play, we heard students talk about all their hopes and aspirations: from going to medical school, to working with children, to getting a business degree, to living in New York City, to teaching abroad in Thailand. The students' faces seemed to light up when they spoke of their future and that spark of joy filled each one of our hearts. For the past two years NCJW/Cleveland has been working with these scholars, planning activities during their breaks, to help fill the void of not going "home" during the holidays. Whenever we spend time with these students we can see their growth and know that they are going to make a difference.
 
Life will be better for these 13 students, but we also know that there are so many other foster children that need help. Each year, 1300 kids age out of care in Ohio - with little support, guidance, or networks to help them succeed. More than one in five of these youth, we know, will become homeless, and studies show that by age 24, youth who have aged out will only earn on average $8,000 a year.   NCJW/Cleveland works on a daily basis with this population providing things like mentoring, holiday programming and self-esteem classes - but we know these youth need more.  On Thursday, April 27 we are planning a night of music and laughter to help raise money for those in and aging out of foster care. This special Gala, called Broadway in the Burbs, will lift your spirits with song and make you feel good to know that you are helping others. There will be more updates to come, but we hope you will join us and in turn help give other foster children the ability to dream big.
 
Our best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!
Myrna and Susie


AWARDS
Fran Steinbock, Chairman

EMERGING LEADER AWARD
The Emerging Leader Award will be given to 3 very deserving NCJW members at the Winter Meeting on February 8. The 2017 recipients are:  Debbie Rosenthal, Liz Rumizen, and Shani Spiegel. The Emerging Leader Award is given by NCJW to someone who has shown potential for future community leadership and NCJW commitment. NCJW Cleveland is fortunate to have a very strong and active membership base from which to choose. The Awards Committee felt strongly that all three members should be honored for their important contributions to NCJW.
Please join us in congratulating Debbie, Liz, and Shani! 
ADVOCACY
Roberta Herman, Vice President

Lois Zaas Annual Memorial Advocacy Lecture Committee
**New members wanted to serve on the committee 
This committee determines the topic for the lecture and plans the event. Previous years' topics:  
2004 Healing Hate in the Post 9/11 World
2005 Defending the Separation of Religion and State: The Cornerstone of Religious Liberty in America
2006 America: A Democracy for All Faiths
2007 Building Bridges To Peace - Ishmael & Isaac
2008 Where Did The Gun Come From?
2009 The Many Faces of Homelessness, Closer Than You Think
2010 Judicial Vacancies, Justice Denied
2011 Immigration Dilemma
2012 Taking Bullying By the Horn: Name It, Claim It, Stop It
2013 Ohio Reproductive Rights...And Wrongs!
2014 Human Trafficking: 21st Century Slavery
2015 Aging Out Of Foster Care: Overcoming the Odds
2016 Embracing Diversity: Uncovering Hidden Bias
 
We hope you will join this exciting committee that has educated and empowered our community for many years!  Please contact Gail Sands at  gaillorna@yahoo.com or Wendie Forman at  forman4wendie@gmail.com if you are interested.
 
REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE  
Now is the time to move forward!  We are beginning to work on an Activist Fair in coalition with the National Organization for Women (NOW),  Freedom of Choice Cleveland (FOCC), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL), and Preterm. Stay tuned for more info!  Contact Dana Trau at  danatrau@gmail.com or Laura Kuntz at laurajkuntz@att.net to become part of this exciting - and crucial - endeavor!
 
Kudos to Dana & Laura who explained the views of NCJW so effectively to the Cleveland Jewish News:  "NCJW/Cleveland remains vehemently opposed to the 20 week abortion ban or any restrictions on a women's right to privacy in her reproductive health. This is a sleight of hand. Governor Kasich vetoed a bill that would have led to a losing constitutional fight, but signed the 20 week abortion ban. This ban has no exemptions for rape, incest or fetal health. This law affects women dealing with the most distressing and complex medical issues. We will continue to advocate against this unconstitutional law and any other laws restricting freedom of choice or access." 
 
DID YOU KNOW?
The Greater Cleveland Congregations' mission states that "GCC is a force for change, creating justice and opportunity in Greater Cleveland by uniting our faith communities and civic partners across lines of race, class and religion.
 
GCC is actively engaged in Criminal Justice issues by working with Cuyahoga County Prosecutor-Elect Michael O'Malley to increase police training to help evaluate and refer citizens with mental health disabilities.  The purpose is to avoid unnecessary jail time and alleviate overcrowding in emergency rooms.  Two mental health facilities will be built, one on the east side and one on the west, to provide a safe place for police, court system and families.
 
Our NCJW/GCC team is reaching out to Cleveland's Muslim Community by preparing a series of events to meet with Muslim residents in our city so we can better know and understand each other. This will occur through Sisters of Salaam and Shalom - SOSS - a national organization of Muslim and Jewish women that was recently featured in the New York Times.  Come join us to begin a dialogue on this timely topic. 
Date:    Wednesday, Jan. 11
Time:    9:30 a.m.
Place:   Fairmount Temple,  23737 Fairmount Blvd, Beachwood
Contact:  Lynn Kleinman at lekchoral@aol.com
 
STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. 
The committee is planning several events, including investigating training in schools about human trafficking, a movie night, and state mandating of posting laws.  Contact Elaine Geller at  elaine0906@live.com to join the committee or to attend any of these events:  
What:   "2017 NEO National Human Trafficking Day Conference", The Renee Jones Empowerment Center's annual symposium
Date     Friday, Jan. 13
Time:   8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Place:  Notre Dame College, 4545 College Road, South Euclid
Cost:   $50 for those under 55, $25 for 55 and over - (early bird before 12/20)
Register: Eventbrite - Click Here to Register
A continental breakfast and lunch are included. This year a track on Human Trafficking and Civil Rights will be included.
 
On January 26 at 7 P.M. the Renee Jones Empowerment Center is also holding its annual Candlelight Vigil of Hope to show support for human trafficking victims and our determination to end trafficking in Ohio.  This free program will be held at John Carroll University and includes music, poetry and words from a survivor.

SAVE THE DATE
Roe Together: Reproductive Rights activist fair and panel discussion on the state of women's rights in Ohio - and what YOU can do
Date:   Tentatively scheduled for: Thursday, Feb 9
Time:   6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Place:  Location in progress  
Concerned about the passage of the 20 week abortion ban and the closure of half of Ohio's abortion clinics in the past few years? Want to take action - -and understand better what is happening legislatively and on the ground in our state? Save the date for Roe Together: Reproductive Rights activist fair and panel discussion on the state of women's rights in Ohio - and what YOU can do. The program is a joint venture of NCJW/Cleveland, Planned Parenthood, NARAL, NOW, Preterm and other members of Freedom of Choice Cleveland Coalition.   
PROGRAM AND EDUCATION 
Esther Spott, Vice President

THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP
Join the NCJW Book Group - it's a page-turner!
Books are for sharing and a lively discussion with friends can deepen your appreciation of current literature. The NCJW Book Group meets the first Thursday of each month, September - June. 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.
Date:    Thursday, Jan. 5
Time:   1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Place:   Beachwood Branch Library,  25501 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood
Title:      Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Chair:   Susan Kahn
Upcoming Dates / Titles:
February 2 - The Gap of Time by Jeanette Winterson
March 2 - The Sellout by Paul Beatty
April 6 - Margaret the First by Danielle Dutton
May 4 - Another Brooklyn by Jaqueline Woodson
June 1 - Best Boy by Eli Gottlieb
To join, please send your email address to Lisa at the office at  lhayzlett@ncjwcleveland.org

NCJW Artist Bio Series
Join us for a fascinating lecture and slide presentation by:
Felicia Zavarella Stadelman
Odd Artists...A favorite of Felicia's  
Drama, Passion, Obsession, and Tragedy - The Hidden Lives of our Greatest Artists!  The most outrageous tales about some of our most famous artists - all the good stuff our art history books left out!

"Many of the best artists lived on the edge of chaos - where all great art is born."  You will never view art the same way again!!  
Date:    Thursday, January 12th
Time:   10:30 a.m.
Place:   Beachwood Community Center (Chagrin Room), 25325 Fairmount Blvd.
Cost:    $10 member, $15 non-member after January 5th
RSVP:  Lisa at the NCJW office, 216 -378-2204, ext. 101   
            Pre-paid reservations are required.  Space is limited. No walk-ins, please!
Co-Chairs: Laurie BialesJudy Weingold, &  Ellen Young

WINTER MEETING AND BOUTIQUE
CLEVELAND - ON A ROLL
You won't want to miss our upcoming Winter Meeting and Boutique.  David Gilbert, president of Destination Cleveland, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, and the 2016 RNC Host Committee, will speak on "Cleveland - On a Roll!"  The boutique will include many of your old favorites as well as new and exciting vendors, including fabulous jewelry, women's and children's clothing, stationery, tabletop art, and much more!  We will also be presenting the NCJW Emerging Leader Award.  Come in from the cold and enjoy a wonderful NCJW afternoon!
Date:    Wednesday, Feb. 8
Time:   10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Place:   Landerhaven,  6111 Landerhaven Dr., Cleveland  
Contact:  Lisa at the NCJW office, 216-378-2204, ext.101
P.S.  Watch for your invitation in the mail!
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Debbie Joseph, Vice President

DONE IN A DAY: TOILETRY SORTING
NCJW/Cleveland was surprised and blessed to get hundreds of boxes of full-sized toiletries donated to us last month.   We need to get these toiletries packaged before our truck comes to deliver donations to the Homeless Stand Down on January 9th.  (Other toiletries will be given at a later date to our other partners).  We are holding a last minute, all hands-on sorting day in the warehouse on Friday January 6th from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. If you can stop by we would really appreciate your help. Although our hearts will be warmed from this donation - the warehouse may be chilly - so dress appropriately.   
Date:   Friday Jan. 6
Time:  1:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Place:  NCJW Office, Warehouse H, 26605 Emery Rd., Warrensville Heights
RSVP: Becky Brouman at rbrouman@ncjwcleveland.org or 216-378-2204, ext.105

IMAGINATION EXPRESS
Imagination Express  has been in full swing since the start of the school year. A group of committed and energetic members have been taking part once a month in the after-school program at St. Aloysius School.  So far the children have designed hats for the story, Caps for Sale, made paper Turkey puppets, and made snow people pictures, while enjoying songs and snacks. Enclosed is a picture of the proud artists. 

ENTERTAINMOBILE
Entertainmobile (23 members strong) is "premiering" a new show this month titled, "Just Because!"  It's a compilation of numbers we have chosen - Just Because! Check the calendar at the NCJW office for dates and times of performances and come see us!

DIGKNITTY (Knitters)
This year we have donated close to 300 units to the following:  Metro Hospital, Beech Brook, Blessing House, Fostering Hope, Western Reserve Hospice, and Koinonia.  A shout out to our hard-working knitters!
Our January meetings are on:
Thursday, Jan 5 -----  Wednesday, Jan 11 ----- Thursday, Jan 19 ----- Wednesday, Jan 25
MEMBERSHIP
Leslie Levine, Vice President

Welcome to our new Life Member:
Fern Feldman-Simkoff

Welcome to our new Annual Members:
Dawn Hanson       Lisa Weitzman
Claire Wernick      Kathryn Wolfe Sebo
Marcia Goldberg

We Regret to Inform you of the Passing of:
Eleanor B. Lieptz
THRIFTIQUE
Abbe Froimson, Store Manager

THRIFTIQUE SHOWROOM January 50% off sale!
(Only twice a year ½ off sale)
 
Hours:  Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Located at 5055 Richmond Rd, Bedford Hts.
** Show your bulletin for $5 off your $35 purchase.  Remember - Proceeds support NCJW's community service projects.  Call Karen or Abbe at 216-378-2264
FUND DEVELOPMENT
Barbara Shane, Vice President

The beginning of a new year prompts us to reflect on the important values and people in our lives.  I am personally grateful to and in awe of the amazing volunteers and programs that NCJW undertakes.  From Annual Fund to Lois Zaas advocacy lectures, we continually take on social reform and progressive projects from A to Z that enrich the lives of women and children in Cleveland. 
 
Thank you to all 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 and we appreciate and honor our donors.  All funds support the offerings and opportunities of community service, programming, and advocacy work that are highlighted in this bulletin.  NCJW/Cleveland depends on our donors' generosity. 
 
Please contact me or anyone at the office to help you set up an endowment fund, tribute fund, or 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.  I look forward to speaking with you soon and seeing you at an upcoming NCJW event. 
 
May 2017 be a year of health, happiness and prosperity to all of us and NCJW! 
You can contact Barbara Shane at BShane@roadrunner.com or 440-498-1126

DDD
Jill Braun, Michele Kaminsky and Kelly Markowitz
Co-Vice Presidents

Start Off the Year by Donating to DDD    (All donations are tax-deductible)
6 reasons giving back is good for your HEALTH: 
* Lower blood pressure  * Less depression  * Lower stress levels
* Increased self-esteem  * Greater happiness  * Longer life
We wish you a very HEALTHY New Year!
Sullivan-Decker Scholars at Playhouse Square

Staff Holiday Lunch

SWEET! Event

Operation Warm Up

Sisters at DDD

Horvitz YouthAbility Program of JFSA Voluteering at NCJW


NCJW/Cleveland | 216-378-2204 | NCJWCLEVELAND.ORG 
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