Updates, Spring/Summer 2017
From the Executive Director

Dear Friends:

Spring is in full swing here at Council House, and the building is bustling with an amazing variety of programs and events. Seniors in the community are coming through our doors to enjoy painting, ceramics, tap dancing, and current events discussions; advocates are coming to learn and mobilize around reproductive justice issues; volunteers are coming to plan this summer's third annual Back 2 School Store. 
 
While we are proud of all that we do for our community, we know that so much more is needed. In these turbulent times, vulnerable populations --immigrants, those in poverty, and people with disabilities -- are experiencing even more fear and anxiety.  NCJW NY seeks to be a beacon of hope for at-risk New Yorkers. Our Hunger Program welcomes all in need with warmth and dignity, assuring them that here at Council House, they are valued and they are safe regardless of their immigration status. And our Jackson-Stricks Scholarship provides outstanding students with physical challenges funding to complete their educations and achieve their goals. 
 
Thank you for helping NCJW NY to achieve our goals this season. I hope you'll take a few minutes to read some of the highlights below. 
 
With warm regards and gratitude, 

Andrea Salwen Kopel
Executive Director
National Council of Jewish Women New York 
The Struggle Continues: Interview with NCJW NY Member Myra Tattenbaum
NCJW NY member Myra Thim Tattenbaum remembers the racial housing segregation in Yonkers in the 1970s, when the federal government was withholding funding for affordable housing in the city. There was an opportunity to affect how the city's alderman were elected, and Myra realized that it was up to private citizens to pressure the city to change its policies. This prompted Tattenbaum's first foray into politics. She became vice president of the League of Women Voters in Yonkers, and led the successful campaign on the alderman issue.
 
After moving to Newton, MA, she was encouraged by friends in her PTA and tapped by the local Democratic Party to run for the city's board of education. She won that race, served for two terms, and then ran and won another position as an alderman in Newton. When it came to being a woman in politics in the '70s, Tattenbaum shared an interesting anecdote: "My mother said, 'Doesn't it bother the men that you're butting in to how they run the schools?' It almost didn't occur to me that I was confronting the powers that be. Most of the parents that got involved were women."
 
Now back in New York City, Myra is an active member of NCJW NY, as part of the Jewish Women's Resource Center and also the Advocacy Leadership Committee, which she says reminds her of her days in politics, and helping women be powerful and in control.
 
To read Myra's full profile, click here.
LINC Program Extends to Three days, Re-Named After Helen Bloom

Thanks to an incredibly generous donation from NCJW NY Board Member and Immediate Past President Karol Todrys, the Lunch, Interaction, Nurturing and Companionship (LINC) program will now extend from two days per week to three, and will be re-named in memory of Karol's mother, Helen Bloom.
 
For 20 years, LINC has offered those with memory loss and mild to moderate dementia an environment where they can come together and find safety, camaraderie and engagement. In addition to extending to three days per week, the grant will enable other program enhancements, such as including caregivers in the meal service, adding a variety of interactive performers, as well as bring in Topper (pictured here), a licensed therapy dog, more often. 

For more information, please call or email our social worker, Letitia Maun, at 646.884.9471
NCJW NY at National Convention
In March, NCJW NY staff and volunteers attended the NCJW National Convention, which brought together delegates from NCJW sections across the country for three days of networking, skill-building and NCJW, Inc. business. We were proud to present one of our flagship programs, the Pregnancy Loss Support Program (PLSP), at the Convention Showcase, which gives an opportunity for sections across the country to highlight replicable projects unique to their sections.
 
We hope other sections around the country will be catalyzed to begin work around perinatal loss -- a women's health issue that does not receive enough attention and support. As we seek to continue to grow PLSP we are increasingly turning to the internet, and the convention offered an extremely informative session on social media, which has helped motivate an initiative by PLSP staff and volunteers to re-brand and refocus on  PLSP's Facebook page. Show your support of this important program by liking the page!
Lobbying Trip to Albany
On April 5th, eight NCJW NY volunteers and staff members travelled to Albany to meet with State legislators in support of two key pieces of legislation affecting women's health and reproductive autonomy: the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) and the Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act (CCCA). Attendees had the opportunity to meet with several elected officials and their staff to advocate for bringing these bills to the floor for a vote in the State Senate. As a result of our visit, Senator Addabbo of Queens agreed to seriously consider co-sponsorin g the CCCA, which he did just days later. It was an inspiring and gratifying day for all involved, and we appreciate all those who volunteered their time to make this important trip. 

To learn more about joining our Advocacy Leadership Committee, please contact Yael Reisman, Director of Outreach and Engagement. 
Upcoming Events
05
June
One Woman's Story of Loss, Healing and the Creative Process
Join the Pregnancy Loss Support Program and Alexis Chute as she shares her story and recent book, Expecting Sunshine: A Journey of Grief, Healing and Pregnancy After Loss.
6:30PM | View Event Here
12
June
I Am Jane Doe
Special screening of a documentary chronicling the battle that several American mothers are waging on behalf of their middle-school daughters, victims of sex-trafficking.  
6PM, Scandinavia House, 58 Park Avenue | View Event Here
06
Aug
Back 2 School Store
A one-day, free of charge shopping experience that provides children with everything they need to go back to school with pride, confidence, and enthusiasm.
All Day Sunday | RSVP to help out!