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eNews
fall 2017
national council of jewish women | new york
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Art teacher Albert Bukszpan arrived in New York as a 15-year-old from Egypt, when 25,000 of that country's Jews fled during the Suez crisis. Al's father's family lived in Warsaw and immigrated to Palestine in the mid-1920s, but the Depression spurred the family to move to Alexandria, Egypt. Although life in Egypt was not always easy, Al had a happy boyhood and attended a Jewish day school.
In 1956, the rise in anti-Semitism forced Al and his older brother to relocate to New York. They attended a yeshiva until they rebelled and went to work instead, but without the required work permits. Deportation proceedings were initiated, but having signed a document upon leaving Egypt prohibiting them from returning, the Bukszpan boys faced a dangerous dilemma. NCJW NY stepped in to help. Our volunteers guided the brothers and made a connection with a New York Congressman, Representative Charles Buckley of the Bronx, who was instrumental in passing a law allowing refugees to remain in the United States.
All his life, Al has studied drawing and painting, so when he retired from the carpet business nine years ago he was able at last to commit all his free time to art. Two years ago, he started teaching for NCJW NY's Council Lifetime Learning program, where he gives a class in his favorite medium, watercolor. Al is pleased to be able to give back to the organization that helped him in a time of great need so many years ago. "I'm very dedicated," Al says, "It's a real pleasure for me."
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From the Executive Director
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Dear friends, members, and supporters:
It seems that every day, the news is filled with an urgent threat, demanding our attention. But here at NCJW NY we continue to do what we've been doing for over 120 years: fighting on behalf of the most vulnerable.
We've been helping those in need - immigrants, those in poverty, and people with disabilities - throughout many presidents' careers. No matter who has been in the White House, we have empowered and improved people's lives. NCJW NY is compelled by our vision of building a better world free from hunger, poverty, sexism and racism.
Our programming is broad, but so are the needs of our fellow New Yorkers. 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.
I hope you'll join us at some of our upcoming events, and consider becoming a member, which allows you to participate in all that NCJW NY has to offer and signals your belief in the values and ideals we share.
Sincerely,
A
ndrea Salwen Kopel
Executive Director
National Council of Jewish Women New York
PS - read past editions of the eNews
here.
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Don't Miss Our Upcoming Panel Discussion:
"One-Click Crimes: Sex Trafficking in the Age of the Internet"
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On the Internet, buying and selling children for sex is as easy as purchasing a used car.
Why is this allowed and protected online when it is considered a criminal act offline?
Should websites that knowingly enable sex trafficking be held accountable?
Up against a multi-billion dollar industry, trafficking victims and their advocates find themselves on a collision course with judges, special interest groups, websites like Backpage.com, and a law intended to protect Internet freedom.
Join our panelists next week on Monday, October 16th for a discussion of the challenges faced by trafficking victims and their advocates seeking justice. This event is free of charge, but registration is required. See details and register
here.
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Mobile NYLAG Legal Help Center Provides Free Legal Services
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The New York Legal Assistance Group's mobile help center made three stops at NCJW NY from August to October, as part of our efforts to provide more comprehensive support to our clients. The attorneys are bilingual, and about 25% of clients who signed up speak only Spanish. The great majority of clients were seeking help for either housing/tenants' rights issues or immigration issues.
We're proud to partner with NYLAG, whose mission aligns so closely with ours, who is able to provide free legal services to over 75,000 New Yorkers each year.
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Third Annual Back 2 School Store A Success
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On August 6th, approximately 175 kids flooded Council House, eager to shop for brand new clothes and school supplies, all provided entirely free of charge. Staff and volunteers had transformed our community center into a pop-up department store for one day.
When kids return to school feeling prepared, their attendance increases and performance improves. With 20% of New York City's residents living in poverty, NCJW NY is happy to help as much as we can.
The children were assisted by 145 volunteers, many of whom acted as personal shoppers, helping them pick out and carry their clothes. Our volunteers are always crucial to making the day a success, and we are so grateful to everyone who came out.
Funding the Back 2 School Store is a year-round project; and providing a kid with everything they need costs $180. Please consider
making a donation here. If you'd like to be involved as a volunteer to help plan next year's store, please contact Yael Reisman, Director of Outreach & Engagement, at
yreisman@ncjwny.org or at 646-884-9462.
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Understanding Reproductive Justice
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On the evening of September 25th, NCJW NY was proud to host Brittany Brathwaite of Kimbritive to facilitate a powerful and illuminating workshop entitled "Understanding Reproductive Justice: Past, Present and Our Future." Participants learned about the history of the reproductive justice movement, and reflected on the long struggles for equality for women and people of color in this country. The evening included frank discussions about the various systems that have caused the oppression of women and influenced the decisions we make in our lives. NCJW NY remains committed to being a vocal partner in this fight for equality.
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25th Anniversary of HIPPY at NCJW NY
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NCJW NY is proud to celebrate our 25th anniversary of working with HIPPY! The Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program was created in 1969 by the NCJW Research Institute for Innovation in Education at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The program model works with parents in their homes to support their critical role as their children's first and most important teachers. In 1992, NCJW NY implemented a HIPPY program to serve children and families in the Bronx which is now operated and housed by our partner agency, BronxWorks. NCJW NY provides partial funding for the program and our dedicated volunteers provide enrichment and support, assisting around 85 families each year.
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16
Oct
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One Click Crimes
Join our panelists for a discussion of the challenges faced by trafficking victims and their advocates seeking justice.
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19
Oct
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Fall Luncheon
Featuring best-selling author Dani Shapiro.
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02
Nov
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Shop at the Shoebox
Get 10% off fall's most stylish shoes and boots while 10% gets donated to NCJW NY!
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29
Nov
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Arts & Craft Cocktails
Save the date for this fundraiser and art class combined. Custom drinks will be served while our instructor guides you in creating beautiful works of art with friends.
241 W. 72nd Street, 6PM
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04
Mar
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Jewish Women's Film Festival
Save the date for NCJW NY's Jewish Women's Film Festival.
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway
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241 West 72nd Street, New York, NY 10023
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