May/June 2022
Washington Institute 2022 Just Ended!
May 15 - 17, 2022, Washington, D.C.
Washington Institute 2022 just ended; these wonderful leaders represented you there, and have much to bring back to our Section (l to r):

Cynthia Gordon
Maria Osorio
Sharon Brannon
National President, Sheila Katz
Deb Lelchuk
Natalie Swit

As the conference wrapped up yesterday, they participated in The Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice in front of the Capitol, spearheaded by NCJW's national leadership along with 150 allied groups. More to report on their experiences later!
We made a video of the event! Maria Osorio and Cynthia Gordon were gracious enough to capture and share some of the highlights and moments of their trip. You can view the video (make sure to adjust the volume on the video player) on our website homepage, here.
Watch for Your Charter Day Invitation
Any Day Now!!
So many dedicated members are working hard to make this year’s Mix, Mingle & Celebrate Charter Day a big success on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at member homes and Temple Beth Shalom! Please register as soon as you get your invitation; if you’re excited and want to sign up right now, you can do so here:



Charter Day Reimagined! Mix, Mingle, and Celebrate! will take place at house parties from 1:30 to 3 pm, and the main program at Temple Beth Shalom will highlight entertainment, desserts, installation, our Hannah G. Solomon award, and a silent auction from 3:30 to 5 pm. Be sure to join us!

ALSO:

You recently received a special email asking each of you to help by volunteering to set up and/or by donating items we need to make this the best Charter Day ever. If you haven't had a chance to respond, please help us out by clicking here: Volunteer Sign-up

BUT ...  

It doesn't take any money to help us meet our fundraising goals!  Are you a gardener? Or a cook? Or do you have a favorite dish that people always rave about? What do you do that's fun and interesting to you that other people would love to either have you do for them or teach them how to do? Make it work for you, on your own time frame, and in whatever format is comfortable. Teach it, cook it, Tell them about a foreign country, divulge some of your little personal treasured information. This will not only help us raise money, this will build bonds and fellowship between us that keep us together as we do our work in the communityCome on, what are you good at?  If you want to just easily offer your special talent, just email us!
The 2022 Hannah G. Solomon Award Recipient: Dale C. Strok
Dale C. Strok, the behind-the-scenes “glue” who has kept electronic communication from and to your NCJW Greater Long Beach & West Orange County Section ongoing for years, has played an even more crucial and expanded role during the pandemic when staying in touch has been so important to all of us. Dale is a Renaissance woman in terms of her skillset, and you can learn more about her in the May/June Pillars. Dale will receive her award at the June 12 Mix, Mingle and Celebrate Event so please join us to honor her! You won’t want to miss this very special afternoon combining a social opportunity, Charter Day and the Installation of our 2022-2023 Section Board!
Make a Difference Day Is Almost Here!
Sunday, May 22, 11 am - 4 pm
Marina Vista Park, 5355 E. Eliot, Long Beach
There is still time to volunteer!

Make A Difference Day gathers people, multi-faith-based organizations, and nonprofits throughout Long Beach for an afternoon of giving. It is sponsored by numerous nonprofits, including Temple Israel, and is spearheaded by Belmont Shores Community Association. Join us and make a difference in our beautiful community and lend a hand on one of 32 different projects that will benefit Long Beach nonprofits. It’s not too late to offer a hand!

4th Thursday NCJW Movie Club
Thursday, May 26 and June 23, 7 pm, Zoom
May 26: FLEE 
Evocatively animated in a visually sparse but emotionally vibrant style, Flee is written and directed by filmmaker Jonas Poher Rasmussen. As a teen growing up in Copenhagen, Rasmussen became friends with a similarly aged Afghan refugee. Amin had fled Afghanistan after the Mujahideen grew more powerful during the First Afghan Civil War, and arrived in Copenhagen alone. The two became friends, staying in touch as Rasmussen pursued filmmaking and as Amin pursued a doctoral degree. When they reconnect for the documentary Flee, it’s as adults ready to look back upon the past with a mixture of honesty, wistfulness, and resignation (from Amin) and curiosity and patience (Rasmussen). The film is an engrossing, true story that is as unflinching as it is—through a tremendous amount of human will—hopeful. 


June 23: The Courier
The Courier delivers a rousingly effective old-school spy adventure elevated by a thrilling fact-based story. Benedict Cumberbatch gives a nervy central performance as an unassuming British businessman Greville Wynne recruited into one of the greatest international conflicts in history. At the behest of the UK's MI-6 and a CIA operative (Rachel Brosnahan), he forms a covert, dangerous partnership with a Soviet officer in an effort to provide crucial intelligence needed to prevent a nuclear confrontation and defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis.

NCJW - GLB & WOC Annual Planning Retreat
Friday, June 24, 9:30 am - 3 pm, a member's home
At this year’s Annual Planning Retreat, we would love to have many of you join us -- and come meet our new President Maria Osorio as well as the Board! 

In this tumultuous year for our community and nation, our past, present and future NCJW leaders will gather to brainstorm the new fiscal year’s directions for programs and members.

RSVP here to let us know you’re interested and to get further details about where we’re meeting.
Our Welcome Circle Guests Are Here
Our Welcome Circle Team has found an apartment for our 3 Afghan guests and furnished it!

We are still looking for a few things: small desks, lamps, kitchen appliances, wall hangings or paintings. And wouldn't it be great if we found a washer and dryer just lying around somewhere waiting to be donated! Contact us via email at: welcomecircle@ncjwlongbeach.org about donating.

Of course, leads on local jobs for the women would be greatly appreciated. Their English is great! Your ongoing support is what makes this project happen!
Long Beach Gives 2022 Welcomes NCJW
September 22, 2022
Guess what? For the very first time, NCJW GLB & WOC has been accepted to participate in Long Beach Gives 2022! 

For those unfamiliar with Long Beach Gives, it is the City of Long Beach’s annual online giving event that provides an easy and fun way for our entire city to give together. Their goal is to inspire individuals and businesses in our community to come together to make a difference in the exemplary work of the 200+ local, participating nonprofits.

Long Beach Gives will take place this year on Thursday, September 22, with a $2.2 million goal and 200+ participating nonprofits making a difference in Long Beach.

As we learn more about their requirements for participation, we will provide updates to our membership.  As always, we look forward to your support for this wonderful giving opportunity on September 22nd.
Join Our Abortion Justice Working Group
For too long, the narrative in this country about abortion and religion belies the Jewish story: in Judaism, abortion is not only permitted, but sometimes required. National Council of Jewish Women, along with our allies and partners, has launched a new Jewish movement for abortion justice: 73 Forward. Our section has begun to explore programming options for this campaign, and our Advocacy Committee would like to form a working group. 

If you’d like to help us plan educational programs, advocate for legislation, and/or mobilize organized actions in support of reproductive rights, health, and justice for all, please email advocacy@ncjwlongbeach.org. 

We’ll be scheduling our first working group meeting soon, and we’d love to have you join us in the fight! 
Join Our New 2022 Voting and
Elections Working Group
Voting and elections are a top priority for our Section. We are forming a working group to help plan and lead Section voting and election efforts through the November 2022 election. Topics to be explored include voter registration, Vote Forward letter writing, partnering with organizations like the League of Women Voters, and voting access for marginalized communities.  

Let us know if you’d like:
(a)  To be part of the working group, 
(b)  To help with voter registration and/or Vote Forward, or 
(c)  More information on how best to participate. 

We need you and your ideas! Contact the chairperson, Chana Ham-Rosebrock, via advocacy@ncjwlongbeach.org or leave a message for her at (657) 235-2511
Opportunities for Service
Here you'll find ways to contribute!
The chairperson is listed after each project; just drop them an email.
--Volunteer to join the Board (Judy Leff)
  Open positions: Co-VP Programs, Co-VP Resource Development
--Join a Committee:
  Abortion Justice (Cynthia Gordon)
  Voting & Elections (Chana Ham-Rosebrock)
Help Our Welcome Circle (Naomi Steinfeld)
Mark Your Calendars...Save the Date

Friday, June 24: Annual retreat, 9:30 am. RSVP here; all members welcome!

Thursday, September 22: Long Beach Gives! Watch for more info here.
JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

Like us and follow us on social media and help us share NCJW events and advocacy programs with others!
HOW TO REACH US -- NOTE NEW MAILING ADDRESS

Email us at info@ncjwlongbeach.org, call (657) 235-2511, or send mail to NCJW Greater Long Beach & West Orange County, 3801 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA 90815. Please add this contact information to your contacts list.