It gives me great pleasure as head of the NCJW - GLB & WOC Nominating Committee to announce our slate of officers for 2021-2022. The committee worked diligently to recruit a group of highly qualified, dedicated volunteers to serve us in the coming year. In early April you will receive an email ballot with instructions on how to vote. --Sharon Brannon

Here's a special, time-sensitive notice we just received from Zoe Nicholson, National 28th Amendment Committee member and ERA liaison with Hollywood NOW:

ERA ALERT: REMOVE the DEADLINE

The week has finally arrived! Now is the time to act to remove the ERA time limit in the US Congress. The House of Representatives has put HJ 17, REMOVE THE DEADLINE on their floor action calendar for Wednesday, March 17. It is expected to go to the Senate quickly, hopefully to accomplish this in Women’s History Month.

The attorneys general of Illinois, Nevada, and Virginia argued recently before the Court that the ERA should be added to the Constitution due to its ratification by three-quarters of all US states; that the Constitution does not give Congress any power to set a time limit on the ratification process; and that the deadline had no force of law, since it was placed only in the amendment's proposing clause and not in the actual text that the states voted on.  The Court’s March 5 decision effectively puts responsibility on Congress to remove the time limit and to compel the US archivist to publish the ERA as the US Constitution's 28th Amendment.

***Let's meet Thursday evening to discuss this timely topic. What is the new administration thinking about the ERA? Did you actively support the ERA during the 1970s? There is still time to register. And Zoe Nicholson has been invited to join us!

Then plan to attend this informative community-wide workshop on housing and homelessness co-sponsored by NCJW - GLB & WOC and the League of Women Voters Long Beach Area. Everyone is welcome!

Our expert speakers include:

In place of our regular Third Thursday Discussion, our Section President Barbara Shipnuck invites you to get together with her on Thursday, April 15, either at 4 pm or 7 pm. Join her to discuss what worked for you this year, what you would like to see NCJW focus on in the future, and any other topics or concerns you would like to share.

Beth David Sisterhood and NCJW - GLB & WOC present a virtual tour of the National Constitution Center’s exhibit entitled The 19th Amendment, How Women Won the Vote on April 22 at noon. A check for $10 per person payable to Beth David Sisterhood may be sent to 6100 Hefley St., Westminster, CA 92683.

Questions? Email sisterhood@templebethdavid.org.

A primary focus of NCJW since its beginning has been community activism, service and advocacy to work toward a better world for women, children and families and to safeguard individual rights and freedoms. As part of NCJW's 75th anniversary celebration in the Long Beach area, we are pleased to honor the family of our long-time member, Sylvia Manheim, who, through three generations, has been in the forefront of activism for equality, justice, and opportunity for all.

Plan to join us on Sunday, April 25, at 1 pm for a discussion of the highlights of their family involvement through the years in working for a better country and community. Participating will be Sylvia; her son Karl, a constitutional law professor; her daughter Lisa, an artist; her daughter Camryn, an actor; as well as grandchildren. There is no charge, but a suggested donation of $36 is encouraged to honor both the Manheim family and our Section's 75 years of accomplishment. Of course, all donations are gratefully accepted.

Do you know a deserving Jewish college, university or trade school student?

NCJW - GLB & WOC is now accepting applications for scholarships for Jewish students with 12 undergraduate or 8 graduate credits in college, university or trade school whose permanent residence is in greater Long Beach or West Orange County. Selection is based on financial need, academic standing, Jewish involvement, personal motivation, and past achievements. You can find the application form, along with stated criteria, at www.ncjwlongbeach.org/scholarship.

The completed application, personal statement, and necessary recommendations must be received by May 1, 2021. They may be submitted online or mailed to NCJW Scholarship Committee, 6216 E. Pacific Coast Highway, #239, Long Beach, CA 90803. Awards will be announced on June 1, 2021, and are dependent on the number of qualified submissions as well as NCJW’s fundraising for this purpose.

Please consider dedicating your Tributes donations to the Linda Calderón Memorial Scholarship Fund at www.ncjwlongbeach.org/tribute. For more information, contact the chair Linda C. Fox at communityservice@ncjwlongbeach.org or 657-235-2511.

Wouldn't it be fun to bake a birthday cake for a foster child?

For Goodness Cakes gives underprivileged youth in the foster care system the chance to have a birthday by matching volunteers to bake special cakes just for them. Its mission is to give individual youth one special moment that is about them, helping to nurture optimism and confidence at a critical age. A wonderful and meaningful opportunity for our Section to get involved.

How it works: For Goodness Cakes receives requests from nonprofits that work with at-risk youth for cake orders. After you complete an online orientation and quiz, you become part of the Sprinkle Squad, which lets you to pick a cake-making assignment according to YOUR schedule. To learn more, visit www.forgoodnesscakes.org/volunteer. Once you have joined the Sprinkle Squad, please contact Bobbi Horowitz at 657-235-2511 or email communityservice@ncjwlongbeach.org.

We are looking for additional members for our Investment Committee. If you’re interested in money, have an accounting background, or like to follow the stock market, this committee is for you! We meet with Halbert Hargrove, our Investment Advisor at least twice a year. To join us, please contact Judy Leff at info@ncjwlongbeach.org or call 657-235-2511.

Thursday, April 8 (NOT Apr. 1): Board meeting, 7 pm. RSVP for Zoom link.

Tuesday, May 4: Domestic Violence: How to Recognize It and How to Help, 7 pm. More information to follow.

Wednesday, May 26: NCJW California Virtual Lobby Day. More information to follow.

Email us at info@ncjwlongbeach.org, call (657) 235-2511, or send mail to NCJW Greater Long Beach & West Orange County, 6216 E. Pacific Coast Highway, #239, Long Beach, CA 90803. Please add this contact information to your contacts list.