2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award Winners
2014 Eleanor Krezter Kavod Award for Leadership and Board Development
The Southwest Sisterhoods won a 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award in the category of Leadership and Board Development for their program From Strength to Strength. The Southwest Sisterhoods included:
Congregation Albert, Albuquerque, NM
Congregation Ner Tamid, Henderson, NV
Temple Beth-El, Las Cruces, NM
Temple Emanu-El, Tucson, AZ
Temple Emanuel, Tempe, AZ
Temple Mount Sinai, El Paso, TX
Temple Sinai, Las Vegas, NV (newly affiliated)
Sisterhoods located in the Southwest had no way of connecting with other sisterhoods due to geographic limitations. Judith Ning and Dana Adler saw an opportunity to link the sisterhood presidents via conference calls every four to six weeks. In 18 short months, seven sisterhoods connected, strengthened, identified future district leadership, and grew together for WRJ. They shared concerns and accepted suggestions for problem solving and provided moral support to each other. They are looking forward to working together, going "From Strength to Strength" regardless of distance between them.
This program can be a model for sisterhoods who are geographically remote to connect with other sisterhoods outside their area and for sisterhoods within an area to connect with each other in new ways.
For more information on this award winning program, contact Judie Ning at [email protected] or Dana Adlerat [email protected].
The Southwest Sisterhoods won a 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award in the category of Leadership and Board Development for their program From Strength to Strength. The Southwest Sisterhoods included:
Congregation Albert, Albuquerque, NM
Congregation Ner Tamid, Henderson, NV
Temple Beth-El, Las Cruces, NM
Temple Emanu-El, Tucson, AZ
Temple Emanuel, Tempe, AZ
Temple Mount Sinai, El Paso, TX
Temple Sinai, Las Vegas, NV (newly affiliated)
Sisterhoods located in the Southwest had no way of connecting with other sisterhoods due to geographic limitations. Judith Ning and Dana Adler saw an opportunity to link the sisterhood presidents via conference calls every four to six weeks. In 18 short months, seven sisterhoods connected, strengthened, identified future district leadership, and grew together for WRJ. They shared concerns and accepted suggestions for problem solving and provided moral support to each other. They are looking forward to working together, going "From Strength to Strength" regardless of distance between them.
This program can be a model for sisterhoods who are geographically remote to connect with other sisterhoods outside their area and for sisterhoods within an area to connect with each other in new ways.
For more information on this award winning program, contact Judie Ning at [email protected] or Dana Adlerat [email protected].
2014 Eleanor Krezter Kavod Award for Excellence in Programming
The Sisterhood of Temple Sholom, Women of Reform Judaism of Vancouver, BC, Canada won the 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award for Excellence in Programming for their program "A Community Conversation About Death & Dying".
On Sunday, April 29, 2014, Sisterhood of Temple Sholom, Vancouver, BC held a forum at Temple called: "A Community Conversation About Death & Dying", which explored and discussed this topic with a panel of knowledgeable speakers. Organized and facilitated by their Sisterhood, this forum was over six months in the planning and execution.
As we age, most of us have a need to let others know how we wish to be treated when the end of life is near. We have a human need to express our fears and our comfort regarding this stage of life. We each have our own wishes, beliefs, values, and cultural and religious points of view. Having this conversation with family and friends ought to happen within a realm of comfort. However in most cases, it doesn't. The purpose of the forum was to provide an opportunity for family and friends to gather together to gain insight, skills, knowledge and comfort; to learn how to have a conversation about death and dying. Their panelists outlined various aspects of this topic including tools for getting in touch with our ethical and spiritual background, options for end of life matters, and their legal right to life and death. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists and listen to other points of view.
This program opened the door for them to have a frank discussion about a difficult subject. It also engendered good will from the general community (about one third of the attendees) and the larger Jewish community outside of the Temple family. The fact that the event was free of charge was a very successful decision that resulted in an attendance of around 350.
This event was wonderful publicity for the Sisterhood and the Temple. Rabbi Moskovitz, their senior rabbi did an excellent job of framing a spiritual take on this matter that was applicable to anyone of any faith or background. The event, in fact, was image changing for Sisterhood.
The feedback from all corners was quite outstanding. The event stimulated a good deal of social action amongst individuals, and their families. Moreover, organizations' representatives, that have as their focus this subject matter, were in attendance and reportedly were sparked into action. The event was difficult to attend on an emotional level and as predicted, stirred up unsettled feelings. However, those feelings in many cases turned to some kind of social action, whether it was stimulus to speak with their loved ones, put a representative agreement together or simply clarify for oneself what one's stance is on this matter. All the panelists were credited with helpful, stimulating and thoughtful presentations. Most of the committee members (a sub-committee of our social action committee) were women who had not been very active in Sisterhood. The Sisterhood benefited from doing a new program that attracted uninvolved members.
For more information on this award winning program, contact Brenda Karp at [email protected].
The Sisterhood of Temple Sholom, Women of Reform Judaism of Vancouver, BC, Canada won the 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award for Excellence in Programming for their program "A Community Conversation About Death & Dying".
On Sunday, April 29, 2014, Sisterhood of Temple Sholom, Vancouver, BC held a forum at Temple called: "A Community Conversation About Death & Dying", which explored and discussed this topic with a panel of knowledgeable speakers. Organized and facilitated by their Sisterhood, this forum was over six months in the planning and execution.
As we age, most of us have a need to let others know how we wish to be treated when the end of life is near. We have a human need to express our fears and our comfort regarding this stage of life. We each have our own wishes, beliefs, values, and cultural and religious points of view. Having this conversation with family and friends ought to happen within a realm of comfort. However in most cases, it doesn't. The purpose of the forum was to provide an opportunity for family and friends to gather together to gain insight, skills, knowledge and comfort; to learn how to have a conversation about death and dying. Their panelists outlined various aspects of this topic including tools for getting in touch with our ethical and spiritual background, options for end of life matters, and their legal right to life and death. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists and listen to other points of view.
This program opened the door for them to have a frank discussion about a difficult subject. It also engendered good will from the general community (about one third of the attendees) and the larger Jewish community outside of the Temple family. The fact that the event was free of charge was a very successful decision that resulted in an attendance of around 350.
This event was wonderful publicity for the Sisterhood and the Temple. Rabbi Moskovitz, their senior rabbi did an excellent job of framing a spiritual take on this matter that was applicable to anyone of any faith or background. The event, in fact, was image changing for Sisterhood.
The feedback from all corners was quite outstanding. The event stimulated a good deal of social action amongst individuals, and their families. Moreover, organizations' representatives, that have as their focus this subject matter, were in attendance and reportedly were sparked into action. The event was difficult to attend on an emotional level and as predicted, stirred up unsettled feelings. However, those feelings in many cases turned to some kind of social action, whether it was stimulus to speak with their loved ones, put a representative agreement together or simply clarify for oneself what one's stance is on this matter. All the panelists were credited with helpful, stimulating and thoughtful presentations. Most of the committee members (a sub-committee of our social action committee) were women who had not been very active in Sisterhood. The Sisterhood benefited from doing a new program that attracted uninvolved members.
For more information on this award winning program, contact Brenda Karp at [email protected].
2014 Eleanor Krezter Kavod Award for Excellence in Community Service
The Women of Rodef Sholom of San Rafael, CA, won the 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award in the category of Community Service for their program "Venetia Valley Mother's Day".
On Erev Rosh Hashanah in 2013, the Rodef Sholom Congregation heard two moving sermons, one by the principal of Venetia Valley School, Juan Rodriguez, and the other by their Rabbi, Michael Lezak. The temple and the school are across the street from one another. Both men spoke passionately about "crossing the street" and establishing a relationship between the two communities. Venetia Valley has experienced a great deal of "white flight" and about half of the school's population is brought in from different communities. The Venetia Valley School now primarily serves immigrant Latino children, many of whom are English learners whose parents are struggling economically and are also in fear of deportation.
Women of Rodef Sholom, was moved to action. Their primary interest, as a women's organization, was to help the students' moms. They decided on a two part project. First, they spearheaded a drive to collect "slightly used" jewelry and scarves for a Chanukah sale, the proceeds of which would be donated to Venetia Valley. The sale was a huge success!
They had a tremendous amount of beautiful jewelry and scarves remaining after the sale, so they then initiated the second phase of their efforts. The items were sorted and on May 7th Sisterhood members joined with the school's Family Center parents and staff to set up a charming boutique for first grade students to shop for Mother's Day gifts. Over the following two days, all four first grade classes, over 100 eager children, chose gifts they thought their moms would like. They were so excited to be able to "shop" and happily brought their gifts to the Family Center staff and Sisterhood women to be wrapped. The children then lovingly created cards and attached them to their gifts. The feedback was wonderful to hear, the Mother's Day gifts had been met with surprise and excitement.
A Venetia Valley mother mentioned to a Sisterhood member that her family was completely surprised when their son presented his Mother's Day gift to her with great pride. Her son was pleased to have been able to give her such a beautiful gift. Asked where he had gotten it, he said that he had "bought" it. They thought he had used some of his Tooth Fairy money. The mother then heard of the Sisterhood Mother's Day Boutique and was amused to have the mystery solved.
The Mother's Day event was a huge success for the children and their mothers. Through this project, both the children and their moms could feel pride in the giving and receiving of gifts, not realistically available to them otherwise. Additionally, the project enabled continuing and new Sisterhood members to become involved, socialize, enjoy shopping for themselves and others, and learn about Venetia Valley School.
Women of Rodef Sholom is now motivated to develop further programs in concert with Venetia Valley to add to our going "Across the Street". They are currently coordinating future projects with Venetia Valley School including our next Mother's Day event scheduled for 2015.
For more information on this award winning program, contact Hannah Panger at [email protected].
The Women of Rodef Sholom of San Rafael, CA, won the 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award in the category of Community Service for their program "Venetia Valley Mother's Day".
On Erev Rosh Hashanah in 2013, the Rodef Sholom Congregation heard two moving sermons, one by the principal of Venetia Valley School, Juan Rodriguez, and the other by their Rabbi, Michael Lezak. The temple and the school are across the street from one another. Both men spoke passionately about "crossing the street" and establishing a relationship between the two communities. Venetia Valley has experienced a great deal of "white flight" and about half of the school's population is brought in from different communities. The Venetia Valley School now primarily serves immigrant Latino children, many of whom are English learners whose parents are struggling economically and are also in fear of deportation.
Women of Rodef Sholom, was moved to action. Their primary interest, as a women's organization, was to help the students' moms. They decided on a two part project. First, they spearheaded a drive to collect "slightly used" jewelry and scarves for a Chanukah sale, the proceeds of which would be donated to Venetia Valley. The sale was a huge success!
They had a tremendous amount of beautiful jewelry and scarves remaining after the sale, so they then initiated the second phase of their efforts. The items were sorted and on May 7th Sisterhood members joined with the school's Family Center parents and staff to set up a charming boutique for first grade students to shop for Mother's Day gifts. Over the following two days, all four first grade classes, over 100 eager children, chose gifts they thought their moms would like. They were so excited to be able to "shop" and happily brought their gifts to the Family Center staff and Sisterhood women to be wrapped. The children then lovingly created cards and attached them to their gifts. The feedback was wonderful to hear, the Mother's Day gifts had been met with surprise and excitement.
A Venetia Valley mother mentioned to a Sisterhood member that her family was completely surprised when their son presented his Mother's Day gift to her with great pride. Her son was pleased to have been able to give her such a beautiful gift. Asked where he had gotten it, he said that he had "bought" it. They thought he had used some of his Tooth Fairy money. The mother then heard of the Sisterhood Mother's Day Boutique and was amused to have the mystery solved.
The Mother's Day event was a huge success for the children and their mothers. Through this project, both the children and their moms could feel pride in the giving and receiving of gifts, not realistically available to them otherwise. Additionally, the project enabled continuing and new Sisterhood members to become involved, socialize, enjoy shopping for themselves and others, and learn about Venetia Valley School.
Women of Rodef Sholom is now motivated to develop further programs in concert with Venetia Valley to add to our going "Across the Street". They are currently coordinating future projects with Venetia Valley School including our next Mother's Day event scheduled for 2015.
For more information on this award winning program, contact Hannah Panger at [email protected].
2014 Eleanor Krezter Kavod Award for Advancement of Judaism
Temple Ahavat Shalom Sisterhood of Northridge, CA, won the 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award in the category of Advancement of Judaism for their program "Temple Ahavat Shalom Sisterhood Sephardic Seder".
Every year, for at least 15 years, Temple Ahavat Shalom Sisterhood, has presented a Passover seder for its membership and guests. These seders have told the story of redemption in various ways. Each year they create a Haggadah, splicing and dicing from numerous resources. Each year they consult with their cantor regarding musical selections to carry on that year’s focus of study and prayer. They provide a festive meal that echoes that year’s theme. For 2014, their Seder Committee planned one based on Sephardic traditions. Though most of our members have Ashkenazi roots, several women were raised with Sephardic customs.
This year, they visited the Sephardic temple in Los Angeles, and spoke with its cantor, who inspired them to research the history of Sephardim and their many Passover customs. A special Sephardic Haggadah was created and special recipes were collected.
The Sephardic Seder was very moving and educational and a great success. During the seder, you could hear a pin drop at times because many women were not familiar with the readings and commentaries. Other times, the women laughed and sang as one voice. A collection of the evening’s recipes was provided for each woman to keep, which was very well received. Several women approached committee members and offered to help for 2015, and asked when would they start taking reservations!
For more information on this award winning program, contact Erika Barnathan at [email protected].
Temple Ahavat Shalom Sisterhood of Northridge, CA, won the 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award in the category of Advancement of Judaism for their program "Temple Ahavat Shalom Sisterhood Sephardic Seder".
Every year, for at least 15 years, Temple Ahavat Shalom Sisterhood, has presented a Passover seder for its membership and guests. These seders have told the story of redemption in various ways. Each year they create a Haggadah, splicing and dicing from numerous resources. Each year they consult with their cantor regarding musical selections to carry on that year’s focus of study and prayer. They provide a festive meal that echoes that year’s theme. For 2014, their Seder Committee planned one based on Sephardic traditions. Though most of our members have Ashkenazi roots, several women were raised with Sephardic customs.
This year, they visited the Sephardic temple in Los Angeles, and spoke with its cantor, who inspired them to research the history of Sephardim and their many Passover customs. A special Sephardic Haggadah was created and special recipes were collected.
The Sephardic Seder was very moving and educational and a great success. During the seder, you could hear a pin drop at times because many women were not familiar with the readings and commentaries. Other times, the women laughed and sang as one voice. A collection of the evening’s recipes was provided for each woman to keep, which was very well received. Several women approached committee members and offered to help for 2015, and asked when would they start taking reservations!
For more information on this award winning program, contact Erika Barnathan at [email protected].
| haggadah_sephardic_seder_2014.pdf |
2014 Eleanor Krezter Kavod Award for Community Service
Beth Am Women, Los Altos Hills, CA and Women of Isaiah, Lafayette, CA, won the 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award in the category of Community Service for their project "Communicating about Mental Illness: One-on One and One on Many".
Mental Illness is the disability that crosses all age groups, cultures and economic backgrounds; 1 in 4 will experience it in their lifetime. It is the illness that isolates because of fear and shame, even among family members. The stigma of mental illness manifests itself even in our Jewish communal life, where often it is seen as a weakness, not an illness, causing victims and their families to hide this disability from the community and delay or deny medical treatment.
In 2012, Temple Isaiah, Lafayette, and Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills, partnered on a URJ grant to develop and distribute communication tools for Congregations to help them address the challenges of mental illness in our communities.
These guides were developed with clergy support from their own congregations and the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center. These guides also incorporated the comments and stories of individuals from their synagogues and from other support groups in the SF Bay area.
These unique materials were presented at the December 2013 URJ Biennial meeting along with a workshop highlighting Temple Isaiah’s and Beth Am’s congregational work to reduce the stigma of mental illness. Eight additional congregations across the URJ landscape participated in the workshop at the URJ Biennial in San Diego last November and have provided some limited feedback based on their use of the materials thus far.
The goal of this project was to open the eyes and ears of all sisterhood members and their congregations to the silent suffering that exists. Beth Am Women and Women of Isaiah are working to reduce the stigma of mental illness so that affected people will speak up and speak out, and get the help and support they need. The Guide and Brochure are the first steps toward this goal which can be accomplished one congregation at a time.
These materials are available below for download and use by all interested sisterhoods and congregations.
For more information on this award winning program, contact Jane Marcus at [email protected] or Diana MaKieve at [email protected].
Beth Am Women, Los Altos Hills, CA and Women of Isaiah, Lafayette, CA, won the 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award in the category of Community Service for their project "Communicating about Mental Illness: One-on One and One on Many".
Mental Illness is the disability that crosses all age groups, cultures and economic backgrounds; 1 in 4 will experience it in their lifetime. It is the illness that isolates because of fear and shame, even among family members. The stigma of mental illness manifests itself even in our Jewish communal life, where often it is seen as a weakness, not an illness, causing victims and their families to hide this disability from the community and delay or deny medical treatment.
In 2012, Temple Isaiah, Lafayette, and Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills, partnered on a URJ grant to develop and distribute communication tools for Congregations to help them address the challenges of mental illness in our communities.
- Communicating One on Many: A facilitator guide to be used by congregations to help them design and launch support groups for individuals or family members of the mentally ill.
- Communicating One on One: A training guide/brochure for visiting/communicating with those who cope with mental illness.
These guides were developed with clergy support from their own congregations and the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center. These guides also incorporated the comments and stories of individuals from their synagogues and from other support groups in the SF Bay area.
These unique materials were presented at the December 2013 URJ Biennial meeting along with a workshop highlighting Temple Isaiah’s and Beth Am’s congregational work to reduce the stigma of mental illness. Eight additional congregations across the URJ landscape participated in the workshop at the URJ Biennial in San Diego last November and have provided some limited feedback based on their use of the materials thus far.
The goal of this project was to open the eyes and ears of all sisterhood members and their congregations to the silent suffering that exists. Beth Am Women and Women of Isaiah are working to reduce the stigma of mental illness so that affected people will speak up and speak out, and get the help and support they need. The Guide and Brochure are the first steps toward this goal which can be accomplished one congregation at a time.
These materials are available below for download and use by all interested sisterhoods and congregations.
For more information on this award winning program, contact Jane Marcus at [email protected] or Diana MaKieve at [email protected].
| mental_illness_support_group_guide.pdf |
| ptach_libeynu_brochure.pdf |
2014 Eleanor Krezter Kavod Award for Youth
Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood, Santa Ana, CA, won the 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award in the category of Youth for their Junior Sisterhood program.
In November 2012, Temple Beth Sholom (TBS) Sisterhood officially began an exciting new program called Junior Sisterhood. The TBS Junior Sisters are a dynamic, multi-generational group consisting of girls ages 8-17 and their paid-up adult Sisterhood sponsors (i.e., mothers, grandmothers, aunts) who attend fun events and perform mitzvot together. During these past few years, the girls and their sponsors have participated in such activities as an all-chocolate Passover Seder, karaoke night, Hanukkah celebration, geocaching in a neighborhood park, Lunar New Year celebration, spring tea party, and a scavenger hunt at a local mall. Most importantly, this group has donated their time and energy to supporting our Temple and community by making and serving meals for the homeless, making signs for Temple fundraisers, and creating ceramic gifts for our Jewish elderly at Bubbe & Zayde’s Place.
The main purpose of the Junior Sisterhood program is (and has been) to develop and nurture multigenerational ties between the temple’s young girls and the adult Sisters. From the very beginning, the decision was made that Junior Sisterhood would NOT be like a Temple Youth group. That is, all events and activities are attended by BOTH the Junior Sister and her sponsor. This is a unique opportunity for the younger and older generations to learn from each other and grow together in Sisterhood.
Although this multi-generational goal still is the primary one today, Junior Sisterhood really started because several of the Sisterhood board members’ tween daughters loved attending Sisterhood board meetings. The girls were interested in what the Sisterhood did and appreciated the activities that Sisterhood sponsored for the temple youth. These young girls’ curiosity started the Sisterhood thinking more about the future of their Sisterhood. If they could make these young girls feel welcome, give them a voice in the Sisterhood community, and give them a “taste” of Sisterhood friendships early on, they might be more encouraged to join Sisterhood as adults later. Also, as the young girls joined Junior Sisterhood their younger mothers who were not yet Sisterhood members and/or were not active in Sisterhood became interested in joining Sisterhood.
The TBS Junior Sisterhood girls are seen as the future leaders of the congregation and community, and they are growing in responsibility and dedication as well as their love of their faith and the ideals of Reform Judaism…all while they get to know the “older” generation.
One of the most successful (and thrilling) parts of Junior Sisterhood has been the more recent inclusion of leadership training for the girls themselves. During the first year of Junior Sisterhood, three adults planned all the activities. However, this past year, three of the older teenagers in the group have planned the Junior Sisterhood’s adventures. Working together as a team, these teen Junior Sisterhood Program Chairs, plan, implement, and evaluate the activities, with adult guidance as needed.
For more information on this award winning program, contact Stacy Nagel at [email protected].
Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood, Santa Ana, CA, won the 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award in the category of Youth for their Junior Sisterhood program.
In November 2012, Temple Beth Sholom (TBS) Sisterhood officially began an exciting new program called Junior Sisterhood. The TBS Junior Sisters are a dynamic, multi-generational group consisting of girls ages 8-17 and their paid-up adult Sisterhood sponsors (i.e., mothers, grandmothers, aunts) who attend fun events and perform mitzvot together. During these past few years, the girls and their sponsors have participated in such activities as an all-chocolate Passover Seder, karaoke night, Hanukkah celebration, geocaching in a neighborhood park, Lunar New Year celebration, spring tea party, and a scavenger hunt at a local mall. Most importantly, this group has donated their time and energy to supporting our Temple and community by making and serving meals for the homeless, making signs for Temple fundraisers, and creating ceramic gifts for our Jewish elderly at Bubbe & Zayde’s Place.
The main purpose of the Junior Sisterhood program is (and has been) to develop and nurture multigenerational ties between the temple’s young girls and the adult Sisters. From the very beginning, the decision was made that Junior Sisterhood would NOT be like a Temple Youth group. That is, all events and activities are attended by BOTH the Junior Sister and her sponsor. This is a unique opportunity for the younger and older generations to learn from each other and grow together in Sisterhood.
Although this multi-generational goal still is the primary one today, Junior Sisterhood really started because several of the Sisterhood board members’ tween daughters loved attending Sisterhood board meetings. The girls were interested in what the Sisterhood did and appreciated the activities that Sisterhood sponsored for the temple youth. These young girls’ curiosity started the Sisterhood thinking more about the future of their Sisterhood. If they could make these young girls feel welcome, give them a voice in the Sisterhood community, and give them a “taste” of Sisterhood friendships early on, they might be more encouraged to join Sisterhood as adults later. Also, as the young girls joined Junior Sisterhood their younger mothers who were not yet Sisterhood members and/or were not active in Sisterhood became interested in joining Sisterhood.
The TBS Junior Sisterhood girls are seen as the future leaders of the congregation and community, and they are growing in responsibility and dedication as well as their love of their faith and the ideals of Reform Judaism…all while they get to know the “older” generation.
One of the most successful (and thrilling) parts of Junior Sisterhood has been the more recent inclusion of leadership training for the girls themselves. During the first year of Junior Sisterhood, three adults planned all the activities. However, this past year, three of the older teenagers in the group have planned the Junior Sisterhood’s adventures. Working together as a team, these teen Junior Sisterhood Program Chairs, plan, implement, and evaluate the activities, with adult guidance as needed.
For more information on this award winning program, contact Stacy Nagel at [email protected].
2014 Eleanor Krezter Kavod Award for Community Service
WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood, Portland, OR won the 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award in the category of Community Service for their program "Child Trafficking in Portland".
Portland has been identified as an area where child sex trafficking is particularly rampant. WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood wanted to learn about the scope of the problem and identify who was at risk, who was working to eradicate the problem, and what they could do to help. They looked at how they could share their findings and spur their community to action.
They were able to present a forum, free and open to the entire community, with experts and survivors who not only explained the current situation, but also discussed their personal stories, current law enforcement efforts, and what they foresaw in the future with the recent involvement of the Mexican drug cartels.
The speakers, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Deputy Keith Bickford of OATH (Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans), gave informative presentations, addressing questions with pragmatic answers, empowering so many in the audience to action. A representative from Janus Youth Programs discussed the problem and how they are on the frontline offering direct care for victims of sex trafficking. A Rotary group invited the attendees to assist them in informational leafleting during the Rose Festival (a busy time for traffickers and victims in their area) and explained how they distribute small soaps with messages to the victims via the "hotels" were they are forced to work, explaining that for some victims, the only time they are alone is when they wash up between customers.
The program also included a unique dance piece by the Agnieszka Laska Dancers. Art is powerful and seeing these young women who were victims, but now, through dance therapy, are survivors, had a deeply emotional and motivational impact on everyone. The Agnieszka Laska Dancers left everyone stunned and shaken at the end of their dance "Broken Flower.”
Attendees had an opportunity to speak with experts one-on-one following the formal presentation. Several opportunities for further action were presented: letter writing campaigns to government officials; an opportunity to assist with informational leafleting during the Portland Rose Festival, mitzvah day projects in 2013 and 2014 to help refurbish a shelter for victims, training with OATH, etc. The sisterhood made sure that there were volunteer opportunities presented so that this was not a "one and done" Sunday morning talk.
An audio recording of the forum was made available on their web site for those who were not able to attend. To listen to the audio recording go to http://www.bethisrael-pdx.org/cbi-media and look under "Special Event Archive".
For more information on this award winning program, contact Daphna Stadig at [email protected].
WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood, Portland, OR won the 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award in the category of Community Service for their program "Child Trafficking in Portland".
Portland has been identified as an area where child sex trafficking is particularly rampant. WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood wanted to learn about the scope of the problem and identify who was at risk, who was working to eradicate the problem, and what they could do to help. They looked at how they could share their findings and spur their community to action.
They were able to present a forum, free and open to the entire community, with experts and survivors who not only explained the current situation, but also discussed their personal stories, current law enforcement efforts, and what they foresaw in the future with the recent involvement of the Mexican drug cartels.
The speakers, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Deputy Keith Bickford of OATH (Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans), gave informative presentations, addressing questions with pragmatic answers, empowering so many in the audience to action. A representative from Janus Youth Programs discussed the problem and how they are on the frontline offering direct care for victims of sex trafficking. A Rotary group invited the attendees to assist them in informational leafleting during the Rose Festival (a busy time for traffickers and victims in their area) and explained how they distribute small soaps with messages to the victims via the "hotels" were they are forced to work, explaining that for some victims, the only time they are alone is when they wash up between customers.
The program also included a unique dance piece by the Agnieszka Laska Dancers. Art is powerful and seeing these young women who were victims, but now, through dance therapy, are survivors, had a deeply emotional and motivational impact on everyone. The Agnieszka Laska Dancers left everyone stunned and shaken at the end of their dance "Broken Flower.”
Attendees had an opportunity to speak with experts one-on-one following the formal presentation. Several opportunities for further action were presented: letter writing campaigns to government officials; an opportunity to assist with informational leafleting during the Portland Rose Festival, mitzvah day projects in 2013 and 2014 to help refurbish a shelter for victims, training with OATH, etc. The sisterhood made sure that there were volunteer opportunities presented so that this was not a "one and done" Sunday morning talk.
An audio recording of the forum was made available on their web site for those who were not able to attend. To listen to the audio recording go to http://www.bethisrael-pdx.org/cbi-media and look under "Special Event Archive".
For more information on this award winning program, contact Daphna Stadig at [email protected].
2014 Eleanor Krezter Kavod Award for Ongoing Fundraising
Congregation Ner Tamid Sisterhood, Henderson, NV won the 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award in the category of Ongoing Fundraising for their project "L'Shanah Tovah - Cards".
New Year’s wishes are sent from congregants to other congregants within Ner Tamid. The process begins with a letter going out to all temple members with a list of all congregants. Congregants are asked to check the box of whom they would like to send New Years wishes to and return the letter with the marked boxes and payment. The letter was sent out at the beginning of August and the return date was by August 25th. A custom card was made for this project. On the back of the card there was a list of everyone that sent a New Year’s wish to the person receiving the card.
The monies raised from this project were designated for the “ Fund 4 Youth” Program which gives scholarships to youth to go to Jewish summer camps and to NFTY events and to support the confirmation trip and the March of the Living.
2013 was the first year they did this. They had a good response, it was well received by all and people love getting the cards.
For more information on this award winning program, contact Michelle Blank at [email protected].
Congregation Ner Tamid Sisterhood, Henderson, NV won the 2014 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award in the category of Ongoing Fundraising for their project "L'Shanah Tovah - Cards".
New Year’s wishes are sent from congregants to other congregants within Ner Tamid. The process begins with a letter going out to all temple members with a list of all congregants. Congregants are asked to check the box of whom they would like to send New Years wishes to and return the letter with the marked boxes and payment. The letter was sent out at the beginning of August and the return date was by August 25th. A custom card was made for this project. On the back of the card there was a list of everyone that sent a New Year’s wish to the person receiving the card.
The monies raised from this project were designated for the “ Fund 4 Youth” Program which gives scholarships to youth to go to Jewish summer camps and to NFTY events and to support the confirmation trip and the March of the Living.
2013 was the first year they did this. They had a good response, it was well received by all and people love getting the cards.
For more information on this award winning program, contact Michelle Blank at [email protected].
