2020 Eleanor Kretzer Kavod Award Winners
We received 25 entries in three categories – 8 for Programs for Our Sisterhoods, 8 for Programs for Our Community, and 9 for Programs for Our Congregation. A big thanks to the 17 sisterhoods throughout our district who submitted their best programs. Thank you also to our Area Directors for helping spread the word. Our winners spoke during a special chat rooms session about their programs.
In the For Our Community Category, the winner was University Synagogue in Los Angeles for “Sing Out for Justice.” Honorable Mention in this category went to Temple Beth Ohr Sisterhood for a breast cancer awareness program called “Pink with Touch of Blue.” Download more information here and here.
Women of Isaiah (WOI) in Lafayette, California, was the winner in the For Our Sisterhood Category for WOI Connects, a series of Zoom meetings targeting various segments of the membership in this large, multi-generational sisterhood. The Honorable Mention in this category was Virtual Art Walk program presented in May 2020 by NaSHiM: The sisterhood of Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot in Irvine, California. Download more information here.
Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood of Orange County in Santa Ana, California, won the For Our Community award for a program called “Hanukkah with the Women of Congregation B’not Or.” The congregants at B’not Or are Jewish inmates at the California Institution for Women’s in Corona, California. Honorable Mention in the community category went to Temple B’nai Torah in Bellevue, Washington, for its program: Advancing Reproductive Health and Rights. Download more information here and here.
Read more about these winning programs below and please check back often until this section has been updated with all the winners.
Peggy Martin, WRJ PD Kavod Awards Chair
Questions? Email kavod.wrjpd@gmail.com.
In the For Our Community Category, the winner was University Synagogue in Los Angeles for “Sing Out for Justice.” Honorable Mention in this category went to Temple Beth Ohr Sisterhood for a breast cancer awareness program called “Pink with Touch of Blue.” Download more information here and here.
Women of Isaiah (WOI) in Lafayette, California, was the winner in the For Our Sisterhood Category for WOI Connects, a series of Zoom meetings targeting various segments of the membership in this large, multi-generational sisterhood. The Honorable Mention in this category was Virtual Art Walk program presented in May 2020 by NaSHiM: The sisterhood of Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot in Irvine, California. Download more information here.
Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood of Orange County in Santa Ana, California, won the For Our Community award for a program called “Hanukkah with the Women of Congregation B’not Or.” The congregants at B’not Or are Jewish inmates at the California Institution for Women’s in Corona, California. Honorable Mention in the community category went to Temple B’nai Torah in Bellevue, Washington, for its program: Advancing Reproductive Health and Rights. Download more information here and here.
Read more about these winning programs below and please check back often until this section has been updated with all the winners.
Peggy Martin, WRJ PD Kavod Awards Chair
Questions? Email kavod.wrjpd@gmail.com.
2020 FOR OUR COMMUNITY AWARD WINNER:
Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood of Orange County in Santa Ana, California, won the For Our Community award for a program called “Hanukkah with the Women of Congregation B’not Or.” The congregants at B’not Or are Jewish inmates at the California Institution for Women’s in Corona, California.
This Tikkun Olam project was triggered when several Sisterhood women attended a Passover Seder at the California Institution for Women. The Jewish inmates commented that they were left out when the Christian groups provided Christmas packages to the other prisoners. Our Sisterhood decided to remedy the situation.
All Sisterhood members were encouraged to donate money or purchase toiletries. We packaged a required maximum of 45 bags and arranged for them to be brought into the prison. Then, at the Chanukah celebration at the prison, the Sisterhood representatives handed out a gift bag to each inmate. The effect was most inspiring as the women were moved by the generosity and caring of a group of strangers.
There was great enthusiasm in the program since a number of the women had met the inmates at a Seder luncheon that was done for the women with about 50 guests from the community participating. Having met the inmates, our members felt the need to do more, and thus this program was born.
Only a few people could enter the prison for the event, my husband and I, who are badged volunteers, and another person could enter the prison and go to the chapel with us as escorts.
The mitzvah of gifts for Hanukkah became an important part of our social action program. Helping the women to realize that they are part of our community and we care has meant a lot to them and their rehabilitation. Contact with the community is important. Also, with some assistance, the women of B’not Or (Women of Light) were accepted as Congregation B’not Or, an affiliate of the URJ.
Fran Sherman, Program Coordinator, Temple Beth Sholom of Orange County, Santa Ana, CA
Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood of Orange County in Santa Ana, California, won the For Our Community award for a program called “Hanukkah with the Women of Congregation B’not Or.” The congregants at B’not Or are Jewish inmates at the California Institution for Women’s in Corona, California.
This Tikkun Olam project was triggered when several Sisterhood women attended a Passover Seder at the California Institution for Women. The Jewish inmates commented that they were left out when the Christian groups provided Christmas packages to the other prisoners. Our Sisterhood decided to remedy the situation.
All Sisterhood members were encouraged to donate money or purchase toiletries. We packaged a required maximum of 45 bags and arranged for them to be brought into the prison. Then, at the Chanukah celebration at the prison, the Sisterhood representatives handed out a gift bag to each inmate. The effect was most inspiring as the women were moved by the generosity and caring of a group of strangers.
There was great enthusiasm in the program since a number of the women had met the inmates at a Seder luncheon that was done for the women with about 50 guests from the community participating. Having met the inmates, our members felt the need to do more, and thus this program was born.
Only a few people could enter the prison for the event, my husband and I, who are badged volunteers, and another person could enter the prison and go to the chapel with us as escorts.
The mitzvah of gifts for Hanukkah became an important part of our social action program. Helping the women to realize that they are part of our community and we care has meant a lot to them and their rehabilitation. Contact with the community is important. Also, with some assistance, the women of B’not Or (Women of Light) were accepted as Congregation B’not Or, an affiliate of the URJ.
Fran Sherman, Program Coordinator, Temple Beth Sholom of Orange County, Santa Ana, CA
