Sisterhood Retreat:
A Day in the Garden of Eden, Los Angeles Style
 
Have you ever felt the need to escape, to find some idyllic place to spend at least a day (if not forever)?  In late October, 35 women from University Synagogue Sisterhood, Los Angeles, did just that and had a warm and fulfilling spiritual experience in the process.
 
The women had been invited to “retreat to the natural beauty of a tranquil garden for a day of relaxation, learning and music.”  The setting was a multi-level garden in the hills of Brentwood.  Only a couple of miles from Sunset Boulevard, it made everyone feel as if they were in an entirely different world.
 
The Retreat Committee (Julia Weinstein, Berta Greenberg, Bonnie Goldman, Joan Freeman, Marilyn Weitz, Robbie Smith, Roz Weisman, Sarita Unger, Joy Cohen and Suzy Giambattista) planned a day with something for everyone.
 
The day’s activities began with a presentation by Dr. Felice Miller, who explained how to maintain feelings of competence while reducing tension and enjoying the process of juggling.  This was followed by a Qi Gong session with slow gentle movements that integrate posture, breathing and mental focus to provide relaxation and stress relief.  Participants then studied the week’s Torah portion before beginning a Tallit project in which even the artistically-challenged could successfully participate and that will result in a Sisterhood Tallit to be used in many Sisterhood events.  The beautiful day ended with music and a Havdalah service under the stars.
 
Of course there was food (delicious), fun and lots of chances to really get to know one another better.  All of the comments by the women who escaped to Eden were positive.  The challenge for the hard-working committee will be to do it again!
 
Sylvia Rose - University Synagogue Sisterhood

On May 16, 2010, I  was honored to attend the Ninth Ordination of the new Rabbis as a representative of the Women of Reform Judaism. I imagined I would hear speeches and witness an important event.  I could never imagine the unbelievable experience I had that day.

The morning began with a fantastic Cantorial Ensemble singing Ma Tovu.  At this point, I knew this was going to be a once in a lifetime experience. I could feel the emotions churning in the air. Next we listened to the greetings, invocation, and welcoming remarks. Then we got to hear the choir sing a beautiful Shehechiyanu. 

The ordination began….One by one, eleven students became our future. Each student became a new Reform Rabbi. They were presented for Ordination by their mentors, friends and relatives. Noam Shalom Katz was presented by his father, Rabbi Alan Katz. Sara Michal Mason-Barkin was presented by her father, Rabbi Steven Mason.

Daniel Bloom Medwin was presented by his mother, Rabbi Michele Medwin. His new bride, Lydia Helen Bloom Medwin, became a Rabbi at the same time on this sacred day. All of the candidates and now Rabbis were congratulated by their peers, friends, family and teachers. Although I had not known any of the students personally, I became a part of this great big community family. 

I am so proud to be a part of WRJ.  We help make this life changing event occur with our donations and support.  We ensure that the future generations will continue Reform Judaism and our values. 

Welcome to the new Rabbis: Jordana Felice Chernow-Reader, Lindy Reznick Davidson, Noam Shalom Katz, Ari Nathan Margolis, Erin Leah Ellis Mason, Sara Michal Mason-Barkin, Daniel Bloom Medwin, Lydia Helen Bloom Medwin, Joshua Marc Samuels, Mirian Pauline Terlinchamp and Reuben Isadore Zellman.

May you all be blessed with peace, love and knowledge to pass on to our future generations…

Phyllis Bigelson
WRJ Pacific District Vice President
and proud member of the Women of Reform Judaism

Combining coffeecake, a kitchen and a dozen incredible women (as well as a four-year-old helper), our Sisterhood recently began making lunches for homeless women in Santa Monica. This monthly mitzvah helps us give back to our community while we connect with one another.

University Synagogue Sisterhood (Los Angeles, CA) has launched S.O.S., which makes and packs 150 lunches (sandwiches and other goodies), and then delivers them to Ocean Park Community Center's Daybreak Shelter in Santa Monica. Students in our nursery school help by decorating the lunch bags to be used and several women write cheerful notes and greetings to be included
with the food.

Daybreak Shelter provides basic survival services to more than 500 homeless women, including food, shelter, clothing, showers, case management and health care. They also obtain employment and permanent housing for women. The beginning effort has been declared a success both by the women of the shelter and by the women of University Synagogue’s Sisterhood. One woman said it meant a lot to her to be able to spend time with her sisters while helping those in need. Another described it as “a great way to exercise my soul.”

Sylvia Rose    University Synagogue Sisterhood

Many children in our Temple community who dream of summer camp will be able to go this year because of our efforts!

Yesterday, at Purim, we concluded our hamentashen sales.  We made $420 this year! Add this to over $3000 we made from Bingo and Pizza Night and additional money we are collecting from donations at the Sisterhood dessert receptions following the Temple’s Cultural Arts Series concerts, and our Sisterhood will be contributing over $4500 this year to help send our Temple children to Jewish summer camps and programs.  Mazel Tov to our Sisterhood!  We make dreams come true!  

You will find photos of our Pizza and Bingo Night on the Sisterhood facebook fanpage at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bellevue-WA/Sisterhood-of-Temple-Bnai-Torah/173083747708?ref=mf

We are using our facebook fanpage as another way to get the word out about our events, and because it is an easy way to post photos.

During the weekend of August 1, seventeen women from Peninsula Temple Sholom participated in our 3rd Annual Women's Retreat at Westminster Retreat in Alamo, CA. This year's theme was "Healthy Women - Inside and Out". The weekend began with each participant making her individual challah in preparation of the Shabbat. This year there were five women who had never attended the retreat with 12 returning from previous years. After Shabbat dinner we held our Shabbat service outside in the Meditation Garden ending the evening watching movies and eating popcorn.

The next morning started with a one hour hike for those hardy women. After breakfast Rabbi Kim Ettlinger led us in Shabbat morning service in the Garden. The day's workshops included: Yoga, Alternative Medicines for Women and Eating Healthy in a Time Crazed World.

For Havdalah, we gathered in a circle in the Garden to sing songs and end the Shabbat. That evening we auctioned off wrapped presents contributed by participants and raised $325 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The night was capped off with a chocolate fountain and all the accompaniments.

The next morning many of us took walks or hikes around the neighborhood. We gathered around after breakfast to summarize the weekend. Our retreats have been an excellent way for our Sisterhood to connect with many women who have not been involved in our Sisterhood. This year, too, we were fortunate to have Karen Strauss, the wife of Rabbi Andrew Strauss of Congregation Emanuel in Tempe, who encouraged us to plan a retreat with her Sisterhood.

ʺTo acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.ʺ

Shari Carruthers, sharic@aol.com Area Director, Northern Area - WRJ Pacific District

Sholom Women, Peninsula Temple Sholom, Burlingame, CA

A Sisterhood Story

Families connecting through Sisterhood

Three years ago I went to a planning meeting for the upcoming All Sisterhood Day.  The woman sitting next to me looked at my name tag and asked me if I was related to a man who had the same last name as mine.  She said he belonged to her temple.  I didn’t recognize the name so when I got home, I asked my husband if he had any relatives by that name.  He said his father had a half brother with that name but he had not seen him since his father died.  My husband’s father died 50 years ago when he was just 8 years old. My husband said before his father died, his uncle used to be at their house a lot.  Then, as things sometimes happen between families, there were bitter feelings between his mother and his paternal grandmother and my husband and his uncle lost touch.

I next saw Tamar at All Sisterhood Day and told her that the man she knew was indeed my husband’s uncle.  I gave her our phone number and asked her if she would be so kind as to give it to him the next time she saw him.  We did not hear from him.

Last year I again ran into Tamar at All Sisterhood Day and she asked me if my husband ever heard from his uncle.  I said no.  Then she told me that his wife was here attending the day.  Together we went to find her.  Tamar introduced me to Diane and when she heard who I was, she gave me a big hug and we sat down to talk.  She said her husband felt badly about not reaching out to his nephew all these years and the more time passed, the more difficult it became.  But Diane and I decided to take matters into our own hands (as Jewish women do).   It was time to set aside awkward feelings and reconcile this uncle and nephew.  So we did.  Within a few months, Diane and Morry got together with Marc and me for brunch.  The awkwardness of the moment lasted only for an instant when uncle and nephew hugged each other and his uncle told my husband how much he looked like his dad.    We introduced Uncle Morry to our son, Matthew, his great-nephew, and the only heir to the Meadow name.    It was a day of sharing information, much of it my husband did not know, about a time very long ago.  We left the restaurant with promises to get together again and I’m pleased to say we have.

Thank you, Tamar, for reaching out and helping me make this connection for my husband and his uncle.  The Meadow family just got a little bigger.

Margie Meadow
Sisterhood member
Temple Beth Hillel, Valley Village, CA

On June 17th, a joint installation of officers of both the Sisterhood and Brotherhood occurred during a wonderful dinner. As Rabbi Goldfarb said, "In all my 23 years as a Rabbi this is the first time that I know of that a combined event like this has happened - anywhere."

The more than 85 members and guests shared a scrumptious meal of Caesar salad, garlic bread, chicken and pasta with a tomato sauce, green beans and carrot cake for dessert. Both red wine and white wine were served.

Included among the many guests were representatives from WRJ and MRJ bringing greetings from their respective organizations.

Sisterhood presented a $1,000 check to TBO. As outgoing Sisterhood president, Ellie Urcis's president's pin was newly adorned with another diamond. As a special gift, she received a beautiful Shofar - which she promptly and beautifully blew. Incoming Co-presidents Celia Goldstein and Jaki Norris were handed their gavel and each welcomed their new and returning board members.

Outgoing Brotherhood president, Phil Carey, was unable to attend, but prepared a unique electronic presentation. Incoming president, Howard Lavoot, (co-president Ted Lavoot was away) reviewed their various programs for the past year and welcomed their new board members.

With his wonderful charm and style, Rabbi Mark welcomed in both new boards, and outdid himself with his presentation of "necessary" items and gadgets. We hope that this will be the first of many joint efforts of our sisters and brothers.

In May, Sisterhood of Temple Beth Ohr in La Mirada, CA held their installation of officers. In attendance were six WRJ Board members L-R Cathy Neiderman, Fran Sherman, Cher Krichmar, Nancy Griffin, Nancy Marcus, and Helene Jacobs. Installing was Beth Ohr's Rabbi Mark Goldfarb, YES fund recipient and wonderful supporter of Sisterhood.

Nancy Griffin, WRJ Pacific District, Area Director
nancyngene@aol.com, (714) 336-0547