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Addiction Program

3/17/2011

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Or Ami “Light of My People Award” for Symposium 
“To Life, the Journey of Addiction and Recovery in our Jewish Community.”


“Seeing that keeping the body healthy and whole is the way of God… therefore a person must distance himself from things that destroy the body, and accustom himself to things which heal the body.”
Maimonides

How many times have you heard these statements: “There aren’t any Jewish alcoholics;” or “My children won’t have a problem with alcohol because we model responsible drinking on Shabbat and at Passover?” For too long, we have heard the myth that alcoholism is not a problem in the Jewish community and that children from good families don’t turn to substance abuse. This denial has increased the stigma of alcoholism and substance abuse in our community, contributing to the sense of isolation felt by those struggling with these challenges and creating a barrier to seeking help. 

Aware of the need for education in our Jewish community and in response to a resolution on drug policy endorsed at the 46th Women of Reform Judaism Assembly, the Sisterhood of Temple B’nai Torah resolved to sponsor a conference on addiction in our Jewish community at our Temple. We approached Jewish Family Service of Seattle, which was embarking on a new outreach program, “Alternatives to Addiction,” and they enthusiastically agreed to partner with us. 

Our symposium was the first on addiction in our Jewish community held in the Pacific Northwest. We focused on the biochemical aspects of addiction, the impact of addiction on families, and on recovery. In addition to providing a day of professionally led talks, several treatment programs sponsored booths at the symposium. Our Rabbi gave an inspiring talk at the luncheon on inclusion of people who have felt left out of our Jewish community, and our Cantor led the assembly in the Misheberach at the conclusion of the symposium.

About 175 people attended, including addiction professionals (many of whom were Jewish), clergy and interested members of our community. The response was enthusiastic. While we received positive comments on the evaluation forms, the expressions of relief, gratitude, and hope on the faces of so many reflected the heartfelt appreciation for our program.

Our Sisterhood is truly honored to have been selected for an Or Ami, “Light of My People” Award for this symposium and hope the publicity will increase awareness of the problem of addiction and encourage other Sisterhoods and organizations to develop programs to address it.

Shana Aucsmith, 
[email protected] Sisterhood of Temple B'nai Torah,

Bellevue, WA and Eve Ruff, Jewish Family Services

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Retreat in Los Angeles

11/1/2010

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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
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HUC Ordination

6/1/2010

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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
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S.O.S.

2/8/2010

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University Synagogue Sisterhood Launches S.O.S.
(Or, Social Outreach with Sisterhood)
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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

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Making Dreams Come True

2/8/2010

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Bingo and Pizza Night for Campership, February 6, 2010
Congregation B'nai Torah, Bellevue, WA
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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.

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Women's Retreat

8/18/2009

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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.
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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, [email protected] Area Director, Northern Area - WRJ Pacific District

Sholom Women, Peninsula Temple Sholom, Burlingame, CA
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A sisterhood story

7/8/2009

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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
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Sisterhood Installation

7/1/2009

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What an Event at Temple Beth Ohr, La Mirada, CA
L-R Cathy Neiderman, Fran Sherman, Cher Krichmar, Nancy Griffin, Nancy Marcus, and Helene Jacobs.
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
[email protected], (714) 336-0547

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Food Festival

6/1/2009

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The Temple Beth Ami Jewish Food Festival:
They came for a nosh. They stayed for the fun. In droves!
 

We did it! Our Temple’s Jewish Food Festival, held Sunday, May 17, was the first event of its kind in the Santa Clarita Valley – and it succeeded beyond anything any of us even dared to imagine. As soon as we opened at 11AM the crowds were there in numbers that made our jaws drop. We estimate that over 1000 people attended, and overall sales were 80% greater than estimated, vendors were delighted with their results. Lots of our vendors entirely sold out of food and merchandise. Many of them commented on how amazed they were that a first-time event was so successful and ran so smoothly. Several merchants have already told us that they’re ready to sign up for TBA’s next food festival!

The only problem was the blistering hot weather. We asked Rabbi Blazer if he could do something about that next year. He said he’ll get back to us. We’re waiting.

What made the TBA Jewish Food Festival the stunning success that it was must be attributed to the brilliant, creative and tireless work of both the members of our committee, as well as all the others who helped. On the committee were Hedy Greenfield, Esther Sternin, Jodi Rosen, Judy Wolfe, Shawn Monheim, Denise and Alan Youngwood, Doreen Hawbecker, Sharon and Dick Greenberg, Francine Van Scoyoc, Dan and Yvonne May, Marcia Davis, Ethel Nakutin, and yours truly, Carolyn Heitmann. Among the many others contributing their time and energy unreservedly and generously were Rabbi Blazer, Tracy Blazer, Sarah Rensin, Joe Rensin, Teri Knafla, Vanessa Wilk, Pam Jaffke, Barbara & Marvin Siegel, Cal Greenfield, Mary Fuchsman, Alan Sternin, Joyce Stein, Gene and Bonnie Horwitz, Rob Hershenson, my husband John Heitmann, our Men’s Club and Sisterhood. I thank all of them (and those many, many unnamed others who gave so generously of their time and effort – we know who you are) from the bottom of my heart, knowing that for them as well as for myself, the real thanks for all our work was the satisfaction in knowing what this resounding success meant to Temple Beth Ami.

Special thanks must also go to our Platinum sponsors: The City of Santa Clarita, MLA Reps, Palmdale Glass & Mirror, CA Rasmussen, and KHTS; our Gold Sponsors, Classic Design Jewelry, Advantage Disposal, Pacific Sales, Western Bagels, and Intertex; and our Silver Sponsors: Thelma’s, Morning Café, Yoga Yoga, Tina Tyndall at L’Esprit Salon, Heartland, Frames Connection, DiningGuy.com, and Castaic Water.
 
So what’s next? Next year, of course! With the idea being to make Santa Clarita Valley’s second ever Jewish Food Festival bigger, better, more delicious and more fun than its first. (We also expect it to be cooler, and we know who’s responsible for that!)

Article by Carolyn Heitmann, Chair, TBA Jewish Food Festival
President: Hedy Greenfield  


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    Sharing our Successes

    In this section are wonderful projects recently planned and put on by some of our local sisterhoods.  These descriptions are listed for you to share with your own sisterhood. 

    If you have a successful project, please send in a summary, with pictures if possible. We look forward to receiving your contributions by email. Here is what we are looking for: 


    Very successful events (programs, fundraisers, etc.) that your sisterhood has done in the last year that you think others might want to duplicate. Please include a 100 word summary and pictures. Pictures are very important. Include the name of your sisterhood, your city, and a contact name and email.  
     
    Please send these articles and pictures to [email protected].  Please put WRJ Pacific Sharing in the subject line or share with the larger community by posting on our facebook page.

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