Winter 2009
Brooklyn Region News
!! ! " # $ " %For Registration information, & " see tear-off on page 2 BROOKLYN REGION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Message From the President President Judi Silversmith Judi Silversmith Treasurer Barbara Katz Executive VP Modern Miracles Gail Hammerman Organization VP The light of the menorah is more than a Harriet Sayer reminder of ancient miracles. As we approach Education VP the festival of Chanukkah, we are reminded of Marcia Weller the many miracles in our own lives and in the Programming VP life of Hadassah. At Hadassah, we have been Susan Klein kindling the light of hope for nearly a century. Fundraising VP As a people, we know how quickly this light can Alma Krull Membership VP be dimmed. The establishment of the State of Marlene Lempert Israel is a miracle we are fortunate to be a part of. Honorary VP We have witnessed the miracle that is the United States of America. Roni Schwartz Area VP Again, we are peacefully transferring the reins of power. A “mutt,” as Evelyn Gollomp Barack Obama called himself, has been elected President. I did not Area Advisor think I would live to see the light that is the people of the United States Enid Benezra shine so brightly. As we celebrate the victory of the Maccabees, by Corresponding Secretary lighting the chanukkiah, let us also pray for that light to continue shin- Brenda Rosenbaum ing for our new President, the United States, and the Jewish people. Recording Secretary Diane Hunt In September, I was fortunate to be able to go to Israel on a Presidents’ Mission (please see photos on pgs. 6 & 7). I was not able BULLETIN STAFF to attend our VoICE event. I would be remiss if I did not give special Editor-in-Chief thanks to Janet Young, President of the Park Slope Chapter, for Irene Stundel stepping up and co-sponsoring our pre-election event “Find your Associate Editor Voice” (see pg. 4). Janet, Marcia Weller, and Adele Cohen: Todah Sara Sloan Design Editors Rebah for a job well done. Esther Lefkowitz B’Shalom Ruth Shapiro Reporters Judi Adele Cohen Gail Hammerman Alma Krull Please return this tear-off, with a check payable to HADASSAH, Roni Schwartz by Wednesday, December 17 to: Sara Sloan Hadassah Brooklyn Region, 1416 Avenue M, Suite 302, Brooklyn, NY 11230 Jessica Soria Janet Young I will be attending the Dec. 22 Brooklyn Region Chanukkah Celebration
Name:______Chapter:______
Address:______
Phone:______Email:______
Enclosed $ ______[$7 per person]
Brooklyn Region News 2 Winter 2009 REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ARE IMPORTANT by Sara Sloan A rainy Tuesday, October 28, saw the women of Brooklyn Region Hadassah join the National Council of Jewish Women, Brooklyn Section, for a supperette and an important pre-election study session. This first collaborative event was held at the NCJW’s Center on Quentin Road. We at Brooklyn Region thank NCJW-Brooklyn Section President, Rochelle Beer, and Vice-President, Blanche Finkelstein, for all the hard work that went into this event. Judi Silversmith, President, and Gail Hammerman, VP of HBR, were the events co-chairs. A huge turnout listened to Judy Singer, a member of NCJW National Board and past chair of "Plan A", and Julia Rubin, Esq., a Public Policy Advocacy Associate for Hadassah, discuss the status of reproductive rights. It was very discouraging to hear about the Blanche Finkelstein, Judi Singer, Rochelle Beer, inroads the Bush administration has made in curtail- Judi Silversmith, Julia Rubin, Esq., & Gail Hammerman ing women's freedoms. Even more discouraging is the cutting of funds for family planning programs nationwide. Other topics discussed included how younger women feel about these issues, New York State's status and advocacy techniques. Both speakers strongly stressed that we should not relax our efforts on behalf of women’s reproductive rights. Even in New York City, the opposition is always active. Other topics touched upon were condom distribution in the schools and the increasing incidence of sexually transmitted disease among an aging population. It was beneficial to have a joint event with NCJW as their membership and ours share many concerns.
HADASSAH JEWISH EDUCATION SERIES
And You Think Your Family Has Problems?
Marcia Weller, Region Education Chair, coordinates an exciting study program based on the Bible and led by Hadassah members.
• Sunday Jan 11 - led by Hazel Tishcoff • Thursday, February 12 - led by Priscilla Balch • Tuesday, March 3 - led by Caryn Tanditash • Monday, April 20 - led by Harriet Sayer
Contact Esther at the office, 718-382-6454, for more information. The cost is only $36 and includes all study materials as well as refreshments.
Brooklyn Region News 3 Winter 2009 The Park Slope Chapter of Hadassah and Hadassah Brooklyn Region jointly hosted a very well attended HADASSAH VoICE (Voter Impact through Community Education) nonpartisan pre- election event. Our VoICE Event Chair, Marcia Weller, started the evening off by introducing Hadassah National Board member & Vice-President Hannah Pollock. She then introduced Rabbi Andy Bachman. Personable and gracious, Rabbi Bachman welcomed us all to Congregation Beth Elohim's Community House. He spoke enthusiastically about Hadassah’s work with Israeli youth. He experienced this firsthand during his summer teaching experience in Israel. Rabbi Bachman under- scored how critical it is to be fully educated on the platforms of the two major parties in this upcoming election, in order for voters to make fully informed decisions at the polls. Brooklyn Region’s Executive V. P. and Tower Chair, Gail Hammerman, gave a short presentation and update on Hadassah's Sarah Wetsman Davidson Tower. She showed us the beautiful pin and pendants that donors on different levels get, and she explained how valuable Hadassah’s medical research is. Gail then introduced the moderator of the evening’s program, Adele Cohen, Esq., American Affairs Chair, HBR and past NYS Assemblywoman for 9 years for the 49th AD in Brooklyn. Ms. Cohen in turn introduced the FIND YOUR VoICE POLITICAL FORUM. Panelists Britta Vander Linden, past Vice-President of the Brooklyn Young Republican Club, and Joyce S. Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Black Equity Alliance and a Democratic political activist, did great jobs explaining their party's positions on Hadassah’s key issues: United States-Israel relations; energy and the environment; health care reform; and the Iranian threat. A lively Q & A followed. After the Forum, Judi Aronson introduced Betty Shapiro, Chair of Machon/Hadassah Leadership Academy. We were then treated to a brief training on advocacy. This short workshop paved the way for our ongoing Hadassah Machon HLA education series "So You Think Your Family Has Problems?", Bible study sessions, and Park Slope Chapter's Machon HLA Leadership Training workshops, which are open to all Brooklyn Region Chapter board members. For more information, call Esther at the office: 718-382-6454.
Janet Young, Hannah Pollack, Betty Shapiro, Roni Schwartz, Brita Vander Linden, Judi Aronson, Gail Hammerman, Roni Schwartz Joyce Johnson, Adele Cohen, Marcia Kramer, Janet Young
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Brooklyn Region News 4 Winter 2009 Park Slope Chapter Made Strides Against Breast Cancer! by Janet R. Young Over 30 Brooklyn Region women, along with family and friends, walked stride by stride, Sunday October 19, at Prospect Park, to mark the 2008 Brooklyn Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Team Leader Harriett Cohen (Park Slope Chapter Women's Health Chair), Judi Silversmith (Hadassah Brooklyn Region President) and Gail Hammerman (Hadassah Brooklyn Region Executive VP) met us at 10th Street. Gail guided us quickly and smoothly through registration. Before we began the walk, we held our trusty Hadassah banner as Jay (Janet's better half) snapped a photo of our team before we started the walk.
The autumn air was invigorating, and the changing colors of the foliage were absolutely gorgeous! These beautiful colors were a stark contrast to the hundreds of pink papers pinned to the backs of all the walkers that identified them as survivors, or as walkers walking in honor of or in memory of, someone stricken with breast cancer.
We were honored to walk with several of our own members who are survivors. It was an inspiring march as we bonded with the multitudes of fellow marchers of all ages, from all walks of life, who marched in solidarity of purpose: to cure breast cancer.
JOIN US FOR A VERY SPECIAL EVENT - SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2009 On April 26, 2009, Brooklyn Region will have its special recognition event for Chai Society members, Keepers of the Gate, Hadassah Founders and Major Donors. Those who receive an invitation for this event have made a yearly commitment to Hadassah of either $360 a year, $1,000 a year, $1,800 a year, $5,000 a year, or have become a $25,000 Hadassah Founder. Keepers of the Gate can have their pledge automatically deducted form a credit card on a monthly basis. Founder pledges are payable over a three-year period or can be automat cally deducted on a monthly basis. Pledges can also be paid by bonds or stocks. Don't forget, Hadassah can provide some of the best rates for income from annuities. If you have any questions on making a new donation or stepping up to a higher level of donations, contact Roni Schwartz or Alma Krull through the Region office at 718-382-6454. Alma Krull
Brooklyn Region News 5 Winter 2009 The Sarah Wetsman Davidson Tower We are not waiting for the future - We are building it
Bird’s eye view of Tower construction site
Carol Rosenthal, President Upper Mid-West Region, announces $1,000,000 anonymous donation L to R: Marci Natan-National Treasurer, Carol Rosenthal, Bonnie Lipton-Tower Chair & Past National President, Nancy Falchuk-National President Judi Silversmith standing at gate of new Tower construction
Brooklyn Region News 6 Winter 2009 ISRAEL & HADASSAH
Floor at Hadassah Hospital, Mt. Scopus Hadassah College Jerusalem
Pool at the new Young Judea Youth Hostel, Massuah Lee Pinchuk, Judi Silversmith & Carol Rosenthal place wreath at Wine making at Babi Yar memorial at Yad Vashem Meir Shfeyah
Concert by musicians at the Meir Shfeyah Youth Village Charlotte Bloomberg Mother & Child Center, Ein Kerem
Brooklyn Region News 7 Winter 2009 You Can Be Part of Hadassah Leadership Academy Hadassah’s 100th Anniversary! is coming to Brooklyn! Hadassah’s donors are recognizing Hadassah’s Brooklyn Region is one of only five in the 100th anniversary by becoming Centennial country selected by National Hadassah for this Founders, a new giving category established to exciting opportunity! commemorate this extraordinary milestone in Hadassah’s history! Jewish women have a lot to contribute to the As a Centennial Founder, you will receive a beau- Jewish community, the American people and tiful hand-calligraphied certificate, recognition in the world. Israel and the opportunit to purchase a 14-karat Devote one Sunday a month for two years gold pin featuring a blue topaz with 100 facets. and strengthen your Jewish identity. If you became a Founder at the $15,000 level you Study, travel, network, and sharpen your have until December 31, 2008 to make an additional skills with other Jewish women. $10,000 gift and become a Centennial Founder. If you became a Founder at the $10,000 level you What is the Hadassah Leadership Academy? have until December 31, 2008 to make an additional The Hadassah Leadership Academy is a two- $15,000 gift and become a Centennial Founder. year program of Jewish study and leadership This additional gift may be paid out over a two- year period. training followed by a year of internship. The The opportunity to step-up to Centennial Founder program offers: will end December 31, 2008. Community The Centennial Founders giving level for new A Hevra (friendship group) of intelligent, Founders is presently $25,000, payable over three active Jewish women interested in learning and years. sharing new experiences. A network of Jewish After December 31, 2008 the above step-up oppor- women leaders from around the country. tunity for existing Founders will be over, and Centennial Founders’ gifts will be $25,000 for every- Study one. * Jewish studies * Advanced leadership training * Experience in the work of Hadassah Israel BOOK DISCUSSION * Free trip to Hadassah National Convention * Free trip to Israel; connect with Israel’s Save Wednesday May 4 for dinner and dis- people, history and culture cussion of “Who She Was: My Search for * Free trip to Washington, DC Hadassah office My Mother’s Life” by Samuel Freedman, New York Times columnist and Columbia Make a difference. University professor. This discussion will Make friends. be led by Park Slope Chapter member Lynn Reicher and should prove stimulat- ing and engaging. Make a place for yourself in the Jewish community.
To find out more about this exceptional Jewish learning opportunity for yourself or for someone you know, call 718-382-6454 or email: [email protected].
Brooklyn Region News 8 Winter 2009 One Small Part of Hadassah’s Work THE HADASSAH FOUNDATION Changing People’s Lives by Adele Cohen, American Affairs Chair
The Hadassah Foundation is an example of how a 96-year-old organization adapts to the needs of modern women. The Foundation is a separate entity, within our larger organization, created with a $10 million endowment and a mandate to fund projects serving women and girls from diverse cultur- al groups in Israel and in the Jewish community in the United States. With a mission to address unmet societal needs, it supports cutting-edge initiatives outside the framework of Hadassah’s existing proj- ects.
In the United States, our Hadassah Foundation supports groups working to promote fundamental change by addressing the underlying obstacles impeding the full participation of women and girls in our society. Our grantees are addressing a myriad of concerns to modern Jewish women and our funded projects are diverse and wide-ranging. The list of past and present recipients may be found on the Hadassah web site.
One of the organizations receiving a Hadassah Foundation grant is the Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by Billie Jean King. When I served in the New York State Assembly I worked with this won- derful group and I am more than pleased to see Hadassah recognize its worth.
Please understand, I am a woman who never participated in sports – I find jumping rope and playing jacks difficult. However, in the course of working with the Women’s Sports Foundation I learned how important sports participation is for girls. Once I comprehended the enormous benefits boys receive financially from sports, millions of dollars in college scholarships, not just football scholarships, but all sports – it became clear that girls must be accorded the same opportunity. Equality in sports is more than simply providing equal time on the playing fields and equivalency in equipment; it is furnishing the financial recourses, sports scholarships, to help girls attend college in the first place.
Our Hadassah Foundation helped the Women’s Sports Foundation support the program called -- GoGirlGo! which is designed to combat the alarming physical and psychological health hazards affect- ing America’s young girls. GoGirlGo! uses sport and physical activity as an educational intervention to support girls’ health and wellness in childhood and early womanhood. We also made a grant to the Women Coaches Academy when our Foundation contributed to a program to recruit and train female coaches. .
I’ll write more about Hadassah’s involvement on the American Scene in future bulletins.
Brooklyn Region News 9 Winter 2009 East Midwood Jewish Center’s MITZVAH MISSION TO ISRAEL by Gail Hammerman
Last July, 28 members of the East Midwood The other highlight of the tour was our visit to Jewish Center (including 11 Hadassah members Hadassah Hospital at Ein Karem, arranged by and Associates), organized and led by Cantor Gail Hammerman, Executive VP of Hadassah Sam Levine, traveled to Israel to donate a Torah Brooklyn Region and EMJC’s President. The Scroll to the Ethiopian Synagogue in Beit entire group enjoyed a special VIP tour facilitated Shemesh. The congregation meets in a trailer by National Hadassah in NYC and the Hadassah donated by the Israeli government and this would Office in Israel. The Hadassah staff was extreme- be their first Torah. Dignitaries from all over ly attentive and accommodating. Everyone Israel came to the special Torah presentation cer- walked away with a sense of awe at the work emony, which was chaired by Hadassah Hadassah does in Israel and around the world. Associate & EMJC-VP, Sandy Goldhaber.
Gail & David Hammerman Tile at the Goldyne Sevad Gene EMJC donates Torah to Ethiopian Congregation, Therapy Center Beth Shemesh, Israel
EMJC Mitzvah Mission Hadassah Members & Associate at the new CEM Trauma Center
Brooklyn Region News 10 Winter 2009 What's Hot Right Now? Young Women of Hadassah in Brooklyn
We don't have to trek to Manhattan to have a great time anymore. Now there's a great way for young Jewish women in Brooklyn to have fun while getting involved in the community and making great friends. For our Jewish Women's Film Series, we get together one Wednesday each month to watch a film written by, starring, or about Jewish women. Over the last few months, we've had some really successful events. Our pre-Rosh Hashanah dinner party and our vodka tasting event in Park Slope combined all the necessary ingredients for a great night out - good food, cocktails and great people.
This Chanukah we're getting together to "Help Save the World in Just Three Hours". With our hectic schedules - trying to balance work, family and a social life, it's hard to find time to get our good deeds in. At this event we're going to do at least three things that help better the lives of others less fortunate and save the environment. Join our Facebook group, "Young Women of Hadassah -Brooklyn Region", for updates and details on upcoming events.
If you or someone you know is interested in getting involved in Young Women of Hadassah Brooklyn Region, please contact Jessica Soria at [email protected] or Esther Lefkowitz in the Hadassah office at [email protected] to get added to our e-mail list.
Chapter Events DENA PARK SLOPE Monday, January 1 Monday, December 15, 6:30 PM Wine and Dine “ Gala Chanukkah Party” at the original Trattoria on Ralph Ave At the East Midwood Jewish Center Contact Diane Dweck-718-258-4257 Celebrating our 25th year and our founders Thursday evening, March 12 Gala Musical-Supper at EMJC Tuesday, January 20th- Book Discussion Featuring Cantor Sam Levine “The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit” Contact Diane Dweck or Marsha Shelfstein Kosher, dairy pot luck supper. 718-434-4468 For More information visit: Monday evening, May 11 www.parkslope.brooklyn.hadassah.com Fashion Show Dinner at Temple Sholom Contact Diane Dweck or Marsha Shelfstein TAMAR MEDINAH Thursday December 18th, 3:30 PM Monday, December 8 , 12:30pm At the East Midwood Jewish Center Monthly Meeting at the JCH of Bensonhurst Cantor Sam Levine will lead a musical program
Thursday, January 1st, Lunch at Kar Restaurant
Brooklyn Region News 11 Winter 2002 Hadassah Brooklyn Region NON-PROFIT ORG. 1416 Avenue M U.S. POSTAGE Brooklyn, NY 11230 718.382.6454 PAID [email protected] Brooklyn, NY www.brooklyn.hadassah.org Permit #4194
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MARK YOUR NEW 2009 CALENDARS WITH THESE HADASSAH DATES
MARCH 23 PARK SLOPE ANNUAL WOMEN’S SEDER APRIL 26 CHAI SOCIETY-KEEPERS MAJOR DONOR BRUNCH JUNE 20 REGION INSTALLATION BANQUET JULY 12-15 NATIONAL CONVENTION AT THE HILTON IN NEW ORLEANS
CHARITABLE SOLICITATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT HADASSAH, THE WOMEN'S ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA, INC. 50 West 58th Street, New York, NY 10019 - Telephone: (212) 355-7900 A copy of Hadassah's latest Financial Report is available by writing to the Hadassah Finance Dept., 50 W. 58th Street, New York, NY 10019. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY ANY STATE/COUNTY.