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 • • • ! "# $ % & ' '&& () *+ * , - * * 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.