UPCOMING EVENT

JOIN US FOR AN EXCITING WINTER MEETING!
Like to shop? Enjoy great music ... fabulous food ...  fun movies? Then NCJW's Winter Meeting is the place for you!

Galit Roichman, an Israeli screenwriter and cinema lecturer, will speak about Israel Through A Lens, focusing on the changing role of Israeli women presented through film.

Come early to our Pop Up Israeli Street Fair from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.  Fabulous Israeli-themed lunch and speaker will follow at 11:45 a.m.  We will also present the NCJW Emerging Leader Award.
Date:    Tuesday, Feb. 13
Time:   10:00 a.m. - Pop up Israeli street fair; 11:45 a.m. - Lunch and speaker
Place:   Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven Dr.
To register:  Click Here to register online.  You don't need to wait for the invitation!  Or, keep an eye out for your invitation and mail back the registration card.
Chair:   Rosean Schmidt
Contact:  Lisa at the NCJW office at 216-378-2204 
AWARDS
Fran Steinbock, Chairman

EMERGING LEADER AWARD
The Emerging Leader Award will be given to 3 very deserving NCJW members at the Winter Meeting on February 13. The 2018 recipients are Janice Hirshon, Erin Oakley and Yehudhe Yehudah. The Emerging Leader Award is given by NCJW to individuals who have demonstrated NCJW commitment and potential for future community leadership.  Please join us in congratulating Janice, Erin and Yehudhe
PROGRAM AND EDUCATION
Barbara Shane, Vice President

JOIN THE BOOK GROUP: IT'S A PAGE TURNER! 
The NCJW Book Group meets the first Thursday of each month, Sept. - June.  Led by Amy Rosenfield, the discussion is open only to NCJW members.  There is no fee to participate, however we collect an optional donation ($5 suggested) per session for our moderator. 
Date:    Thursday, Jan. 4
Time:   1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Place:   Beachwood Library, 25501 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood
Book:   The Fortunes by Peter Ho Davies
Chair:   Susan Kahn

Future Dates and book selections:
Feb. 1:  Outline by Rachel Cus k
Mar. 1:  Exit West by Mohsin Hamid

BROWN BAG TRIO - BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Join us for one, two, or all three of these topics! Our facilitator,  Cheryl Gordon, MAT-MSJS, is an enthusiastic Jewish educator who helps teens through seniors discover personal relevance and joy in Judaism.  She is a member of NCJW and serves on the board of Mandel JDS.
Dates:   See below
Time:    12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Place:   NCJW office, 26055 Emery Rd., Warrensville Hts.
Cost:    $5.00. Bring your own lunch.
RSVP:  Call Lisa at the NCJW office, 216-378-2204
 
Wednesday Feb. 7-Israel... It's Complicated
News from current day Israel can be upsetting and may even shake our emotional connection and loyalty. What's true and what isn't?  What's really going on?  Who to believe?   For certain, things aren't like they used to be.   We'll look at the war of words, unsettling news reports, Israel's enemies, and today's real Israel -- all grown up, and, as ever, a source of pride. 
 
Wednesday March 14-Judaism as a Work in Progress
Three thousand years have passed and Torah is still relevant. That's because there's a process built in to keep it timely.  In this session, we'll learn how and why Judaism continuously evolves. Additionally, we'll look at some fascinating recent "responsa" that address very contemporary issues through a Jewish lens.
 
Monday April 16 -Talmud, Torah, Tanach
Sometimes we feel lost when speakers use Jewish terminology and don't bother to explain. When an alphabet soup of Jewish terms gets tossed around with no opportunity to digest it, there's no shame in admitting we need help.  In this session, we'll clear things up by examining the top 20 (or so) items critical to Jewish literacy.

LEARN ABOUT A PIONEER OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART AND CELEBRATED
COLLAGIST
Recognized as one of the most creative and original visual artists of the 20th century, the late  Romare Bearden's works have been exhibited throughout the United States and Europe. He is best known for his textured collages, two of which appeared on the covers of Fortune and Time magazines, in 1968. A key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, Bearden's work hangs in the Cleveland Museum of Art as well as in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 
the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and The Studio Museum in Harlem.
Date:     Thursday, Feb 8, 2018
Time:    10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Place:   Orange Library, 31975 Chagrin Blvd, Pepper Pike
Cost:     Free; a donation of $10 is suggested
RSVP:   Call Lisa at the NCJW office, 216-378-2204
Co-Chairs:  Judy Weingold and Laurie Biales
FUND DEVELOPMENT
Wendie Forman, Vice President

BRIGHTEN 2018!  
Let's make the New Year brighter for women, children, and families in the Greater Cleveland Metropolitan Area! 
 
Annual Fund
Thank you to our many generous donors to the Annual Fund. We are working towards attaining our goal and your gifts are helping. If you have not yet made your commitment, there is still time to contribute. We depend on your generosity to fund our important work in advancing literacy, advocacy for justice, community service, and education.
 
Tributes, Endowments, Stock Transfers
Please contact the office to help you set up a tribute fund, make a tribute gift, or assist you in transferring stock as a financial asset for your donation.  If you are interested in setting up an endowment fund, Executive Director Mindi Axner is ready and willing to assist.
 
To contact Wendie Forman, call 216-469-6228 or email at forman4wendie@gmail.com.

CLICK HERE for December Tributes
COMMUNICATIONS
Leslie Resnik, Vice President

WATCH FOR IT
The Plain Dealer's series on "A Greater Cleveland" will include an article about The Open Table, a mentoring program for people at risk of living in poverty in which NCJW/Cleveland participates.  We work primarily with young women aging out of foster care and survivors of human trafficking.  It will appear in the next few weeks in the Sunday edition and at Cleveland.com.
 
This PD series features people living in poverty - their stories, their dreams, their desires and the people who are helping them in the name of creating "A Greater Cleveland".  It touches upon many of the women, children and families that NCJW seeks to help.  It is both heartbreaking and inspiring to read.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Debbie Joseph, Vice President

TRUE JOY IN SHOPPING - PARTICIPATE IN THE HOMELESS STAND DOWN!  
Thank you so much to those of you who added
 warm clothing to our Operation Warm Up boxes around town.  And a special thank you to those who dropped off and picked up those boxes!
 
This year at the Homeless Stand Down Event, we have been given the opportunity to work directly with program participants.  We need to get an estimate of the number of volunteers who want to participate in order to secure our choice of volunteer opportunities
 
What:   The Homeless Stand Down, Cleveland's one-day event to support our 
homeless population.
Time:    Set up Friday, Jan. 19, 9 a.m.- 12:00 p.m., or 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Event:   Saturday, January 20, 8:00-11:45 a.m. or 11:15 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Place:   The Public Auditorium, 300 Lakeside Ave. East, Cleveland
RSVP:   Maureen Ordman-Fike at rainslicktwo@yahoo.com or 440-221-8514
Chair:    Yehudhe Yehudah
 
SAY HELLO TO HELLO ISRAEL 
Come experience the new fast-paced Hello Israel program for sixth graders who don't hear much about Israel from other sources.  It's a short, interactive program that needs you as an enthusiastic volunteer!  Come to find out more.
What:    Grand Opening of the new Hello Israel program
Date:     Thursday, Jan 18
Time:     9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Place:     Beachwood Library Conference Room, 25501 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood
 
LIVESPECIAL.COM  
Livespecial.com celebrated its 5th anniversary!  Please visit the site or Click Here to see the moving video of the gold medal awardees from the celebration event!
 
We look forward to upcoming additions and improvements to the Livespecial.com site.  Click Here to "like" Livespecial on Facebook!
 
READING BUDDIES - A Rewarding Hour!  
Are you busy on Tuesday afternoons?  Reading Buddies at Warner Girls' Leadership Academy has three opportunities per month to spend an hour enhancing the lives of students through reading with them.
 
Warner School is a 20 minute drive from the NCJW office and it's easy to get to with ample parking.  Sessions start at 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 or 2:30 p.m., depending on which Tuesday you are available.
 
Contact chair Liz Rumizen at erumisin@yahoo.com for more information or simply to be put on the email list.
 
DIGKNITTY (Knitters)
Our busy knitters work tirelessly to provide warm clothing, blankets and comfort toys to many organizations who distribute them to families and children who are in need.  If you would like to join this fun and talented group, contact  Sandy Levine at  grammasandy1@yahoo.com.

Digknitty meets in the large conference room from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the NCJW office, 26055 Emery Rd., unless otherwise noted:
Thursday, Jan 4 ~~ Wednesday, Jan 10 ~~ Thursday, Jan 18 ~~ Wednesday, Jan 24
MEMBERSHIP
Leslie Levine, Vice President

WELCOME TO OUR NEW LIFE MEMBERS:
Ellen Leavitt, Cheryl Stern

WELCOME TO OUR NEW ANNUAL MEMBERS:
Margaret Cohen, Jackie Matt, Linda Melsher, Brooke Zelwin

WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU OF THE PASSING OF:
Elinore Fisher, May Hershey, Judith Rosenberg, Nancy Whitman
ADVOCACY
Roberta Herman, Vice President

WOMEN'S HEALTH AND REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE  
Please join us as we unite with the Freedom of Choice Cleveland Coalition to mark the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade
What:   ROE Together 2.0- Taking Your Advocacy to the Next Level! 
Date:    Thursday, Feb. 8
Time:     7:00 p.m.  -  8:30 p.m.
Place:   Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
It will be an evening filled with information and action!  More information about the event, including speakers, registration and possible buses from Fairmount Temple, to follow!
 
Volunteers Wanted:
  • To help with our new project to provide clothing and toiletry bags for the Metrohealth SANE (Sexual Abuse Nurse Examiner) nursing program. 
  • For creating an escort group for a local abortion clinic in need of help. 
Please contact Laura Kuntz at laurajkuntz@gmail.com or Erin Oakley at erinoakley180@gmail.com for more information. 
 
UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES & STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING  
"Protecting our children and grandchildren ~ Vulnerability through social media" 
It's a sign of the times - All children and teens who are on the internet or who text are vulnerable to sexual exploitation, cyberbullying and other abuses via social media.  You will learn the dangers and how to avoid the pitfalls at this event.
Date:       Wednesday, Jan. 24
Time:      10:00 a.m.
Place:     Point East, 27500 Cedar Rd., Beachwood
RSVP:     Lisa at the NCJW office at 216-378-2204
The presenters include:
  • Karen McHenry, LISW-S, LCDC, Program Manager, Bellefaire JCB"s Homeless and Missing Youth Programs will discuss the vulnerability of youth.
  • Judge Denise Rini of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division in Cleveland will present the experiences and legal consequences of social media issues.
  • David K. Frattare, Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will offer Social Media 101- the basics & prevention of abuse.

FOCUS ON FOSTER CARE  
Winter Break Events with the Sullivan-Deckard Scholars
Highly motivated youth who are aging out of foster care are able to pursue an undergraduate degree at CSU through the generous Sullivan-Deckard Scholarship Program.  During breaks, these students stay in their dorms on their own with no home to go to or activities to engage in. The NCJW committee is holding three events over winter break with the Sullivan-Deckard Scholars.  In December, they visited the  Cleveland Botanical Garden.  Two events will be held this month: 
Thursday, Jan 4 - NCJW warehouse to sort clothes for the Homeless Stand Down and lunch
Tuesday, Jan 9 - an exciting visit to the Escape Room, Cleveland
 
Self-esteem workshops
  • We will be returning to do our self-esteem workshops at The Renee Jones Empowerment Center on Saturdays. We are looking for additional volunteers. If interested, please contact Jeannie Citerman-Krager at jeannieck@aol.com
  • We will also return to the North Point Transitional Facility where we hold self-esteem classes for homeless youth. Dates to be determined.  If interested, please contact Marilyn Oif at marilynoif@gmail.com or Jeannie Citerman-Krager at jeannieck@aol.com.
Join our meeting at the NCJW office to review the self-esteem curriculum.  We welcome new ideas!
Date:    Tuesday, Jan. 16
Time:   10:00 a.m.
Contact:  Marilyn Oif at  maroif1@yahoo.com or Jeannie Citerman-Krager Jeannieck@aol.com for more information.
 
GREATER CLEVELAND CONGREGATIONS  
Your GCC Team had a very productive meeting in mid-December. Our guests, Donna Weinberger, an active member of GCC's Strategy Team and the Safe Gun Team and Humera Khan, our Teatime for Peace contact, helped our team to understand and undertake new work. Humera is determined to gather people to listen and learn about similarities and differences in our faiths.  
 
Donna explained the reason she joined GCC by sharing her story of losing young people close to her through gun violence.  She was determined to make a difference and knew that GCC was the right path. She was even invited to The White House to meet with Valerie Jarrett during the previous administration. The GCC process is to find and focus on the power to fight the surge in gun violence. Does this issue keep you up at night like it does us?   
What:    Criminal Justice Team meeting
Date:     Tuesday, Jan. 16
Time:     7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Place:    Olivet Church,  8712 Quincy Ave # 14, Cleveland
 
What:    Education Team meeting
Date:     Tuesday, Jan. 30
Time:     7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Place:    Fairhill Partners,  12200 Fairhill Rd # B414, Cleveland
 
A great additional opportunity for grassroots advocacy education is GCC University. A new class begins February 4-6 at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church. This active sanctuary church has made great strides in community organizing. Join us for a diverse and fascinating experience.
Questions? Contact  Lynn Kleinman at  lekchoral@aol.com 
DDD
Jill Braun, Michele Kaminsky and Kelly Markowitz

Happy New Year!  Let's ring IN the new year and clear OUT some items from our closet!  Clothing, jewelry, furs - your designer donations can make this year's fundraiser the best ever!  Simply bring them to the NCJW office and add to our growing collection of exciting items for DDD.  Please deliver clothing on hangers.

THRIFTIQUE
Abbe Froimson, Vice President

Volunteering at Thriftique Showroom is a party! Come join us!

Shop at Thriftique Thursday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., 5055 Richmond Rd, Bedford Hts.
Call for a free furniture pickup at 216-378-2264.

Drop off donations at the back of the NCJW Warehouse, Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., 26055 Emery Rd., Warrensville Hts.  

THRIFTIQUE VOLUNTEER BRUNCH


READER'S THEATER CLASS

HANUKKAH PARTY JFSA

SULLIVAN-DECKARD SCHOLARS
 DAY AT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS
BULLETIN EDITORS:  Lisa Hayzlett, Enid Yurman
EDITORIAL MANAGER:  Leslie Resnik

NJCW/Cleveland | 216-378-2204 | NCJWCLEVELAND.ORG
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