Greater Grand Rapids Womens History Council
  P.O Box 68874, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-8874                     Phone: 616-574-7307

  

  

June 21, 2016

GGRWHC Board of Directors

Mary Seeger,
Jo Ellyn Clarey,
 Co-Presidents
Ruth VanStee,
  Secretary
Connie Ingham
  Treasurer
  
Jennifer Bryant 
Jo Ellyn Clarey
Susan Coombes
Kristin Du Mez 
Sharon Hanks 
Connie Ingham 
Kyle Irwin
Mary Seeger
Ruth Stevens 
Amy Dunham Strand 
Julie Tabberer  
Ruth Van Stee 
  
Connect with GGRWHC:
Find us on Facebook 
  
Tell us what you think. Email us
Join Our Mailing List

Jewish Voices Conference
Michigan Women Who Made a Difference
To view and download entire brochure, click here.
 
Make next Monday the best day of the week
Start your week by joining women and men from across the state for a day of celebrating and sharing the stories and achievements of Michigan's Jewish women who helped to build and shape our communities, organizations, and institutions.

Monday, June 27, 2016
Temple Emanuel
1715 E. Fulton St.
Grand Rapids, Michigan


***Free and open to the public!***
   Refreshments and lunch provided,
but please register for one or more sessions:

The Michigan Women Who Made a Difference project seeks to identify, chronicle, and preserve the stories of  Jewish women from communities throughout the state of Michigan who led community organizations, founded businesses, or were political and social justice leaders. The project's goal is the creation of a database of those who made significant contributions to their field,  their community or our country, whether that field was as a professional or a volunteer.

Summary of the day's events
8:30 a.m. - Check-in, refreshments and tours of Temple Emanuel

9:30 a.m. - Invocation and welcome [Temple Emanuel features Hearing Loop technology] 

9:45 a.m. - Morning Session 1: How to Preserve Women's Stories, a workshop led by Aimee Ergas -- A Show & Tell session, sharing completed biographies.
 
10:45 a.m. - Break 

11:00 a.m. - Morning Session 2: M aking Visible Jewish Women in American Sport History, Linda J. Borish, Western Michigan University 

12:15 p.m. - Luncheon and Special Presentation: Excerpts from "Becoming Dr. Ruth," performed by Lori Jacobs  of Grand Rapids

1:45 p.m. - Panel Discussion: Cultural Barriers Faced by Jewish Women Yesterday and Today, with Linda J. Borish, Kirsten Fermaglich, Michigan State University, Karla Goldman, Sol Drachler Professor of Social Work, University of Michigan

"The Michigan Women Who Made a Difference project provides a place for preserving Jewish women's stories and achievements. History has been "his" story. It is imperative to preserve "her" story before it is lost." 
Jeannie Weiner, Jewish Historical Society of Michigan


Temple Emanuel, the new and the old

Temple Emanuel

In 1857, Temple Emanuel was founded by early west Michigan settlers, including the first Jewish Mayor Julius Houseman (1883),  making it the fifth oldest Reform congregation in the nation.

Peg Finkelstein and Barbara Robinson have organized an extensive archive and have trained other congregants in the preservation of historical materials, so that Temple Emanuel can be justifiably proud to have created an archival model showing how community institutions can gather and protect the materials of their heritage.
The Sisterhood
GGRWHC member Barbara Robinson, while working with the archive, noted particularly the women in the history of Temple Emanuel congregation.  In a 2011 Grand Rapids Press article, she is quoted, "The men did all the praying and the women did the work."   In 1871,  the Ladies Hebrew Benevolent Society was organized and worked for the welfare of the city, relieving poverty, nursing the sick, taking care of the dead.  In 1924 their name was changed to the Temple Emanuel Sisterhood.

"It takes vision, adaptation, involvement and dedication to accomplish a dream of preserving the past, so it may be enjoyed by the future. L'Dor V'Dor. From Generation to Generation."
Peg Finkelstein, Temple Emanuel

  ***   **   ***   **   ***   **   ***   **   ***

For more information, see our website

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter .
 

Join us or Update your Membership!  

Not a current member of GGRWHC?   Register or renew your membership and help offset the expenses associated with annual research and programs. Your membership helps to set the record straight on the women who've made history here in our community.
 

GGRWHC Board Meetings

Board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the Vanderveen Center for the Book at the Grand Rapids Public Library. If you have suggestions for programs, oral histories, or other items, please email us or plan to attend a meeting.

 

 

 Share the Newsletter with Your Friends

Forward this newsletter! Friends can sign up to receive it by clicking the button in the left hand margin. Don't assume they are with us--with every technological shift, we miss people.


 

Please take a moment to forward this message to others you know who may be interested in Women's History.  If you've received this message as a forward, consider joining our mailing list (click on the button in the left column above!) in order to receive future updates about programming.

Thank you for your interest in preserving and celebrating the history of the many phenomonal women who've helped to shape West Michigan!  If you aren't already a member of the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council, consider showing your support through annual membership.  Visit our web site for more information and the ability to register using Pay Pal online!

Hats off to the historical women who've shaped West Michigan!