AUGUST 2025

New: Photo Policy

Women of Mishkan Or regularly takes photos of members during events and shares some of them in our newsletters, on our Facebook page, and with local media. If you do NOT want your photo published, please contact Enid Yurman at enid.yurman@gmail.com and Ellen J. Kleinerman at ellen.kleinerman@gmail.com.

THIS MONTH'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Save the date for September Opening Event, This is Us, Honey from the Heart, Mitzvah projects, Rosh Chodesh, book club, and Torah study.

JOIN WMO TODAY!

We invite you to join WMO as we enter our exciting second year!

Did you know that your membership supports our educational, spiritual, social, cultural, and social action/ justice programming and projects? 

Did you know WMO won the inaugural Presidents' Volunteer Award at last spring’s CMO Annual Meeting ?

Annual Dues are $50 and may be charged by clicking on this link:

https://mishkanor.shulcloud.com/form/wmomembership

To pay by check, make out your check for $50 to “Congregation Mishkan Or” and put “WMO annual dues” in the memo line. Be sure to include your address, phone number and email. Mail it to Congregation Mishkan Or, 26000 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood, Ohio 44122 or drop it off at the front desk.

Membership questions may be directed to Janice Hirshon (jchirshon@gmail.com or 508-667-0195) or Maureen Ordman- Fike (rainslicktwo@yahoo.com or 440-221-8514).

PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVES

From WMO Co-President Jeannie Citerman-Kraeger

Dear friends,

We hope you are enjoying your summer, relaxing a bit as well as spending time with family and friends.

In keeping with the theme of our closing event in June, Seeds of Intention, and

as we are preparing activities and events for the new year, we want to share that we are taking words of wisdom from one of our advisers, Cantor Laureate Sarah Sager, regarding “Kavanah”/Intentions:

“We have not referred to it as "setting an intention", but we have referred to it and talked about it and invoked it as kavanah which means the sincere and deliberate focus of the mind and heart during prayer, religious rituals and practices of any kind, and, in fact, we use the word, kavanah, to describe what we hope will be the way one conducts oneself at all times – with kavanah, open to the potential of the spiritual realm to animate and motivate us. It is a focused mindset and heartset open to the possibility of approaching God, of feeling God's presence, of being before God…..While kavanah is used primarily in relation to religious ritual, in a very real sense, as prayer is intended to lead us to action, we seek to live our lives with kavanah, with that focus, that sincere direction of the heart, the emotions, and the soul, that is not just about reciting prayers; it's about making the words and thoughts of our prayers live in our lives, every day, in every encounter, in every activity.”

As your presidents, we are continually striving to live more intentionally in all of our activities. We have also asked our WMO Board members to consider their own focus and intentions for WMO this year. With these thoughts in mind, we look forward this year to building relationships, coming together, sharing, and learning. It is a pleasure and an honor to serve, and we thank you for your trust and support in us.

Yours,

Jeannie Citerman-Kraeger

WMO Co-President

Note: WMO Co-Presidents Jeannie Citerman-Kraeger and Ronna Kaplan alternate sharing their perpectives in each newsletter. Questions or suggestions? Feel free to reach out to Jeannie and Ronna at jeannieCKMO@gmail.com and rskaplan1@gmail.com.

THIS IS US

Last March, we began introducing two members of WMO in each monthly newsletter. We're happy to continue this feature.

Meet Enid Yurman

In her own words: "I spent the first 17 years of my life in northern New Jersey, including summers at the Jersey shore. After that, I bounced around different states and colleges – From University of Miami (FL) to NYC, taking a few courses at New School and NYU, to graduating from Antioch College’s satellite campus in Columbus, MD.

Although I got a degree in elementary education, I followed a career path in writing in Northern Virginia – human interest features for local newspapers and magazines -- and was Assistant Editor at the Soil Conservation Magazine (U.S. Department of Agriculture).

When my husband’s job took us to Idaho, I did technical editing at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Nuclear Research & Development Lab. While in Idaho, I co-founded and co-chaired a nonprofit, Children’s Coalition, which promoted community education and outreach to families in need.

My husband and I have one son – who we followed to Northeast Ohio when he married an Ohio girl. Today we have three grandchildren (identical twins Lila and Zoe and their little brother Charlie.) I felt at home at the former Fairmount Temple where I found a warm welcome among the sisterhood members.

Although the last year there was understandably a difficult one – first a fire at the temple then learning that we would have to leave, I found a new home at Mishkan Or. And a warm and welcoming family with the Women of Mishkan Or. I am happy to serve with Ellen Kleinerman as Co-VP of Communications & Marketing - a labor of love! Finally, because of the passion, creativity, and commitment of the women who lead and support WMO, I see a bright future for all of us!"

Meet Paula Dreyfuss

In her own words: "I was born in Cleveland and am the youngest of three children. When I was 1 year old, my father was transferred to Cincinnati, where I grew up.

I met my husband, Dan, when he was in law school and I was a senior at The Ohio State University. After our first date, I told my roommate I was going to marry this guy! We were married in 1977.

I have lived in Cleveland (except for two years) since my husband graduated from law school. We have three wonderful children, Matthew, Joe, and Madelyne. My sons and their families live in Cleveland. My daughter lives in Bethesda, MD. We have four beautiful granddaughters. Edie and Adeleine are Matthew and Erin’s daughters. Amalia is Joe and Nya’s daughter. Margaret is Madelyne and Chris’s daughter.

I graduated with a BS degree in Family & Child Development and have always worked in a social work capacity. I started as a case manager in the Lorain County Department of Job & Family Services. Later I was tapped to head Adult Protective Services with Lorain County’s Job & Family Services. I set up this new state wide program in Lorain County coordinating with local police. I also worked for Montefiore Home in the Alzheimer’s unit and then became an intake worker.  Later I served as the director for Adult Services at the Mayfield JCC. 

After a respite to raise my children, I joined my husband’s law firm, working there for 22 years. My crowning glory was developing a software program that the law firm continues to use today. At the age of 60, I earned a Master’s Certificate to assist families navigating through end-of-life decisions.

After I retired in 2017, I was looking to meet new people and was interested in joining a book club. Prior to that, I was a longtime member of the legacy WFT but never participated in programs. I enjoyed the WFT bookclub, slowly meeting people and ultimately felt like I belonged.

In the short history of WMO, the Intergenerational Seder was my favorite program. It was gratifying to have my daughter-in-law, Erin, and my granddaughters, Edie and Addie attend.

I am honored to be elected co-executive vice president, along with Claudia Marmaros. I would like to see WMO continue to evolve into a truly unified organization. I believe we’ve come a long way toward this goal in our inaugural year, much in part to the great leadership of Co-Presidents Ronna Kaplan and Jeannie Citerman-Kraeger and our advisers, Cantor Kathy Sebo and Cantor Sarah Sager. I hope to learn much from them, the board and WMO members."

..

WMO OPENING EVENT

It’s WMO's first birthday and we are celebrating on

Monday, Sept. 15, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at Congregation Mishkan Or

OUR SPEAKER: Neurologist Dr. Howard Tucker, who just turned 103 years old, will share his insights in his talk, "What's Next? A Prescription for Longevity." Dr. Tucker holds the Guinness World Record set in 2021 as the oldest practicing doctor in the world! Today, Dr. Tucker, continues working as a consulting physician and lecturer at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

Dr. Tucker was the subject of “What's Next?” an award-winning documentary produced by his grandson, Austin Tucker. 

JOIN US FOR: Dinner and program at a cost of $40 per person. 

There will be an abundance of delicious appetizers beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Dinner will be served family style at 7 p.m. and will include tossed garden salad, Chicken Marsala, Eggplant Parmigiana, Cavatelli with Marinara sauce and Asparagus. 

 SAVE THE DATE

Reservation details to come soon.

Questions? Contact: Debbie Skapin – Debbie.skapin@gmail.com  

HONEY FROM THE HEART

The Annual WMO Honey Sale for Rosh Hashana

WMO is now selling beautiful 8-ounce jars of kosher honey. This isn’t just about Honey, it’s about connection, tradition, and giving back.

Click HERE for more information. Note: Free shipping extended through Aug. 8.

HEARTS AND HANDS

Join us to work on Mitzvah Projects!

 If you can cut, paste, sew, knit, or

crochet, we welcome your help!

HELLO DOLLY FACTORY AND MUCH MORE UP & RUNNING

After a brief vacation in July, we are ready to restart our mitzvah projects.

Our Doll Makers will be meeting every Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. at CMO. Please come and help.The dolls are donated to Project ACT, which serves homeless families in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

On Sunday, Aug. 10, we will have a table in the Hartzmark Room during the CMO Garden Party. Families are urged to stop by to see samples of our mitzvah projects. We will also invite attendees to create personal cards that we can include when we deliver our completed projects.

On Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 9:30 a.m., join us as we create Touch and Tell Alphabet Books with the Women of Presbyterian Church.  

On Sunday, Aug. 24, at 9:30 a.m., we will be working on our Touch and Tell Number Books only.

Questions?  For dolls, call Debbie Lavin, 216-970-5901,

For vests, call Laurenda Messer, 216-371-0298

For Touch and Tell books and blankets, call Phyllis Berlas, 216-381-8738.

JOIN RABBI DADOUN

FOR ROSH CHODESH

Rosh Chodesh is a beautiful Jewish ritual that presents an opportunity for women to gather, spend quality time together and study.

Join Rabbi Yael Dadoun on Tuesday, Aug. 26 from 7-8:30 p.m. at CMO to learn about Elul, the month leading up to the High Holy Days. 

Upcoming dates for Rosh Chodesh include:

Wednesday, Oct 22

Tuesday, Dec 2

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

Tuesday, Feb 17, 2026

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

RSVP to Janice at jchirshon@gmail.com

MORE TO COME ON THE HORIZON

TORAH STUDY BY THE NUMBERS

“We never study the Book of Numbers.” Educator Diane Lavin said that she has heard this comment from members in the past. This fall, that will change. Diane plans to lead a six-session text study of three stories from the Book of Numbers. Those interested will meet in person at CMO or online like last year. Unlike last year, the group will meet twice monthly in September, October, and November. No prior knowledge is required. 

All sessions are from 11 a.m – noon. 

Tuesdays, Sept. 9 and Sept 16 

Thursdays, Oct. 9 and Oct. 16

Tuesdays, Nov 11 and Nov 18 

RSVP to jchirshon@gmail.com 

WMO TRADITIONS GIFT SHOP

Need a mezuzah? Call Traditions! Need a menorah? Call Traditions! Need a housewarming gift? Call Traditions!

Traditions is always here for you!

 Simply call Iris Kane at 216-225-2327 or Ilene Kammer at 330-338-4849 to set up a personal shopping appointment. 

WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?



Have an idea for a WMO program or event? Reach out to one (or more) of the VPs of Programming: Ingrid Halpert (ihalpert@aol.com), Laura Loebl (lauraloebl@gmail.com), and Marci Sherell Zabell (the.mzabell@gmail.com).

WOMEN OF MISHKAN OR TEMPLE FUNDS

The following funds help support WMO's Mitzvah projects and many stimulating, entertaining, enlightening, and thought-provoking programs. Please consider contributing to these funds when honoring or in memory of a loved one or to celebrate a special occasion. Your generous donations are much appreciated!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• ALEXANDRA AND JOSEPH BERGER MUSIC FUND is used for special music events, lectures, and other programs.
• ARTHUR AND JOSEPHINE ELSOFFER FUND is used to purchase yarn and materials for our Mitzvah projects (lap and baby blankets and teaching dolls).
• ILEEN KELNER FUND supports Women of Mishkan Or special projects.
• JOANNE LEVY SCHOLARSHIP FUND is used for Scholarships and Leadership Training for Temple Youth.
• THE RALPH AND SHEILAH ORKIN TOUCH AND TELL FUND supports the Alphabet and Number Touch and Tell books for preschool children who are visually impaired. 
• THE TWA (Temple Women's Association) FUND supports Temple projects.



Make your donation check out to "Women of Mishkan Or," indicate the fund you wish to support and mail to Congregation Mishkan Or, 26000 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood, Ohio 44122.

WMO'S MISSION

Our Women of Mishkan Or (WMO) is an active group of women* who come together to further the highest ideals of Reform Judaism, by promoting fellowship among its members, supporting and strengthening Congregation Mishkan Or (CMO), and promoting education, religious and social action programming. This organization furthers the mission of the Women of Reform Judaism, a collective voice and presence of women in congregational life.

* WMO welcomes anyone who identifies as female, nonbinary, or gender fluid. WMO welcomes all who identify as Jewish or have a commitment to the Jewish community.