NCJW's National CEO Sheila Katz took her rightful seat at the table on behalf of our movement to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu several days ago when he gathered leaders of Jewish organizations in Washington, DC. See Sheila's report about what she said to Netanyahu on our website's homepage under National News.

Upcoming August-September Events!

Please join NCJW – Greater Long Beach & West Orange County, Temple Beth Ohr Sisterhood, Women of Beth David and Temple Beth Tikvah Sisterhood for a screening and discussion of Screams Before Silence, a powerful new documentary led by Sheryl Sandberg.

Months after the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, does the world know what really happened on that horrific day? Do you? 

This film captures first-person testimony from survivors, first responders, eyewitnesses, released hostages, forensic experts, and advocates. Their harrowing accounts reveal the uncompromising truth that Hamas used rape, assault, and mutilation in a brutal rampage of gender-based violence. The world needs to know so that this brutality never happens again. We must bear witness. Join us for the screening and discussion of this important piece.

Refreshments will be served.  

RSVP Here at or call (714) 521-6765.

Overflow parking is available at the Methodist Church across the street. 

Please note: Screams Before Silence contains accounts of sexual violence against women. Due to the sensitivity of subject matter, adults only please.  Also, we encourage you to take care of your mental and emotional health; attendees will be welcome to exit the room at any time.

“For the victims and eyewitnesses who survived, we must demand justice and hold their tormentors and rapists accountable for these crimes against humanity. And for those who did not survive, we must raise our voices, because they cannot.” — Sheryl Sandberg 

This is the first part of a 3-Part Lecture Series on Antisemitism Awareness & Education cosponsored by Temple Israel and Jewish Long Beach. 

Charlotte Korchak is the International Senior Educator at StandWithUs, an international, non-partisan education organization that supports Israel and fights antisemitism. Charlotte grew up in both the US and Israel, having spent her formative years living in Jerusalem during the second intifada. This experience has given her a unique perspective on Israel & the conflict, making her one of the foremost public speakers in her field. 

Unfortunately, our postcard which many of you recently received contained a related error: the antisemitism event announced there for Aug. 14 was postponed, and a new date has not been announced. 

Ready to write postcards? We are holding two more parties this summer.  Come to one, come to both, or write on your own.

We will provide everything you need at all of these postcard parties at homes in Long Beach, but you must register at the link below. Address(es) will be provided upon registration. Questions, contact Deb Lelchuk at advocacy@ncjwlongbeach.org.

Sunday, August 11, 4 - 6 pm

Wednesday, August 21, 7 - 9 pm

“Why should I bother voting?” We have heard from many NCJW advocates that they’ve heard this sentiment from people in their community uninterested in engaging in the 2024 election. Join the August Election Boiler Room and hear from NCJW policy experts break down what is at stake in this election -- like Project 2025, abortion access, civil rights, and more -- and how these issues impact everyone. Learn more specifically about the policy ramifications to be able to engage disengaged voters.

Looking ahead to the next academic year, this webinar is being hosted by NCJW Chicago North Shore to discuss how antisemitism is affecting young Jews in both high school and college, and how parents and grandparents can help support and counsel them. We’ll talk about the realities of life in school and review strategies for having conversations with your kids and how to advocate for, and with, them.

They are one of the most influential figures in American 20th century history. It’s time you learn their name. Both Pauli’s personal path and tireless advocacy foreshadowed some of the most politically consequential issues of our time.

Told largely in Pauli’s own words, My Name is Pauli Murray is a candid recounting of that unique and extraordinary journey. Overlooked by history, Pauli Murray was a legal trailblazer whose ideas influenced RBG’s fight for gender equality and Thurgood Marshall’s civil rights arguments. This is a portrait of their impact as a non-binary Black luminary: lawyer, activist, poet, and Episcopal priest who transformed our world.  

My Name Is Pauli Murray educates and uplifts in equal measure while paying stirring tribute to a largely unsung -- yet hugely important -- individual.

Registration requested, RSVP here.

For more info, email us at programs@ncjwlongbeach.org

 or call (657) 235‑2511.

First, some background:

After 35 years of sending foster kids off to college with their possessions in a black garbage bag, I asked our NCJW Section to sponsor and participate in a wonderful, life-changing project organized by the Dept of Children and Family Services called Dec My Dorm. On Sunday, July 14, Sadie Sacks, Deb Lewis, Natalie Swit, and I set up our station, giving out large, impressive water bottles, one of 40 or so college necessities to outfit a new, high-end, complete dorm room. The young people got to shop for their choices, and we got to talk to them and give our congrats! NCJW was introduced at the event by name, and our logo was all over the room. It was a thrilling day, with taco truck, ice pops, and a DJ.

A Big Thanks to our board, who quickly and willingly said yes to this new project. And thanks to the HugPacks Fund that paid for the station and the water bottles!

These foster kids made it through the system and are going to schools from Stanford to San Diego State and all schools in between, from California to New York. We look forward to working with Dec My Dorm as a permanent project during the coming year.

And here we are!! Come join us on the CSULB campus on Friday, Aug. 23rd, from 10:30 am to 2 pm to help 25 college-bound foster youth move into their dorm rooms at CSULB! These students will have lots of new items donated through the July 14th Dec My Dorm event mentioned above organized by Connecting a Caring Community. 

YOU can contribute to a successful start for these students by joining our volunteers! RSVP requested by Aug. 9th to Sherri Sobel at communityservice@ncjwlongbeach.org or call (657) 235-2511. 

--Sherri Sobel

The Long Beach Women's Fair 2024,  sponsored by Long Beach Suffrage 100, The Feminist Uprising and Zoe Nicholson, is celebrating National Women's Equality Day. It is a commemoration of Congress signing the 19th Amendment.

There will be 30 information tables with services and activities specifically for women and girls, as well as music, entertainment, and refreshments. Everything is FREE.

NCJW is staffing a table; you can volunteer with us or just attend the fair! Write to advocacy@ncjwlongbeach.org if you want to volunteer.

In the evening, the film Still Working 9 to 5 will be shown at the Art Theatre Long Beach. The first Fierce Women of Long Beach Awards will be given.

We apologize for the mix-up, but please note the Women's Fair is on Monday, not Sunday, as written on the postcard.

Join us at the Alpert JCC Auditorium as we prepare the next round of Abortion Comfort Kits for Planned Parenthood and Family Planning Associates clinics. You will help us do a mitzvah (a good deed) for the women having to come from other states to get the healthcare they need and deserve, and it will feel so good! We will be increasing the number of kits we assemble to 400 at the next event on Tuesday, Sept 10th. 

We are once again asking for volunteers to write and collect notes of encouragement to place in the kits. We will also need close to 400 notes as well.

Come enjoy some snacks and great camaraderie, too! We welcome one and all! RSVP is required since a list of attendees must be turned in no later than the day before the event.

Please RSVP HERE by September 8

or by emailing communityservice@ncjwlongbeach.org 

or calling  (657) 235-2511.

.

Many helping hands are needed, so join us in giving a "hug" to vulnerable children entering or in the foster care system, from ages infants and toddlers to high school! Come learn about and participate under our new plan for packing HugPacks: we will pack for all five age levels at each and every event, increasing our yearly total from 650 to 720 as we move forward! As always, we send huge kudos to Sara Silva and her team at Compton YouthBuild for keeping this project running so smoothly! 

Snacks and drinks are provided, and we guarantee that doing good for others will feel wonderful! While you have your calendars out, why not reserve HugPack evenings for all four 2024-2025 packings? Our dates are Sept. 26, Nov. 7, March 13 and April 24, with an RSVP two days before each session in order to submit an attendee list required by the Alpert JCC.

Please RSVP here by September 24

or by emailing communityservice@ncjwlongbeach.org 

or calling  (657) 235-2511.

A Face in the Crowd is a 1957 American satirical drama film directed by Elia Kazan and starring Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal and Walter Matthau. Female radio reporter Marcia Jeffries (Patricia Neal) turns folk-singing drifter Larry "Lonesome" Rhoades (film debut of Andy Griffith which launched him into stardom) into a powerful media star who becomes utterly detestable during his meteoric rise.

Though this incisive satire film was a flop on its initial release, subsequent generations have marveled at its eerily prescient diagnosis of the toxic intimacy between media and politics in American life. The film also debuts Anthony Franciosa and Lee Remick. In 2008, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Registration requested, RSVP here.

Email questions to programs@ncjwlongbeach.org

 or call (657) 235‑2511.

Thursday, August 8: Board Meeting at 7 pm, AJCC.

Thursday, September 5: Board Meeting at 7 pm, Zoom.

Thursday, Oct. 10: Board Meeting at 7 pm, AJCC.

HOW TO REACH US - CALL US IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION

Email us at info@ncjwlongbeach.org, call (657) 235-2511, or send mail to NCJW–Greater Long Beach & West Orange County, 3801 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA 90815. Please add this contact information to your contacts list.