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Time to sit down with your favorite cup of coffee or tea and read about the many WMO programs brought to you this month!
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PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVES
From WMO Co-President Ronna Kaplan
Dear friends,
....At this late-breaking hour, please join us in praying for peace in the Middle East.
Sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice. These are the three pillars of the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), our umbrella organization. Let’s concentrate on sisterhood today.
As we approach the holiday of Purim, we are reminded of two significant female leaders, Queens Vashti and Esther, whose stories we will revisit. In addition, those of us who have participated in recent Torah study sessions with our own Diane Lavin have become more familiar with accounts of other strong females in our history: Michal, Abigail, and Batsheveh, the wives of David.
That being said about our past, we also have many wonderful role models for strong women in our own midst. There are our amazing clergy, our esteemed WMO advisors, Cantor Kathy Sebo and Cantor Laureate Sarah Sager, and Rabbis Dadoun, Muhlbaum, and now Berlin. And we have incredible lay leaders as well—CMO Co-President Julie Adler Raskind, numerous CMO board members, and all our WMO leaders. We all possess individual strengths that we happily share with one another.
As WMO members, we stand on the shoulders of those who led before us. Today I choose to focus on the life of Gloria Fine (z”l), a member of CMO and WMO who recently passed away. Gloria was a Past President of the Women of Fairmount Temple and helped run the WFT gift shop, as well as that of Montefiore, for many years. An active community volunteer, she was involved with many other organizations, such as True Sisters, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, and St. Augustine’s Church. Her late husband, Irv, and she were exceedingly generous to many causes. Amy Nadler, Gloria’s daughter and another prime example of a strong woman in our midst, shared that we all made Gloria “feel so special when she attended WMO events and helped her feel connected to her new congregation CMO.” Gloria’s granddaughter Lindsey Houska shared at the funeral that her grandmother was an experience! Her obituary stated that “Gloria was a strong woman who lived life the way she wanted.” All who knew Gloria well would most likely agree.
And so it seemed very fitting and appropriate to Amy Nadler and her husband Larrie and to Amy’s brother Randy Fine that their family should establish the Gloria Fine WMO Tzedakah Fund to honor Gloria’s memory and legacy. Their wishes (just as Gloria’s would have been) are that the monies raised through this fund should be used to enrich and enhance WMO events as needed. You will find this fund listed in our monthly newsletter with all other named WMO funds.
Indeed our WMO sisterhood is truly blessed with so many strong, bright, caring, and giving women. It is an honor and a privilege for Jeannie and me to serve as your co-presidents. We hope you will read below our This Is Us column featuring two more of our members.
Yours,
Ronna Kaplan
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
In each monthly newsletter, we introduce two members of WMO. This month, we would like you to meet Deborah Friedman, pictured below left, and Shelley Gilmore. Click HERE to read their stories.
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SPECIAL PROGRAMS & EVENTS
** SPOTLIGHT ON SOCIAL JUSTICE
** END PASSOVER ON A SWEET NOTE Cookie Fundraiser
** A BRIEF BROADWAY HISTORY MUSICAL MELANGE with Arnold Hirshon
** SIP OF THE LAND: ISRAELI WINE JOURNEY WITH RABBI DADOUN
** RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OF PROGRESSIVE JEWS IN ITALY
** DAY OF ACTION: GENDER EQUITY- Keynote Speaker Congresswoman Shontel Brown, with panel of experts
** WMO RETREAT: PAUSE, REFLECT & RECHARGE
| -- SPOTLIGHT ON SOCIAL JUSTICE -- | ** Click HERE for more information ** | | |
KEEP THE DOUGH RISING AND END PASSOVER ON A SWEET NOTE!
Order delicious treats online from Luna Bakery -- proceeds from this fundraiser will go to WMO's Mitzvah Projects.
-Click HERE for information on ordering-
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A BRIEF BROADWAY HISTORY MUSICAL MELANGE
Tuesday, March 10, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
at CWRU’s Siegal Lifelong Learning’s Landmark Centre
Arnold Hirshon will present a fast, fun, and informative history of Broadway’s biggest hits and flops, including worthy but forgotten show tunes and shows saved from oblivion by their successful original cast recordings.
The session will be presented in-person only. Registration is inexpensive and easy. Just click HERE to register. The fee for Siegal Lifelong Learning members is only $5, and $10 for non-members. And as a bonus, if you register and bring a first–time Siegal Lifelong Learning participant, your guest can attend free of charge! After you register, just call 216-368-3460 or email axk1128@case.edu to provide the name of the first-time participant.
Arnold, a lifelong theater fanatic, has enjoyed speaking to WMO on several occasions! He is the Vice Provost and Lindseth Family University Librarian Emeritus at CWRU, .
The Landmark Centre Building is located at 25700 Science Park Drive in Beachwood.
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SIP OF THE LAND
An Israeli Wine Journey with Rabbi Dadoun
Wednesday, March 11
7:00 p.m. at Mishkan Or
Join us for an evening of exploration, connection, and taste as we journey through Israel from the vineyards of the Galilee to the hills of Judea – one glass at a time! Together with the Women of Mishkan Or and the Brotherhood, we’ll discover how geography, landscape, and history shape the wines – and the people – of Israel.
As Passover approaches, this is the perfect opportunity to taste and choose the wines that will grace your Seder table. From biblical roots to modern innovation, we’ll sip our way through the unfolding story of our land and our people.
Kindly note: This is a 21-and-over event. There is an $18 fee.
Please register and pay HERE
RSVP to jchirshon@gmail.com. Put “Sip of the Land” in the subject line.
Please note: This special event is in place of the March Rosh Chodesh. The next Rosh Chodesh will be on Tuesday, May 5.
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JEWISH LIFE IN ITALY
Tuesday, March 17 at 12:30 p.m. at CMO
This is an in-person event. Join us for this unique opportunity to Zoom with Pam Harris (in photo with Cantor Sager), a lay leader from Beth Hillel, the only Reform synagogue in Rome, Italy.
Pam will speak on "The Religious Freedom of Progressive Jews in Italy.” In this talk, she will provide an overview of the history of institutional Jewish life in Italy, the current contours of church-state law in Italy, and how that impacts the growing progressive Jewish movement. Our Co-President Ronna Kaplan, along with several other WMO members and congregants, met Ms. Harris last year on a trip to Italy, learned about Beth Hillel, and came home excited to share this inspiring story with us.
This is an in-person event – with Italian cookies! – but a Zoom link will be available for those who cannot join us at temple.
Please RSVP to jchirshon@gmail.com and put “Beth Hillel” in the subject line.
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* CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE DAY OF ACTION EVENT *
NOTE: DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS APRIL 3rd
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PAUSE, REFLECT & RECHARGE: A WMO RETREAT
Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Shaker Lakes Nature Center
Please consider joining your sisters on Saturday, April 25 at Shaker Lakes Nature Center for a day of quiet reflection to unplug from the distractions that keep you from focusing on your emotional self-care. A variety of activities are planned to help you reset your system from feeling overwhelmed to one of ease and relaxation. Learn strategies to support emotional well-being, enjoy a delicious lunch, take in the peaceful surroundings on a guided nature walk, and end the afternoon with a beautiful Havdalah service. We are thrilled and grateful that Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum will be with us the entire day to offer her wisdom, warmth, and spiritual guidance.
This event is open to WMO members only. Not a member? No worries. Join WMO now and your membership will extend to June 30th, 2027. See below for how to join.
Cost: $18. Register early as space is limited. Registration closes on April 15.
Link to register https://mishkanor.shulcloud.com/form/wmoretreat
Questions? Contact Claudia Marmaros at jujen97@aol.com or Joy Fox at foxyjoy26@gmail.com .
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TORAH STUDY
Tuesdays, March 10 & March 24 at 11 a.m. to noon
Join Diane Lavin for Zoom-only discussions focused on "Three Wives of David: A Feminist Look at Power Dynamics." This course probes the text for stereotyping and bias, considers modern commentary for correctives, and invites us to add our voices to these stories.
Send RSVP to jchirshon@gmail.com to get the Zoom link. Enter "Torah Study" on the subject line.
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HEARTS AND HANDS
Join us to work on Mitzvah Projects!
If you can cut, paste, sew, knit, or crochet, we welcome your help!
The Hello Dolly Factory meets every Tuesday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at CMO. The dolls are donated to Project ACT, which serves homeless families in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.
Sunday, March 15, 9:30-11:30 a.m. is the next session for Sunday Mitzvah projects.
The group works on such projects as Number Books for the Cleveland Sight Center preschoolers, knitting or crocheting blankets for homeless families as well as new babies related to CMO congregants, and making EEG Pocket Vests for the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. Parents are welcome to bring their children to these sessions. Stop by to watch, join in, or just say hello.
On Wednesday, March 18, 9:30-11:30 a.m., WMO and the Women of Fairmount Presbyterian Church will meet at Congregation Mishkan Or to create Touch and Tell Alphabet books for preschoolers at the Cleveland Sight Center.
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.
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VIRTUAL BOOK & MOVIE DISCUSSIONS
All are welcome!
Zoom Book Discussions
On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 4 p.m. we will discuss The Correspondent by Virginia Evans.
On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 4 p.m. we will discuss Mona's Eyes by Thomas Schlesser.
Zoom Movie Discussion
On Tuesday, March 24, at 4 p.m., we'll discuss Train Dreams, available on Netflix.
Send RSVP to jchirshon@gmail.com to get the Zoom link. Enter "Book discussion" or "Movie discussion" on the subject line.
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WMO TRADITIONS GIFT SHOP
Need some retail therapy? Visit Traditions, the WMO gift shop, and your spirits will be lifted! You will find jewelry, mahjong swag, serving trays and so much more! Don't forget that Passover is right around the corner.
Traditions is open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. when Limmud is in session, Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. or by appointment by calling Iris Kane at 216-225-2327 or Ilene Kammer at 330-338-4849.
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MAHJONG ON WEDNESDAYS AT CMO
You are invited to join our Wednesday Afternoon Drop-in Mahj from 3-6 pm. Bring your Mahj group and your tiles and we’ll have tables set up in the commons.
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WMO PLANT SALE COMING SOON!
This year, new selections of plants and flowers will be available.
Proceeds go to the Gloria Fine WMO Tzedakah Fund.
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JOIN WMO TODAY!
Did you know that your membership supports our educational, spiritual, social, cultural, and social action/ justice programming and projects?
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.
If you join now, your membership will extend through June 2027!
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).
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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.
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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!
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- 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).
- THE GLORIA FINE WMO TZEDAKAH FUND in memory of Gloria Fine will be used to enrich and enhance WMO events as needed.
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ILEEN KELNER FUND supports Women of Mishkan Or special projects.
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JOANNE LEVY SCHOLARSHIP FUND is used for Scholarships and Leadership Training for Temple Youth.
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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 TRIBUTE FUND supports Temple projects.
Make your donation check out to "Congregation Mishkan Or," and write "WMO" and the name of the fund on the check's memo line. Drop off or mail to Congregation Mishkan Or, 26000 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood, Ohio 44122.
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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.
| | The monthly newsletters, weekly reminders, and other updates are designed, written, compiled and edited by WMO Communications/Marketing Co-Vice-Presidents Enid Yurman and Ellen J. Kleinerman. Send comments and requests to include your announcements in future newsletters to enid.yurman@gmail.com and ellen.kleinerman@gmail.com. | | | | |
