April/May 2025

We have 4 spots available to participate at NO COST in Move 4 Mental Health as reps of NCJW! FIRST COME FIRST SERVED!

You could come and walk the course, enjoy the festivities, and represent NCJW on Sunday, May 4, at 8 am at the Aquarium Point Park in Long Beach. If you'd like one of the 4 free spots, contact Joanne Levy at treasurer@ncjwlongbeach.org or leave her a message at (657) 235-2511, and she will send details to you!

• This year's CA Lobby Day is in two parts, as the flyer below explains! You can go to one or both sessions! Sign up for our April 28 session to learn about what important laws we'll be fighting for. Fly up to Sacramento in the morning of May 7 and return that evening after a full day of lobbying and learning!
• If you want to print out the flyer, click on the blue link above or on the flyer below, and it will open for you! Contact our State Policy Advocate Claire at ncjwcaclaire@gmail.com if you have questions, and register at https://forms.gle/r8Hctu6dThEuTw2S7.

• There is still room for you even at this late date to represent our Section and talk with our legislators. If you have questions, contact our VP Advocacy Chana Ham-Rosebrock here or leave a message for her at (657) 235-2511.

As we face growing challenges in our country, it is important that we come together and take action. From attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive health care to rising violence and antisemitism, our freedoms are under threat. Our Jewish values compel us to act, pursuing justice and amplifying our voices to advocate for the change needed to protect our communities and loved ones and advance our rights.

Washington Institute 2025: Together We Rise is the perfect opportunity to do just that. This event brings our collective Jewish voice to Washington, D.C., where we will network with other NCJW advocates, learn about critical issues, and make meaningful change. Whether you are new to lobbying or a seasoned advocate, you will leave Washington inspired, reinvigorated, and prepared to continue our important work!

Registration Is Open!

Washington Institute 2025 will be a transformative three-day experience where we will build our skills, celebrate our achievements, and amplify our voices. It kicks off at 1 pm ET on Sunday, May 18, and wraps up on Capitol Hill with a rousing send-off from lawmakers at 2 pm ET on Tuesday afternoon, May 20. Join us and become equipped to help continue our vital work. Together, we’ll work toward justice and make our voices heard.

For more information, contact president@ncjwlongbeach.org to discuss possible subsidies available to members for a portion of the trip expenses. We plan to send and subsidize six voting delegates, but more are always welcome! Learn more about Washington Institute and registration HERE.

Kicking Off This Year's Rising Tide Section Awards!

This year’s Institute theme, Together We Rise, is a powerful reflection of our collective commitment to creating bold change and lasting impact. Change happens when we come together, and the Rising Tide Section Awards honor those who are making a real difference in their communities and beyond.

We are going for these Award Categories:

1. Campaign of the Year Award! This award celebrates a groundbreaking advocacy or community service campaign that mobilized a large number of advocates and left a lasting impact. The campaign must exemplify innovation, impact, and the collective power of rising together to create meaningful change.

2. Champion of the Year Award! This award recognizes an advocate who truly embodies NCJW’s values. It’s given to someone who leads with vision, inspires others to take action, creates meaningful change, lifts others along the way, and brings joy to our work.

The Rising Tide Section Awards will be presented on Monday, May 19, during lunch at WI25.

For many years, NCJW, under the leadership of Judy Leff, has provided volunteers to work the pre-registration and day-of check-in and t-shirt distribution for Race with a View (previously known as Athlete's Fete.) If you'd like to help NCJW - GLB & WOC staff on-site sign-in and registration, contact Judy Leff asap at (657) 235-2511, or at

info@ncjwlongbeach.org, or directly through her listing in our directory.

This year, not only will Judy be leading our volunteers, but NCJW is providing financial sponsorship for the event newly named Move 4 Mental Health. This annual JFCS event helps to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month. Together we raise vital funds to support the life-changing programs provided by Jewish Family and Children's Services to all in our community without regard for religion, race, gender identity, or socioeconomic status.

Your participation will make a difference in continuing these services and improving the mental health of the most vulnerable in our community. We look forward to seeing you on race day!  The race is open to walkers and runners of all ages, both serious runners and novices. Email events@jfcslboc.org to learn more or register at https://jfcslboc.org/m4mh/.

Join us as NCJW recognizes our President, Dr. Lisa Raufman, on Thursday, May 8th, at the Arlene Solomon 2025 Visions Dinner, sponsored by Jewish Long Beach Women’s Philanthropy. Come celebrate all the women being honored and thank Lisa for her NCJW service. We will enjoy a delicious Kosher dinner and an exciting musical revue performed by Cantor Kelly Cooper, Cantor Soloist Nancy Linder, and Cantor Judy Sofer!

RSVP by April 25 by emailing spaletz@alpertjcc.org or calling (562) 426-7601. The cost is $75 per person. Guests will have the opportunity to make a gift to the 2025 Jewish Long Beach Annual Campaign.

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) – Greater Long Beach & West Orange County (NCJW – GLB & WOC) is offering scholarships to resident area Jewish students from donations made to our Tikkun Olam Fund and the Linda Calderón Memorial Scholarship Fund. We will accept applications until the deadline WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025 - 11:59 PM PST. Awards this year will range from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the number of qualified applicants.

Applications will be placed in one of the following three review groups to ensure consistent comparators: (1) college and university applicants, (2) trade school applicants, and (3) high school senior applicants.

Learn more about eligibility requirements and apply here!

This Hulu documentary premiered in 2024. The film explores the life and career of fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg, focusing on her rise to fame, particularly her iconic wrap dress, and her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated industry. 

Please RSVP at ncjwlongbeach.org no later than May 19. Please arrive at 6:45 pm so that we can start the movie at 7 pm; the address will be given out after you RSVP. For more information, feel free to email programs@ncjwlongbeach.org.

Please RSVP at our website www.ncjwlongbeach.org or email us at programs@ncjwlongbeach.org if you'd like to join us at the Skirball Cultural Center for a docent-led tour of Diane von Furstenberg: Woman Before Fashion. We will meet at the AJCC at 10:30 am and depart for the Skirball no later than 10:45 am. We need a minimum of 10 to hold our reservation. There is an $18 admission charge for the docent-led tour, to be paid upon arrival at the Skirball. After the tour, we'll enjoy a group lunch at Zeidler’s Café before departing for Long Beach.

• Tuesday, June 10: Abortion Comfort Kit packing, 6 - 8 pm, AJCC. Help provide a little comfort for those coming to CA for reproductive healthcare. We have packed 2,450 kits to date and have touched many lives with a little NCJW love. Register at www.ncjwlongbeach.org or email communityservice@ncjwlongbeach.org by June 8.

• Sunday, June 22: Our End-of-Year Celebration will be held at Old Ranch Country Club! Besides a great lunch and live music, we will also have a keynote speaker from NCJW National here to tell everyone about NCJW's exciting changes and to answer questions. Look for more info on our website soon and a formal mailed invitation in your mailbox.

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.