ncjw_april 2016
Transcription
ncjw_april 2016
Help Us Bloom! Join the Bouque t of [on page Sponsors 2] Bulletin April/May 2016 Vol. 107 No. 91 Please join us for South Cook's Annual Closing Dinner, Installation and Awards Ceremony Wednesday, May 25, 2016 Idlewild Country Club 19201 Dixie Highway ~ Flossmoor, IL 6:30 PM $30 per person South Cook Congratulates our 2016 Volunteer Award Recipients! Special Volunteer Award Beth Lichtenberg Outstanding Service Award Lynn Gaby Betti Goldberg 6 th Annual Southland Community Garden Walk Join us for this festive occasion as we welcome our new President Sharon Johnson, install our officers and board members, and honor our awardwinning volunteers! Please RSVP with your check payable to NCJW by May 18th to Michelle Stern, 1332 Bunker Avenue, Flossmoor, IL 60422. (Please note that payment is due before the event!) For additional information please contact Michelle at michelleandstu@ yahoo.com or (708) 365-6348. Respond Now Hygiene Drive Please bring to the Closing Dinner donations to Respond Now’s Hygiene Drive. Items in particular need include toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, body lotion, shaving cream, razors, tissue, women’s hygiene products, baby wipes, diapers and dish soap. Sunday, June 26, 2016 10 AM - 4 PM (rain or shine) PRESENTED BY National Council of Jewish Women South Cook Section PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT Aunt Martha’s and Respond Now Advance tickets are available for $20 at Art 4 Soul, 18135 Harwood Avenue, Homewood, and Ebel’s Ace Hardware, Cherry Creek Plaza, 18410 Governors Highway, Homewood. Tickets may also be purchased in advance through NCJW South Cook’s website: www.ncjwsouthcook.org. A website special of $25 includes one ticket plus one $5 raffle ticket. Tickets will be available the day of the Garden Walk at Goldberg Park, 3301 Flossmoor Road in Flossmoor, for $25. For further information, please check www.ncjwsouthcook.org. Iris Dreyfuss Volunteer Recognition Award Event honoring Join us Bonnie Ribet Tuesday, June 14, 2016 ~ 7 PM Dessert and Coffee Reception Idlewild Country Club, Homewood IL Free admission for NCJW South Cook members $18 for guests RSVP to Maureen Kelly at mmkelly959@yahoo.com Read about Bonnie on page 3! 1921-2016 President’s Message Help Us Bloom! SO LONG, FAREWELL, AUF WIEDERSEHEN, GOODBYE The Sound of Music’s song says it all! This is my final President’s Message. I have completed two years as NCJW South Cook president. I have served with pride and grown in knowledge and confidence, always grateful to those who elected me and to those who have helped me administer our Section. I must thank South Cook’s Executive Committee for all of your support. Meeting monthly, we discuss, agree and disagree, sigh and laugh, finally come to consensus on important matters. I have been blessed to work with such talented and effective women. Thank you to Sharon, Bonnie R., Gloria, Jody, Frima, Peggy, Debra, Magda, Laura E., Jamie, Carrie, Evelyn, Beth and Marcie. To our Board of Directors, todah rabbah. Thank you for working with and guiding me in my leadership journey. As our community continues to evolve we gain strength in working together to achieve our goal of improving the quality of life for woman, children and families. Our work with South Suburban Family Shelter, Aunt Martha’s and Respond Now has been rewarding. Chairwomen Vicki Meilach, Susan Bayer and Teri Gaby are to be applauded for their tireless and effective efforts. JUF mini grants have made possible several amazing programs. Most recently the Artist-In-Residence weekend coordinated by Laura Eisenwasser and Beit AmiChai’s Mindy Miller was a huge success. The Freedom Haggadah Seder was outstanding. With thanks to Debra, Sharon, Debby and Ellen, you produced a flawless event! Many thanks to Rabbis Caplan and Harari for leading us in spirit and prayer, for teaching sixty-five of us the horror of human trafficking. So much has happened in these past two years. I take communal pride in that which I helped facilitate. I take pride in our South Suburban community. We are strong and vital and thriving. I especially take pride in my role as a member of National Council of Jewish Women. With best wishes for continued success in our mission, I leave our leadership in strong and capable hands. See you around the neighborhood! Lynne Oberman lynnencjw@gmail.com JOIN The Bouquet of Sponsors $500 “ROSE” sponsor (helps underwrite the event): ✿ Receives 4 tickets to event ✿ Listed for 1 month in the NCJW Bulletin (reaches 500+ area consumers) ✿ Viewed for 4 months on the NCJW Website (reaches untold viewers) ✿ Listed in Garden Walk ticket/brochure (reachs 200+ participants) ✿ Your business marked on Garden Walk map ✿ Your business or personal message highlighted on sign in garden $250 “IRIS” sponsor: ✿ Receives 2 tickets to event ✿ Listed for 1 month in the NCJW Bulletin (reaches 500+ area consumers) ✿ Viewed for 2 months on the NCJW Website (reaches untold viewers) ✿ Listed in the Garden Walk ticket/brochure (reachs 200+ participants) ✿ Your business marked on Garden Walk map ✿ Your business or personal message highlighted on sign in garden $100 “PEONY” sponsor: ✿ Receives 1 ticket to event ✿ Listed for 1 month in the NCJW Bulletin (reaches 500+ area consumers) ✿ Viewed for 2 months on the NCJW Website (reaches untold viewers) ✿ Listed in the Garden Walk ticket/brochure (reaches 200+ participants) ✿ Your business marked on Garden Walk map ALL SPONSORS WILL BE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE AND ARE INVITED TO THE PREVIEW PARTY ON THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016. v v v Calling All Volunteers! Please help us at our 6th Annual Southland Garden Walk on Sunday, June 26, 2016 We need lots of help to make this year's garden walk a success! Please contact Bonnie at frogmom3@aol.com or (708) 212-6366 to sign up for a two-hour shift at the garden homes. Volunteers can preview the gardens on Thursday, June 23 from 4-7 PM and then join us for a potluck dinner (details to follow). Come join us and have a fun day! We appreciate your support! Garden signs will appear in one of the beautiful gardens where hundreds of community members will be made aware of your support. Your sign can highlight your business, underscore a special occasion, show your family’s support or honor the memory of a loved one. To show your support and sponsor the Garden Walk, please: ✿ Include a business card or other pertinent information ✿ Make checks payable to NCJW South Cook ✿ Mail to Gloria Lippert, 1415 Braeburn Avenue, Flossmoor, Il. 60422 ✿ Sponsorship deadline is June 1 ✿ For more information, contact Gloria Lippert (708) 7985771 or (708) 829-7776 (cell) or glo1415@aol.com Bonnie Ribet ! te Save the Da SOUTH COOK DAY IN THE CITY – Thursday, July 28, 2016 Backstage Tour of the Lyric Opera House, Lunch & Browsing at The French Market, plus a little surprise for those that can stay! 2 Congratulations to Bonnie Ribet, Iris Dreyfuss Volunteer Recognition Award Recipient! The day the Ribet Family - Bonnie, George, Barrie and Carley - moved from balmy Texas to the freezing south suburbs was truly a great day for this community (and not long after, Jessica joined them)! Bonnie has been involved in many activities throughout her years here, Temple Anshe Sholom, PADS and NCJW among them. To list all the many things Bonnie has done for NCJW would fill this page. Let’s just say that the word ‘NO’ does not seem to exist in Bonnie’s volunteer vocabulary. (I am sure it appears elsewhere.) Bonnie’s first encounter was with Flora Alderman at the JCC, and following this, she met Jill Port (now Perlman) who got her involved in NCJW. The rest is history. When Bonnie became our Emerging Leader in 2009, she said that down the road she wanted to volunteer more at Garfield School and help out with NCJW’s holiday gift giving project at Aunt Martha’s. Well, today Bonnie reads at Garfield School and is the chair of our Aunt Martha’s holiday giving project. That’s our Bonnie! This year, Bonnie attended NCJW’s premier national event, Washington Institute, where among the issues we confronted was EXODUS: Anti-Sex Trafficking Initiative. This is Bonnie’s newest project. She is now our representative on the JCAST (Jewish Coalition Against Sex Trafficking) Board. Once again, she is following her passion. Bonnie is interested in advocacy, community service projects and all other aspects of NCJW. It is very fitting that Bonnie Ribet should be our Iris Dreyfuss recipient. Debra Borodkin NCJW South Cook Section 2016 Slate of Officers and Board Members Nominating Committee Report (Parentheses indicate one or two year term) Officers President: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sharon Johnson Vice Presidents: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloria Lippert (2) Jamie Benovic (2) Bonnie Ribet (1) Susan Bayer (2) Jody Markus (1) Treasurer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Eisenwasser (2) Corresponding Secretary: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peg Butler (1) Financial Secretary: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debra Borodkin (2) Recording Secretary: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Magda Roth (1) Immediate Past President: . . . . . . . . . . Lynne Oberman (2) Board of Directors Patricia Arnold (2) Frima Margolin (2) Anna-Marie Brodsky (2) Vicki Meilach (1) Nancy Burrows (1) Elena Morone (2) Lois Fine (1) Bonnie Mosbacher (2) Teri Gaby (1) Debby Pebworth (1) Susie Goldberg (1) Evelyn Rosen (1) Ellen Kaplan (2) Marianne Switt (2) Respectfully submitted by NCJW South Cook Nominating Committee: Susan Bayer, Jamie Benovic, Lois Fine, Susie Goldberg, Sharon Johnson, Gloria Lippert, Marcie Stern, and Marianne Switt. ~ From Our Community Service Partner ~ SOUTH SUBURBAN FAMILY SHELTER South Suburban Family Shelter's resale shop, One More Thing, located at 343 Main St. in Park Forest, is seeking volunteers to help with sorting, cleaning, pricing, and sales. The store is almost entirely volunteer run, with only the manager and assistant manager as staff positions. The store features clothing, household items, furniture, books, shoes, and much more! All proceeds from the store support South Suburban Family Shelter and the Sanctuary program, a transitional housing program for homeless women and their children. Needy clients are given monthly shopping vouchers so they can get whatever items specific to their needs. What clients don't take is sold to the public, so the resale shop supports our clients and services in one way or another. Donations are accepted at the store on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10AM2PM, Saturdays from 10AM-12PM. Anyone considering this volunteer opportunity is encouraged to visit the store to get a better feeling for what is involved. Questions? Contact store manager, Erica, at 708-228-5077, or Vicki Meilach at South Suburban Family Shelter. Vicki Meilach, ICDVP South Suburban Family Shelter Community Outreach coordinator 708-794-2140, ext. 303 v v v Legislation will help Salon Professionals and Victims of Domestic Violence Illinois House Bill 4264 will require all salon professionals to be trained on domestic and sexual violence. Legislation is pending approval of the Illinois House and Senate. South Suburban Family Shelter and other domestic and sexual violence victim advocacy programs see this as a great opportunity to raise awareness and provide advocacy for victims. Salon professionals develop a unique relationship with their clients and may witness warning signs that their client could be in an abusive relationship. The training will educate salon professionals about domestic and sexual abuse, recognizing warning signs, what to say and what not to say, and how to safely refer clients to a local program or agency that can assist them. This training is provided free of charge. South Suburban Family Shelter has already provided training to close to 250 students at the Paul Mitchell School in Chicago, and others are scheduled for this spring. Feedback from students has been very positive. If you know someone who is a salon owner and would like to schedule such a training, they may contact Vicki Meilach at vmeilach@ssfs1.org or (708) 794-2140, ext. 303. v v v It’s the time of year to strap on your running shoes and start training to Run Domestic Violence Out Of Town at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network has come together with several of its domestic violence member organizations and affiliates to collaboratively raise funds for domestic violence service. By joining the Run Domestic Violence Out Of Town Team, runners will have the opportunity to raise both money and awareness for these local domestic violence service providers, whose services span the greater metropolitan area. To register, email marathonteam@batteredwomensnetwork.org 3 Reflections on NCJW Washington Institute 2016 Peggy Butler As a first time attendee to NCJW Washington Institute, I had a wonderful time. Everyone was so welcoming and made me feel so included. I attended workshops on Gun Violence, Religious Liberty, Black Lives Matter and Sex Trafficking, all of which were so informative. Traveling to Capitol Hill and marching in the rain to suggest the Senators DO THEIR JOB was awesome. I really enjoyed our Congressional visits where we met Congresswoman Robin Kelly and her staff, and Congressman Rush’s, Senator Kirk’s and Senator Durbin’s assistants. They were all so receptive to us and listened to our concerns. A great time was had by all, especially me. (Riding underground from the U.S. House of Representatives to the Senate office building was a real hoot). Bonnie Ribet I have always wanted to attend this conference and for one reason or another I could never make it. I am so glad I finally had the opportunity to attend NCJW Washington Institute 2016! It was everything all my NCJW friends told me it would be, and more! I returned three weeks ago and still feel exhilarated from all the motivational speakers and seminars and my visit to Capitol Hill. helped provide equal rights for gay couples and paved the way for marriage equality nationally. The closing speakers were Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Representative Jan Schakowsky from the Ninth Congressional District of Illinois. Their speeches left us all inspired and eager to return to the next Washington Institute in 2019! Gloria Lippert How can I thank you all enough for providing the opportunity that allowed me to once again attend this premier NCJW platform for advocacy training!!! Washington Institute is always a powerful, stimulating, thought provoking event. To walk into a room of between 300 and 400 intelligent, passionate women who are knowledgeable about issues and who are practiced in forming partnerships that together can strengthen, as well as support, each other while moving in a direction that creates significant change is an unparalleled experience! There were so many speakers in just three short days, and listening to all of them was inspirational and enriching. They spoke on issues important to NCJW, encouraging us to convey our appreciation to our senators and congressional representatives for their support of these issues, or alternatively, to ask them to join with NCJW and co-sponsor legislation to make a better life for women, children, and families. The three bills of particular interest were The Each Woman Act, The Voting Rights Advancement Act, and The Runaway and Homeless Youth Trafficking Prevention Act. There were many times that this awesome feeling was apparent during our three days in Washington. Tuesday, when we went to the Hill, the four issues we focused on were, first, asking our senators to “DO YOUR JOB” - referring to filling the US Supreme Court vacancy – and then appealing to all our legislators on our last three issues to Support the Voting Rights Advancement Act, Support the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act, and, Support Immigration Reform. The main event that made my experience so exciting was when we told senators to “Do Your Job.” It was so inspiring to march across Capitol Hill in silence with 350 other NCJW women, each of us wearing a bright green sign demanding senators vote and carry out their constitutional responsibility to fill Justice Scalia’s vacancy on the Supreme Court. After our march, NCJW CEO Nancy Kaufman and NCJW National President Debbie Hoffman delivered 350 signed constitutions to Senator Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. I would like you to share the pride I felt in our organization throughout Monday. It was a day of celebration for the unbelievable achievement won last year with the passing of the Marriage Equality Act. Each Washington Institute celebrates a Women Who Dared at a very special luncheon. This year’s honoree was Susie Gelman. An attorney by training, Susie has been active in the nonprofit community as a volunteer leader for nearly forty years. She was campaign chair and served three terms as president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. She also served as the inaugural chair of the Birthright Israel Foundation. She is a board continued on page 5 I personally spoke in Representative Robin Kelly’s office about Homeless Youth and Trafficking, an issue I am passionate about. I will continue to be active on this subject and plan to join the NCJW Chicago/North Shore committee of JCAST Chicago (Jewish Coalition Against Sex Trafficking). I will keep our South Cook Affiliate informed of our progress. At the opening dinner, Wade Henderson, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and Darla Bardine, Executive Director for The National Network for Youth, spoke passionately about their organizations and encouraged us to go to “The Hill” to speak with our representatives and make a difference. Roberta Kaplan, the NCJW Social Action Awardee and a litigator who represented Edith Windsor (also an awardee) before the Supreme Court, spoke about the case and the overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act. This significant victory 4 Washington Institute continued from page 4 member of the Israel Policy Forum and a member of the Board of Governors of The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Susie is passionate about the issue of marriage equality (she has a son who is gay) and was actively involved in the successful campaign to pass Question Six in Maryland in 2012, the first voter referendum to approve same-sex marriage. She currently co-chairs Israel Religious Expressions Platform. This is a voluntary initiative of the Jewish Federations of North America, whose mission is to promote and advance freedom of choice for marriage in Israel. Monday evening, at the Social Action Award Dinner, NCJW honored Roberta Kaplan, the attorney that litigated a case for Edie Windsor before the United States Supreme Court that overturned the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). This significant civil rights win now allows our country to move forward creating an opportunity for all the right to marry and to form legal families. The two final speakers for this dinner were our own NCJW Board Director, Cindy Amberger, and her wife, Lynne Hvidsten, NCJW Minnesota State Policy Advocacy Co-Chair. Together they shared the story of their fight to secure the passage of the Minnesota State Marriage Equality Act. The excitement, the warmth, the sense of exhilaration, and, yes, the pride in seeing one of the issues that we have passionately supported come out on the side we were working for was beyond belief! Again, thank you for this remarkable opportunity! v v v Temporary List – Calling All Graduates Graduation time is just around the corner! This is a great opportunity to honor the achievements of our members and their spouses, children and grandchildren. Please let us know if a family member will be graduating from 8th grade, high school, college or graduate school, Don’t miss your chance to applaud these accomplishments. Look for the order form in the next bulletin. Following is a current list of graduates’ names but it is not complete. Contact info: Cathy Davis home (708) 957-0086, cell (708) 372-8732 or at kashazi@aol.com to submit additional names. 8th GRADE COLLEGE StudentMember StudentMember Jordan Berlin Julie Berlin Jaimie Albert Sarell Albert (GP) Shellie Berlin (GP) Rikki Albert Sarell Albert (GP) Gloria and Jeffrey Lippert (GP) Rebecca Berger Rachel Berger Louie BermanDebbie Berman Donna Isaacson (GP) Fran and Charles Licht (GP) Elizabeth DeRe Karen DeRe Adam Brodsky Marla Brodsky Rachel GreenebaumDebbie Greenebaum Renee Kaminsky (GP) Vera Greenebaum (GP) Anna Marie Brodsky (GP) Eli Lichtenberg Beth Lichtenberg Isaac Latman Robin Latman Ellery MarksEvelyn Rosen (GP) Allison Stern Michelle Stern Caley Mintz Julie Mintz Nate Stern Marcie Stern Jessica Ribet Bonnie Ribet Abby SteinPhyllis Stein (GP) HIGH SCHOOL Carol Heller (GP) StudentMember Jessica SteinPhyllis Stein (GP) Ryan BergalIris Shaffer Carol Heller (GP) Hannah Berlin Julie Berlin David Stern Lori and Craig Stern Shellie Berlin (GP) Juell and Alan Kadet (GP) Gloria and Jeffrey Lippert (GP) Danny Sugar Cheryl Sugar Matthew Gertler Sue Gertler Brett Vail Whitney Finkelstein Carter Levinson Kelly Levinson Ruth Levinson (GP) POST COLLEGE Hannah Lichtenberg Beth Lichtenberg StudentMember Zoe Mintz Julie Mintz Amanda Gaby Teri Gaby Kyle PlourdeElaine Bayer (GP) Emily Gordon Linda Gordon Mandy Sigale Leslie Sigale Charlene and Murray Gordon (GP) Fran and Charles Licht (GP) Hillary Sigale Leslie Sigale Sarah Stone Gabrielle Stone Fran and Charles Licht (GP) te! Save the Da Opening Luncheon and Gift Galleria – Wednesday, September 28, 2016 Featuring Chicago Tribune columnist Heidi Stevens 5 THE FREEDOM HAGGADAH Albine Gerson Layette Project Update April 2016 An Anti-Trafficking Seder National Council of Jewish Women South Cook Section On March 30, sixty-five people attended The Freedom Haggadah Seder at Temple Anshe Sholom in O lympia Fields. Conducted by Rabbi Paul Caplan and Rabbi Carmit Harari, this varied group celebrated Jewish heritage and the journey of the Jewish people from slavery to freedom. Interwoven into the Seder was an anti-trafficking message designed to help bring the spirit and hope of Passover to the very real and serious human rights issue of human trafficking. Each person had a Seder plate and wine to use during the Seder ceremony. This Seder was presented in partnership with the Jewish United Fund and was free and open to the public. Spring is here, and so is a new season of Layette packing! The Albine Gerson Layette Project is one of our Section’s oldest partnership projects with Aunt Martha’s. According to Megan Givens, Program Director of PTS (Parents Too Soon*) and HFI (Healthy Families Illinois), “these young women are deeply appreciative of the lovely packages for their infants!” We are filling a critical need, especially now with the ongoing budget crisis in Illinois. Megan pointed out that “some of the girls have only the clothes that come in the Layettes for their babies when they go into the hospital.” Each member of the audience read a paragraph from the 40 page Seder Haggadah from the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation. The Haggadah was assembled using the resources from a wide variety of religious and Jewish organizations. It included disturbing but poignant stories of those who have experienced this current form of slavery. No one was left unmoved by their participation in this ceremony. There was a union among the participants established by the beautiful vocals and language of the Seder. Again this year, I am appealing to the generosity of our members, to help fill this need! Many thanks to the following people who helped with preparation and set-up for the Seder: Lois Fine, Elena Morone, Susie Goldberg, Bonnie Mosbacher, Lynne Oberman and Evelyn Friedman. Delicious baked goods were provided by Bonnie Mosbacher, Gloria Lippert, Frima Margolin, Jody Markus, Laura Eissenwasser, Ellen Kaplan, Debby Pebworth and Lynne Oberman. Consider further, that this total represents 504 diapers; 126 receiving blankets; 63 hooded towels; 63 blankets, many hand crocheted or knitted; 126 little boys and girls outfits; 63 hats; 126 pairs of socks or little booties; 126 bibs; 126 sleepers; 126 “onesies;” about 32 snow suits (only Winter layettes contain snow suits); and about 63 small toys or books. The grand majority of these lovely items were donated by our members! We thank you for your continued generous support! Bizios Market catered the event with tasty Greek chicken, tilapia, lovely potatoes and vegetables. As always, Temple Anshe Sholom did a great job hosting the Seder. The audience was encouraged to become more aware of the issue of human trafficking by reading the handouts and investigating the many organizations that are fighting to help these people and eliminate this terrible system of slavery. One such organization is JCAST (Jewish Coalition Against Sex Trafficking) at www.jcastchicago.org. Thank you to all who attended the Seder. It was extremely rewarding to see so many people who want to know more about human trafficking and what they can do to help. This is not only a thirdworld problem, but something that exists in our neighborhoods and throughout our nation, a nation founded on the right to freedom for all. FREEDOM HAGGADAH COMMITTEE Debra Borodkin, Ellen Kaplan, Debby Pebworth, Sharon Johnson Havdalah Service and Mosaic Project with Christina Mattison On Saturday evening, March 19 and Sunday morning, March 20, NCJW and Beit AmiChai School hosted Christina Mattison for a weekend of art projects and learning. We were very lucky that this was made possible through a JUF Mini-Grant. There were about 40 people attending the Saturday night lecture. We learned how Christina did art on her computer. She showed us different prints from her D’rash Art Project from lines of Torah portions or Jewish holidays. We had to tell her what they meant to us and give our interpretation of what we saw. Then she would tell us her interpretation of the picture. It was very educational for us to see how Christina transformed an idea based on a passage in the Torah into a work of art, done with a combination of hand and digital art techniques. People were very impressed with her art and many in attendance purchased her prints both days. Sunday morning the school children, parents and a few NCJW members had a great time making a mosaic project. It was surprising to see how much the adults got into it. Christina had the tiles drawn with marker and paint, and different color and textured papers were pre-cut. The tiles were made of foam board and we glued the papers on the board. It was hard to imagine that we could create such a beautiful piece of art. Everyone agreed that they would like to do another art related project again next year and gave Christina all 5’s (numbers 1 to 5 with 5 being the best.) Laura Eisenwasser 6 Our Section members assembled a record number of Layettes last year, a total of 63! Donations of gently used baby items (newborn up to size 18 months) are always welcome, especially receiving blankets, sweaters, hooded towels, etc. Monetary donations specially earmarked for Layette are most welcome. Come help us pack! We welcome Section members anytime, no prior experience is necessary and you leave feeling “good,” having done a “Mitzvah.” Our forthcoming packing dates are: Tuesday, April 26, 1:30 to 3:30 PM (Please note change of time); Tuesday, May 24, starting at 9:30 AM; and Wednesday, June 15, 9:30 AM (July and August dates to be announced) at Aunt Martha’s, 440 Forest Blvd., Park Forest. For more information, email Marianne Switt at stu_mari@Yahoo.com *Parents Too Soon (PTS) serves first time teen mothers (under the age of 19), living in high-risk communities. The goal is for them to learn how to effectively parent their child, reducing the rate of subsequent births, improving health and emotional development of the young mother, as well as, enhancing self-sufficiency and promoting healthy growth and development of their children. Marianne Switt Book Clubs Friendship Notes . . . South Suburban Book Club Leslie Silverman is our Friendship Notes chair. She will send notes to members observing life cycle events for themselves or immediate family members, including spouses, parents, siblings, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Notes are sent for births and deaths, speedy recoveries, marriages and bar/bat mitzvahs. Please let Leslie know... Email her at lsilverman@amli.com or call her at (312) 283-4885. South Suburban Book Club meets on the first Thursday of each month. Please join us at 7:40 PM. Books are available at the Flossmoor Library’s circulation desk. For information call Peggy Butler at (708) 799-3355 or e-mail annabellelake@gmail.com. MAY 5 MAGIC HOUR by Kristin Hannah Hostess: Evie Rosen Facilitator: Lynne Oberman Mazel Tov Lois Fine – Bar Mitzvah of Grandson Alexis Johnson – Birth of Grandson Barbara Schwarz – Birth of Granddaughter Jodie Virene – Birth of Grandson JUNE 2 THE HUNDRED YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED by Jonas Jonasson Hostess: Ellen Kaplan Facilitator: Marianne Switt Speedy Recovery/Thinking of you Risa Graff – Husband Lisa Greenebaum – Mother in Law Vera Greenebaum Bea Kamen Gloria and Jeffrey Lippert – Mother/Mother in Law Anne Oberman Belinda Oberman – Mother Danielle Oberman – Mother Lynne Oberman - Daughter in Law Cissie Sirota – Husband JULY 7 WHAT ALICE FORGOT by Liane Moriarty Hostess: Joyce Himmel Facilitator: TBA Chicago Book Club Please contact Irene Newman at inewman680@aol.com or (312) 867-0850 for more information. New members are always welcome! May 12 AGE OF INNOCENCE by Edith Wharton Hostess: Elyse Pearlman Condolences Linda and Rabbi Paul Caplan – Brother/Brother in Law Cindy Friedlander – Father Marcia Gevers – Brother in Law Jamie and Martin Joffe – Mother/Mother in Law Barb Mason – Father in Law June 9 THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY by G. Zevin Hostess: Nancy Garfein JULY 14 THE NIGHTENGALE by Kristin Hannah Hostess: Karel Wolfson South Cook Section extends its appreciation to Bonnie Mosbacher for her generous donation in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of her grandson, Lev. Prairie State College Book Scholarship The NCJW Book Scholarship Committee met and awarded $375 scholarships to two Prairie State College students this spring semester. There were many worthy applicants, but these two women stood out from the rest academically as well as in their goals and expectations. Kelly is changing her career by earning a degree in Child Development while maintaining a home and raising two young children. She has always loved helping kids learn and when she lost her job in finance through downsizing, she decided to completely change directions and become a teacher of children. She especially wants to help them love math and science. Rosa is earning a degree in Nursing. Beginning at Prairie State in the GED program, she has worked her way class by class through the rigorous program at PSC while working as a Nurse’s aide and raising four children. We wish both women success in their future endeavors. The Book Scholarship Committee is a pleasure to work with and I want to especially thank Amy Bloomberg for her computer expertise in this new world of online applications. Susan Bayer, Chair Judy Lohr, Carole Spector and Amy Bloomberg, The Committee 7 All articles for the June/July Bulletin should be emailed to Beth Lichtenberg at bethlich5@gmail.com by May 15th. Directory Updates Members, please update your directory when contact information changes. Changes should be emailed to Debra Borodkin at dbbor@sbcglobal.net. Shaina Alegria 11S155 Saratoga Ave Lemont, IL 60439 Norma Anderhous 260 E. Chestnut Street, Apt. 704 Chicago, IL 60611 Cell: (708) 642-2894 Rochelle Rubin c/o Lieberman Center for Health and Rehabilitation 9700 Gross Point Road Room 657 Skokie, Illinois 60076 Tributes Express your good wishes or condolences and support NCJW projects by purchasing NCJW Tribute cards. To purchase or send a tribute, please contact Bonnie Mosbacher at (708) 342-6275 or bmoss1121@yahoo.com. Mark Your Calendar APRIL April 23-30 Passover April 26 Executive Committee Meeting MAY May 2 May 5 May 12 May 24 May 25 Board Meeting South Suburban Book Club Chicago Book Club Executive Committee Meeting Closing Event and Installation JUNE June 2 June 7 June 9 June 12-13 June 14 June 26 June 28 South Suburban Book Club Board Meeting Chicago Book Club Shavuot Iris Dreyfuss Volunteer Recognition Event Garden Walk Executive Committee Meeting Support our Section through this worthy fundraiser. Purchase as many $10 tickets as you like. Each month from September through May three winning tickets will be drawn for $100, $50 and $25. Winning tickets go back in the pot for the next raffle. You have 24 chances to win each year, with eight drawings and three winners each time. Hot Tix make great gifts too. They are perfect when the occasion calls for “no gifts!” Contact Anita Lebowitz at (708) 798-4365 or dlebowitz@sbcglobal.net to purchase tickets. MARCH WINNERS APRIL WINNERS $25 Susie Goldberg $25 Flora Alderman $50 Morgan Snedden $50 Fran Licht $100 Debra Borodkin $100 Betti Goldberg Join your fellow members and sign up to receive your South Cook Bulletin by email. Simply email Cathy Davis at kashazi@aol.com and save a tree! NCJW is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Need information? Visit NCJW South Cook’s website at www.ncjwsouthsection.org DATED MATERIALS 1921-2016 President������������������������������������������� Lynne Oberman Editor������������������������������������������������� Beth Lichtenberg Mailing����������������������������� Bonnie Ribet, Ilene Banach Bulletin April/May 2016 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED P.O. Box 982 Homewood, IL 60430-0982 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 125 Homewood, Illinois 60430