Sisterhood Newsletter

Temple Isaiah
Women of Reform Judaism
Sisterhood Newsletter
APRIL-JUNE 2014
What’s Happening
in Sisterhood
4/2/14 Rosh Chodesh Nissan, 7:00 pm
4/6/14 Brotherhood Breakfast: Creating Shalom Bayit, 9:15 am
4/10/14 Wellness Series: Celebrating
Women’s Sexuality As We Age,
7:30 pm—9:00 pm
4/19/14 Yom Shabbat “Let My People
Go” co-sponsored by Sisterhood,
6:30 pm dinner, 8:00 pm show
4/28/14 Evening Book Group “The
Reef”, 7:30 pm
4/30/14 Deadline for Donations Committee input.
5/5/14 Rosh Chodesh Iyar, 7:30 pm
5/27/14 Evening Book Group “Steve
Jobs” 7:30 pm
6/1/14 Y.E.S. Fund Brunch in honor of
Irene Rosenzweig, 11 am—1 pm
6/4/14 Rosh Chodesh Sivan, 7:30 pm
6/8/14 Sisterhood Housewarming
Shower to benefit Second Step,
10 am-noon
6/14/14 Adult Bat Mitzvah, 11 am—1
pm
6/16/14 Evening Book Group Potluck &
Planning, 6:00 pm
7/26/14 Evening Book Group
8/25/14 Evening Book Group
Nissan - Tammuz 5774
From Co-President
Amy Wolfson
I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the other CoPresident of Sisterhood, the not Sally
one, and the one you probably know
less about.
I came to Temple Isaiah and our Sisterhood just four and a half years ago, after
thirty-five years in a very small synagogue in the Lowell area. It was this
vibrant community, and especially the
sisterhood, that drew me here, and led
to my moving to Bedford from my previous family home of thirty years.
I am so excited about Sisterhood and
our many different programs and offerings. The first program I went to before
even joining Sisterhood or Temple
Isaiah was a Rosh Chodesh discussion
about Ketubahs that was fascinating. I
became involved in Sisterhood immediately after moving because it offered
what I was looking for, a community. As
a single person, it can be so hard to find
community but I was welcomed here
with open arms as will anyone who just
jumps right into Sisterhood as I did. It
has been so easy to make new friends!
have 3 grown
and successful
children, and 4
grandchildren.
As many of you
already know,
we will be celebrating the
wedding of my son, Nate, to Sarah
Metzger-Traber, who grew up in this
synagogue, next month. The happy couple will be living in Lexington. I could
not be happier to have my son and his
new family so close. My oldest daughter, Jonquil, and her family will be moving from Florida to Rhode Island at the
end of the school year so that her Rabbi
husband can take up a new post. I am
thrilled to have them close. My younger
daughter, Abby, and her daughter, Calliope, continue to reside in Brooklyn, NY.
I am also happy to say that my health is
returning. I am planning to return to my
law practice in Nashua, NH in early May
and have begun to take on my share of
the duties as Sisterhood Co-President.
If you have any questions or concerns
I have much to be happy about. In addi- about Sisterhood or just need a friend
to speak to, please feel free to call or
tion to making new friends, I had an
email me. I hope that I can help. You can
adult bat mitzvah at Temple Isaiah 2
reach me at 781-538-6066, or by email
years ago with 9 others. The people in
at agw@agwolfson.com.
the class, and their spouses, have all
become close friends. We are still in
Yours in Sisterhood,
touch and get together regularly to celeAmy Wolfson
brate holidays and happy occasions. I
IMPORTANT! Next Issue is planned for August! Deadline for submissions is August
1, 2014 Please send all submissions to our newsletter editor at
sisterhoodnews@templeisaiah.net with “Newsletter” in the subject line. Formats can be
text, .pub, .doc, .docx, or jpg. Please NO PDF’s. We reserve the right to edit articles as
needed for content and length.
PAGE 2
S I S T E R HO O D NE WS LE T T E R
A P R I L- J U NE 2 0 1 4
Social Action: Join us for a Sisterhood Shower
Sunday, June 8
Do you want to celebrate women’s resilience and strength
in times of adversity, have
fun with your sisters, have
wonderful homemade
scones, smoked salmon
lasagna, breakfast strata
with spinach and gruyere,
and MORE, and at the same time
make the world a better place, all in a
couple of hours?
If the answer is YES, then SAVE THE
DATE Sunday, June 8, 2014.
The Second Step is a shelter for
women and children who are fleeing
domestic violence and moving on to a
new place in the community. On June
8, at ten in the morning, join us at
Temple Isaiah for a “shower” for a
woman who is leaving Second Step to
start out on her own. Such a person
will need several things, new or gently
used, to establish a household from
scratch. The event is free of charge
(yes even the delicious homemade
brunch), but please bring one of the
items that this person will need and /
or make a monetary contribution. See
the wish list of items on page 3.
Monetary contributions are UP to you,
completely confidential, and can be as
low as one dollar.
Don’t let the amount be a concern, instead, come help us celebrate
triumph, growth, and
safety for families.
The money is not important, but YOU, are.
RSVP by May 23, 2014
to Karen SchorfheideRay, either at karenray44@yahoo.com,
or at 781-405-7948. Questions? You
are interested in helping? You can’t
come but would like to donate? Contact
Karen as well. See you then!
(Continued on page 3)
Creating Shalom Bayit:
Addressing Domestic Abuse
According to the Centers for Disease
Control, an estimated one in four
women is abused physically or
psychologically sometime in her life.
Sadly, research shows that the same is
true for Jewish women, rich or poor,
urban or suburban, Reform,
Conservative or Orthodox. It can be
difficult for communities like ours to
admit that abuse could be happening
among people we know. Believe it or
not, it’s possible that every one of us
knows someone who is being, or has
been abused, though we may not be
aware of it. This abuse often happens
behind closed doors, in families who
might otherwise look fine. Even
teenagers, who are just beginning to
date, face this risk.
when the parents are in an abusive
relationship, is devastating.
disclose it. We
can bring the issue
out into the light,
If survivors don’t feel safe reporting,
stop the shame, and help the
they are less likely to get the help they survivors.
need. Jewish women believe that the
responsibility for Shalom Bayit, the
On Sunday morning, April 6, Jessica
peace of the home, lies with them,
Hollander, Director of Prevention
though in reality it falls on both
Programs at REACH Beyond Domestic
partners. So they actually tend to
Violence, will speak at the monthly
stay longer in abusive relationships
Brotherhood Brunch. REACH (an
than other women. That is where we, acronym for Refuge, Education,
the Jewish community, come in. This Advocacy and CHange) is a non-profit
is an issue that affects those we know, organization providing safety and
love and care about, and when it
support to survivors of abuse while
happens in our community, we are all engaging communities to promote
less safe.
healthy relationships and prevent
domestic violence.
A healthy relationship is emotionally
safe and nurturing. A relationship
On Sunday, June 8, the Sisterhood
that
is
not
loving
and
respectful
does
Social Action Committee will host a
Abuse is a consistent pattern of
not
qualify
as
a
Jewish
marriage,
Welcome Home Shower for a woman
controlling behavior. It is not a onethough the partners may have been
who has left her abusive relationship
time incident committed by someone
and is setting up her new home. We
who is mentally unstable. The abuser married in synagogue by a rabbi.
invite you to enjoy a wonderful brunch
criticizes, ridicules, belittles, isolates,
The Torah enjoins us not to turn a
or threatens the other person in order blind eye to the suffering of others. We with us where we will gather all sorts
of things that she will need…new or
to maintain control. Women are the
must not allow those who are the
gently used linens, small appliances,
target sixteen times more often than
target of abuse to suffer alone,
pots and pans, etc.
men, although abuse can happen to
convinced that they are the only one
men as well, and to elders and
experiencing the problem, and that the The wish list will be emailed and
children. Even if they are not the
community will reject them if they
posted on our webpage in May. You
direct target, the effect on children,
(Continued on page 3)
A P R I L- J U NE 2 0 1 4
S I S T E R HO O D NE WS LE T T E R
The Wellness Series 2014
Thursday April 10 at 7:00 p.m. for conversation and
coffee, Programs at 7:30 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.
Men are welcome. Free to Sisterhood Members!
The Temple Isaiah Sisterhood
Wellness Series Committee plans and
carries out a series of guest lectures
at Temple Isaiah each winter on topics of health and wellness. There is
one session left in our 2014 series:
“Celebrating Women’s
Sexuality As We Age”
April 10, 2014
Presentation by Anita Hoffer.
A common misconception in our
youth-obsessed culture is that when
women reach age 50, they lose interest in or cannot enjoy intimate relationships. Many women who are approaching menopause had little or no
sex education in school, and are especially inclined to believe this fiction.
The cultural taboo on talking openly
about sex has left many ignorant of
the behavior of their peers, as well as
self-conscious and often even
ashamed of their own needs and concerns. In this informative and interactive lecture, you will discover the secrets to a satisfying sex life as you
age, the surprising statistic about the
number of older women who enjoy
sex, the unique and little understood
features of female anatomy, and
more. We will explore the themes of
sexuality and new opportunities for
celebrating it as we age, as well as the
many benefits of maintaining sexual
health in mid- and later life. All
questions are welcome.
For more information, contact
Wellness Committee Co-Chairs
Cynthia Piltch at capiltch@aol.com or
Janet Sachs at mjsachs@rcn.com.
Shalom Bayit (cont.)
(Continued from page 2)
decide what you will buy or
contribute from your home and bring
it with you as your entrance fee to the
brunch. There is no other charge. Or,
you may bring a cash contribution.
Watch for more details later this
spring. You may RSVP to Karen Ray
at karenray44@yahoo.com.
enlighten us about how to
stop domestic abuse. We
start by learning about the issue and
offering our love and care those who
experience it daily.
Do you know what to do or say if you
are concerned that a friend or family
member might be experiencing abuse?
Do you know how to talk to your kids
about healthy relationships? Did you
Finally, next fall on October 17,
know that something as simple as
Jacquelin Apsler, Director of the
saying HI to your neighbor can help
Domestic Violence Services Network, prevent domestic violence? Everyone
will speak at our Friday night worship can play a role in building healthy
service. DVSN is an agency which
relationships and communities.
works with the police in 10 local
Please plan to join us at these events
communities, including Lexington, to because all of us together can make a
offer follow-up support to abuse
difference.
victims when police have to make a
Sandy Bornstein
call at the home. Jaki is a dynamic,
Sisterhood
Social
Action
Committee
moving speaker who will further
PAGE 3
Sisterhood Shower
Wish List
(Continued from page 2)
Kitchen Items
Cups and glasses
Silverware
Dishware (sets of 8)
Pots & Pans
Kitchen Knives
Can opener
Measuring cups & spoons
Mixing bowls
Small Applicances
Coffee Maker
Toaster
Microwave
Blender
Linens
Pillows
Blankets
Full size sheet sets
Twin size sheet sets
Comforters
Mattress protectors (twin, full)
Bathroom Items
Shower curtain & liner & hooks
Bath Mat
Bath and hand towels
Toothbrush holder
Soap dispenser
Towel rack
Laundry Items
Laundry basket
Ironing board
Iron
Drying rack
Household/Cleaning Items
Mop/Broom/dust pan
Area Rugs
Cleaning supplies
PAGE 4
S I S T E R HO O D NE WS LE T T E R
A P R I L- J U NE 2 0 1 4
Getting to Know Irene Rosenzweig
On Sunday, June 1, 2014, Sisterhood
will be honoring Irene Rosenzweig at
our annual Y.E.S. (Youth, Education
& Special Projects) Fund event.
Through the Y.E.S. Fund, WRJ is
able to provide financial assistance
to rabbinical and cantorial students,
youth, and Reform organizations in
North America, Israel and around
the world.
Irene is married to Rabbi Howard
Jaffe. She is the mother of Talia and
Nate (now both sitting on the NFTYNE Regional Board) and the devoted
daughter of Helen Rosenzweig, who
is also a member of our Temple
Isaiah family.
Some know Irene only as “the
Rabbi’s wife” however, she is very
much involved in numerous roles in
our community. Irene has been an
active supporter, advisor and
member of Sisterhood since the day
she arrived at Temple Isaiah. In her
early days, she revitalized the Rosh
Chodesh program which is now a
pillar in the Sisterhood calendar. As
well in the early years, she loved
working with Judy Sharenow and
Louise Goodman on the Sisterhood
Rummage Sale so much so that when
they retired she assisted DiAnne
Wyner and then became the chair.
She now has established a large
committee of volunteers who serve as
the leadership of the event. She is
thrilled to see the increasing numbers
of Sisterhood members participate in
the worthwhile cause. Over the
years, she led the ideological shift of
the sale being primarily a fundraising
activity to one that also reflects our
social and spiritual values, while
raising even more money than before.
She is particularly proud that each
year more and more of our
“customers” return not only to shop
but volunteer as well. This year,
Irene is most excited to bring our
teen community (LEFTY) in to help
with our sale by increasing our
connections to organizations in the
local and Boston communities, adding
a social action component to the sale.
Irene is the official advisor to the
Sisterhood Board and Sisterhood
Presidents have depended on and
benefitted from her thoughtful input
in resolving issues
and defining goals.
Her counsel has
been invaluable.
Recently, Irene
took the reins of
Sisterhood’s efforts
to refine the
donations process,
again guiding that committee to focus
thoughtfully and intentionally on
choosing charities that reflect the values
our Sisterhood membership.
When she is not attending Nate’s shows
or Talia’s climbing competitions, Irene
can often be found volunteering at their
schools, in the broader community and
playing mah jong or doing pilates.
We are mystified as to why we never
thought to honor Irene before in her
fourteen years with us, and are happy
and proud to do so this Spring. Please
join us.
Temple Isaiah Sisterhood invites the
entire Temple Isaiah Congregation to
honor Irene Rosenzweig and contribute
to the WRJ YES Fund.
Save The Date! Y.E.S. Fund Event
MORE INFORMATION
COMING SOON !
SAVE THE DATE:
Sunday June 1, 2014
11 a.m.
We’ll See You
At the
Y.E.S. Fund Event
Honoring Irene Rosenzweig
A P R I L- J U NE 2 0 1 4
S I S T E R HO O D NE WS LE T T E R
PAGE 5
Rosh Chodesh (Head of the Month)
Rosh Chodesh (“Head of the Month”)
is the celebration of the new
moon. This observance, dating from
Biblical times, is recognized as a
woman’s holiday; a day associated
with women’s renewal and
celebration.
Each month Sisterhood women
gather at each others’ homes on
Monday or Wednesday evenings (we
alternate days to afford people the
opportunity to come), and take turns
hosting and facilitating these
meetings. We explore a breadth of
subjects on themes related to
Judaism or womanhood, sharing and
exploring ideas, looking inward, and
enjoying the warmth of a thoughtful
evening with other Sisterhood
women.
Rosh Chodesh Nissan will meet
on 4/2/14 at 7:00 PM at the home of
Pam Awrach, 11 Goffe Road,
Lexington. Come join us for a
delicious pot luck tzimmes cookoff. Bring a casserole of your favorite
tzimmes, and tell us about the history
of your recipe. There are sure to be
many different versions of this
popular Jewish dish. Learn the
history of tzimmes. Send your
recipes ahead of time to Sandi
Rosenfeld at rxsandi@hotmail.com,
and she will prepare a cookbook for
us all. RSVP to Pam Awrach at 781861-0342 or pamawrach@yahoo.com
Rosh Chodesh Iyar will meet on 5/5/14
at 7:30 PM, at the home of Susan
Marx, 4 Carriage
Drive, Lexington. Pam Awrach will
lead a discussion about Israel
Memorial Day. How we memorialize
and celebrate those who have passed
on, as a nation and within our own
families. We will compare these
experiences with Israel's memorial
day, Yom Hazikaron and the holiday
which follows the next day, Yom Ha
Atzmaut , Israel's Independence Day.
Pam will share her surprising
experiences in Israel during these
two Israeli holidays. RSVP to Susan
at 781-862-8628
or susanmarx3@gmail.com
married, and now
there are more people
at your table for
holidays. Is this a good thing? Is it a
blessing? What kind of in-law are
you to your husband's family and
they to you? Was it difficult
combining families, or was it a piece
of cake? Let's talk about
relationships with in-laws and what
that means in terms of your
life. RSVP to Abbe at 781-862-0455 or
aksmerling@aol.com.
Planning meeting for next year will
meet at a date to be determined in
June. Let us know if you would
interested in participating in
selecting topics of interest to you. If
you cannot attend, give us your
ideas. Would you be available to host
or lead a session? RSVP to Sandi
Rosenfeld 781-862-7480 or
rxsandi@hotmail.com
Rosh Chodesh Sivan will meet
on 6/4/14 meet at7:30 PM, at the
home of Abbe Smerling, 16 Loring
Road, Lexington. Abbe will lead a
discussion on the Commandments on
in-law relationships. Your child gets
Month/Date
Hostess
Topic and Facilitator
Rosh Chodesh Nissan
4/2/14 Wednesday
Pam Awrach
Pot Luck Dinner—Tzimmes/Kugels
Sandi Rosenfeld
Rosh Chodesh Iyar
5/5/14 Monday
Susan Marx
Israel Memorial Day
Pam Awrach
Rosh Chodesh Sivan
6/4/14 Wednesday
Abbe Smerling
Commandments on In-law Relationships
Abbe Smerling
PLANNING EVENING
6/2014—TBA
Sandi Rosenfeld
Planning Meeting
Knitzvah
If you enjoy knitting or crochet, Knitzvah may be for you! Please consider
joining our group to create warmth and
help someone in our community in need
of a caring lift by providing a tangible
form (shawl or TV throw) of a “caring
hug.”
We support our own Temple community
as well as reaching out to domestic
abuse survivors through Jewish Family
and Children’s Services by providing
shawls, hats, scarves, and mittens for
women and children.
Knitzvah meets twice a month on
Sundays and/or Mondays. Some folks
even come on both days. The Monday
group meets in the Temple library on the
second Monday of the month, from 10
a.m. to 12 noon. The Sunday group
meets off-site from 10 a.m. to 12 noon,
usually at Panera in Lexington Center.
If you prefer to knit at home, or on the
go, you can join us occasionally or regularly. We have some needles, a variety of
patterns and a supply of donated yarn —
although you are welcome and encouraged to bring your own. Please contact
one of the coordinators listed below if
you have any questions.
Meetings are announced
via our Knitzvah email
list, so please sign up if
you’re interested.
Knitzvah Co-ordinators,
Harriet Silverman, gsslex@aol.com,
781-861-0312
Elizabeth Elkins, eli.elkins@gmail.com,
617-393-3784
Suzanne Frank, pepisox@gmail.com,
781-647-9325
PAGE 6
S I S T E R HO O D NE WS LE T T E R
A P R I L- J U NE 2 0 1 4
Sisterhood Circles
Are you interested in board games?
Books? Walking? Special needs?
Yiddish? Meeting young Sisterhood
members? “Circles” provide us with
opportunities to connect with other
Sisterhood members while doing
activities that we enjoy. Here’s
what’s happening and how to
participate:
NEW GROUP—BRIDGE
Would you like to play or learn
Bridge? Carole Goldberg is
organizing a new group. Contact
Carole at 781-891-3626 or
c.goldberg7@verizon.net
EVENING BOOK
GROUP
Mondays monthly;
coffee 7:30,
discussion 8-9:30 pm
Next meeting is April 28th to discuss
“The Reef” by Edith Wharton at the
home of Judy Palmer, 95 Winter St.,
Lexington. RSVP to
judypalmer@rcn.com or
781.862.1862. Open to all Sisterhood
members. Please see separate article
for details and the complete spring
schedule. Coordinator: Carol
Sacerdote, carolsac@rcn.com or
781-861-7298.
DAYTIME BOOK GROUP
Mondays monthly; 10:00 a.m. to
noon.
All are welcome. We choose our
books and meeting times as we go
along. RSVP and
questions, please contact
coordinator: Carole
Goldberg, 781-891-3626
(preferred contact) or
c.goldberg7@verizon.net.
GAMES
Every other Friday at 12:30 p.m.
Please join Sisterhood members in
the Temple library for about an hour
and half of games. We play Taboo,
Scattergories, Trivial Pursuit, Apples
to Apples, Encore, Celebrity, Set,
Speed Scrabble, Boggle, to name a
few. New
members are
encouraged and
we
will teach
newcomers. It
is
lots of laughs
and is good to
stretch the mind as well! Contact
Abbe Smerling, 781-862-0455 or
aksmerling@aol.com to be on the
email list.
CARING FOR LOVED ONES
WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS
Meeting times to be determined
according to the interests of the
group.
We are mothers, wives, grandmoms,
sisters, aunts...who share different
but similar experiences. In various
ways we support a family member
who may live or not live in the home.
In our roles as parents and/or
caretakers, we come together in a
relaxed setting to share resources,
stories, tears, and laughs. The loved
ones we care for have an array of
individual special needs. Karen
Arbetter, karbetter@aol.com or
781-861-1539.
BEGINNER’S AND ADVANCED
BEGINNER’S MAHJONGG
Interested in learning to play
mahjongg? Know the basics but
would like to learn more and play
regularly? We have options for this
circle, depending on what the interest
level is. We can do a new beginners
class, meeting for 3 consecutive
weeks to learn the basics and then
continuing to
practice together for
as long as desired.
We can also do a
review class and
then organize a regular game of those
interested. To participate, or if you
have other mahjongg related ideas or
questions, contact Randi Levine at
rkleinlevine@alumni.tufts.edu or
781-863-5906.
YIDDISH
ANYONE?
Meets monthly at
various
members’ homes.
Our Yiddish group meets once a
month on a Thursday afternoon at 1
pm at members' houses. We share
Yiddish stories and try to speak in
Yiddish as much as possible. We
usually meet the third Thursday of
the month but anyone interested
should contact Elly Edelstein,
elly12@verizon.net or 781-275-3243.
THE YUD
The Yud is a circle of women in their
30s and 40s. Over the past year, we
gathered for a "Vodka and Latkes"
Hanukah party, a Tu
B'Shevat brunch, and a
wine and cheese Shavuot
celebration, with a few
hikes and happy hours
sprinkled in between. For
more information, please email
yud@templeisaiah.net or find us on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/
groups/theyud. Dana Hagenbuch
is the contact
person.
DOG WALKING –
CONTACT PERSON
NEEDED
Looking for a contact
person for a dog walking
circle: exercising you and your dog
for one hour, weekly, starting across
the street from the Temple. Time to
be determined. Contact Linda
Stimson at lindastimson@usa.net
or call 781-275-4397.
GOURMET
Cook great meals together. For
further information please contact
Sally Huebscher,
sally.hubscher@me.com
or 781-863-8159.
(Continued on page 7)
A P R I L- J U NE 2 0 1 4
S I S T E R HO O D NE WS LE T T E R
PAGE 7
Important Information About Sisterhood Funds: PLEASE READ
You may or may not know that the funds that Sisterhood earns through YOUR hard work are used to support Sisterhood, but more importantly to support many non-profits in our area and across the world. A chunk of funds is reserved
for donation to Temple Isaiah.
You, our members, deserve a say in this process. We have reviewed the information from the cards you filled out at the
Sisterhood Supper, and now we want to offer you another opportunity to speak. We are asking you to submit names and
information about charities that you feel fulfill the mission of Sisterhood, and that you are passionate about. We are
hoping you will not simply submit your personal pet charities, but instead think about what resonates with the
Sisterhood mission.
We are looking for specific charities, though if you just care that we invest in, say, cancer research, or genetic disease
treatment, tell us that, and we'll use that information to help inform our decisions.
We need your input by April 30 (but sooner is better). A small subcommittee under our Social Action area will then
compile and cull your suggestions, and produce a list to be accepted for this year. Email the following information to
sisterhood@templeisaiah.net, or send the form to the address listed below.
Sisterhood Donations Committee, 55 Lincoln Street, Lexington, MA 02421
Name: (req.) ____________________________ Email: __________________________________
Phone: _______________________
Charity: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Website: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mission statement
(from website or other source): _________________________________________________________________________________
In your own words, please describe why/how you believe this charity helps fulfill the mission of Sisterhood. (For example: "This charity
provides services to children in need."). Include any personal experience you may have with this charity.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sisterhood Circles (cont.)
(Continued from page 6)
MOVIES
A new movie group is forming. We
met only once last year, so we are just
getting started. There is interest in
both daytime and evening groups. For
further information please contact
Linda Stimson at
lindastimson@usa.net or call
781-275-4397.
RUSSIAN LANGUAGE
Every other Tuesday, 11 AM,
Panera Bread,
Lexington St., Waltham
Are you interested in Russian culture,
Russian history? Thinking of
traveling to the former USSR? Learn
some vocabulary,
Russian expressions.
Meeting times to be
determined according
to the interests of the
group. To participate
please contact
Raissa Tcherepachenets,
artandtime@yahoo.com or phone
781-609-2533.
WALKING GROUP
Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:30 am
We enjoy exercise and each other’s
conversation, plus scenery and
gardens on residential streets
conservation land and the bike path.
This group meets at Peet’s in
Lexington center and walks for about
an hour, weather permitting, year
round. Walk with us
whenever you’re available, and please
check the group email for occasional
changes in schedule. Please contact
Carol to R.S.V.P., to be on the email
list, or to be matched with walkers
interested in other dates/times. Carol
Sacerdote, carolsac@rcn.com or
781.861.7298.
FORM A NEW GROUP
If you have a new idea that isn’t
listed here, and you’d like to put
together a new circle, please contact
Linda Stimson,
lindastimson@usa.net or call
781-275-4397.
PAGE 8
Sisterhood
Board
Co-Presidents
Sally Huebscher
Amy Wolfson
1st Vice President
Judi Brosnan
VP Membership
Beth Fried
VP Development
Naomi Priver
VP Social Action
Dolly Sadow
VP Community Life
Linda Stimson
VP Education & Jewish Life
Gail Maurer
VP House & Communication
Karen Schorfheide-Ray
Treasurer
Lois Woodbury
Corresponding Secretary
Serena Crystal
Recording Secretary
Laura Lees
Trustees
Catherine Leader
Jean Birnbirg
Karen Budnick
Karen Myers
Martha Lufkin
Ruthie Liberman
Shari Spector
Past President (Budget)
Gini Shevrin
Co-Past Presidents (Bylaws)
Pam Awrach
Sandy Bornstein
Advisor
Irene Rosenzweig
S I S T E R HO O D NE WS LE T T E R
A P R I L- J U NE 2 0 1 4
Purim Volunteers Appreciated
I would like to thank everyone
involved in making the Purim Basket
Project this year such a success! We
measure the success of the project not
only in the funds raised, but in the
number of congregants we reach with
the ‘warm hug’ of a Purim basket.
This year, in addition to regular
orders, Sisterhood sent a basket to
every family with a child in the
Hebrew School, introducing this
demographic to the joys of Purim!
First of all, Gini Shevrin has been
invaluable in mentoring me to take
over this project in the
future. She has taken on this
Purim Basket Project for
many years, and I am very
grateful for all of her help! She was
always there for me no matter what,
and I feel we are very lucky to have
her in Sisterhood!! Another person
invaluable to this project is Lauren
Weiss. She has tirelessly collected all
the data from the pamphlets, emails,
phone calls to organize who gets the
baskets, who is sending them, where
they live, what route to put them, and
then finally printing out cards to put
on each basket with all this
information. This year we tested the
option to either have your basket
delivered or pick it up in the library on
delivery day.. Over four hundred calls
were made to ask this question. Thank
you, thank you to all the Sisterhood
Board Members and Sisterhood
Members who made this calls. This
included Jean Birnberg, Sandy
Bornstein, Judi Brosnan, Karen
Budnick, Sally Huebscher, Laura
Lees, Ruthie Liberman, Gail Maurer,
Karen Myers, Noami Priver, Irene
Rosenzweig, Karen Schorfheide-Ray,
Gini Shevrin, Linda Stimson, Amy
Wolfson, Marjorie Bladd, and DiAnne
Wyner.
Another invaluable person in this
project is our own Sisterhood
President, Sally Huebscher, who
helped me shop and order items for
the bag, and helped organize sessions
at her house to prepare items, tying
the honey sticks and bagging the
coloring books and crayons. We are
very thankful to everybody who
showed up for both the morning and
evening times! They included Gini
Shevrin, Amy Wolfson, Sally
Huebscher, Masha Traber, Marsha
Brynes, Laurie Wolk Shea, Barbara
Snyder, Marjorie Bladd, Abbe
Smerling, and Ali Karasic.
We gathered early on Friday,
March 7th to assemble the
baskets! Volunteers included Judi
Brosnan, Sandi Rosenfeld, Gini
Shevrin, Ali Karasic, Marsha Byrnes,
Selma Kent, Harryot Goldstein, Amy
Wolfson, Irene Rosenzweig, Lisa
Green, Lauren Jordahl, Karen Zallen,
Susan Foote, Nancy Shepard, Wendy
Rudner, Marjorie Bladd, Allison
Reinold, Pam Awarch, Abbe Smerling,
Ruth Fleischmann, Regina Worsnop,
Jess Leader, and Judy Leader.
Thanks as well to Janet Solomon who
joined Gini in stuffing over 1100 little
bags with hamentashen!
A special thank you to Abbe Smerling
and Ruth Fleischmann who
painstakingly plan and go through
each route to count and make sure
every bag is there to be picked up or
delivered!
Thank you to everyone who came to
help out in the library on Sunday- Gini
Shevrin, Sally Huebscher, Ruthie
Liberman, and Elahna Paul.
Of course, we couldn’t deliver the
baskets without our drivers: Sue and
Arnold Clickstein, Bruce Leader, Phil
Shevrin, Betty Shevrin, Gini Shevrin,
(Continued on page 9)
A P R I L- J U NE 2 0 1 4
S I S T E R HO O D NE WS LE T T E R
PAGE 9
Buy Your Stationery and Invitations
Through Sisterhood
Bima Flowers
On March 14, 2014 the Shabbat bima
flowers were sponsored by Ronna
Casper, in honor of her birthday.
Are you in the market for personal note cards?
Chairperson, Karen Zallen, at
781-863-1702 or
karenzallen@rcn.com
to make an appointment for your
simcha invitations or holiday gift
stationery. With our wide selection
of stationery books, we have
beautiful offerings to suit just about
any taste and budget.
We would love the opportunity to
serve you! Please contact our
Stationery and Invitation
All profits support Sisterhood’s
annual contributions to our Temple
and community.
Do you have an upcoming Bar/Bat
Mitzvah?
Or are you planning a wedding?
Do you want to announce a birth?
Purim Volunteers
Appreciated (cont.)
(Continued from page 8)
Marsha Byrnes, Abbe Smerling,
Barbara Snyder, Bill Rubin, Bonnie
Kelly, Karen Schorfheide-Ray, Amy
Candell, Karen Friedberg, Sally
Huebscher, Karen Myers, Andy
Karson, Laura Lees, Bronte Abraham,
Harriet Silverman, Renee Gelin,
Naomi Priver, Irene Rosenzweig,
Lauren Weiss, Wendy Rudner, Sandi
Rosenfeld, Judi Brosnan and Andrea
Russo.
Lastly, we thank our custodians and
office staff for their ongoing support!
As you can see this Purim Basket
Project really does "take a village" to
run successfully!
Thank you to everyone who has
helped to see this project to
completion!!
Most Sincerely,
Cathy Leader
I second everything Cathy wrote
above, and as I hand off this project
into her capable hands, I thank
everyone who helped over the past
several years. Please continue to
support Cathy as she takes on this
enormous undertaking.
Gini Shevrin
PAST Purim Chair!
Or invite people to a special party?
Opportunities to Contribute
The Basket
Women and children, our neighbors, seek shelter at area safe
houses. They arrive with little or
nothing. A family may stay at
a shelter for several weeks or
even months and they need all
the tools of home making.
Personal cleaning supplies,
housekeeping supplies, and kitchen
supplies are important to these
women and children. The regular
sizes of these products are most
appropriate. Continue to bring in
travel size items too!
At all Sisterhood meetings and
events and at the side entrance
of Temple Isaiah, there is a
basket that needs to be filled.
Please bring new personal
supplies, cleaning supplies and
school supplies. For more information contact Janey Solis at
781-899-9725.
Bima & Oneg Flowers …
A Lovely Way to Say It
If you’re looking for a wonderful way
to honor or remember someone or a
special occasion, you can do so by
sponsoring flowers for a Shabbat
service on the Bima.
Sisterhood provides flowers for
Friday evenings when there is no
Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Sisterhood will
order the floral arrangements and
acknowledge the occasion in the
Sisterhood News and Temple Bulletin
as well as sending, when appropriate,
a note of congratulations or thanks to
the honorees. The cost of the flowers
is $70, and you or the honorees will
be able to take them home.
Available Dates left for
sponsoring Bima Flowers in 2014
are April 25, June 13, June 20 and
June 27.
Email Linda Farkas-Wagner at
r.w.wagner@verizon.net or call her at
781-860-9129 for remaining available
dates in 2014 for Bima Flowers and
Oneg Table Flowers.
PAGE 10
S I S T E R HO O D NE WS LE T T E R
A P R I L- J U NE 2 0 1 4
To Our Sisters with Love
Mazel Tov to:
Masha Metzger-Traber and to
Amy Wolfson on the engagement
of their children, Sarah MetzgerTraber and Nathaniel Wolfson, to
one another!
Laura Fisher on the birth of her
grandson, Samuel Philip Fisher.
Marsha Byrnes on the birth of her
grandson, Edison James Byrnes.
Condolences to:
Carol Sacerdote on the birth of
her grandson, Daniel Elon
Sacerdote.
Mimi Dohan, on the death of her
granddaughter, Anna Magill Dohan.
Masha Traber on the death of her
mother, Edythe Traber.
Please send us your
Mazel Tov and
Condolence Information
Monday Evening Book Group
The Evening Book Group will be
meeting on Monday, April 28, to
discuss Edith Wharton’s “The
Reef.” The book is about a widow
who wishes to marry her old flame.
Is the match suitable? Rose Rubin
will lead the discussion of what some
say is Wharton’s most subtle novel
and we will meet at the home of Judy
Palmer, 95 Winter St., Lexington.
Coffee and conversation begin
at 7:30 with book discussion from 89:30 pm. Please respond to Judy at
judypalmer@rcn.com or
781-862-1862.
On TUESDAY, May 27, (Monday is
Memorial Day), we’ll discuss the
fascinating life of Steve Jobs in
the acclaimed biography “Steve
Jobs” by Walter Isaacson. Don’t
miss reading this very personal story
of one of the most brilliant,
idiosyncratic and influential people
of our time. Natalie Goodman will be
our discussion leader and we’ll meet
at Ceci Warsawski’s, 15 Ingleside
Rd., Lexington. Coffee and discussion
times as above. Please respond to
Ceci at ceci.warsawski@gmail.com or
781-862-1186.
The June meeting will
be a potluck dinner
followed by selection
of new books for next
year. It will be held on
Monday, June 16th, 6:00 pm
potluck; 7:30 pm book selection
meeting, at the home of Linda
Schaye, 7 Jean Road, Lexington.
Please respond to Linda and let her
know if you’re bringing a main
course, salad/vegetable/appetizer, or
dessert for eight: Respond to
lschaye@mac.com or 339-222-1134.
Even if you can’t come to the potluck,
please come to the book selection
meeting at 7:30. Each participant
proposes up to 3 titles and we will all
vote on the choices for 2014-15. We
will also be asking for volunteers to
lead discussions and act as hosts.
Summer meetings will be held
on July 26 and August 25 with books
and locations that are chosen at the
June meeting.
Feel free to come every month or only
once in a while. This group is open to
all, and welcomes your opinions and
participation. Please respond to each
monthly hostess. For further
information or to be put on the email
list, please contact the coordinator,
Carol Sacerdote, at carolsac@rcn.com
or 781.861.7298.
Many thanks to all those who have
participated, and a very special thank
you to those who have led discussions
and hosted our group so graciously
during the last year:
Bonnie Cohen, Eileen Cohen, Karen
Freidberg, Harryot Goldstein, Natalie
Goodman, Sandy Macey, Barbara
McIntosh, Barbara Mende, Linda
Stimson, Judy Palmer, Kathryn
Prager, Rose Rubin, Carol Sacerdote,
Linda Schaye, Rebecca Shahmoon,
Linda Stimson, Sue Tafler, Ceci
Warsawski, Laurie Wolk Shea.
Need New
Haggadahs?
Our Sisterhood
Judaica Shop will
have its display of Haggadot in the
Temple lobby—with order forms and
ordering instructions—up on March
21 and taken down on March 31.
These dates will allow us to be sure
your haggadah order arrives before
Passover starts.
And if you are looking for a lovely
Seder plate, matzah plate, Elijah’s
cup, Miriam’s cup, or candle sticks,
come to Sisterhood’s Judaica Shop; we
can help you make your Seder table
beautiful or find the perfect gift.
The Judaica Shop is open on Sunday
mornings (9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.) when
Religious School is in session. We are
looking for more volunteers to work
on Wednesday afternoons from 3:45 to
5:30 p.m. when the Religious School is
in session. Email Marjorie at
judaicashop@templeisaiah.net or call
her at 781-862-6355 if you can help.
We will open on Wednesday when
possible but please call the office
ahead to confirm that the Shop is
open. We are glad to open also by
appointment; call Marjorie at 781-862
-6355 or DiAnne at 781-674-1387, or
email judaicashop@templeisaiah.net.
A P R I L- J U NE 2 0 1 4
S I S T E R HO O D NE WS LE T T E R
PAGE 11
Join Temple Isaiah Sisterhood
Count Yourself In
Membership
Your membership dues support our district and national WRJ, giving you a voice and making a difference in Jewish
causes around the world. As our numbers increase, our collective voice resonates for important causes and our
contributions make a difference.
Participation
Your participation creates a community to celebrate, learn, and repair the world.
Volunteering
Your volunteerism through Sisterhood serves our community in welcoming new and returning members, raising
money for good work, and being a link in the chain that connects us to our past and our future.
Mail this completed form and any payment to: Sisterhood Membership, 55 Lincoln Street, Lexington, MA 02421
Name __________________________________________
Circles (please check the ones that interest you)
Address_________________________________________
________________________________________________
Email __________________________________________
Phone __________________________________________





Are you a Temple Isaiah member?  Yes  No

Is 2014-2015 your first year as an Isaiah member?


 Yes  No

Birthday ___________________________
Please check all that interest you:
____ Cooking/baking for special events
____ Setting up for special events
____ Helping with programs for families with young children
____ Volunteering at the Rummage Sale
____ Selling at the Judaica Shop
____ Assisting at Holiday Marketplace
____ Working on Purim Baskets
____ Attending Thursday classes with the Clergy
____ Participating in the Women’s Weekend Away
____ Gathering for Rosh Chodesh
____ Joining a Circle (See Circles box in next column)

Bridge
Evening Book Grp
Daytime Book Grp
Games
Caring for Loved ones w
Special needs
Learn Mah Jongg
Yiddish
The Yud (for younger
women)
Dog Walking
Gourmet





Movies
Russian
Walking
Writers’ Workshop
I have a new idea:
Enclose membership dues (Make check payable to
“Temple Isaiah Sisterhood”):
______ Complimentary member (new member of
Temple Isaiah)
______ Contributor $40
______ Sustaining Member $76
______ Benefactor $100
______ Chai Benefactor $200
______ Additional donation for any Sisterhood
programs/Tzedakah
______ You may become a member of Sisterhood simply
by asking. Pay whatever is comfortable for you.
Total $_______________
When you arrived at Temple Isaiah or wanted to join a Sisterhood, Temple Isaiah Sisterhood was here to welcome
you. Your mothers, aunts, sisters and generations past created Sisterhood and left if for you. We are asking you to
add links to the chain so Sisterhood will be here for the women to come. All donations are tax deductible.
PAGE 12
S I S T E R HO O D NE WS LE T T E R
A P R I L- J U NE 2 0 1 4
Let My People Go!
A Jewish and African American Celebration of Freedom
With Kim and Reggie Harris and Rabbi Jonathan Kligler
Saturday evening, April 19
Let My People Go! presents through song and spoken word a memorable analogy between the Jewish exodus from
slavery in Egypt, as retold at the Seder, and the African
American struggle toward equality and civil rights. Kim and
Reggie and Rabbi Jonathan Kligler share the fruits of their
25-year friendship and challenging conversations in this
uplifting performance. They intertwine their songs and stories and play off the experience of one group and the other.
Kim and Reggie Harris, a veteran African American folksinging couple, have always conveyed a central message in
their hundreds of performances and workshops – we are one!
For over two decades, Kim and Reggie have been affiliated with
the John F. Kennedy Center’s Partners in Education program,
offering multimedia educational performances for students and
community: “Music & the Underground Railroad” and “Dream
Alive.”
Rabbi Jonathan Kligler has been the spiritual leader of Kehillat Lev Shalem (“Congregation of a Full Heart”), the Woodstock Jewish Congregation, since 1988. The synagogue is
known for its welcoming and heart-opening atmosphere, innovative and inspiring approach to religious practice, and
great music. Rabbi Kligler is an accomplished singer, song leader, and folk guitarist with numerous CDs to his credit.
Our April Yom Shabbat will begin at Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat services (6:15 pm) with the theme of
Freedom woven into text and music by our clergy. We’ll start Saturday evening with dinner at 6:30 pm,
followed by Havdalah and the Let My People Go! Concert will begin at 8:00 pm. Passover-appropriate desserts will be served during the concert break. You can come to just the concert, which will be free.
Look for additional information in the April Temple Bulletin and Sisterhood emails and dinner reservation forms in a
March Yom Shabbat mailing. Sample their music at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/karhrjk. For more information, contact Marty Rogers at marty_rogers@verizon.net or 781-275-6452.
April 19, 6:30 p.m.:
Pre-Concert Dinner Option
Come early and join us for a delicious
Passover-appropriate dinner
prepared by Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q —
pulled chicken, barbecued beef, veggies and salad, and of course matzah.
Vegetarian option available. Dinner
will cost $10 per person. RSVP by April
14. Go to Temple website for a dinner
reservation form.
April 19, 8:00 p.m.:
Havdalah and Concert
Join us for a free concert, which will begin
with Havdalah to close the Sabbath,
followed by the Let My People Go!
performance by our trio. Passoverappropriate desserts will be served
during the concert break.
Co-sponsored by Sisterhood, with Yom Shabbat Committee, Brotherhood, and Social Action Committee.