Celebrate Sukkot at NCJW Opening Sunday Brunch

®
National Council of Jewish Women
Greater New Orleans Section
Bulletin
www.NCJWneworleans.org
September 2015
Celebrate Sukkot at NCJW Opening Sunday Brunch
Resilience under the Oaks: The Past, Present and Future of City Park
Join National Council of Jewish
Women, Greater New Orleans
Section, on Sunday, October 4, 11:00
am – 1:00 pm at the home of Susan
and Bill Hess, 8 Garden Lane, New
Orleans.
Revel in Sukkot and its connection
to the outdoors as Bob Becker,
CEO of City Park, discusses the
park’s history, including its Jewish
connections, and shares details of its
renaissance since Katrina.
Named recently as one of the
“Heroes of Recovery” by New
Orleans Magazine, Bob Becker is
credited not only with repairing
the catastrophic damage done by
Katrina but also remaking it into
one of the Top Ten public parks in
the country—now visited by 14 million people annually. Since the storm,
Becker has put together a public/
private-financing plan that has raised
over $122 million. Before coming
to City Park, he was the Senior Vice
President for the Audubon Nature
Institute and was the Executive
Director of the New Orleans City
Planning Commission during most of
the 1980s.
According to Event Chair Brenda
Brasher, it is timely that the event
came to fall during the Jewish Holiday
of Sukkot.
“This is a time when we take meals
in temporary dwellings open to the
sky and when we celebrate how our
life is lived under the shelter of the
divine,” Brasher said. “It is very appropriate that we have as our topic
the past, present and future of City
Park— a public outdoor space with
strong links to the Jewish community from its inception to the present.”
Other volunteers involved in organizing the event include Gail Chalew,
Susan Kierr, and Sue Singer. Catering is being handled by Melanie Blitz.
Serving on the overall NCJW
Program Committee with Brasher
are Cole Trosclair Bernstein, Gail
Chalew, Sefira Fialkoff, Robin Goldblum, Barbara Kaplinsky, Susan Kierr,
Jenny Nathan, Lonnie Schaffer and
Sue Singer.
For questions, contact Brenda
Brasher at brashebe@yahoo.com
or via the NCJW office at (504)
861-7788.
Reservations should be made by September 27, 2015.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.ncjwneworleans.org
or by sending a check to
NCJW, 6221 S. Claiborne Ave., Suite 208, New Orleans, LA. 70125.
President’s
MESSAGE
and advocacy efforts, which contribute to our mission and have always
been so central to the generations of
NCJW.
Each community service and advocacy
For as long as I can remember I’ve
program that you read about here is
enjoyed hearing the legends of Oak Ispart of a long running story of comland;
expeditions
that come inGenerasearch
mitment
and involvement.
of
gold,
and the lost
treasures
of
tions
of jewels
compassionate
women
go beCaptain
Kidd.
Now
this
little
island
on
fore us. Here we are in 2015 trying to
the south
shore
of Nova
Scotia
is even
get
our part
right.
We are
convinced,
featured
on
a
TV
series.
as they were, that a world that is good
Our
search
may beand
much
easier,will
as
for
women,
children
families
ourgood
gold for
is found
in our capable and
be
everyone.
As
we aremembership
bound to sometimes
dedicated
and in the wonwide
der
howoftocommunity
make the most
of our
variety
programming
one precious life, our connection to
this organization provides answers.
We are each personally determined
to bring a portion of our time, energy
and resources to NCJW. The portions
of each fluctuate, but the accompanying compassion does not - thank
goodness!
Stay in touch and let me know what
you are thinking, doing and hoping.
Call 504 861 7788, which is our office,
and Terri will be sure that I get your
message. You can also write to me
electronically at ncjwgno@gmail.com
and with paper, pen and ink at 301 St.
Paul Street, Madisonville, LA 70447.
With anticipation of the work we will
do together this year,
~ Susan
A FAITH IN THE FUTURE.
A BELIEF IN ACTION. Thank You Mary!
A Message from the President:
Mary Stein, the longstanding editor
of our NCJW bulletin, is now taking
off for other adventures.
Thank you for your trust. This new
position feels awesome, in the sense
of awe that is derived from inspiration
and responsibility. Here, the first bulletin of the season, we have chosen to
focus on the awesomeness of what
our membership does. Our editor, Sefira Fialkoff, has filled this bulletin with
your stories, your community services
®
National Council of Jewish Women
Greater New Orleans Section
President
Susan Kierr
Managing Editor
Sef ira Fialkoff
Photographs
Ina Davis
With our gratitude, we thank you for
the many issues of our bulletin.
Join the Krewe of Dewey!
Words from a delighted volunteer:
“As a little kid, I loved reading and having stories read to me. I was thrilled to
have an opportunity to visit the Clarence L. Barney Head Start Center and
read. I hope it brings the students a fraction of the joy it brings me.The kids are
adorable, very attentive and sweet and always ask for just one more story to be
read to them.
One of my favorite days was going in with the book Brown Bear - not only
had the children read it before - they were able to read it along with me!
It has been an absolutely delightful experience. I’m so happy that you put
together the Krewe of Dewey!”
– Andrea Stancin, Krewe of Dewey volunteer
To become a Krewe of Dewey volunteer
contact Ina Davis: InaNew@me.com; 504-919-2559
Page 2 | NCJW
Public
AFFAIRS
Leadership Retreat
By: Robin Goldblum
The 2015 NCJW Leadership Retreat held in Arlington,
VA this past May was a life changer for me and I know
every member of NCJW walked away from this weekend
feeling excited, motivated and empowered by this experience. Patty Barnett, Ina Davis, Michelle Erenberg and I represented New Orleans. Each of us brought our own experiences, knowledge, skills and curiosity. Our camaraderie
as N.O. section members and representatives, as well as
national members, was a significant part of this experience.
We met NCJW members from across the country, engaged
with these creative, smart, professional women. The meetings and break-out sessions, led by many of these women
(Michelle and Ina included), introduced us to, taught us and
reminded us of the NCJW advocacy goals and alignments
to which we are committed. We attended many amazing
workshops on social media, fundraising and many other
sessions including effective and meaningful story-telling. National Board member Rabbi Lori Kaufman gave the Opening Plenary on Jewish Values. Dr. Erika Brown, educator and
author spoke on ‘Leaning In and Leading Change’ which
was truly inspirational.We “studied” and “practiced” talking
points on the following three legislative issues in preparation for discussions with our respective Senators on Capital Hill (Louisiana Senators had their aides meet with us):
• Ending Bans on Abortion Coverage
• Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Preven tion Act
• Ending Obstruction of Judicial Nominees
The National staff and board did a phenomenal job in leading this group. What an amazing experience – one I am
thrilled and proud to share with all of you amazing NCJW
members.
Talk Back:
Did you get an email action alert from the GNO section this year? Did you find the information helpful? Let
us know, contact Michelle Erenberg at merenberg21@
gmail.com with your feedback on our communications.
Are you on Facebook? Like NCJW GNO at www.
facebook.com/pages/NCJW-Greater-New-OrleansSection/
Are you on Twitter? Follow us @NCJWGNO
Moving the Ball Forward
NCJW has launched Social Justice Happy Hour forums to
bring women together in an effort to highlight some of the
cutting edge work that is being done in New Orleans. These
forums, spearheaded by newly elected NCJW board member,
Simone Levine, are an opportunity to network with professional women and to learn more about the work of individuals
currently not being recognized for their contributions to the
community dialogue on issues that NCJW cares about most.
Save the Date for the next Moving the Ball Forward event
September 8th - Beyond Katrina - Lessons Learned from Recovery and Rebuilding in New Orleans
Upcoming MTBF Happy Hour topics to include - Housing,
Education, Gun Violence and more.
If you would like to be on the planning committee for these
events, please contact Simone Levine, Michelle Erenberg or
Jenny Nathan.
Courts Matter
This term, the US Supreme Court once again heard cases
that will have an impact for generations. Among other
cases, the justices heard arguments concerning: pregnancy
discrimination; marriage equality; housing discrimination;
and the Affordable Care Act.
For more information about these Supreme Court Cases
go to ncjwgno.nationbuilder.com/courts_matter
Advocacy
NCJW is looking for members who are interested in
being part of the Advocacy Committee.
NCJW GNO members and supporters work together, with coalition partners, and the NCJW offices
in Washington to take action on a wide variety of domestic issues. Guided by our mission and Jewish values,
this ambitious yet focused public policy agenda solidifies
NCJW’s position at the forefront of social change.
More information about NCJW GNO’s Advocacy Issues can be found at ncjwgno.nationbuilder.com/issues
To join the Advocacy Committee, contact Michelle
Erenberg merenberg21@gmail.com or (504) 451-8489
Advocacy Communications
Report:
This year, NCJW GNO launched a new advocacy communication effort to make it easier for our members to
take action on the issues they care about. And it is working!!! 27% of NCJW members open the action alerts and
updates they receive - this is higher than the national average of 23%. So keep opening those emails and making calls
to your lawmakers!
Be in the know - Send your email address to ncjwgno@gmail.com today!
NCJW | Page 3
NCJW Elects 2015 Board Leaders
Susan Kierr has been elected President
of the National Council of Jewish Women
(NCJW) – Greater New Orleans Section
for a two year term. She succeeds June Leopold who served for three years as the Section President.
“The achievements of an organization are
the combined efforts of each individual,”
Leopold said. “My thanks to all of
you who shared this administration with
me - members who came together, giving
their experience, knowledge and spirit to
attain our NCJW goals. I am honored to
have held a leadership role in this dynamic Loel Samuels administered the installation of the new Board and its
president Susan Kierr on June 7, 2015.
organization.”
Leopold presented Loel Samuel with the
President’s Award in recognition of the extraordinary
Other newly elected officers are Patty Barnett, Recording
commitment of her time and effort on behalf of NCJW.
Secretary; Cole Trosclair, Financial Secretary; Kathy Shepard,
“Loel Samuel served as Co-Chair of this year’s elegant
Treasurer; and Tricia Kirschman, Assistant Treasurer. Missy
Gala“Puttin’ on the Glitz”, Chair of Personal Giving, a
Taranto will serve a second one-year term as Recording
National Board Commissioner and a Past President. She
Secretary.
continues to maintain an active and ongoing interest in the
Newly elected Board Members are Brenda Brasher, Robmany services and programs of NCJW,” Leopold said.
in Giarrusso, Robin Goldblum, Barbara Kaplinsky, Sharon
Jenny Nathan and Katie Single were elected NCJW Vice
Kirkpatrick, Simone Levine, Rollie Rabin, Hallie Timm and
Presidents for a two-year term. Continuing as Vice PresiEileen Wallen. Sarah Covert, Jennette Ginsberg and Carol
dents for a second term are Michelle Erenberg, Barbara
Good will continue for a second one-year term. Ina Weber
Greenberg and Sue Jernigan.
Davis is on both this local board and the national board of
Loel Samuel received the 2015
President’s Award
Page 4 | NCJW
Standing (from left) Carol Good, Ina Weber Davis, Patty Barnett, Susan Kierr and
Barbara Kaplinsky. Sitting (from left) Eileen Wallen, Tricia Kirschman and Barbara
Greenberg
Scholarship Funds’
Quiet Community Impact
The NCJW GNO Scholarship Program Committee
assembled at the home of Marjorie Bissinger on July 8.
Many thanks to Nancy B. Timm and Ann Thompson
who have lovingly led the Irma M. Isaacson Memorial
Scholarship Fund and the Clara and Roy Schwarz Memorial Book Fund committee for more than 25 years.
Hallie Timm, great-granddaughter of Irma Isaacson has
joined the program as a co-chair.
Since 1939, NCJW GNO funding has provided academic scholarships to local Jewish college students in
need of financial aid. A new fund, the Sara B. Stone Educational Enrichment Fund has been created to honor the
founder of the Scholarship Program. Donations will allow larger allocations for our well-deserved recipients.
Nancy Timm, Hallie Timm and Ann Thompson
Nancy Timm, June Leopold and Ann Thompson
Joan Berenson, Dana Shepard, Kathy Shepard
and Amy Haspel
Community Services Fact Sheet
The National Council of Jewish Women (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. Current local programs sponsored by NCJW, Greater New Orleans Section, include:
ACE - Alzheimer’s Care and Enrichment – In
conjunction with the Jewish Community Center, this program provides stimulating activities for Alzheimer patients.
For more information or to sign up to volunteer contact Allison Freeman at (504) 269-8843 or Robin Goldblum
at (504)343-0801.
u Bikur Chaverim – In cooperation with Jewish Family Services, this Visiting Friends program pairs volunteers
with home bound members of the community, providing
companionship and assistance. If you are interested in participating in this program contact Fran Dinehart at fran@
jfsneworleans.org or (504) 831-8475 x134.
u
Civic Co-operation – NCJW Volunteers provide
services throughout the Jewish Community.These activities
benefit the Jewish Community Center’s Adloyadah, Jewish
Federation’s Community Relations Council, the Holocaust
Memorial Program, Israel Independence Day and Jewish
Family Service’s Passover Basket service.
u Clara & Roy Schwarz Memorial Book Fund
– This fund provides monies to assist in the purchase of
textbooks for Irma M. Isaacson Memorial Scholarship recipients.
u
Fox 8 Defenders – NCJW volunteers offer consumer advocacy by responding to problems on the Consumer Help Line, in association with WVUE, Channel 8. For
more information or to volunteer, contact Barbara Bresler
at owebarb@aol.com or (504) 454-0454.
u Girls on the Run – Girls on the Run New Orleans
(GOTR NOLA) inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. For more information or to
volunteer contact Jody Portnoff Braunig at jodyportnoff@
gmail.com or (504) 259-6105.
u HIPPY – Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool
Youngsters – A home-based program which helps economically and educationally disadvantaged parents provide educational enrichment to their preschool children. For more
information contact Carol Good (504) 598-2282.
u Irma M. Isaacson Memorial Scholarship Fund
– Provides academic scholarships to local Jewish students.
For more information, contact Hallie Timm at hallietimm@
gmail.com or (504) 895-7512.
u
Don’t miss a great program! Send your email address to ncjwgno@gmail.com today!
(Continued on next page)
NCJW | Page 5
Krewe of Dewey Readers – Volunteer reading program for young children in co-ordination with Head Start
and the New Orleans Public Library. For more information,
contact Ina Davis at Inanew@me.com or (504) 288-1551.
u New Orleans Family Justice Center – The Family Justice Center co-locates a myriad of agencies to provide
coordinated, and consolidated legal, law enforcement, social
and healthcare services, focusing on domestic violence issues. For more information, contact Sue Jernigan suejern@
gmail.com
u
NOLA4Women – NOLA4Women celebrates the
important and courageous role women played in shaping
New Orleans while boldly confronting the challenges they
continue to face. NOLA4Women is a non-profit corporation incorporated in the state of Louisiana. Contact Trisha
Ward trishaward@mac.com or (225) 405-6884
u Public Affairs – NCJW takes an active role in advocating for legislative issues that improve the quality of life
for women, children and families.Through advocacy and education we strive to ensure individual rights and freedoms.
For more information or to join the advocacy committee,
contact Michelle Erenberg at louisianaspa@gmail.com or
(504) 451-8489.
u
F
Girls on the Run Partners with NCJW
by: Jody Braunig
Girls on the Run New Orleans
is thrilled to partner with the
National Council of Jewish
Women Greater New
Orleans Section for the
second year in a row.
Girls on the Run New
Orleans inspires girls to be
joyful, healthy and confident
using a fun, experience-based
curriculum which creatively integrates running. We envision a world where every girl
knows and activates her limitless potential and is free
to boldly pursue her dreams. No limits. No constraints.
Only opportunities to be remarkable. In 2000, NCJW’s
Greater New Orleans Section gave me an opportunity
to be remarkable through a Tulane School of Social Work
scholarship.
After twelve years of working (living and breathing!) in the
New Orleans Jewish community, I needed a new challenge
to devote my creative energy towards. I have always been
a runner and knew I wanted to be an Executive Director
of a Nonprofit organization. When the Executive Director
position became available at Girls on the Run New Orleans,
I knew it was a perfect fit! In 2013, I started working as the
part-time Executive Director. A little over two years later,
Girls on the Run New Orleans has tripled both budget and
program numbers and now has 3 full-time and 1 part-time
staff members.
Page 6 | NCJW
Over the last few months, I have been thinking about
ways to become reintegrated in the Jewish community. The
timing was perfect when NCJW Vice-President Sue Jernigan
contacted me and asked if I would join the board to help
foster the relationship between NCJW and Girls on the
Run.
Starting in September, Girls on the Run New Orleans and
NCJW will work together through Funds2Orgs to collect
gently used shoes.Your old shoes will help Girls on the Run
to subsidize program fees for girls who attend school at
scholarships site like Akili Academy or Lafayette Charter,
where the majority of the students’ families are unable to
pay the program fee.
It was an honor to receive a grant from NCJW last year
and we are overjoyed that we will receive a second grant
this year. I am so happy to have this opportunity to cultivate
a professional and personal connection with NCJW and
I hope that together, Girls on the Run New Orleans
and NCJW can continue to provide more remarkable
opportunities for all that aspire.
Please be on the look out for more information about
the shoe drive. We will be collecting ALL types of shoes.
Please contact Jody Braunig about dropping shoes off at
the GOTR office or Dana Shepard about dropping off
shoes at the NCJW office.
Jody@gotrnola.org or Tennisshep@aol.com
On Thursday, August 6, The
United Way of Southeast Louisiana
presented the National Council of
Jewish Women with a certificate of
appreciation for helping to advance
United Way’s 2015 Legislative Agenda.
Special thanks go to Jenny
Nathan who helped to create a
communication network designed
to keep our coalition partners in the
loop and to Michelle Erenberg for
her grassroots organizing.
Our members calls and emails
to legislators really paid off. Please
continue to promote NCJW’s and
United Way’s common agenda by
insisting that during the campaign
season candidates answer the
following questions.
1. Equal Pay: Will you support
legislation that would extend the
2012 Louisiana Equal Pay for Women
Act that currently protects state
employees to cover all women in
Louisiana?
2. Minimum Wage: Will you
support legislation that would
increase Louisiana’s minimum wage
above the federal minimum, which is
currently $7.25 an hour?
3. Medicaid Expansion: Will
you support legislation to expand
federally supported Medicaid
coverage in Louisiana?
4. Earned Income Tax Credit: Will
you support legislation to increase
the State Earned Income Tax Credit
amount from 3.5%, the lowest in the
nation, to 7%?
5. Funding for High Quality
Child Care and Early Childhood
Education: Will you support
legislation to appropriately fund the
implementation of Act 3, The Early
Childhood Education Act?
6. Child Care Licensure: Will
you support legislation mandating
licensure of small child-care centers
that serve seven or less children
ages 0-6 that are not related to the
caregiver?
7. Domestic Violence Prevention:
Will you support legislation to
include dating partners, as defined
in existing law, as victims under the
domestic abuse battery statute?
8. Domestic Violence Prevention:
Will you approve legislation to make
a first offense stalking of an intimate
partner conviction a felony?
9. Gun Control: Will you support
legislation to ensure that persons
prohibited by law from possessing
firearms are indeed dispossessed of
those firearms?
100 books delivered to Jewish
Family Service by NCJWGNO
Don’t miss a great program! Send your email address to ncjwgno@gmail.com today!
NCJW | Page 7
Dedicated
FUNDS
NCJW Cares...
u
In
honor of Joan Berenson, Celia Katz
and Sara Stone upon being named
honorary vice presidents of NCJW,
Greater New Orleans Section
By Frankie Wolff
u
In
memory of Mildred Covert,
grandmother of Sarah Covert
By Julie Oreck
u
In
memory of Babs Isaacson
By Bobbie and Yale Hirshberg
By Herman Obermayer
By Marlene Spritzer
By Catherine and Jeff Greenblatt
memory of Babs and J.E. Isaacson
By Mimi and Claude Schlesinger
Birthday Dollars...
u
Mary
Lynn Alltmont
u
Jacqueline Ames
u
Patty
Barnett
u
Lee
Beerman Blotner, in honor
of her birthday and the birthdays
of Robin G. Beerman, Diana B.
Gorlin, & Gertrude Beerman
u
Marilyn
u
Ina
Brown
Davis
u
Rick
Davis
u
In
u
In
honor of NCJW
By Melinda and Morris Mintz
u
In
honor of NCJW
By David J. Cahn
u
In
honor of NCJW
By Jeffrey Cahn
u
Shellye
Farber
u
Sue
Frank, in memory of Pam
LeNoir
u
Harriet
Handelman
u
Katherine
Shawrri Johnson, in
memory of Aida Johnson
u
Betty
& Ira Kohn Foundation, in
honor of Betty Kohn’s birthday
u
Edie
Rosenblum
u
Marjorie Weiner
Irma M. Isaacson
Scholarship Fund...
Irma M. Isaacson Scholarship Fund enables
the NCJW’s Greater New Orleans Section
to provide needed financial assistance to
local Jewish students pursuing an academic
or vocational goals.
u
In
honor of the 90th Birthday of
Irwin IsaacsonSandy Heller
Nancy and Steve Timm
Margot Garon
Beth Rosenthal
u
In
honor of Marjorie Bissinger and
Nancy B. Timm’s JFS Rhythm and
Blues awardSara Stone
Robin and Bobby Garon
u
In
honor of Celia KatzSteve and Sheri Levine
u
In
honor of Flo Scorenstein, Sara
Stone, Joan Berenson and Celia KatzMyra Soboloff
u
In
Honor of Rachel Timm’s
marriage to Ward BowronRobin and Bobby Garon
u
In
memory of Edel GainsburghKathy and Hal Shepard
Dana and Louis Shepard
u
In
memory of Irma M. IsaacsonMarjorie Bissinger
A FAITH IN THE FUTURE.
A BELIEF IN ACTION. ®
Page 8 | NCJW
Personal Giving...
Your annual gift to the Personal Giving Campaign helps us continue our many community services and advocacy.
From July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015
u
$1-$99
Rosalyn Allison, Bonnie Aronson,
Rachel Bergman, Phyllis Bernstein,
Marilyn Brown, Michelle Erenberg,
Edel Gainsburgh, Jennette Ginsburg,
Caroline & Jeff Good, Kay
Kronenberg, Donna Levin, Betty
Moore, Marilyn Oelsner, Sue Preis,
Florence Scharff, Betty Straus Smith,
Rachelle Stein, Judy Steinberg, Missy
Taranto , Susan Tramontana, Rita
Warren, Linda Warshauer, Jennifer
Zurik
u Mary Lynn Alltmont
Phyllis Nitzkin, Beth Isaacson
Rosenthal, Florence Schornstein,
Kathy Shepard, Karen Sher, Sue Singer
Jane Sizeler, Karen & Dr. Edward Soll,
Nancy Timm, Carol Wise
u
$500-$999
u
$1000-$2499
Anonymous, Joan & Gerald Berenson,
Cahn Family Foundation (Adele &
June), Tracy Dodd, Barbara Herman,
Margie Kahn, Dana Shepard, Patrick
(Phyllis) Taylor Foundation
A Meeting with Sen. Vitter’s Staff
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$2500 and Above
Jane Bories Burkedale Family Fdtn.,
NCJW
Advocates
met
with
Senator
David Sara
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staff during the AuMargie
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Stone
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gust
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discuss
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Pulitzer, Lisa Pulitzer Zoller, Edie &
State Policy Advocate and VP of Public Affairs, and Ina Davis, Past President
Paul Rosenblum
and National NCJW Board Member, sat down with David Doss, the Senator’s State Director, for good conversation about voting rights, ensuring
federal funding for family planning and why court’s matter. You may know,
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Barbara Bresler, Jane Buchsbaum,
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Susan Good,
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always
agree,
we
always
appreciate
these
opportunities
www.whycourtsmatter.org/state/louisiana
Kaplinsky, Bettie Kaston, Charel Katz,
to talk about NCJW’s advocacy and to urge lawmakers to consider our
Sybil Kline, Anna Leightman, Saundra
positions.
Shellye Jennifer
Farber Nathan,
Levy, Ellen u
Manshel,
For more information on NCJW’s work on the federal courts visit www.
Debbie Newman, Cynthia Rittenberg,
u Sue
Frank,
in memory
Eddy Rosen,
Carol
H. Rosen,
Loel of Pam whycourtsmatter.org/state/louisiana
LeNoir
Weil Samuel,
Marie(Mimi) Schlesinger,
Elaine Schulman, Phyllis Shames,
Leona Shlosman,
LisaHandelman
Silverman,
u Harriet
Jeanne Smolkin, Sylvia Sterne, Jon B
Strauss, Ann
Streiffer, Ann
Thompson,
u Katherine
Shawrri
Johnson, in
Eileen Wallen,
memory of Aida Johnson
Sue Robin Weinhauer
u Betty & Ira Kohn Foundation, in
u
$250-$499
honor of Betty Kohn’s birthday
Brenda Brasher, Jody Braunig,Vivian
Ina Davis,
Cahn, Ina Davis,
Richard
Davis,
David
Doss
u Edie Rosenblum
Cynthia Farber, Nicole Friedlander,
and
Robin Giarrusso,
Carol
Good,
Tricia
Michelle
Erenberg
u Marjorie Weiner
Kirschman, June Leopold, Anne P.
Lowenburg, Pamela Lyles, Joel Myers,
Birthday Dollars...
A Meeting with Sen.Vitter’s Staff
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NCJW | Page 9
Upcoming Holidays
at a Glance:
NCJW Way:
Participants Selected for
2015-16 Leadership Program
By Jenny Nathan,VP Membership
(and Chair of NCJW Way Nominating Committee)
Rosh Hashanah
Begins sunset on Sunday, September 13
Ends nightfall on Tuesday, September 15
Yom Kippur
Begins sunset on Tuesday, September 22
Ends nightfall on Wednesday, September 23
Sukkot
Begins sunset on Sunday, September 27
Ends nightfall on Sunday, October 4
Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
Begins sunset on Sunday, October 4
Ends nightfall on Tuesday, October 6
Page 10 | NCJW
In 2013, our NCJW section launched an innovative
leadership program that has attracted attention across
the country for its impact. NCJW Way, conceived by
Madalyn Schenk, brings together a cohort of women
who are new to NCJW for an intensive year-long
seminar that culminates in a trip to a national NCJW
meeting. The expectation and hope is that this group of
women will form strong bonds with each other, as well
as with the organization, and go on to create a service
project of their own initiative as well as join our board.
The first year of NCJW Way was a success, with
three of the participants joining the board and all of
them remaining involved with NCJW programs. Their
initiative, the NCJW Way Wine Around of 2014,
brought together more than 60 women in 5 homes
for a night of education on topics important to NCJW:
reproductive justice, criminal justice, voting rights,
economic development, and early childhood education.
This spring, we put out a call for nominations for the
next class of NCJW Way participants, increasing the
size of the cohort from 5 to 6. Our committee was
absolutely thrilled to have 17 worthy nominations! It
is truly a testament to the potential for engaging new
women in NCJW to see such a high level of interest! We
are thrilled to involve all 17 of these women throughout
the year, but still had to select 6 finalists to be in the
program.
Without further ado, the 2015-2016 NCJW Way
participants are: Arianna Baseman, Shayna Blum, Fran
Dinehart, Maddie Fireman, Dana Keren, and Nora Udell.
These women represent a wide variety of interests and
backgrounds, and are all thrilled to get more involved
with NCJW in New Orleans.
We look forward to sharing their progress and
introducing them to you all in greater detail in the
future!
Special thanks to the NCJW Way Committee, chaired
by Madalyn Schenk: Brenda Brasher, Lisa Pulitzer
Zoller, Ina Davis, Susan Kierr, Michelle Erenberg, Sarah
Covert, Jenny Nathan, and the alumni of NCJW Way #1:
Jennette Ginsburg, Rollie Rabin, Emilie Tenenbaum, and
Cole Bernstein Trosclair, for helping shape this amazing
group of women!
Loss and Resilience in Havana / New Orleans
By: Sefira Fialkoff
The synagogue in Old Havana is housed in a boxy Sovietstyle building. The faded red gate has a Jewish star woven
into its iron fabric. Inside, services are held in a basement,
decorated frugally with a string of Cuban flags framing a
photo of the Rebbe next to one of Fidel. There are five
women on one side and about a dozen men on the other.
Besides myself, the Rabbi, his wife, who is setting up for
Kiddush, and their five-year-old daughter, everyone is over
the age of 70. “There have been great opportunities for
Jews to leave Cuba. Anyone who wants to go to Israel has
financial support and resources provided. Those of us who
remain, we’re here because we’re too old to start over,”
explained Raquel, the sweet woman who would save me a
seat next to her every Shabbos, reserving it with her purse
as if one day the room might fill up again to its capacity like
70 years ago.
Cuba once had a thriving Jewish community. Many Jews
arrived on Cuban shores in a big wave of immigration from
Eastern Europe in the 1920s and 1930s when it was very
difficult to come to the U.S., which was experiencing one of
its strongest anti-Semitic and anti-Immigration periods. At
its peak, there were 15,000 Jews, and Havana boasted five
synagogues and seven Jewish day schools. Today, there are
fewer than 1,500 Jews in Cuba, 85 percent of whom live in
the capital.
That Shabbos the parsha was Chukat, in which Miriam,
Moses’ sister, dies.As a result, Miriam’s well, which had been
providing for the Jewish nation in their travels through the
desert, dries up. The parched well is thought to symbolize
the grief felt by the entire nation from Miriam’s death. And
it is this loss that the Rabbi focused on that night in his
d’var torah during the free community meal.
(Continued on next page)
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NCJW | Page 11
Have You Changed Your Address?
If so, please contact the office
Phone (504) 861-7788
Fax (504) 861-0044
Emailncjwgno@gmail.com
Havana / New Orleans
(from page 11)
The Rabbi’s d’var torah was given in
a rapid Cuban Spanish with remnants
of a thick European accent. He drew
a parallel between the loss of the
Jewish nation at that time and the
loss of the Havana Jewish community
due to the exodus of family, friends
and community from the island. In
reference to the fleeing of Jews from
the Old World to Cuba post-WWI,
Maritza Corrales, a Cuban historian
who lives in Havana, the author of
“The Chosen Island: Jews in Cuba,”
remarked, “To be Cuban and Jewish
is to be twice survivors.” The Rabbi
then extended parallel to include the
remarkable resilience of both the Jews
in the desert and the Cuban Jewish
community.
I would suggest another perhaps
equally extensive parallel. Katrina, in
her coming and in these ten years
after, has displaced very many families
from our local community. I would
add to the loss in the desert and to
the loss in Cuba our loss here in New
Orleans. Many of us here, just like
our coreligionists in the desert and
in Havana feel loss. Just as the Rabbi,
I would also extend this parallel to
include resilience, the resilience of the
generation of the exodus, of Cuban
Jewry and of us New Orleans Jews.
We experienced a disaster of biblical
proportions, a flood that would have
gotten even Noah’s attention. Like that
of the parsha our problem was water,
not too little water, but too much.