ALISA CHAPTER HADASSAH BULLETIN VOL XXIII JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2019 We are the women who DO We are ALISA As our Jewish Year 5779, continues, we wish you all a Happy and Healthy Secular New Year, 2019. May the joys of 5779 continue for all of you. Your Bulletin Editors, Joanne, Sheila & Eileen MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019 1:30P.M.. Greenbriar at Whittingham Clubhouse Participate in a Tu b Shvat Seder Taste the fruits of Israel and experience the holiday Space limited to 20. $8 fee to cover cost of refreshments Reservations Required (See Page 4) CHECK OUT OUR NEW COLUMN SEE PAGE 3 AS IS OUR GENERAL PRACTICE THERE WILL BE NO MEETING IN FEBRUARY 2019. STAY WARM AND SEE YOU AT OUR MARCH MEETING!! MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2019 7:15P.M. Monroe Township Senior Center Sophie Tucker Marcia Midler A member of & speaker for the Jewish Historical Society of Central New Jersey Will share slides and stories about the life of Sophie Tucker All are Welcome Refreshments will be Served 1
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR ALISA CHAPTER PRESIDENTS What a special joy to attend Lunch Bunch at Lox, Stock and Deli as my first Alisa event as Co-President, with my Co-President, Gail Reifenberg. Incidentally, if you aren t familiar with Lunch Bunch, you should check out this fun offering from Alisa. It is a time when we get together just to enjoy each other s company and smile. I was surprised and pleased when one of our members asked me why I m always smiling. My mother always advised me that if I smiled, others would return the smile. Generally that works, but the real reason is that Jews have the special mission to bring light to the darkness! Of course, Chanukah literally and figuratively brings light to a very dark world! Clearly, as the Women Who Do of Hadassah, we bring light, healing and joy. Did you know that we are actually commanded to be joyous? Yes, it s actually a mitzvah! It is one that happens to be my favorite, and one that I am happy to share. I hope that you and your loved ones spent a meaningful Chanukah together. My way of experiencing joy includes my participation and involvement in the largest women s Zionist organization, Hadassah (including our Associates, of course). We have the opportunity to learn, to form meaningful connections and to volunteer to light up our world! In doing so, we thrive. We have a powerful, newly installed Board, who have been inspired by those who preceded them. Take the opportunity to introduce yourself to them, choose an area where you can assist, and join in making Alisa an even stronger organization. Check our bulletin for our officers, or attend our meetings, the third Monday of the month at the Monroe Senior Center. B Simcha tamid, to be joyous always, Tiby Lapkin, very proud Co-President, with Gail Reifenberg We need your help. Hospitality volunteers needed. This is a great way to get involved. Call Tiby at 860-1234 if you are interested in helping. PRESIDENTS: Tiby Lapkin 860-1234 Gail Reifenberg 395-0429 VICE-PRESIDENT - EDUCATION: Ella Goldstein 235-9616 VICE-PRESIDENT - FUNDRAISING Stephanie Hunger 732-642-8904 VICE-PRESIDENTS - MEMBERSHIP: Sebley Hausler (Liason) 860-6715 Natasha Rosenbaum (Records Adm) 409-7543 PROGRAM VICE PRESIDENTS: Bunny Bloom 409-4498 Sheila Farber 732-780-7379 Sherry Freedman 619-3399 Fran Weinstein 732-249-8868 RECORDING SECRETARIES: Phyllis Krasnow 655-5940 Rita Swirsky 409-1722 Lillian Rich 409-1171 HISTORIAN: Maxine Stern 395-8757 BOARD MEMBERS ASSOCIATES LIAISON Rhoda Juskow 409-0983 Gail Shinberg 409-5441 CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: Diane Altman 860-1193 TREASURER: Bernice Kernis 409-6135 BULLETIN: Eileen Carpenter 664-2877 Sheila Farber 732-780-7379 Joanne Ferstan 395-7532 GOOD & WELFARE Millie Semel 409-1578 HOSPITALITY IT (Technology) Eileen Carpenter 664-2877 ZIONIST AFFAIRS Arlene Lazar 409-2749 2
Contributing and supporting Hadassah is much more than supporting two hospitals in Jerusalem. With that in mind we are now starting a new column called, Hadassah in the Spotlight. Each month we will attempt to bring you information on a specific project or aspect in which Hadassah is actively involved. This month we are highlighting..hadassah Youth Aliyah History is Now: Youth Rescue in Israel Continues The story of Youth Aliyah is one of courage and commitment. On January 30, 1933, the day Adolph Hitler took power in Germany, Berliner Recha Freier knew that things were going to get very bad for the Jews. Knowing it was critical to get children out of harm s way, she founded Youth Aliyah, hoping to convince parents to send their children to relative safety in Palestine. The Jewish Agency adopted the project and chose Hadassah founder Henrietta Szold to head it. By the time Hitler had sealed the borders in 1939, Youth Aliyah had saved over 5,000 children, most of whom never saw their families again. But due to the care they received, they grew up to become outstanding citizens of the new nation of Israel. The job of saving children didn t stop with the war s end. Far from it. Today, more than 450,000 children in Israel suffer from physical and sexual abuse, drugs, prostitution, and poverty. Hadassah s three villages Meir Shfeyah, Ramat Hadassah Szold and Hadassah Neurim accept the neediest and most difficult students. Some children come to us because their parents can t or won t take care of them. Some students come to our doors on their own initiative, hoping to break free from a dead-end future. And, in an eerie echo of history, parents are sending their beloved children to Israel alone due to the increasingly difficult life for Jews in places around the world. In our villages students receive not just shelter and food, but also education, vocational training, counseling, and other support services that help them develop the life skills they will need to become productive members of Israeli society. The work is challenging. With some of our students, we have to teach basic life skills. In addition, a large percentage of the children come to us with some level of learning disability, so small classes and one-on-one tutoring are necessary. And finally, a huge portion of our population comes to us knowing nothing of Judaism or Jewish history. Our Joy of Judaism program addresses this gaping hole of knowledge through small group discussions and hands-on activities that bring the richness of Jewish heritage into our students lives. The work of Youth Aliyah is critical. By following in the inspiring footsteps of Recha Freier and Henrietta Szold, you can help to save the children. Carol Goodman Kaufman is the National Chair of Youth Aliyah for Hadassah, the Women s Zionist Organization of America. For more information, please contact her at ckaufman@hadassah.org. For more information, please visit hadassah.org or contact Youth Aliyah at youthaliyah@hadassah.org. HADASSAH THE WOMEN S ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA, INC. 2016 Hadassah, The Women s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Hadassah, the H logo, and Hadassah the Power of Women Who Do are registered trademarks of Hadassah, The Women s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. ABOUT ISRAEL "A Tale of Three Cities" Three cities in Israel elected women as mayors for the first time ever! (1) In Haifa, Einat Kalisch Rotem has become the first woman to lead a major Israeli city as she unseated Haifa's long-time mayor Yona Yahav. (2) In the Negev town of Yeruham, not known to be a bastion of liberalism or leader on women's rights, Tal Ohana was elected to be their next mayor. (3) In a monumental change of pace, candidate Aliza Bloch squeaked by the ultra-orthodox Shas party representative, after the cliffhanger run-off in Beit Shemesh was finally settled by absentee ballots of soldiers which resulted in her election Mazel Tov to the newly elected mayors!! Submitted by Arlene Lazar, Zionist Affairs Chairperson 3
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Thank you to these additional people who have sent in pledge donations for Medical Research for the Hadassah Medical Organization. Your kindness and generosity are greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support. Judy Gerstein, Arlene Ferman and Gail Shinberg Wilma Appel N.L. Lazar Brenda Salz Membership News We are looking forward to our New Member Tea on January 16 th at the home of Phyllis Soffer, at 452 Harmony Way in Encore. Please call me at 860-6715 for questions. New members will be contacted personally. Membership Laison, Sebley Hausler INSTALLATION OF ALISA OFFICERS Thank you to Carol Charen, our incoming President for our Region, for the lovely installation and for her enlightening and informative talk. We are privileged to be able to highlight some of the details of the talk in the next few bulletins. Here is the link to the speech in its entirety: http://www.hadassah.org/regions/southern- new-jersey/alisa-/newsletter/hadassah-speech-charen-keynote-installation- 2018.pdf Carol began by giving us the background of the founding of the organization. Founded by 38 women at Temple Emanuel in New York, the group was able to send an entire American medical unit to the Middle East just 6 years later. Thus began what has become Hadassah s medical expertise in modern healthcare and cutting-edge research to Israel and the rest of the world. Among Hadassah s credits are: The Rosh Chodesh & wine and cheese party at the home of Bernice and Irving Kernis was a huge success. Members did not want to go home at scheduled time. Many thanks to Bernice and Irv for their home and the preparations they did. They worked very hard to set everything up. Gail Riefenberg and Maxine Stern did major scutt work, Gloria Fine bought the wine and Marilyn Taffet helped clean up. Thanks to Ruth Goldstein for her Rosh Chodesh presentation. Ruth did an excellent job in making our function extra special. Submitted by Maxine Stern Opening the first modern health facility Establishing the first university hospital Creating the first bone marrow clinic Opening the first embryonic stem cell Research center Establishing the first organ transplant unit Creating the first skin bank CONDOLENCES Helen Cogan, on the loss of her husband, Seymour Hollis Wishnevsky, on the loss of her husband, Morris The family of Anna Kornreich Carol Charon (left) installing Alisa Co-Presidents Tiby Lapkin (middle) & Gail Reifenberg (Right) In order to fulfill Hadassah s goals, a facility that would be equal to the task needed to be established. This segment of Carol s talk will be discussed in our next bulletin. Submitted by Sheila Farber MAZEL TOV: Renee Huber on the birth of her great granddaughter, Hailey Madison Annette & Arthur Edelson on the sale of 1 st sculpture by their granddaughter, Abigal GET WELL: Pauline Cultraro Libby Dratler Gail Shinberg Evey Rabinowitz 5
As the end of the year approaches, please consider remembering your loved ones in our Alive in Our Hearts for the entire 2019. It is so much easier to do it at once, and you won t miss somebody. Please take advantage of the above flyer. Thank you Diane Altman ALIVE IN OUR HEARTS REMEMBRANCE z l May their memories be for a blessing. DECEMBER WE REMEMBER: (Erroneously omitted from last bulletin) Alfred Bloom Husband 12/14/2016 Bunny Bloom JANUARY WE REMEMBER: David Jon Braverman Son 1/16/2014 Bobby & Marvin Braverman Goldie Futterman Mother 1/31/1996 Millie Auerbach Louis Futterman Father 1/30/1996 Millie Auerbach FEBRUARY WE REMEMBER: Albert A. Altman Husband 2/28/1999 Diane Altman Betty Bleich Mother 2/18/1997 Diane Altman Audrey Bresalier Wife 2/8/2016 Paul Bresalier Fred Ferrin Brother 2/29/2012 Merna Levinthal Dina Malka Goldman Mother 2/17/1982 Bobbi Braverman Rose Langdon Mother 2/13/2004 Arlene Lazar Carl Orkin Father 2/19/2006 Jan Zelevansky Jerry Rabinowitz Husband 2/28/1990 Evie Rabinowitz Ellis Taffet Husband 2/17/2017 Marilyn Taffet Rose Zeitlin Mother 2/17/1961 Florence Mansfield Howard Zelevansky Husband 2/9/2006 Jan Zelevansky Norma Bernstein Sister 1/2005 Ruth Percely Claire Wertheimer Twin Sister 1/1994 Ruth Percely 6
SAVE THE DATE **TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 1:30PM MOVIE- DENIAL The movie Denial. At the home of Joanne Ferstan, 19 Westboro, GW. To register call Ella Goldstein 235-9616 or Email: ellangoldstein@gmail.com. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16 - Time TBA NEW MEMBER TEA New Member Tea on January 23 rd at the home of Phyllis Soffer, at 452 Harmony Way in Encore. New members will be contacted. Questions call Sebley at 860-6715. WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16-12:30 PM Calls will be made regarding location. If interested please RSVP Marilyn Taffet, 860-8406. SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019 Last day to send in Mah Jongg card requests. See flyer on page 11. LUNCH BUNCH MAH JONGG CARDS MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019-1:30 PM MONTHLY MEETING/TU B SHVAT Celebrate Tu B Shvat, Jewish Arbor Day at our Monthly Meeting with a Seder led by Sheila Farber. Prepayment of $8 and reservation placed in Lockbox #19 at GW marked Attn: Tu B Shvat or Mail to Greenbriar at Whittingham; 100 Whittingham Drive; Monroe Township, NJ 08831 Attn: Lockbox 19/Tu B Shvat.??? Sheila at 732-780-7379. See flyer page 4. Deadline January 14. Refreshments will be served. At Greenbriar at Whittingham Clubhouse. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2019 11:15AM FLORIDA REUNION Snow Bird Reunion in Delray Beach, Florida at Delray Beach Golf Club. See flyer on page 4. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019 - NO MONTHLY MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2019-7:15 PM MONTHLY MEETING Marcia Midler will share slides and stories on the life of Sophie Tucker. Everyone welcome. Refreshments will be served. At Monroe Township Senior Center. SUNDAY APRIL 14, 2019-11:30 AM LUNCH/THEATRE PARTY Lunch at La Capannina at 11:30 AM followed by Into the Woods at Playhouse 22 at 3PM. Into the Woods is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. Couvert $50.00pp. RSVP: Marilyn Taffet 860-8406. See flyer page 9. WEDNESDAY MAY 22, 2019-11:30AM CARD PARTY Save the date for the chapter's next card party in the GW Ballroom. Open to all. 11:30 am-4 pm. Details to follow.??marilyn Gerstein 609-409-9176. ** Indicates those Judy Brodman Education programs where donations to Hadassah are appreciated. Please be courteous to your fellow members and inform the appropriate chairperson if you are unable to attend a program. This will allow someone on the waiting list to attend. SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2019-1:30PM SAVE THE DATE HADASSAH ASSOCIATES Monroe Township Senior Center Open to all. FROM DARKNESS THERE IS HOPE We cannot change the past we CAN change the future Heidi Haller Cherry Hear the inspiring stories of how adult children and grandchildren of Shoah survivors are making certain that the Holocaust will not be forgotten and that from darkness there IS hope. Plan to participate in a lively and open dialogue about what these individuals are doing and what else needs to be done in order to protect future generations from experiencing another Holocaust. A retired government executive from Florida, two retired educators from Montreal and an attorney and member of the New Jersey Holocaust Education Commission will share their experiences and what motivated them to keep the Holocaust story alive. Be prepared to comment and ask questions. This is a program you will not want to miss!!! 7
OCTOBER MONTHLY MEETING SIMCHAS Tiby Lapkin Joanne s Birthday Linda Skupp Grandson Zachary s Bar Mitzvah (Sept 8) Sebley Hausler My special 91 st Birthday Marilyn Taffet Granddaughter, Renee s Birthday Marilyn Taffet Granddaughter, Renee s 10 th wedding anniversary Marilyn Taffet In honor of sharing 2018 Myrtle Wreath Honors with Diane Altman Diane Altman In honor of Marilyn Taffet, 2018 Myrtle Wreath Nominee Hana Cofsky B Nai Mitzvah of my twin Grandchildren, Adam and Rachel Cofsky Judy Gerstein Birthday of my daughter, Phyllis Judy Gerstein Birthday of my grandson, Josh Judy Gerstein Birthday of my grandson, Brian Judy Gerstein My Birthday! Gail Reifenberg Grandson Justin s 18 th birthday & High School Graduation Gail Reifenberg Joanne Ferstan s Birthday Eileen Carpenter My daughter, Lauren just purchased her first house in Arizona Eileen Carpenter Happy almost special birthday to Joanne Ferstan Sheila Farber Joanne Ferstan s Birthday Bunny Bloom My daughter-in-law, Beatrice s Adult Bat Mitzvah at Princeton Jewish Center. Roberta & Larry Fachler Mazel Tov to our Granddaughter, Ryleigh Fachler, on occasion of her engagement to Justin Gerchalk Roberta & Larry Fachler Mazel Tov to Linda & Allen Skupp, on occasion of their grandson Zachary s Bar Mitzvalh NOVEMBER MONTHLY MEETING SIMCHAS Marilyn Taffet Granddaughter, Renee & husband Jack s 10 th wedding anniversary Joanne Ferstan To welcome the new incoming Board with all good wishes Tiby Lapkin To recognize Joanne s daughter Leslie and her family s safe return to their home in California Gail Reifenberg Thanking all for a good year Claire Lazar May we all enjoy Thanksgiving Claire Lazar Thank you to the Fundraising committee for a good year Karen Mandel Granddaughter, Lyla Madison s birthday Sharon Nachimson Mazel Tov to Tiby Lapkin on becoming co-president of Hadassah. May you grow from strength to strength. Bernice Kernis Happy Birthday to granddauthers Amanda 5 th and Alexandra 8 th Diane Altman Granddaughter, Joelle s birthday Diane Altman Son, Sandy s birthday Stephanie Hunger My son s birthday Rhoda Juskow Grandson, Billy had lead in play at Scotch Plains High School Rhoda Juskow Granddaughter Dory ran Marathon in Philadephia in under 4 ½ hours Roberta & Larry Fachler Mazel Tov to niece Michelle, on her birthday Roberta & Larry Fachler To Aunt Shirley who came from Poland 91 years ago with her mother Chava and 4 siblings. Roberta & Larry Fachler Mazel Tov to daughter-in-law, Jessica and daughter-in-law Kathy on their birthdays. Roberta & Larry Fachler Mazel Tov to grandson, Mark on his 21 st birthday 2018 Thank you for all your good wishes and for sharing our special day when we received the Myrtle Wreath awards. In our hearts we are all sisters caring and putting our efforts into the sustaining of Hadassah and Israel. May each day give us more strength as we stand together. Shalom, Marilyn Taffet and Diane Altman 8
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There are two(2) ways to contribute: 1.) Purchase a certificate in honor or memory of someone. The certificate will be sent to the recipient or to you for presentation. 2.) Fill a BLUE BOX. Keep this box in your home. Fill it at your leisure and turn it in when filled. You will then get a receipt for your donation. To receive or return a BLUE BOX call: Lois Flamholz 609-860-9446 Hadassah has recently extended this program. For a one time donation of $5000 you can now have Kaddish recited every day for the first year of mourning as well as observed in perpetuity on the specified Yahrzeit date. For more information about this one time TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFT of $1,000 or $5,000 Call: Dolores Rosengard 860-1981 CELEBRATE YOUR SIMCHAS AT OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS By purchasing a candle on our Simcha cake you can share your simchas with all of us at our general meeting. Your simchas will be announced at the monthly meeting and will also be included in our monthly bulletin. The cost of a candle will be $2 which will be used to offset costs for refreshments. LET HADASSAH BE YOUR CARD SHOP We can save you time and trouble and make your congratulations or condolences very unique. There are cards or certificates for every occasion, holiday or event. CARDS are $3.00. If you wish us to stamp and mail them, it is $4.00. CERTIFICATES start at $6.00, TREES at $18.00. To order call: Millie Semel 409-1578 Florence Weiss 409-1924 Rhoda Lesser 409-9557 Harriet Cohen 860-5953 A beautiful calligraphy-inscribed certificate or tree certificate in denominations of $18.00 or above can be ordered from: Dorothy Brotman 409-0578. There is $1 charge for calligraphy and an additional $1 charge for postage. CARDS AND CERTIFICATES ARE SOLD AT EVERY MEETING COMMUNITY OUTREACH UPDATE In addition to the knitting of black caps for the Israeli soldiers, our members have also been knitting and crocheting teeny-tiny caps, in pastel colors, for the preemie babies at Hadassah Hospital. If you would like to perform this mitzvah, please call Arlene Lazar (609-409-2749) for instructions. Anyone going to Israel, please call Arlene to let her know. ALIVE IN OUR HEARTS REMEMBRANCE So many of our deceased spouses, partners, and friends are gone but not forgotten by our community. Anyone who would like to memorialize their loved ones during the month of their passing please fill out form available at our monthly meetings or at our website www.hadassah.org/alisa under the section Announcements. Cost $2 per name.??? Diane Altman 609-860-1193. PLEASE NOTE: The only authorized Alisa Chapter representatives to sell cards, certificates, trees, and Mah Jongg cards are those listed in the bulletin. We appreciate your continued support. 10
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Alisa Hadassah 45 Westminster Drive Monroe Twp., N.J. 08831 DATED MATERIAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID Freehold, N.J. Permit No. 351 CURRENT RESIDENT OR NEW JERSEY: Information filed by Hadassah, the Women s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. and Hadassah Medical Relief Association, Inc. with the New Jersey Attorney General concerning this charitable solicitation may be obtained from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey by calling (973) 504-6215. Registration with the Attorney General does not imply endorsement FLORIDA: A copy of the official registration and financial information for Hadassah, The Women s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (#SA-01298) and Hadassah Medical Relief Association, Inc. (SD046-3) may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Affairs Services by calling toll-free within the state 1-809-HELP-FLA. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state. SHABBAT & HOLIDAY CANDLE LIGHTING TIME: 1/4 @ 4:27 1/11 @4:34 1/18 @ 4:41 1/25 @4:49 2/1 @ 4:58 2/8 @ 5:06 2/15 @ 5:15 2/22 @ 5:23 3/1 @ 5:31 3/8 @ 5:39 3/15 @ 6:46 (DST) REMINDER: PLEASE DO NOT CONDUCT HADASSAH BUSINESS ON SHABBAT OR HOLIDAYS Don t fly away without letting us know!! Going away this winter?? Get Hardcopy Bulletin? Want to get Regional Raffle and other mailings while you are away?? Please let us know your away address and contact information. See flyer on page 9. Looking forward to your return. Watch for Region Raffle Tickets in the mail. The proceeds from the raffle are used to support Hadassah s humanitarian efforts. Last day to order MahJongg Cards is January 20 th!!!! Flyer page 11 Check out our MahJongg purse fund raiser. Flyer page 11 Florida Reunion is February 5th. See Page 4 Inside for flyer. Do you have relevant information pertinent to the Jewish community here or abroad and/or Israel that you would like to share? We of the editorial staff are always open to receive information from you. Your Bulletin Editors Joanne, Eileen and Sheila 12