Sisterhood Speaks – March 2018

A Word from Sisterhood

Carole Lebental, Sisterhood President

We’re ready to lend a helping hand to a friend or relative who needs our help. But what about our eagerness to offer help to someone with whom we do not have a close personal relationship? Do we reach out to that person—the one who needs, but may have no one to come to their assistance? That’s what we are aiming to do with our Caring Community. Every member of Temple Beth El should feel that they belong to a helping, caring community. When we are given help through a difficult time, we feel like reciprocating—“paying it forward”. “Doing unto others” is the essence of Judaism. The caring community will be the vehicle through which we can make this happen.

We had good attendance for our Comedy and Magic Club event organized by Dina Dreizler. The Mah Jongg Day, organized by Marilyn Schimmel, was well attended. We’ve scheduled a Paint and Nosh program for Sunday, March 18th. The Book Club, capably chaired by Esther Shoem, is particularly enjoyed and is popular enough that it often has a second monthly gathering. Our gift shop, in the capable hands of Mary Cohn and Elaine Blatt, the Calendar, Golden Grams, and Uniongrams organized by Dee Ross, Tributes, sent by Audrey Stempel, hamentaschen sales, organized by Rose Kolas and Barbara Brickman, all help to raise funds.

We will have our major fundraiser on Sunday, April 22, the “Bloom into Spring” Garden Tour. We will explore five lovely, private gardens and eat lunch at a sixth garden. This event is chaired by Sandra Pickar. It has been three years since we had our last garden tour. They have always been successful thanks to Sandy’s ability to secure wonderful gardens, create publicity, and organize volunteers to do the many tasks required to run this major event.

At our Circle of Service Luncheon, we presented a special recognition to Kathie Maher who has achieved her Gold Lifeline contribution to the WRJ YES Fund. This fund provides money for the education of rabbis, cantors and youth leaders. We always have a student rabbi speak at the luncheon, and are amazed at the diversity of experience and background of the student speakers. Even their goals regarding the type of rabbinical positions they prefer vary greatly.

Sisterhood is responsible for the TBE kitchen. Just as in every home, it’s constantly in need of maintenance and repair. We will have to replace at least one major appliance in the immediate future. We are also responsible for the Ongei Shabbat unless there is a sponsor for a special occasion such as a bar/bat mitzvah. Shelly Zirkes heads this committee. Every Jewish event, except Yom Kippur, needs food. Even Yom Kippur needs grapes for the Break The Fast!

Temple Beth El is entering an exciting transition period where the Executive Board will be selecting a new transitional rabbi, a new settled rabbi and a new educator. All TBE members’ input regarding their thoughts and expectations for these positions is being sought and will be considered. Be sure to provide your own input. Sisterhood will select a new slate of officers. We eagerly seek nominations, including self-nominations. We welcome new Sisterhood members at all times of the year. Please join us.