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SisterhoodVoice Mailbox, 703-425-1880, ext. 243
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| Annual Mishloach Manot FUNdraiser |
| Spread Purim joy around |
| Mishloach manot bags abound. |
| We will deliver to a house | With just a click of your mouse. |
One of the mitzvoth of Purim is to send baskets or bags of delicious treats to friends and neighbors. This is called Mishloach Manot. Once again, OT and Sisterhood would like to make it easier for you to fulfill this mitzvah. At the same time, Olam Tikvah will benefit from your generosity. In the next few weeks, you will receive information in the mail of how you can order attractive bags filled with yummy goodies. We will deliver the bags to your friends and neighbors. Please note there are some restrictions as to where we can deliver which are explained in the mailing. Any questions, please call Brenda Klemow or Joanne Stryer.
2012 Events
Annual Mishloach Manot FUNdraiser. Spread Purim joy around/Mishloach manot bags abound/We will deliver to a house/With just a click of your mouse. One of the mitzvoth of Purim is to send baskets or bags of delicious treats to friends and neighbors. This is called Mishloach Manot. Once again, OT and Sisterhood would like to make it easier for you to fulfill this mitzvah. At the same time, Olam Tikvah will benefit from your generosity. In the next few weeks, you will receive information in the mail of how you can order attractive bags filled with yummy goodies. We will deliver the bags to your friends and neighbors.* Any questions, please call Brenda Klemow or Joanne Stryer. *Please note there are some restrictions as to where we can deliver which are explained in the mailing.
Tu B'Shevat Seder 5772, Wednesday, February 8, 2012, 7-8pm. Learn about the birthday of the trees at this fun event. There is no charge to attend the seder. Please RSVP to rpalley@olamtikvah.org to ensure that we have enough (but not too much) food.
Judaism is for Lovers: Casino Night and Dance, Saturday, February 11th, 8:00-11:00pm at OT. In addition to the Casino Night and Dance, there will be a silent auction with many great items and services for people to "spend" their money. We hope you will join us for this exciting event! There will be light hors devours, desserts, soft drinks, and a cash bar. “Casino Cash” and a ticket for one free drink will be given at check-in. Cost is $18 per person, or you can help sponsor the event: Silver - $36 per person, Gold - $90 per person/couple, Platinum - $180 per person/couple. Your check (payable to Olam Tikvah Sisterhood) is your RSVP.
Book Club Discussion, Thursday, Mar 15, 7:30pm, at OT. Join us as we discuss Jerusalem Maiden by Talia Carner. In the waning days of the Ottoman Empire, a young Orthodox Jewish woman in the holy city of Jerusalem is expected to marry and produce many sons to help hasten the Messiah's arrival. While the feisty Esther Kaminsky understands her obligations, her artistic talent inspires her to secretly explore worlds outside her religion, to dream of studying in Paris, and to believe that God has a special destiny for her. When tragedy strikes her family, Esther views it as a warning from an angry God and suppresses her desires in order to become an obedient "Jerusalem maiden." For more information, please contact Gerri Sterling (see contact info in the OT directory).
Shabbat Morning Greeters. Sisterhood is looking for a few individuals to volunteer as lobby greeters during Shabbat morning services from 9:15 - 10:30am. A cheerful smile is all you need for welcoming people to OT and directing them to the coat room, the restrooms, the youth services, and the sanctuary. If interested, please contact Karen Hemmerdinger or Stacie Kaplan (see contact info in the OT directory).
Bunco, 2nd Sunday of the month, 6:00pm-8:00pm, at OT. Have you ever played Bunco? Do you want to learn how to play this fun dice game? Join us on the second Sunday of the month (unless otherwise noted) for an evening of dice and schmoozing. No previous experience needed. For more information, please contact Simone Bielsker or Jennifer Ricciardi (see contact info in the OT directory). If Bunco isn't for you but you would be interested in coordinating another special interest activity, please contact us and let us know!
Sisterhood Day of Learning, Sunday, April 22, 9:30am at OT. We are currently planning a morning of education to be held on Sunday, April 22 from 9:30 - 11:30am, and we need your help! Our goal is to have two 45 minute periods with three presentations each. In addition to recruiting presenters, we need a committee to plan all of the details of the event and we would love your help. If you are interested in assisting with this program, please contact Sara Pollack or Paula Weiss (see contact info in the OT directory).
Volunteer Opportunties
Volunteers are needed for the following
positions:
Ways and Means Chair
Casino Night Event Chair
For more information or if you
are interested in helping with any of these, please contact Stacie Kaplan
or Karen Hemmerdinger (see contact in the OT directory) or email
sisterhood@olamtikvah.org.
Tzedakah Projects
Clothing Drive. Graham Road School has a large number of children in need, and they have asked for desperately needed seasonally appropriate clothing. Please bring new or gently used clothing for the children and their families - all sizes needed. There is currently a great need for large size children’s coats. Clothing items can be dropped off in collection boxes in the OT lobby. For more information, please contact Traci Goldberg (see contact info in the OT directory).
Support Our Military Families. OT Sisterhood and Gesher Jewish Day School are collecting manufacturers' coupons to send to young families overseas to use in their commissaries. There is a collection box in the lobby. Coupons can include health & beauty, baby care, food & paper products, etc. Coupons can be up to two months expired.
Community Service
Coupons...Keep Them Coming...We have been sending product coupons to two US Bases in Germany for over a year now, at the rate of 12 to 14 pounds a box every 6 to 8 weeks. These efforts are very much appreciated by the servicemen and women as well as the government civilians stationed at these bases. Most of the coupons do come in clipped, but sometimes the uncut ones pile up. From time to time, Sisterhood volunteers do the cutting, and this year we were lucky enough to have a b'nai mitzvah student help with the cutting. In order to continue this effort, we are looking for a few volunteers who would be willing to come in once or twice every couple of months to help with the clipping. This is an easy mitzvah you can either do at home or at OT. To volunteer or for more information, please contact Joanne Stryer (see contact info in the OT Directory). Thank you to everyone who has sent and is sending in their coupons!
Mitzvah Meal Prep Help Needed. Diane Fertman is looking for women to help prepare Mitzvah Meals. If you are interesting helping in the kitchen, please contact Diane at n.fertman@verizon.net.
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Casseroles for
So Others Might Eat (SOME). Sisterhood prepares extra large
casseroles each month at OT for SOME, an interfaith, community-based
organization that exists to help the poor and homeless of our nation's
capital. All casseroles should be delivered frozen to Olam Tikvah on the
Wednesday before the third Thursday of the month, no later than 8:30pm. The
casserole drop off/delivery schedule for 2012 is as follows: January 18,
February 15, March 14, April 18, May 16, June 20, and July 18. If you are
unable to deliver on one of the above dates but would still like to make a
casserole, please contact Shirley or John Baer. For more information about
SOME and the casserole recipe, please see our Social
Action page.
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Judaica Shop
Why do we shop at the Olam Tikvah Judaica Shop? Our beautiful Judaica Shop offers beautiful tallitot; one-of-a-kind artwork and handmade jewelry from Israeli, Turkish, and American artists; Judaica gifts for b’nai mitzvah, brides, home ,and babies; as well as numerous ritual items including havdalah sets, menorahs, mezzuzot, washing cups, and much more. Thank you to all our supporters of the Judaica shop. If you have not seen our new shop, do come by and see what we have to offer. We are opened on Sundays during Religious School or the Main Office staff will be happy to help you. Call Joanne Stryer if you have a special request. Remember: All profits benefit Sisterhood and Olam Tikvah. Judaic objects make the home a small sanctuary of Jewish life.See our shop's page.
Sisterhood Cookbook: Try a new recipe! You can order the Sisterhood's cookbook, With Love and Best Dishes, or pick up a copy at the Judaica Shop or in OT's main office.
Torah Fund
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Torah Fund 5772 pin. |
Ensure our legacy to future generations of Conservative Jews. The Torah Funds supports the Jewish Theological Seminary, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, and Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano, strengthening and perpetuating Conservative/Masorti Judaism throughout the world. Please make your check payable to WLCJ-Torah Fund and mail it to Olam Tikvah Sisterhood.
Hiddur Mitzvah: Embellishing a Mitzvah Through Aesthetics – The 5772 Theme. This year’s Torah Fund theme, Hiddur Mitzvah, speaks specifically to us as Jewish women. Hiddur Mitzvah means to embellish and beautify our Jewish world. The concept is attributed to a verse in the Song of the Sea (Exodus 15:2), which has long been believed to have been written and sung by Miriam. Miriam, our first woman leader, recognized that we are a people that glorify our connection with God by appreciating the beauty in the world that God has created and given to us. As women and keepers of our homes, we beautify our Shabbat table with challah covers, Miriam’s cup, tablecloths, and shiny polished candlesticks. We hang color-matched mezuzot on our doorposts. On the High Holidays and Pesah, we bring out family heirloom pieces that belonged to our grandmothers and great-grandmothers to beautify our tables. We know that using beauty to connect us to our ancestors and to honor our fathers and mothers is another way to keep us holy. Hiddur Mitzvah provides all of us the opportunity to perform a mitzvah in our homes. Money raised by Torah Fund supports our institutions of higher learning in the Conservative Movement through scholarships, gifts, and building projects. Contributions at all levels are welcome. By supporting the Torah Fund at the Benefactor ($180) or Guardian ($300) levels or higher, your will receive this Hiddur Mitzvah Torah Fund Pin in recognition and appreciation of your generous support. The pomegranate imagery of this year’s pin has multilayered meaning. Pomegranates (rimmonim) are one of the bountiful fruits of the Land of Israel. Rimmonim is also the term used for the silver adornments on the atzei chaim (Torah rollers) of the Sefer Torah. Olam Tikvah Sisterhood has set a goal of increasing our Benefactors by 10 percent in 5772. Please help us meet this ambitious goal! Your donation can be made in installments through the year. Please contact Barbara Finkel or Roz Sloan if you have questions.
You are Torah Fund-at any level!
Keter Kavod - $5000
Scholarship Patron - $2500
Patron - $1200
Associate Patron - $600
Guardian - $300
Benefactor - $180
Receive the 5772 pin in recognition of your generous support.
Other Services from Sisterhood
Challah for Shabbat. Plain braided challahs are $8.00 per pair. For more information, contact Deb Gould, (703) 356-3825 or send an e-mail to otchallah@yahoo.com.
Need a mitzvah meal? Contact Diane Fertman or the OT main office if you or someone you know needs a mitzvah meal (a complete Shabbat dinner) delivered to the home.
B'nai Mitzvah Services. Sisterhood can help make the planning for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah a little easier. From catering the Kiddush lunch to finding that special tallit to ordering imprinted kippot, Sisterhood offers many services that will help make your event special. See our brochure for more information.
Personalized candelabra and kippot. Rent a candelabra for lighting at your simcha or order kippot at a discount. Contact Lisa Shankman for more information. Proceeds benefit Sisterhood.
Simcha Catering. For all your special occasions at
Olam Tikvah. We can provide a Kiddush lunch following your Bar or Bat
Mitzvah, baby naming or aufruf. For information, contact Leona Shoon in the main OT office,
(703) 425-1880.
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Sisterhood Officers at the Volunteer Luncheon. Photo by Susan Coren |
How We Help
We support our Olam Tikvah community:
• Our Mitzvah Corps provides Shabbat meals to OT members when a new baby arrives, someone is ill or an immediate family member has passed away. This classic Shabbat meal includes chicken, kugel, vegetables and a challah. Donations to the Sisterhood Mitzvah Corps are greatly appreciated, or you can join a dedicated team responsible for preparing and distributing the meals. Please call Diane Fertman or the OT office if you need a Mitzvah meal or know of someone who would like one, or if you would like to help.
• The Bikkur Holim committee arranges for visits to congregants who are ill or homebound.
• Our fundraising activities help support the religious school, youth groups, Israel Quest, and synagogue activities and building improvements.
We help the greater community by:
• Sponsoring Shabbat meals at
• Supporting
• Visiting residents of the
• Making casseroles for a homeless shelter every month.
• Supporting the Jewish Theological Seminary through donations to the Torah Fund.
Women's League for Conservative
Judaism
Olam Tikvah Sisterhood is affiliated with the Women's League for Conservative Judaism. We received the Seaboard Branch Membership Award in 1998. At the new Women's League web site you can:
• Check out news and information for Sisterhood Members.
• Easily update your profile, including any changes to your home or e-mail address.
• Log in to access personal profile using your Women’s League ID number.
• All Sisterhood members have an ID number on their preprinted form. All new members will be assigned an ID from Women's League.
To log in for the first time: use your ID number preceded by usr_. If an ID number is 123456, the login is usr_123456. The password you will need for the first time you access your account is the same number preceded by pwd_ (example: pwd_123456). Passwords should be changed after the first time you log in.
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OT Sisterhood members attend WL Convention, Dec.2010 |
Rachel Rothberg accepts the award with WL Past Pres., Cory Schneider |
Congratulations to OT Sisterhood for fulfilling the criteria for the "Women's League Jewels in the Crown Award!" This award recognizes sisterhoods that have demonstrated commitment and creativity in the areas of educational programming, community service, and Women's League activities. There are three levels of achievement for this award and OT Sisterhood achieved the Emerald level, the highest level! While many sisterhoods throughout the US and Canada submitted applications, OT Sisterhood was the ONLY sisterhood in Virginia to be selected for an award. Many thanks to all who helped submit the application, participated in the programs, and dedicated their time and energy to OT Sisterhood. The award was presented at the 2010 Women’s League Convention in Baltimore.
Baltimore Schools Thank Women's League. In preparation for the 2010 WLCJ convention, Women's League initiated a community-building tzedakah project entitled "Books for Baltimore: Building a Reading Community One Child at a Time." Thanks to all the generous member donations as well as a very generous gift from the Rona Jaffe Foundation, WL met its original goal of 7,000 third-grade reading books and was able to extend its goal to providing pre-readers to 4,000 pre-kindergarteners. In all, more than 11,000 personal reading books were delivered, allowing every 3rd grader and pre-kindergartner in the Baltimore City Public Schools to receive at least one. Please click on the link below to view the thank-you message from the Baltimore City Public School System. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ma36DcGRAg
WLCJ's New Ba'Olam Blog. Women's League for Conservative Judaism is proud to announce the new Ba'Olam blog. This new look for WLCJ's International and Public Affairs newsletter allows us to keep our readers up to the minute on those issues and events of interest to them. Please go to http://wlcjbaolam.blogspot.com/ via your internet browser in order to view the latest stories. Women's League hopes you will continue to read Ba'Olam by visiting the blog often and that you find it informative.
Affiliated with The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism