Sisterhood

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About | Membership | Events | Torah Fund | Mah Jongg | Tzedakah | Share Your Interests | Simcha Catering | Jewish Treasures

The Olam Tikvah Sisterhood is a group of diverse women welcoming and bonding with other women through programming and social activities. We strengthen our synagogue and the community through support and outreach, enhance Jewish education for ourselves and our families and uphold, share and create traditions.

Co-Presidents' Message

Come join Olam Tikvah Sisterhood, an extraordinary group of talented and dedicated OT women. Whether you’re looking for your community within the larger OT community, want to help do good deeds/mitzvot, or want to broaden your social circle, Sisterhood is here for you. Our coming year is filled with many social, cultural, educational and spiritual activities, while we try our best to help those in need and strive for Tikkun Olam.

Sometimes the problems of the world seem overwhelming and it’s normal to wonder how one person can make a difference. Sisterhood gives you the opportunity—if you want to take it—to multiply our efforts to aid congregation members or programs, or local shelters, or to build goodwill with women from different faiths in our area. Would you like to attend a book club discussion, or lead one? Help pack Mishloach Manot gift bags when Purim comes? Help shoppers find the perfect gift at our annual Chanukah bazaar? Hear experts on anything from genealogy to flower arranging to the prospects of the Northern Virginia Jewish community? Explore local wineries and museums? Anything you would like to achieve becomes easier when you do it with Sisterhood. And we have fun doing it. Your unwavering support, whether financial, volunteering your time or both helps us to continue to make a difference to our OT family, our community and the world around us.

Join the women of OT Sisterhood again or renew now. We can’t wait to see you!

Paying for Dues and Event Registration

Thank you for joining Sisterhood and attending our events throughout the year! A list of our upcoming events is below. If paying by check for your membership dues or an event, please remember to make your check payable to "OT Sisterhood."

Sisterhood Board 2024-25

Co-Presidents: Rachel Rothberg and Lori Frumkin
Administrative VP: Shari Schwartz
Corresponding Secretary: Julie Feil
Communications VP: Melissa Albert
Education VPs: Gerri Sterling and Andi Wirpel
Membership VPs: Karen Hemmerdinger and Hillary Rubin
Ways and Means VPs: Karen Rabin and Annie Schwartz
Recording Secretary: Elissa Kon
Financial Secretaries: Stacie Kaplan and Heidi Freeman
Treasurer: Lori Jacobs
Parliamentarian: Marnie Fienberg
Immediate Past President: Paula Weiss

Director at Large: Marie Taubman

Community Service Chair: Lori Frumkin*
Hospitality Chair: Ronnie Rodriguez*
Jewish Treasures Chair: Julie Akawie*
Simcha Catering Chair: Deedy Eisenson*
Torah Fund Chair: Rochelle Friedman*
Data Manager: Barbara Finkel*

*Non-Executive Board Members

Upcoming Events

Womens League Regional event - Leisure walk

Thursday, June 19, 10:30am

WL REGIONAL EVENT: Join your Seaboard Sisters for a leisurely walk in Rock Creek Park. We will meet at Picnic Area #1 located next to Peirce Mill near the corner of Shoemaker and Spring of Freedom streets. The picnic area has its own parking lot, covered pavilion, and restrooms. The closest Metro is the Red Line Cleveland Park or Van Ness-UDC exit, then a 15-20 minute walk.

The walk will start at 10:30 am and cover about 1-2 miles. We will enjoy stunning gardens and fruit trees cared for by the Friends of Peirce Mill. If there is interest, we will have lunch together afterwards at a nearby restaurant. Restaurant recommendations are welcome!

Car pools from the OT parking lot will meet at 9:30. Please let Barbara know if you will be coming. The whole Seaboard Region group will meet at Rock Creek at 10:30.

Please contact Barbara if you plan to attend so that we know to look for you. We are looking for one or two volunteers to help organize this event. Please step forward if you are willing and able.

Tzedakah Projects

Casseroles for SOME. It only takes a few brief minutes to fill an empty tummy with a hearty and healthy meal. For the past 20 years, Sisterhood has supported the casserole delivery to So Others May Eat (SOME), an interfaith, community-based organization that helps our local poor and homeless. The tuna casseroles OT members provide each month help meet the daily needs of the people SOME serves. The group normally meets on Mondays at 9:00am in the OT kitchen. If you are interested in helping to make casseroles at OT, please contact Carol Shaman to confirm our next cooking date.

Mitzvah Meals. Help the OT community at large by preparing Mitzvah Meals in the OT kitchen. For more information and scheduling details, please contact Ellen Finberg.

Simcha Catering

Sisterhood has provided catering services for our congregation since 1994. Consider using Simcha to make your Kiddush extra special! Simcha Catering offers competitive pricing, personal service, superior quality, a variety of menu choices and an expanded a la carte menu.

To learn more about hiring Simcha Catering for your next simcha, contact Leona Shoon at simchacatering@olamtikvah.org or (703) 425-1880.

Simcha is in need of volunteers to help with wine serving before (easy-peasy) and clean up after (almost as easy-peasy) Kiddush on Shabbat afternoons. Our team works hard to present delicious, beautiful lunches after services, but it's your help that puts the finishing touch on the presentation!

Sign up on the Sign-Up Genius which has dates when we're "expecting company." Help is needed every week, even when it's "just family" and any amount of your time will be greatly appreciated. Simcha is Sisterhood. Let's help out. All congregants are welcome to help out. Contact Ronnie Rodriguez with any questions.