IN THIS ISSUE: Women's Awareness Day Addresses the Rise of Anti-Semitism
Message from the Campaign Chair • President's Message
MetroWest HELPS Responds to Economic Crisis
Expressing Solidarity for Our Israeli Family
Calendar of Events
Thursday, March 26 Cocktails, Calls & College Basketball with YLD 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Aidekman Campus, Whippany
Tuesday, March 31 Fruits, Nuts & Fun-raising Cell-A-Thon for Women 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Private home in Morris Township
Monday, April 20 Beyond 9 to 5 Campaign Event
6:30 p.m.
Private home in Mendham
Thursday, April 23 Women’s Awareness Day
Keynote Speaker: Will Recant
9:15 a.m.
Aidekman Campus, Whippany
Sunday, April 26, to Sunday, May 3 Women’s Solidarity Mission to Israel
Wednesday, May 13
UJA Benefit Concert Honoring Jane and Arthur Brody
6:30 p.m. (reception)
7:30 p.m. (concert)
NJPAC
Sunday, May 31
UJA Day at Cedar Hill Country Club Annual Campaign Day for Men & Women 7:45 a.m.
Sunday, May 31
Run for Rachel
9:00 a.m.
Memorial Park, Livingston
Thursday, June 11
Women’s Philanthropy Annual Meeting Honoring Paula Saginaw
9:15 a.m.
Aidekman Campus, Whippany
Wednesday, June 17
Beyond 9 to 5 Book Group
7:00 p.m.
Private home
Barbara Greenfield
Marla Wexler
Editors
Gayle Wieseneck
Community Awareness Vice President
Leslie Dannin Rosenthal
Women's Campaign Chair
Paula Saginaw
Women's Philanthropy President
While we were all glued to our televisions and scanning daily reports of the military efforts of the Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza last December, some in our community were organizing efforts to show solidarity with Israel. Merle Kalishman, chair of the MetroWest Community Relations Committee, joined five others on a “roll up your sleeves” mission to our partner communities of Ofakim, Sha’ar HaNegev, and Kibbutz Erez. This was the only mission in Israel during the winter months to express our solidarity. Merle reported the “level of appreciation was unbelievable.”
In Ofakim, participants worked alongside Israeli college students to clean and paint bomb shelters and to build safe rooms. They enjoyed home hospitality and learned from local residents about the stress of daily threats. At Kibbutz Erez on the northeast border with Gaza, the group heard from social workers and therapists who help children cope with the trauma of the rocket attacks. One child was afraid to go to school and his mother was afraid to leave their apartment. By helping the mother to cope with her fears, the therapist also helped the boy regain the confidence to go back to school. People in these communities need music, books, games, and clothing as well as financial assistance, since they are living under great hardship.
In April, Women’s Philanthropy will sponsor a Solidarity Mission to Israel. The week-long mission will highlight microeconomic efforts supported by our partnerships and will provide a hands-on experience in rebuilding our homeland. These efforts show our Israeli family we want to understand and share the risks of their daily lives.
Locally, the Community Relations Committee of MetroWest (CRC) has worked with our policymakers to ensure their continued support for Israel. They recently sponsored a MetroWest Rally in support of Israel’s right to self-defense in Gaza and a community forum with an Israeli Consulate official and American Jewish leadership addressing the challenges posed by the conflict with Hamas.
CRC engages in Israel advocacy on behalf of UJC with policy makers, the media, diverse organizations, and the interfaith community and helps to prepare the Jewish community to be effective advocates. CRC has an active Israel and World Affairs Committee (IWA) that works on outreach, information, and advocacy. Active sub-committees include a Task Force to Stop Iran Now, a Jewish Faculty Network, and a speaker’s bureau. Those interested in receiving CRC action alerts, participating in the IWA, or attending upcoming CRC activities should contact Melanie Roth Gorelick at .
Standing With Our Sisters:
A Solidarity Mission to Israel
Join a high-powered group of MetroWest women as we meet our peers in Israel. Learn about our joint efforts at keeping Israel strong; come see the wonderful work we do together. We will meet Israeli business women, get a first hand look at microeconomic efforts supported by our partnerships, and share a “hands-on” experience in rebuilding our homeland.
Sunday, April 26 – Sunday, May 3, 2009
Minimum Gift: $1,000
Chair: Debby Brafman
For more information, go to www.ujcnj.org/solidaritymission, contact Robin Leitner at (973) 929-3035 or .
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Directions to Aidekman Campus