January 2016 Sisterhood News

We hope everyone had a wonderful Chanukah and celebrated heartily with family and friends. We are now entering winter, although the weather does not always seem like it. Sisterhood has had many planning meetings, each attended by about 15 to 20 women with strong opinions. We are always eager to try something new when suggestions are made.

Our first winter event, which will be a chocolate making party in our own Menchel Hall, will take place on Sunday, January 10th at 2PM. We will be making and eating chocolate goodies and washing them down with the beverage of your choice. Please contact the co-presidents to inform them what kind of drinks you prefer. We are hoping this event will help brighten up our moods as the weather gets colder. There will be a minimal charge for the goodies.

We have added an event on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 8PM. Our very own Rita Plush has just had her third book published and is eager to share it with us. Her new book is called “Feminine Products” and it revolves around a baby boomer finding out that she is pregnant. The excerpts that I read are touching and/or funny. Please come and hear Rita discuss her book on Wednesday, February 3 at 8 PM. Light refreshments will be served.

Sisterhood Shabbat will take place on March 5th. Each year our members lead the service in any way they can. It has been very fulfilling watching our members increase or change their roles each year. Please volunteer for something with which you are comfortable or volunteer for something that is uncomfortable for you and we will help you become comfortable. Signup sheets will be available at all events. Rabbi Wise will provide instruction and support in Torah and Haftorah readings, while Cantor Zim will assist those who want to participate in another part of the service. We also need volunteers to introduce the Torah portion, the Haftorah and to provide a brief D’var Torah. As usual, a beautiful Kiddush luncheon will be provided after services.

On Sunday, March 20th, we are looking for volunteers to help put together our Shalach Manot (Purim Project Assembly) for distribution to our congregation on Purim.  We work assembly line style   ( a la Lucy), and have had lots of fun doing this in the past. We will have a different style goody basket this year, due to the innovative work of Vicky Wolkofsky.  Maris Blechner continues to be our chairperson for ordering the Shalach Manot. Thanks, Vicky and Maris.

We will be continuing with our annual Women’s Seder which will take place on April 18th in the afternoon. Our chairperson for this event is Esther Beckoff who has volunteered her time and musical talent. Sisterhood has created a Haggadah for its own use which makes the experience very personal. Please join us at this very special event.

On Sunday, May 15th, Men’s Club and Sisterhood are uniting for a program on “Communicating with Style-How to be a More Effective Communicator”. Mindy Stern will be our speaker. We will start at 11AM so that we can conclude with a sushi lunch.

Our year end event will take place on Wednesday, June 15th at 8 PM. We hope to have a “feel good” event like we ended with last year. There will be lots of sharing and laughter.

We are looking forward to seeing you at all of our events.

Beth Sofer Diker, Co-President
Marilyn Teleky , Co-President