{"id":19285,"date":"2016-06-03T00:43:33","date_gmt":"2016-06-03T07:43:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/?p=19285"},"modified":"2016-06-01T14:55:33","modified_gmt":"2016-06-01T21:55:33","slug":"sisterhood-winds-up-its-50th","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/2016\/06\/03\/sisterhood-winds-up-its-50th\/","title":{"rendered":"Sisterhood winds up its 50th"},"content":{"rendered":"

The current Sisterhood of Temple Sholom board at its installation in June 2015. (photo from the Sisterhood)<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Sisterhood of Temple Sholom obtained its charter from the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, now Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), in 1966. Since its inception, the Sisterhood has provided vital funding and services not only to its congregation and the broader Jewish community, but well beyond. It has had much to celebrate in its 50th year.<\/p>\n

The group has held several events, some marking the anniversary specifically, others part of the normal course of business. It began last October with Her Story, A Celebration of Women and Culture. Among the many events since then was Sisterhood\u2019s annual Autumn Fling fundraiser in November and its Sisterhood Service in December. There was the Women\u2019s Passover Seder in April and the recent Golden Anniversary Tea on June 5. The closing event takes place June 21 and the entire community is invited to the catered dinner, installation of the board and special guest Sarah Charney, WRJ vice-president of programming and education; Temple Sholom Rabbi Dan Moskovitz will also attend.<\/p>\n

And these only touch upon what Sisterhood has done this year. The 200-plus-member group also held a Shabbaton weekend, co-sponsored scholar-in-residence Anat Hoffman of the Israel Religious Action Centre, and extensively researched Sisterhood\u2019s history. Seven articles on the latter can be found via templesholom.ca\/programs\/sisterhood.<\/p>\n

Donna Ornstein, a past Sisterhood president and current co-vice-president of marketing and communications, with Annette Kozicki, highlighted one major undertaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo celebrate our 50th anniversary, our Sisterhood has just created a new fund called Sisterhood Open Door Accessibility Project, which is to be used to improve accessibility to the Temple building for the benefit of the Temple and the congregation,\u201d she told the Independent<\/em> in an email interview. \u201cWe have set aside $10,000 from our 2015-2016 budget and the intention is to add more funds each financial year as determined by our board to continue this project.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis initial $10,000 is directed towards upgrading the Temple\u2019s handicap washroom, and other washrooms as funds permit. Future projects will be determined by the Sisterhood board in consultation with the Temple. In 2014, Sisterhood completed paying the Temple $20,000 towards the cost of the construction of the accessibility ramp to the bimah.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Sisterhood\u2019s mission statement is: \u201cWe, the Sisterhood of Temple Sholom, are an organization rooted in Reform Judaism. Journeying together, we aspire to engage in the pursuit of gemilut hasadim<\/em> (acts of kindness), tikkun olam <\/em>(healing the world, and tzedakah<\/em> (righteousness).\u201d In every measure, and then some, the group has met this aspiration.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been fortunate in having many of the Sisterhood leaders over the decades reach out to the women in the Temple, encourage their participation and mentor their leadership training, not only in-house, but by encouraging new women to attend the WRJ Pacific District conventions,\u201d explained Ornstein about the keys to the group\u2019s success. \u201cThere was only a period of three years in the 50 years where we could not find a member to step up as president and, in that case, there was a group who rotated.<\/p>\n

\u201cStrong friendships have been created among our Sisterhood members, which have lasted for decades,\u201d she continued. \u201cWe offer many different types of activities, and the women participate in what interests them: for example, book club, WRJ Lilith discussion group, women\u2019s knitting group, Rosh Chodesh study group, Sisterhood Choir, walking group, mah jongg, games days.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe form committees for larger projects and portfolios, bringing new women onto the committees and encouraging them to move up onto the board, such as fundraising, membership and social action.<\/p>\n

\u201cSisterhood,\u201d she added, \u201chas enjoyed and appreciated the support of the Temple clergy and the office staff for our many events and projects over the 50 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"imageThere have been almost 30 presidents of the Sisterhood, with the late Jan Pollack having been the founder and Reesa Devlin the current president.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the early years of Temple Sholom, Sisterhood\u2019s social action adhered to charity begins at home, as it raised funds for items a new shul needs, such as libraries, kitchens, furnishings and office equipment,\u201d write Sisterhood members Marie Henry and Joyce Cherry in their joint 50th-anniversary article. \u201cAs it became more established, Sisterhood helped those in the community around them and the world at large. In the late 1980s, Sisterhood contributed to the Armenian Earthquake Appeal and sponsored a Jewish camp for a youth group member. They participated in various community projects, such as the Jewish Food Bank and the Committee for Soviet Jewry.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the 1990s, Sisterhood sponsored a Russian family to come to Canada. A very special program saw a workshop on Understanding the Impact of AIDS in the Jewish Community that \u2026 led to the beginning of the Temple Sholom HIV AIDS committee. Funding also went to Emily Murphy Transition House, a vital resource for women fleeing violence in relationships. This involvement led to co-sponsoring Peace in the Home \u2013 Shalom Bayit<\/em> \u2013 along with Jewish Women International, to address problem of domestic violence in the Jewish community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sisterhood has sponsored teams in the annual Run for the Cure for Breast Cancer, has held sweater drives to collect winter clothing for those in need and has collected prescription glasses for developing countries.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother very important presentation program in 2009 brought addressing human trafficking in B.C. to everyone\u2019s attention with the persistence of its originator, Marnie Besser,\u201d note Henry and Cherry. \u201cThis program led to the spearheading of a successful lobby to the Canadian Senate for the passing of Bill C-268 regarding the minimum sentencing for the trafficking of minors.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the next decade, Sisterhood created \u201cBedtime Kits for Kids, filling backpacks with donated pyjamas, toiletries, underwear and some comfort items for children who arrive at a shelter with nothing but what they are wearing.\u201d Sisterhood sponsors Tikun Olam Gogos, it collects clothing and toiletries for WISH (Women\u2019s Information Safe Haven), a nonprofit operated by women to help women in Vancouver\u2019s street-based sex trade, and also donates women\u2019s business clothing and accessories to Dress for Success.<\/p>\n

As well, it contributes to the World Union for Progressive Judaism and the ongoing WRJ initiative YES (Youth, Education and Special Projects) Fund, which, as one of the unbylined 50th-anniversary articles notes, \u201crepresents the collective financial efforts of individual donors and WRJ-affiliated Sisterhoods to strengthen the Reform Movement and ensure the future of Reform Judaism. YES Fund grants provide Reform Jewish institutions and individuals worldwide with the tools necessary for religious, social and educational growth, and enhance Jewish life by supporting clergy, cultivating women\u2019s leadership, advocating for social justice, providing programming and offering support.\u201d<\/p>\n

In her 50th anniversary article, Bonnie Gertsman focuses on the history of the Sisterhood and food. \u201cPreparing food has traditionally been the responsibility of women, to both nourish and nurture those they care about. And so it was at the beginning of Sisterhood 50 years ago,\u201d she writes. \u201cAlthough the group was small [at the beginning], the enthusiasm was keen. Refreshments for Oneg Shabbats were looked after by Sisterhood members, as was food for all special events.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the years, the women\u2019s skills increased and, when Bunny Rubens (rebbetzin of Rabbi Harold Rubens) became involved, Sisterhood took up catering. Regarded as a way to provide a service to members and at the same time raise money for the Temple, catering bar\/bat mitzvahs and other events became a key component of Sisterhood life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sisterhood started Temple Sholom\u2019s first Second Seder, as well as the break fast following Yom Kippur. Rubens started the latter on her own, notes Gertsman, \u201cand it morphed into a Sisterhood project, with members supplying the food. Sara Ciacci took it on many years ago, and continues to oversee it.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 1987, Sisterhood published Favorites from our Kitchen<\/em>. \u201cAs the years passed,\u201d writes Gertsman, \u201cSisterhood\u2019s involvement with cooking for Temple has changed as the Temple grew and paid staff and caterers were hired for the kitchen and catering. Now, Sisterhood has Soup in the Kitchen and Soup Schvesters. These \u2018soup sisters\u2019 prepare soup to have on hand in the freezer, ready to be delivered to people in need of a helping hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the spiritual side, Sarah Richman writes in her 50th-anniversary essay on religious and educational programming that, as a member of WRJ, Temple Sholom Sisterhood \u201cis committed to egalitarian participation, leadership and education.\u201d<\/p>\n

She notes, \u201cThe annual Sisterhood Service was one of the first and most enduring examples of this commitment. The first Sisterhood Service was conducted in the 1970s and was a Friday evening, erev Shabbat service that recognized the contributions of women to the congregation. The Sisterhood Service evolved over the years, affirming the right of women to participate and lead worship services. Over time, the service began including the Torah service \u2026 and also having a sisterhood member deliver the drash<\/em> (sermon), demonstrating that women not only have the right to full participation in religious services, but also the knowledge and ability to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"photo
Sisterhood of Temple Sholom Choir (photo from the Sisterhood)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Richman highlights the Sisterhood Choir, the Rosh Chodesh Renewal program that \u201cencourages women to explore and study our ancient texts together\u201d and the purchase by Sisterhood of 126 copies of The Torah, A Women\u2019s Commentary<\/em> for the congregation. She also discusses Sisterhood-hosted Shabbat education seminars, which began in 2007, \u201cmotivated by the Shabbat initiative of Rabbi [Eric] Yoffie,\u201d then president of the Union for Reform Judaism, and Sisterhood\u2019s contribution to Temple Sholom\u2019s scholars-in-residence program.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Blessings Wall Project,\u201d she adds, \u201cis an example of a program that blended each individual woman\u2019s Shabbat candlelighting process (the spent matches), together with fabric, paper, photos and\/or artwork that represent her personality or character. Each woman\u2019s matches, paper\/fabric and photos\/artwork became an individual panel on the wall.\u201d<\/p>\n

WRJ is the organizational umbrella for hundreds of sisterhoods, and the North American (\u201cnational\u201d) affiliates are divided into eight districts, with WRJ Pacific District representing 57 sisterhoods in the western United States and Canada. The Blessings Wall Project, Camp Kalsman Campership Fund\/Fashion Show Project and A Community Conversation about Death and Dying are but a few of the Sisterhood programs and initiatives that have received recognition at both the district and national levels. Temple Sholom Sisterhood members have served on the district board, and member Alexis Rothschild has also served on the WRJ board.<\/p>\n

Ornstein told the Independent<\/em> that, in November, \u201cwe will send as many of our Sisterhood members as possible (hopefully about 10) to the Women of Reform Judaism Pacific District convention in Las Vegas where we will meet women from over 50 sisterhoods and participate in workshops on leadership training, spirituality, programming. We come home from these biennial conventions energized with lots of new ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n

And so begins the next 50 years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The current Sisterhood of Temple Sholom board at its installation in June 2015. (photo from the Sisterhood) The Sisterhood of Temple Sholom obtained its charter from the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, now Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), in 1966. Since its inception, the Sisterhood has provided vital funding and services not only to its […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":19289,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[5899,3540,5897,1325,1959,5898],"class_list":["post-19285","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local","tag-ornstein","tag-reform-judaism","tag-sisterhood","tag-temple-sholom","tag-tikkun-olam","tag-wrj"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":8}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19285","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19285"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19285\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19285"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19285"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19285"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}