February 2010

In case you wonder what the women of Sisterhood discuss at our meetings, I would like to tell you about an issue that has been prominently on our minds and on our agenda since December. In America, Reform Jewish women are free to pray, read Torah publicly and wear talit if they chose. The picture of Reform Judaism is not as bright in Israel where women are not as fortunate. Recently, a women’s group, Women of the Wall, met at the Kotel as they do each month to celebrate Rosh Chodesh. They brought with them a new Sefer Torah which was given to them in Toronto at the WRJ Assembly. Normally this group meets at the Wall but carries the Torah away from the Kotel to avoid hostility from the Haredi women. They do not feel that the Wall is a safe place for them to read from the Torah. On this Rosh Chodesh in November, they felt inspired to show their new Torah the Kotel and they took it out of its duffel bag. As soon as the Torah was out of the duffel, a police officer grabbed the woman who was holding the Torah and wearing a talit, and ushered her to the police station where she was held and interrogated. This young woman, Nofrat Frenkel, a 4^th year medical student, was threatened that she might not be able to become a doctor in Israel if she was found guilty of a felony. She was asked to sign a statement agreeing not to return to the Kotel for 15 days. To our Western minds this seems impossible, yet in Israel it has happened.

Main Line Reform Temple Sisterhood is in the early stages of adopting a Reform Sisterhood in Israel. The WRJ program is called Twinning and if you are interested in getting involved we would love to have you join us. We cannot stand by and let our sisters suffer at the hands of the ultra-Orthodox. Help us to help these women pray freely in Israel. If you would like to assist a Reform Sisterhood, contact Fonda Hartman at yogamom@comcast.net or 610-949-9096.

As they say at Women of Reform Judaism, we are STRONGER TOGETHER!!!!

Debbie Fleekop
Sisterhood President

Debbie Fleekop, President
Leslie Brier, VP Administration
Wendy Oldstein & Joey Ostrum, VP Advancement of Judaism
Marjory Bildersee & Donna Miller, VP Fund Raising
Fonda Hartman & Jennie Nemroff, VP Membership
Lynda Ginsparg & Ruth Niesen, VP Programs
Sue Ellen Laken & Beverly Prince, VP Social Action
Susan Rubin Plick, VP Corresponding Secretary
Wendy Kivitz, Recording Secretary
Carol D. Frank, Treasurer
Linda Finkelstein, Counselor, Immediate Past President

Budget Committee Chair	Barbara Hoffman
Photographers	Susan Freudenberg Jill Kleeman
Early Childhood Education	Susan Freudenberg
Religious School Liasons	Jamie Gusdorff Alyson Solomon
Sisterhood Choir Liason	Judi Lecks
Handbook	Diane Krause
Uniongrams, YES Fund, New Year and Confirmation	Wendy Oldstein Joey Ostrum
Nominating Committee	Linda Finkelstein
eScrip	Carol Melman Brown
Sisterhood Gift Shop	Linda Finkelstein Libby Greenbaum Karen Gutsche Marcia Perman Debbie Schwartz
Magazine Subscriptions	Alex Perilli
Rummage Sale Chairperson	Karen Gutsche
BINGO	Jamie Gusdorff
Shalach Manot Purim Baskets	Donna Bronstein Carol Melman Brown
Cook-For-A-Friend	Barbara Berger Arlene Odell
Mitzvah Day	Lynda Ginsparg Ruth Niesen
Sunshine Chairperson	Jill Kleeman

Last year we earned thousands of dollars for MLRT projects from members who registered their Genuardis cards and credit cards.
It doesn’t cost you anything – contributions come directly from eScrip.
Register all of your supermarket bonus cards/credit/debit/ATM cards with eScrip.

Call or e-mail Carol Melman Brown if you have any questions (610-353-1403; bythelake10@comcast.net).

Gift Shop Hours
by appointment, contact Debbie Schwartz,
schwart@comcast.net, 610-664-4690, 610-613-9301 (cell).

Shop online from the Sisterhood Gift Shop
for all your Passover baked goods.
http://www.mlrtshop.org

Not Just A Cup, But a Just Cup...
“Not just a cup, but a just cup” is the philosophy of the Thanksgiving Coffee Company.  This socially aware coffee company roasts and distributes artisan coffees on behalf of cooperatives throughout Africa, Asia and Central America.  One coffee, in particular, Mirembe Kawomera, caught the interest of Temple member and Sisterhood Vice President Ruth Niesen when it was highlighted in Reform Judaism Magazine.

Mirembe Kawomera Coffee beans are now being sold at the Sisterhood Gift Shop.  It makes a very smooth, tasty cup whether you want to grind your own, like pre-ground coffee, prefer dark roast or only drink decaffeinated.  Packages of ground and whole bean, available in both light or dark roast, are sold for $10 and decaffeinated coffee is sold for $11.  By purchasing this coffee, you can enjoy a delicious cup knowing that you have supported this unusual interfaith cooperative and further helped their community.  If you would like more information, or are interested in helping to establish a monthly buying club, contact Ruth Niesen at 610-649-5525.

Join an exciting organization that has something for everyone.  Sisterhood has members of all ages ready to take part in the common goal of supporting our Temple and the community.  Whether you choose to attend regular monthly meetings, volunteer for a special event, or attend one of our wonderful activities, we are here for you. The rewards of enhancing the Temple programs, reaching out to the community, and being a part of Women for Reform Judaism cannot be measured.  We urge you to get involved with this group of dedicated women who truly are “sisters.”  These women will ultimately become lifelong friends. 

When the Temple packet arrives in your mailbox this season, please be sure to check off the Sisterhood Box on your membership form. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.  We look forward to reuniting with you, as well as welcoming our new members this fall!

Membership Vice Presidents:

Fonda Hartman (610) 949 - 9096

Jennie Nemroff (610) 645 - 0979