Sisterhood
The Fair Lawn Jewish Center Sisterhood , an affiliate of The Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, strives to help our congregation evolve from a synagogue to a community. If the goal of our synagogue is to be a home away from home, then the goal of Sisterhood is to offer the membership of all ages, friendship, support, and caring (and, of course, food!). How do we do this?
The Sisterhood Board is the nucleus of all of our activities. Following is The 2009-2010 Board:
Fran Kessler---------------President
Ellie Weiner---------------Ways & Means VP
Donna Pasternak--------- Programming VP
Loren Rosenthal---------- Membership VP
Lois Meisel----------------School Relations VP
Estelle Haberman---------Adult Education VP
Robin Epstein-------------Treasurer
Robin Baer---------------Recording Secretary
Rachelle Danto------------Corresponding Secretary
Lisa Gotlib-----------------Publicity
Carol Marcus--------------Past President
Andrea Pass---------------Past President
Carol Peligal--------------Torah Fund
Gail Rottenstrich
Each year we sponsor, along with The Mens Progres Club, the decorating of the Succah, a synagogue-wide Hanukkah Hagigah, complete with live entertainment, sufganiot (jelly donuts), latkes, dreidels, and Chocolate Hanukkah Gelt. On Purim, we amass a cast of thousands to put together the Best Purim Carnival west of the Saddle River. No one leaves without a goldfish! We, also, provide gifts to all our B’Nai Mitzvah youngsters, as we all kvell when a congregant celebrates this important milestone. During the High Holy Days, we provide snacks for Junior Congregation, and offer traditional candy apples on Smchat Torah.
Each year, Sisterhood decorates the Bima for the High Holy Days with fresh flowers. We, also, send fresh flower arrangements to our Rabbi and Cantor's homes. The flowers on the Bima during the year are maintained by Sisterhood. This year, Sisterhood has made a donation toward replacing the carpeting on the Activities Level. Of course, our creativity is shown every Succoth when we decorate the Succah. Our children participate with great enthusiasm.
On the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, Sisterhood sponsored a synagogue-wide barbeque. One hundred twenty-eight adults and children attended. Everyone enjoyed the food and games; a great day was had by all and we plan to make this an annual event to start the new year.
Our Paid-Up Membership Meeting is scheduled for Wed. Evening, Oct. 14. Your dues are the admission . We are planning a very special and entertaining program and hope to start the New Year off with a bang. A Gary Rosenthal craft program to commemorate October Breast Cancer Awareness Month is scheduled for Wed. Evening, Oct. 28. Cafe Night will be held on Sat. Evening, Nov. 14. The Center House Band will be entertaining. You really don't want to miss this one. These are only some of the many events being planned for the coming year.
We have a learning experience at most every event that we sponsor. Each year, on a Shabbat in January, the women of Sisterhood paricipate in conducting services. Sisterhood Shabbat provides the opportunity to practice and showcase our synagogue skills. Each year, the Bima is overflowing with women reading Torah, receiving aliyot, and offering the congregation insights through a D’Var Torah. To top off the experience Sisterhood serves a sumptuous Kiddush after services. This year we are very excited and honored to be hosting the Womens League Regional Torah Fund Conference on Sun. Nov. 22. Special Adult Education programs are being planned for later in the year.
Our Sisterhood Gift Shop is open during Hebrew School hours and by appointment. It is stocked with beautiful Judaica. Think of shopping there for weddings, engagements, B’Nai Mitzvahs, birthdays, as well as other gifts. On Sun. Oct 25, we are screening the film, “Blessed is the Match”, this is the story of noted Journalist and freedom fighter during WWII. A speaker will address us, and a Sunday Brunch will be served. Our Shalach Manot baskets, distributed on Purim, provide the opportunity to fulfill a mitzvah, enjoy the goodies and raise some money. For Passover, we run a Passover Candy Sale. All proceeds of our fundraising activities go directly to future programming, supporting synagogue activities, and funding special projects within our shul or the community at large. Our Sisterhood maintains the most active and lucrative Torah fund program throughout New Jersey; this program raises money to support the Jewish Theological Seminary to ensure the education of future rabbis, cantors and teachers.
Sisterhood can only offer these programs through the dedication of our many members. Committed volunteers can always be relied upon to lend a hand to provide the little extras that make our synagogue our second home. Won’t you join us? There is always something to do and a friend to be made. New Center members receive free membership in Sisterhood, their first year. For more information, please contact, Fran Kessler, Sisterhood President, thriugh the Center office. We look forward to meeting you!!