Latest news from Greater Cleveland Congregations:

“Thanks to all our core team leaders and issue action team members who participated in last week’s Delegate Assembly. [Rabbi Enid Lader and Laurie Levinson were there...] GCC unanimously ratified the action plans from our Criminal Justice and Health Care teams in an integrated campaign between now and the March 6 primary election. When GCC acts, we all act together! We will organize a County Prosecutor Candidate Accountability Action on Monday, Feb. 20 from 7-9 pm at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple (23737 Fairmount Blvd, Beachwood) at which the gathered GCC membership (current turnout commitments: 680) will ask the candidates to commit to improving the way the office handles crucial issues in the criminal justice system. GCC cannot and will not endorse candidates.”

Beth Israel – The West Temple is hoping to bring at least 10 people to this program on Feb. 20th. If you would like to attend — we can meet at temple at 6:15 p.m. and drive together. RSVP to Rabbi Enid (eclader@aol.com).

When GCC acts, we all act together!

The Ronald McDonald House Family Room at Fairview Hospital is in need of volunteers.  Please look at this volunteer flyer for more details.

YOU DID IT!

You helped create a great mitzvah! We were able to raise the entire $1,400 we needed to help our dear friend Carl Cook & Project Save to feed 300 homeless men on Christmas day at the Men’s Emergency Shelter downtown. Your Beth Israel Youth Group (and some of you as well), will also be volunteering from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm that day to cook, clean and serve.

Thank you again for all of your wonderful generosity!

David Rosen
Youth Group Advisor & High School Educator

PEI is a program of the Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Network (JVN) to further our mission of tikkun olam (healing the world).  PEI provides training, an on-site coordinatior and a structured supplemental reading program and materials.  It also oversees efforts to recruit a corps of caring volunteers from all faiths to help build reading skills and one-to-one relationships with students.  The program functions during school hours as a supplementary program, apart from the school’s regular reading curriculum.  As a result of this program, hundreds of volunteers have come together to read, write, play learning games and build relationships.  We ask PEI tutors to commit at least one hour a week.

Become a PEI tutor and make a difference in a child’s life today!  Contact Jessie Bruder at jbruder@jcfcleve.org or 216-593-2869

If you would like to work on the newest Feldman-Rosen production SCHMALTZ, to be performed at our Gala fundraiser on Saturday June 11, 2011, please contact  Charlotte Feldman,  Rhoda Rosen,  or Diana Strongosky as soon as possible.  Articulate, talented, intrepid and breathing individuals of all ages are needed.  Talent is  plus, committment is a must!

The Beth Israel Social Action Committee is looking for volunteers (16 years of age or older) to help out at the upcoming MedWorks Health Clinic. The health clinic provides an opportunity for members of our community who are either uninsured or under-insured to get free health care, and is being held in Cleveland the weekend of November 6th and 7th.  Volunteers are needed to help out with setting up appointments, making confirmation calls ahead of time, and during the Health Clinic.  If you are interested in participating please email Laurie Levinson by October 17th.  (Include:  Name, email address, phone number, date & time of availability,any languages you speak, activity for which you are volunteering)  For a list of quick facts from the previous Clinic, held in May, see information provided at:  http://www.medworksusa.org/news/quick-facts-medworks-clinic-may-1-2-2010/.

Hi Everyone…

Lynn Atzenhoffer is waiting to hear from you. Do you want to attend the Hanukkah Dinner next Friday, December 18? It starts at 6:00 p.m. Lynn will provide the chicken and latkes, and you can bring a NON dairy dish to share. Cost is $4 per person (a bargain!), maximum $15 for a family.

If you want to join us, contact Lynn whizzy-zip at home and let her know. (Members, check the Directory for Lynn’s contact information.) Or, she plans to be here Sunday morning for Religious School, so you could speak to her then.

• Can you be here at 5:30 p.m.to help set up Ratner Hall for the dinner?
• Can you help serve?
• Can you help clean up?
• Let Lynn know.

Once we’re finished with supper, we will troop up to the Sanctuary for Hanukkah candlelighting and a Service at 7:30 p.m. Be sure to bring your menorah. The children will cover the windowsills with aluminum foil to catch the drips and we will light ALL EIGHT CANDLES. It should look “awesome,” as my grandson would say.
After the Service, it’s back downstairs for an Oneg and dreidel games. A very festive Shabbat!

Submitted by Barbara Feldmar, Social Action Co-Chair:

I would like to let everyone know that there is a great opportunity to volunteer some time near the Christmas holiday this year. The Salvation Army is organizing a Christmas Distribution Program on Wednesday December 16 and Thursday December 17, to set up at the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University to distribute toys, coats and food vouchers on the first day, and families and adults to come to pick up items on the second day.

If you are interested, please contact me so I can have some idea of who is interested, how many can participate, and if you have questions I will try to get them answered. I will forward all our information on to the Salvation Army. Send me your phone or email too, and I will organize our volunteers to meet together if that can be done.

I look forward to hearing from you, and hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.

Members can contact Barbara by looking up her email address or phone number in the Online Directory.