Sisterhood

Today

Temple Israel Sisterhood is the organization of the women of the Congregation who band together in friendship for programs to benefit the Temple and the community, for social activities, for study, and above all, for the growth of the individual so that each may find an opportunity to fulfill her potential as a person and as a Jewish woman. Sisterhood provides the arenae for the individual to expand and grow in a Jewish atmosphere. Sisterhood is affiliated with the Women of Reform Judaism, the Federation of Temple Sisterhoods.

Temple Israel Sisterhood sponsors a monthly Rosh Chodesh meeting, the Rosh Hashanah Reception and Yom Kippur Break-Fast, and “bagels and coffee” most Sunday mornings Religious School is in session. Sisterhood also presents a wide variety of programs at membership meetings, holds a Women’s Seder, sends “care” packages to college youth, participates in the Kanawha Valley Interfaith Group, and supports the many funds of WRJ - including Y.E.S. (Youth, Education, Scholarship), World Union for Progressive Judaism, and Services to the Blind and Visually Handicapped. We host a Jewish Book Sale, and sell Bulbs and invitations.

Today our membership is approximately 100 members. We have an active Sisterhood that supports our Temple and is involved in our community.

Rosh Chodesh

Rosh Chodesh celebrates the new month, and is the holiday given to women as a reward for not giving their jewelry for the building of the Golden Calf. Women also have many ties to the moon and its monthly cycle. Traditionally, women have been instructed not to work on this day each month, but to celebrate. In recognition of this tradition, Temple Israel Sisterhood created a special gathering each month for members to get together, observe this day, and discuss the special joys and difficulties of being Jewish women. All Sisterhood women are welcome and encouraged to join us. We usually meet the last Monday of the month at the temple. Check the Bulletin for specific dates and time, and plan to join us!

History

The “Ladies Hebrew Benevolent Society” was founded in 1874. At their 15th anniversary celebration in 1889 the object of the society was charity and the president said, “The approval of your conscience will more than repay you for any sacrifice you make in doing noble action.” A circular, “Ten Commandments” stained glass window was donated to the Virginia Street Temple by the L.H.B.S. in 1894. It currently hangs illuminated in the Temple’s foyer.

In 1914, at the insistence of Rabbi Israel Bettan, the L.H.B.S. with 50 members was linked to the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods as “The Virginia Street Temple Sisterhood.”

We have supported the Jewish Braille Institute since 1923. In 1954 a number of members studied Braille transcription and two Perkins Braillers were donated. Tape recording of text materials was started in 1956 and continued for about 10 years.

In 1928, eighty were served at a community Seder. Our “Cradle Roll” program was in place and enrolled pre-school children in 1928. In 1928 the “sewing circle” was started with garments being made for various charitable organizations. During World War II they knit sweaters and gloves for service men and rolled bandages with the Red Cross. The Sewing Circle was discontinued after the war. A Red Cross Clubmobile was purchased from proceeds from the sale of What’s Cooking cookbook in 1943 and was put into service in Cairo, Egypt with the inscription: “Given by the Virginia Street Temple Sisterhood, Charleston, WV, USA.” Since 1945 we have been on an honor roll for Uniongrams and later for the YES Fund. Our first annual Holland Bulb sale was held in 1954.

The first interfaith luncheon in our community was held at our Temple in February 1950. It was sponsored by our Sisterhood and Church Women United with 250 people in attendance. Since that time there has been an interfaith luncheon held every year. The Kanawha Valley Interfaith Council has been formed and the faith groups represented include: Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, and Muslim.

In the mid 1950’s our Sisterhood sponsored two Institutes on Judaism for teachers of the public schools. The purpose was to bring about a better understanding among public school teachers of the meaning of Judaism. We realized that we could help prevent prejudice by maintaining contact with our teachers.

With the building of our new Temple, the decision was made by our Sisterhood to provide funds for the new Ark, designed by Milton Horn, which would be the focal point of our sanctuary. Funds were also pledged for the new kitchen and furnishing the parlor and library. In 1960 we moved into our present Temple and our name became “Temple Israel Sisterhood.”

Our Sisterhood has been in the forefront of social action issues. One program in the early 1970’s, based on the “Crisis of Ecology” from the Jewish Values and Social Crisis, resulted in a Community Coalition, which organized a demonstration recycling project. This project led to the formation of the volunteer Citizens’ Recycling Council which operated for 16 years, the earliest organized effort in West Virginia, and in 1975 won one of the first Or Ami awards, “Preserving the Environment.” We received our second Or Ami award in 1992 for presenting a Jewish holiday exhibit at our local children’s museum. Our Sisterhood sold 5,225 “House Pins” between 1990 and 1996, earning $21,020 for the benefit of Sojourners Shelter, a homeless shelter for women and families.

Funds

These are the funds, available for support via The Sisterhood, Temple & Israel.   All contributions are tax deductible.

Sisterhood – checks should be payable to Temple Israel Sisterhood:

Prayer Book Fund – There are occasional replacements needed.  A new Siddur (Prayer Book) is due to be published in 2005. 

Floral Fund – to continue the tradition of fresh flowers on the bima for services.  A contribution can be made to honor or remember.  A general fund donation is always helpful. 

Y.E.S. Fund - Youth, Education, Scholarship provides scholarship assistance for rabbinic students, supports activities for high school and college age youth through NFTY, and contributes to special projects of religious education, social and humanitarian concern. 

Uniongrams – service of sending messages for all occasions.  Proceeds aid the YES Fund. 

Individual cards may be purchased at the Temple office.

Services to the Blind & Visually handicapped – supports the programs of the Jewish Braille Institute. 

Temple -  Checks should be payable to Temple Israel:

Temple Library Fund – for purchase of new books for the main library

Reba & Charles Cohen Children’s Library – for purchase of new books for the children of our religious school and temple family.

Rabbi’s Fund – allows the Rabbi to assist in emergencies (such as flooding victims), the occasional request for food and shelter or a bus ticket to home, the need to pay a utility bill.

Unrestricted Fund – used by the Board to cover unexpected expenses not included in the fiscal year budget.

Social Action Fund – used for Social Action purposes such as donation made to WV Council of Churches to assist in the 2003 flood relief.

Israel:

ARMDI, American Red Magen David Adom for Israel, the only authorized fundraising organization in the United States for Magen David Adom ( MDA ) Israel's National Emergency Medical (EMS), National Blood Banking and Disaster relief service. 

MAGEN DAVID ADOM’S sole purpose is the humanitarian mission of saving precious Israeli lives -– regardless of race, religion or creed.

Magen David Adom USA, 8930 Gross Point Road, Suite 800, Skokie, IL 60077email:          magendavidadom@hotmail.com    toll free tel:  (866) 583 8539    fax: (847) 583 8556             

NA'AMAT, a Hebrew acronym for "Movement of Working Women and Volunteers," strives to enhance the quality of life for women, children and families in Israel, the U.S. and around the world.  NA'AMAT USA is part of the World Movement of NA'AMAT and, with chapters in 11 countries, is the largest Jewish women's organization in the world.

NA'AMAT USA, 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4700, New York, NY 10118email: naamat@naamat.org           tel: (212)563-5222         fax: (212)563-5710