The Sisterhood Scoop

Volume 2 Number 10 – March 16, 2019 – 9 Adar2 5779

Purim is Coming! Purim is Coming! Purim is Coming!
Join Sisterhood at NHBZ’s Purim Seudah on Thursday, March 21 at 6:15pm

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• Purim Seudah – Thursday, March 21st
• Sisterhood’s NEW Girls Movie Night Out “Ida” – Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30PM
• Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30PM
• Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30pm
• St. Louis Jewish Legacy Bus Tour Sunday, June 23, 1:00-5:00PM
• 4th Annual Dine ‘N’ Style Fashion Show and Luncheon – Sunday, August 18

One Liners

If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you.

The trouble with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it was.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.

To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.

To succeed in politics, it is often necessary to rise above your principles.

The sooner you fall behind, the more time you’ll have to catch up.

A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

Change is inevitable….except from vending machines.

Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

Borrow money from pessimists – they don’t expect it back.

Nyuk Nyuk

Jean-Paul Sartre is sitting  at a French cafe, revising his draft of Being and Nothingness. He says to the waitress, “I’d like a cup of coffee, please, with no cream.” The waitress replies, “I’m sorry, monsieur, but we’re out of cream. How about with no milk?”

Doctor Levenson is on his way to a dinner where he will be speaking, and scribbles some notes for himself, but when he gets up to speak, he cannot read his own handwriting! In a panic, he scans the audience and says: Is there a pharmacist in the house?

For information or to join Sisterhood, call the NHBZ office at 314-991-2100, ext. 3, or email: sisterhood@nhbz.org

 The Sisterhood Scoop

Volume 2 Number 10 – March 9, 2019 – 2 Adar2 5779

Purim is Coming! Purim is Coming! Purim is Coming!
Join Sisterhood at NHBZ’s Purim Seudah on Thursday, March 21

Book Club News

Thanks to Trudy Sudin and Sallie Volotzky for Sisterhood’s February 25 Book Club meeting. Thanks also to new NHBZ Sisterhood Book Club Coordinator, Terri Schnitzer! Thanks also to new NHBZ Sisterhood Book Club Coordinator, Terri Schnitzer!

The next meeting of the Book Club will be Monday, April 29, 7:15-8:45 PM.

Next book is: If All the Seas were Ink, a Memoir, by Ilana Kurshan. An award-winning tale of heartache and humor, love and loss, marriage and motherhood, woven together in a deeply accessible guided tour of the Talmud!

ALL WOMEN ARE WELCOME! FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Terri Schnitzer terrischnitzer@yahoo.com

NHBZ Sisterhood Luncheon & BINGO

THIS Tuesday, March 12, 12:00 NOON
Everyone Welcome ~ Men & Women of All Ages.
Attendance Prizes ~ $9 Donation requested.
RSVP to Rachael Pevnick at 314-395-6017.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• Bingo Luncheon – Tuesday, March 12
• Next Sisterhood Board Meeting Tuesday, March 12 at 6:00pm
• Purim Seudah – Thursday, March 21st
• Sisterhood’s NEW Girls Movie Night Out “Ida” – Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30PM
• Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30PM
• Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30pm
• St. Louis Jewish Legacy Bus Tour Sunday, June 23, 1:00-5:00PM
• 4th Annual Dine ‘N’ Style Fashion Show and Luncheon – Sunday, August 18

Prioritize What’s Important ~ Pekudei (Exodus 38:21-40:38)

Pekudei includes an accounting of all the materials that went into the making of the Mishkan (portable Tabernacle), Moses giving his approval to the quality and exactness of construction, and the building of the
Tabernacle, with all the various vessels located in their proper place.

Moshe teaches Betzalel the order of construction of the Mishkan starting with the Ark. Betzalel respectfully maintains that first one builds the home, then one makes the furnishings. Moshe replies that Betzalel is correct and the Almighty Himself had thus commanded Moshe, though Moshe conveyed instructions regarding the Ark first because of its primary importance. The Torah praises Betzalel for his intuitive understanding of the Almighty’s will with the verse:

“And Betzalel, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Yehudah did all that the Almighty commanded Moshe” (Exodus 38:22).

Rabbi Yeruchem Levovitz comments that we see from here the importance of doing things in their proper order. One always needs to clarify his priorities and to have the organizational skills to do things in their proper order.

This is an important tool for accomplishing anything in life. One needs to know what he must do and then he must have an order of priorities. We will never have enough time to do everything we would like to do. By being aware of the order of importance of what you have to do, you will ensure that you will effectively accomplish the most possible within the
limitations of the time allotted to you.

Each day make a list of the various tasks you need to complete. Then decide on a proper order in which to do them. If you don’t prioritize and don’t set aside the time you won’t accomplish what’s most important in life — spending time with your family, growing as a human being, helping others or even preparing for the Seder. No one on his death bed ever wished he spent more time at the office.

• Based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

NHBZ Sisterhood Luncheon & Tuesday, March 12, 12:00 NOON

Everyone is Welcome ~ Men & Women of All Ages ~ Attendance Prizes $9 Donation requested ~ RSVP to Rachael Pevnick at 314-395-6017

Purim is Coming!
Join Sisterhood at NHBZ’s Purim Seudah on Thursday, March21.
Mincha at 6pm / Seudah at 6:15pm  – Delicious Meal, Costumes, Schtick, & more!

For information or to join Sisterhood, call the NHBZ office at 314-991-2100, ext. 3, or email: sisterhood@nhbz.org

The Sisterhood Scoop

Volume 2 Number 9 – March 2, 2019 – 25 Adar 1 5779

“Ignorance is bliss only to the ignorant.” – Rabbi Shraga Silverstein

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• Bingo Luncheon – Tuesday, March 12
• Next Sisterhood Board Meeting Tuesday, March 12 at 6:00pm
• Purim Seudah – Thursday, March 21st
• Sisterhood’s NEW Girls Movie Night Out “Ida” – Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30PM
• Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30PM
• Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30pm
• St. Louis Jewish Legacy Bus Tour Sunday, June 23, 1:00-5:00PM
• 4th Annual Dine ‘N’ Style Fashion Show and Luncheon – Sunday, August 18

It’s Adar! Be Happy!

The Talmud tells us that “when the month of Adar arrives, we increase in joy” to welcome a season of miracles. Accordingly, the Talmud tells us that this month is fortuitous for the Jewish people.

Sisterhood’s Book Club

Thanks to Trudy Sudin for offering her home, and to Sallie Volotzky for leading the insightful discussion of The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara, by David Kertzer at Sisterhood’s February 25 Book Club meeting.

Thanks also to new NHBZ Sisterhood Book Club Coordinator, Terri Schnitzer!

The next meeting of the Book Club will be Monday, April 29, 7:15-8:45PM at the home of Fran Reisler in Olivette. Next book is: If All the Seas were Ink,a Memoir, by Ilana Kurshan. An award-winning tale of heartache and humor, love and loss, marriage and motherhood, woven together in a deeply accessible guided tour of the Talmud!

ALL WOMEN ARE WELCOME! FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Terri Schnitzer terrischnitzer@yahoo.com

NHBZ Sisterhood in Support of Taharath Israel – the St. Louis Mikvah Association 

The observance of Family Purity is a biblical injunction of the highest order. Judaism considers the mitzvah of mikvah and intimate relationships as sacred, and essential to marital harmony and Jewish life. Constructing a mikvah takes precedence even over building a house of worship. In fact, according to Jewish law, a group of Jewish families living together do not attain the status of a community if they do not have a communal mikvah. Jewish married life, and therefore the birth of future generations in accordance with halachah, is possible only where there is accessibility to a mikvah. It is no exaggeration to state that the mikvah is the touchstone of Jewish life and the portal to a Jewish future.

The St. Louis community mikvah, located on the Millstone Campus and constructed in 1979, is currently in need of renovation. NHBZ’sSisterhood Board of Directors acknowledges the importance of this andasksit’s membersto help raise necessary funds to restore and modernize the mikvah. Please contact Trudy Sudin to learn how you can help tksudin@yahoo.com.

NHBZ Sisterhood Luncheon & Tuesday, March 12, 12:00 NOON

Everyone is Welcome ~ Men & Women of All Ages ~ Attendance Prizes $9 Donation requested ~ RSVP to Rachael Pevnick at 314-395-6017

Purim is Coming!
Join Sisterhood at NHBZ’s Purim Seudah on Thursday, March21.
Mincha at 6pm / Seudah at 6:15pm  – Delicious Meal, Costumes, Schtick, & more!

For information or to join Sisterhood, call the NHBZ office at 314-991-2100, ext. 3, or email: sisterhood@nhbz.org

The Sisterhood Scoop

Volume 2 Number 8 – February 23, 2019 – 18 Adar 1 5779

“This they shall give…half a shekel” (Exodus30:13) “Money is fire. Like fire, it can destroy and annihilate, or illuminate and warm, depending on how it is used. – (Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• Next Book Club Meeting – Monday, February 25 at 7:15PM, at the home of Trudy Sudin, David Kertzer’s The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara
• Bingo Luncheon – Tuesday, March 12
• Sisterhood’s NEW Girls Movie Night Out “Ida” – Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30PM
• Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30PM
• St. Louis Jewish Legacy Bus Tour Sunday, June 23, 1:00-5:00PM
• 4th Annual Dine ‘N’ Style Fashion Show and Luncheon – Sunday, August 18

It’s Adar! Be Happy!

The Talmud tells us that “when the month of Adar arrives, we increase in joy” to welcome a season of miracles. Accordingly, the Talmud tells us that this month is fortuitous for the Jewish people.

Sisterhood’s Book Club

BOOK CLUB MEETS THIS MONDAY February 25 – 7:15pm at the home of Trudy Sudin. Call Trudy to RSVP and to get directions, email: tksudin@yahoo.com This month’s book selection is: The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara, by David I. Kertzer, the moving and extraordinary account of how the kidnapping of a six-year-old Jewish boy became a pivotal event in the collapse of the power of the Vatican and changed Europe forever. A compelling read! The discussion will be led by Sallie Volotzky.

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT Fran Alper phone: 314-993-4024 fran.alper@outlook.com

NHBZ Sisterhood Luncheon & Tuesday, March 12, 12:00 NOON

Everyone is Welcome ~ Men & Women of All Ages ~ Attendance Prizes $9 Donation requested ~ RSVP to Rachael Pevnick at 314-395-6017

For information or to join Sisterhood, call the NHBZ office at 314-991-2100, ext. 3, or email: sisterhood@nhbz.org

The Sisterhood Scoop

Volume 2 Number 7 – February 16, 2019 – 11 Adar 1 5779

Jews and Oil – Tetzaveh (Exodus 27)

In this week’s Parshah we read about the pure olive oil which Moses was instructed to vobtain for the kindling of the menorah in the Mishkan, the sanctuary built in the desert as the forerunner of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that oil holds the secret formula for how to successfully live a proud Jewish life in an environment which may be far from Jewishly conducive.

Oil is a paradox. On the one hand, it spreads quickly and easily, seeping through and permeating the substances with which it comes in contact. On the other hand, when mixed with other liquids, oil stubbornly rises to the surface and refuses to be absorbed by anything else. Learn from the oil. By all means, spread around and interact with the rest of the world. But remember your uniqueness as a Jew. Be distinctive and proud and know where to draw the line. – Condensed and adapted from Yossy Goldman, Chabad.org 

“We are as great as the challenges we have the courage to undertake.” -Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• Women’s Philanthropy CommuUNITY Event, Thursday, February 21 at 7PM Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Hotel
• Next Book Club Meeting – Monday, February 25 at 7:15PM, at the home of Trudy Sudin, David Kertzer’s The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara
• Bingo Luncheon – Tuesday, March 12
• Sisterhood’s NEW Girls Movie Night Out “Ida” – Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30PM
• Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30PM
• St. Louis Jewish Legacy Bus Tour Sunday, June 23, 1:00-5:00PM
• 4th Annual Dine ‘N’ Style Fashion Show and Luncheon – Sunday, August 18

Sisterhood’s Book Club

The next Book Club meeting is February 25 at the home of Trudy Sudin, and the book selection is: The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara, by David I. Kertzer, the moving and informative true story of how one Jewish boy’s kidnapping became a pivotal event in the collapse of the Vatican as a secular power and changed Europe forever. A captivating and compelling read! ALL WOMEN WELCOME!

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT Fran Alper phone: 314-993-4024 fran.alper@outlook.com

NHBZ Sisterhood Luncheon & Tuesday, March 12, 12:00 NOON

Everyone is Welcome ~ Men & Women of All Ages ~ Attendance Prizes $9 Donation requested ~ RSVP to Rachael Pevnick at 314-395-6017

29 Jewish Women’s Organizations will Celebrate CommUNITY: Pieces of Our CommUNITY

Thurs. Feb. 21 – 7:00pm – Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Hotel – Ambassadeur Ballroom

Join NHBZ Sisterhood and 28 other local Jewish women’s organizations for an inspiring evening featuring Ruchi Koval, speaking on “Finding Your Niche.” Enjoy a special performance by Kolot Jewish Women’s choir, taste food and wine from local kosher caterers.

Ruchi Koval is a graduate of the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland and the Beth Jacob Jerusalem Institute. She runs women’s character-development workshops and is a certified parenting coach, motivational speaker, author, columnist, JWRP trip leader, and blogger at outoftheorthobox.com. A Rebbitzen and mother of seven, Ruchi Koval is the co-founder and director of the Jewish Family Experience in Cleveland.

Cost is $36 and valet parking is included.

Register at JFedstl.org/events/Community. For more information, contact Katie Sheldon at WP@JFedSTL.org.

Women’s Philanthropy provides an opportunity for every woman in the St. Louis Jewish community to connect with other women, learn about the agencies and programs the Federation supports, and inspire social good in St. Louis, Israel, and around the world. Women’s Philanthropy supports and enhances Jewish community life through engagement programs, community service projects, education, and leadership opportunities, and development efforts. For more information, please call Stacy Wagerman at 314-442-3730.

For information or to join Sisterhood, call the NHBZ office at 314-991-2100, ext. 3, or email: sisterhood@nhbz.org

The Sisterhood Scoop

Volume 2 Number 6 – February 9, 2019 – 4 Adar 1 5779

NHBZ Sisterhood Congratulates JProStl 2019 Award Winners

Chani Smason
Educator Peer Award

Robin Rickerman
Pillar Peer Award

The JProStl Awards honor those who exemplify professional excellence and dedication to their position, organization & the Jewish community.

“’L’fum tzara agra,’ according to the effort is the reward.” ~Ben Hei Hei, Ethics of the Fathers, 5:26

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Paid-up Sisterhood Membership Tea  Sunday, February 10 at 2:30PM, Upper Level of NHBZ

Sisterhood Board Meeting Tuesday, February 12 at 6:00PM

Next Balance for Balabustes Class  Wednesday, February 13 at 2-4PM

Women’s Philanthropy CommuUNITY Event  Thursday, February 21 at 7PM  Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Hotel

Next Book Club meeting is February 25 at 7:15 pm at the home of Trudy Sudin
The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara by David I. Kertzer

Sisterhood NEW Girls Movie Night  Wednesday, March 27

Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30PM

St. Louis Jewish Legacy Bus Tour  Sunday, June 23, 1:00-5:00PM

Sisterhood’s Book Club

The next Book Club meeting is February 25 at the home of Trudy Sudin, and the book selection is: The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara, by David I. Kertzer, the moving and informative true story of how one Jewish boy’s kidnapping became a pivotal event in the collapse of the Vatican as a secular power and changed Europe forever. A captivating and compelling read! ALL WOMEN WELCOME!

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT Fran Alper phone: 314-993-4024 fran.alper@outlook.com

The Right Intentions – Trumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19)

(Exodus 18-19) – adapted from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Parshat Trumah begins with G-d’s instruction to “take a donation” for the Tabernacle. This sounds strange. Shouldn’t the Torah have instructed us to “give a donation”?

The explanation is that giving―for the right reason and to a proper recipient―is also a form of taking. You see, the money we own is temporary, but our good deeds are eternal. So a gift is to our credit. As a wise person once said: “All that I really own is what I’ve given away.”

And in the truth, one of life’s greatest pleasures is to give. G-d’s most essential quality is that of a giver, so our emulating G-d―by giving―is one of the highest forms of spiritual expression.

This parsha also tells us the key to proper giving: it should be with a full heart. The Midrash says that Betzalel, the architect of the Tabernacle, was able to discern the intentions of those who donated. In this way, he determined how each donation would be used in the Tabernacle. For instance, when someone gave with pure intentions, their donation was used for the Holy Ark. Whereas someone who gave begrudgingly would have his donation used for pegs to hold up the Tabernacle walls.
Even today, when we give money to a synagogue, we don’t know how the money will be used. But if we give with the right intentions, we can be sure it will be used in the best possible way.

–adapted from Rabbi Shraga Simmons, www.aish.org

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You: NHBZ Sisterhood Movie Night

Wednesday, March 27th, 7:00 PM
at Mansions on the Plaza Theater – 8300 Delmar

IDA (2014), a moving and intimate drama about a young novitiate nun in 1960s Poland who, on the verge of taking her vows, makes a shocking discovery about her past. A beautifully directed film, powerfully written and eloquently shot, Ida is a masterly evocation of a time, a dilemma, and a defining historical moment. Ida is also personal, intimate, and human. From acclaimed director Pawel Pawlikowski, Ida received a 4/4 review from Roger Ebert and a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

For information or to join Sisterhood, call the NHBZ office at 314-991-2100, ext. 3, or email: sisterhood@nhbz.org

The Sisterhood Scoop

Volume 2 Number 4 – January 26, 2019 – 20 Shevat 5779

NHBZ Sisterhood Congratulates JProStl 2019 Award Winners

Chani Smason
Educator Peer Award

Robin Rickerman
Pillar Peer Award

The JProStl Awards honor those who exemplify professional excellence and dedication to their position, organization & the Jewish community.

JProStl’s 2019 Recognition Luncheon
The Future is Bright: Highlighting the Work of Our Professionals
Thursday, January 31, 2019
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
at the J’s Staenberg Family Complex

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Paid-up Sisterhood Membership Tea  Sunday, February 10 at 2:30PM

Sisterhood Board Meeting Tuesday, February 12 at 6:00PM

Next Balance for Balabustes Class  Wednesday, February 13 at 2-4PM

Women’s Philanthropy CommuUNITY Event  Thursday, February 21 at 7PM  Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Hotel

Next Book Club meeting is February 25 at 7:15 pm at the home of Trudy Sudin
The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara by David I. Kertzer

Sisterhood NEW Girls Movie Night  Wednesday, March 27

St. Louis Jewish Legacy Bus Tour  Sunday, June 23, 1:00-5:00PM

Sisterhood’s Book Club

The next Book Club meeting is February 25 at the home of Trudy Sudin, and the book selection is: The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara, by David I. Kertzer, the moving and informative true story of how one Jewish boy’s kidnapping became a pivotal event in the collapse of the Vatican as a secular power and changed Europe forever. A captivating and compelling read! ALL WOMEN WELCOME!

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT Fran Alper phone: 314-993-4024 fran.alper@outlook.com

All paid-up Sisterhood Members…

…don’t forget to RSVP by Feb. 3 for the Membership Tea – SUN, FEB.10, 2:30 PM
314-991-2100 ext.3 or sisterhood@nhbz.org

Parshat Yisro – Delegated Authority and Leadership

(Exodus 18-19) – adapted from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

When Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, arrived in the Israelite camp, he was shocked to discover that Moses was serving as a one-man educational and judicial system for a community of several million souls. Jethro told Moses that it is not good to do this alone and he suggested that Moses select from among the people able men of accomplishment, those that fear G‑d, men of truth, who abhor profit, and appoint them as arbiters and judges. According to Jethro’s plan, Moses would continue to teach the people “the laws and the instructions.…the path they should follow, and the deeds they should do.” But the application of these laws to daily life, the resolution of questions and the settlement of disputes, should be delegated to a multi-tiered body of magistrates and counselors at every level of the community. This way, the divine law would permeate their lives on every level, not only at the apogee of their being. This is the enormousness of Jethro’s contribution… and the addition of this chapter into the Torah. The Jew who studies and lives Torah today is relating to the divine original rather than to a human interpretation. “Jewish leadership” means leadership by Jews, but also means leadership in a Jewish way – according to Judaic principles and values. Leadership begins with taking responsibility. It involves teamwork, constant learning, teaching others, and a sense of timing. It is also stressful. Why do people take it on? Leaders lead because there is work to do, there are people in need, there is wrong to be righted, there are problems to be solved and challenges ahead. Leaders hear this as a call to light a candle instead of cursing the darkness. They lead because they know that to stand idly by and expect others to do the work is the too-easy option.

Congratulations to Sisterhood’s 2019 Officers & Board of Directors

For information or to join Sisterhood, call the NHBZ office at 314-991-2100, ext. 3, or email: sisterhood@nhbz.org