Beth El

President's Message

by Barbara Rossen and Patty Shelanski

Greetings from the Beth El Sisterhood! As your new Sisterhood Co-Presidents, we are honored to fill the position our past-president, Vivian Forman, has so successfully held for the past 6 years; and are committed to serving our term to the best of our abilities.

We are excited about the upcoming year and look forward to a productive time of community, friendship, and achievements. There are so many avenues open to all of us through Sisterhood and the Women's League for Conservative Judaism. We hope to offer some new and innovative programs and are always open to suggestions. Congregants have already shared some wonderful ideas, and we hope to be able to implement as many programs as time will allow. We will ALL benefit from working together as a community. Join in and learn what the power of many can accomplish!

Take advantage of the opportunities offered and get involved. We support programs such as the Women about Women series, and committees for the Shalach Manot Purim Bags, Floral Fund, and the College Care Packages, and are always looking for volunteers to share their time, talents and knowledge. The Chronicle Committee publishes this essential annual directory and ad book, and can always use some extra hands and eyes. There are educational opportunities and many simple opportunities to perform mitzvot and strengthen our Beth El Family. Our Sisterhood will continue to run the Beth El Gift Shop, and our talented kitchen volunteers will continue cooking up tasty dishes for celebrations and camaraderie. This month, our Torah Fund Committee will kick off its annual campaign, which supports our future leadership at the Jewish Theological Seminary. We will be working on ways to keep our children involved through programs and scholarships. We raise the money needed for such programs with the annual garage sale, the Chronicle, and other endeavors. Sisterhood Shabbat is a wonderful opportunity to take part in Shabbat Services. Whether you choose to participate by reading Torah, or assisting our members as they arrive as a greeter, we hope that you will consider joining Sisterhood in this meaningful and fulfilling Shabbat held each spring.

We have also joined hands with the Men's Club in the Norfolk Adopt- A-Street program and will take our turn at beautifying our community this fall; and, of course, Sisterhood is always available to help aid those in need, whether at home, in Israel, or countries around the world. Watch our announcements for new programs being added throughout the year.

One of the most exciting events scheduled this year is the Women's League for Conservative Judaism's National Convention! This four-day convention starting on December 12 this year and held in Baltimore, MD, will bring together Conservative Jewish Women from all over the country. We would love to have a huge Beth El contingent and hope that every member will make the effort to attend. We promise you, it will be one of the most memorable and wonderful Jewish experiences you will ever have!

If you are not yet a member, please contact us for information on how to become one; and if you are a member and are not getting e-mails, please make sure we have your e-mail address.

We are available to all of you and welcome any input you have.

We wish for our Beth El family a very sweet and prosperous New Year.
L' Shana Tova!

Barbara Rossen and Patty Shelanski
Sisterhood Co-Presidents

Sisterhood Officers

Sisterhood Committee Chairs