Nancy Mar - NCJW New Orleans

Karen Sher
llman
®
nik, Chair
& Luncheon Committee
Joan Berenson
Vivian Cahn
Diane Franco
Deena Gerber
Margery Glazer
Jackie Gothard
Susan Hess
Zully Jimenez
Ruth Kullman
June Leopold
Sharon Litwin
Reva Lupin
Leann Moses
Joel Myers
Madalyn Schenk
Ina Davis, President
Karen Sher
Sue Singer
Flo Schornstein
Rachelle Stein
Janice Stern
Phyllis M. Taylor
Carol B. Wise
Alice Yelen
Bulletin
National Council of Jewish Women
Greater New Orleans Section
www.NCJWneworleans.org
2010 Hannah G. Solomon Award
Recipient Nancy Marsiglia
April 2010
Ana Gershanik, Chair
Hannah G. Solomon Award & Luncheon Committee
by Ana Gershanik
I felt so honored to chair this year’s
Hannah G. Solomon Award event when
the committee unanimously selected
Nancy Marsiglia as the recipient of this
prestigious award. I met Nancy many
years ago advocating on behalf of the
needy children in this area for Agenda
for Children and I knew then that her
heart and mind are in the right issues,
the same issues in which I believe.
As the years passed by, I learned that
Nancy has been devoted to our community since she settled in New Orleans. A native of Richmond,Virginia, she
came to New Orleans in 1971 to study
at Newcomb College. After graduating
with a degree in English and Political
Science, she married New Orleans native Michael Marsiglia and together they
raised two sons, Mike and Joe.
From the moment that she decided to
call New Orleans home, Nancy dedicated herself to improving the quality of life
for the entire community. Her contributions have made a significant impact
in the lives of many people, including her
family and friends. Her leadership has
been a source of inspiration for other
volunteers and she has been a catalyst
for social change.
Some of the facts that I know about
her work have been through common
friends. For example, I found out that as
Chair of the Board of the Audubon Nature Institute, she was instrumental in
convincing city officials to release control of the zoo, getting New Orleans
behind the millage for the Institute and
establishing the Aquarium. While she
served on the Board of Tulane University
Medical Center, she contributed to the
creation of Tulane Hospital for Children
and after the Hospital was founded, she
served on that Board providing great
support to Dr. John Lewy, then Chair of
Pediatrics at Tulane and founder of the
Hospital for Children.
Active in politics at all levels, Nancy
has been influential in promoting legislation that benefits families and children.
Currently, she serves as a board member for the Greater New Orleans Foundation,Women of the Storm, Agenda for
Children, United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council, LSU Health Sciences
Center Advisory Board and Dress for
Ha
N
20
®
Nancy Marsiglia
Success New Orleans. In addition, she
Hannah G. Solomon
Award
was a founding
member of the Louisiana
Children’s Museum and served in other
organizations.
I have been privileged to serve with
her in the United Way’s “Women’s Leadership Initiative” and Women of the
Storm, where I really got to know her
better and was impressed not only by
her abilities but also by her speaking on
controversial issues and demanding action.
Nancy Marsiglia
2010 Award Recipient
(Continued on page 2)
President’s
MESSAGE
A FAITH IN THE FUTURE.
A BELIEF IN ACTION. Dear Members,
This year’s trip to Washington
Institute has been my second and last
as NCJW, GNO President.
It was an amazing opportunity to
experience NCJW’s collective power
to engage on the issues that matter to
us. We were enlightened by dynamic
women and policy experts as they
challenged us to raise our voices to
take action for social justice.
As hundreds of our members from
across the country trekked across
Capitol Hill to appeal to Congressional
®
National Council of Jewish Women
Greater New Orleans Section
President
Ina Davis
Vice President, Administration
June Leopold
Editor
Mary Stein
Photographs
Ina Davis, Bert Myers, Rick Davis
Page 2 | NCJW
leaders, one thing struck me over and
over... progressive women rule!
I felt blessed to be surrounded by
women who are smart, dedicated, and
volunteering big parts of their lives for
others. I was proud to be among them.
It was a productive and satisfying
experience, and what a great group of
women.
Nancy Marsiglia is another such
woman. As a lifelong volunteer and
community leader, she has dedicated
time and energy to nearly everything
important to women, children, and
families, and so much more that’s good
for New Orleans. Soon we will honor
Nancy with the Hannah G. Solomon
Award; we know she will continue to
enrich our community for years to
come.
Nancy and so many of you have
been an inspiration to me! Realizing
this has made me understand how
important a mentoring program could
be for the future of our Section.
Our combined years of volunteer
experience are a goldmine and we
need to mine it. Our section has a
rich history of service and advocacy;
let’s pass this wealth on to the next
generation of NCJW leaders. Younger,
newer members need guidance to
support their leadership paths as
well.
As I prepare to step down after
four years, I’ll look forward to working
with incoming President Phyllis Nitzkin
and others to develop and implement
such a program. It will make the work
of recruitment that much easier. I
also assure Phyllis that she has my full
support as she takes over the reigns
of leadership. Congratulations Phyllis!
She also has the best women in the
world behind her!
As we celebrate the Passover
season, we need to remember that
we have to keep our focus fresh and
relevant. Each generation has to find
its own passions and reasons for
volunteerism. Let’s work together to
make NCJW the place where this
continues to happen.
Thank you to my wonderful Board
Members and Volunteers. It has been
an honor to work with you. Thank you
to all of the NCJW women who are
my mentors. You are the inspiration
to us all!
Truly,
Our NCJW section, and especially Ina, thank Terri Stoor for her efficiency
in keeping the local office in smooth working order. You're great!
***
THANK YOU Lindsay Pasternack, Jenny Zurik and Renee Goldstein for
(wo)manning the Hebrew Tic Tac Toe at Adloyadah!
Hannah G. Solomon Award (Continued from page 1)
Because of Nancy’s talent and dedication, she has been the recipient of various
awards, including YWCA Role Model,Young Leadership Council Role Model, St. Elizabeth’s, Juvenile Diabetes Living and Giving, and the National Society of Fundraising Executives. NCJW honored her before with Those Who Dare to Care About
Kids Award. How appropriate that we honor her now with the Hannah G. Solomon
Award, as she embodies all the qualities for which Hannah Solomon stood. New
Orleans is a better place because of her caring and implementation of important
community programs and services.
Public
AFFAIRS
by Joel Myers
Stay in the Know with Public Affairs
New Members
A warm welcome
to our new members:
Anna Leightman
Mindy Levitt
Judge Diane Lundeen
The Regular Session of the La. Legislature convenes on March 29, 2010, and
adjourns no later than June 21,
2010. For all kinds of useful information on the Legislature go to: www.legis.
state.la.us./ This site will tell you what
committees are meeting, what bills are
being considered, who your representatives and senators are, and what is happening with a particular bill. Keep up to
date and visit the site.
Joel Nitzkin
Hallie Timm
Wendy Withers
Ellen Sherman
Pillars of Support
Pillars of Support 2010, the annual
event in support of NCJW community
and education programs, was held in
the beautiful home of Steve and Dana
Hansel on Garden Lane (formerly the
original Longue Vue Gardens home). The guest speaker was civic leader (and
NCJW life member) Leslie Jacobs. With
grace and charm, she discussed the uphill challenges of the public schools in
New Orleans, and noted with pride the
current successes. NCJW’s “Pillars of Support” Celebration supports annual projects and programming.
Thanks to all who contributed to this very important campaign.
With great appreciation, we thank
our event sponsors which include AT&T,
JP Morgan Chase, Pres Kabacoff, Crescent Bank and Trust, Peter A. Mayer Advertising, Harrah’s, and Lehmann, Norman, and Marcus. Also attending the
event was Sonia Perez and Leo Marsh
from AT&T, and Laura Fine from Lehmann, Norman, Marcus.
Wonderfully attractive items were
available for the Silent Auction. Many
Guest speaker Leslie Jacobs
Be in the know - Send your email address to [email protected] today!
thanks go to donors Bert Myers, LPO,
Casablanca Restaurant, Bob Stone, Ace
Bayou Inc., Pam Lyles, Jonathan Ferrarra
Gallery, Pelican Club, W. Scott Reynaud,
and Jupiter Salon.
We are grateful to the Pillars of Support Committee: Chair Susan Hess,
Loel Samuel, Shellye Farber, Sue Singer,
Vivian Cahn, and Terri Stoor, and the
generosity of our membership for a
very successful evening.
NCJW | Page 3
News from the Community Needs Committee
by Michelle Denney, Community Needs Chair and Susan Kierr, VP of Community Services
T
he Community Needs Committee has voted to participate
in a new and exciting program.
Spearheaded by Celia Katz, and in partnership with Nola Parent Organizing
Network and the Urban League, NCJW
facilitated the establishment and operation of a phone hotline where parents were able to obtain information
concerning the increasingly complex
public school application and registration requirements and deadlines. Since
Katrina, the logistics of finding a public
school for a child have become complicated and often confusing for parents.
Margie Cowan arranged for NCJW
volunteers to use Tulane’s state of the
art phone bank on the Tulane campus
to answer parents’ questions, and the
Urban League advertised the availability of this service city wide. The phone
bank operated through a 2-week period at the end of March and beginning
of April prior to the oncoming deadline
for public school registration. Many
thanks to Celia and all who helped in
this most important endeavor.
Author Charles London speaks to NCJW & JCC members
Author Charles London delighted NCJW & JCC members as
he spoke about his book “Far From
Zion: In Search of the Global Jewish
Community.”
Inspired by the story of the Bosnian Jewish community’s survival,
London travelled for a year visitCharles London
ing Jewish communities around
the globe who were defying the odds of history,
geography, and politics. (You will certainly know
several of the people interviewed in the chapter
focusing on New Orleans!)
London with Lis and Hugo Kahn, Babs Isaacson and Debbie Pesses.
Through this journey, London discovered a Jewish spirituality and sense of place he had never before felt which deepened his commitment to peace
and reconciliation. The result is Far From Zion: In
Search of a Global Jewish Community, which was a
finalist for the 2009 National Jewish Book Awards.
NCJW and the JCC were thrilled to host this
noted author to our city. While in town, he had the
opportunity to enjoy the Audubon Zoo, as well as
a delectable local meal graciously hosted by Anne
Lowenburg.
Page 4 | NCJW
London traveled the globe to search for Jews in the Diaspora.
New Orleans is a featured city and chapter in the book.
Engaging with Israel:
NCJW learns of the Ethiopian National Project
by Sue Jernigan
Vice President of Programming
On January 8th, NCJW and the Jewish Federation of GNO co-hosted a luncheon at Ralph’s on the Park, welcoming guest speakers Dr. Nigist Mengesha and
Grace Rodnitzki of the Ethiopian National
Project (ENP). During their stay in the
U.S., they made selected stops to educate
and engage the American Jewish community with Ethiopians in Israel. We were
very fortunate that they included New
Orleans on their itinerary.
There are more than 80,000 Ethiopian Jews who have made aliyah, Dr.
Mengesha among them. It is with this
personal perspective that she recounted
the enormous challenges facing the community. More than 75% of Ethiopian Jewish children live below the poverty line. Educational achievement lags behind the
general population, and unemployment
within the community is very high.
The Ethiopian National Project is a
unique endeavor that unites organizations
to assist the Ethiopian-Israeli community,
in true cooperation and
partnership with the
Ethiopian community
in Israel itself. ENP is a
partnership between
t h e Jew i s h Fe d e r a tions of North America,
the Government of Israel, representatives of
Ethiopian Jewish Community Organizations,
the Jewish Agency for
Israel (JAFI), the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee in Guest speakers Dr. Nigist Mengesha (left) and Grace Roditzke
Israel (JDC-Israel) and (right) with NCJW’s Sue Jernigan and Janice Stern.
Keren Hayesod-UIA.
Dr. Mengesha has served as the Directorership. Today, ENP’s initiative is operating
General of ENP since June 2003.
in 26 cities in Israel, and the organization
In 2004, ENP launched a major multihopes to continue to expand its programs
year effort in order to achieve a quality
through collaboration and awareness. The
of opportunity for Ethiopian youth. ENP’s
afternoon was a fascinating look at a small
programs include after school tutoring,
Israeli community grappling with issues
neighborhood outreach centers for youth
not unlike those we face here at home.
at risk and workshops designed to empower parents and community lay lead-
Aging Well
There are many simple steps we are
able to take in addition to saying good-bye
to amounts of liquor, smoking, as well as
over-medicating.
SUGGESTIONS:
• Start each day at the same time, in the
early morning. Get out of bed as soon as
you are fully awake. Have positive thoughts
and express gratefulness for a night of
restful sleep.
• Begin to set goals for a production day. Be creative.
• Don’t lounge around in your nightgown
or pajamas. Get completely dressed, even
include a bit of make-up. Eat a healthy
breakfast. • Read the newspaper or look at brief TV
news – then get going.
• Make your bed, straighten your room,
dust furniture, run the carpet cleaner,
water plants, prepare something you
wish to have for lunch.
• Do all activities with the feeling: “I am
still able to keep an orderly household.”
by Inge Elsas
• Stay in touch with family and friends.
Contact those who may need a friendly
“hello.”
Whatever you plan for the rest of the
day, don’t make excuses and cancel because
you may not feel quite up to it. With the
activity, you overcome some of your pains;
you will feel much better, developing ego
strength and self-value.
As the day goes on, you may feel a bit
tired – allow yourself a brief respite after
lunch. It doesn’t require deep sleep. Recall
an interesting report, a good book, listen
to music, or just fold your arms in relaxation (not over one hour).
• In the afternoon, try to take a short walk
(15 minutes a day).
• Praise yourself for any accomplishment. Don’t get overwhelmed by too many de mands, and do not feel guilty when things
do not work out. It’s the way it is; accept
what you cannot change.
• Remain active and involved. You learn
something daily. If you isolate yourself, it
isolates you.
Don’t miss a great program! Send your email address to [email protected] today!
• Appreciate the things you can do, and
every day that has passed in safety.
• Enjoy the nature around you – flowers,
trees, schoolkids, pets.
• Don’t believe negative rumors, but try to
obtain the truth of situations.
• Know your limitations, even if it is some times hard to give up.
• Make someone else happy. Giving to oth ers comes back to you in double doses.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help with trans portation – shopping, obtaining medi cines, getting to a doctor’s appointment
or religious services. There are friends
who sincerely wish to assist.
• Plan your evenings, which will be spent
more and more at home. Set a bedtime
and stick to it. Rhythm for all you do is
most important. You cannot make up
night spent without sufficient rest.
• Remain upbeat and faithful by keeping a
special lifestyle the rest of your long life’s
journey. You are not “old,” but add years
to your life as you age well.
NCJW | Page 5
NCJW’s Closing Luncheon and Installations
2010-2012 Slate of Officers
Passing the Gavel
Let’s celebrate all the wonderful
things about New Orleans --- food,
music, art, fashion, and NCJW! We’ll
dine in the Renaissance Arts Hotel
Gallery, surrounded by cool art, with a
special luncheon prepared just for us.
In addition we will be entertained
by piano man Armand St. Martin, who
will also be recognized by NCJW for
his many years of involvement with the
ACE program, and we’ll also be treated to a fashion show by award winning
fashion designer David Dartnell.
Long-term president Ina Davis will
pass the gavel to incoming president
Phyllis Nitzkin and we’ll welcome in
the new board!
~ Vivian Cahn, Chair
Voices for Choice
President
PHYLLIS NITZKIN
2010-2012
Executive Vice-President
JUNE LEOPOLD
2010-2012
Vice-Presidents
MICHELE DENNERY-erenberg
SUE JERNIGAN
JILL ZIMMERMAN
SUSAN KIERR
2010-2012
2010-2012
2010-2012
2010-2011
Financial Secretary
SHEILA FENTON
2010-2012
Corresponding Secretary
RACHELLE STEIN
2010-2012
Treasurer
KATHY SHEPARD
2010-2011
Assistant Treasurer
TRICIA KIRSCHMAN
2010-2011
Ex- Officio
INA DAVIS
SHELLYE FARBER
2010-2012
2010-2012
Elected Board Members
MARJORIE COWEN
SANDRA CHASS GOLDSMITH SUSAN HESS
JOEL MYERS
2010-2012
2010-2012
2010-2012
2010-2011
1 YEAR UNEXPIRED TERM
HALLIE TIMM
RACHEL ZERLIN
LINDA YASNYI
STACY DEITELZWEIG
BROOK BISSINGER
MARCY FERTEL
RENEE GOLDSTEIN
LINDSEY PASTERNACK
2010-2012
2010-2012
2010-2011
1 YEAR UNEXPIRED TERM
2010-2012
2010-2011
2010-2011
2010-2011
2010-2011
Nominating Committee 2010-2011
Chairman
SHELLYE FARBER
Ex-Officio
LOEL SAMUEL
INA DAVIS
From The BoardBROOK BISSINGER
RACHEL STEIN
MARCY FERTEL
NANCY TIMM
From The Membership
VIVIAN CAHN
DEBBIE PESSES
MELANIE BLITZ
MARGOT GARON
by Michelle Denney Erenberg
On January 23rd, NCJW along with the ACLU, NOW, and Planned
Parenthood sponsored Sipping for Social Change, a happy hour event at
the Clever Wine Bar to acknowledge the 37th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. Lots of men and women
were there to show their support for a woman’s right to choose. Speakers included Ina Davis of NCJW, Laura Fine of Planned Parenthood, Julie Thibodeaux of the ACLU, and Danielle Nelson, a representative of NOW. This gathering was an opportunity to reinforce the importance of
the Roe decision and to address the movement toward reducing access
to reproductive choices in health care legislation. NCJW is proud to be
aligned with these organizations in protecting women’s reproductive
health decisions. Lisa Pulitzer Zoller and husband Gary Sipping for Social Change.
Page 6 | NCJW
Dedicated
FUNDS
Irma M. Isaacson
Scholarship Fund...
Irma M. Isaacson Scholarship Fund enables
the National Council of Jewish WomenNew Orleans Section, to provide needed
financial assistance to local Jewish students
pursuing an academic or vocational goal.
u Betsy
Kaston
Bissinger
u
Joan Berenson
u
Margie
in memory of David Seelig
u
Sara
Stone
In memory of Warren Stern, Sam
Zurik MD, Luba Glade
uNancy and Steve Timm
In honor of Dana Shepard’s Roger
Bissinger Memorial Award
u
Majorie Bissinger
In honor of Dana Shepard’s Roger Bissinger Memorial Award
u
Flo and Richard Schornstein
In honor of Joel and Bert Myer’s
anniversary.
u
Joan
Berenson / Ina Davis
in honor of Ann Thompson’s
ADL Award
u
Nancy Timm
in memory of David Seelig
u
Marjorie
Bissinger
in memory of Ruth Cohen
Please send your donations to Marjorie
Bissinger, 354 Walnut Street, New Orleans,
LA 70118
NCJW Cares...
u
In
memory of Rita Loeb Klein
By Carole and Morton Katz
u
In honor of Ina Davis for her
wonderful job of leadership
and strength and commitment
to NCJW
By Hertha Bart
u
In honor of Carol Wise upon
receiving the 2009 Hannah G.
Solomon Award
By Phyllis Taylor
By Jane B. Bories and
Sam Corenswet, Jr.
By Barb Herman
By Eddy and Bill Rosen
By Wendy and Julian Good
By Lis and Hugo Kahn
By Gail Lewis
By Joan and Gerald Berenson
By Paul and Edie Rosenblum
By Renee and Charles A. Levy III
By The Peggy and Julian Good
Donor Advised Fund
By By Judith Gainsburgh
By Cynthia and Stuart Farber
By Marie and Robert Wolf
By Carol B. Good
u
For the good work performed
by NCJW
By the Maurice and Harriet
Handelman Donor Advised Fund
u
In honor of Carol Good
By Lois and Ralph Shepard
In memory of Barbara Bresler’s
mother, Mamie Marvin
By Dana and Louis Shepard
By Joan and Gerald Berenson
By Flo and Richard Schornstein
Clara and Roy Schwarz
Book Fund...
The Clara and Roy Schwarz Book Fund
provides each Irma M. Isaacson Scholarship Fund recipient with supplementary
funds for the purchase of books.
u
In
memory of Jean Kerstein
By her aunt, Nat Leon
u
In honor of Phyllis Nitzkin
By Kat B. Kay
u
In honor of NCJW
By The Kyla A.Yager B’nai
Maimonides Donor Advised
Fund
By The Laura M. Nussdorf B’nai
Maimonides Donor Advised
Fund
By The Ariane Schaffer B’nai
Maimonides Donor Advised
Fund
By The Ann L. Leyens Donor
Advised Fund of JEF
u
In honor of Joel and Bert
Myers upon their 55th wedding
anniversary
By Carol and Stanley Marx u
In honor of Carol Rosen’s 80th
birthday
By Joel and Bert Myers
u
In memory of Marcia Magid
By Kat B. Kay
u
In memory of Marilyn Brown’s
father
By Barbara Herman
u
In memory of Janis Berenson
By Barbara Herman
u
In honor of Dana Shepard
upon receiving the Bissinger
Award
By Joel Myers
u
In honor of Michelle Denney
upon her marriage
By Joel Myers
u
In honor of Joe Bernstein upon
his 80th birthday
By Joel Myers
Scholarship Program
Co-Chairs
Nancy B.Timm and
Ann Thompson
present the
applications of those
who have applied
for scholarships.
Sara Stone
A donation
u
Be in the know - Send your email address to [email protected] today!
NCJW | Page 7
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Calendar
Calendar
of
of
EVENTS
EVENTS
�Tuesday,
u April 26Sept. 4Hannah
�Wednesday, Sept.u 19May 16 SAVE THE
�Saturday,
DATE Oct. 20
G. Solomon Award Luncheon
Executive
Committee
Mtg.
BookPartners
VOTE
- Primary
Election
Closing
Luncheon
and
u April 27 Advocacy Day in Baton Rouge
Uptown
JCC,
12:30
pm
State office
and
Installation
Luncheon
NCJW will join the coalition for
Councilperson
at large-(N.O.)
Renaissance
Arts
Hotel
�
Saturday,
Sept.
22
Sex Ed in La.! 11:30 a.m.
Yom Kippur
�
Monday,
Sept.
10
u April 27 Exec. Meeting
NCJW & others sponsor
�Tuesday, Oct. 30
7:00 pm, location TBD
BookPartners
Gubernatorial Issues Forum
Executive Committee
�Sunday, Sept. 23 u May 24
u May 4Sinai,
7:00
Uptown
Uptown
JCC, 6 p.m.
Temple
- 8:30 JCC
pm Board Meeting Opening Tea & Installations
Meeting
Noon
12:30 pm at home of Esther
Windsor Court Hotel,
1:30 pm Uptown
u May 26
JCC
u May 6 NCJW
co-sponsored event
Hendler
�Thursday,
Sept.
13
Executive Committee Meeting
Lagniappe Lecture at WW2
Museum
Rosh Hashanah
�Tuesday,
Oct. 2 Noon
It Happened in Italy: Untold Stories
of Meeting,
�Monday, Nov. 5
Board
How the People of Italy Defied 7-9pm,
the Horrors
Board Meeting
Metairie JCC
�Monday, Sept. 17
the Holocaust
Metairie JCC, 7 - 9 pm
KnitWits will of
meet!
Be
on
our email list.
Elizabeth
Bettina,
author
of
It
Happened
in
Learn how to knit and crochet at Joel
�Wednesday, Oct. 17
Italy, and Ursula
Selig, who wasGubernatorial
hidden by
Send your
email address
Myers home. Questions?
Call 282-2233
�Tuesday,
Nov. 6 to
Debate
speak about
[email protected]
or 972-754-6604Italians during World War II, will
VOTE - Election Day
6:00-7:00
FOX 8 - WVUE TV
the Jewish population of Italy and
the
Italians
General
Election and Runoff
or call Terri
at 861-7788.
NCJW & LW V sponsors
who saved them from the Holocaust.
World War II Museum, 7 p.m.
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NCJW