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THE CHESHIRE HADASSAH
what’s news
February to May 2015 (published 4 times per year)
Save the Dates
March 5
Purim
March 9
Board Meeting
Bonnie Donato’s Home
7:00 pm
March Date TBA
Passover Tasting Dinner
Mickey’s Restaurant
Hamden
6:30 pm
Adar to Iyyar 5775
Installation Dinner
Cheshire Hadassah held a successful Installation / Membership dinner in
January at Serafino's. Twenty-five people attended and enjoyed hearing
from Alyssa about Hadassah's mission and purpose. Alyssa’s speech is
on page 10 for everyone to read . New board members were installed
and board members who are not continuing with their positions were
thanked for their service. We enjoyed the company, food and door
prizes on a cold winter night. Approximately $400 was raised at the
event. Thank you to the members who helped to contribute and find
items for door prizes and thank you to all who serve on the board! A
special thanks goes out to Suzanne Perlroth for organizing this wonderful event!
March 22
Region Meeting and Light
Lunch with Guest Speaker
JCC in Woodbridge
12:30 pm
April 3
First Night of Passover
April 30
A Journey Through
the GI Tract
15 Mountaincrest Drive,
Cheshire
7:00 pm
May 4
Board Meeting
Location TBA
7:30 pm
You may obtain a copy of Hadassah’s financial report by writing to the Hadassah Finance Department, 50 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10019
President’s Message
Dear Cheshire Hadassah,
January 8th I had the honor of being installed as the President of the Cheshire Hadassah Chapter. As third
generation lifetime member of Hadassah, I know my Grandmother, Great Aunt, and Mother are so very
proud. I look forward to serving as your president and want to thank Alyssa Budkofsky for everything she did
during her presidency. In 2014 our chapter won two "regular" Chapter awards: Best implementation of a
Hadassah National Program "Every Beat Counts--Race to Jerusalem" and Best e-Communication for our
website and Facebook page. We also won a "superlative" Chapter award, the Metzuyan (Excellence) award:
which was primarily a result of our amazing Race of Jerusalem program. Thank you Alyssa and
congratulations chapter!
I welcome the 2015 Board members and thank each of them for the year to come. As a chapter we have
grown throughout the years. Currently we have 276 life members, 21 child life members, and 24 associate
members. With our growth we know that the success of our chapter does not rest solely with increasing
member count or with the Board but with the support and involvement of each and every member. We are
pulling together an exciting calendar for 2015 and have already identified several activities: Annual Passover
tasking at Mickey’s, a Chagall Window Painting Party, Women and Wine Havdalah time, and so many more
events. L’Chaim to 2015!
I look forward to creating more Hadassah memories, learning, and laughing along the way with each of you at
these events.
“Dare to dream... and when you dream, dream big” Henrietta Szold
Shalom,
Bonnie MK Donato
Page 2
Please Join us for a
Passover Tasting
Enjoy Mickey’s delicious recipes and get some
ideas for your own family seder.
Date in March to be Announced
Mickey’s Restaurant
2323 Whitney Avenue, Hamden
Watch for details via email soon!
Membership News:
We are thrilled to welcome the following new Life Members to our chapter:
Rachelle Cooper — who transferred from the New Haven chapter
Jacqueline Himmelfarb - who transferred from the New Haven chapter
Erica Norcross
We are also thrilled to welcome the following new Child Life Members:
Norah Brogadir
Ilana Fishman
Sofia Sabet
Page 3
2015 Board Members
President
Bonnie Donato
203-671-5634
[email protected]
Co-President
position available
VPs of Programming and
Fundraising
Sarah Moskowitz
Jean Caplan
Marcie Steinberg
Cara Laub
203-272-7265
203-272-1122
203-271-1142
203-389-2821
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
VPs of Education
Andrea Joseph
Sherri Sosensky
203-272-8640
203-288-1511
[email protected]
[email protected]
VP of Membership
position available
Co-VP of Membership
Alyssa Budkofsky
203-626-9459
[email protected]
Recording Secretary
Karen Mendelsohn
203-699-0535
[email protected]
Treasurer
Jacqui Seigel
203-272-5501
[email protected]
Publicity
Leslie White
203-434-2268
[email protected]
Bulletin Editor
Sue Chasen
203-439-0321
[email protected]
Mailing Coordinator
Joanne Dragunoff
203-272-7656
[email protected]
Mailing Labels
Lucy Kampf
Alyssa Budkofsky
203-980-6894
203-626-9459
[email protected]
[email protected]
Corresponding Secretary
Alyssa Budkofsky
203-626-9459
[email protected]
Cumulative Giving Chairwoman
Susan Schiffres
203-250-7484
[email protected]
Membership Dinner
position available
Installation Dinner
position available
Challah and Flower Sales
position available
Chanukah Sales
Marcie Steinberg
Heidi Rochow
203-271-1142
203-699-9489
[email protected]
[email protected]
Passover Dessert Sales
position available
Bulletin Advertising
position available
Supermarket Certificate Sales
Jacqui Seigel
203-272-5501
[email protected]
Website Coordinators
Pam Bingman
Claudette Lebowitz
203-271-8010
203-272-7932
[email protected]
[email protected]
Advisor
Joyce Backman
203-226-5260
[email protected]
Temple Beth David Rep.
Ann Curiale
203-439-9058
[email protected]
Mishkan Israel Representative
position available
Temple Beth Sholom Rep.
position available
Page 4
Perpetual Yahrzeits in Memory of Doris and Elliot Glunts
The Chapter is pleased to announce that we raised $2000 to establish a perpetual Yahrzeit in Israel for both
Doris and Elliot Glunts who, sadly, both passed away in 2014. The Perpertual Yahrzeit is a Signature Giving
Program by Hadassah that ensures that Kaddish will be said within the sanctified walls, beneath the Chagall
windows at the Fannie and Maxwell Abbell Synagogue on the premises of the Hadassah-Hebrew University
Medical Center at Ein Kerem, Jerusalem in perpetuity on the anniversary of their passing. The family was very
touched by this gesture, as Hadassah is very near and dear to their hearts. Their daughter Jane Kampf
reflected that “Hadassah was like a sister to my mom”.
This is something that anyone may do in memory of a loved
one at any time!
A one-time gift of $1000 can ensure that Kaddish will be recited for
your loved one every year forever. Kaddish will be recited each year
by a Rabbi at the Synagogue at Hadassah Hospital, Ein Kerem,
Jerusalem.
Each year you will receive a letter from Hadassah providing both the
English and Hebrew Yahrzeit dates.
For more information, please go to
www.hadassah.org/yahrzeit
Our Website is Now Easier to Find!
You can now access our chapter ’ s wonderful website just by
scanning this QR code with your smart phone. Of course, you
can also still find the website by typing the
URL into your web browser if you prefer.
http://qucheshirehadassah.weebly.com
Page 5
Hadassah Happenings
Condolences to:
Jane and Andy Kampf on the passing of Jane’s mother, Doris Glunts, who was a life member of our chapter.
Lucy and Josh Kampf on the passing of Josh’s grandmother Doris Glunts.
Sally and Larry Kleinman on the passing of Larry’s mother, Gloria.
Speedy Recovery to:
Helen Korchin who is recovering from surgery.
Mazel Tov to:
Emily Levada and Jonathan Kirtz on the birth of their son Zander Marcus Kirtz-Levada.
Ellen and Drew Levada, proud grandparents of Zander Marcus.
TO OUR MEMBERS:
Please let us know if you have any news for Hadassah Happenings. If we don’t print your news, it’s
because we’re not aware of it.
If you have any announcements to be included in the Hadassah Happenings for the next bulletin,
please contact: Alyssa Budkofsky at 203-626-9459 or [email protected].
We are looking for a representative from each local synagogue to update our chapter on events
happening such as bar/ bat mitzvahs, weddings, graduations, condolences etc. If you are interested, please email
Bonnie Donato at [email protected]
Also, when requesting cards or certificates to be sent, please allow a grace period of 10 days.
Advertise in our Bulletin!
The bulletin is published 4 times per year and mailed to over
275 households and is on our website.
Include your business card sized ad for an annual price of $40.
Ad prices can be prorated for the remaining bulletins this year.
Please Contact Sue Chasen at [email protected] or
203-439-0321 for more information.
Going Even Greener
Over the past several years, our chapter has been trying to “go green” by reducing the number of paper mailings
to just four bulletins per year with all additional flyers and information being sent via email and posted on our
website. A few members have recently requested to receive their bulletins via email as well.
If you would like to receive the next bulletin via email instead of a printed copy in the mail, please
email Sue Chasen at [email protected]. Emailed bulletins will be sent as a PDF attachment.
Page 6
Treasurers’ Report
Through generous donations and wonderful programming, we reached 60% of our
fundraising goal for 2014. In addition, our chapter donated over $1200 to the Tower
Campaign. Thank you to our donors!
For 2015 we have two monetary goals: a “General” fundraising and a Tower goal.
Our 2015 “General” fundraising goal is $28,500 and the Tower goal is $5000. We
have already raised about $2500. Please continue to support this wonderful organization and its amazing projects by participating in our fundraisers and coming to our
events. I truly appreciate your generosity and support!
General
- Jacqui Seigel, Treasurer
Tower
Supermarket Certificates
Please support our ongoing fundraiser! As always, we sell supermarket “scrip” for Stop & Shop and Big Y.
There is no additional charge to you (face value of coupons only).
Hadassah then gets 5% back on all Stop & Shop coupons sold and
6% back on all Big Y coupons sold! Coupons can be delivered.
Contact Jacqui Seigel at (h) 203-272-5501; (c) 203-494-2528 or [email protected] to place an order.
Board Positions Available
To All Hadassah Members:
If you have ever thought about becoming a Hadassah board member or wanted to support one of the many amazing Hadassah programs/projects, please email
[email protected].
There are many 2015 Hadassah Board Positions still open including (to only name a
few)
* Co-President
* VP of Membership
* Membership Dinner Coordinator
* Installation Dinner Coordinator
* Challah and Flower Sales
* Passover Dessert Sales
* Bulletin Advertising
* Bulletin Editor
* Synagogue representative for Mishkan Israel and Temple Beth Sholom.
As we look forward to our chapter's future we know that each and
everyone of us are the future, and through our commitment and
involvement it's a beautiful future.
Page 7
Page 8
Please Join Us for these Exciting Events!
A Journey Through the GI Tract
Do you have questions about gas, reflux, celiac, lactose
intolerance, IBS, Crohns Disease, or colon cancer screening? Bring your
questions and ask the gastroenterologist!
Dr. Jonathan White, a graduate of Tufts University and Mount Sinai
Medical School, is a practicing gastroenterologist with CT GI. His offices
are in Wallingford and Meriden.
Thursday April 30th, 7:00 PM
Joanne Dragunoff’s Home: 15 Mountaincrest Drive, Cheshire
Suggested Donation of $18.00
Please RSVP to
Leslie White at [email protected] or
Joanne Dragunoff, 203-272-7656 or [email protected]
Many other exciting events are being planned. These include a yoga event, a painting lesson, and a
Havdallah night. If you would like to help with the planning of any of these events, please contact
any of the VPs of programming and fundraising. Their contact information can be found on page
4 of this bulletin.
Page 9
What is Hadassah and Why Should You Support it? (Alyssa’s Speech from the Installation Dinner)
The official title of this organization we are supporting tonight is “Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America”. The organization’s mission statement says that it is a volunteer organization that inspires a passion for and commitment to its partnership with the land and people of Israel. It enhances the health of people worldwide through its support
of medical care and research at the Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem. Hadassah empowers its members and
supporters, as well as youth in Israel and America, through opportunities for personal growth, education, advocacy and
Jewish continuity.
You have heard this before, and you wonder, how this relates to your life in Southern Connecticut. At a time when everyone is busy and has a million obligations and is solicited at least 5 times per day for their time or money, why should you
spend your time or your money on Hadassah?
The simple answer is that contributing to Hadassah in whatever way fits into your life (financially or by volunteering, or
both!) is the equivalent to participating in the Race for the Cure, Relay for Life, American Heart Association, JDRF Walk to
Cure Diabetes, MS Walks, calling your congressman to voice your opinions and so much more.
Hadassah is there in times of natural disasters around the globe. Hadassah sent medical care to Haiti after the devastating
earthquake in 2010, Hadassah participates in HIV/AIDS research on World AIDS Day as well as the 364 other days a year,
Hadassah doctors were in the Philippines after a typhoon in 2013 and treating those hurt in the Boston Marathon bombings.
Hadassah leads the way in advocating for women’s rights and human rights. Next week, Hadassah is sponsoring Human
Trafficking Day of Action. Next month, Hadassah is sponsoring Gender Equity in Medical Research advocacy day.
In the last 15 years, Hadassah Medical Center is the home to medical innovations and research for, just to name a few, hip
replacements, fertility in cancer patients, kidney transplants, BRCA free embryos in a mother who carries the gene, liver
disease, influenza vaccines, skin cancer treatment, stem-cell research, Crohn’s Disease, stroke damage, improvements to
MRI’s, macular degeneration and diabetes. In the last year, two of Hadassah’s major programs raised funding for two important women’s health issues: breast cancer and women’s heart health.
In the last MONTH, Hadassah Medical Center research has led to the testing of a genetic mutation called Lynch Syndrome,
the detection of which can prevent colon, endometrial and ovarian cancer. It also allows for early detection of pancreatic
and urinary tract cancer.
The importance of Hadassah’s medical research is closer than you think. Also, last month, the FDA granted approval for US
clinical trials of Hadassah developed technology to treat fatty liver disease. Two months ago, the FDA granted approval for
clinical trials in the US for Hadassah developed stem cell treatment of macular degeneration.
Raise your hand if one of these diseases or causes I mentioned hasn’t impacted your immediate family or your extended
family….
There is no denying that Hadassah is a social organization that has helped us all meet new friends. But, Hadassah is also an
organization that whether we see it clearly or not, touches every one of our lives in much more impactful ways.
So, what I’m asking for you to consider in 2015, is making Hadassah a bigger part of your life. There are many ways you can
do this:
-simply making the time to attend another chapter or region event
- volunteer your time to run an event
-at the next happy or sad occasion in your life, purchase a card or certificate through Hadassah,
-if your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or even your neighbor, is about to become a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, encourage them to
take advantage of Hadassah fundraising programs as their mitzvah project,
-or donate what you can because every dollar helps around the world in so many ways.
Thank you all for your support tonight and throughout my Presidency, I couldn’t have done it without and you and with
that being said, I can’t wait to officially turn it over to the very capable hands of Bonnie Donato!
Page 10
National Hadassah liked the idea of our own Alyssa Budkofsky so much that
they have adapted her exercise fundraiser and made it a national program.
Congratulations Alyssa!
Here is information about how you can get involved and help Hadassah
while you stay fit!
Things You Can Do to Warm Up
and
Get Ready for Every Step Counts
Get a pedometer, learn how to use it, and get used to wearing it every day.
After you complete Step 2 – Walker Tracker Registration, you can practice logging your steps and find out what your regular average is. That will
help you set your goals in April and help track your improvement.
Encourage your friends and family to register at www.hadassah.org/everystepcounts.
Give your Walker Tracker user name to your family and friends. This will allow you to see each other’s progress, challenge and provide support.
When you click on the Friends tab on Walker Tracker, you can search for people and connect on the site.
Fundraise! When you sign in at www.hadassah.org/everystepcounts, you can click on “Go the Extra Mile” to be directed to the Participant Center,
your fundraising headquarters.
Visit your local gyms, supermarkets, community centers, colleges, synagogues, churches, and spread the word. Ask if you can leave a poster and/or
flyers.
Work with your local Hadassah unit to plan a great kick-off event and walkathons. Hadassah leaders can access our Run/Walk Kit.
Hadassah leaders can be prepared to give updates at meetings, on your unit’s progress/goal: # of registrants, # of steps, and funds raised. Put your
report in the bulletin including photos.
Make a walking plan:
Who is on your team? Your family/friends/others - make new friends
When? In the morning, in the afternoon, or in the evening
Where? In your neighborhood, park, mall, gym/treadmill
Cheshire Hadassah
NON-PROFIT
c/o 5 Copper Beech Drive
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Cheshire, CT 06410
CHESHIRE, CT
PERMIT NO. 17
Cheshire Hadassah is now Online!
Don't forget to check out the new Cheshire Hadassah webpage at:
http://qucheshirehadassah.weebly.com
The website was created in partnership with Quinnipiac University computer science students.
If you would like to add any information to the website, contact Pam Bingman at
[email protected] or Claudette Lebowitz at [email protected].
Cheshire Hadassah wishes you
and your family a
Happy Passover!
Before you start your Passover shopping,
contact Jacqui to get scrip for
Stop & Shop or Big Y!
Cheshire Hadassah Facebook page!
Please join us on Facebook. We have a private group called
Cheshire Hadassah on Facebook. Search for us and be added
to the group. Only members can view our conversations.
Contact [email protected] with questions.
We’re Going Green!
Please make sure we have your email address so we can
reduce the number of paper mailings we send out. If you are not on
our email list, please send your email address to Alyssa at
[email protected] or 203-272-5501
[email protected].