The Bernstein Scholarship Award

The Philip S. Bernstein Scholarship Award is given to one or more young people in our congregation. This award originated as a WRJ/Sisterhood loan fund more than 50 years ago. It was renamed in 1986 to honor the memory of Rabbi Philip S. Bernstein, who served as spiritual leader of our temple for more than five decades. In 1999 the fund was redesigned to be a monetary award rather than a loan.

The award is given based upon commitment to Judaism and sincere interest in the pursuit of studies related to that commitment. The recipients exemplify all for which Rabbi Bernstein stood.

The award will be given to persons of high school age and above who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to Judaism. Preference will be given to those who plan to pursue Judaic studies. The award is not based on financial need.

For more information, please contact the WRJ/Sisterhood Office at 244-7060 x233.

Please Join Us in Leading Shabbat Services
Saturday morning, February 4

On February 4 WRJ/Sisterhood will once again lead the congregation in prayer .... we would love your participation.

Torah and Haftorah readers are needed, as well as readers for other Hebrew and English portions. A beautiful Kiddush is being planned. Perhaps you would like to support it by being a sponsor. We are also looking for bakers and hostesses.

Please let us hear from you...Liza Robbins Theuman: ltheuman[at]rochester.rr.com or 585-201-2024.

Sunday, March 4
for a Luncheon to celebrate the founding of WRJ/Sisterhood

Wednesday March 14
for the WRJ/Sisterhood Annual Interfaith Event

Our popular sale will be held again in May, 2012

Your donations, and those from family and friends, will assure another successful event. Please...items MUST be clean and in good repair. In addition to handbags, jewelry and decorative tchotchkes we welcome artwork, children's toys and games. Sorry, we cannot accept furniture, strollers, highchairs, clothing or shoes.

Call 244-7060 x233 or email wrj[at]tbk.org for drop-off details or questions.

WRJ/Sisterhood welcomes new babies to our Temple family! A member of our Cradle Roll Committee makes a personal visit to each family, bringing gifts and "Mazel Tov"!

It is a lovely tradition to sponsor a Friday evening Oneg Shabbat in honor of a forthcoming wedding, wedding anniversary, a special person or event, someone's birthday, the birth or naming of a child or grandchild, or a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. You may become a sponsor by making a donation to the Belle Rose-Beck Bernstein Sabbath Fund, which enables Sisterhood to continue this beautiful conclusion to our Friday evening services.

As a sponsor, your name will be printed in the program passed out at Friday evening services and in the Temple bulletin. You will also be asked to participate, if you wish, in the service on the date you are sponsoring.

For more information, please call Margie Sabath, 271-3773 or Sue Eckhaus at the Sisterhood Office, 244-7060 (Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday a.m.)

WRJ/Sisterhood now has a page on Facebook. Search for "Women of Reform Judaism/B'rith Kodesh Sisterhood" and "like" our page. Sue Eckhaus, WRJ/Sisterhood Secretary, will be adding photos and sharing information about upcoming events. It is your page...use it as you see fit. Please let Sue know if you have any suggestions. Contact her at SEckhaus[at]TBK.org or 244-7060, x332

We will begin making pads in early January once again. All are welcome. Call Judy Schwartz, 442-5111 to join in this important and fun project.

Thousands of women in Africa, Asia and the Arab region suffer from obstetric fistulas -a hole in the birth canal caused by prolonged labor without prompt medical intervention. The woman is left with chronic incontinence and, in most cases, a stillborn baby. WRJ has just developed a new program for sisterhoods, Maternal Health and Fistula, as an implementing partner of the Religions for Peace inter-religious initiative to seek an end to maternal deaths and fistula. Many multi-religious women's groups are implementing the initiative.

Birthing kits provide the essential items to promote a safe, clean delivery and encourage good aftercare. We are collecting items, and donations for the kits and will do so at our 50th Interfaith Event and at our WRJ District Area Weekend in June. These are the required items.

Birthing Kit Items Value: $8 per kit

Place these items inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag.
* 1 hotel-size bar of soap (1 oz. and up) * 1 pair of clean latex gloves * 1 square yard of clear 4 mil plastic sheeting * 3 pieces of clean string each 12" long * 1 clean single use razor blade (carefully wrap the blade in paper or plastic to protect it and keep it from causing injury) * 2 flannelette receiving blankets, each 1 square yard

Important Kit Assembly Information

* All items included in kits must be NEW items. * All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations. Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries, it is important that kits contain only the requested items-nothing more. * Do NOT include any personal notes, money or additional materials in the kits. These things must be painstakingly removed and will delay the shipment.

Contact the WRJ/Sisterhood office at 244-7060 ext. 233 for more information.

For many years, WRJ/Sisterhood has had a policy of open board meetings. This means that every woman in WRJ/Sisterhood is welcome to attend our monthly meetings. By attending these meetings, you will get first hand information about our programs and projects, hear reports about WRJ/Sisterhood at the district level as well as the international level. You will also have the opportunity to partake in discussions about various issues in which we are involved. Our next meeting will be Monday January 31 at 7:30 pm. Hope to see you there!

You can see sisterhood's upcoming events on the calendar.

Online shopping for all your Judaica needs!

Not the usual "online shop", not online access to all the great merchandise available at our temple Judaica Shop! It is our opportunity to provide a broader variety of Judaica. It is our opportunity to introduce you to merchandise that we have no space or budget to carry in our shop. And it is one more way to help WRJ/Sisterhood raise funds in support of TBK and community projects.

Shop www.tbk.judaicabeautiful.com and at our temple Judaica Shop. Quality Judaica at the best possible price points...always!