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2018 New Year's Mum Plant Sale

Every fall Hadassah Minneapolis highlights the holiday of Rosh Hashanah with our annual Mum Plant Sale. One of our major fundraising projects, it provides the opportunity to send sweet New Year’s wishes to family and friends with the purchase of a colorful 14” tall mum plant. If you have been a fortunate recipient of this gift in the past, now is the time to reciprocate or you can donate a plant to a Sholom Home resident who has no family here.  The heart of this event is the many gracious volunteers who deliver these beautiful plants and get to see the joy on people's faces as they receive these gifts.  Delivery dates will be September 5-7.

Help Hadassah Minneapolis make this year’s plant sale momentous by spreading the good will and sweetness of the New Year with your orders, and please consider the mitzvah you would be doing by becoming a volunteer driver to make this fundraising endeavor complete. The cost of the plants this year is $21.00 per plant.

You may mail in orders on the flyer that went out in July or pay securely through PayPal at www.hadassahminneapolisplants.webs.com.  Either way, the deadline for ordering is Friday, August 17.  Please check the box to help with deliveries if you can.    If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Shelly Levine at shellyilevine@msn.com or by phone at 763-383-0329.

Hadassah High Holiday Cards on Sale Now

Benefit Hadassah by purchasing your beautiful Hadassah High Holiday cards NOW and get them in plenty of time!  The cost at $1.25 each or 4 for $5.00 is a great bargain!  Contact Ronna Locketz at 612-730-6418.

National News:   Advocacy

Hadassah has long been a strong supporter of strict legislative gun control initiatives in the United States.  In 2013, the National Board of Hadassah reaffirmed the statement it had made in 2000 in support of stronger gun control legislation and enforcement of current laws to protect our communities and our nation from gun violence.  In response to the recent tragic shootings, Congress must come together to enact substantive and comprehensive gun safety legislation.

Hadassah is a long-time advocate for equal rights—for women, minorities, and the LGBTQ community—and vigorously condemns discrimination of any kind.  In 2016, Hadassah passed an LGBTQ Equality policy statement reaffirming its support for equality and equal protections under the law for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the United States.  The Equality Act is a common-sense piece of legislation that will ensure that employees, students, and consumers – regardless of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity -- are protected from discrimination.

Contact your legislators to press for important human rights issues!  Go to www.hadassah.org and the Hadassah National Action Center for more information and assistance in contacting your legislators.

Book Chavurot

The Night Club Bookclub meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.  Our next gathering will be August 2 in the Plymouth Library. 15700 36th Avenue N., Plymouth.  We’ll be in the second room, the conference room on the far right wall. The book we will be discussing is The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff.  The following month we will be meeting on September 6 at the Plymouth Library in the same room. The book we will be discussing will be Nine Essential Things I’ve Learned About Life by Harold Kushner.  We are always open for new members.  If anyone is interested or if you have any questions, please contact Shelly Levine at shellyilevine@msn.com or 612-597-3349.

The next gathering of the Afternoon Book Group is at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 15.  We meet at the Plymouth Library: 15700 36th Avenue N., in the small meeting room along the far-right wall. Our August book is The Two-Family House: a Novel by Lynda Cohen Loigman.  You might also want to look into reserving the September book, The Gilded Years: A Novel by Karin Tanabe, as it was in short supply for the evening group.  We welcome new members.  Questions? Contact Sue Garnett, 952-545-1435 or at  nettgar1@gmail.com.

The Henrietta Szold book group is a lively bunch of men and women who meet the 4th Wednesday of every month in the Knollwood Place Apartments boardroom, at 1 p.m.  Our book list is varied  and all the book titles chosen are available in regular and large print, audio, and downloadable formats with many copies in the Library system.  Many of our participants use the volunteer delivery system offered by the Hennepin County Libraries.  While not everyone finishes reading each of our titles, we have great discussions based on the themes in each book.  The book for August 22 is The Life we Bury by Allen Eskins.  Please feel free to join us.  If you are not on our contact list, call Debby Wolk at 612-925-7932 or email her at tzvibo@aol.com for more information.

Cultural Clique

Our next event is Thursday, August 23 at 10:30 a.m. when the Cultural Clique will tour the Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden with a docent.  The tour lasts 45 minutes and is handicapped accessible.  For those of you who would like the option, we can have lunch afterwards at the Walker.  Since the docent is free, we would like to make her a member of Hadassah, so we will collect a small amount from each of you to help pay for this.  RSVP to Sarene Silver at ssilver125@aol.com or 763-544-4012 if you plan to attend, and indicate if you want to stay for lunch as we need to make a reservation.  Hope to see you all there!

Fundraising

National Hadassah's three-year capital campaign, "360 Degrees of Healing," will provide money to renovate and improve Hadassah Hospital's original "Round Building."  They'll be able to add 200 new beds, renovate 17 operating rooms, provide more comprehensive services, and much more.  YOU DON'T NEED TO WAIT TO DONATE!  Commit to Hadassah with a generous donation at any time.  For more information, contact fundraising vice presidents Stacey Bush (staceyrbush@gmail.com) or Linda Ward (ward4858@yahoo.com).

Ronald McDonald House Is Looking for Your Help

Hadassah has been serving meals every Thursday at the Ronald McDonald House on the University of Minnesota campus (east bank) for 30 some years. We’ve had captains and teams preparing, warming and serving up to 100 people--patients and their families, all this time quietly fulfilling a Hadassah mission of helping to heal and support the sick here at “home.”  We have lost several teams for various reasons and need more teams so we are reaching out to you and asking you to step up, pitch in, and have fun at the same time.  Tasks include cooking on site or providing cooked food that is purchased from a professional resource such as Costco, Sam’s Club, Cub, etc., delivering the meal to the House and providing servers to dish up, clean up, and smile with good cheer and well wishes to family, staff, and most of all the patients undergoing treatment in nearby University hospitals.  Talk to one of our captains, Terry Hallfin at 763-588-5597 or email her at terrybmn@visi.com to find out how you can be a part of this worthwhile endeavor.  Ronald is waiting to hear from you.  Don’t think about it -- just give it a try!

Membership

One of the privileges and responsibilities of being an American citizen is to vote to elect our government officials.  As Jewish women and Hadassah members, we believe in Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, which adds to the importance of making your voice heard.  Election season is upon us.  Be an informed voter!  Learn about the candidates and the issues before you enter the voting booth.

The Minnesota primary election lands on August 14 this year with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m.   With the advent of no-excuse absentee balloting, Minnesotans may mail or turn in absentee ballots without needing a reason.  You also can vote early in person.  For more information, click here.

For membership questions, contact Terry Hallfin at terrybmn@visi.com or Rosa Liberty at librp68@gmail.com.

Walking Group 

Our walking group started several years ago as part of National Hadassah’s initiative called Every Step Counts, encouraging members to exercise.  Although National’s focus has changed to other issues of women’s health, our walking group has enjoyed walking together so much that we have continued.  We walk on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30.  During the summer, we use the many paths around the city.  We move inside on rainy days and during the winter.  Come when you can.  We are always happy to have new members join us.

For more information, contact Terry Hallfin at terrybmn@visi.com.

Save the Dates

The Living Well program, a six-week Fairview Health Systems group-based program, co-sponsored by Hadassah Minneapolis, to help people with chronic conditions learn healthier ways to live, will take place Wednesdays 1-3:30 p.m., October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, and November 7, at the Knollwood Place Apartments Auditorium.  The workshop is open to adults of all ages with chronic conditions, as well as to their family members and caregivers.   Classroom subjects include techniques for dealing with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain, and isolation; exercises for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance; appropriate use of medications; communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals; nutrition; and decision making.  More details will be coming in September.

The Hadassah mission From Dream to Innovation: Milestone Mission to Israel is scheduled for October 7-15. Subventions are available from the Upper Midwest Region.  For more information on the program, click here.  For information on the subventions, please contact Debby Jewett at debby.jewett@gmail.com.

Midterm elections are Tuesday, November 6 with absentee and early voting beginning on Friday, September 21.  Your vote is important.

Are you Cyber-Safe?, an Education program, will be held Sunday, November 11, 10 a.m.-noon at Beth El Synagogue.  Topics include protecting patient health data, protecting your children on-line, and socializing and sharing on social media.  Look for a flyer in October!

Office Depot Discount for Hadassah Minneapolis Members

Office Depot has offered our members a non-profit discount on over 2,000 items. The flyer with the discount card can be viewed and printed by clicking here.  Take it to Office Depot.  They will laminate the card for free, too.  You will have to pay taxes on your purchases and pay for them.  This card entitles you to a discount if available.  Contact Judy Edwards, Office Manager, Hadassah Upper Midwest 612-759-5357 if you have any questions.

Perpetual Yahrzeits at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem

When a loved one dies, please consider directing memorial gifts to Hadassah.The spirit of your family member or friend will live on in the lives that you help to enrich and to save! All donations will be promptly acknowledged to the donor and provided to the family of the deceased.  A “Perpetual Yahrzeit” can be purchased with a one-time contribution of $1000. Kaddish will be said annually in the Abbell Synagogue at the Hadassah Hospital in Ein Kerem. Advance yahrzeits can be purchased at any time for yourself or a loved one.   We Americans are culturally deprived when it comes to death and dying.  For information on Hadassah's Perpetual Yahrzeit program call the Hadassah Minneapolis office at 952-924-4999 or click here.  Memorial contributions of any amount may also be mailed to Hadassah Minneapolis, 5905 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley, MN 55422.

It's a Win-Win for You and Hadassah!

Become a taste-tester for Food Perspectives, Inc. Every time you qualify for and participate in a survey, you will be paid an incentive of approximately $35 to $85, based upon the time the survey session takes. In addition to that amount, Hadassah Minneapolis will be paid $10. Men and women who sign up to be testers must be between the ages of 18 and 84.   If you are interested in participating--or know someone (friend, relative, son, daughter, grandchild, etc.) who would like to participate--registration can be done on-line at www.fpitesters.com. Click on the tab “Become a Tester.” When you select from the list of non-profit organizations for the $10 payment, please select, “Hadassah Minneapolis Chapter.” If you prefer to register by phone, please call Food Perspectives, Inc. at 763-354-2776. Remember, this is a fundraiser that is a “win” for Hadassah and for the participant.

Cards, Certificates, and JNF Trees and Blue Boxes

Do you know you can send cards through our chapter that will support Hadassah and Israel instead of a business? Have you noticed greeting card prices going higher and higher?  Support our Hadassah Chapter by buying your birthday, sympathy, get well, mazel tov and other greeting cards through your Hadassah card contacts listed below.  Our prices are the most reasonable around and all the money goes to Hadassah!! Prices are $5 each or 3 for $12. JNF certificates are $18.  Cards are available at board meetings and Hadassah events.  If you wish you can call or email card contacts below who will sign and mail the card out upon receiving your check.  Malinsky cards for cancer research are available for $10 each. We have a large selection of attractive certificates ranging from $10-$500 and up that are customized to the message you wish to send. There is $1.00 charge for postage. Please contact the Certificate person below to honor/remember someone with a beautiful Hadassah Certificate.  You can also order certificates online through Hadassah website at www.hadassah.org, click on Donate, then Other Ways to Give, then Personalized Certificates. Be sure to designate Hadassah Minneapolis when prompted.  There you can choose to send certificates to be sent via email or through the mail.

Malinsky Cards: Ronna Locketz ronnalocketz@gmail.com or at 612-730-6418

Cards (Knollwood Place): Maurine Ziv maurineziv@gmail.com or 952-938-2550

Cards or Certificates: Ronna Locketz ronnalocketz@gmail.com or 763-544-5439

JNF Trees: Sheryl Cohen stelladoob@gmail.com or 952-933-5093

Contribution envelopes or Bea Rossen Youth Aliyah Fund: Fredell Cohen 952-920-0740

If you have a full JNF Blue Box that needs to be emptied, contact Ellen Etzkin at etzkin44@gmail.com or 952-935-7767.

Email Addresses

If you have Hadassah member friends not receiving the monthly Hadassah Minneapolis emails, please forward this newsletter to them and encourage them to sign up by contacting the office at 952-924-4999 or at umregion@hadassah.org.

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