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Message from the Presidents

Since we wrote our last entry for News You Can Use in mid-May, the world has changed. In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, Minneapolis has seen marches, protests, and (unfortunately) rioting, looting and destruction. But the overall message has become clear: The United States belongs to EVERYONE, regardless of race, religion or gender/sexual orientation. As a minority, Jews understand this. We’re fortunate that our “difference” isn’t typically obvious to the casual observer. But we know that the fight for equality is never over, and remains important. Both National Hadassah and Hadassah Minneapolis strive to combat hate wherever it exists. Hadassah’s mission of healing, teaching and research relates not only to physical medicine, but also to creating a better world in which to live.

Stacey Bush and Donna Fredkove.

Message from National Hadassah

Please take a moment to read and share this important, timely statement from National Hadassah on racial justice.

Hadassah reaffirms its long-held commitment to racial justice as we join people across the country in condemning the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. Hadassah stands in solidarity with communities of color and with all those from Jewish and other communities denouncing instances of police brutality and all aspects of systemic racism. As an organization and as individuals, we must listen, question our own biases, and speak out against racism and bigotry in our country. Our hearts go out to our members, staff, and community partners of color, and we pledge to continue serving as allies in this fight. Click here to read Hadassah’s 2017 Racial Justice Policy Statement.

Upcoming Program:  Humor with Rabbi Sim Glaser

SAVE THE DATE!

What:  Getting Quirky in Quarantine: Some Levity from the Inappropriate Rabbi.  Rabbi Sim Glaser will entertain us with comedy and music.

When:  August 26 at 7 p.m.

Where:  Zoom, registration information and link to follow.  Watch for an email flier and the August News You Can Use.

Education

What does it mean to be Black and Jewish?  Click here to read about how Black Jews are responding to the George Floyd protests. Click here for the story of a Minneapolis African-American who converted to Judaism and made Aliyah.

Did you know there is a Black National Anthem? It is called Lift Every Voice and Sing. Unless you attended one of the historically black colleges that pair “Lift” with the official national anthem at ceremonies and sporting events, or you spent a lot of time in black churches, in black civil rights spaces or in majority-black grade schools, you might never have heard the song. For more information, click here.

Adath Jeshurun Congregation's Hazzan Joanna Dulkin has arranged and performed Chava Albertstein’s Hebrew song Living Tapestry - רקמה אנושית to remind us that “We are all connected. Never forget.” What an important message for us all! Hazzan Dulkin recorded this song the day after she attended a silent clergy march and vigil in Minneapolis near the site of George Floyd's murder. The larger resonance of the song began to show itself, and she re-edited this video to include the names and pictures of a few of the thousands of black Americans who have been killed for #livingwhileblack. Heartbreakingly, she edited it again, to add the image of Rayshard Brooks. Click here for the video.

COVID-19 Update

Hadassah Hospital and the Hadassah Medical Association (HMO) are working to find answers during this pandemic. For example, they have been working to solve a deadly Covid-19 complication that affects 30 percent of patients: the formation of large and small blood clots that create lethal blockages in patients’ lungs, hearts, kidneys and brains. They have taken an important first step, identifying the mechanism that causes the clots, and are now testing a drug that they hope will reduce the clots.

Book Chavurot

The next meeting for the Nightclub book group has been changed from our usual first Thursday of the month due to the July 4th holiday weekend. We will meet on Thursday, July 9, at 7:00 p.m. This will be a Zoom meeting. Due to Covid-19 and not being able to meet, we fell two months behind on our book list for 2020. We have moved everything two months later, so the book for July will be Leave No Trace by Mindy Mejia. The library still is closed except for curbside pickup, but it seems that most of the copies of this book are checked out and nobody can return books yet (as of June 20 when this article was finished). There are many sources online for purchasing new and used books. Also, Half Price Books in Miracle Mile in St. Louis Park is doing curbside pickup. You could call and make arrangements to pick one up. There are also electronic versions and electronic audiobooks. If you have questions, contact Sue Garnett (nettgar1@gmail.com or 952-545-1435).

The Knollwood book group is hoping to be able to resume soon. Please watch for an upcoming announcement via email that will alert all of us as to when we will be allowed to meet in the building. We look forward to sharing insights about whatever books you have been reading during this time of "sheltering in place,” and hope and pray that you are all well and looking forward to seeing each other face to face, protected of course with face masks and distance. We'd love to hear from all who are interested in joining us when we resume. Please contact Debby Wolk via email or phone at tzvibo@aol.com or 612-925-7932 to let her know that you are interested in being part of our lively group. Many thanks for your patience during these last few months .

Craft Co-Op

We will not be conducting any public sales in the near future but hope to be back up and running again soon. In the meantime, if you enjoy sewing, knitting, crocheting, beading, etc., and currently have some spare time to work on creating something beautiful to donate to this project, please contact Sara Bernstein,  at hadassahcraftcoop@gmail.com, or Sue Blehert, at sblehert@q.com,  and we’ll be happy to add your items to our lovely inventory.  We hope to be “back in business” again soon.
 
               

Hadassah News -- ReConceiving Infertility

For too long, infertility and the struggles toward parenthood have been topics of hushed conversations and quiet suffering. From the matriarchs and patriarchs of biblical times to present day, the Jewish community knows these challenges all too well. At Hadassah, we're reConcieving Infertility, with a new initiative to bring members, units and communities together to raise awareness and confront taboos while driving policy change and empowering patients to advocate for their health. At the same time, we'll be helping our communities expand their definitions of what it means when we talk about family. Click here to find information, personal stories, resources, advocacy opportunities, and Hadassah Hospital efforts on infertility.

Hadassah Magazine focused on infertility in the March 2020 issue. Click here for the article, which includes links to Jewish organizations dealing with this problem. One of the groups listed, Uprooted: A Jewish Community Response to Fertility Journeys, is working with Hadassah, both at the national level and here in the Twin Cities. A program by Uprooted, co-sponsored by Hadassah Upper Midwest, is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, 7 p.m. at Sabes JCC (see Save the Dates, below). Uprooted also has started a support group for women dealing with fertility issues. For more information, email dgelfman@weareuptooted.org.

Walking Group Suspended

The Walking Group is not meeting until the spread of COVID-19 settles down and we get the OK from National Hadassah to gather.

Ronald McDonald House Cooks for Kids Program Suspended

As so many other places have, the Ronald McDonald House is not allowing extra people into the House. This means that it has suspended its volunteer programs, including Cooks for Kids, the program that provides meals for the families staying at RMH. Hadassah has been involved with this program for more than 30 years. Although the program has been suspended, the House still needs to provide meals for the families. If you want to learn how you can help as individuals, please see the Upper Midwest Ronald McDonald website.

Community News

The Minnesota Primary is Tuesday, August 11.  Don’t forget to vote — your votes matter!  Not only is voting a right in our democracy, but it is truly an obligation. Your vote is very important, now, more than ever. If you want to vote by mail, a safe option considering COVID-19, click here for information and to request a ballot.

Documents and story reveal the lives of those who came before us. Join the MN Jewish Genealogical Society (MNJGS) for an online webinar, “Shining Light on Jewish Genealogy,” led by MNJGS Vice President Dr. Liba Casson-Nudel. Co-sponsored by TC Jewfolk, the webinar will help you learn how to discover your story in the traces of your life. The webinar will be held Sunday, July 12, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. For more information, click here. To register, click here.

TC Jewfolk, our Twin Cities Jewish Community information site, has anti-racist resources available.  For more information, click here.

If you or someone you know is struggling with food and groceries, JFCS can help review food options. Just call JFCS at  952-546-0616 and leave a confidential message, or click here for more information.

Save the Dates

Hadassah Minneapolis will partner with National Council of Jewish Women on a timely and important program called From Me Too to We Too, Safety, Respect, and Equity in our Jewish Community. This program, scheduled for Sunday, November 8 at 10 a.m., will include an open conversation with NCJW CEO Sheila Katz and Minnesota Jewish community leaders about gender discrimination and assault within and beyond our community. You'll hear first-hand narratives from across the country and engage in key questions and concrete strategies for how we can build and sustain a safe, respectful and equitable Minnesota Jewish community. Watch your email for information on this event!

The TRYmester program about Jewish fertility journeys out loud, has tentatively been re-scheduled to Sunday, November 15. Hadassah Upper Midwest is co-sponsoring this powerful program.

Hadassah Missions is now Hadassah Israel Travel. Visit the Hadassah Israel website to pick your favorite tour for fall and winter 2020 and join us in Israel! Don’t forget to invite your family and friends!

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 still will have to pay taxes on your purchases. This card entitles you to a discount if available.  Contact Judy Edwards, Office Manager, Hadassah Upper Midwest, 612-759-5357, if you have 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 Tasteocracy, formerly 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.tasteocracy.com. To sign up, click on Join button at the top. After you enter your personal information, choose Plymouth, MN as the “Closest testing location," select Yes in the "Make Donation" space, “Religion HADASSAH-MINNEAPOLIS CHAPTER” in the “I am fundraising for” space, and "Partial payment of $10" in the following space. If you prefer to register by phone, please call Tasteocracy 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

                                   

Ten reasons to buy your greeting cards through Hadassah:

     1. The cards are attractive and meaningful.
     2. The money you pay for your cards goes directly to Hadassah!
     3. There are a number of card categories including birthday, sympathy, get well, mazel tov, bar/bat mitzvah, etc.
     4. You can buy cards at Hadassah events and also through our Hadassah card contacts listed below. (No standing at the store).
     5. We have brand new Happy Birthday cards that have just arrived!!
     6. The cards offer a variety of messages.
     7. The recipient will understand and appreciate that the money you spent on their card goes to support Hadassah’s mission.
     8. The price for the cards is $5 each or 3 for $12….a real steal!!
     9. Our special Malinsky cards (photo at right) for Cancer Research are $10 each.
   10. Why would you spend more money at a store when you can support our chapter fundraising goals and Hadassah at the same time?

Hadassah Certificates are a special way for you to make a donation in honor or in memory of someone. These attractive certificates ranging from $10-$500 are personalized with the message you wish and sent directly to the recipient. Contact the Card/Certificate person below to order your certificates or online through www.hadassah.org. Click on Donate, then Other Ways to Give, then Personalized Certificates.  Be sure to designate Hadassah Minneapolis when prompted.

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 612-298-5597

Contribution envelopes or Bea Rossen Youth Aliyah Fund: Sheryl Cohen stelladoob@gmail.com or 612-298-5597

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

E-mail 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. All Hadassah offices have been closed since March, and at this point, we have not been given a reopen date. Since we do not have access to either our office email or voice mail, if you wish to reach us, please use the Hadassah Minneapolis email, hadassahminneapolis@gmail.com.

View our Hadassah Minneapolis website at www.hadassah.org/minneapolis.

Like Hadassah on Facebook.