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Message from the Presidents

Greetings to all! We hope that you all had a happy and blessed 5781 High Holiday season and are looking forward to Sukkot. This year, the first day of Sukkot is on Shabbat, October 3, and ends with Simchat Torah on Sunday, October 11. Many of the usual Hadassah Minneapolis activities are scheduled for October on Zoom, including book groups and the board meeting on October 7. No in-person gatherings for Hadassah will be held for the rest of this calendar year. We also are looking forward to the November 8 From #MeToo to #WeToo program to be held on Zoom.

Don’t forget to vote November 3! You can mail in your ballot, but you should do that as early as possible – in October – to make sure your ballot is counted! See Community News, below, for information about registration and voting.

Hadassah mourns the death of Ruth Bader Ginsberg (see Hadassah News, below). She was actively involved with Hadassah even while serving on the Supreme Court. May her memory be for a blessing.

Wishing you an enjoyable October,

Stacey Bush and Donna Fredkove, Hadassah Minneapolis Co-Presidents

20th Annual Conference on Mental Health

Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis and Jewish Family Service of St. Paul are proud to offer the Twin Cities Jewish Community 20th Annual Conference on Mental Health. Co-sponsored by the Twin Cities Jewish community including Hadassah Upper Midwest and Hadassah Minneapolis, the conference, titled “Inviting Positivity in Uncertain Times,” will be held virtually from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 18. The program, which is free and open to people of all faiths and spiritualities, will feature a keynote address from Bryan Piatt, KARE-11 producer and former anchor, who will share his personal mental health journey in an interview with his colleague, Jana Shortal, KARE-11 anchor and host of Breaking the News.

The conference will offer three breakout sessions of workshops with 15 topics to choose from, some beginner-level and some intermediate-level, covering mental health issues affecting youth to people in the later stages of life. One track will provide a general introduction to mental-health issues; others will cover addiction, parenting children of any age with behavioral or mental challenges, and emotional wellness. To register, click here. To see the flyer/brochure, click here.

November Program: From #MeToo to #WeToo

Join us for an important Zoom program co-sponsored by Hadassah Minneapolis and National Council of Jewish Women, to be held on Sunday, November 8 at 10 a.m. Zoom “doors” will open at 9:30.

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              From #MeToo to #WeToo – Safety, Respect and Equity in the Jewish Community

This event is free with registration required by November 5. You will receive an email flyer with the registration information soon.

The last several years have brought forward astonishing revelations in the world and in our Jewish community which have started to give hope that the sexual harassment we have always known will be no more. We are all struggling – personally and communally – with how to respond, what actions to take, and how to add our unique voice to this important conversation. In our community, we strive to create safe, respectful, and equitable workplaces and communities that are free from gender abuse and harassment. It is our ethical responsibility and our moral imperative. To register, click here. To see the flyer, click here. If you have any questions about this event, you may contact Barbara Parks at 952-905-6891 or email hadassahminneapolis@gmail.com.

Cultural Clique

The Cultural Clique is in operation again because of Zoom and performances you can see at home.  For October, we are going to attend, in the privacy of our homes, the production of Operation Immigration by the Minnesota Jewish Theater, October 17-25. Call or email the theater, pick a date, buy a ticket, and watch the performance on that date. In either late October or November, we will discuss the play as a group by Zoom. For any questions, contact, Sarene Silver at sarenesilver@comcast.com.

Education

The loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, or RBG as we’ve come to know her, is huge – she was a giant of a woman, brave, smart, caring, funny, inspiring and a leader way before her time, along with being a champion of women’s rights and all people’s rights. She was the second woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court, and she leaves quite a legacy. When looking up Ruth Bader Ginsburg in our Hadassah database, this is what you will see: Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Hadassah Life Member, Hadassah Greater Washington.

•  From Hadassah Magazine July 2016:  Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is putting the drama of Ginsburg vs. Trump behind her as she heads to Venice, Italy, to take part in a new role: the presiding judge in Shylock’s Appeal, a mock trial that is part of the 500th anniversary commemoration of the Venice Ghetto and the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Click here to read the full article.

•  From the Hadassah website, April 5, 2019: Each year, an intimate group of Hadassah members and Associates gathers at the Supreme Court for what is, for most, a professional highlight: being sworn in as Members of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, alongside their peers from the Hadassah Attorneys Council. Click here to read the full article.

•  From Deborah B. Kahn: “As the co-chair of Hadassah’s National Attorneys Council’s annual 'swearing in' program at the United States Supreme Court, mention must also be made of the extraordinarily generous gift of her time that Justice Ginsburg has given to our groups for so many years. The private meetings that Hadassah Life Members/Associates (and their guests) have enjoyed with this amazing woman during our visits to the High Court have deeply touched each and every one of us who have been privileged to meet her. Justice Ginsburg’s intellect, genuine kindness and integrity – palpable to anyone in her orbit – have been an inspiration to so many."

Sukkah design is all up to your imagination! A sukkah is a booth or hut in which Jews are supposed to dwell during the week-long celebration of Sukkot (this year from the evening of October 2 through the end of the day of October 11). According to rabbinic tradition, these tent-like structures represent the huts in which the Israelites dwelt during their 40 years of wandering in the desert after escaping from slavery in Egypt. The festival of Sukkot is one of the three pilgrimage festivals of the Jewish year. Enjoy some highly creative sukkahs by clicking here!

Support Hadassah by Purchasing eCards

For a minimum annual donation of $36, you can send unlimited electronic greeting cards (eCards) – all-occasion, Rosh Hashanah, etc. – for an entire year. This is a great way to support Hadassah, and especially in this time of COVID when we may not want to go shopping for cards, you can send them to your family and friends through the ease of your computer by clicking here.

              

Craft Co-Op Offering Appointments

The Craft Co-Op is happy to offer individual appointments if anyone needs a gift and feels comfortable doing so. The inventory is located at the home of Debby Wolk, in South Minneapolis. You can reach her through email: debhadassah@gmail.com or by phone, 612-925-7932.

Here are the particulars of how it will work:
•  You will be expected to wear a mask. (Please have your own as we do not have any to give.) Deb also will wear a mask during the appointment. Everyone will work to maintain proper social distancing.
•  If you do not feel well for any reason, please call to reschedule. Likewise, if Deb does not feel well, she will call to reschedule.
•  One customer can be in the house at a time. (If you are with another person, they can wait outside on the deck or in the car -- the gardens are gorgeous!)
•  The inventory is down a fairly steep flight of stairs, with a railing. We can bring up some bins to the main level if needed. When you make your appointment, it will be helpful to know what you are looking for (a baby gift, housewares, etc.).
•  There is a cat in the house, but it will be isolated while you visit.
•  We would prefer checks but will accept cash for exact change.

               

Hadassah News: Mourning the Loss of Ruth Bader Ginsberg

National Hadassah has issued a statement regarding the death of Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the second woman and first Jewish woman on the Supreme Court. To read the full statement, click here.

Selfies Wanted!

National Hadassah has started two selfies initiatives, one for Keepers of the Gate to sport your Keeper pins, and the other for all Hadassah members to show off your face masks. Be creative!

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Keepers of the Gate program, Hadassah is compiling a digital photo gallery. If you are a Keeper and want to participate, please send a selfie of you sporting your Keepers pin to Crystal Stubbs at cstubbs@hadassah.org. The official deadline was September 30, but Hadassah is accepting photos after that. To see the flyer, click here. Not a Keeper yet? Well, it is easy! For a $1,000 annual contribution, you can become a Keeper and receive a beautiful David’s harp pin. You can pay in one lump sum or monthly during the year. For more information contact Sarene Silver at sarenesilver@comcast.net.

Hadassah has started a Face Mask Challenge on Facebook where you post a selfie wearing a face mask and donate to Hadassah and then challenge others to do the same.  Click here for the details.

Book Chavurot

The Nightclub book group will meet on Thursday, October 1 at 7 p.m. Once again, the meeting will be on Zoom. Sue Garnett sent out the Zoom invitation on Tuesday, September 29. We are reading The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens. Even if you are unable to get the book, feel free to attend the meeting. Many times the discussions start with the book and then veer off into related subjects. Phyllis Harris will lead our discussion. Questions? Contact Sue Garnett (nettgar1@gmail.com or 952-545-1435).

The Knollwood book club is alive and well but not meeting as a group just yet. Due to remodeling in the building and visitor restrictions because of the virus, we are all sheltering in place and reading. Let us know some titles of books that you have found interesting -- or not -- as we will begin compiling titles for our 2021 season. We are not sure when that will begin, but we can all hope and plan as if we will be meeting soon. Send your titles to Debby Wolk at tzvibo@aol.com or call her at 612-925-7932. She would love to hear from you just to say hello as well. Be well!

Walking Group Suspended

The Walking Group still is on hold because of COVID-19. We hope everyone is exercising in some way. Keeping healthy and fit is one way to protect yourself from this horrible virus.

Region News:  Office Still Closed

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.

Community News

2020 Election: Your voice is important; make sure it is heard by voting in the general election on Tuesday, November 3. In Minnesota due to COVID-19, you can vote by mail. Click here to register to vote. Click here to request a mail-in-ballot. You still can vote in person on November 3 or earlier.

Shop and Support Hadassah

AmazonSmile is a program through which Amazon donates 0.5% of your Amazon purchases to a charity of your choosing. Go to smile.amazon.com, log in if needed, and search for Hadassah. Then, to assure that Hadassah will receive a benefit, please make sure to login into AmazonSmile before you make your purchase. Thanks to customers shopping at AmazonSmile, everyday purchases generated over $200 million in donations to charities worldwide so far. AmazonSmile has the same low prices, vast selection, and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, plus you generate donations for charity at no cost to you.

AmazonSmile's impact to date:
•  $10,092.66 to Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America
•  $198,636,544.70 to all charities in the US
•  $215,721,458.97 to all charities worldwide

For more information about AmazonSmile, click here for the FAQ sheet. Sign up today. What an easy way to help Hadassah!

Save the Dates

In addition to From #MeToo to #WeToo, the Program Committee is working on a couple of ideas for upcoming programs. Watch for further information.

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.

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. 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.