Dear ,

Message from the President

Happy New Year to all of you!

Our new board has been installed and is ready to go for 2021. The first board meeting is a full-board meeting on January 6 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.  All Chapter members are welcome to attend. Just let me know if you aren't on the board, and I will send you the Zoom link. Please email me at hadassahdonna@gmail.com to request the link.

With a campaign for widespread vaccinations against COVID-19 underway, there is hope on the horizon for the end of the pandemic that has kept us from gathering together in person. However, the risk of contracting this dangerous virus is still out there, and we need to continue to follow the state and federal government's rules and guidance to protect ourselves and others. Our public health officials will let us know when precautions are no longer needed.

We will continue to hold Zoom meetings until further notice. Our chapter must follow the National Hadassah requirements as well as all applicable governmental requirements, and the Hadassah restrictions may be more stringent than the government requires. Feel free to email me at the above address with any questions you have about this, or call me at 952-217-4086.

Wishing you a wonderful, healthy 2021,

Donna Fredkove, Hadassah Minneapolis President

Programming News

Officers for 2021 were installed on December 20 via zoom. Bernice Frisch skillfully adapted to virtual programming with the help of Marlene Bukstein as host. Not only did Bernice adapt to the new technology, she provided us with a beautiful and creative installation program by tying the symbolism of precious gems to the various board positions. Carrying the theme further, she paired each new officer with her birthstone. Cantor Tamar Havilio from Bet Shalom (photo above, left), our guest speaker/songstress, entertained us with music and stories. She promised us an in-person program when it is safe to gather again. We are pleased to welcome her back to Minneapolis..

Order 2021 Mah Jongg Cards to Benefit Hadassah

The National Mah Jongg League will make a donation in the form of a rebate to charitable organizations for Mah Jongg cards ordered by individuals submitted in one order. Hadassah does not benefit if membership is done online or through the mail by individuals. Hadassah Minneapolis receives $2.50 for each membership plus a $20 bonus. For many years, the chapter has been receiving a collector’s rebate through this program. Last year’s rebate was $631.00, our highest ever!

The new 2021 Mah Jongg cards are now available for purchase and may be ordered in two sizes. A standard card/membership is now $9.00, and a large card/membership is now $10.00. Please encourage those you know to order their card through Hadassah.

Cards are mailed directly to your address from the National Mah Jongg League. To order, send a check made out to Ronna Locketz (not Hadassah), 4740 Walnut Grove Lane N, Plymouth, MN 55446. Please include your address, preferred phone number, and email. The deadline is January 30.

                         

Education

Tu B’Shevat starts at sundown Wednesday, January 27. A minor Jewish holiday, it is often referred to as the new year (or “birthday”) of the trees. The holiday originated in the Talmud, and was based on the date chosen for calculating the agricultural cycle of taking tithes from the produce of the trees, which were brought as first-fruit offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. Tu B’Shevat has developed into an ecological holiday that reminds Jews of our connection to the earth and to our role as caretakers of the environment. Some modern practices include donating money to plant trees in Israel or planting trees locally.

As part of the Tu B’Shevat seder, it is customary to eat from shiv’at ha’minim (seven species endemic to the Land of Israel): wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. Beyond that, there are many possible variations for preparing a Tu B’shevat meal, usually incorporating dried fruit and nuts, and one can be creative in deciding how to plan the menu. To see some Tu B’Shevat recipes, click on the underlined items below.

•  Seven Species Muffins, from the Tori Avey website
•  Fruit Bark, from the Chabad website
•  Barley Salad, from the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore website

                                 

Hadassah's newest initiative, in partnership with Jewish National Fund (JNF-KKL), is the Hadassah Shade Tree Garden at the Eshkol Resilience Center. Your donation today will support Hadassah’s and JNF’s partnership in creating a garden for patients and their families at the Eshkol Resilience Center, located in Southern Israel, where thousands of Israelis are treated annually for PTSD. All donors who contribute to this initiative will receive the Hadassah Shade Tree Garden Certificate, exclusively designed for Hadassah. This elegant certificate is a thoughtful way to honor or memorialize someone special in your life. JNF certificates are one of the most meaningful and convenient ways to celebrate a milestone or life cycle event. Click here for more information.

Craft Co-Op Gift Salon Open for Business

Looking for great gift ideas? You can brighten the hearts of those whom you love and appreciate by shopping at the unique “salon,” where the Hadassah Minneapolis Craft Co-Op panoply of gorgeous, colorful, practical, whimsical, quality handmade items abide.

Some of our newest additions include fabulous faux fur spiral scarves (see below) that are warm, comfortable, truly elegant, and easy to wear. They come in black (Persian lamb), gray (rabbit), brown (mink), white (ermine) and more. We also have a wide variety of children’s and adult sized aprons in colorful prints, adorable baby hats and blankets, cute oven hanging towels and oven mitts, hand-knit fashion hats, beautiful challah covers, matzo covers, wall hangings, plus a lovely quilted Hanukkah table runner for use this year (with limited guests - of course), and for years to come.

So pick up the phone or send a note to Debby Wolk, 612-925-7932, e-mail tzvibo@aol.com, to make an appointment to see our fabulous inventory. Social distancing and other safety protocols will be observed. Wear your mask, and our sales personnel will do the same. Following the guidelines of Hadassah, the MN Department of Health, and the governor, appointments will be available for individuals who have not been in contact with anyone who has been in contact with COVID-19. We also cannot serve anyone who has recently tested positive, is awaiting test results or is having any known symptoms. We accept payments by cash or check. Don’t miss this chance to honor someone special - including yourself!

                              

Storage Space Needed

Hadassah Minneapolis is looking for a place to store ten boxes of items used at the annual Maj-a-thon and White Elephant Auction. If you have a place to help Hadassah store these items until they are needed, please contact Gloria Murman at gmurman@comcast.net.

Cultural Clique

The Cultural Clique continues to meet each month due to the availability of Netflix and Zoom. In January, we will watch two movies on Netflix: The Hillbilly Elegy, from the book by J.D. Vance, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, from the play by August Wilson. Later in the month, we will use Zoom to discuss these movies. As winter approaches with fewer activities available to us, we encourage you to watch these movies even if you are not part of the Cultural Clique. If you want to take part in the discussion and are not an official member, contact Sarene Silver at ssilver125@aol.com, and she will notify you when the discussion will take place.

Book Chavurot

The Nightclub book group is changing its meeting time. We will now meet at 4:15 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month on Zoom. Once we can meet in person, we will re-evaluate our meeting time. The book for January 7 is The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant. The discussion will be led by Phyllis. Even if you are unable to get the book, feel free to attend. Many times the discussions start with the book and then veer off into related subjects. 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

Drat this COVID-19! It has ruined so much. We are missing each other and walking together. With two vaccines now available, maybe we can meet by summer.

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.

              

Planned Giving

Planned giving is an easy way to donate to Hadassah. When donors include a gift to Hadassah in their estate plans, they leave a legacy that allows us to continue our mission of healing the sick, curing disease, promoting Jewish leadership and empowering Jewish youth in Israel and the United States. A bequest from a will or a living trust allows for an estate in any amount to be designated to Hadassah free of tax. If donors are looking for a simple way to make a charitable gift to Hadassah that won’t leave them worried about their future financial security, a charitable gift annuity could be the solution. Click here to learn more. For more information, contact Hadassah at 800-428-8884 or giving@hadassah.org.

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.

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

Save the Dates

On March 16 at 7 p.m., Doris Rubenstein, author of the play A Pickle , will speak to us about the book that she co-wrote with Natalie Madgy titled Setting the Stage: Jewish Theater in the Upper Midwest from Its Origin to the Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company. This program will be an enjoyable substitute for an evening at the theater that COVID-19 is preventing us from attending. Watch your email for the e-flyer for more details!

Hadassah Missions is now Hadassah Israel Travel. Visit the Hadassah Israel website to pick your favorite tour for 2021 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.